Exit Rich...Retire Free Podcast

Most investors spend years building wealth but never stop to ask one critical question:

How do I protect it?

Inflation quietly erodes purchasing power. Markets become volatile. Real estate can become illiquid. And many portfolios are heavily concentrated in stocks and traditional assets.

When uncertainty strikes, investors often discover their portfolios aren't as diversified as they thought.

Property can take months to sell.

Stocks can experience significant volatility.

Cash loses value to inflation every year.

The challenge isn't just growing wealth—it's preserving it.

In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Simon Popple, gold investment expert, educator, and commodity investor, to discuss why gold continues to play an important role in long-term wealth preservation.

Simon shares:

• Why he transitioned from investment banking and real estate into commodities
• The different ways investors can gain exposure to gold
• Why physical gold remains an overlooked asset
• How inflation impacts long-term wealth building
• The relationship between gold, real estate, and portfolio diversification
• Why many investors misunderstand risk and volatility

If you're serious about achieving your Freedom Day, this conversation offers practical insights on protecting wealth while building financial independence.

👉 Subscribe and follow the Freedom Nation Podcast for more conversations about financial freedom, investing, cash flow, real estate, and multiple streams of income.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Why Simon left investment banking and property investing to focus on commodities

• The different ways investors can participate in the gold market

• Why physical gold can serve as both a store of value and a liquidity tool

• How inflation impacts long-term wealth accumulation

• Why diversification matters across asset classes

• The difference between investing in gold bullion and gold mining companies

• How gold miners can provide leveraged exposure to rising gold prices

• Simon's MIDI framework: Market Uncertainty, Interest Rates, Debt, and Inflation

• Why investors should think long-term when investing in gold

• How social media can help build authority and business opportunities

About the Guest:

Simon Popple is a former investment banker and property company director who walked away from a six-figure career after discovering how inflation could devastate even a million-pound retirement fund. After years of research and real-world investing, he created The Gold Program System to help people protect and grow their wealth through precious metals and commodities. Today, he shares practical strategies for combating inflation, preserving purchasing power, and building long-term financial security.

Links:

https://goldprogram.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-popple-4a382a16/

Fast Five Questions:

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I would use my computer to tell everyone in the world what I do and why they should speak to me. I would make sure people knew how to get hold of me if they wanted to learn about investing in gold. ”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Investing in the wrong company Taking a tip. So not doing proper research, taking a tip, putting a load of money into a company because someone said, ‘Hey, this is a good company to invest in.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “The Psychology of Money. Brilliant book. Absolutely brilliant.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “I use social media. Personally I use LinkedIn.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “My definition of freedom is doing what you want, when you want, how you want I think freedom means different things to different people.”

About Jeff:

Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/

Connect with Jeff:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Many young professionals are worried about their future. AI is changing industries. Traditional career paths feel uncertain. And many knowledge workers are asking the same question:

How do I build a career that remains valuable in a rapidly changing world?

The challenge isn't just finding a job.

It's finding a profession where your expertise, relationships, and judgment continue to matter. Many people spend years in careers that limit their growth, only to realize they've become replaceable. And in commission-based businesses like commercial real estate, the learning curve can feel overwhelming.

In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Ken Ashley, a 30-year veteran of commercial real estate at Cushman & Wakefield, author of The Prescription, and founder of the CREI Summit.

Ken shares:

• How he built a successful commercial real estate career over three decades
• Why mentorship is critical for long-term success
• How AI is changing knowledge work
• The importance of specialization and finding your niche
• Why freedom ultimately comes from controlling your schedule

Whether you're considering commercial real estate, building a professional services business, or navigating the future of work, this episode is packed with practical insights.

👉 Subscribe and follow the Freedom Nation Podcast for more conversations about financial freedom, entrepreneurship, and building a life on your terms.

Episode Takeaways:

• Why commercial real estate remains a high-opportunity profession despite technological change

• The true cost of training and developing new commercial brokers

• Why expertise and niche specialization create long-term success

• The importance of mentorship early in your career

• Why getting a second job is perfectly acceptable while building a commission-based business

• How to manage rejection and stay focused on long-term success

• Why AI will enhance top-performing professionals rather than replace them

• The concept of identifying your "highest payback activities"

• Why relationships remain the ultimate competitive advantage

• How freedom comes from controlling your schedule and financial future

About the Guest:

Ken Ashley is a career guide and mentor for high-agency professionals, with nearly 30 years of experience in commercial real estate brokerage—one of the few careers where your skills, reputation, and income compound over time. He helps students and early-career professionals understand how to choose a career with real upside, build expertise from the ground up, and create long-term wealth by becoming indispensable to clients. Known for his practical, no-hype approach, Ken focuses less on transactions and titles and more on mindset, discipline, relationships, and turning your name into your most valuable professional asset.

