Behavioral economist Dr. Don Barden unpacks the leadership framework driving what he calls the next great economic expansion. Based on thousands of interviews and deep quantitative research, he outlines the unseen advantages women bring to leadership—and the exact steps any leader can take to replicate the results. You’ll hear how empathy, empowerment, and perspective are reshaping retention, revenue, and the rhythm of modern business.
DM Don for a FREE ecopy of his book Here Come the Girls.
Guest Bio
Dr. Don Barden is a classically trained economist, globally recognized as an expert in leadership and the decision-making process. With three decades of corporate leadership and production in employee benefits and organizational leadership, he has changed the landscape of several US and international firms.
Don was named one of the Top 30 Most “Transformational Leaders in North America” by John Maxwell and the 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. In 2019, the Department of Defense recognized him with honors from the 75th US Army Ranger Regiment, and he was named 2020 YMCA Volunteer of the Year.
He is certified in Cybersecurity Management from Harvard University and has a Ph.D. in Economics and Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University. He earned his M.B.A. in Global Technology Management and International Business with an undergraduate B.B.A. in Economics and Finance. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
Don’s work challenges and motivates organizations and leadership teams to think deeply about their beliefs to consistently achieve their communication, culture, sales, and management goals. His “unfair advantage” theories are revolutionary in today’s economy as he leads and builds companies in a way that exposes the myth of modern leadership and communication techniques. Don’s recent work, “Here Come the Girls,” celebrates women in leadership. The study aims to help frustrated organizations transform by awakening their creative energy, thereby paving the way for uncharted production through cultural change.
Conquering the highest levels of ethical performance with humor, intellectual capital, and time-tested systems, Don engages his teams with his highly personal style of steward leadership. His experience with cultural change and record-setting growth has drawn him to corporations that want to tap into his real-world expertise to move their organizations to higher levels of achievement. Don is well known in the financial industry, with sales averaging over $ 1 billion per year, and for his original book, The Perfect Plan, is available in 39 countries worldwide.
Don also serves as a Trustee and the past Chairman of the Summit Counseling Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a past board member of the Metro Atlanta YMCA and was responsible for designing their COVID response and post-COVID strategic initiatives. He is a past Board Member of the Sua Sponte Foundation. Additionally, he lectures at Wake Forest University, The Wharton School of Business, and Oxford University (U.K.) Dr. Barden is a frequent instructor at the US Army 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalion / 75 th Regiment’s Leadership and Professional Development Program.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwbarden/
https://www.instagram.com/donbarden
Resources & Mentions
https://donbarden.com/category/here-come-the-girls/
Dr. Don Barden is a recognized leader in leadership and decision-making psychology. With global influence, military honors, and a track record of leading billion-dollar organizations, he helps elite performers align purpose, power, and performance.
In this episode of MaxLife, we unpack what most people get wrong about passion, why high performers often feel isolated, and how true leadership is forged through sacrifice—not spotlight.
You’ll learn:
Why real passion always demands sacrifice
How to lead with strength in soft, uncertain times
The “two-minute decision” framework for clarity under pressure
How to break through when success still feels empty
Why legacy is about ripples, not recognition
It’s not louder leadership — it’s a different way forward.
Guest Bio
Dr. Don Barden is a classically trained economist, globally recognized as an expert in leadership and the decision-making process. With three decades of corporate leadership and production in employee benefits and organizational leadership, he has changed the landscape of several US and international firms.
Don was named one of the Top 30 Most “Transformational Leaders in North America” by John Maxwell and the 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. In 2019, the Department of Defense recognized him with honors from the 75th US Army Ranger Regiment, and he was named 2020 YMCA Volunteer of the Year.
He is certified in Cybersecurity Management from Harvard University and has a Ph.D. in Economics and Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University. He earned his M.B.A. in Global Technology Management and International Business with an undergraduate B.B.A. in Economics and Finance. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
Don’s work challenges and motivates organizations and leadership teams to think deeply about their beliefs to consistently achieve their communication, culture, sales, and management goals. His “unfair advantage” theories are revolutionary in today’s economy as he leads and builds companies in a way that exposes the myth of modern leadership and communication techniques. Don’s recent work, “Here Come the Girls,” celebrates women in leadership. The study aims to help frustrated organizations transform by awakening their creative energy, thereby paving the way for uncharted production through cultural change.
Conquering the highest levels of ethical performance with humor, intellectual capital, and time-tested systems, Don engages his teams with his highly personal style of steward leadership. His experience with cultural change and record-setting growth has drawn him to corporations that want to tap into his real-world expertise to move their organizations to higher levels of achievement. Don is well known in the financial industry, with sales averaging over $ 1 billion per year, and for his original book, The Perfect Plan, is available in 39 countries worldwide.
