The Playbook With David Meltzer

In today’s episode I sit down with Christopher Rognstad, the inventor and CEO behind THC Grow Systems and the Horticulture Camera. We talk about how a simple need for peace of mind during the pandemic pushed him toward building a remote control platform for indoor growers, powered by time-lapse imaging and real problem detection. He shares how he protects his ideas, why crowdfunding fits his missi...

In this episode, I share why service is the foundation of real success—and why it starts with taking care of yourself first. When you fill your cup, you serve with clarity and consistency, rather than burnout. I explain how surrounding yourself with purpose-driven communities, setting boundaries, and developing others multiplies your impact. When you give and receive with intention and choose alig...

In today’s episode, I share the lessons that reshaped my understanding of money, purpose, and the way giving truly works. I talk about growing up with a single mom in Akron, Ohio, building extreme wealth, losing it all, and realizing that generosity doesn’t create automatic financial return unless you learn how to receive. I explain the “dummy tax,” the trap of confusing survival instincts with a...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Kwame Christian, the founder and CEO of the American Negotiation Institute, for a conversation about what negotiation really is and why most people misunderstand it. We talk about recognizing when you’re actually negotiating, knowing your timing and risk tolerance, and understanding the difference between convincing and conveying your value. Kwame shares how he...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dave Schell, a former NFL player turned founder whose work in digital electricity is reshaping how mission critical power is built for the future. We talk about his journey from the gridiron to the energy sector, the fifteen-year path that led him to innovate inside an industry that hasn’t changed in a century, and why AI factories and data centers are now at th...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Matthew Mills, the CEO and chairman of Med-X, a company built on replacing toxic pesticides with natural, science-driven solutions. Matthew shares how years of research, agricultural licensing, and real-world testing helped his team create commercial grade products that reduce everyday exposure to harmful chemicals found in schools, parks, hospitals, and even ou...

In today’s episode, I talk about why frequency drives every choice I make and how purpose becomes the filter for everything from my work to my relationships. I share why consistency always outperforms sporadic effort and how the extra mile traps so many people in short bursts of motivation. I explain the power of small daily commitments, the way energy accelerates and compounds over time, and what...

In today’s episode, I sit down with entrepreneur Troy Smith, CEO and co-founder of Chop Chop, to talk about a delivery model built to actually support restaurants, drivers, and customers. I walk through why so many restaurants lose money using traditional platforms, and Troy breaks down how his flat-fee, no-commission system restores control to the people doing the work. We get into the razor-thin...

In this episode, I break down six lessons that have shaped how I approach my own inputs and outcomes. With 80% of our 40,000 daily subconscious thoughts leaning negative, I’ve learned how important it is to stay intentional about the energy and information I let in. I share why many of your clients may be breaking you even, why the holidays have been my best window for big deals, and how my Triple...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Rhonda Kich, the powerhouse founder of EquityFirst and a trusted voice in financial literacy. We talk about the lessons that shaped my newest book, the role toxicity played in my past, and the hard reset that came after losing everything. I share how my wife’s push for accountability changed my path, the balance between being fed and being bled, and the framewor...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Alli Covington and Sebastian Hidalgo, the co-founders behind BOD Care, a health operating system built to improve performance rather than offer another box-checking perk. We talk about why most wellness programs fall flat, why engagement is the missing piece in corporate health, and how one-to-one coaching and daily accountability shift long-term behavior. Alli...

In today’s episode, I sit down with entrepreneur Jonathan Destler, founder and CEO of Opti-Harvest, to talk about how light and data are reshaping the future of agriculture. Jonathan shares how decades of scientific research turned into a simple but overlooked solution that helps growers boost yields, cut costs, and reduce environmental impact. We get into why big ag is at a crisis point, why sunl...