Links:

https://creisummit.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kenashley/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenashleyatlanta/

Fast Five Questions:

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I'd get Karen and we'd go on an adventure. Maybe we would go to a fishing village in South America and see if we could make that bar and restaurant go.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “I think my almost biggest mistake was trying to quit commercial real estate. I was eight and a half months in... and I walked in to quit.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “Story Worthy by Matthew Dicks.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “I love Evernote. I think it's a great note-taking...”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “I think it's the ability to control your own schedule.”

About Jeff:

Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/

Connect with Jeff:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Most people spend decades working hard, saving money, contributing to retirement accounts, and hoping that one day they'll finally have enough to retire.

But hope is not a strategy.

And many people discover too late that they've sacrificed their health, relationships, and time for a retirement plan that's still uncertain.

Ryan Lee learned this lesson the hard way.

After climbing the corporate ladder, sacrificing time with his family, and watching his net worth collapse during the 2008 financial crisis, he realized something shocking:

The people he was modeling his financial life after were losing money too.

They were following the traditional financial playbook—and it wasn't delivering the freedom they were promised.

In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Ryan D. Lee, author of Retire in 10 Years or Less, to discuss how he escaped the traditional retirement trap and built a life centered around cash flow, passive income, and freedom.

Ryan shares:

• The moment he realized the traditional retirement model was broken
• How Rich Dad Poor Dad changed his financial future
• Why cash flow matters more than net worth
• How real estate and alternative assets accelerated his Freedom Day
• Why financial freedom is only the beginning—not the destination

If you're serious about achieving your own Freedom Day, this episode provides a practical roadmap to building financial independence faster than you thought possible.

👉 Subscribe and follow the Freedom Nation Podcast for more conversations about financial freedom, real estate, cash flow, and multiple streams of income.

Episode Takeaways:

• Why Ryan's first corporate paycheck was a wake-up call

• How the 2008 financial crisis completely changed his view of money

• Why net worth is a poor measurement of financial freedom

• The impact of Rich Dad Poor Dad on Ryan's investing philosophy

• How buying two rental properties per year transformed his future

• The moment Ryan realized he could quit his corporate job

• Why cash flow matters more than asset accumulation

• The relationship between financial intelligence and freedom

• How AI is accelerating wealth-building decisions today

• Why financial freedom is the beginning of a purpose-driven life, not the end goal

About the Guest:

Ryan Lee is a leading voice in personal finance and the founder of Wealth Outside Wall Street, helping people break free from the traditional retirement model and build reliable passive income. After experiencing the 2008 financial collapse firsthand, Ryan developed his Passive Income Machine framework—combining real estate, tax strategy, and private capital systems to pursue financial freedom in under a decade. He has built a $250M real estate vault with over 3,000 deals completed, is the author of Retire in 10 Years or Less, hosts the Passive Income Machine Podcast, and has spoken on major stages including Funnel Hacking Live.

Links:

https://wealthoutsidewallstreet.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ryan.d.lee.50

https://www.youtube.com/@WealthOutsideWallStreet

https://www.instagram.com/theryandlee/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-d-lee-31838b304/

Fast Five Questions:

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I'd go find the exact who, the person who's accomplished exactly what I want, and say, Man, how can I hang out with you for free? I will pick up your trash, I will get your coffee, I will hang out, I'll be your personal assistant, whatever. Let me hang out with you and let me absorb from you. And that's the fastest path to progression is find the who who's already done what you want to do and learn from them.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Not going and finding the right who's fast enough. Trying to be the guy who does it all... I tried to do so much the hard way because I was unwilling to get good at hiring, training, and delegating.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “Once I got laser-specific, clear, and engaged my emotional senses... everything started to make sense.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “I'm gonna tell you it's Claude right now... We use Claude on a multi-daily basis for a myriad of things.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “Financial freedom is really simple. It's giving me the ability to have more control over my time and more options with what I do at that time.”

About Jeff:

Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/

Connect with Jeff:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Many professionals spend years chasing prestigious careers, climbing the corporate ladder, and earning great money—only to discover they're trapped in a life they don't actually enjoy.

The paychecks get bigger.

The responsibilities grow.

But freedom feels further away than ever.

The longer you stay, the harder it becomes to leave.