Don also serves as a Trustee and the past Chairman of the Summit Counseling Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a past board member of the Metro Atlanta YMCA and was responsible for designing their COVID response and post-COVID strategic initiatives. He is a past Board Member of the Sua Sponte Foundation. Additionally, he lectures at Wake Forest University, The Wharton School of Business, and Oxford University (U.K.) Dr. Barden is a frequent instructor at the US Army 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalion / 75 th Regiment’s Leadership and Professional Development Program.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwbarden/
Resources & Mentions
https://www.maxwellleadership.com/
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael Easter
The MaxLife Podcast: #42: Why Hustle Is Failing: The New Future of Productivity with Jason Henkel
What if your next level as a high performer isn't about doing more — but about becoming someone no one else can be?
Jeremy Bergeron was a successful entrepreneur, but it wasn’t until he followed a gut-level “yes” and stepped into an undefined role beside a polymath founder that his career — and life — transformed.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What true Chiefs of Staff actually do (and what founders get wrong)
How to sense and serve a business athlete before they even ask
Why trust and presence outperform tactics in high-stakes leadership
Jeremy’s personal practices to expand capacity and reduce self-sabotage
How to find (or become) the #2 that scales the mission and the soul
This is required listening if you’re building something big — or supporting someone who is.
Guest Bio
Jeremy Bergeron is a serial entrepreneur, podcast host, and executive advisor behind 9-figure ventures and category-defining communities. As Chief of Staff to a full-stack polymath leading multiple businesses in multiple industries, Jeremy plays a Rick Rubin-style role; supporting visionary founders across industries like tech, health, real estate, and media. His journey includes building a B2B media network with over 4 million annual podcast downloads, pioneering new models in fractional leadership, and integrating somatic healing, plant medicine, and nervous system mastery to scale with soul. Jeremy lives at the intersection of performance, presence, and purpose...and helps other leaders do the same.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremybergeron/
https://x.com/bergeronstrong
Resources & Mentions
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liorweinstein/
https://www.mocharymethod.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniepostles/
In this episode, former Divvy co-founder Alex Bean unpacks the real story behind a $2.5B exit—and what no one tells you about life after. You’ll learn:
Why success feels empty without purpose—and how to find yours
How to hire elite talent using the “Car Theory”
The unexpected downside of wealth (and how it affects identity, marriage, and parenting)
The power of defining your personal “Factory for Good” to sustain impact and fulfillment
Tactical advice for testing product-market fit before you ever write a line of code
If you're an entrepreneur chasing a big exit—or wondering what comes after—you’ll walk away with clarity, caution, and conviction.
Guest Bio
Alex Bean is a managing partner at Tandem Ventures, an investment group focused on leveraging operator experience to drive investments in promising startups.
Before Tandem Ventures, Alex co-founded Divvy, a revolutionary business expense and budget management platform. Under his guidance, Divvy experienced meteoric growth, leading to an impressive $2.5 billion exit.
Originally from Seattle, Alex lives in Highland, Utah with his family. Alex has been married to his wife Megan for 17 years, and they have four children, two girls, and two boys. Alex enjoys playing golf, pickleball, skiing, and spending time with his family and friends.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexbean/
Resources & Mentions
http://www.factoryforgood.com/
Are you being tricked every time you step into the healthcare system? In this episode of MaxLife, Dr. David Berg reveals how MRI prices range from $250 to $18,000, why your insurance card is the worst place to start, and how to save thousands with simple shifts in mindset and logistics.
Learn:
Why much of healthcare is actually cheaper today—but hidden under layers of waste.
The three-step framework to avoid getting taken advantage of.
How to navigate fear, urgency, and asymmetry of knowledge.
This isn’t about demonizing doctors or insurance companies—it’s about understanding the system and regaining control of your family’s health costs.
Guest Bio
Dr. Berg has served as CEO and Co-Founder since Redirect Health's inception in 2013. Prior to co-founding Redirect Health, Dr. Berg established and maintained successful healthcare clinics both in Canada and the United States. With Redirect Health he has leveraged his decades of healthcare leadership experience to make healthcare simple and affordable for businesses throughout the country. Dr. Berg is the author of "The Business Owner's Guide to Ending the Fight with Healthcare", a how-to guide that helps business owners leverage healthcare as a competitive advantage. The Phoenix Business Journal honored Dr. Berg with the “Healthcare Heroes Innovator Award” for creating a transformative healthcare member experience that eliminates barriers for people to get affordable healthcare. Dr. Berg was also the finalist for three best-in-class awards at the World Health Care Congress in Washington DC. He holds degrees in both Physics and Biology from the University of Toronto as well as a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.
www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidfberg
Resources & Mentions
redirecthealth.com
https://www.strategiccoach.com/
Lior Weinstein: linkedin.com/in/liorweinstein
Ken Neumann believes success begins by letting go of control and trusting God with the outcome. As an entrepreneur, inventor, and visionary behind Youtopia, he brings both spiritual clarity and tactical insight to business building.
