What happens when a TV producer walks into an MMA arena with zero fighting knowledge and a microphone? Janine Stella discovered that asking fighters about their stats was exactly the wrong approach - and it led to a complete reinvention of how she connects with people. Her journey from traditional television production to founding Stella Mix Production Company reveals how authenticity beats expertise every time, and why she now refuses to work with clients who don't pass her personal connection test.

Janine shares the pivotal moment during the 2020 pandemic when everything changed, transforming her from someone who 'could barely turn on a computer' into a confident podcast production expert. Her philosophy of getting to know people 'from head to toe' - the real meaning behind her 'Skulls and Stilettos' podcast name - has become the foundation for building lasting business relationships. You'll discover why she believes uncomfortable conversations are essential for growth, and how her 'no filter' approach actually attracts the right clients while repelling the wrong ones.


Want to grow your podcast, land more guest appearances, and save hours every week? The Podcast Growth Partner helps podcasters, guests, and podcast teams create stronger content, prepare smarter, and grow strategically.

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Want personalized podcast strategy support? Book a free clarity call: MeetwithOlivia.me

Connect with Olivia Atkin & Achieving Success:
Website: Achieving-Success.com
Facebook Community: The Podcaster’s Powerhouse Community For Business Owners
Facebook: Olivia Atkin | Achieving Success
LinkedIn: Olivia Atkin | Achieving Success
Instagram: @_achievingsuccess

Connect with Janine Stella:
Email: [email protected]
Website: stellamix.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/achieving-success-with-olivia-atkin--5743662/support.

What happens when a master resiliency instructor hits rock bottom during his own transition? Eric Brew thought he had the perfect plan for leaving his 25-year military career spanning both the Army and Marines. He had all the credentials, the experience, and the confidence of someone who had succeeded at everything he touched. But when that carefully crafted plan crumbled, Eric found himself staring at a blank Google search, unable to even formulate the right question to ask. This moment of complete vulnerability became the catalyst for his life's work helping thousands of veterans navigate their own transitions. Eric shares the raw truth about military transition, the communication gaps that cost both veterans and employers incredible opportunities, and why giving yourself permission to not have all the answers might be the most powerful tool in your arsenal. You'll discover why 86% of the 200,000 service members leaving annually don't know what they want to do next, and how one nonprofit is changing those statistics with a simple but powerful approach to mentorship.


Want to grow your podcast, land more guest appearances, and save hours every week? The Podcast Growth Partner helps podcasters, guests, and podcast teams create stronger content, prepare smarter, and grow strategically.

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Connect with Olivia Atkin & Achieving Success:
Website: Achieving-Success.com
Facebook Community: The Podcaster’s Powerhouse Community For Business Owners
Facebook: Olivia Atkin | Achieving Success
LinkedIn: Olivia Atkin | Achieving Success
Instagram: @_achievingsuccess

Connect with Eric Brew:
LinkedIn: Eric Brew
Email: [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/achieving-success-with-olivia-atkin--5743662/support.

What happens when your acquisition editor gets a text saying "I wrote the whole book in two weeks"? Lenell Wyman reveals the chaos and magic that unfolds behind publishing doors when authors completely flip project timelines upside down. From emergency editor swaps resolved in hours to the treasure hunt of finding authors who don't even know they want to write a book yet, her stories expose the real dynamics that make or break publishing relationships. Her unconventional approach combines theater training with customer service mastery, creating a formula that turns stressed authors into loyal collaborators.

But here's what nobody talks about in publishing: how do you balance authors texting you on weekends, emergency problem-solving calls, and the mental gymnastics of switching between astronomy professors and ethics experts all in one day? Lenell's honest take on work-life integration, the power of master lists, and why she puts her work phone in another room will change how you think about professional boundaries and authentic relationship building.


Want to grow your podcast, land more guest appearances, and save hours every week? The Podcast Growth Partner helps podcasters, guests, and podcast teams create stronger content, prepare smarter, and grow strategically.

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Connect with Olivia Atkin & Achieving Success:
Website: Achieving-Success.com
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LinkedIn: Olivia Atkin | Achieving Success
Instagram: @_achievingsuccess

Connect with Lenell Wyman:
LinkedIn: Lenell Wyman
Email: [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/achieving-success-with-olivia-atkin--5743662/support.