Golden handcuffs appear.

Stock options vest.

Lifestyle inflation creeps in.

Before you know it, you've built a life that's difficult to escape—even when you know you're capable of something more.

In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with David Porquery, founder of GROAS, an AI-powered platform helping agencies and businesses optimize Google Ads campaigns through autonomous campaign management. David shares how he walked away from a successful private equity career to build GROAS from the ground up, why he chose to bootstrap instead of raising venture capital, and how AI is changing the future of marketing.

David shares:

• Why he knew he had to leave before it was too late
• How he built a business while working demanding private equity jobs
• The realities of bootstrapping versus venture capital
• How AI is completely changing marketing and software development
• Why freedom comes from choosing who you work with

If you're building toward your own Freedom Day, this episode is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and creating a business that works for you—not the other way around.

👉 Subscribe and follow the Freedom Nation Podcast for more conversations about financial freedom, entrepreneurship, real estate, and multiple income streams.

Episode Takeaways:

• Why golden handcuffs become harder to escape every year

• How David transitioned from private equity to entrepreneurship

• The surprising lessons he learned from running e-commerce stores before launching GROAS

• Why AI can outperform traditional campaign management in Google Ads

• The advantages of bootstrapping versus raising venture capital

• How venture capital incentives often conflict with founder goals

• Why agencies became the ideal customer for GROAS

• How AI is changing software development and programming forever

• Why customer avatars are critical to business success

• The future of AI-powered advertising and search marketing

About the Guest:

From a former Private Equity investor at HIG Capital who managed over $75 billion in assets to 7-figure e-commerce entrepreneur, David Pourquery is the founder of Groas AI ,creator of the world's first fully autonomous AI agents that outperform human Google Ads marketers. He has scaled groas to manage $35M+ monthly, zero VC funding and 100% ownership retained.

Since launching, he has scaled the company fully bootstrapped whilst keeping 100% ownership of it.

David's solution is not another "AI-powered tool." It is GROAS, fully autonomous AI agents that replace the need for human marketers entirely. They write ads, optimize campaigns, manage budgets, and drive conversions around the clock without supervision.

David brings a unique perspective to the intersection of AI, advertising, and entrepreneurship, with hard-won lessons from both the operator's seat and the investor's chair.

Links:

https://www.groas.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttttransformer

Fast Five Questions:

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “Try land a first client doing the exact same thing I'm now.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Find your customer avatar and try service just them first.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “I think Richard Branson's autobiography is quite powerful.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “Claude Code.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “I think for me, freedom is, are you working every day with the people you're gonna work with?”

About Jeff:

Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/

Connect with Jeff:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

A lot of people dream about financial freedom through real estate… but most never start.

Why?

Because they’re overwhelmed, afraid of making costly mistakes, or stuck believing they need millions to begin investing.

The reality is… one bad property can destroy your momentum.

Many first-time investors jump into deals too quickly, ignore warning signs, underestimate expenses, and end up underwater financially.

And in expensive markets, it can feel impossible to even get started

In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Corey Wayne Ogle, a New York real estate advisor who is now making the transition from helping investors… to becoming one himself.

After more than a decade in real estate, Corey shares:

What he learned from watching successful investors

How to analyze deals conservatively

Why due diligence matters more than hype

The importance of systems and processes in building freedom

How AI and social media are changing modern real estate business

If you're serious about building your Freedom Day, this episode gives you a realistic look at how to start investing the smart way.

👉 Subscribe and follow the Freedom Nation Podcast for more conversations on financial freedom, real estate, cash flow, and multiple income streams.

Episode Takeaways:

• Why Corey believes every investment must be analyzed conservatively

• The importance of due diligence before buying investment property

• Why working with a local buyer’s agent can save you from expensive mistakes

• How Corey backed out of a deal after discovering hidden risks

• The strategy behind investing in familiar markets first

• Why systems and processes create freedom in business

• How social media has become a major lead-generation tool in real estate

• The differences between short-term, mid-term, and traditional rentals

• Why real estate success takes years of consistency—not overnight luck

• How AI is helping entrepreneurs plan and scale faster

About the Guest:

Cory Wayne helps talented, heart-driven coaches turn inconsistent income into consistent $10K+ months—without sleazy tactics, gimmicks, or cookie-cutter strategies. Instead of telling coaches to “just post more,” they focus on what actually drives results: clear positioning, strong offers, and sales that feel aligned and ethical.

