Episode #244: Annette Gallagher
Annette Gallagher, Red Tornado Communications: From Layoff to Solopreneur Momentum Annette Gallagher is the high-energy founder behind Red Tornado Communications, a writer and strategist who turned a 2020 layoff into a thriving solo practice. In this episode, she breaks down how a journalist’s deadline discipline, a deep professional network, and smart subcontracting let her deliver “full-team” results without building a payroll. If you’re debating the leap from paycheck to client work, Annette’s story is a playbook. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy8YHuNA-1U Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode: Laid off at 10 a.m., contract by 5 p.m. Annette started freelancing the same day she was let go in June 2020—and formally launched Red Tornado Communications as an LLC in November 2020. Culture fit matters. She turned down on-site roles during the pandemic, recognizing misaligned expectations around trust and autonomy. “Job hopping” as an asset. A varied career across journalism, content marketing, travel media, food writing, and higher-ed PR built the national network that now fuels her referrals. Discipline > vibes. Every Sunday night, she consolidates multiple calendars into a paper planner, color-codes deadlines, and blocks deep-work writing time to avoid meeting creep. One-stop shop via partners. She focuses on copy, then subs design, web, and social to trusted pros (including her brother’s graphics shop), giving clients a marketing “team” without headcount. Watch the full episode now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy8YHuNA-1U Memorable Quote: “Job hopping built my freelance business.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Annette Linkedin Globe
Episode #243: Angela Taylor
Angela Taylor, Inspire Community Outreach — Turning Neurodivergent Strengths into Community Impact Angela Taylor is a Winnipeg-based mental health and disability specialist, artist, and community builder. As founder and CEO of Inspire Community Outreach, she supports neurodivergent youth and families with practical, strength-based services that fill real social-service gaps. Her lived experience—from foster care to parenting and her own neurodivergences—powers a mission that’s equal parts compassion and execution. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5AQAtyF6TI Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode: Why Inspire exists: Angela founded a Canadian charity to support families with children and young adults (ages 3–29) who have neurological differences and mental health concerns—meeting needs traditional systems often miss. Strength-based approach: Her team emphasizes advocacy, assessment, and environment design—stacking more positive inputs than negative to stabilize well-being and celebrate neurodivergent strengths. Lived experience as a toolkit: Angela openly shares her background (foster care, raising her sister, parenting an autistic son, and her own ADHD/dyslexia/PTSD/synesthesia) to build empathy and practical solutions. Workplace inclusion that works: Flexible hours, psychological safety, and “unmasking” are core to unlocking innovation; organizations can co-create accommodations that fit both the role and the person. Scaling support: Inspire operates clinicians/therapists, partners on training for families and frontline teams, and funds care through donations, grants, and emerging government support. Watch the full episode now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5AQAtyF6TI Memorable Quote: “For me, the journey is the success—the money’s a bonus.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Angela Linkedin Globe
Episode #242: Patrick Maser
Patrick Maser, Wealth Institute Inc — Mentoring Entrepreneurs & Rethinking Healthcare Patrick Maser is a 22-year entrepreneur and the co-founder of Wealth Institute Inc, a training-driven community built to help people create freedom through a proven system. He’s mentored 88 individuals to more than $1M in earnings, champions residual income, and believes the next wave of disruption will put patients—not profits—first in healthcare. In this episode, Patrick and Ken dig into the future of work, why convenience often beats price, and the mindset shifts required to go from W-2 to owner. Patrick’s story—and his playbook—offer a practical path for anyone who wants flexibility, purpose, and real upside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxLDdGsB4bQ Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode: Mentorship that pays off: Patrick has coached 88 people past $1M in earnings, emphasizing systems, accountability, and action over hype. Residual income 101: Schools teach wages and salary, but not residuals. Patrick argues understanding (and building) recurring revenue is the real lever for freedom. Convenience vs. price: In strong economies, value and ease win—think one-click ordering. In tighter times, savings matter; great sellers can win on either axis. The new workforce compact: The gig economy is here. Smart companies will treat employees like partners, explore flexible options (even daily pay), and compete with “no boss” freedom. Healthcare disruption ahead: Patrick’s next play is patient-first care—chiropractic, acupuncture, IV drips, stem-cell/bone-marrow therapies—and nonprofit models to counter perverse incentives and drug markups. (Pro tip for non-MD founders: start at trade shows to find collaborators.) Watch the full episode now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxLDdGsB4bQ Memorable Quote: “The greatest motivator is when the financial gun’s to your head.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Patrick Linkedin Globe
Episode #241: Glory St.Germain Part 2
Glory St. Germain, Ultimate Music Theory — Turning Music Teachers into Six-Figure Educators Glory St. Germain is the Founder/CEO of Ultimate Music Theory, a TEDx speaker, and the international bestselling author of 50+ (now ~60) music theory books. She’s on a mission to make music theory simple, teachable, and profitable—equipping musicians with a universal language and empowering teachers to build real businesses. This jam-packed conversation (Part 1 of 2) dives into her playbook: pedagogy, NLP, scalable group teaching, and focus habits that ship books—20 in one year. Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode: Mindset moves results: Shift from a fixed mindset (“Nervous Nelly”) to a growth identity (“Glory the Gladiator”) to lead your actions and outcomes. Visualize, then step into it: Use lifeline/placement exercises (inspired by NLP and books like Money Magic) to feel your future state—then return to the present with clarity. Own your trajectory: No one hands you success; take the next step, learn the lesson, and keep going—especially as you level up your circle and your coaches. Health powers performance: Glory’s journey from 200+ lbs to marathon finisher started by creating a “new normal”—small, consistent actions that compound. Programs for teachers & adults: From the UMTC Elite Educator Program to the Complete Music Theory Course for adult learners, there’s a clear path to skill and confidence. Watch the full episode now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-OsPQC9oUA Memorable Quote: “There are no mistakes—there are only lessons.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Glory Linkedin Globe
Episode #240: Glory St.Germain
Glory St. Germain, Ultimate Music Theory — Turning Music Teachers into Six-Figure Educators Glory St. Germain is the Founder/CEO of Ultimate Music Theory, a TEDx speaker, and the international bestselling author of 50+ (now ~60) music theory books. She’s on a mission to make music theory simple, teachable, and profitable—equipping musicians with a universal language and empowering teachers to build real businesses. This jam-packed conversation (Part 1 of 2) dives into her playbook: pedagogy, NLP, scalable group teaching, and focus habits that ship books—20 in one year. Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode: Music theory = language. Glory frames theory as the universal language of rhythm, articulation, tempo, melody, and harmony—essential whether you’re a vocalist, guitarist, producer, or choir director. Resources that actually teach. UltimateMusicTheory.com offers free resources, aligned videos by level, and the Ultimate Music Theory App that maps directly to the workbooks. Books are available on Amazon and BookDepository.com worldwide. Certification that scales income. The UMTC Certification Course and Elite Educator Program show teachers how to confidently teach theory in all three modalities (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) and grow to six figures—often by shifting from 1:1 to group classes (Glory went from $50/hr to $270/hr). NLP in the studio. As an NLP practitioner, Glory trains teachers to communicate through physiology, tonality, and words, and to boost retention by engaging learners to see, say, and write (note-taking increases learning by 30–40%). Flow & execution. Her “ships-books” routine: pump-up music (to start), low-volume focus tracks (to stay), visual goal boards (book covers on the wall), and a mantra—goal + accountability + execution strategy—to turn desire into results. Watch the full episode now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHW1YOrGovg Memorable Quote: “Music theory is the universal language of music.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Glory Linkedin Globe