What happens when a former Kansas City Chiefs player applies football strategy to financial planning? Joe Yocavitch reveals why procrastination destroys more financial futures than market crashes, and how his family business approach transforms the way clients think about money. After 37 years building JML Financial Group, Joe has discovered that the biggest financial mistakes aren't about picking the wrong investments-they're about waiting too long to make any decision at all. His unconventional methods include renaming budgets as 'Wealth Accumulation Accounts,' firing clients who don't respect his team, and using storytelling to make complex financial concepts click instantly.

Joe shares the exact framework he uses to help clients overcome money anxiety, why he wrote intentionally short books in our ADD world, and how his family business model creates deeper client relationships than traditional financial planning. You'll discover his simple 85-15 rule for automatic wealth building, the power of making decisions fast and changing them slow, and why the most successful people treat their financial advisor like a Sherpa guiding them up and down the mountain of wealth.


Want to grow your podcast, land more guest appearances, and save hours every week? The Podcast Growth Partner helps podcasters, guests, and podcast teams create stronger content, prepare smarter, and grow strategically.

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Connect with Olivia Atkin & Achieving Success:
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Instagram: @_achievingsuccess

Connect with Joe Yocavitch:
Website: https://jmlfinancialgroup.com
Phone: 856-751-1771

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/achieving-success-with-olivia-atkin--5743662/support.

What happens when a stand-up comedian discovers his jokes and sermons follow the exact same formula? Rev Ricky Burton never planned to become a relationship coach, but when friends kept seeking his advice and a simple $10 experiment turned into a thriving practice, he realized sometimes your biggest opportunities come disguised as accidents. His journey from wanting to 'just be Steve Harvey' to developing systems that help couples build lasting marriages reveals how our seemingly unrelated experiences often prepare us for purposes we never saw coming. Through his unique blend of humor, authenticity, and hard-won wisdom, Ricky shows us that leadership isn't about having all the answers-it's about showing up consistently and giving people exactly what they need to grow.

You'll discover why Ricky believes 'half the battle is showing up,' how he uses his engineering mindset to build human systems, and the counterintuitive truth that marriage is never 50-50. His approach to acceptance over expectations and the power of 'blunt honesty' in relationships offers a refreshing perspective on building connections that actually last. Whether you're navigating career transitions, developing your leadership style, or strengthening your relationships, Ricky's insights will help you see how every experience-even the ones that seem like detours-can become stepping stones to your authentic purpose.


Want to grow your podcast, land more guest appearances, and save hours every week? The Podcast Growth Partner helps podcasters, guests, and podcast teams create stronger content, prepare smarter, and grow strategically.

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Connect with Olivia Atkin & Achieving Success:
Website: Achieving-Success.com
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Facebook: Olivia Atkin | Achieving Success
LinkedIn: Olivia Atkin | Achieving Success
Instagram: @_achievingsuccess

Connect with Rev Ricky Burton:
Website: WRickyBurton.com
LinkedIn: W. Ricky Burton, MDiv
Instagram: @wrickyburton

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/achieving-success-with-olivia-atkin--5743662/support.

What do you do when you inherit a declining college with just 1,900 students and turn it into a nationally recognized university of 10,500? Dr. John Lahey shares the remarkable 31-year transformation of Quinnipiac University, revealing how he grew enrollment by 450% while maintaining his commitment to teaching philosophy throughout his presidency. From launching the now-famous Quinnipiac Poll as a strategic branding tool to personally signing over 40,000 diplomas, John's approach centered on an unwavering focus on students first. His journey from aspiring philosopher to university president wasn't linear - it included pivots from Alabama to New York, earning two master's degrees, and learning that sometimes the best career moves are the ones you never planned. You'll discover how authentic leadership, strategic vision, and genuine care for people can create lasting institutional change that impacts generations.


Want to grow your podcast, land more guest appearances, and save hours every week? The Podcast Growth Partner helps podcasters, guests, and podcast teams create stronger content, prepare smarter, and grow strategically.

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Instagram: @_achievingsuccess

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What happens when you wake up one day and realize you hate what you do for a living? Scott Buell had all the external markers of success-the nice house, the car, the corporate title-but felt like he was living in a self-imposed prison. At 50, he made a decision that changed everything: he walked away from his corporate career to start Drone Legends, a STEM education company that's now operating internationally. Scott's journey from corporate misery to educational entrepreneur reveals the power of aligning your work with your values and the unexpected moments that can redirect your entire life path.

In this conversation, Scott shares the pivotal classroom visit that showed him his true calling, how he built scalable curriculum that empowers educators worldwide, and why he believes every child has legendary potential waiting to be unlocked. You'll discover his approach to building systems that don't depend on him personally, the mindset shifts that fuel his daily drive, and how he's creating learning experiences that help students find their 'why' through hands-on STEM exploration.


