Insight Out : Big Ideas for the Modern Entrepreneur

Have you ever opened a package so beautiful you hesitated to even throw it away, or felt like it Have you ever bought something and immediately felt like the packaging itself changed how valuable it seemed? Like before you even used the product, your perception was already different? That’s something Jason Wong talks about a lot. He’s the founder of Paking Duck, and he’s also built and scaled multiple product businesses before moving into packaging full-time. And his argument is pretty simple. most founders underestimate packaging completely. Not just as design, but as something that can influence trust, conversions, and how people perceive value instantly. Because when it’s done well, packaging doesn’t just hold a product… it actually becomes part of how the product sells itself. So it makes you wonder, how many businesses are leaving that advantage on the table without even realizing it? In this episode, we discuss: [00:00] Introduction [01:58] What founders miss about packaging [03:14] The Apple packaging effect [05:35] How packaging increases profit and reduces cost [09:45] Jason’s origin story [13:44] The $250K viral product in a week [18:02] How immigration shaped grit and perspective [23:28] Transition from product founder to packaging founder [34:00] OBVI case: ~70% higher conversions from PR boxes [35:33] 3 key areas for packaging audits [49:18] Why network with successful founders [50:55] Advice to his younger self [52:05] Where to connect with Jason [52:28] The Paking Duck origin story Notable Quotes [00:13] “I discovered entrepreneurship when I was young, purely out of survival.” – Jaso [05:35] “ Great packaging can save you money. A smart design can reduce weight, reduce damage.”– Jason [12:27] “I’m an opportunist. I see things that have a need, and I know how to fill that demand.” – Jason [06:51] “ Everybody that buys your product, the one thing you know they're gonna open is the packaging.” – Billy [18:02] “ I think when you're an immigrant, you have so much to prove.” – Jason [24:44] “ Packaging is often forgotten. No one really thinks about packaging, but everyone needs it.”– Jason [39:58] “ I think influencers are not going to be as powerful as they used to be because of a lot of these AI avatars.” – Jason [38:11] “We don’t run a single ad. We don’t do cold email. We don’t go to conventions. And we’re still getting so many clients because of AI.” – Jason Jason Wong Website: https://www.pakingduck.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imjasonwong/ Instagram: Billy Samoa Saleebey LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ Email: ⁠billy@podify.com⁠ and ⁠saleebey@gmail.com⁠ Insight Out Website: ⁠https://www.insightoutshow.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your company optimizing for the wrong kind of success? Almost 90 percent of companies are focused on short term efficiency metrics when the real winners are playing a long term profitability game. The scary part is your numbers can look better than ever while your business is actually getting weaker. In this episode of Insight Out, I sit down with Nicolas Darveau-Garneau, growth strategist, former Google Chief Evangelist, and author of "Be a Sequoia, Not a Bonsai," to unpack why most companies focus on the wrong things and what the top performers do instead. Nicolas has studied growth across more than 1,000 companies, from startups to global giants. What he found is a simple but powerful shift in thinking. Most companies behave like bonsai trees, constantly trimming for short-term efficiency. The ones that win grow like sequoias. They focus on scale, resilience, and long-term customer value. We talk about why return on ad spend can be a risky metric, how St. Jude's raised 46% more money by changing a single KPI, and why the best companies stay open to new ideas. Nicolas also shares how to use AI to predict customer lifetime value, how to build a testing culture that moves faster than your competitors, and why brand building can actually be measured in a meaningful way. From Amazon’s early days in Canada to a single gym in Los Gatos that makes its customers far more valuable, the examples bring these ideas to life in a very practical way. If you are a founder, executive, or entrepreneur who wants to build something that keeps growing and compounding over time, this conversation will change how you look at every metric on your dashboard. Let’s dive in! In this episode, we discuss: [00:00] Introduction [01:08] Introduction to Nicolas Darveau-Garneau [02:58] The one metric making companies weaker [05:48] The St. Jude's case study [07:43] Examples that reveal right vs wrong metrics [11:17] AI and the right dashboard [15:10] Why customer lifetime value is so controversial [18:37] The three pillars of sequoia growth [22:26] Pillar 2: Increasing value of existing customers [26:37] Pillar 3: Velocity of testing [30:40] Customer lifetime value in everything [33:13] The art of the minimum viable test [35:47] Amazon's customer lifetime value playbook [38:37] Brand building as economic science [47:54] The AI acceleration [52:11] Where to find Nicolas Notable Quotes [03:30] “Would you rather invest a dollar to make 10 or invest a million dollars to make $2 million?” – Nicolas [03:37] “By dividing by the investment as opposed to subtracting the investment, you're making a mistake.” – Nicolas [03:48] “Almost every company, 90% of the companies are focusing on the short term efficiency metrics, and instead they should be focusing on longer term profitability metrics.” – Nicolas [06:23] “Most companies don't have the right KPI and don't use the right data.” – Nicolas [10:45] “The best companies are already much better and they get better faster because they're open to trying new stuff.” – Nicolas [13:58] “For almost every industry that 20% of the customers in the industry drive a hundred percent of the profits in the industry.” – Nicolas [14:35] “Not all customers are created equally.” – Billy [15:31] “Make more money in the long term trying to predict the future and try to acquire the most valuable customers.” – Nicolas [29:42] “If you have customer lifetime value in the middle, and then you spin tests really, really quickly, you're gonna be hard to catch.” – Nicolas Nicolas Darveau-Garneau Website: https://nicolasdarveaugarneau.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickdg Book: Be a Sequoia, Not a Bonsai Billy Samoa Saleebey LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ Email: ⁠billy@podify.com⁠ and ⁠saleebey@gmail.com⁠ Insight Out Website: ⁠https://www.insightoutshow.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investors spend 90 seconds on your pitch deck. Most founders waste the first 30. So how do you grab their attention fast? And what separates the startups that raise millions from the ones investors dismiss in the first 30 seconds? In this episode of Insight Out, I sit down with Carl Fudge, founder of Presentation Mode, to break down the anatomy of pitch decks that raise capital. Carl combines psychology, strategy, and design, drawing from experience at McKinsey, IDEO, and venture-backed startups to help founders cut through investor noise. Carl explains why most founders misunderstand storytelling. A pitch is not a fairy tale. It’s an argument. Investors are reviewing hundreds of opportunities and funding only a few, so founders must present a compelling case backed by both narrative and evidence. We explore why the first three slides can determine whether an investor keeps reading, why traction should never be buried deep in the deck, and how frameworks like Insight–Tension–Action transform scattered information into a persuasive story. Carl also discusses the role of visual design in storytelling, the credibility signals investors look for, and how domain expertise strengthens a founder’s narrative. From Spotify’s origin story to Apple’s iconic marketing philosophy, Carl shares vivid examples of what makes ideas stick. If you’re raising capital or trying to communicate a bold idea, this conversation will change how you think about pitching your vision. In this episode, we discuss: [00:00] Introduction to Carl Fudge [02:07] Story as argument, not fairy tale [08:37] The lightbulb moment: becoming "the pitch deck guy" [11:15] The Friday night email that