They work with coaches who are stuck juggling a full-time job and a part-time coaching hustle that barely pays the bills, helping them identify the real problem—usually not their skills, but their strategy. Known for honest, constructive tough love, [Name] challenges coaches to stop hiding behind certifications and start building a business that supports the impact they want to make.

Their philosophy is simple: sales is service, content needs a conversion path, and consistent action beats chasing every new marketing trend. Rather than chasing bigger audiences, they teach coaches how to attract the right clients and confidently make offers that transform lives—and businesses.

Links:

https://www.highline2hamptons.com/

https://www.instagram.com/coreywayne/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreywayne/

Fast Five Questions:

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I'm going to go to AI and I'm going to ask it the best ways to make a million bucks.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “My biggest business mistake… not starting a team of my own sooner.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “One of my favorite books that I read is The 12 Week Year.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “Instagram… it’s annoying, but it’s a necessary evil.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “Being able to wake up in the morning and not feel like I am in a panic… as long as I execute X, Y, and Z and do what I need to do, I’m going to be fine.”

About Jeff:

Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/

Connect with Jeff:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Most people spend their younger years chasing success without thinking deeply about legacy, leadership, or the impact they leave behind.

Then life changes.

Parents age. Children grow up. Responsibilities shift. And suddenly, success means something completely different.

Many professionals hit midlife realizing they were prepared financially… but not emotionally or spiritually for the transition into leadership within their family and community.

The loss of loved ones, changing responsibilities, and the pressure to become the example for others can feel overwhelming.

And for many people, these years between 40 and 60 become the most defining years of their lives.

In this deeply meaningful episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Albert Butler, CPA, MBA, and business leader, to discuss the lessons that transformed his perspective on success, leadership, and legacy.

After losing both of his parents within a relatively short period of time, Albert experienced a major shift in identity and responsibility. That journey inspired him to think differently about family, purpose, and what it truly means to lead.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why “life happens between 40 and 60”
• How adversity can create growth and maturity
• The importance of generational leadership
• Why failure and risk are necessary for success
• How to think beyond money and focus on impact

👉 If you're serious about building your Freedom Day, this episode will challenge you to think beyond wealth—and toward legacy.

Episode Takeaways:

• Why Albert believes “life happens between 40 and 60”

• How losing both parents changed his identity and leadership role

• The difference between financial success and generational impact

• Why adversity often becomes the catalyst for growth

• The responsibility of becoming the example others watch

• Why risk and failure are necessary in entrepreneurship

• The importance of stepping into leadership intentionally

• How writing became a way to preserve legacy for his children

• Why capitalism requires both winners and losers to function properly

• How perspective shifts as you enter different seasons of life

About the Guest:

Albert Butler, CPA, MBA, is the Resident Partner-in-Charge of a national accounting firm, where he has led with integrity, strategy, and purpose for over 25 years. As a father of four, youth coach, and servant leader, Albert speaks from lived experience, transforming personal trials into lessons that fuel resilience, faith, and financial discipline. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: Accounting is the heartbeat of business and the key to personal finance success.

Links:

https://albertbutler.com/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Albertbutlercpa/

https://www.youtube.com/@albertbutlercpa

https://www.instagram.com/albertbutlercpa/

Fast Five Questions:

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I actually take that 500 bucks… So again, it’s not about money. It’s not about money. Business is gone, I’m still smiling, I got my family. So that’s the… I will share this with the audience. I do not work for anybody. I have a career for my family.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “I used to work for Halliburton in Houston. I left Houston… Yeah, I left too soon. I actually left some RSUs on the table.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “Besides Life by Albert Butler, I would tell you… Ray Dalio’s Principles. It breaks down what’s really happening from a global perspective, understanding the money cycle. It’s a great, great, great read.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “The biggest tool that I recommend, honestly, is this one right here… Pen and pad, everybody.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “My definition of freedom is walking in your purpose, Jeff… write those things down in that circle. It doesn’t matter what it is… once you write it down, you start to walk toward that dream.”

About Jeff:

Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/

Connect with Jeff:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

You can be successful on paper…

and still feel like your life is falling apart.

Money is coming in.

The business is growing.

But your health, your relationships, your family—they’re quietly slipping away.

That’s exactly where Jim Sabellico found himself.

Working from 3AM to 9PM.

Six days a week.

Providing everything his family needed…

Except himself.

Until one moment changed everything—

standing in front of a half-eaten birthday cake on his son’s birthday.

In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Jim Sabellico to unpack the moment that redefined success—and the journey that followed.

