The Smarter Wealthier Podcast

Mike McMeans breaks down the biggest misconception in personal finance that you have to earn more before you can start saving and shows how discipline, not income, is the true driver of wealth. Learn how small, consistent decisions create long-term financial freedom.   About Mike McMeans Mike McMeans is the President and Owner of Silverling Financial and a Certified Financial Planner® dedicated to...

Quick update: the podcast is moving from weekly to monthly episodes. This shift allows for more focused topics, consistent length, and more guest conversations, all aimed at delivering stronger, more practical value.

In this episode of the Smarter Wealthier Podcast, Spencer Dillinger and Gabe Rogers explain that getting promoted isn’t just about doing your job well, it’s about developing others and shifting from a “me” mindset to a “we” mindset. They break down how true leaders create value by replacing themselves, avoiding detractor behavior, and becoming multipliers who elevate the performance of everyone ar...

In this episode of The Smarter Wealthier Podcast, Spencer Dillinger and Gabe Rogers break down what it actually means to pursue constant, never-ending improvement, and why it ultimately comes down to personal ownership. Drawing from real-world experience in the trades, sales, and leadership, they explore the difference between knowing and doing, the role of discipline versus curiosity, and how sma...

In this episode of the Smarter Wealthier Podcast, Spencer and Gabe sit down with 24-year-old entrepreneur Josh Hudepohl, founder of Hudepohl Landscape & Design and Summerside Pools. Starting with just a mower and knocking doors in high school, Josh scaled his business to multi-million-dollar revenue by focusing on consistency, relentless growth, and trusting his instincts.

In this episode, we sit down with Josh Zolin, CEO of Windy City Equipment (WCE), who walked away from a lifelong path in the stunt industry to build a multi-million dollar service business in the trades. Josh shares how he made the transition, what it really took to grow the company, and the mindset shifts that drove their success from hiring the right people to building a culture centered around...

In this episode, we sit down with Rich Malachy, owner of Malachy Parts and Service, to break down how he scaled his business from a small team of 8 technicians to a thriving operation with 32. Rich shares the real story behind that growth, what worked, what didn’t, and the decisions that made the biggest impact. The conversation covers hiring and retaining quality technicians, building systems tha...

In this 3 minute update we share some exciting updates about what is coming with our podcast in the next few weeks.   

Most people want to get promoted, make more money, and move up in their career, but very few understand how the process actually works. In this episode, we take a step back and look at promotions from a 30,000-foot view. We talk about how to view your current job the right way, why the role you have today is actually the training ground for the next level, and how people who rise through a company...

Not every repair is created equal. Sometimes spending an extra $200 today prevents a $2,000 failure tomorrow. Other times, the right move is the simple fix that gets them running without overselling. In this episode, we break down how to think like a professional not a parts changer. • When to replace accessory components to prevent callbacks • When a quick fix is actually the smarter play • How t...

Imposter syndrome is more common in the trades than we talk about, especially as techs grow into leadership roles. In this episode, we break down how self‑doubt shows up in the field, why skilled tradespeople experience it, and practical ways to push past it. Built for working techs and aspiring leaders who want confidence to match their capability.  

Most people think taking time off is a reward. It’s not. It’s maintenance. In this episode, we break down why skipping vacations, working nonstop, and “pushing through” doesn’t make you tougher, it makes you slower, sloppier, and more expensive in the long run.

In this episode, we break down how real confidence is built, why skill alone isn’t enough, and why the most confident people in the trades often don’t look confident at all.

Leadership isn’t a promotion, it’s a skilled trade. It has a learning curve, costly mistakes, and lessons you only earn through experience. In this episode, we break down what surprised us most when we became leaders, and what no one warns you about.

It’s not motivation. It’s not discipline. It’s something way simpler and fixable.

Nobody warns you that building a meaningful life doesn’t feel steady. Some days demand everything you’ve got, while others quietly remind you what you’re working for. In this episode, we talk about the unseen weight of responsibility, why certain seasons feel heavier than others, and how learning to recognize those moments changes everything. If you’ve ever felt pulled in two directions and wonder...

Every January promises change, but most people end the year exactly where they started. It’s not a discipline problem or a motivation problem. In this episode, we unpack the invisible influence that decides whether you grow or stall, and why protecting this one area matters more than anything on your to-do list.

Goals don’t move your life forward: reasons do. In this episode, we dig into why having a strong “why” is more important than the goal itself, especially for people building careers, families, and long-term wealth. If your goals keep stalling out, this might be the missing piece.

What actually makes someone smarter and wealthier? In this episode, we break down the books that genuinely changed how we think about money, work, discipline, and decision-making. No theory, no fluff, just the ideas we’ve applied in real life that helped us build better careers, businesses, and long-term wealth. If you’re tired of learning the hard way and want a faster path forward, this episode...

Most people set goals. Almost no one makes the decision that actually changes their future. In this episode, we break down why its so difficult to stick with new years resolutions and what you can do to make annual goals effective. This episode we give you practical advice on how to stick with your goals and how get started before January 1st.   Questions to ask during goal planning:  What do I wa...

A fast, practical look at the values that built Jags Mechanical and how techs use them to grow their career, income, and mindset.

Modern life is strange. On the surface, everything feels easier: ordering food, changing the thermostat, sending a message, buying anything you want with a tap. But behind that simplicity is a massive, invisible network of people, technology, supply chains, and collaboration that’s more complex than at any point in human history. In this episode, Spencer and Gabe break down the paradox of modern l...

The day after Thanksgiving usually comes with leftovers, a slower pace, and a moment to breathe and it’s the perfect time to reflect on the people who made us who we are. Today we talk about something that matters more than goals, money, or success, the people who shaped their journey. This episode is part gratitude letter, part storytelling, and part reminder that none of us build a life or caree...

Buying a home shouldn’t feel like decoding a secret language, but for most people, it does. In this episode, Spencer and Gabe sit down with their personal lender, someone they trust so much they bring her every real estate deal they touch. And the best part? She’s a resource you can use no matter what state you live in.   Kait Rissover  216-780-5099 Kait. Rissover@primelending.com  

In this episode, Spencer and Gabe open up about the one habit they became completely obsessed with and how that obsession quietly transformed the direction of their lives. No gimmicks, no overnight success stories. Just a simple, repeatable quarterly practice that created clarity, momentum, and purpose when things felt chaotic and overwhelming.