changed everything [18:37] Why the first three slides decide your fate [22:05] Different types of hooks and how to choose the right one [24:47] The personal story hook (and the promotion that wasn't) [28:01] The insight/fact hook (and playing to FOMO) [31:13] The shift hook (AI and security) [39:30] Threading emotion without becoming fluffy [40:48] Why facts alone fail (the telephone game) [45:28] The three-step process for crafting story [49:02] Spotify case study [53:24] The Tesla/PayPal mafia effect [57:30] The role of design in storytelling [01:02:00] Presentation Mode: what they do and how to work with them [01:04:16] Closing remarks Notable Quotes [02:18] “Out of every 100 pitch decks an investor sees, maybe one or two get funded.” – Carl [18:56] “ An investor's kind of only looking at a deck for about 90 seconds. So you just don't have that much time.” – Carl [19:03] “ What absolutely must be true is that you have found a way to capture their attention In that first 30 seconds.” – Carl [19:26] “ I don't think you can necessarily win a pitch in the first three slides, but I think you can sure as hell lose one.” – Carl [38:30] “ You don't have to agree with the conclusion. But as a founder, your job is to lay out your point of view unequivocally to to leave no room for doubt” – Carl [57:55] “ Design doesn't matter as much as story. However, I would also say that design is highly fundamental to elevating stories” – Carl Resources and Links Carl Fudge Website: https://www.presentationmode.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-fudge-storytelling Billy Samoa Saleebey LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ Email: ⁠billy@podify.com⁠ and ⁠saleebey@gmail.com⁠ Insight Out Website: ⁠https://www.insightoutshow.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to build a global company that loses money for 23 of its first 25 years and still impacts tens of millions of lives? In this episode of Insight Out, I sit down with Kurt Avery, founder of Sawyer Products, to explore the 40-year journey from a French snake bite kit to a global leader in water filtration and insect repellent. Sawyer has changed tens of millions of lives while giving away over 90% of its profits to communities worldwide. Kurt shares how persistence, product discipline, and listening to real customer problems created what many call an “overnight success.” He recalls a missionary in Uganda discovering that children aren’t named until age three because so many don’t survive, an insight that shaped Sawyer’s approach. We dive into his marketing philosophy, early educator targeting, influencer strategies before they were mainstream, and his refusal to build “me too” products. He also explains frameworks like the decision matrix and creative destruction that guide pricing and long-term strategy. From Haiti to rural Africa and now toward eliminating malaria in children, this conversation redefines what business success can mean. Feeling like quitting because results aren’t coming fast enough? Kurt’s story will inspire you. Tune in to learn how to build something that lasts and leaves a legacy beyond profit. In this episode, we discuss: [00:00] Introduction [02:26] Introduction to Kurt Avery [05:26] Water filtration breakthroughs and growth [08:10] Disaster response & 40M served [15:03] Early marketing lessons [17:39] Customer-centric product development [20:01] Key milestones and the internet’s role [23:19] The lens for deciding categories [25:25] Best ways to educate early adopters [31:36] Kurt’s pricing philosophy [35:36] Outside-the-box thinking vs. business school [42:44] Sawyer’s philanthropic model and foundation [44:16] What business owners get wrong about philanthropy [50:21] Kurt on his legacy [56:24] Where to support Sawyer [57:41] Kurt on advice for his younger self Notable Quotes [04:46] “We lost money 23 of the first 25 years till we became an overnight success.” – Kurt [07:28] “Your hair is 170 microns. So we are that much. We're one 10th or 17 miles. We're like 170 times smaller than your hair is our largest hole.” – Kurt [07:50] “Nothing biological can get through there to make you sick. They're all bigger than that.” – Kurt [09:32] “We had one in Uganda. Missionary goes in, they, he finds out that the first week you don't name your kids till they're three years old. Why is that? Because we lose so many of 'em.” – Kurt [10:03] “I think we're at 40 million people now have gotten clean water from our filters with it.” – Kurt [10:11] “We can give somebody 10 years of water for as low as a one-time investment of 30 cents.” – Kurt [29:21] “You spend your money on the casual fringe is lucky, hardcore, you don't need to spend money on them, but then you develop your products from them.” – Kurt [30:25] “Any buyer's probably got four or five people looking for a piece of the action on everything he buys.” – Kurt [43:01] “Our whole philosophy is we'd rather give the money away than the federal government. So we try to minimize our profit.” – Kurt [50:33] “As long as I get to heaven and God says, well done. The good and faithful service.” – Kurt Kurt Avery Website: https://www.sawyer.com/ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/sawyer-products/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Sawyer-Products Book: Sawyer Think: How a Small Company Disrupts Markets and Changes the World Billy Samoa Saleebey LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ Email: ⁠billy@podify.com⁠ and ⁠saleebey@gmail.com⁠ Insight Out Website: ⁠https://www.insightoutshow.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that toxic work environments are draining the global economy by a staggering $9 trillion every year? That’s the price tag of showing up to work and checking out emotionally. My guest today, Phil Johnson, founder of the Master of Business Leadership Academy, joins me to explore why emotional intelligence (EQ) is more critical than ever, not just for us, but for the next generation. Phil explains why our kids will suffer more than we do if we fail to evolve in this area. We dive into why presence matters in the workplace, why organizations spend so much on presence, and yet so many of us struggle to truly be present. Phil makes a compelling case that leaders with high emotional intelligence cannot be measured the same way as those with high intellectual intelligence, and he discusses the implications of artificial intelligence in this mix. We also explore the hidden cost of giving away our energy, how it creates an energy deficit, and why replacing that energy without taking it from others is essential. Phil shows why inspirational leaders tend to be more emotionally intelligent and how everyone benefits when we lower our walls, while raising them hurts everyone around us. Through real-life stories of leadership and transformation, Phil underscores that developing emotional intelligence is essential for personal growth, professional success, and societal evolution. Let’s dive in! In this episode, we discuss: [02:08] Billy’s first conversation with Phil: key lessons & his methodology [03:51] Who Phil Johnson is [04:17] What leaders truly need to hear [07:05] Root cause of workplace chaos & why thriving at work is low [10:49] Habits & tools to protect energy [12:20] Real-world examples of energy loss [16:40] Developing emotional intelligence [18:16] Who to learn from for EQ [27:13] Responding vs reacting [32:24] Phil’s transformative aha moments [39:08] 20,000 years of change in 100 years [48:50] Organizations treat symptoms, not root causes [52:19] Phil’s advice on developing EI to lead & achieve goals Notable Quotes [06:27] “ Emotional intelligence is 400% more valuable in achieving success in intellectual intelligence.” - Phil [07:53] “ Toxic work environments are costing the global economy over $9 trillion a year, and it's increasing.”- Phil [08:43] “ We're only actually conscious about 3 to 5% of the time. The rest of the time we're relying on our, on our habits that we've developed.” - Phil [11:30] “ How we feel about ourself is based on how somebody else feels about us, we're unconsciously giving away our energy to them to determine how you, how we should feel about ourselves.”- Phil [23:37] " Everybody benefits when we lower our walls and everybody is affected negatively when we raise our walls.” - Phil [25:27] “ When we're not present, our ego-based fears take over.”