You’ll learn:

• Why traditional success can leave you empty
• The hidden cost of “providing” without presence
• How to redefine success across ALL areas of life
• The 6 “slices” of a complete life
• How to start showing up for what actually matters

If you’re building wealth but losing yourself in the process…

this episode is your wake-up call.

👉 Subscribe to the Freedom Nation Podcast and start building your own Freedom Day the right way.

Episode Takeaways:

• Success without presence leads to emptiness

• The “half-eaten birthday cake” moment that changed everything

• Why providing financially is not the same as being present

• How burnout can destroy relationships and health

• The importance of redefining success personally

• The 6 “slices” of a full life:

• Professional
• Emotional
• Relational
• Financial
• Spiritual
• Physical

• Why most people skip the step of feeling “seen and heard” before growth

• How identity work is the foundation of transformation

• Why relationships are the most powerful business tool

• Freedom is when work and life feel the same

About the Guest:

Jim Sabellico is an entrepreneur, marketing expert, and host of the No Half Cakes podcast. After building multiple 7- and 8-figure businesses, he realized success isn’t just about money—it’s about creating a life you won’t regret later. Now, he helps entrepreneurs redefine success, simplify their growth, and build businesses that align with their purpose. Through real stories and actionable insights, Jim empowers high achievers to take back control of their time, energy, and impact.

Links:

https://nohalfcakes.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jsabellico

https://www.youtube.com/@JimSabellico

https://www.instagram.com/jimsabellico

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimsabellico/

Fast Five Questions:

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “Find someone to serve… when you actually help people genuinely, business will take care of itself.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Thinking you have all the answers… thinking you know best.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “Profit First… understanding how to properly allocate money was very helpful.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “Google Analytics… and from a non-technical standpoint—relationships.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “The ability to live a life where people are gonna wonder if you're at work or at play.”

About Jeff:

Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/

Connect with Jeff:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

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Many people hit their 30s feeling stuck.

They followed the “right” path—career, family, responsibilities—but something feels off.

They’re busy… but not fulfilled.

Successful… but not free.

Life starts happening to you instead of being designed by you.

The years go by fast. Goals get buried.

Dreams get postponed.

And before you know it—you’re living a life you didn’t intentionally choose.

In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Josh Carr, entrepreneur and self-proclaimed “entrepreneur’s entrepreneur,” to talk about the moment that changed everything.

At age 30, Josh found a list of 100 goals he wrote in college—and realized he had barely scratched the surface.

That moment sparked a complete shift in how he approached life, business, and freedom.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why freedom is NOT the absence of responsibility
• How taking control of your life creates real happiness
• The mindset shift that separates reactive living from intentional living
• How entrepreneurs can redesign their path at any stage

If you're serious about building your Freedom Day, this episode will challenge how you think about success and fulfillment.

Episode Takeaways:

• Why many people drift into life instead of designing it

• The impact of revisiting your life goals (and realizing how much you’ve ignored)

• Why turning 30 can be a major wake-up call

• The difference between reactive living vs intentional living

• Why freedom is NOT about doing less—but choosing more

• The concept of the hedonism paradox (chasing pleasure vs purpose)

• Why taking on responsibility actually increases happiness

• How entrepreneurs can redesign their lives at any stage

• The importance of aligning your actions with your values

• Why controlling your responsibilities = real freedom

About the Guest:

Josh Carr is the CEO of Echo Water, a pioneering company at the forefront of hydrogen-based wellness. A few years ago, he could barely climb the stairs in his own home due to severe arthritis. After adding hydrogen-infused water to his wellness routine, his symptoms became far more manageable—enough to get his life back. Based on this personal experience, he joined Echo as CEO to champion hydrogen water as a simple and consistent way to improve health.

Links:

https://echowater.com/

https://www.facebook.com/echohydrogen/

https://www.youtube.com/@Echohydrogen

https://www.instagram.com/echohydrogen

https://www.linkedin.com/in/superstar/

Fast Five Questions:

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? ““I’d probably go back to what I know best—building relationships and finding opportunities where I can add value quickly.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Trying to scale too fast without the right systems in place.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “Good to Great… it really shaped how I think about building companies.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “AI tools… especially for marketing and content creation—it’s completely changed how we operate.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “Having control over your time and being able to choose what you work on.”

About Jeff:

Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/

Connect with Jeff:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Most people get into real estate thinking it’s the “safe” path to wealth… only to make costly mistakes, follow bad advice, and struggle to scale.

They chase income, hustle harder, and try to do everything themselves—without systems, without guidance, and without a real strategy.

