The Starting Story Podcast

I speak with Sarah Hubbard, an expert in networking and building connections. She explains her 4-step framework to excel in your networking skills from even before you step into the room - and how to keep the connection alive once the event ends. With networking such a crucial part of a small business' success, this episode gives you the blueprints to make connections that are quicker, easier...

I speak with Yvonne Liao, on the topic of change and its necessity in life. She has made some significant growth since her younger years, and has now built thriving fashion in New York. Her take on why pursuing difficulty, and ensuring you don't suffer from change is invaluable. Stick around till the end to see her honest recount and advice for those stuck in constant change.

You have the plan and the motivation, yet the work isn't getting done. Author Kam Knight joins the podcast to expose "Internal Resistance"—the biological mechanism designed to keep you from growing. This is an autopsy of your "busy work" and a guide to killing the resistance maintaining your $0 revenue streak. Key Insights: The Wanting Mechanism: Your brain generates infini...

You're already producing million dollar ideas, but don't have the system in place to make it a reality. How many failed attempts will you need before you focus on improving your daily habits and systems? This episode with Danielle Blum is a game changer. She explains how to get from the "scatterbrain" state to a more "flow" state where you can take charge of your creati...

If you open your eyes in the morning, struggling to get up, scrolling on your phone and watching the hours slip by - you are not in control of your body's 3 nervous states. Katie breaks them down into Red, Green and Yellow, and wonderfully describes how you can use them to finally get in control of your mood swings and start making the right steps today. This episode has had a direct impact on...

You already know how important branding is. But do you know how to create a strong identity and midset behind your brand? Join me as I sit down with Dan Ahlborn, a real estate investor and mindset/identity coach for over 17 years. He talks about the importance of self-identity building, and how you can take your first steps today to regain control of your character and business. @housebuyerdan IG/...

Me and Mario talk about the growing need for your business to become digital, and how you can do it as quickly as possible. Mario is the CEO of Reyemtech, a Boutique Tech company finding solutions for those that can't see the way through the tech fog. To find out about Mario, just search Mario Meyer into LinkedIn, or go to https://www.reyem.tech For more Starting Story tips: https://linktr.ee/star...

Most entrepreneurs chase success, but few are honest about the cost of failure. James Erskine, the CEO of a successful youth marketing agency, openly shares his journey as a self-proclaimed "reluctant entrepreneur," detailing how a series of expensive mistakes taught him invaluable lessons about business. In this episode, he reveals why he's happier with a smaller team and the counte...

Are you paralyzed by a big idea? You're not alone. In this episode, Jackie Klein shares her incredible journey from a 28-year career as a teacher to becoming a successful solopreneur. She reveals why "doing it scared" was the most important step she took and how she overcame the imposter syndrome that holds so many people back. This is a powerful conversation about the courage to sta...

In the creative world, the most successful people aren't just talented—they're master marketers. In this episode, Jon Goehring shares the counterintuitive strategies he used to build his voiceover business and why cold calling and generic pitches are a recipe for failure. He reveals the power of playing the long game, focusing on adding value, and using a customer relationship management (...

We are living in an age of misinformation, but why do some lies spread faster than the truth? In this provocative episode, materials scientist Dr. Chris DeArmitt breaks down the science behind why our brains are so susceptible to misinformation, and how it's being used to fuel massive global movements. He reveals how a personal experience with a falsehood taught to his children led him to dedicate...

AI isn't coming for your job—but your attitude toward it might. In this episode, AI entrepreneur Wendy Molinares shares her "lazy person's" guide to success in a world of rapid technological change. She argues that the people most at risk aren't the ones who fear AI, but the ones who think they're irreplaceable. Learn the critical skills of communication and logic that wi...

Life is full of challenges, but what happens when a physical ailment threatens to derail your entire career? Claire Lamb shares her deeply personal story of navigating a hip condition and a subsequent surgery that tested her belief in herself as a personal trainer. She explains her powerful mantra of "control what you can control" and how it helped her meticulously plan her recovery and...

