In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down once again with Chad Willardson - Founder of Pacific Capital and ELEVATED a coaching mastermind, as well as a best-selling author of five books; for a powerful conversation on wealth, focus, and building a life without compromise.

Chad shares how narrowing his focus to serve only ultra high-net worth entrepreneurs transformed his business and his ability to deliver real value. He and Casey dive into the discipline of saying no, the courage required to walk away from the wrong opportunities, and the freedom that comes from aligning your work with your true identity. Chad also opens up about creating ELEVATED, a community where entrepreneurs can grow not only in business but in family and life, challenging the false idea of “balance” by embracing what it means to be Fully Invested.

The discussion is rich with lessons on focus, growth without finish lines, and leading with principle over profit. For entrepreneurs and leaders seeking clarity, conviction, and a model of integrated success, this episode offers a masterclass in designing both business and life with intention.

00:00 | Welcome back & “Fully Invested” mindset

01:41 | Family update: missions, college, adventures

03:00 | Amber’s endurance wins: Ironman, Alcatraz, 29029

04:17 | Why growth is emotional when you support your spouse

07:31 | Bringing business principles home: family vision boards

09:33 | Kids’ ambitions: macros, sports, golf, and grit

12:05 | Two lanes: Pacific Capital UHNW founders & Elevated

13:36 | What Elevated members get weekly 1:1, pods, events

14:51 | Pricing & scale goals for Elevated

15:13 | Carving out 80% of clients to go ultra-narrow

16:13 | Partnering clients, retention, and bold focus

17:44 | The sports facility business: ops, margins, expansion

20:26 | USA Volleyball opportunity & LA mega-facility

21:22 | COVID pivot: tutoring essential workers’ kids to survive

22:42 | Content, reach, and building a movement around mindset

26:48 | Frameworks: saying no, time truth, one life calendar

29:15 | Protecting the calendar: Derby vs. son’s playoff game

33:29 | Championship teams: coach strengths, not weaknesses

36:13 | Saying no to good for great incl. NBA referrals

38:45 | Turning away $120M: culture over revenue

40:52 | Scalable mentorship: resources + voice memo workflow

44:47 | Two-EA triad: personal vs. business lanes

47:15 | Books solve real problems: 6 titles, 10-in-10 plan

49:44 | Tony & Dean’s Zenith: proximity, launches, real estate

53:23 | Owner vs operator: lessons from Business Mastery

53:53 | No retirement: growth without finish lines

55:47 | One-year vision: LA facility, 500 Elevated members

56:33 | Pacific Capital +$400M AUM; narrow by design

57:22 | Book #7 commitment & public goal setting

01:00:20 | 10k-person Fully Invested live event plan

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Case Studies, Casey is joined by John Jackson; a former gang leader who rose through the ranks of one of the most powerful prison organizations before choosing a path of transformation. From maximum security yards to solitary confinement at Pelican Bay, John shares how trauma, prison politics, and the underground economy shaped his life—and how entrepreneurship helped him rewrite it.

He reveals how gangs inside prison operate like corporations, complete with hierarchies, rules, and revenue streams. John breaks down the incentives that drive violence and control, while also exposing the perverse economics of private prisons. His story shows how the same discipline and leadership that once sustained chaos can be redirected toward growth and purpose.

From orchestrating survival in solitary to joining an in-prison entrepreneurship program, John and Casey explore the pivotal moments that shifted his trajectory. This conversation offers a rare inside look at resilience, influence, and the possibility of change in even the harshest environments.

Chapters

00:00 | Welcome & setup

00:18 | Why this world feels “foreign”

00:42 | John’s origin story begins

01:03 | First encounter with law enforcement

01:20 | Taking the drug charge at 17

01:35 | Four armed robberies & max prison

02:21 | Siblings, loss, and isolation

03:14 | Environment vs. guardrails

05:40 | Probation, parole & stacked obstacles

06:20 | Private prisons & perverse incentives

08:10 | Cartels as local “employers”

09:11 | Crime’s inevitable endgame

10:14 | Why he took the fall

11:12 | Acceptance as a survival need

12:07 | Jail ecosystem: drugs, fights, status

13:04 | Race lines and prison structure

14:00 | Negotiation skills behind bars

16:10 | Cutting off family to “go all in”

17:10 | First robbery & the dangerous win

18:00 | Dopamine, risk, and escalation

19:23 | “I knew I’d thrive in prison”