- Phil [44:57] “ We can no longer continue like the slowly boiling frog to pretend that somebody's gonna come and save us.”- Phil Resources and Links Phil Johnson LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipjpjohnson/ Master of Business Leadership Academy: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfc3tV87p03JMDOXqDu8tQ Billy Samoa Saleebey LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ Email: ⁠billy@podify.com⁠ and ⁠saleebey@gmail.com⁠ Insight Out Website: ⁠https://www.insightoutshow.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Insight Out, we sit down with Julie Colombino, the founder of Deme, a fair-trade fashion brand that creates living-wage jobs in Haiti. Julie shares her remarkable journey from providing immediate disaster relief after the 2010 earthquake to creating sustainable economic opportunities for the Haitian community. Julie recounts the pivotal moment when a Haitian woman told her, "I don’t want water; I need a job," and how it transformed Julie’s vision for long-term development. We also dive into the challenges of building a fair-trade business with limited resources and discuss how giving people the dignity of work can lead to lasting change. From her humble beginnings with tire sandals to expanding into high-end handbags, Julie’s story is a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make when they listen and build with a community, not just for them. In this episode, we discuss: [00:02:08] Julie’s first trip to Haiti [00:05:20] The life-changing conversation with a Haitian woman [00:07:10] Shifting focus from relief to long-term development [00:10:30] The evolution of Deme from sandals to handbags [00:14:15] Leadership lessons learned from the Haitian community [00:17:40] Overcoming the challenges of starting a business with limited resources [00:22:00] How Deme creates opportunity instead of dependency [00:26:50] The importance of cultural understanding in business [00:30:15] Julie’s advice for aspiring social entrepreneurs Notable Quotes [00:05:28] "I don’t want water; I need a job." – Julie [00:11:13] “Economic freedom is the chance to make decisions about your life.” – Julie [00:21:46] "A job restores dignity and freedom, it's not just about the paycheck." – Julie [00:27:09] "When you create jobs, you're creating hope." – Julie Resources and Links Julie Colombino LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliecolombino/ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/juliecolombino/ Website: https://deuxmains.com/ Book: https://deuxmains.com/products/from-loss-to-legacy-how-a-fashion-business-rose-from-haiti-s-rubble Billy Samoa Saleebey LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ Email: ⁠billy@podify.com⁠ and ⁠saleebey@gmail.com⁠ Insight Out Website: ⁠https://www.insightoutshow.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes creators like Philip DeFranco so irresistible to audiences? Why do millions keep coming back to his content day after day? And what is he doing right that most creators completely miss? In this episode of Insight Out, I sit down with Cat Shanu to break down exactly what draws viewers in and keeps them coming back. Using Philip DeFranco as a case study, we explore the habits, strategies, and small choices that build trust, boost engagement, and create a real sense of community. We talk about why consistency only works when paired with authenticity, how asking better questions sparks more engagement, and why creators should stop talking at audiences and start talking with them. Cat also shares insights on vulnerability, admitting bias, and making content feel human even when perfection is tempting. If you’re a creator, podcaster, or entrepreneur looking to grow your audience without burning out or selling out, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can use right away. In this episode, we discuss: [01:28] Why Philip DeFranco? [01:45] Cat’s loyalty to DeFranco’s content [01:57] DeFranco’s consistency and relatability [03:15] DeFranco’s unique engagement style [03:49] Cat on first discovering DeFranco [03:56] The power of updates and storytelling [04:41] Engagement techniques: direct questions [06:26] Making engagement easy [08:14] The importance of a strong hook [08:37] Avoiding clickbait, maximizing watch time [11:38] Authenticity and admitting bias [13:28] Vulnerability and relatability in content [16:02] What podcasters can learn from Philip DeFranco [18:49] Community building and signature phrases [19:45] Teasing the next episode, Chris Do [20:19] Episode wrap-up and call to action Notable Quotes [01:58] “One of the things you can rely on Philip for is to be consistent.”- Cat [02:33] “Consistency means nothing if your content isn’t good.” - Cat [02:51] “I don't watch the news; I only get my news from YouTube, and it's from Philip DeFranco.”- Cat [06:37] “Make it as easy as possible to get what you want.” - Cat [10:44] “You don't get those few seconds back. And if you squander them or don't use them effectively, you're setting (10:50) yourself up for failure.”- Billy [11:40] “You got to hook people. The hook is crucial.” - Billy [18:52] "I'm going to end with Philip's phrase, 'You beautiful bastards,' which is what he calls his community.” - Cat [19:04] “At the end of the day, we want our audience to feel like a community. And part of that is going to be making them feel like they’re part of a group.”- Cat Resources and Links Cat Shanu LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/cat-shanu Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thefemmeguide/ Billy Samoa Saleebey LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ Email: ⁠billy@podify.com⁠ and ⁠saleebey@gmail.com⁠ Insight Out Website: ⁠https://www.insightoutshow.com/ Mentioned Philip DeFranco's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/sxephil (Go witness the tactics in action) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brendan Kane⁠ is a New York Times bestselling author and one of the most influential minds of our time. He is the author of 1 Million Followers and Hook Point. He has helped the largest brands and celebrities in the world reverse engineer how to make content go viral. In this episode, Brendan joins me to talk about what it takes to make content go viral. Brendan discusses how the world of content creation has changed in the last 20 years and how this change has impacted the way that we communicate. He also talks about how the algorithms that control the reach and distribution of our content are only concerned with retention, and how this impacts the way we should be creating content. Brendan provides examples of how this principle has played out in the success of some of his clients, including Ryan Serhant and Graham Stefan. In this episode, you will learn the following: What is the biggest mistake content creators are making that prevents them from rising above the noise? What are the best content creators doing to keep the attention then we'll talk about getting attention. In This Episode: [00:02:38] - Biggest mistakes content creators are making. [00:07:52] - Example of how niche videos can go viral. [00:11:49] - What do the best content creators do to keep attention? [00:12:39] - Tension and release. [00:15:13] - Physics and virality. [00:17:25] - Research is so vital. [00:17:54] - Understanding why things go viral. [00:22:14] - Gold - level content commonalities. [00:24:13] - Pacing and sound effects. [00:25:07] - Effects on the viewer. [00:28:58] - Creating content that matches your message. [00:34:43] - Peaking curiosity and yourself. [00:37:45] - What we got wrong about the algorithm. [00:41:52] - Biggest social media lessons. [00:44:07] - The importance of research. Quote: ‘’One of the fundamental principles that have really changed in content and communication at scale is what we call the generalist approach of how do we make people care about our subject matter, our expertise if they know nothing about us, or maybe they had no interest in what we were talking about before. That is the key to virality. Because the truth is, we are the product of the algorithm. These platforms are not producing premium content to keep people on the platform’’ Resources & Links Brendan Kane Social