We explore:
How faith can guide bold business decisions
Practical leadership lessons from building and scaling companies
The vision behind Youtopia’s mission to end preventable disease
Why impact, not ego, is the ultimate measure of success
A must-listen for entrepreneurs who want their work aligned with their purpose.
Guest Bio
Ken Neumann is a passionate husband, brother, father, and grandfather. Ken strives to be known as a “man after God’s own heart” and follows a purpose to “be a good and faithful servant in all that he is called to do”.
He is currently building a company called Youtopia, focused on "Making Vibrant Health and Longevity to 120 a Simple and Achievable Reality for All of Us”. A visionary serial entrepreneur with a strong engineering and business background, he excels in identifying opportunities and leading transformative ventures. He has built numerous businesses from startups and driven over $500 million in annual revenue and $5 billion in total revenue in diverse industries. Ken's ventures span pharmaceuticals, energy tech, software, team development, real estate, and homebuilding. Recognized by Training Magazine as one of the Top 11 CEO’s in the world. His businesses earned prestigious awards like the National Housing Quality Award, 100 Best to Work For, America’s Best Builder, and Top Technology Company of the Year. He is recognized as one of the top 1% inventors in the world with over 260 issued patents.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-neumann-57688010/
Resources & Mentions
Most entrepreneurs are sprinting harder than ever—yet falling further behind. In this conversation, Jason Henkel reveals why stillness is the next frontier of productivity and what separates those who thrive from those who burn out.
You’ll learn:
How AI can enhance your thinking instead of replacing it
Tactical prompts that sharpen clarity and decision-making
Daily practices to access flow and authentic leadership
The unlearning required to break free from performative success
Why love—not hustle—is the highest form of leadership
If you don’t apply these shifts, you’ll keep chasing hacks while others quietly unlock the future of productivity.
Guest Bio
Jason Henkel is a renowned expert in personal and team productivity. Jason's unique, brain-based approach to productivity and wellbeing is not just about getting more done, but rather about achieving far more meaningful output in less time while keeping balance and wellbeing at center stage.
Jason's journey to becoming a productivity expert is as inspiring and relatable to so many. He climbed the ranks of a Fortune 100 company, finding himself in a demanding, globe-trotting role. Despite his hard work and determination, he found himself overwhelmed by the always on culture of our modern era and sheer volume of workload. The imbalance this created in his life became a toxic norm.
Jason eventually realized the path he was on was not leading to joy, but to burnout and quickly diminishing quality of life. This realization sparked an intense period of study and self-reflection, during which Jason discovered the meta-skills, modalities and strategies that allowed him to escape the trance of busyness and begin a new path. He found a way to thrive and achieving a state of spacious productivity that enabled him to still get it all done but in a truly sustainable way.
Jason often says, "My mess has become my message." His experiences have fueled a mission to share with the world his learnings that have transformed his life so dramatically.
When asked what he does, Jason's answer is simple and clear: "I deliver calm, deliberate, and authentic productivity." His unique approach has earned him the nickname 'The Productivity Whisperer' from US Navy SEALS Commander Mark McGinnis. Having trained executive leadership teams and organizations around the globe, Jason's ultimate goal is to help individuals and teams thrive in their highest priorities while enabling a more spacious, healthy, and high-performing life.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasehenkel/
Resources & Mentions
https://www.focustoevolve.com/
https://www.flowgenomeproject.com/
Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr
The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life by David Brooks
Willpower Doesn't Work: Discover The Hidden Keys to Success by Ben Hardy
Most people chase success using the wrong map. In this unfiltered conversation, award-winning entrepreneur and designer Lisa Cini reveals what high performers often miss—and how to redefine winning on your own terms.
You’ll learn:
Why “work-life balance” is a damaging illusion—and what to replace it with
How to reframe fear, failure, and indecision into elite performance assets
The power of “micro-mistakes” and emotional agency in building resilient teams
How identity, ego, and alignment influence consistency and long-term wins
A candid take on ambition, gender roles, and why “different” is better than “equal”
Whether you’re scaling a company or your family life, this episode delivers the mindset shifts and systems that actually move the needle.
Guest Bio
We are an award-winning design, project management and procurement studio specializing in Aging in Place, Residential Assisted Living (small home) and Senior living.
We have patented budget building software that provides clear, correct, comprehensive numbers that gives you the confidence to move forward with your RAL project.
Our mission is to serve the aging population and the clients that serve them.
https://www.facebook.com/lisa.m.cini
https://www.instagram.com/lisacini/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisacini/
https://www.youtube.com/@lisacini6779
Resources & Mentions
Amazon Prime Video: https://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Living-Secrets-Werner-House/dp/B0B8MQ7XK5
Boom: The Baby Boomers' Guide to Preserving Your Freedom and Thriving as You Age in Place by Lisa Cini
The Future Is Here: Senior Living Reimagined by Lisa Cini
Hive by Lisa Cini
While most high performers chase bigger systems and tighter routines, Mike Williams — former CEO of Getting Things Done and enterprise architect at Zappos — helps elite leaders subtract everything that doesn’t matter.
