Clicks and bricks Podcast

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

Episode #234: Colton McKey – Five Freedoms

Colton McKey – Five Freedoms Colton McKey is on a bold mission: to acquire and grow a cash-flowing business while building his entrepreneurial freedom. After a decade in manufacturing operations and two successful e-commerce exits, Colton left corporate America to fully commit to business ownership. Based in Prosper, Texas, and operating under his company Five Freedoms, Colton is charting his own path toward building a legacy. Key Takeaways: The leap of faith: Colton left a stable corporate career to pursue full-time entrepreneurship, giving himself a year-long runway to acquire a business. Focus on profitable stability: His acquisition strategy targets businesses with at least $1M in revenue and a 15–20-year track record, minimizing risk while maximizing potential. Leveraging SBA loans: Colton highlights how Small Business Administration financing can help aspiring owners secure deals without needing massive upfront capital. Systems for success: From creating a professional buyer profile to networking with over 50 brokers, Colton shares the importance of presenting yourself seriously to gain access to quality opportunities. Balancing family and ambition: With a supportive wife and three young kids, Colton’s story is also about managing personal stakes while chasing entrepreneurial dreams. Catch the full story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM4ycx4JkUs Memorable Quote: “I don’t regret what I did… I wanted to own and operate my own business, and I decided to put my whole heart and soul into making it happen.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Colton Globe

Episode #233: Reginald Benjamin – VAST Wellness Solutions

Reginald Benjamin, VAST Wellness Solutions — W-2 Sales Pro Turned Compliant CBD Entrepreneur Reginald Benjamin is a dynamic sales leader who splits his time between a high-performing W-2 role and building VAST Wellness Solutions, his compliant hemp/CBD brand. Based in Texas, he also serves clients as a licensed real estate agent in Dallas, bringing an operator’s mindset to luxury leasing and sales. Reginald matters because he shows entrepreneurs how to validate demand, stay compliant, and scale—without abandoning the day job that funds the dream. Key Takeaways: Do the homework first. Before you buy inventory or “throw all your eggs in,” research demand, define your audience, and build a marketing plan and social presence you can actually activate. Compliance is the moat. VAST sells CBD/CBG products (topicals, tinctures, flower, vapes) and avoids psychoactive deltas/HHC. He urges buyers to check COAs and cannabinoid profiles and to skip sketchy sources without lab reports. Payments matter. Get compliant merchant processing before you scale. Square’s CBD program and hemp-friendly bank departments exist—but they’ll audit you, so keep your house in order. Real-world outcomes (his experience). After ACL reconstruction and chronic hamstring issues, Reginald says CBD/CBG—especially via vape—brings relief within minutes without the “cloudiness.” He’s also seen a client family report calmer days and improved vocabulary for their child using CBD/CBG. Play the long game. The 2018 Farm Bill opened the door for hemp; clarity is improving as universities (e.g., Texas programs) study genetics and dosing. Meanwhile, Reginald’s mantra: crush your day job, use 5–10 pm to build, and scale responsibly. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUn4owwjME8 Memorable Quote: “Do your research before you start… Is there a demand for it?” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Reginald Linkedin

Episode #179: Kristin Clark – College Planning Untangled

Kristin Clark — College Planning Untangled Kristin Clark is the CEO and founder of College Planning Untangled, where she helps high school and college students identify career paths they’ll actually love. After 20+ years running marketing departments, Kristin saw a bigger need: students (and plenty of adults) are overwhelmed by picking a major, anxious about the future, and missing a strengths-based roadmap. Her work shifts the conversation from “What’s your major?” to “What career fits your interests, talents, and skills?” Key Takeaways: Start with the career path, not the major—when you pick the path, the right major follows. Traditional counselors focus on getting into college; Kristin fills the gap on why you’re going and what outcome you want. Two-thirds of students find choosing a major the most overwhelming part of planning; about 30% don’t return after freshman year—clear signals the system is broken without better guidance. Kristin layers interests + skills + CliftonStrengths (Gallup) to spot patterns—turning “I don’t know” into concrete options (e.g., a creative, golf-loving builder exploring golf-course design). Alternatives and on-ramps matter: dual-credit classes, associate paths, or a structured gap year can boost readiness and outcomes. Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xze0veFbuGU Memorable Quote: “If you pick a career path, the major falls out of it.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Kristin Globe