What happens when you make the wrong investment early?

You spend years trying to recover.

You work longer hours.

You burn out… and still feel stuck.

And even when you start making money, growth creates new problems—broken systems, hiring struggles, and chaos behind the scenes.

In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Hadley Nightingale, who shares his journey from dairy farming to building a real estate company through:

1. Market crashes
2. Bad early decisions
3. Scaling challenges
4. And learning the hard way

You’ll learn:

1. Why most investors fail in real estate
2. The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when scaling
3. How to build systems and teams that actually grow your business
4. How AI is transforming operations and efficiency

If you want to avoid costly mistakes and build a real, scalable path to your Freedom Day, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Takeaways:

• Why “it’s different this time” is a dangerous mindset in real estate

• The costly impact of early bad investment decisions

• Why working harder is NOT the solution to scaling

• The importance of systems before hiring

• Why hiring operators too early can hurt your business

• How recurring revenue (property management) stabilizes income

• The real reason most businesses fail when scaling

• Why AI is a game changer for efficiency and operations

• The power of focusing on one business before expanding

• How struggle builds the foundation for long-term success

About the Guest:

Hadley Nightingale is the CEO of New Zealand Property Buyers, founded in 2020. Through his leadership, the business has scaled rapidly in just five years! Today, NZPB manages hundreds of properties and has helped hundreds of clients successfully secure investment properties across New Zealand, operating with a remote team across New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

Links:

https://www.newzealandpropertybuyers.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Newzealandpropertybuyer/

https://www.instagram.com/hadleynightingale/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadleyn/

Fast Five Questions:

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “going out and selling something… Who do I know? What can I sell?… validate your product before you've spent any time trying to make it.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? ““Going too wide too soon… and… spending a ton of money on sales and marketing without a solid delivery system… basically burning cash.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “Dan Martell's Buy Back Your Time… one of the best books… around hiring and buying back your time.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “Manus AI… and Claude… we’re pretty AI heavy… they help run reports, build systems, and improve efficiency.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “not having to worry about money… and having the time to spend with your kids and family… freedom to choose what I do.”

About Jeff:

Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/

Connect with Jeff:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Most professionals work for years building someone else’s dream—trading time for income, missing family moments, and struggling to create true financial freedom.

At the same time, traditional real estate investing is becoming harder… higher costs, tighter margins, and fewer opportunities.

What if you’re doing everything right… but still not building real freedom?

What if the real opportunity isn’t in what everyone else is doing—but in a space most investors overlook?

Meanwhile, a massive demographic shift is happening right now:

Millions of baby boomers are entering their later years—and the demand for senior living is exploding.

In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Radhika Rastogi, co-founder of Relik Capital Group. Radhika shares her journey from healthcare consulting to building a real estate business—without leaving her W2—while raising a family and redefining what freedom looks like.

If you’re serious about building your Freedom Day, this episode will change how you think about investing.

Episode Takeaways:

• Why senior living is NOT just real estate—but a healthcare business

• The massive baby boomer demand wave driving long-term opportunity

• How syndications allow you to invest passively with $50K–$100K+

• Why returning investor capital early accelerates wealth building

• The importance of operators in real estate success

• Risks in senior living: legal, staffing, and operations

• How strong company culture improves both returns and resident care

• Why proximity and mentorship can accelerate business growth

• How AI tools are transforming real estate and business operations

• Redefining freedom: balancing wealth, time, and family

About the Guest:

Radhika Rastogi is the Co-Founder of Relik Capital Group, a senior-living real estate investment firm redefining what it means to raise capital in a sector with explosive demographic demand and limited supply.

Radhika enjoys speaking about entrepreneurship, business growth, and real estate investing. She also covers senior living fundamentals, capital-raising strategies, operational value creation, and the emerging opportunities available to today’s investors.

Links:

https://www.relikcapitalgroup.com/

https://www.facebook.com/rastogirad/

https://www.instagram.com/radhika.invests

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rastogi-radhika/

Fast Five Questions:

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I’ll probably open up a Google Doc and start making a list of like 15, 20 people that are very close to me… I would ask them what they need… I would try to just structure a deal and… raise a friends and family round.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Number one mistake was not paying for proximity sooner… I did everything myself… but did not look for growing my network.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “$100 Million Offers by Alex Hormozi… learning how to craft an offer that is irresistible.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “I use Claude every day… it’s like a thought partner in my pocket and I use it for everything.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “It’s being present with people that I love without asking others permission.”

About Jeff:

Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/

Connect with Jeff:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.