We Live to Build

How to Ethically Manipulate Your Users. In this interview, Bryan Farris, President of Goldfish Code, breaks down the framework of "motivation-driven design" rooted in behavioral psychology. We explore the fine line between positive engagement and psychological manipulation, discussing "white hat" techniques (like creating a bigger purpose for your community ) versus "black hat" techniques (like us...

How I Lost My Purpose After My Company Died. In this solo 200th episode, I'm sharing the story of what happened after my startup of four and a half years was suddenly ripped away from me. I discuss the struggle with depression and the loss of purpose I felt when the company that this podcast was built to support was forced to shut down. I'll also detail the podcast's journey from a failed lead mag...

My Most Expensive Mistake Was a $6 Million Indecision. In this interview, Dr. Karwanna Irving, CEO of She's Got Goals, reveals how her failure to act on an opportunity cost her an estimated $6 million in potential revenue. For seven years, she struggled as an entrepreneur making $20,000-$30,000 a year, unaware of the "biggest kept secret" in business: government contracting. Dr. Karwanna shares he...

Google Wiped Out 76% of My Traffic Overnight. In this interview, Vladimir Gendelman, Founder and CEO of the $5M/year brand Company Folders, tells the story of how his only marketing channel was destroyed in a single day. He shares how hiring a cheap SEO company led to a devastating manual penalty from Google for "unnatural links," and the difficult decision he made to not lay off any staff, even a...

How a Public Company Sabotaged My 8-Figure Business Sale. In this interview, serial entrepreneur Cecil Robles shares the painful story of how he lost out on a fortune when selling his first eight-figure business. He details how the acquiring public company structured an "earnout" deal that made it impossible for him to hit his targets , essentially forcing him to walk away from millions and lockin...

I Made 7 Figures Selling an Unhealthy Addiction. In this interview, business and leadership coach KC Rossi explains why she walked away from her 7-figure-plus manufacturing company. She reveals her internal conflict over "promoting sugar" and how a feeling of misalignment led her to sell the successful business and pivot her entire career. KC also shares her controversial perspective on why years...

Why I Turned Down a $13.2 Million Contract. In this interview, Glen Bhimani, the Owner and CEO of BPS Security, shares the incredible story of walking away from an eight-figure deal because the client's values didn't align with his own. He explains why the client only wanted to use his company as an "insurance shield" and why integrity was more important than the massive paycheck. Glen also reveal...

My $850,000 Mistake Nearly Killed My Business. In this interview, 8-figure supplement brand CEO Cody Bramlett reveals the single credit card processing error that froze his assets and nearly destroyed his company. He breaks down the painful lessons learned and the "bulletproof" systems he was forced to build in order to survive and scale. Beyond the mistake, Cody details his journey from a do-it-a...

There is a deep paradox that many founders never realize: Why Your Search for Freedom Is Actually Enslaving You. In this provocative interview, 250-person CEO Julian Torres Gomez explains that the relentless pursuit of entrepreneurial "freedom" without discipline is a trap that leads to anxiety and burnout. He reveals how to escape this cycle by embracing the creative process, letting go of expect...

According to 8-figure agency co-founder Sam Sherman, if you are not following the Profit First method, then you're robbing your business without even realizing it. In this brutally honest interview, Sam explains why treating your companys revenue like a personal bank account is the fastest way to kill growth. You will also learn the other way founders rob their business: by refusing to let go of t...

What are the hidden fees in franchising that can destroy your profits? In this essential interview, Tom Rutledge, co-owner of the hospitality group RDMS Group, reveals the contractual traps that many new franchisees fall into. He explains how you can be locked into expensive, closed-circuit purchasing contracts and how your marketing dollars can be spent on campaigns that will never benefit your l...

Is your safe corporate job actually a dead end? In this eye-opening interview, Kyle Kuderewski, Operations Manager of Web Street, reveals a powerful alternative to the traditional career path. He breaks down a new model of fractional investing that allows you to passively own a piece of cash-flowing online businesses—like eCommerce, SaaS, and content sites—without having to run them yourself. This...

In a world facing climate change, AI disruption, and economic uncertainty, you have to ask: why does your hard work doesnt actually matter? In this deep and philosophical interview, Yasir Drabu, the founder and CEO of Tazaa, Inc., confronts this dystopian reality as a "cautious optimist." He shares how becoming a father completely transformed his worldview, shifting his focus from personal success...

For CEO Vikram Saxena, the brutal reality of an Indian boarding school was a survival for the fittest environment where he once woke up with his entire bed in the middle of a bathroom. In this deeply personal interview, Vikram reveals how the hardships of his childhood gave him the profound observational skills and empathy he uses to lead his 100-person company today. You will learn his father's p...

If you are a young professional and feel like no one takes you seriously, there may be a bizarre reason why. In this brutally honest interview, veteran CEO Glenn Akramoff reveals the unspoken rule of business: society often doesnt respect you until you turn 35 . He shares the story of how his own son, who works in his company, noticed an almost overnight shift in how people treated him after his 3...

What if the reason your team doesn't respect you is because you are too kind? In this provocative interview, 20-year CEO Christy Pretzinger explores the fine line between kindness and weakness. She explains how a well-intentioned culture of kindness can slip into codependency, leading to a lack of accountability and respect. You will learn her powerful mantra, Dont mistake my kindness for weakness...

What is the real reason why Gen Z is broke? According to 8-figure entrepreneur Joe Rare, it is because they are completely unrealistic about what it takes to achieve anything. In this brutally honest interview, he argues that the younger generation lacks the skills, discipline, and willingness to move to a place with a lower cost of living . Joe also shares his own story of going to zero after the...

After overcoming his own addictions, CEO Greg Sobiech discovered the SHOCKING truth about mental health for entrepreneurs: your habits are just symptoms of a deeper, limiting belief system . In this brutally honest interview, the founder of a 140-person company shares how he realized his five-cup-a-day coffee habit was a symbol of a manic mindset that was driving his team crazy and preventing his...

Are you stuck in the mental prison of being right? According to measurement expert Chris Mercer, the moment you decide you are absolutely correct, you lock yourself in and lose the ability to see other solutions . In this deep conversation about the psychology of failure, Chris reveals why the most powerful phrase a leader can say is, I could be wrong. You will learn his unique method for solving...

Are successful businesswomen bad mothers? It’s a toxic question that working moms hear all the time. In this brutally honest interview, Brittney Fairweather, the Chief Business Development Officer of TRX Capital, confronts the myth that if you're a successful mother, "someone else is raising your children". She shares her reality as a leader in a male-dominated industry where, after 15 years, men...

Is the American dream fueled by financial desperation? In this deep and provocative interview, Finnish CEO Juha Berghäll and American host Sean Weisbrot debate whether the high-stress, high-debt US system is the true engine of its entrepreneurial success. They contrast this with Finland's "prepaid" society, where giving birth costs about €50 and a world-class education is free, which provides safe...

What does it take to finally bet on myself? For product expert Adam Judelson, it was a single, powerful question from his coach: "Why do you think their chance of success is higher than your chance of success?". In this deep and philosophical interview, the founder of First Principles Catalyst explores the internal mindset of an entrepreneur. You'll learn about the VC Trap where you grow fast but...

Are business deadlines really a matter of life and death? According to Carl Lundberg, CEO at M&A firm Gerald Edelman, they're mostly nonsense. In this insightful interview, Carl argues that we're not working in an emergency room, and we must accept that sometimes things don't get done on time because something more important comes up. He also provides a masterclass on how to value a business,...

After the 2008 crash ended all three of his companies at once, Oshri Cohen was completely burnt out and forced back into working a 9-to-5, which he says felt like "the end of the world". In this brutally honest interview, Oshri shares the story of losing everything, the subsequent depression and anxiety he faced in the corporate world, and the moment he knew he had to become a founder again. You'l...

What is the true cost of entrepreneurship? For 6-time founder Keith Smith, his biggest regret is that he prioritized startups over kids. As a single dad raising two children while building five companies, he shares the heartbreaking and honest story of the moments he missed. In this wide-ranging interview, Keith also discusses his current venture building AI "clones" of celebrities that can "defy...