20:13 | The cafeteria incident & mentor

21:07 | Sentencing math: stacking charges

22:02 | Centinela: max prison near the border

23:20 | Why jail can be more volatile

24:05 | Joining the largest prison gang

26:16 | Gangs as parent companies & franchises

26:40 | Smuggling supply chains (incl. dirty cops)

28:05 | Earning status: debts & discipline

29:06 | Prison entrepreneurship (gambling, alcohol, phones)

31:01 | Corporate politics—just higher stakes

31:26 | Power, money, and “don’t do politics”

33:08 | The written rulebook & paperwork checks

33:47 | Who’s excluded—and why

35:11 | Internal punishments & order

36:20 | 18 years inside: the ladder

37:01 | Pelican Bay & four years in the SHU

39:20 | Solitary reality vs. myths

41:27 | Transfers, levels, and riots

42:36 | Use of force: towers & rifles

43:06 | The peace treaty & hunger strikes

44:09 | “Yard time” myth in solitary

44:40 | Breaking point: wanting to go home

45:01 | New charges from inside

48:23 | Stepping down from leadership

49:14 | A lifer’s blessing to leave

50:09 | Entrepreneurship program that changed everything

51:25 | His future wife: VC to prison reform

52:21 | Scaling Defy & big-name allies

52:42 | A force of nature walks into Pelican Bay

54:10 | She saw potential—before he did

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with David Butler, teacher, author, and tour leader, for a thoughtful conversation on faith, imagination, and what it means to believe in a God bigger than we often dare to picture.

David shares his story of growing up in Texas, teaching seminary and institute, and navigating a faith journey shaped by encounters with world religions, moments of doubt, and unexpected experiences in places like China and Rome that reshaped his view of God’s reach. He reflects on why the opposite of faith is not doubt but false certainty, and how embracing questions can actually deepen trust.

Together, they explore themes of sin and repentance through fresh lenses, the importance of language in shaping our spiritual lives, and why patience, curiosity, and humility matter in both leadership and discipleship. David also opens up about leading “holy envy” tours, posting weekly reflections that serve as “church” for many, and walking through personal loss while holding onto hope.

This conversation is an invitation to entrepreneurs, leaders, and seekers alike to expand their perspective, embrace the tension of growth, and live with more wonder, courage, and compassion.

00:00 | Welcome & why David’s voice resonates

01:56 | Faith as the most personal conversation

03:21 | Texas roots, diversity, and early influences

07:48 | Faith in the South vs. Utah culture

10:42 | India plans & the idea of “holy envy”

14:11 | China moment: “I will take care of all my children”

17:08 | Teaching restoration & world religions—holding tension

19:36 | Rethinking “only true and living church”

21:39 | Identity, the ‘favored child,’ and letting others wear the coat

25:19 | Casey’s journey: certainty, curiosity, and what he knows

29:24 | Thomas the Apostle and the holiness of doubt

32:18 | The Chosen, a loving Christ, and belonging

32:59 | Scripture needs your imagination

35:14 | Language matters: sin = missing the mark; repentance = return

36:53 | Why teaching mattered: people over programs

38:48 | “Saturday night posts” as church for the weary

40:48 | Grief, miracles, and finding solace through others’ gifts

49:20 | A much bigger God that gathers all truth

51:47 | Doing the work: growth comes through the journey

53:14 | Loving God, loving people—the north star

56:41 | Personal revelation stories that anchor faith

58:17 | The opposite of faith isn’t doubt—it’s certainty

59:32 | Why people leave faith: betrayal, hurt, story, and effort

01:03:28 | Voices that inspire—rabbis, pastors, builders

01:05:22 | Joy in what people create (even Vegas!)

01:06:14 | Breathwork, presence, gratitude, wonder

01:09:39 | Seeing goodness everywhere—multiplying and replenishing

01:10:53 | “It’s good”: embracing hard things that form us

01:13:30 | Eden as imagistic wisdom, not literal stenography

01:16:32 | Holding to what you know while staying open

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JOIN US AS WE DIVE INTO THE EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF TAYSOM HILL, AN ATHLETE WHOSE PATH FROM A SMALL TOWN IN IDAHO TO THE NFL IS A NARRATIVE OF DETERMINATION, OVERCOMING ADVERSITY, AND ACHIEVING GREATNESS AGAINST THE ODDS. HILL'S STORY IS NOT JUST ABOUT HIS SUCCESS AS A HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STAR, OR HIS DYNAMIC CAREER IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS; IT'S A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE CHALLENGES HE FACED, INCLUDING NUMEROUS INJURIES AND THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE THROUGH EVERY SETBACK.