Episode #238: Brian Zwerner Part 2
Brian Zwerner — Beyond The Game Network: Turning Pro Athletes into Startup Powerhouses Brian Zwerner is an investor and advisor in sports, media, web3, and fitness — and the founder of Beyond The Game Network in Atlanta. After two decades in capital markets and a successful fintech exit, Brian pivoted to startups, media, and athlete-led venture building. His story is a playbook for pairing hard-won finance chops with the grit and mindset of professional athletes. From Wharton to investment banking to founding Sportal, Brian’s journey shows how to spot real problems, pivot fast, and build communities that create outsized opportunity. Today, he and his partners back companies where athletes can move the needle through credibility, access, and content — not just capital. Key Takeaways: Web3 adoption curve: Of 20 portfolio companies, only 2 had a web3 plan at investment—now 9 do. Momentum is real and accelerating. NFTs rebranded: Think digital collectibles/passes/memberships, not hype art drops. Used well, they bring fans closer to your business. Enterprise validation: The NBA’s Top Shot surpassed $1B in 18 months; Nike acquired RTFKT; Adidas partnered in the space—signal, not noise. Fitness “move-to-earn”: Tokens/NFTs as behavioral incentives will mature beyond early missteps (e.g., StepN), solving churn and habit-building. Metaverse reality check: VR/AR is progressing (Quest headsets, Roblox, Fortnite), but mass-scale “Ready Player One” is years away—expect steady, practical steps. Catch the full story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EofDt8qXx9w Memorable Quote: “I see the tip of the spear of these amazing tech startups… and I just believe it—deep in my bones—that it’s coming.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Brian Linkedin Globe
Episode #238: Brian Zwerner
Brian Zwerner — Beyond The Game Network: Turning Pro Athletes into Startup Powerhouses Brian Zwerner is an investor and advisor in sports, media, web3, and fitness — and the founder of Beyond The Game Network in Atlanta. After two decades in capital markets and a successful fintech exit, Brian pivoted to startups, media, and athlete-led venture building. His story is a playbook for pairing hard-won finance chops with the grit and mindset of professional athletes. From Wharton to investment banking to founding Sportal, Brian’s journey shows how to spot real problems, pivot fast, and build communities that create outsized opportunity. Today, he and his partners back companies where athletes can move the needle through credibility, access, and content — not just capital. Key Takeaways: Fintech to founder: Built Aquina Health, a tech-enabled lender serving doctors and healthcare providers waiting 30–90 days on reimbursements; scaled and sold to a strategic. Pivot with purpose: Launched Sportal Space (the “OpenTable for gyms/fields”), hit school-district roadblocks, then pivoted to a high school sports media and live-streaming business. Loved by the community, tough to monetize — and ultimately shut down. Birth of Beyond The Game: Partnered with former NFL DT Andre Fluellen to help athletes find second careers and equity opportunities in startups without writing big checks. Influence over income: Their model lets athletes earn sweat equity as brand ambassadors, creators, and door-openers to leagues, teams, and media groups — while business/tech investors fund the rounds. Wild bets that fit: Fan Controlled Football — seven-on-seven arena football where fans pick plays live — exemplifies their “entertainment + athlete edge” thesis, alongside bets in gaming, fantasy, wearables, and web3. Catch the full story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLRbyYw08gw Memorable Quote: “Athletes make the best entrepreneurs.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Brian Linkedin Globe
Episode #237: Donald Cox