Everyone wants to know how to deal with a crisis, but few have a system for it. In this episode, Debbie Simmons shares the powerful framework that took her from unimaginable personal tragedy to building a thriving ministry. She reveals the secret to moving from the paralyzing question of "Why?" to the actionable power of "How?". This is a high-yield conversation for anyone faci...

What does the size of your bedroom TV have to do with your business? Kathrine Farris shares the unconventional logic behind her favourite automations — from quirky intake forms to AI-powered lead scoring. We explore why creativity matters more than code, and how the right automation can reveal insights you’d never expect. https://www.marketecs.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrinefarris https:...

Gala Glow believes the old rules of work harder, earn more" are broken. After two decades of entrepreneurship, she's crafted a new framework where energy, joy, and authenticity replace burnout as the path to real success. We discuss how her Zagrava Method helps women-and anyone--transition into a life and business aligned with who they truly are.

What do you do when you realise no one has built the thing you desperately need? Nicky Wake, veteran entrepreneur, tells the story of founding niche dating apps based on her own lived experiences—and how personal clarity led to commercial opportunity. She shares hard-won lessons on funding, PR, and navigating B2C tech as a first-timer. Chapter2Dating.app WidowsFire. Dating SoberLove.app https://kp...

There’s a strange pressure to stay ‘capable’ even when your job is draining you. Sabrina challenges that directly. In this episode, she opens up about letting go of roles that made her feel respected — but not herself. Her story invites you to ask whether your competence is costing you clarity. It’s an honest, unusual look at what true realignment can feel like. sabrinadelduca.com @DuchessSabrina@...

In a world obsessed with trending platforms, Melanie Wakelin admits she's been "running like a dinosaur" when it comes to social media. Yet, her "old school" approach to connection and community is what truly built her empire. Uncover the timeless strategy you might be overlooking for genuine growth.

Forget what you’ve heard: passion won’t sustain a nonprofit. Dan Johnson reveals why clarity, tiny wins, and a well-built team matter more—and how most nonprofit founders get it wrong. This conversation might change how you start anything —from a business to a habit. https://nextlevelnonprofits.us

Mike Todasco has over 100 patents, built a niche e-commerce site before Shopify existed, and shaped innovation at PayPal during the rise of machine learning. In this episode, he shares how curiosity—not qualifications—pushed him from comic books to corporate innovation to AI education. A candid conversation about failing early, building ideas that don't scale, and why keeping a notepad by your...

In a world that glamorises risk and reinvention, Julee Sung did something bolder: she chose stability first. By pivoting into entrepreneurship through familiar territory, she built a resilient career without losing herself. This episode is a powerful rebuke to hustle culture — and a blueprint for building a meaningful path without burning everything down. julee@juleesung.com https://juleesung.com/...

Barry Walton’s raw and revealing conversation explores the painful lows and the courageous highs of a life lived chasing meaning through chaos. From surviving a near-fatal car crash at 16 to navigating a spiritual crisis that Bible college couldn’t solve, Barry opens up about the price of purpose and the power of self-discovery. He shares how a failed third-grade year sparked his lifelong pursuit...

What do you do with 25 years of personal diaries? For Bonny Buckner, the answer wasn’t a box in the attic — it was a national archive. In this episode, she shares the accidental origins of a movement that’s preserving anonymous lives with the same care as presidential ones. bonnykay2002@hotmail.com https://www.facebook.com/americandiaryproject https://www.instagram.com/americandiaryproject www.ame...

At rock bottom, Jeremy was sitting outside his ex’s house with a petrol can in the backseat. Minutes later, he typed: “How do I stop negative thoughts?” That search changed his life — and set him on a path to help thousands. This episode contains discussions of mental health challenges and past trauma, which may be difficult for some listeners. To find out about Jeremy and his amazing work: inspir...