In this conversation, we unpack the clarity-first frameworks that simplify complexity, unlock capacity, and make sustainable performance possible.
You’ll learn:
How to use the “roles, projects, practices” model to regain focus and energy
The coaching questions that create breakthroughs — even in difficult conversations
Why traditional goal setting often fails, and what to do instead
Micro-habits that build clarity, consistency, and leadership presence
If you're operating at a high level but still feel scattered or stuck, this episode is your reset.
Guest Bio
CEO Mike Williams has transformed the productivity and presence of thousands of leaders from overwhelmed to focused. Through his leadership at General Electric, as the CEO of the David Allen Company (Getting Things Done), and as Enterprise Productivity Architect at Zappos, Mike developed the frameworks that help successful people navigate complexity without losing their sanity. Unlike traditional productivity coaching that adds more systems to manage, Mike's approach helps you subtract everything that doesn't matter—creating the clarity that makes complex leadership sustainable.
www.doingtodone.com
https://www.instagram.com/askmikewilliams/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/askmikewilliams/
Resources & Mentions
Doing to Done: Productivity Made Simple by Mike Williams
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael Easter
Doing to Done: Productivity Made Simple by Mike Williams
#39: Why Discomfort is the Secret to Real Confidence with David Engel
Most people run from discomfort. But what if leaning into it was the key to confidence, growth, and joy? In this powerful conversation, David Engel shares decades of wisdom on how change shapes success, why failure can be your greatest teacher, and how relationships define a meaningful life.
What you’ll take away:
How to reframe discomfort as your fastest path to growth
The hidden link between confidence and trust
Why failure often teaches more than success
How to ask bolder questions that change everything
The mindset shifts that redefine what “success” really means
Guest Bio
David Engel is the visionary founder of Innovative HRT, the marketing innovation consultancy he established in 1995 following a distinguished 20-year career in direct mail marketing. As both CEO and Chief Innovation Officer, David has become renowned for pioneering proprietary, patent-backed solutions that consistently elevate customer acquisition, retention, and response rates—especially within the financial, retail, and loyalty sectors innovationhrt.com+6innovativehrt.com+6innovativehrt.com+6.
Over more than two decades, David has developed a reputation as a leading innovator in direct response marketing. His deep industry knowledge and forward-thinking approach have driven the creation of bespoke “innovation platforms” that supercharge client marketing efforts through an effective blend of creativity, technology, and strategic research innovativehrt.com+1.
Under David’s leadership, Innovative HRT offers clients enterprise-level guidance through a highly individualized process: global research, tailored technology scouting, and quarterly presentations of actionable, client-specific recommendations. This model has consistently produced improved marketing outcomes and performance well beyond baseline expectations innovativehrt.com+2innovativehrt.com+2.
David’s influence extends across the broader marketing community. He is an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) and has been honored with prestigious awards such as the CMA’s Director’s Choice Award and the RSVP Award for Resource Partner Innovation, affirming his contributions to advancing marketing education and innovation
Resources & Mentions
Natural Born Heroes by Christopher McDougall
Most high performers think they know what they want — but in reality, their goals are fuzzy, their actions scattered, and their results inconsistent. In this conversation with global adventurer and entrepreneur Jerome Wade, we unpack exactly why clarity and courage are the missing ingredients.
You’ll discover:
The 4 C’s Framework for building the life you want
How to avoid the trap of “how?” thinking that kills dreams
The power of reframing failure as tuition, not loss
Why indecision is more expensive than bad decisions
The real cost of playing it safe vs. failing forward
If you want a tactical roadmap to design and execute your dream life, this conversation delivers the formula.
Text 719-480-2125 to get a free digital copy of UNLEASHED!
Guest Bio
Jerome Wade embodies boundless potential and audacious spirit. He's not only a glider pilot, powered pilot, sailor, dive master, and global adventurer who consistently pushes beyond limits, but also an entrepreneur whose ventures have impacted over 100,000 households; exemplifying authority founded on deep success.
As a professional speaker, he has delivered over 4000 presentations. He is a best-selling author and the visionary founder of EPIC Global, a consultancy dedicated to unlocking human potential and empowering leaders and teams to exceed their limits.
He is currently launching Midlifers.com - a global community of midlife business-owning couples ready to ignite purpose, adventure, and the best years of their life.
https://www.facebook.com/jerome.wade
https://www.instagram.com/jeromewade
https://www.youtube.com/jeromewade
Resources & Mentions
What if you could radically increase your results while working fewer hours? Walt Hampton — bestselling author, high-altitude mountaineer, and former managing partner — reveals the proven systems he’s used to help elite entrepreneurs reclaim their time, scale their businesses, and live life on their terms. In this episode, you’ll discover:
The 3 “Power Principles” of time mastery that create immediate bandwidth
How to identify and eliminate the work that doesn’t move the needle
Strategies for building a location-independent business
Lessons from mountaineering and ultra-running that sharpen leadership and decision-making
How to align your business with your deepest values for sustainable success
This is your roadmap to breaking free from the grind and stepping fully into your high-performance life.