Media: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjkane/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/brendankane/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/BrendanJamesKane⁠ Website: ⁠https://brendanjkane.com/⁠ Check out Brendan’s books: ⁠https://links.hookpoint.com/⁠ Billy Samoa https://billysamoa.com/ https://www.facebook.com/BillySamoaSaleebey/ https://twitter.com/BillySamoa https://www.instagram.com/billybelieve/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjQ9RSxYqDS4_VxBHNyQJw https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ https://billysamoa.com/podcast-archive/ https://billysamoa.com/video-carousel/ ⁠https://billysamoa.com/blog-with-sidebar/⁠ Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=23010497 ) This is an encore episode and was originally published on October 14, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disruption is everywhere. AI, careers, leadership, nothing stays the same. My guest today, Patrick Leddin, a leadership expert, former Army captain, and Vanderbilt professor, encountered that reality in a powerful way while sitting in a classroom listening to James Patterson share a deeply personal story. After losing his fiancée to cancer, Patterson transformed profound loss into a platform for impact. That moment reshaped Patrick’s thinking and eventually led to their collaboration on Disrupt Everything. In this episode, Patrick joins me to show why disruption isn’t a threat, but an opportunity. He breaks down how people respond when certainty disappears. He shares how that single classroom experience sparked years of research into what he calls “positive disruptors,” individuals who do not collapse under change, but channel it to create meaningful progress. We analyze how disruption reveals personal agency, why resistance is a natural response, and what separates those who get stuck from those who move forward with intention. Patrick also opens up about co-authoring Disrupt Everything and Win, leaving a prestigious academic role, and building a movement centered on purpose-driven leadership. Whether you’re navigating a career shift, organizational upheaval, or personal uncertainty, this episode will challenge how you think about disruption and show you how to use it instead of fearing it. In this episode, we discuss: [01:06] Disruption and why most people resist it [01:39] Meet Patrick Leddin [02:59] Patrick’s disruption journey [04:43] How James Patterson’s guest lecture changed everything [07:03] Co-authoring a book with James Patterson [09:51] Purpose vs. mission vs. vision [11:23] What Patrick learned from Patterson [18:39] The outlining lesson [21:20] Defining disruption [23:33] Why disruption is fertile ground [24:51] First step when disruption hits [26:16] Stories of positive disruptors: Josie Natori & Tom D’Eri [30:15] Disruption, agency, and organizational mindset [32:16] The 27 positive disruptor moves [35:45] Most impactful disruptor moves [42:41] Framework for positive disruption [44:48] Redefining extraordinary and the power of focus [47:22] Summing Up Disruption Notable Quotes [01:12] “ Most people think about disruption in a way that they resist. It doesn't feel like an opportunity. They actually feel like they're losing control.” - Billy [03:17] “ Sometimes the low spots in life disruptions can have some pretty negative ramifications, but even when they're negative, there's often a high point that comes after it.” - Patrick [09:05] “ Crisis is not the time to start making introductions.” - Doug Parker (quoted by Patrick) [25:27] “Sometimes saying no is the most disruptive thing you can do.” - Patrick [47:20] “Disruption doesn’t destroy things, it’s fertile ground for something new and better.” – Patrick[48:27] “You’re wired to disrupt, you have a big brain, experiences that build resilience, and resources no generation has had before.” – Patrick Patrick Leddin Website: https://www.patrickleddin.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patrickleddin Book: Disrupt Everything and Win (co-authored with James Patterson) Billy Samoa Saleebey LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/billysamoa Email: ⁠billy@podify.com⁠ and ⁠saleebey@gmail.com⁠ Insight Out Website: ⁠https://www.insightoutshow.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re in the creative space, you already know this tension: the pressure to create never really shuts off. Content still needs to go out, even when your ideas dry up. So what happens when your mind stalls? How do you get unstuck without forcing it or burning out and still create ideas your audience actually cares about when life is full and inspiration feels miles away? In this episode, I sit down with Cat Shanu to tackle those questions and help you break free from creative ruts. We dig into what really causes creative blocks, how perfectionism quietly kills momentum, and what to do when inspiration feels out of reach. Cat shares her own pause from creating, and I open up about staying consistent as a CEO, father, and host, even during low-energy seasons. Whether you’re a content creator, an entrepreneur, or simply trying to build more consistent habits, this episode will help you reconnect with your creative rhythm and move forward with intention. In this episode, we discuss: [00:00:00] Why creators struggle to make content [00:01:21] The natural ebb and flow of creativity and why forcing it backfires [00:02:33] Finding inspiration by immersing yourself in what moves you [00:04:09] Cat’s four-month creative pause and how she reignited her spark [00:04:17] Building LinkedIn systems—batching, scheduling, and staying consistent [00:06:22] Turning a Beastie Boys Reddit post into content gold [00:07:10] How music and ChatGPT fuel momentum when ideas stall [00:08:17] Treating each post like a temporary tattoo [00:12:52] Using audience engagement to break creative blocks [00:13:31] Why creating for one person beats creating for everyone [00:14:51] Telling real stories instead of chasing perfection [00:19:45] Using simple prompts to generate endless ideas [00:22:05] Cat and Billy’s peak creative workflows [00:26:12] Matching tasks to energy for better output [00:29:29] Creating consistently while leading, parenting, and podcasting [00:33:33] Building your catalog of inspiration and learning from top creators [00:38:15] Why breaks sharpen creativity and awareness [00:45:26] Letting go of perfection and taking small steps forward Notable Quotes [00:42:21] “When stuck, don't generate, retrieve, go get that information from somewhere else.” - Billy [00:12:52] “Treat your post like a temporary tattoo. It's not a permanent tattoo, it's a temporary tattoo. Therefore it doesn't matter.” - Billy [00:16:08] “When you think of your community, not as your followers, but as a friend. You can definitely leverage them to just guide you.” - Cat [00:24:14] “It's easier to think of creative ideas than when you focus on the whole big picture.” - Cat [00:32:54] “Most people will cancel an appointment they make for themselves, but they'll always attend appointment they have with somebody else.” - Billy [00:49:56] “The only true, perfect thing I can think of is God. And we put this idea in our head that we need to show up as perfection.” - Cat Cat Shanu LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/cat-shanu Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thefemmeguide/ Billy Samoa Saleebey LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ Email: ⁠billy@podify.com⁠ and ⁠saleebey@gmail.com⁠ Insight Out Website: ⁠https://www.insightoutshow.