Welcome to Case Studies with Casey Baugh. Join me as we explore the lives of inspirational individuals, and uncover the secrets to their success. For two decades, I've been on a mission to find the clues that lead to success in both business and life.
In this podcast, we'll delve into the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of success. Through in-depth conversations and personal stories, we aim to dig up the valuable clues that success has left behind, providing you with the insights and wisdom you need to thrive in every aspect of your life.
Our goal is not just to celebrate success but to dissect it, to understand the principles and practices that have led to exceptional achievements. By listening to the stories of those who've paved the way, you'll gain practical knowledge that you can apply to your own journey.
Join me on this exciting journey of discovery and personal growth as we decode the mysteries of success together.
Thanks for being part of it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Case Studies with Casey Baugh. Join me as we explore the lives of inspirational individuals, and uncover the secrets to their success. For two decades, I've been on a mission to find the clues that lead to success in both business and life.
In this podcast, we'll delve into the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of success. Through in-depth conversations and personal stories, we aim to dig up the valuable clues that success has left behind, providing you with the insights and wisdom you need to thrive in every aspect of your life.
Our goal is not just to celebrate success but to dissect it, to understand the principles and practices that have led to exceptional achievements. By listening to the stories of those who've paved the way, you'll gain practical knowledge that you can apply to your own journey.
Join me on this exciting journey of discovery and personal growth as we decode the mysteries of success together.
Thanks for being part of it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this powerful episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Jon Adams, a partner in a billion-dollar wealth management firm, for one of the most heartfelt and faith-filled conversations in the series. Jon opens up about growing up in his grandfather’s truck, learning grit and integrity on the family sod farm, and discovering entrepreneurship through pure initiative long before he built a career in finance.
The heart of this conversation centers on unimaginable loss. At age 34, Jon’s wife, Janelle, passed away suddenly, leaving him to raise four young children alone. What follows is a story of grace and divine timing; of friends and family who showed up when he could not stand on his own, and of faith that deepened through tragedy. Jon shares sacred experiences that reshaped his understanding of God’s presence, the power of community, and the beauty of second chances when he later met and married singer-songwriter Callie Reed.
This is an episode about faith in the dark, love that endures, and the quiet miracles that follow when you keep walking toward the light.
00:00 | Meeting Jon & the Adams brothers
02:31 | Farm-raised grit & the first land flip
08:42 | Hustle play: Jazz floor seats → warm leads
18:50 | Radical honesty in wealth management
22:30 | Partners, roles, and why differences work
23:04 | High-school best friends to marriage (Jenelle)
26:29 | Early marriage, duplex, and the first job
29:12 | Hospital shock: ITP diagnosis & teeter-totter care
33:10 | The hardest call: intubation & final goodbyes
44:04 | “I’m here to talk to Jon”: stake conference mercy
56:04 | The song, Callie Reed, and a second chance
59:45 | “Faith in His timing” (sometimes it means now)
01:16:43 | Lessons on grief, God, growth, and becoming
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In this week’s episode, Casey sits down with family friend - Kristin Andrus. Recognized by many for her unwavering determination and passion, Kristin is part of an inspiring group of women who are making significant impacts in the world while managing the demands of being exceptional mothers.
Kristin shares her insights on creating balance in life rather than merely finding it. As a mother of six, an activist, and a public speaker, Kristin talks about her journey, the challenges of threading the needle between personal ambition and family responsibilities, and the importance of intentional living. She emphasizes the necessity of self-care, maintaining personal identity, and fostering a supportive partnership in marriage.
Join in on this enlightening conversation where Kristin opens up about her advocacy work, the art of balancing various roles, and how she integrates service into her family life.
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In this episode, Casey sits down with Daniel O’Donnal, co-founder of Saela Pest Control, for a deeply human conversation on leadership, identity, and what it means to build something meant to last. From bootstrapping a business from scratch to a nine-figure exit, Daniel reflects on 17 years of grit, partnership, and the belief that real success is measured by the lives you impact, not just the profits you earn.