Want to grow your podcast, land more guest appearances, and save hours every week? The Podcast Growth Partner helps podcasters, guests, and podcast teams create stronger content, prepare smarter, and grow strategically.

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Instagram: @_achievingsuccess

Connect with Scott Buell:
LinkedIn: Scott Buell
Website: dronelengends.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/achieving-success-with-olivia-atkin--5743662/support.

What would make a criminal justice graduate choose cruise ship entertainment over a traditional law enforcement career? Brittany Vasile made this unconventional pivot five years ago, and her reasoning might surprise you. She wanted to experience the world before settling into a career that would tie her down, and now she spends months at sea followed by extended time at home, creating a lifestyle most people can't imagine. Working in Carnival's entertainment department means being "on" for guests 24/7, managing cultural differences with crew from around the world, and finding ways to stay centered when your office is literally floating in the ocean.

Brittany shares the reality behind the glamorous cruise ship job facade, from handling difficult guests who are having their worst vacation day to building friendships that span continents. She reveals how perfection isn't actually perfection, why respect matters more than understanding when working with diverse cultures, and the mindset shift that transformed her from someone terrified of holding a microphone to confidently hosting events for hundreds of people. You'll discover what it really takes to thrive in an environment where every day brings new challenges, new ports, and the constant reminder that everyone around you is on vacation while you're working.


Want to grow your podcast, land more guest appearances, and save hours every week? The Podcast Growth Partner helps podcasters, guests, and podcast teams create stronger content, prepare smarter, and grow strategically.

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Connect with Brittany Vasile:
LinkedIn: Brittany Vasile 

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What if the key to surviving Netflix's chaotic production schedules isn't better time management, but learning to embrace the unknown? Asher Queen, associate producer for Netflix and founder of production company Bucky, reveals how he navigates an industry where call sheets arrive at 3 AM and your next paycheck is never guaranteed. From reality TV sets where contestants become family to the entrepreneur's dilemma of charging for creative planning, Asher shares the unfiltered truth about building a career in content creation. His approach to emotional intelligence on set-reading rooms filled with executives, talent, and crew-offers lessons that extend far beyond Hollywood. You'll discover why he believes success isn't about the money that follows, but about doing what you love while adding genuine value to others' lives.


Want to grow your podcast, land more guest appearances, and save hours every week? The Podcast Growth Partner helps podcasters, guests, and podcast teams create stronger content, prepare smarter, and grow strategically.

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Connect with Olivia Atkin & Achieving Success:
Website: Achieving-Success.com
Facebook Community: The Podcaster’s Powerhouse Community For Business Owners
Facebook: Olivia Atkin | Achieving Success
LinkedIn: Olivia Atkin | Achieving Success
Instagram: @_achievingsuccess

Connect with Asher Queen:
Email: [email protected]
Website: asherqueen.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/achieving-success-with-olivia-atkin--5743662/support.

What would it take for you to walk away from a 25-year corporate career and bet everything on yourself? For Brian Head, CEO and founder of Head Start Equity, it took his wife's breast cancer diagnosis to realize that time with family wasn't something he could put on hold. In this raw conversation, Brian shares how he transformed from a comfortable corporate employee into a real estate private equity powerhouse, all while his wife battled cancer and won. You'll discover the exact moment he stopped letting 'I don't have $2-3 million' be his excuse and started figuring out how successful investors were actually building wealth in multifamily properties. Brian reveals why he believes working first and getting your degree second gives you an unfair advantage, how joining one local mastermind group became the catalyst for everything that followed, and the counterintuitive reason he tells potential investors 'don't do it' when they're on the fence. This isn't just another real estate success story-it's a blueprint for anyone who's ever felt stuck between security and their bigger vision.


Want to grow your podcast, land more guest appearances, and save hours every week? The Podcast Growth Partner helps podcasters, guests, and podcast teams create stronger content, prepare smarter, and grow strategically.

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Connect with Olivia Atkin & Achieving Success:
Website: Achieving-Success.com
Facebook Community: The Podcaster’s Powerhouse Community For Business Owners
Facebook: Olivia Atkin | Achieving Success
LinkedIn: Olivia Atkin | Achieving Success
Instagram: @_achievingsuccess

Connect with Brian Head:
Email: [email protected]
Website: headstartequity.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/achieving-success-with-olivia-atkin--5743662/support.