Season 4, Episode #7: Mike Swenson
Mike Swenson, founder of CrisisTrack.com, brings decades of experience in journalism, public relations, and government communications to the forefront of crisis management. From his early career as a broadcast journalist to becoming a PR leader, Mike has developed a proven framework for helping businesses prepare for and navigate unexpected challenges. His insights show entrepreneurs how preparation and strategic communication can safeguard reputations and unlock resilience in times of crisis.
Mark Graban — My Favorite Mistake
Mark Graban is a serial author, consultant, and host of the podcast My Favorite Mistake. He’s written multiple books—including Lean Hospitals, Healthcare Kaizen, and Measures of Success—and helps leaders translate “lean” from a buzzword into practical, people-first improvement. Mark matters because he shows founders and operators how to make work easier so safety, quality, and productivity rise as outcomes—not as compromises.
Episode #303: Jenn Garrett
Tania Khazaal (Tanya the Herbalist), CEO of Your Life Tania Khazaal—better known as Tanya the Herbalist—is a coach, creator, and community builder helping people reclaim health, purpose, and agency. After witnessing her mother’s decline on pharmaceuticals, Tania dove into herbalism, rebuilt her own well-being, and transformed a tea side-hustle into a seven-figure, mission-driven brand. Today, through CEO of Your Life and her She’s Empowered community, she champions faith, emotional resilience, and practical daily habits that create lasting change. In this episode, Tania shares how she shifted from corporate life and basement tea packing to digital products, courses, and coaching—while keeping her compass set on faith, family, and service. Her framework centers on four pillars (inner world/spirituality, lifestyle & well-being, relationships, and vision/legacy) and a deceptively simple cadence: 18 minutes a day. Top Takeaways From crisis to calling: Her mother’s health battle sparked a deep dive into herbalism and holistic healing, leading to a purpose-led business. Product → platform: Moving from physical teas to ebooks, funnels, and courses unlocked scale and financial freedom. Four-pillar operating system: Inner world (faith), health, relationships, and vision—progress across all four creates durable happiness. Relationships matter: She spotlights estrangement as a “silent epidemic” and teaches emotional regulation over cut-off culture. 18 minutes a day: Small, daily commitments compound to ~100 hours/year—enough to change your health, business, and life. Ready to be the CEO of your life? Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42QHMV4EYW0 (search: “Clicks and Bricks Tanya the Herbalist”) Memorable Quote: “You can literally change your entire life in 10 years with 18 minutes a day.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Tania Linkedin Instagram Facebook
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 #207: Camila Santo – Building Global B2B Connections with Rizhoma
Camila Santo: Building Global B2B Connections with Rizhoma Camila Santo, founder of Rizhoma, is redefining how businesses build meaningful B2B partnerships around the world. An immigrant from Brazil with a background in design, production engineering, and international project management, Camila has turned her passion for innovation and human-centered systems into a thriving consulting and tech business. From helping small businesses navigate digital transformation to filing a patent aimed at revolutionizing B2B trade, her story is a masterclass in resilience and visionary entrepreneurship. Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode: The power of adaptability: Camila transitioned from the entertainment industry in Brazil to building an international business network in the U.S. Innovation meets inclusivity: Her pending patent focuses on creating a platform that simplifies and democratizes B2B trade without the high costs or exclusivity of current systems. Beyond marketing: Rizhoma helps clients with cooperative networking, workforce optimization, and digital transformation to improve both internal systems and customer engagement. Small businesses matter: While she works with companies of all sizes, Camila thrives in helping small and medium-sized businesses scale and optimize their operations. Success is about persistence: Her journey highlights the importance of patience, courage, and redefining failure as part of the growth process. Watch the full episode now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oWQk1iINCM Memorable Quote: “If you’re going to fail, fail big. I’d rather fail trying to change the world than never try at all.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Camila Linkedin Globe
Episode #205: John Beane
John Beane of MemComputing: Disrupting the Future of Computing John Beane, the founder and CEO of MemComputing, Inc., is a true startup junkie and serial entrepreneur with seven startups under his belt and over $1.5 billion in exits for investors. With MemComputing, John is leading a revolution in computing architecture, helping businesses solve some of the world’s toughest optimization problems—faster, cheaper, and with a massive environmental impact. Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode: Startup DNA: John thrives in the high-risk, high-reward startup environment, building companies where innovation and grit drive success. MemComputing Explained: The company’s breakthrough technology combines processing and memory in a way that dramatically reduces computation times—transforming industries from logistics to AI. Massive Impact: MemComputing is already working with Fortune 100 clients like Lockheed Martin, Space Force, and ArcelorMittal, proving its ability to save time, money, and resources at scale. Fail Fast, Learn Faster: John emphasizes the importance of pushing hard, learning from failure, and never letting doubt dictate your next move. Team Over Product: Investors often back teams more than ideas—building the right culture and mindset is key to startup success. Watch the full episode now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6DpYlmpzC8 Memorable Quote: “This company is not going to fail by the lack of me trying.” – John Beane Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with John Linkedin