He shares lessons learned from his partners, Andrew and Blaine Richardson, and the moments that nearly broke them; going without paychecks, homes on the line, and the humility of starting over. But the heart of this episode is not the sale; it is the story behind it. Daniel opens up about faith, mentorship, and adoption, and how the calling to expand his family changed everything he thought he knew about love, leadership, and capacity.
This conversation explores what happens after the win, how to reframe identity beyond achievement, and why the best leaders make others believe in themselves first. A powerful reflection for entrepreneurs seeking meaning beyond the scoreboard.
00:00 | House fire and adoption: when life interrupts
01:19 | Why Daniel originally said no to this interview
02:35 | The early years of Saela and a 17-year timeline
04:22 | Building for legacy, not for sale
05:33 | Why they sold: timing, mission, and stewardship
07:00 | Choosing the right buyer and honoring employees
09:19 | The emotional cost of stepping away
10:59 | Identity crisis after the exit
13:01 | Casey’s own journey through leaving a company
18:06 | Reframing self-worth and learning to slow down
20:15 | Daniel’s upbringing in Mexico, Guatemala, and Texas
21:17 | Mission to Brazil and meeting Andrew Richardson
22:55 | The power of mentorship and certainty
28:08 | One phone call that changed Daniel’s life forever
32:08 | Leadership through belief: Andrew’s lasting impact
35:12 | Parallel paths: Casey and Daniel’s early career struggles
37:49 | Business as a spiritual game
39:50 | The leadership question that shifts everything
42:21 | Excellence, culture, and disproportionate rewards
43:55 | Bootstrapping: no outside capital, all-in growth
44:46 | Raising four kids while building a business
46:40 | Why they adopted: a spiritual nudge and a leap of faith
50:22 | Meeting the girls — and becoming a family of eight
53:42 | Angie’s selfless act and the reality of adoption
55:13 | The hardest year of their family’s life
56:39 | Beauty through struggle: what people don’t see
57:49 | Casey’s own adoption story and shared lessons
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In this week’s episode, Casey sits down with Ty Williams, a dynamic leader and an old friend who has significantly influenced his journey. This conversation explores the pivotal moments, career transitions, and the principles that have guided Ty through his impressive career.
From the early days of door-to-door sales to leading successful teams, Ty shares invaluable insights on leadership, resilience, and the importance of mentoring others. He recounts the challenges of transitioning between industries and companies, emphasizing the role of intuition and the power of making bold moves.
Listeners will find inspiration in Ty’s philosophy of “traveling well,” a concept that encapsulates living authentically, contributing positively to every environment, and continuously growing both personally and professionally. Ty’s stories and reflections offer a blueprint for anyone looking to navigate their career and life with purpose and integrity.
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In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Doug Robinson; entrepreneur, operator, and founder of LGCY Power, for an unfiltered look at what it really means to bet everything on conviction. From a teenage lawn business to leading one of the fastest-growing solar companies in the country, Doug’s story is a masterclass in grit, humility, and relentless alignment.
He opens up about the collapse of Atlas, what it’s like to hold the title but not the control, and how those failures forged his philosophy on leadership and ownership. Doug also unpacks his legal battle with Vivint Solar and Blackstone; the confidence it took to keep showing up when the odds were impossible, and how faith and forgiveness became central to his rebuild.
This conversation is about more than entrepreneurship. It’s about integrity when things fall apart, rebuilding trust, and finding purpose through pressure. A raw, real playbook for any founder determined to endure the valley and come back sharper.