Access Free eBook & Executive Tools: The Power Principles of Time Mastery: https://summit-success.com/time-mastery-maxlife
Guest Bio
Walt Hampton, J.D. is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Summit Success International, a global personal & professional development firm; and the Acquisitions Director at Summit Press Publishers, a premier publisher of expert positioning books. Walt is a business coach, management consultant, leadership trainer & motivational speaker. He is the bestselling author of Journeys on the Edge: Living a Life That Matters, named a Top 10 Non-Fiction Book and a two-time recipient of the North American Book Awards; as well as the author of The Power Principles of Time Mastery: Do Less, Make More, Have Fun. A 1984 graduate of The Cornell Law School, Walt was managing partner of a law firm for nearly 30 years with a practice focused on commercial litigation and criminal defense. He was trained as a Results Coach by Robbins Research International and worked directly for Tony Robbins as one of Tony’s elite-level certified business coaches. Walt’s passions are high-altitude mountaineering, ultra-distance running, blue-water sailing & adventure photography. He and his wife, the publisher Ann Sheybani, reside in Intervale, New Hampshire.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/walthampton/
Resources & Mentions
Journeys On The Edge: Living a Life That Matters by Walt Hampton
The Power Principles of Time Mastery: Do Less. Make More. Have Fun by Walt Hampton
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
On this episode of MaxLife, Ben Laws sits down with Michael Isom, financial educator and co-author of What We’re Worth, to unpack why most entrepreneurs overlook their most valuable asset — themselves. Michael shares his journey from losing everything to rebuilding it all using the AIS Triangle framework. You’ll learn:
How to measure and multiply your Human Life Value
Ways to protect your wealth from unnecessary risk
The role of aligned values in long-term success
Why self-investment outperforms every other asset class
This isn’t theory — it’s the same approach Michael used to create financial certainty after near-total loss.
Guest Bio
Michael Isom is a dynamic entrepreneur, speaker, and visionary author whose extraordinary journey encapsulates resilience, transformation, and the pursuit of a values-driven life.
Having achieved remarkable material success in business, Michael faced a dramatic reversal due to ill-fated investments.
This pivotal moment prompted a profound shift, prioritizing meaning, family, and inner fulfillment over superficial wealth.
From this transformation, he conceived the "Human Life Value Balance Sheet" concept, offering a holistic measure of prosperity and happiness.
His book, "What We're Worth," shares his journey and inspires others to embrace a values-based life.
As a devoted husband, father, and businessman, Michael conducts workshops, trainings, and inspiring keynote speeches, offering actionable strategies for optimizing "HLV" in all aspects of life.
Michael's contributions extend to finance, where he founded Vault AIS. He co-authored "What Would The Rockefellers Do" and champions "The AIS Triangle™," a system simplifying personal finance while preserving wealth across generations.
His insights on gratitude, self-improvement, legacy, and the pitfalls of materialism have enriched countless lives.
Based in St. George, Utah, with his wife, Wendy, Michael Isom exemplifies the power of a values-driven life, inspiring lasting prosperity, fulfillment, and significance.
www.vaultais.com/books
https://www.facebook.com/vaultais
https://www.facebook.com/michaelgisom
Resources & Mentions
Dan Sullivan - Strategic Coach
#20: From $0 to $50M: Jay Jacobs on Redefining Success, Agency, and the Power of Surrender
The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham
Wanting What You Want by Dan Sullivan
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
What drives top performers to succeed can also push them toward exhaustion and plateau.
In this conversation, Jeff Francis — founder of ENO8 — reveals the internal patterns that quietly undermine growth. We explore the tension between control and trust, the hidden cost of over-functioning, and how leadership must evolve as your company scales.
You’ll learn:
How to recognize when your strengths become liabilities
The mindset shifts essential to moving from founder to true leader
What to do when delegation feels like a threat instead of a solution
Leadership habits that unlock team ownership and long-term momentum
This episode is a practical reframe for entrepreneurs facing the invisible ceiling that ambition alone can’t break.
Guest Bio
Jeff Francis is a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Dallas-based digital product studio ENO8. Jeff built ENO8 to empower companies of all sizes to design, develop and deliver innovative, impactful software — on time and on budget. With 18+ years working with both early-stage startups and enterprise product teams, Jeff has honed a unique ability to assist companies of all sizes to not only launch custom software products and mobile apps, but deliver needle-moving bottom line results.