In today’s episode, I sit down with entrepreneur Adalbert De La Cruz, the founder of Clarity, to talk about the pressure, indecision, and mental clutter so many of us battle while trying to get things done. We get into how voice-first tools can cut through overwhelm, help us organize our thoughts, and turn scattered ideas into a doable plan. Adalbert shares how his own experience shaped Clarity’s...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Brian Tran of The Winners Club Podcast to unpack the lessons that shaped me long before I understood how much they would matter. I talk about the early success that convinced me I didn’t need help, the ego that pushed me into avoidable mistakes, and the $100 million loss that forced me to rebuild from the inside out. I share why mentorship only works when you se...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Fabien Auger, a creative strategist, entrepreneur, author, and former boxer whose journey took him from New York nightlife to building Zulni, a reflective journaling app powered by AI and biofeedback. Fabien talks about misunderstanding himself for years, the emotional cost of numbing stress, and the turning point that pushed him toward sobriety and self-awarene...

In this episode, I explain why your environment is the greatest indicator of your future. Every room you enter, every relationship you invest in, and every block of time on your calendar is sending you toward your potential or pulling you away from it. I break down how consistent behaviors—not grand gestures—shape culture, and why mastering your internal state is the foundation for mastering every...

In today’s episode, I break down how shifting from selling to serving transforms trust, connection, and long-term growth. I walk through the energy behind our words, why pressure creates resistance, and how curiosity, empathy, and reflective listening open the door to real partnership. I explain how time, emotion, and value constantly change and why adjusting to those changes keeps relationships a...

In today’s episode, I sit down with entrepreneur Noor Fateh, the chief revenue officer at FanBasis, to explore how intention and innovation can reshape an entire industry. Noor shares the story of his family’s journey from Pakistan to Los Angeles and how their sacrifices fueled his drive to build something meaningful. We walk through his leap from college to tech startups, the early pivots inside...

In today’s episode, I sit down with legendary Argentine sports commentator Andres Cantor for a conversation inside one of the most iconic stadiums on the planet. We talk about what shaped his career, how he’s seen the World Cup evolve over 16 tournaments, and why the United States still struggles to convert youth participation into true fandom. Andres shares what makes soccer culture so unique, fr...

In today’s episode, I break down how the timeless principles of Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich translate into a modern playbook for building real wealth. I share why wealth is created twice, first in your mind and then in the marketplace, and how definiteness of purpose, faith, and specialized knowledge shape that journey. I walk through my ten lessons of wealth, from imagination and organize...

In today’s episode, I break down how I manage my energy, prioritize my nonnegotiables, and keep my life aligned with my divine direction. I share the role sleep, recovery, and intentional routines play in keeping me active instead of merely busy, and why interference drains more potential than any lack of talent. I walk through the lessons I learned from losing everything, the moments when loved o...

In today’s episode, I break down why time is the most valuable asset we’re given and how understanding it changes the way we move through the human experience. I talk about the guarantee of our 24 hours, the role of pain in learning, and how aligning the meaning of the past with where we want to go keeps us from getting stuck in old stories. I share why non negotiable habits around sleep, health,...

In this episode, I explain why your inner circle is one of the greatest indicators of where you’re headed. I talk about how leading with gratitude, empathy, accountability, and effective communication attracts the people who support your vision. I share simple ways to set boundaries, protect your energy, and stay aligned with the relationships that move you forward. I also highlight how the right...

In today’s episode, I speak to a room of young entrepreneurs about why definiteness of purpose matters more than raw talent, and how to use it to pitch with integrity. I share the five dollar for twenty dollar lesson, the five elements of every great pitch, and why saying “I don’t know” builds more trust than any slick deck. I explain my thousand step philosophy of success, the three no rule for p...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Embarc Wines co-founders Adam Lovingood and Richard Garcia to unpack how they built a self-serve wine experience that feels both innovative and familiar. We get into the early days of their partnership, the years of planning that shaped their model, and the moment they realized this concept could scale far beyond a single location. They walk me through the balan...