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you feeling stuck in life, like a pumpkin in a jar? You’re not alone. Many people suffer from a “mistaken identity”, not realizing their true potential or the power of their own dreams. This week on Insight Out, Doug Dane is here to show us how to use the Mistaken Identity Model to get self-discovery, freedom, and success. He's been able to beat the odds and find success in his own life, despite the trauma of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse he experienced as a child. He will share how to break free from limiting beliefs to discover his true self and how he transformed his life, breaking free from the oppressive jar of his past and inspiring others to do the same. Through the stories of Gandhi, mentors, and books like Think and Grow Rich, Doug was inspired to take control of his life and find who he truly was. He faced his fears and story and through this, discovered his purpose. This journey taught him that everyone has a special gift and that one can change their story and the world. Meet ⁠Doug Dane⁠, Doug is the author of ⁠Mistaken Identity⁠, a mentor for leadership, business, and mindset. Doug has spent over 25 years coaching people to improve their results and feel better about themselves so they can stop hiding and start living. He's on a mission to show people how to let go of their past so they can create a better life for themselves, their families, and the world. Have you ever grappled with attaining self-realization, autonomy, and success? Then this episode is for you. Tune in now to uncover the power of transformation! Here's what Doug and I cover: What inspires Doug about the great leader Gandhi. (00:03:00) How did a young Doug Dane survive the abusive environment he was brought up in and then go on to achieve success?(00:05:28) The Pumpkin a Jar story. (00:12:41) How can people break free from their mental programming and limiting beliefs to follow their hearts and discover their real Identities? (00:15:40) Why you need to have clearly defined goals. (00:19:56) The importance of believing in ourselves. (00:26:00) Why you need to have a healthy self-image (00:29:26) How should we think about goals? (00:36:22) The importance of discipline to develop good habits (00:40:00) How to set mindset (00:47:53) Why you don't have to go looking for your calling. (00:53:00) Notable quotes: “The average person tiptoes through life hoping to make it safely to death” - (0012:22) ‘’We're kind of like pumpkins in a jar’’ - (00:12:31) “There's nothing wrong with you. The only thing that's wrong is what you believe about yourself or about the way you should approach the world. One of the chapters is called Stop Shooting on Yourself” - Doug (00:18:29) “Just because someone loves you doesn't mean they give you good advice” - Billy quoting David Meltzer (00:25:07) Rather than fighting the existing reality, why not create a new model that makes the existing reality obsolete?” - Doug (00:28:02) “Energy comes from a desire” - Doug (39:00:25) “Mindset is an action. It's not a thing” - Doug (00:50:02) “If you're busy out there searching online and on dates, trying to find the love of your life, they can't find you because you're moving all around” - Doug (00:53:20) “Take an action, and you get a reaction” - Doug (00:56:00) Resources & Links: Doug’s Website: ⁠dougdane.com⁠ Doug’s Book: https://www.dougdane.com/mistakenidentity Doug on Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougdane/ https://twitter.com/dougdane https://web.facebook.com/dougdaneofficial https://www.instagram.com/doug.dane/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/@DougDaneCoaching Billy Samoa Saleebey LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa⁠ Email: billy@podify.com and saleebey@gmail.com Loved this episode? Please support us here: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=23010497⁠ This is an encore episode and was originally published on February 10, 2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just like every great recipe, captivating communication requires some spice! And who better to teach us that than world-renowned communication and public speaking expert, David JP Phillips? David has spent his career researching and building a business on the art of communication and presentation, but his expertise goes beyond these practical skills that allow us to succeed in professional settings. He’s also dedicated to helping others apply these techniques on a personal level so that we can improve our relationships, exert control over our emotions, find our sense of happiness, and foster great empathy. With his three widely-recognized TED Talks, “The Magical Science of Storytelling,” “How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint,” and “The 110 Techniques of Communication and Public Speaking,” he is reforming our understanding of communication and simultaneously eliminating antiquated notions about storytelling. His journey is certainly one of dedication and perseverance, and as he discusses the scientific and psychological sides of expression and communication, the impact of his wife’s stroke, and how he rebuilt his company from nothing, you will walk away from this episode feeling both inspired and ready to tackle your day. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy helps fuel David’s creativity (4:36) The art of adding spice to your presentation (6:57) The transformative power of happiness and the difference between internal and external communication (10:40) The focus and importance of David’s upcoming book as well as his tip for grounding yourself in peace, gratitude, and compassion (17:30) David’s experience with his wife’s stroke and the process of rebuilding his company (23:46) What the somatic feedback loop is and why body language is a huge element of conversation (32:58) The Five Layers of Communication and how to practice utilizing your facial expressions (36:49) Why actors and comedians rate higher than other professions (38:25) How YouTube forced David to adapt and grow and the #1 lesson he’s learned in the realm of public speaking (39:48) Notable Quotes: “The perception we have of a talk is related to the number of spices in a talk. And that is what you were on to contrast and surprises.” – David (8:55) Every war and every action of hatred stems from our desire to get the substances in our brain fulfilled. That’s where they come from. So yeah, if people would actually understand that they could create them by themselves without hurting and causing pain and destruction, the world would be a better place by far.” – David (20:55) “It is interesting how life’s moments that are so shakingly painful can also be so important and put in perspective the few moments that we have on this ball of rock flying through the sky. We sometimes take for granted that we’re given this life.” – Billy (31:15) “If you focus on performance, anxiety is its brother. If you focus on having fun, that is when you will be the best version of yourself… And in a state of having fun, we are relaxed. We get free access to our vocabulary, our thoughts…” – David (41:10) Resources & Links: David JP Phillips Website: ⁠https://www.davidjpphillips.com/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjpphillips/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/davidjpphillips/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/davidjpphillips⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@davidjpphillips⁠ HeadGain: ⁠https://www.headgain.com/⁠ Presenter Mastery Training: ⁠https://www.headgain.com/jp/⁠ Billy Samoa Saleebey LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa⁠ Email: ⁠billy@podify.com⁠ and ⁠saleebey@gmail.com⁠ Insight Out Website: ⁠https://insightoutshow.com/⁠ This is an encore episode and was originally published on December 16, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What keeps a digital business moving and thriving, and what makes it truly valuable? Blake Hutchison, CEO of Flippa, is joining me on this episode of Insight Out to break down his role at Flippa, his experience over the last 20 years, and the variables that influence the value of businesses in the market. He touches on the importance of looking at growth, average order value, refund rate, cost base, etc., when evaluating how much to buy and sell a business for and some patterns that have emerged over the last few years. The team he leads at Flippa supports business owners in their exit or their introduction to possible new business ventures. In short, he helps them make an existing business their own and then, a little further down the road, understand how to optimize the organization financially and systemically! In this episode, we discuss: How Flippa works in terms of buying and selling (2:43) Blake’s entrepreneurial journey and selling his business in 2015 (5:15) How data allows Flippa to check the pulse of successful businesses across the globe (9:06) Flippa’s evolution with value assessment (14:46) Common themes that Blake has noticed in this market (19:53) How to get involved with the platform (23:36) Blake shares some inspiring success stories (28:55) The