On a more personal note, Jeff’s path to entrepreneurship began at the University of North Texas where he studied Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management. He began his career as hire number one at a software startup in Dallas and was instrumental in growing it to the #1 SaaS solution for healthcare staffing. After 5 years in a senior leadership role, Jeff saw how the App Store was going to change software forever, and joined a mobile software development company as a co-founder and partner. After helping grow that business over 6 years — across more than 100 partners and projects — Jeff sold his equity stake and struck out on his own, founding ENO8 in 2016.
www.ENO8.com
www.linkedin.com/in/francisjeff/
Resources & Mentions
What if you’ve been playing the wealth game on hard mode without knowing it? In this episode, Wesley Sierk breaks down the secret financial infrastructure used by the ultra-wealthy to protect profits, minimize tax exposure, and reduce liability—captive insurance.You'll learn:
Why most entrepreneurs overpay for risk—and how to fix it
How captive insurance works to turn expenses into assets
Red flags in the financial advisory world (and how to think independently)
Why mainstream wealth strategies often serve the system, not you
This is a behind-the-curtain conversation for business owners who are ready to take control, think strategically, and play the wealth game differently.
Guest Bio
Entrepreneur | Risk Strategist | Wealth Architect
Wesley Sierk isn’t your typical insurance guy—he’s a serial entrepreneur who thrives at the intersection of risk, reward, and reinvention. With nearly three decades of experience advising closely held businesses, he’s best known as the Managing Director of Risk Management Advisors, where he builds customized captive insurance companies to help entrepreneurs protect and multiply their wealth. He began the company with his partner Jarid Beck and one assistant. They have grown the captive management company to the fifth largest in the world.
But that’s just one chapter in a much bigger story.
Wes is also the founder of 33 Medical Inc., a medical device company developing breakthrough solutions for degenerative disc disease, and an owner in Capitalogix, an AI-powered hedge fund that's redefining how high-net-worth investors approach the markets. Through self-improving algorithms they have been able to deliver consistent returns that dwarf the S&P500 with the volatility of government bonds.
As if that weren’t enough, Wes is also the creative force behind Caliwood Pictures—a boutique film production company blending entrepreneurial storytelling with cinematic impact. Whether it’s producing thought-provoking films or developing passion projects, Caliwood reflects Wes’s belief that great stories—like great businesses—are built with intention and clarity of vision.
What ties it all together? A deep belief in rational self-interest, strategic thinking, and helping business owners reclaim control—of their risks, their money, and their future.
He’s authored two books for entrepreneurs and the affluent—Taken Captive and You Can Make It, But Can You Keep It?—and is one of the few professionals worldwide to earn the prestigious Associate in Captive Insurance (ACI) designation.
Whether he’s working with elite athletes, entertainers, homebuilders, manufacturers, or family offices, Wes brings a mindset of intelligent design and execution. He regularly collaborates with CPAs, attorneys, and financial advisors to create structures that endure.
Outside of work, Wes is a devoted husband and father, an amateur chef, and an advocate for high-performance living—which often includes hiking with his family and two massive dogs or teeing up a round of golf.
https://www.instagram.com/wesleysierk/
https://www.youtube.com/c/RiskManagementAdvisors
Resources & Mentions
Come Up for Air: How Teams Can Leverage Systems and Tools to Stop Drowning in Work
The Last Rodeo film
You Can Make It But Can You Keep It? By Wes Sierk
Entrepreneurs and high performers are trained to optimize—strategy, systems, time. But few realize the biggest inefficiency in their life and business is emotional misalignment. In this episode, Ken Bogard reveals how his “Know Honesty” framework helps leaders dismantle ego-driven communication, build team trust faster, and unlock next-level performance. You’ll learn how to:
Turn disagreements into productive breakthroughs
Eliminate emotional static in meetings and partnerships
Use openness as an amplifier for leadership presence
Apply simple, daily tools to improve team alignment and retentionIncludes a free assessment to immediately benchmark your honesty + openness score.
Guest Bio
Ken Bogard’s "Know Honesty" approach is transforming people's lives. He is raising the bar on communication, leadership collaboration, and sparking a movement around honesty. His entrepreneurial grit and enthusiasm for positive results provides people the momentum they need to achieve what they really want. In just the last few years Ken has positively impacted over 60 organizations, 300 owners and leaders, and thousands of employees.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenbogard/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/knowhonesty/posts/?feedView=all https://www.facebook.com/knowhonesty/ -https://www.instagram.com/knowhonesty/ https://www.tiktok.com/@knowhonesty
Resources & Mentions
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization
The Pursuit of Honesty Assessment: https://knowhonesty.com/assessment/
Get Liz’s Clarity Prompt at: https://luminaryleadershipco.com/clarity or DM the word CLARITY to Liz on Instagram @elizhartke
DM the word SCHEDULE to liz on Instagram @elizhartke to get the Visionary CEO schedule!