Donald Cox (myERTCRefund.com): Unlocking the ERTC for Small Businesses Donald Cox helps business owners claim the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)—a powerful, often-missed IRS credit created under the CARES Act and expanded by the American Rescue Plan. If you kept W-2 employees on payroll during COVID shutdowns, Donald explains how you may qualify for up to $26,000 per employee, even if you also received PPP. With a CPA-led process, legal research on local shutdowns, and streamlined document requests, Donald’s team turns a daunting “tax closet” into a cash-flow boost that can help stabilize, invest, or even relaunch a business. Key Takeaways: ERTC ≠ loan: It’s a refundable IRS tax credit, not like PPP; no spending restrictions on funds once received. PPP still okay: You can qualify for ERTC even if you had PPP—just no double-counting the same wages. Real-world results: Examples ranged from $57,080 for a small restaurant to ~$1.9M for a multi-location team; typical small-business refunds average ~$150K. Who qualifies: Businesses with 5+ non-owner W-2 employees and $100K+ payroll (Q2 2020–Q3 2021). Even shuttered businesses can qualify for the periods they operated. What you’ll need: Questionnaire + payroll docs (941s Q2 2020–Q4 2021, W-3 for 2019, payroll journals, P&Ls). Many can export from QuickBooks/payroll in about an hour. A “rapid rebate” option can accelerate access to funds (at a higher fee). Catch the full story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgnF1U5TcqU Memorable Quote: “It is not a loan—it’s a tax credit.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Donald Linkedin Envelope Phone-alt
Episode #236: Jordan Hinsch
Jordan Hinsch — Never Jordanary (Blogger & Travel Creator) Jordan Hinsch is a native New Yorker turned Miami-based sales and business development pro who channels his “thoughtful risk-taking” into a thriving travel-and-lifestyle blog, Never Jordanary. By pairing a steady W-2 career in commercial real estate and live events with smart side hustles, Jordan shows how creators can build durable income streams without abandoning stability. A data-driven marketer, avid traveler (39 U.S. national parks and counting), photographer, and paddleboarder, Jordan built an audience with practical, list-style posts (“weekend getaways,” “best paddleboard spots”) and an authenticity that attracted brands—while staying selective about partnerships. Key Takeaways: Thoughtful risk-taking beats reckless leaps. Jordan plans moves analytically—even taking a career pause to realign—while keeping the benefits of a W-2 (income, insurance) as a strategic base. Blogs are real businesses. Listicles and evergreen guides are highly consumable and can monetize through AdSense and affiliate links—if you publish consistently. If a post ranks, hands off. Resist the urge to “improve” a winner; unnecessary edits can tank SEO. Avoid year-stamped titles that age out fast. Make time your advantage. Treat a “half-day” like 12 hours and squeeze value from your 1,440 minutes—create, learn (he’s tackling Portuguese), and still leave room to unwind. Never run out of first times. New experiences keep life, relationships, and business fresh—whether it’s a new workout, a date spot, or a bold travel itinerary. Catch the full story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XfVtZe_dRw Memorable Quote: “Never run out of first times.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Jordan Linkedin Globe Youtube Instagram
Episode #235: Shawn Shewchuk
Shawn Shewchuk, Change Your Results — Turning Fear Into Fuel Shawn Shewchuk is “THE Productivity Speaker” and a results-driven advisor to high achievers. With 28+ years in the trenches, 43 companies launched, and two bestselling books, he helps leaders trade busywork for outcomes and build businesses that run on systems—not stress. If you’ve ever felt stuck firefighting instead of scaling, Shawn’s mindset-first, results-always approach will hit home. Why he matters: Shawn’s philosophy is simple and surgical: fear lives only in your head, and progress starts the moment you make an irrevocable decision. From breaking audacious goals into hourly actions to designing teams for peak productivity, he shows entrepreneurs how to create their own economy—on purpose. Key Takeaways: Fear is mental, not material. Move from your head to your heart, make one decisive first step, and walk through the “paper-mâché” terror barrier. Results over titles. “Coach” is meaningless without measurable outcomes. Everything—business, career, relationships—goes on the table to remove hidden anchors. Decisions drive destiny. Success is the compounding effect of conscious choices; default mode equals drift. Know where you’re going, then reverse-engineer yearly → monthly → daily → hourly actions. Productivity is precision. It’s any action that moves you toward your goal. One extra hour of high-productivity per person, per day, can transform the bottom line. Lead people, design systems. Put players in roles where they win, cross-train for context, and build a company that functions if you step away for 90 days. Catch the full story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZnpXiY0U0E Memorable Quote: “Fear exists nowhere except in your head—make an irrevocable decision to move forward.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Shawn Linkedin Globe Globe