most lucrative businesses for entrepreneurs today (32:24) How to know the ways a business needs to expand & grow (37:12) The future of digitally-based businesses (39:25) Notable Quotes: “So what I encourage everyone to do is find a business model that they can imagine themselves having a skill set that they orient well too. And then secondly, find a category that they know they’re gonna be passionate about for long enough that they’ve got the resilience to get through that stabilization period…” – Blake (26:07) “It’s better to go slow. It’s a marathon. It’s not a sprint. If you treat it as a sprint, chances are you’re going to make some bad decisions.” – Billy (28:40) “Age is a factor in evaluation, by the way, because it gives you some predictability. And buyers and investors love predictability.” – Blake (30:40) “You don’t actually have to know tech to buy a digital asset.” – Blake (43:31) Resources & Links: Blake Hutchison LinkedIn: ⁠https://au.linkedin.com/in/blakehutchison⁠ Twitter: ⁠https://mobile.twitter.com/blakenow⁠ Flippa: ⁠https://flippa.com/⁠ Billy Samoa Saleebey LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa⁠ Email: ⁠billy@podify.com⁠ and ⁠saleebey@gmail.com⁠ Insight Out Website: ⁠https://insightoutshow.com/⁠ This is an encore episode and was originally published on December 23, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After starting as a barista in 1996 to becoming the co-founder, owner, and Co-CEO of Biggby Coffee, this week’s guest on Insight Out is Mike McFall, a growth-minded entrepreneur that believes in the power of self-awareness, positivity, and conscious capitalism as the core values of a successful business. His book, Grind: A No-Bullshit Approach to Take Your Business from Concept to Cash Flow, focuses on the importance of revenue and practical ways to build cash flow in a budding company. He also explores his philosophy that business requires us to be aggressive and simultaneously self-aware. In this episode, Mike and I discuss the road to becoming CEO of a successful corporation, why conscious capitalism and company culture are at the core of employee retention, why focus is a critical component in building a business, and more. In this episode, we discuss: The key lessons that sailing around the world at 16 taught Mike (3:40) Mike’s journey as a Red Wings fan and the importance of visioning work (5:43) A breakdown of the visualization process (10:06) How Mike was introduced to conscious capitalism and the way it transformed his business (13:10) How Mike became partners with Bob Fish (23:44) The importance of competition in business (27:28) Why self awareness is a critical component of your business (29:43) How to ask for valuable feedback (33:10) The biggest contributor to Biggby Coffee’s success (35:41) Mike’s advice for aspiring or current business owners (38:26) Why entrepreneurs need to be like the sun (44:30) Mike’s approach to fostering a people-first company (48:07) How to develop company culture that respects the employees (51:37) Where to find Mike McFall and his final word of advice (56:35) Notable Quotes: “When you say something enough, you begin to hear yourself say it, other people hear you say it, and they can support you. And it helps to reaffirm that you’re on the course to go where you want to go.” – Billy (9:26) “The real root of conscious capitalism is that it’s an inclusive environment where you don’t make tradeoffs between these different components and that you make decisions that everyone benefits from.” – Mike (20:29) “Your self awareness is the most critical component to the success of your business.” – Mike (30:31) “In the end it’s not about revenue. What it’s about is it’s about improving, and it’s an obsession with improvement. And when we obsess with improvement… the revenue generation, the growth, is a subset of the obsession with improvement.” – Mike (42:34) “Leadership is about setting the example and then living within that constantly.” – Mike (47:16) “In the end, people just want to be around other people who they relate to and they feel a connection to as another human being.” (59:19) Resources & Links: Mike McFall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-biggby⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mikejmcfall⁠ Biggby Coffee: ⁠https://www.biggby.com/⁠ Billy Samoa Saleebey LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa⁠ Email: ⁠billy@podify.com⁠ and ⁠saleebey@gmail.com⁠ Insight Out Website: ⁠https://insightoutshow.com/⁠ This is an encore episode and was originally published on December 30, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Will shared his experience and how the far-reaching consequences of trivial acts, and self-awareness have shaped his goals and mindset. and the positive effects of not being afraid to do crazy things. Will is an avid learner and has earned certifications as a Stockbroker, Flight Instructor, Certified Product Manager, Technical Trainer, Commercial Pilot, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Cisco Certified Network Associate, and Certified Professional Behavioural Analyst, I've invited Will here today to learn more about the methods and tools he's developed to achieve success and the techniques he continues to use to expand his life are all described, taught, and delivered in the many businesses, leadership, and peak performance workshops, seminars, and events Will delivers. Tune in to get important insights on self-improvement! What we discuss: · Love of learning. (01:41) · The power of reaching consequences of the trivial act. (3:30) · The seriousness of unforgiving neglect. (4:11) · How to focus on those little things in the right way. (5:27) · The importance of a checklist. (10:11) · Doing something a little bit crazy. (18:11) · How to set goals and hold people accountable. And how to communicate effectively with teams of people. (24:34) · The goal or intention of the meeting. (28:20) · What are the Ground rules. (29:35) · The seriousness of time management. (38:01) · Billy and Will talk about the impact they have on themselves and how they value time. (38:35) · The key metrics, goals, and problem-solving. (43:13) · The eulogy goal. (43:13) Notable quotes: · “Bad decisions. Make good stories.” (18:56) · “ You have to move a ton of dirt to get one carat of diamond.’’ (26:50) · “Business problems are like quicksand. The more you struggle, the faster you sink” (32:17) · ‘’ Everybody around you is going to die someday and you're going to lose people along the way. So never, ever waste another single second, doing anything that wasn't the absolute best thing you could be doing.” (38:21) USEFUL RESOURCES: Will’s Website:⁠ http://goalboss.com/⁠ YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/c/WillPemble⁠ Social Media: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/willpemble/?hl=en⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/willpemble⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpemble/⁠ ⁠https://twitter.com/willpemble⁠ Support the show (⁠https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=23010497⁠ ) This is an encore episode and was originally published on May 13, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can we shift our thinking in order to break a pattern? And how can we take positive action to make transformative changes in our lives? That’s the focus of Scott Miller’s new book, “Master Mentors Vol. 2.” It examines key insights from 30 of the world’s most transformational leadership thinkers – including Seth Godin, Susan Cain, General Stanley McChrystal and more – and provides simple steps to implement the same insights in your own life. In today’s episode, Scott joins me to talk about the most valuable lessons he’s learned from his own mentor, the concept of transformational insight, the subtle nuances between self-worth, self-esteem and self-confidence, why vulnerability is a key element of leadership, and more. “I think the power of transformation has the power for you to see yourself differently. It has the power for you to challenge your paradigm, your mindset, your belief system, to say, gosh, I always thought about gratitude in this way, but now I'm gonna think about gratitude in this way. Or I thought about what's next for me or my business model. They're personal and professional. I think it's really intended