In this conversation with leadership advisor Liz Hartke, we uncover the hidden patterns that keep high performers stuck in the trap of “busy,” even when they appear successful on the surface. Liz shares the transformative mindset shifts and tactical frameworks that help entrepreneurs step fully into visionary leadership — without sacrificing their families, freedom, or fulfillment.
You’ll learn:
The 4 levels of leadership (and how to know which one you’re really operating from)
Why hustle is often just a mask for insecurity or misalignment
How to design your business to elevate your life — not consume it
A countercultural approach to growth rooted in clarity, peace, and long-term legacy
If you’ve ever felt like you’re “doing everything right” but still feel off-track, this episode is you
Guest Bio
For over a dozen years, Liz has served as a Business and Leadership Advisor to thousands of ambitious entrepreneurs internationally - including greats like JOHN C. MAXWELL - helping them exponentially grow in business while unlocking their God-given potential. Liz is the award winning founder and CEO of the Luminary Leadership Co. and is proud to work alongside her incredible team and husband, while also homeschooling their 4 kids from their farm property. Through her competitive masterminds, mentorship, and online programs, Liz has broken the mold on what it looks like to go from busy work, to your life’s work, while honoring the areas of life that matter most. Her expertise and unconventional wisdom has been featured in media outlets including Forbes, Fast Company and Entrepreneur. She’s personally mentored top industry leaders, and has spoken on stages throughout the world.
After losing their 5th baby at 17 weeks pregnant, and experiencing a miraculous event after nearly losing her life herself, Liz is fiercely passionate about getting ambitious entrepreneurs out of the trap of busy, and into visionary leadership where they can access the intentional, meaningful, and freedom-filled lives they crave.
https://luminaryleadershipco.com/
https://www.instagram.com/elizhartke/
Resources & Mentions
Get Liz’s Clarity Prompt at: https://luminaryleadershipco.com/clarity or DM the word CLARITY to Liz on Instagram @elizhartke
DM the word SCHEDULE to liz on Instagram @elizhartke to get the Visionary CEO schedule
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Liz’s Podcast: Your Big Next Podcast
10X is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Ben Hardy
https://luminaryleadershipco.com/
In this episode, Erik Solbakken, a CPA-turned-Viking philosopher and business coach, unpacks the hidden software running your life. We dive deep into why high performers unknowingly operate from outdated mental programming—and how to start reprogramming your mindset through awareness, identity excavation, and emotional truth.
You’ll learn:
Why conditioning—not circumstance—is the biggest growth blocker.
The power of reframing hard experiences as fuel, not failure.
The overlooked role of emotional expression in sustained performance.
Why the most effective growth often starts without a “method.”
This is a mental reset for founders, coaches, and high performers ready to evolve.
Guest Bio
Erik Solbakken, CPA, CA, BA, is an accomplished entrepreneur, executive business coach, and strategic advisor based in North Saanich, British Columbia. With over three decades in public practice and business leadership, Erik is renowned for his transformative impact on the accounting profession and his commitment to helping individuals and organizations unlock their fullest potential.
Erik’s career began in accounting, where he quickly distinguished himself as the youngest partner in his firm’s history. Over 26 years, he provided accounting, tax, and advisory services to more than 1,000 business owners, building a reputation for excellence and innovation. After selling his first accounting firm in 2015, Erik founded the Accountant Success Formula™, a pioneering executive coaching program that empowers CPAs to modernize their business models and deliver greater value to clients.
Currently, Erik is a partner in Strategic Advisory at MBA CPA and an associate coach with Strategic Coach, where he mentors entrepreneurs and professionals nationwide. His mission is to help business owners and CPAs realize their unique abilities and achieve lasting success through purposeful transformation.
Erik is also the creator of Viking Academy, a groundbreaking platform dedicated to personal and professional growth through the exploration of the three dimensions of being human: body, mind, and spirit. Inspired by the spirit of the ancient Vikings, the Viking Academy offers immersive experiences, knowledge, and tools designed to help individuals “wake up the Viking within” and live with passion and purpose.
The Academy features a vibrant community, a podcast interviewing global experts in personal development, and resources that guide members on a journey of self-discovery and mastery. As Chief Exploration Officer, Erik brings contagious energy and deep insight, inspiring others to embrace their true selves and lead lives of meaning and impact.
Erik is the author of The Accountant Success Formula and the host of The MBA Way podcast and the “Erik ‘The Viking’ Solbakken” YouTube channel. Through these platforms, he shares actionable strategies on entrepreneurship, business innovation, and holistic personal development.
A strong advocate for work-life balance, Erik enjoys boating with his family in the Puget Sound and is passionate about soccer. He is also the lead singer and drummer for the Eighties metal band Reign Down, embodying his belief in living life with creativity and authenticity.
