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
Justin Gallo – Founder of Gallo Labs and Creator of Raging Roosters NFTs
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 #157: Founder of Serotonin Creative – Casey Hogue
Guest Spotlight: Casey Hogue – Founder of Serotonin Creative Meet Casey Hogue, the visionary founder of Serotonin Creative, a branding and creative consultancy driven by empathy, authenticity, and purpose. After nearly five years as a creative director at E. & J. Gallo Winery, Casey made a bold leap—leaving behind the security of corporate life to build a company that aligned with his passion for impactful storytelling and doing good in the world. With a unique blend of art school creativity and scientific curiosity, Casey brings a refreshing perspective to the modern marketing landscape. His mission? Help brands tap into their core values, build tribes, and create meaningful connections that inspire action. Key Takeaways from the Episode: Creativity over everything: Analytics are essential, but creativity is timeless and irreplaceable. “We’ve been creative for over 120,000 years… I’m taking creativity every time.” Start with why: Like Apple, the most successful brands don’t lead with features—they lead with values and vision. Know your tribe: Great marketing speaks to someone—and just as importantly, not to everyone. Marketing is neuroscience: Serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin—understanding human emotion is the key to effective branding. Web3 is a renaissance: NFTs and smart contracts are changing the game for creators—Casey believes this era is the “digital art renaissance.” Ready to dive in?Watch the full episode of Clicks & Bricks Podcast Ep. 157 with Casey Hogue and explore the future of branding, creativity, and digital innovation:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG0Wal5q1MU Memorable Quote: “Creativity and communication are just fundamental human things… if you understand them well and do them right, everything else falls into place.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Casey Linkedin Globe
Episode #156: Clocktower Advisors – Todd Nilson
Todd Nilson of Clocktower Advisors: Building Communities That Matter in the Digital Age Todd Nilson, founder of Clocktower Advisors, is a seasoned strategist who helps businesses create thriving online communities with purpose and longevity. From his roots in online gaming forums to helping global brands drive community engagement, Todd brings a deep understanding of how connection, trust, and technology intersect to fuel modern business growth. In Episode 156 of Clicks & Bricks Podcast, Todd breaks down what it takes to build a sustainable, meaningful online community that delivers real value—not just vanity metrics. Top 5 Takeaways from Todd’s Episode: Start Small, Go Deep: The most successful communities begin with just 5–25 core members who truly believe in the mission. Trust is Everything: Build trust on three levels—technology, transparency, and peer-to-peer relationships within the group. Let It Evolve: Don’t over-architect your community. Start simple and let your members guide its growth through real engagement. Community is Not Just Online: Online and offline experiences work together—live events can ignite loyalty and deepen connections. Web3 Is Coming: Decentralized identity, NFTs, and DAOs are set to transform how we build, join, and interact in digital communities. Want to learn how to build a loyal community that actually helps your business grow?Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRVO4ZZSWbo Memorable Quote: “We’re way too focused on how big a community is. If just 25 members are driving value, that can be a six-figure business.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Todd Linkedin Globe
Episode #104: FITposium – James Patrick
ames Patrick of FITposium: Creating Art, Opportunity, and Entrepreneurial Growth James Patrick is an award-winning photographer, best-selling author, business coach, and podcast host who has helped countless fitness entrepreneurs build their brands and careers. As the founder of FITposium and host of the Beyond the Image podcast, James shares practical insights on marketing, mindset, and leveraging creativity to fuel business success. In this episode of Clicks & Bricks, James dives deep into the evolution of technology, personal branding, and overcoming imposter syndrome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USGeSycaDgk&list=PL-aGDTmvrRSNUYOSG_x0JG7BNLmjoLWZs&index=40 This Episode’s Highlights Turn Passion into Profit: James shares how he transitioned from a corporate marketing job to a thriving photography and coaching business, emphasizing the importance of following your passion despite fear. Embrace Technological Change: From digital photography to NFTs and virtual reality, James explains how artists and entrepreneurs must evolve with changing consumer demands. Build Awareness with Purpose: Viral moments fade without a system—James highlights the need for a clear brand message and monetization plan to capitalize on visibility. Own Your Audience: Leverage tools like podcasts, email lists, and text communities to directly connect with your audience—without relying on social media gatekeepers. Redefine Imposter Syndrome: Instead of fearing inexperience, James encourages entrepreneurs to embrace being an “imposter”—because it means you’re learning and growing. Catch the full episode to learn how James Patrick is reshaping entrepreneurship and helping fitness professionals thrive in a fast-changing world. Watch now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hA-mEgr1zI Memorable Quote: Imposter syndrome means you’re figuring it out in real time—and that should be something we celebrate. Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with James Facebook Instagram Globe