Episode #167: Experts in Growth Leadership Consulting – Vivian Blade
Vivian Blade of Experts in Growth Leadership Consulting: Building Resilient Leaders That Thrive Vivian Blade is a nationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who empowers leaders to become more resilient in the face of adversity. As the President and CEO of Experts in Growth Leadership Consulting, Vivian helps companies create stronger leaders and better workplaces—especially in today’s ever-shifting business landscape. With more than 20 years of corporate experience at giants like Humana and GE, she brings unmatched insight into navigating disruption and scaling with purpose. In Episode 167 of Clicks & Bricks, Vivian joins Ken to talk about her transition from corporate to entrepreneurship, how she overcame a layoff to build her thriving consulting firm, and the five powerful principles she teaches to help business leaders become “resilience ready.” Episode Takeaways: Corporate experience fueled her leap into entrepreneurship After nearly 13 years at GE, Vivian used her unexpected layoff as a launchpad to start her own business—despite being told entrepreneurship “wasn’t for her.” The five “Resilience Ready” principles Vivian breaks down the five core practices—Perspective, Purpose, Perseverance, Partnership, and Praise—that help leaders not just survive challenges, but thrive through them. Culture matters more than ever To attract and retain talent—especially Gen Z—leaders must create workplaces that foster growth, flexibility, and a shared entrepreneurial spirit. Leadership is emotional Vivian recommends mastering emotional intelligence as a foundational skill for any aspiring entrepreneur or leader. Her top book picks Atomic Habits by James Clear and Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman are must-reads for developing daily discipline and emotional resilience. Want to get resilience-ready? Watch Vivian Blade’s full episode now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbLd2VUif9g Memorable Quote: “We all have a purpose—and we have to be courageous enough to take that first step.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Vivian Envelope Linkedin Globe
Episode #117: Stradea – Hugo Gatsby
Hugo Gatsby of Stradea: Turning Adversity Into Entrepreneurial Success Through Behavioral Science Web Design Hugo Gatsby is the founder of Stradea Design Labs, a web design company rooted in behavioral science. Diagnosed as non-verbal autistic until the age of 12, Hugo’s journey into entrepreneurship came later in life, but his impact has been nothing short of inspiring. With a strong focus on mindset, branding, and leading with purpose, Hugo helps small businesses build smarter, more impactful websites. This Episode’s Highlights Tell Your Brand Story: Hugo shares how weaving your personal story into your brand creates connection and trust. Mentorship Matters: He emphasizes the importance of finding a mentor to help you navigate the entrepreneurial journey. Fail Forward: Hugo embraces failure as a learning opportunity and encourages others to keep moving ahead despite setbacks. Optimize Your Website: He outlines three critical things every business owner should do to make their website effective. Lead with Purpose: Hugo believes in teaching others to lead and inspiring them to stay, creating a positive ripple effect in business and life. Don’t miss Hugo Gatsby’s incredible story of resilience and growth. Watch the full Clicks & Bricks Podcast episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9UM_4WjeUc&list=PL-aGDTmvrRSNUYOSG_x0JG7BNLmjoLWZs&index=51 Memorable Quote: I fail a lot—but I fail forward every time. Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Hugo Facebook Linkedin Instagram
Episode #100: Freedom Mastery – Patrick Lerouge
Patrick Lerouge of Freedom Mastery: Rewiring Mindset & Body for Business Success Patrick Lerouge is the founder of the Freedom Mastery Experience, a program designed to help entrepreneurs and high performers break through mental and physical barriers by rewiring their subconscious patterns. With over two decades of experience, Patrick teaches leaders how to overcome limiting childhood stories, optimize their mind and body, and create sustainable success. His practical approach to mindset, adversity, and generational learning equips business owners to thrive in the toughest moments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXkWECodC7I&list=PL-aGDTmvrRSNUYOSG_x0JG7BNLmjoLWZs&index=36 This Episode’s Highlights Master Your Mindset: Patrick explains that real change comes from rewiring your “hardware,” not just applying new “software.” Generational Learning Shapes Us: Many of our habits and beliefs are inherited, and recognizing this is key to overcoming mental blocks. Handle Adversity Like a Pro: Patrick shares his $40K mistake and COVID-19 pivot story, showing how self-awareness helped him bounce back stronger. Know Your “Why” and “What”: Success starts with deep clarity on who you are and what you truly want, not just what you think will make money. Stay Present to Accelerate Growth: Whether in business or personal health, staying present allows you to break free from autopilot and create real results. Don’t miss this power-packed 100th episode! Watch the full interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hA-mEgr1zI Memorable Quote: Pain is just weakness leaving your body. Build a relationship with it, and you’ll grow stronger every time. Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Patrick Instagram Linkedin Globe