Erik’s work is guided by the conviction that business owners and professionals are key drivers of positive change. Through his ventures-including the Viking Academy-he empowers others to explore, experience, and embrace their unique gifts, helping them contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eriksolbakken/
www.vikingacademy.com
www.accountantsuccessformula.com
www.mbacpa.com
Resources & Mentions
Viking Academy Podcast: Exploring Greatness (Personal Development) with Gina Mollicone-Long
In this rich, no-BS conversation, chef and entrepreneur Ben Bebenroth unpacks his path from ego-driven hustler to values-centered founder. We break down:
How military discipline and culinary intensity created early success—and masked deep personal misalignment.
The warning signs of overextension and how losing it all during COVID became a gift.
The mental and emotional tools that helped him reframe loss, including the “awareness, acceptance, action” framework.
Why founders must unhook from their ego, get brutally honest, and build systems that regenerate rather than deplete.
Tactical insights on structuring values-based businesses, and, redefining identity post-collapse
How psychedelics and honest reflection shaped a new leadership model rooted in presence, humility, and clarity.
This episode is a masterclass in sustainable success—for founders ready to align mission with well-being.
Guest Bio
Chef Ben Bebenroth graduated in the top 10 of his class at Johnson & Wales in Charleston, SC, and won the university’s National “Taste Down Under” cooking contest before graduating with honors in 2004. His prize was a 5-week trip to Australia with a French Master Chef, exploring the country’s culinary scene.
By 2006, Ben was back in Ohio, launching Spice Catering Co. with a mission to source top-notch local ingredients and upend the standard of catering cuisine. Fast forward to 2012, he opened the trend setting Spice Kitchen + Bar, winning “Best New Restaurant in 2013” and dominating the creative space of farm-to-table cuisine. Then came Spice Acres in 2014, a 13-acre farm in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park supplying his restaurant and catering company with unique and hours picked produce to drive his ultra seasonal menus.
In 2016, Ben founded Spice Field Kitchen (501c3), a non-profit. There he began teaching students about DIY Agriculture, Culinary Skills and Nutrition in a STEM based curriculum.
With 20 years of supporting local producers under his belt, Ben’s masterful approach to blending locally seasonal bounty with dynamic flavors and presentations make him the most sought-after authority of Northeast Ohio’s food scene.
Making the most out of the 2020 Covid pandemic, Ben fearlessly shuttered his award-winning restaurant Spice Kitchen + Bar to innovate and dominate once again concepting and creating Boom’s Pizza. Boom’s Pizza dropped another”Best New Restaurant 2023” onto the trophy shelf as well as clinching “Best Pizza in Cleveland.” No small feat for Cleveland being such a pizza town.
Today Ben can be found on the front lines of his portfolio of food service companies leveraging his Marine Corps veteran leadership skills to continually push the team to ”Be the change they want to see in the world.” This culture of accountability and radical candor make for the best work environment and customer service experience in the hospitality industry of the region.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-bebenroth/
Instagram: @ChefBenBebenroth
Resources & Mentions
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
What Now? With Trevor Noah: Love on a Timeline with Esther Perel
MaxLife Podcast: #19 The Science Behind Inner Mastery: How Elite Leaders Train with Joey Klein
Steve Distante has built multiple 7- and 8-figure companies and retreats — and he doesn’t work 24/7. In this masterclass, he unpacks how to design a business like a machine (or farm) that thrives without your constant oversight. Inside, you’ll learn:
The 3-part team framework Steve uses to scale without micromanaging
How to use AI and cloning tech to scale your genius, not your hours
Why most leaders fail at accountability — and how to fix it without burnout
This episode is a blueprint for founders ready to move from operator to architect.
Guest Bio
Steve Distante, widely known as “The Pitchologist,” is an entrepreneur, mentor, and author revolutionizing the way founders fund, grow, and scale their businesses.
• Founder & Visionary of Vanderbilt Financial Group: Leading a sustainable, impact-driven investment firm dedicated to aligning financial success with positive social and environmental change.
• Founder of the Private Investor Network: A dynamic community where entrepreneurs and investors connect, pitch, fund, and track investments in the next wave of innovation.
• Creator of an AI Clone: Developed an AI coaching system to provide around-the-clock insights, guidance, and strategic brainstorming.
• Author: Including Pitchology: The Art and Science of Raising Capital for Entrepreneurs, and the 2024 release Once Upon a Time in Entrepreneurland, available in Spanish and as a children’s edition.
• Farmer of Cally Farms: A 400-acre retreat in Georgia, where Steve and his wife, Heidi, cultivate Paulownia trees and lead transformational entrepreneurial experiences.
Steve’s passion is to empower entrepreneurs with the mindset, mentorship,
and momentum they need to create lasting change in the world.
https://www.instagram.com/pitchology_ai/
https://www.youtube.com/@pitchology_ai
Resources & Mentions
Pitchology: The Art & Science of Raising Capital for Entrepreneurs
Dirt to Soil: One Family's Journey into Regenerative Agriculture