BEYOND HIS ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS, DISCOVER THE ASPECT OF TAYSOM'S LIFE THAT REMAINS LARGELY OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT: HIS REMARKABLE ACUMEN IN FINANCE AND BUSINESS, DEVELOPED THROUGH A RIGOROUS ACADEMIC JOURNEY AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE. THIS EPISODE SHINES A LIGHT ON THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL ASPECTS OF HIS LIFE, SHOWCASING HOW HIS BACKGROUND, FAMILY VALUES, AND EDUCATION HAVE EQUIPPED HIM WITH A UNIQUE SET OF SKILLS, MAKING HIM A TRUE OUTLIER IN THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS.

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In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Jason Chaffetz, former U.S. Congressman, Fox News contributor, and one-time BYU placekicker, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on leadership, resilience, and navigating the arena of public service.

Jason opens up about his journey from a small-town California upbringing to earning a football scholarship at BYU, his formative years in business at Nu Skin, and the leap of faith that took him into politics. He reflects on the personal hardships that shaped his perspective, from losing his mother to cancer to working multiple jobs to support his family, and how those experiences instilled in him a relentless drive to “show up and outwork the competition.”

Together, they explore lessons learned from high-stakes moments in Congress, including overseeing investigations into Benghazi and the IRS, building unlikely friendships across party lines, and maintaining courage under intense public pressure. Jason also shares fascinating personal anecdotes about working with figures like Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Elijah Cummings, offering rare insight into the human side of politics.

This conversation is packed with hard-won wisdom for anyone striving to lead with grit, principle, and purpose.

Chapters

00:00 | Welcome & why Jason’s story matters 

00:39 | “There’s always material in politics” 

01:35 | The role of government & the private sector 

02:56 | Northern California childhood, divorce, and loss

05:59 | Empathy, grace, and assuming unseen struggles

06:25 | Teenage adversity, bankruptcy, and grit

10:19 | Thriving in chaos & the kicker’s mindset 

12:20 | From soccer kid to football scholarship 

15:57 | BYU years, mentors, and Lavell Edwards 

18:05 | Nu Skin: early career & global GM experience  

18:55 | Losing his mother & reshaping priorities 

20:02 | Huntsman Cancer Institute & a call to serve 

23:12 | Running for Congress with $74K and hustle

26:23 | The power of showing up (Planning Commission story)

28:33 | “Hot dog and a map”: pressure moment at BYU 

29:02 | Polling at 2.5% to winning by 20 

30:53 | Principle over policy: how he decides

33:53 | The 30‑sec / 3‑min / 30‑min rule

34:15 | Congress: one‑third doers, one‑third drifters, one‑third showboats

36:07 | Behind the curtain: real people, real decisions

37:09 | Benghazi: what happened & why it mattered

38:52 | IRS & Secret Service investigations—accountability in action

42:55 | What he’s proud of: service, funerals, and stakes

45:10 | Legislation, sailors, and quiet leadership moments

48:41 | Real bipartisanship with Elijah Cummings 

53:54 | Tech shifts: bringing an iPad to the House floor

54:00 | Presidents: notes from Obama & working with Trump

57:09 | Trump stories: straight talk, texts, and golf

58:59 | On the course with a president

01:00:36 | Owning disagreements & earning respect

01:03:28 | Memory, receipts, and sincerity

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Jim Herrmann, former BYU football captain, NFL player, entrepreneur, and business development leader at HGGC, for an inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the relationships that shape a meaningful career.

Jim reflects on his journey from a small-town kid in Wisconsin to winning a national championship at BYU, learning from legendary figures like Lavell Edwards and Jim McMahon, and navigating the highs and lows of a professional football career cut short by injury. He shares how those early lessons in discipline, perseverance, and leadership translated to the business world; from co-founding a pioneering SaaS company in the early days of the internet to building a career connecting people and creating value in private equity.

This episode dives deep into what it means to push through hardship, embrace new opportunities, and own your unique strengths. For entrepreneurs, athletes, and anyone seeking to grow through transition, Jim’s story is a masterclass in resilience, humility, and the power of relationships.

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In this raw and powerful episode, Taz Murray, co-founder of Tru Fru, shares the real story behind building a frozen fruit empire

Success isn’t just about profit it’s about purpose.

It’s about knowing what you’re great at, owning what you’re not, and surrounding yourself with people who make you better.

It’s about taking risks, learning from loss, and building something that actually matters.

Rooted in faith, family, and fierce grit, this episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, partnership, and eternal perspective.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I building the right thing?” this conversation will help you answer that.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.