to help kind of shake you to say you've been in this pattern of thinking this line of behavior and just shaking a little bit to say, is that serving you well? Is that serving those around you?” – Scott (06:03) Top 3 Takeaways A mentor can be anyone. “I don't think you have to know or be in an intimate relationship, professional relationship with your mentor at all,” Scott says. It doesn’t matter that you can’t meet with them for one-on-one guidance; a mentor is anyone who helps you understand how to improve your life, and in the age of podcasts and YouTube, you can get that wisdom in a variety of ways. Try to assume positive intent. Everybody makes mistakes, and sometimes even the most well-intended words come out wrong. A person’s words say more about them than they do about you. Self-worth is inherent and unchanging. “Self-esteem and your self-confidence ebbs and flows based on your sense of self and the kind of relationships you're in and the things that you do that you value or don't value,” Scott says. “But your self-worth cannot be changed and no one else can change it.” In This Episode (01:13) Why you don’t need to meet your mentor to benefit from their wisdom (05:21) Scott’s definition of a transformational insight (07:14) The practical applications of insights, and using them to transform your life (11:30) Bobby Herrera’s life-changing bus ride (22:50) Self-worth vs self-esteem vs self-confidence (31:51) “Your future truth should be your present.” (36:03) BJ Fogg and the power of tiny pattern-breaking habits Resources & Links Billy Samoa https://billysamoa.com/ https://www.facebook.com/BillySamoaSaleebey/ https://twitter.com/BillySamoa https://www.instagram.com/billybelieve/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjQ9RSxYqDS4_VxBHNyQJw https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ https://billysamoa.com/podcast-archive/ https://billysamoa.com/video-carousel/ ⁠https://billysamoa.com/blog-with-sidebar/⁠ Scott Miller ⁠https://www.scottjeffreymiller.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/scottmillerj1⁠ ⁠https://twitter.com/scottmillerj1⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/scottjeffreymiller/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmillerj1/⁠ Mentioned ⁠https://tinyhabits.com/book/⁠ ⁠https://bobby-herrera.com/⁠ https://www.franklincovey.com/speakers-bureau/sean-covey/ This is an encore episode and was originally published on August 26, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who do you look up to the most? Is it a superhero from a comic book, a famous athlete, or a historical figure? We often forget the everyday heroes who quietly make a big impact on our lives. Our dads, the real-life heroes in our families, shape who we become, teach us important values, and help us navigate life's twists and turns. In today’s episode of the Insight Out podcast, I have the pleasure of having a conversation with Paul Epstein. Paul has a remarkable background as a former top-tier executive in both NFL and NBA organizations, and he's also a two-time bestselling author of the books "The Power of Playing Offense" and "Better Decisions Faster." His exceptional achievements in 2022 earned him a spot among SUCCESS magazine's prestigious list of accomplished thought leaders, sharing the spotlight with well-known names such as Tony Robbins, Brené Brown, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Mel Robbins. Furthermore, Paul's work has received significant recognition and media coverage, being featured on major platforms like ESPN, NBC, Fox Business, and USA Today. In our conversation, Paul shares powerful stories about the impact his parents had on his life, shaping his core values of growth, impact, courage, authenticity, and belief. He discusses his father's influence on his students and his mother's courage in the face of adversity. Paul also talks about his journey from a successful sports manager to a more authentic self, acknowledging the role of his executive coach, Suzanne, in this transformation. He introduces the "head heart hands equation" for decision-making and discusses the importance of personalizing and internalizing values. The episode highlights the significance of authenticity, self-reflection, and making better decisions faster. In This Episode: [05:30] Age 19: A pivotal and life-changing moment [07:42] Real leadership and impact [09:44] Courage modelled by Paul's dad [09:51] Courage as a superpower [12:13] The ripple effect of small acts [14:10] Finding and living your core values [20:31] The beauty of the journaling process [22:02] The importance of memorializing and defining values [26:23] The impact of belief and humility [32:18] Feeling off despite winning [34:09] Feedback on not caring about the team [37:12]Overcoming self-limiting beliefs [40:31] The audit and self-reflection [41:49] The Jerry Maguire leap [44:00] The head-heart-hands equation Notable Quotes [00:11:00] “Courage is standing tallest when fear and risk are highest” -Paul [00:14:29] “Confidence is the Annie that we need to make better decisions faster. Confidence is the Annie to play. If you want to play offence in a world that is largely stuck on defence and so confidence is the through line.” -Paul [00:27:16] "I want to surround myself with people that do what they don't want to do in the unseen hours because they believe in it and because they care about it. That, in a sentence, is how I would describe people that win in life.”- Paul [00:32:18] “I don't feel purpose, there's a bunch of different shades of this, it's a very gray kind of space but like at the end of the day you just know it's not perfect” -Paul Resources and Links Paul Epstein ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulepsteinspeaks/⁠ https://www.instagram.com/paulepsteinspeaks/ ⁠https://www.paulepsteinspeaks.com⁠ This is an encore episode and was originally published on October 27, 2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George J. Chanos is a lawyer and a former attorney general with both eyes on the future. His foresight led him to write the books Seize Your Destiny: A Roadmap to Success and Millennial Samurai: A Mindset for the 21st Century. However, creating thought-provoking books isn’t his only talent. George has recently been hard at work on an NFT art project called People Reign. In this episode, George shared his predictions for the future and his latest undertaking. George talked about how his desire to help his daughter and his nephew navigate their futures led to the creation of his first book. He quickly came to the realization that his young relatives wouldn’t be experiencing the same world that he had been dealing with all his life. Their future looked different. Determining what that entailed led him to create his second book. George now believes that a technological tsunami is coming for all of us and the water is currently rising. Automation will make many jobs things of the past. But if we put our minds together and ask the right questions, we can ultimately choose what our future will look like. In This Episode: [02:44] - George talks about his heart attack and what he learned from the experience. [05:25] - A letter to George’s teenage daughter becomes the book: Seize Your Destiny. [06:34] - What will reality look like 30 to 40 years from now? [08:42] - How do we give our children a better life? [11:10] - Using your mind to overcome obstacles. [16:12] - The value of different views. [18:30] - How to make sense of different perspectives. [37: 22] - What skills do we need to survive? [45:30] - The future of technology. [58:18] - The need for intelligent discussion. [1:04:30] - George discusses how his passion for art led him to create People Reign. QUOTES • [09:56] - “Embrace your ignorance. And the reason why is that learning begins with a recognition of ignorance. If we think we know all the answers, why bother to learn? Right. So the reality is: is that we don’t know all the answers.” - George J. Chanos • [11:10] - “Frank Zappa. Your mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it isn’t open.” - George J. Chanos • [12:10] - “Your mind is a double-edged sword. It’s both your most powerful tool and your greatest liability.” - George J. Chanos • [15:37] - “We should learn that our beliefs and our views have no privileged legitimacy. Just because I think it’s a certain way does not mean that’s the way it is…. Just because my brain is telling me that this is reality and this is what it is doesn’t mean I’m right.” - George J. Chanos • [28:42] - “The more character you have, the more successful you are likely to be.” - George J. Chanos • [1:01:10] -“What is more important than knowledge is intelligence….Knowledge is accessible to all of us…But you have to know what question to ask. That is not knowledge. That is intelligence.” - George J. Chanos • [1:11:37] - “I believe it is important to speak out and to leave something behind.”