Chapters
00:00 | Old Friends, Shared History
02:16 | Growing Up in Cache Valley
05:22 | Early Leadership Lessons from Sports
08:11 | The Lawn Business That Taught Ownership
11:48 | How to Manage Up, Down & Sideways
16:18 | Embracing Change: From Missions to Management
20:19 | JUCO Dreams & The Last Days at Ricks College
23:04 | Door-to-Door Beginnings with Atlas
25:44 | Production-Based Recruiting: The Sales Secret
28:30 | Why Sports & Missions Built Great Leaders
30:13 | The Atlas Collapse & Shattered Trust
33:29 | Fallout, Finger-Pointing & Feeling Betrayed
37:20 | Picking Sides: Apex vs. Pinnacle
41:20 | Rebuilding with LGCY After a Broken Partnership
44:44 | When Paths Diverge — and Why That’s Okay
46:48 | Leading LGCY: Pride, Pain, and the Lawsuit
50:11 | Pitching Sunrun With Just Conviction
52:15 | Winning Against Blackstone — And No One Cares
53:43 | Why We Hold Grudges Too Long
58:48 | The Call That Started Reconciliation
01:02:49 | The Golf Game That Changed Everything
01:04:15 | How Leadership (and Faith) Changes You
01:05:27 | Solar in Crisis: $15M Lost, Lessons Gained
01:06:56 | How to Survive When the Market Collapses
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In this week’s episode, Casey sits down with Brad Bonham, a renowned Utah entrepreneur. Brad opens up about his journey from humble beginnings to founding Walker Edison and the trials he faced along the way. He shares insights into his business philosophy, the importance of resilience, and the role faith played in his success.
Brad discusses his significant achievements, such as scaling Walker Edison to a multi-billion dollar business and navigating it through economic challenges. He highlights pivotal moments like securing key partnerships and the innovative strategies that fueled his company’s growth.
Get an intimate look at the man behind one of Utah’s leading businesses as Brad reveals his story of overcoming adversity. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for anyone interested in entrepreneurship and personal growth.
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In this episode, Casey sits down with Chris Crittenden, entrepreneur, educator, and co-founder of Sandbox, for a conversation on courage, innovation, and rethinking what education should be. From selling a startup to Walmart to leading at BYU and now building Sandbox into a movement across multiple universities, Chris shares why closing doors and going deep often leads to the greatest returns.
He and Casey explore the flaws of traditional higher education, the trap of chasing prestige, and the power of learning by doing. Chris outlines how Sandbox is equipping students to launch real companies while reshaping themselves in the process. Their discussion dives into resilience, resourcefulness, and why the greatest opportunities often lie off the beaten path.
This episode is both a critique of the old system and a vision for a new one, where students learn through building, failure is embraced as part of the process, and desire becomes the ultimate differentiator.
What you'll learn
Chapters
00:00 | Welcome & Chris’s background
00:16 | Walmart exit, BYU connection & early influences
06:30 | Resourcefulness as the core Sandbox skill
07:14 | Growing up: farm roots, do-it-yourself mindset
09:51 | BYU → Consulting: chasing “stamps” vs. depth
10:27 | McKinsey, prestige traps, and closing doors
16:05 | Leaving Duke’s PhD for a startup
17:19 | Joining an unsexy company → billion-dollar outcome
31:11 | Teaching at BYU: joy vs. the politics of change
32:24 | Running the Rollins Center & building inside BYU
33:24 | Sandbox thesis: learn by doing, start real companies
35:58 | Early wins: teams into YC, model effects
41:29 | Scaling beyond BYU: UVU story & lucky plane ride
43:02 | Six campuses: BYU, UVU, Utah State, Utah Tech, Boise State, Louisville
43:41 | The “neobank for higher ed” insight
45:27 | Announcing the Sandbox Fellowship (12-month MS, build a company)
46:42 | Why for-profit: hire the best, build the best experience
51:39 | Education as human transformation
53:36 | Sales, rejection, and D2D grit in startups
56:56 | Failure isn’t opposite of success—it’s part of it
59:55 | Fellowship launches today + how to apply
01:01:32 | Who gets in? One word: desire
01:03:46 | Scale: cohort sizes, no equity, partner funds
01:05:20 | Faith, purpose, and building for impact
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This is a highlight episode featuring the first 30 minutes of our conversation with Kim Clark. To hear the full hour-and-a-half discussion, search for “Kim Clark” on the Case Studies Podcast and listen to the complete episode.
This week we sit down with Kim Clark, former Dean of Harvard Business School and President of BYU-Idaho, who has made remarkable contributions to education and business innovation. From his early influences and pivotal moments to his transformative roles, Kim shares his journey of leadership, values, and the power of education.
Kim discusses his significant initiatives throughout his career, including the introduction of core values such as respect, integrity, and accountability at Harvard Business School, embedding them into the school's culture. As President of BYU-Idaho, he launched the BYU Pathway program, which has brought educational opportunities to students around the world.
Listen as Kim shares his insights on building a culture of continuous improvement, empowering others, and the transformative power of education. Join us for an inspiring conversation that explores the essence of true leadership and the legacy of a life well-lived.
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In this episode, Casey sits down with entrepreneur and investor Matt Mathison to explore how truth, resilience, and purpose define what it really means to thrive. From Wall Street highs to a public collapse, Matt shares how radical transparency, discipline, and faith shaped his comeback and his creation of Allevio, a healthcare platform designed to “empower healing anywhere.”
He unpacks the Thrive Playbook — a practical framework of market tailwinds, operational systems, and maniacal cashflow discipline — showing how great leaders and businesses thrive by aligning people, purpose, and profit. Matt’s story reveals that thriving isn’t about avoiding pain, but transforming it into clarity and action.
For entrepreneurs and high performers, this episode delivers raw lessons on leadership, marriage, and mindset — from rebuilding after loss to creating daily rhythms that keep priorities straight. Through it all, Matt models how truth and love, in business and life, create the foundation for lasting success.
Chapters
00:00 | Welcome & family update
02:07 | Joy in every season: choosing optimism
04:43 | The book that sparked a leadership framework
07:17 | From Wall Street to betting on China
08:23 | Muddy Waters short report & total collapse
13:31 | Redefining “thriving” through loss and truth
19:10 | Removing fear: thriving as forward motion
22:45 | Lessons from failure: transparency and trust
26:46 | Building leaders at every level
29:04 | Hard feedback and preserving relationships
32:10 | The call that sparked Allevio
34:53 | The Thrive Playbook (market, team, cashflow)
37:57 | Mission, vision, and values before scale
41:20 | Cash discipline and operational systems
44:29 | Consistency compounds: the long game
46:53 | Allevio by the numbers
48:36 | Vision: “Empower healing anywhere”
53:26 | Leadership redefined: get better, help others get better
59:05 | Marriage as a partnership through seasons
01:03:00 | Forgive and forget: family wisdom
01:04:26 | Radical communication at home
01:06:52 | Morning runs and connection rituals
01:08:07 | Faith as the cornerstone
01:11:16 | Closing reflections and gratitude
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In this week’s episode, Casey dives into an engaging conversation with Shima Baughman, a distinguished professor and criminal justice advocate. Shima shares her incredible journey from growing up in a war-torn Iran to arriving in the United States, her family’s escape from war and political imprisonment, and how those experiences shaped her passion for criminal justice reform and faith-based initiatives.
Shima opens up about her childhood during the Iranian Revolution and her family’s struggle. She delves into her academic and professional journey, including her impactful work in Africa and her mission to bring faith into the lives of inmates.
Join us as Shima discusses the power of forgiveness, the importance of community, and her vision for a criminal justice system rooted in faith and rehabilitation. This episode is a profound exploration of resilience, leadership, and the transformative power of faith.
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In this episode, Casey sits down with Ty Nielson and Tim Miller, the entrepreneurial duo behind Ninja Kids, for a candid masterclass on building creator-led experiences with heart, vision, and relentless execution. Fresh off a Tony Robbins immersion, they unpack how state, story, and strategy helped catalyze new habits and higher standards; and why the energy of an aligned community can flip limiting beliefs into bold action.
Ty and Tim trace their path from shaping the trampoline park industry to founding Ninja Kids; along the way they learned that it’s rarely a lack of resources, but a lack of resourcefulness that holds leaders back. Their time scaling hundreds of locations provided a front-row education in private equity, deal structure, and culture; lessons they’d later use to design on their own terms.
They also share the scrappy stories that shaped the brand’s creator partnership strategy; from pursuing real estate with nothing but conviction, to a chance introduction that led to the Ninja Kids collaboration and a new growth thesis. Expect takeaways on proximity as power, building wonder into product, modeling excellence, and leading so your people feel believed in.
00:00 | Opening & Intros: Ninja Kids leadership
00:41 | Tony Robbins: going “all in”
01:52 | Shared values & why Sandlot invested
03:58 | What a Tony event feels like (state → story → strategy)
06:47 | The 55° room, physiology, and energy
07:14 | Full-circle moment on Casey’s plane
10:08 | Community, permission to play big, and breakthroughs
11:00 | Proximity is power: the billionaire story
15:13 | Belonging, imposter syndrome, and belief
17:15 | Dreaming bigger: from $20M to $1B vision
17:46 | Shared values with investors & doing them proud
19:50 | Theme of the journey: people who believe in you
20:56 | Origins: missions in Russia & lifelong partnership
27:06 | What Russians taught them about trust and loyalty
29:29 | Ty’s childhood in post-USSR Russia (Pepsi → Coke!)
31:44 | The leap: from Schlumberger to “ringmaster” vision
35:12 | Titles, vision, and chasing wonder
36:20 | Modeling leaders; habits, gratitude, and wonderment
41:08 | Designing for wonder: lighting, art, and moments
45:46 | Scaling lessons: do your absolute best, be resourceful
47:49 | It’s not resources; it’s resourcefulness
54:14 | 300+ parks, private equity, and real-world MBA
56:32 | Culture shock: when the magic dwindles
58:21 | Fired → phone call → blessing → new chapter
01:02:23 | Pattern recognition: rebrands vs. creators
01:06:05 | Tesla saga to Chicago: conviction on wheels
01:08:37 | Kindness compounds: the people who helped
01:12:50 | Emergent strategy: buy tired parks, create energy
01:14:01 | Non-competes, red tape, and 34-month realities
01:16:35 | The Ninja Kids intro (thanks, Stevie from BYU)
01:17:44 | First acquisition in Dallas & signing the PGs
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In this special release episode of Case Studies, Casey dives into a powerful story of resilience and generosity, centered around Todd Pedersen and his journey from financial ruin to monumental success. We explore how Todd's unwavering belief in himself, fostered by mentors and loved ones, helped him navigate the darkest times. From losing everything during the 2007 financial crisis to building a billion-dollar empire, Todd's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of giving back.
We'll hear about the pivotal moments that shaped his entrepreneurial path, the invaluable lessons learned from his father, and the importance of treating people like gold. Todd shares heartfelt anecdotes about his mission, starting businesses from scratch, and the vital support from his wife, Andy, throughout the journey. The episode concludes with a discussion on the significance of giving and how Todd's philosophy of spreading wealth has created a lasting legacy.
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In this episode, Casey explores the true power of compounding — how time, trust, and disciplined habits create outcomes far greater than the sum of their parts. He shares how two decades of relationship equity, balance sheet building, and pattern recognition came together in a real estate transaction that turned an empty Class A office into a 12 year cash-flowing asset while unlocking $25M in equity.
He reframes compounding beyond money into skills, reputation, and momentum. Drawing on Tony Robbins’ framework of recognizing, utilizing, and creating patterns, Casey shows how consistent daily inputs set the stage for exponential results when opportunity arises.
For high performers, he offers a practical system: a morning routine of cold plunge, sauna, prayer, breathwork, and 100 daily burpees, followed by three focusing questions — Who am I, What are my biggest opportunities, and What fires me up. The lesson is clear: small, intentional actions compound into extraordinary advantages over time.
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This week we’re diving into the life of Dave Jensen, whose path from a celebrated athlete to a business leader is woven with trials and triumphs. We explore deep into the challenges that shaped him, from the rigorous training fields of his youth to the high-pressure arenas of Wall Street. Dave’s story is a compelling narrative of perseverance, underscored by the influential mentors and the unyielding support of family that guided him through each chapter of his life.
In this intimate exploration, listeners will discover the invaluable lessons learned from both victories and setbacks. We discuss how resilience, hard work, and community support are integral to overcoming obstacles and achieving success. Join us as Dave shares his insights on the transformative power of embracing life’s challenges and the unexpected journeys that lead to personal and professional growth. This podcast is not just a recount of achievements but a deeper look at the enduring impact of life’s lessons and the strength found in resilience.
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John Taylor, billionaire-minded entrepreneur and Co-founder of Grit Marketing, went from knocking doors in college to building one of the fastest-growing sales organizations in America. Now, he reveals the leadership habits, mindset shifts, and business principles that shaped his rise—and how you can apply them to your own journey.
In this episode, John Taylor shares:
John Taylor’s story is about more than sales—it’s about building belief, leading with humility, and creating success that lasts. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or rep in the field, his lessons will change the way you think about business, discipline, and life.”
00:00 | Opening & why this conversation
01:18 | Partnership, boardroom lessons & belief from mentors
01:54 | Todd Pedersen’s influence and the evolving Grit team
03:04 | Early valuation, vision, and “bottom of the mountain” mindset
04:22 | Roots, family of 11, first door-to-door reps
09:08 | BYU finance, pest control, and learning to lead
12:21 | Competition, identity, and the power of belief
15:32 | From top rep to VP: building organizations that scale
16:52 | 2020 uncertainty, honoring deals, and character under pressure
18:16 | Essential business, resilience, and keeping promises
24:02 | Founding Grit (2020): from sales partner to platform
26:59 | Habits & rituals: Sunday planning, cold plunge, breathwork
30:05 | Emily: marriage, values, and building a life that works
33:30 | Don’t skip steps: hard skills (finance/accounting) compound
35:39 | Sharpe ratio thinking: time, trade-offs, and priorities
36:30 | Golf, relationships, and playing the right game
41:57 | Purpose, presence, and leading with love
43:28 | Modeling authenticity: inspiring people to be better
51:46 | Faith, hope, NICU lessons, and “life happening for us”
58:21 | Close: the best is yet to come
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In this deeply engaging episode, we journey through the life of Chad Lewis - whose path from being an overlooked high school athlete to a professional football star embodies the essence of an underdog victory. Chad shares his exhilarating tales of resilience and unexpected success, revealing how moments of inspiration led him from performing a pivotal standing backflip to secure a scholarship to walking on at BYU against all odds. His candid stories extend from heartfelt chats on long hikes to the intense pressures of professional football.
Listeners will gain insights into Chad’s personal struggles, the impact of his faith on his career decisions, and the influential people who believed in him when few others did. Alongside his reflections are tales of personal growth and pivotal life decisions that not only shaped his career but also his character. This episode not only celebrates Chad’s athletic prowess but also his profound humanity and the enduring belief that determination and faith can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
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In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down once again with Chad Willardson - Founder of Pacific Capital and ELEVATED a coaching mastermind, as well as a best-selling author of five books; for a powerful conversation on wealth, focus, and building a life without compromise.
Chad shares how narrowing his focus to serve only ultra high-net worth entrepreneurs transformed his business and his ability to deliver real value. He and Casey dive into the discipline of saying no, the courage required to walk away from the wrong opportunities, and the freedom that comes from aligning your work with your true identity. Chad also opens up about creating ELEVATED, a community where entrepreneurs can grow not only in business but in family and life, challenging the false idea of “balance” by embracing what it means to be Fully Invested.
The discussion is rich with lessons on focus, growth without finish lines, and leading with principle over profit. For entrepreneurs and leaders seeking clarity, conviction, and a model of integrated success, this episode offers a masterclass in designing both business and life with intention.
00:00 | Welcome back & “Fully Invested” mindset
01:41 | Family update: missions, college, adventures
03:00 | Amber’s endurance wins: Ironman, Alcatraz, 29029
04:17 | Why growth is emotional when you support your spouse
07:31 | Bringing business principles home: family vision boards
09:33 | Kids’ ambitions: macros, sports, golf, and grit
12:05 | Two lanes: Pacific Capital UHNW founders & Elevated
13:36 | What Elevated members get weekly 1:1, pods, events
14:51 | Pricing & scale goals for Elevated
15:13 | Carving out 80% of clients to go ultra-narrow
16:13 | Partnering clients, retention, and bold focus
17:44 | The sports facility business: ops, margins, expansion
20:26 | USA Volleyball opportunity & LA mega-facility
21:22 | COVID pivot: tutoring essential workers’ kids to survive
22:42 | Content, reach, and building a movement around mindset
26:48 | Frameworks: saying no, time truth, one life calendar
29:15 | Protecting the calendar: Derby vs. son’s playoff game
33:29 | Championship teams: coach strengths, not weaknesses
36:13 | Saying no to good for great incl. NBA referrals
38:45 | Turning away $120M: culture over revenue
40:52 | Scalable mentorship: resources + voice memo workflow
44:47 | Two-EA triad: personal vs. business lanes
47:15 | Books solve real problems: 6 titles, 10-in-10 plan
49:44 | Tony & Dean’s Zenith: proximity, launches, real estate
53:23 | Owner vs operator: lessons from Business Mastery
53:53 | No retirement: growth without finish lines
55:47 | One-year vision: LA facility, 500 Elevated members
56:33 | Pacific Capital +$400M AUM; narrow by design
57:22 | Book #7 commitment & public goal setting
01:00:20 | 10k-person Fully Invested live event plan
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In this episode of Case Studies, Casey is joined by John Jackson; a former gang leader who rose through the ranks of one of the most powerful prison organizations before choosing a path of transformation. From maximum security yards to solitary confinement at Pelican Bay, John shares how trauma, prison politics, and the underground economy shaped his life—and how entrepreneurship helped him rewrite it.
He reveals how gangs inside prison operate like corporations, complete with hierarchies, rules, and revenue streams. John breaks down the incentives that drive violence and control, while also exposing the perverse economics of private prisons. His story shows how the same discipline and leadership that once sustained chaos can be redirected toward growth and purpose.
From orchestrating survival in solitary to joining an in-prison entrepreneurship program, John and Casey explore the pivotal moments that shifted his trajectory. This conversation offers a rare inside look at resilience, influence, and the possibility of change in even the harshest environments.
Chapters
00:00 | Welcome & setup
00:18 | Why this world feels “foreign”
00:42 | John’s origin story begins
01:03 | First encounter with law enforcement
01:20 | Taking the drug charge at 17
01:35 | Four armed robberies & max prison
02:21 | Siblings, loss, and isolation
03:14 | Environment vs. guardrails
05:40 | Probation, parole & stacked obstacles
06:20 | Private prisons & perverse incentives
08:10 | Cartels as local “employers”
09:11 | Crime’s inevitable endgame
10:14 | Why he took the fall
11:12 | Acceptance as a survival need
12:07 | Jail ecosystem: drugs, fights, status
13:04 | Race lines and prison structure
14:00 | Negotiation skills behind bars
16:10 | Cutting off family to “go all in”
17:10 | First robbery & the dangerous win
18:00 | Dopamine, risk, and escalation
19:23 | “I knew I’d thrive in prison”
20:13 | The cafeteria incident & mentor
21:07 | Sentencing math: stacking charges
22:02 | Centinela: max prison near the border
23:20 | Why jail can be more volatile
24:05 | Joining the largest prison gang
26:16 | Gangs as parent companies & franchises
26:40 | Smuggling supply chains (incl. dirty cops)
28:05 | Earning status: debts & discipline
29:06 | Prison entrepreneurship (gambling, alcohol, phones)
31:01 | Corporate politics—just higher stakes
31:26 | Power, money, and “don’t do politics”
33:08 | The written rulebook & paperwork checks
33:47 | Who’s excluded—and why
35:11 | Internal punishments & order
36:20 | 18 years inside: the ladder
37:01 | Pelican Bay & four years in the SHU
39:20 | Solitary reality vs. myths
41:27 | Transfers, levels, and riots
42:36 | Use of force: towers & rifles
43:06 | The peace treaty & hunger strikes
44:09 | “Yard time” myth in solitary
44:40 | Breaking point: wanting to go home
45:01 | New charges from inside
48:23 | Stepping down from leadership
49:14 | A lifer’s blessing to leave
50:09 | Entrepreneurship program that changed everything
51:25 | His future wife: VC to prison reform
52:21 | Scaling Defy & big-name allies
52:42 | A force of nature walks into Pelican Bay
54:10 | She saw potential—before he did
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