- George J. Chanos RESOURCES George J. Chanos Website: ⁠https://georgejchanos.com/⁠ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgejchanos/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgejchanos/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/georgejchanos George’s Works Seize Your Destiny: A Roadmap to Success. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D6DZKTS/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 Millennial Samurai: A Mindset for the 21st Century Buy the Book: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Millennial-Samurai-Mindset-21st-⁠ ⁠Century/dp/1688563334/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=⁠ Free Digital Download: ⁠https://millennialsamurai.com/freegiveaway⁠ People Reign: ⁠https://peoplereign.com/⁠ Insight Out Links Website: https://insightoutshow.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RollingMovie Billy Samoa Saleebey Email Addresses: billy@podify.com and saleebey@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/ This is an encore episode and was originally published on October 28, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

This isn’t your typical family business story. Bobby started in finance, swore he’d never work with family, then life forced a pivot. Stepping in reluctantly, he helped scale the business to 40 locations and $50M, but success came at a cost: resentment, burnout, and the realization that growth without alignment is a trap. So, he walked away. Bobby went on to build Greenridge Wealth, a firm built on values, systems, and a team-first culture. His mission? Help founders build businesses that run without them so they can actually live. In this episode, Bobby lays it all out. The toll of resentment. The dangers of tying your identity to your business. The hard decisions around rebuilding teams, shifting mindsets, and designing companies that can grow without you in the middle of everything. This is about leadership, clarity, and doing it on your own terms. Not grinding forever. Not chasing empty success. Just building a business that serves your life, not the other way around. So, if you’re building, scaling, or just trying to break free from the grind this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss. Grab your notepad, tune in, and start building a business that works for you, not the other way around. In This Episode: Building Greenridge Wealth Planning [00:02:20 Why Bobby Avoided the Family Business for So Long [00:03:40] Health Scares Changed Everything [00:06:20] Shifting From Scarcity to Abundance [00:09:40] The Power of Peer-to-Peer Conversations [00:11:50] Bobby’s Return to the Family Business With a New Vision [00:16:30] The dangers of becoming emotionally tied to your business. [00:19:10] The Importance of Making Yourself Obsolet [00:20:20] Key focus on employee engagement and career growth within the business. [00:24:10] Leveraging Strategic Partnerships for Growth [00:29:00] The value of calculated risks, perseverance, and a willingness to change direction when necessary for business success. [00:32:50] The Power of Relationships in Business. [00:37:00] Designing a Business Around What You Actually Love [00:40:20] How stepping back creates space for strategy and long-term vision. [00:43:00] The Growth Junkie Trap [00:44:10] Why Bobby believes in karma more than luck and how gratitude shifts your energy and outcome. [00:48:50] Leadership Through Interaction & Decision [00:58:10] Notable quotes: "You've gotta tell me what it is. I wanna make the decisions. I have to be there not empowering other people to feel a sense of ownership. Just feeling like you're in the grind and you have to know everything." - Bobby [00:18:10] "If that's really what fills your cup and gives you a sense of purpose, well then I have nobody, I'm not the person to tell you to do something that that is your purpose." - Bobby [0:19:40] "It's not what you know. It's who you know." - Bobby [00:37:30] “We overestimate what we can do in a year, but we underestimate what we can do in 10” Bobby at [00:56:10] Resources and Links Bobby Mascia: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Podcast⁠ ⁠Website⁠ ⁠Book⁠ Insight Out: ⁠Insight Out Show – Website This is an encore episode and was originally published on April 05, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the key to standing out in a noisy world isn’t about shouting louder or spending more money? What if it’s about embracing the crazy? In this episode of Insight Out, I sit down with Mark Schaefer, one of the sharpest marketing minds on the planet, to uncover the secrets of audacious marketing in an AI-dominated world. Mark, a New York Times bestselling author and marketing strategist, reveals how businesses can outshine the competition by tapping into the most uniquely human qualities crazy ideas, awe-inspiring experiences, and stories that people can’t help but share. But here’s the twist: What if the future of marketing isn’t about algorithms, but about out-humaning AI? What if the most powerful tool in your arsenal is your ability to create something so bold, so unexpected, that it stops people in their tracks? Mark shares jaw-dropping stories from his new book, Audacious, including how a drone show in the Texas sky left an entire restaurant in awe, and how a brand called Liquid Death turned the water industry on its head by embracing the taboo. What’s your audacious idea? What bold, crazy, unforgettable story will you create to stand out in a world drowning in noise? Tune in to this episode to find out how you can start today. In this episode, you will learn the following: How to create marketing moments that stop people in their tracks. Why awe is the secret ingredient to unforgettable branding. How to disrupt traditional narratives and break taboos like Liquid Death. The five-act storytelling structure that makes ads stick. How to turn customers into passionate brand advocates through word-of-mouth marketing. In This Episode: [01:33] Introducing Mark Schaefer [03:54] The impactful drone show [13:21] The role of awe in marketing [21:34] Liquid Death: A case study in bold marketing [25:02] From flat to 3D marketing [26:11] Innovative storytelling in unexpected places [26:56] Creative marketing on a budget [28:34] The power of experiential marketing [29:15] The role of education in marketing [31:49] The art of storytelling in advertising [37:09] Systematic word-of-mouth marketing [44:37] The impact of social objects in marketing [48:09] Final thoughts and takeaways Notable Quotes [01:06] “Most marketing today is boring. It’s predictable, it’s ignorable. But standing out isn’t about spending more money or shouting louder—it’s about doing something truly different.” – Billy [02:55] “Instead of playing it safe, instead of doing what you think you're supposed to do, we’re going to talk about how you actually stand out.” – Billy [10:49] “AI can be competent, but it can’t create human connection. If you're just competent, you’re vulnerable—because competent is ignorable.” – Mark Schaefer [37:09] “Word of mouth marketing is the most powerful form of marketing, yet most brands don’t have a system for it. It’s time to change that.” – Mark Schaefer [44:37] “The best marketing isn’t just seen—it’s experienced. People remember the emotions, the moments, and the stories, not just the ads.” – Mark Schaefer Resources and Links Mark Schaefer ⁠Website⁠ ⁠Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World⁠ ⁠The Marketing Companion⁠ Billy Samoa ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠X (formerly Twitter)⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube This is an encore episode and was originally published on March 21, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices