
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Dean Barta, founder and CEO of Barta Business Group, shares his journey from the outdoors to business, drawing parallels between guiding in the wilderness and guiding businesses through financial challenges. He emphasizes the importance of easing clients' pain and the evolution of success from financial metrics to personal impact. The conversation covers topics such as flexibility in business, customer intelligence, emotional intelligence, business culture, fractional CFOs, and the impact of AI. Dean Barta shares insights on the importance of being flexible in business, the value of customer intelligence, the impact of emotional intelligence, and the role of a fractional CFO in business growth and exit strategies.
Takeaways
Chapters
Annabel Zhang, CEO of International Elite Capital, shares how blending economics, authentic storytelling, and investor matchmaking turns visions into successful IPOs and lasting capital relationships.
Full Episode Summary / Show NotesAnnabel Zhang, CEO of International Elite Capital (IEC), began her career as a financial reporter on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange—interviewing CEOs, decoding market moves, and uncovering the human stories behind the numbers.
Today, she leads a firm that redefines investor relations by combining rigorous economics (she’s a CFA holder) with powerful, authentic storytelling. IEC helps high-growth companies—from startups to post-IPO—craft narratives that resonate with institutional investors, retail communities, and Wall Street analysts alike.
In this insightful conversation, Annabel reveals:
A masterclass in turning data into compelling narratives that attract the right capital—and staying true to yourself along the way.
Connect with Annabel: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annabelzhang Website: internationalelitecapital.com
Chapters (with timestamps)00:00 – Welcome & Intro to Annabel Zhang (CEO, International Elite Capital) 00:40 – From NYSE floor reporter to spotting the storytelling gap in finance 03:06 – The real gap: Not funding—it's meaningful investor connections 05:11 – Capturing the human elements beyond financial disclosures 06:16 – Supporting clients from startup to post-IPO (and building an investor database) 07:58 – Economics background + storytelling: A rare superpower in IR 09:19 – Rise of retail investors & why authentic stories resonate 10:58 – Beyond numbers: ESG, brand vibe, and shop visits with investors 12:00 – What investors really want: Authenticity above all 14:19 – Why most companies aren't truly "IPO-ready" (it's just the start) 18:19 – The unseen work: Deep industry dives, concise messaging, therapist duties 20:45 – Knowing your client better than they know themselves 23:57 – Memorable IPO stories (Alibaba excitement & tough pricing days) 25:45 – Eternal truth: It's always about valuation 27:40 – Staying aligned through market cycles (focus on execution) 29:37 – Advice to 20-year-old Annabel: "Never look back" 31:45 – The leap into entrepreneurship & battling self-doubt 35:13 – Next 6-12 months: AI-powered investor matchmaking platform 36:58 – Success today: Hearing "You did a professional job" 39:12 – Balance as a new mom & CEO ("Don't chase it—find one happy thing daily") 44:37 – Favorite reads: Why Harry Potter inspires her most 45:57 – What "Getting Real" means to Annabel 47:27 – How to connect 47:56 – Outro
Peter Prieto shares his raw journey—from young fatherhood and bankruptcy to building NDataStor on relentless customer service, people-first hiring, and never quitting.
Full Episode Summary / Show NotesPeter Prieto, Founder & CEO of NDataStor, didn’t follow a typical tech-founder path. A young father by 23, he hustled through bread delivery, warehouse management, high-stakes sales, bankruptcy in 2007, and multiple pivots to build one of California’s most respected IT service companies.
Today, NDataStor stands out in the MSP space for its white-glove, human-first customer service—no scripts, no dispatchers, no offshore support. Techs answer phones directly because relationships matter more than tickets.
In this heartfelt conversation, Peter opens up about:
A powerful reminder that real success is measured in family, resilience, and how many lives you lift along the way.
Connect with Peter & NDataStor: Website: ndatastor.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/peterprieto
Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Intro to Peter Prieto (NDataStor Founder/CEO) 00:33 – What makes Peter smile most today: White-glove culture & happy clients 02:30 – Hiring for people skills over ego (and the elevator test) 04:53 – Proudest accomplishment: His three kids & new granddaughter 05:34 – Early hustle: Young fatherhood, bread delivery, warehouse to sales 08:57 – Jumping to 100% commission sales (with a mortgage & 3 kids) 13:49 – Betting on himself & closing the big Chevron deal 18:54 – Core values instilled in his kids: Work ethic, good decisions, treat others well 22:43 – Defining success today vs. early days (the "dash" on the tombstone) 24:14 – Starting NDataStor in 2008 after bankruptcy 31:57 – Pivoting to MSP & the 300-ticket launch disaster 35:32 – Next 6-12 months: AI in sales/marketing, automation without losing the human touch 38:04 – Embracing speed & adapting in a changing world 42:55 – Legacy: Humble, kind, big-hearted helper 43:59 – Best mentor lessons (no comfortable salespeople, future self as mentor) 46:58 – Power vs. Force & acts of kindness 49:25 – Health scare & renewed gratitude 54:02 – What "Getting Real" means to Peter 56:08 – Outro
SecureAuth CPO Brook Lovatt: Passwordless Future, AI Agents & Surviving a Tsunami
One-Line Summary (for SEO & social)From surviving the 2004 tsunami to leading identity security at SecureAuth, Brook Lovatt shares insights on phishing-resistant auth, AI risks, and hands-on leadership in cybersecurity.
Full Episode Summary / Show NotesBrook Lovatt, Chief Product Officer at SecureAuth, brings over two decades of experience in identity and access management (IAM). From co-founding startups to leading IBM's Cloud Identity division and serving as CEO of Cloudentity (acquired by SecureAuth), Brook bridges deep technical expertise with executive leadership.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Brook discusses:
A blend of technical depth, personal stories, and forward-thinking on the AI-identity collision.
Connect with Brook: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brook-lovatt SecureAuth: secureauth.com
expertinsights.com
theorg.com
youtube.com
Chapters (with timestamps)00:00 – Welcome & Intro to Brook Lovatt (SecureAuth CPO) 00:47 – Security vs. UX: Why painful auth leads to risky workarounds 03:05 – Brook's hands-on journey from engineer to executive 06:04 – The IBM startup-acquisition cycle (and post-tsunami travels) 09:23 – Firsthand survival story: 2004 Thailand tsunami 12:23 – Core leadership principle: Leading from the front 14:50 – Earning respect from high-performing tech teams 17:58 – Avoiding burnout in the startup pressure cooker 20:52 – AI in security today: Risk engines & tomorrow's agent threats 24:49 – Excitement vs. caution: The wild west of agentic AI 28:37 – 2-3 years out: Global digital passports & centralized trust 32:47 – SecureAuth's focus: AI agents, frictionless CIAM 35:30 – How soon until AI agents are ubiquitous? 39:30 – Advice for CISOs evaluating auth solutions 42:36 – As a consumer: Frozen credit & assuming breaches 44:09 – Staying optimistic in cybersecurity 44:49 – Security philosophy: Zero trust, least privilege, proactive testing 48:45 – Book recs: Crossing the Chasm & AI Agents in Action 51:38 – What "Getting Real" means to Brook 52:45 – How to connect 53:02 – Outro
From celebrity water endorsements to fighting hype in network marketing, Jeff Pizzino shares 40 years of lessons on why authentic storytelling wins hearts, employees, and headlines.
Full Episode Summary / Show NotesJeff Pizzino, APR, has been a "spin-free PR purist" since 1987—starting at Ketchum in NYC, working with Johnson & Johnson, securing celebrity endorsements for ultra-pure Penta Water (Sting, Olympic swimmers, product placement on The Biggest Loser), and navigating tough corporate cultures.
Now Chief Authentic Officer at AuthenticityPR (Johnson City, TN) and fractional Chief Communications Officer for lie-detection tech company Converus, Jeff helps brands tell true stories with clarity, impact, and authenticity—no hype allowed.
In this engaging conversation, Jeff reveals:
A refreshing reminder that in a noisy world, genuine stories cut through—and ethical PR builds lasting success.
Connect with Jeff: Website & Newsletter Signup: authenticitypr.com (free business storytelling report) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffpizzino
Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Intro to Jeff Pizzino (AuthenticityPR) 00:50 – How a BYU career test launched a 40-year PR career 02:03 – Leaving big agency life for entrepreneurship (and a detour to Death Valley-adjacent Ridgecrest) 03:56 – When "authenticity" stopped being a buzzword and became his mission 05:13 – Core elements of effective, spin-free storytelling 08:13 – Career highlight: Celebrity endorsements & product placement for Penta Water 11:28 – Tailoring stories for big brands vs. scrappy startups (hint: it starts with employees) 13:54 – Companies that treat employees like the #1 customer (Southwest, IKEA) 15:39 – Choosing truth over optics (tough lessons from network marketing) 18:33 – Only working with clients who align with ethics & people-first values 20:02 – Advice to young Jeff: Plan your career farther ahead 21:20 – Founding AuthenticityPR after toxic corporate experiences 25:35 – Overlap of authenticity & truth-tech at Converus ("Truth Validated" tagline) 26:55 – Biggest comms challenges today: Fake news, AI deepfakes, crisis readiness 28:24 – What separates genuine communicators from performers 29:25 – Evolution of "success": Help others first 30:07 – Underrated skill: Clarity (and answering "What's in it for me?") 31:15 – Balancing clarity with vulnerability 33:07 – Near-term goals: Finishing two books on wisdom & authentic business 34:18 – What still excites him after 40 years 35:08 – Decompressing as an entrepreneur 35:51 – Jeff's current personal story 37:42 – What "Getting Real" means in business & life 39:02 – Newsletter & resources plug 40:07 – Outro
From SEC enforcement to founding FiSolve, Steven Yadegari shares how mediation, authenticity, and relationships turn regulatory challenges into business advantages.
Full Episode Summary / Show NotesSteven Yadegari spent decades at the intersection of regulation, law, and finance—starting with senior roles at the SEC, transitioning to prestigious law firms, and serving 16 years as COO, General Counsel, and CCO at a leading money management firm. Now, as Founder and CEO of FiSolve (an outsourced provider of COO, legal, and compliance services), he's leveling the playing field for smaller asset managers facing skyrocketing regulatory costs.
In this candid conversation, Steve pulls back the curtain on:
A masterclass in blending precision with innovation, building trust with regulators, and leading with authenticity in a high-stakes industry.
Connect with Steve: Website: fisolve.com Email: [email protected]
Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Intro to Steven Yadegari (FiSolve Founder/CEO) 01:05 – From pre-med dreams to discovering law and problem-solving 02:13 – How mediation training shaped his leadership: Authenticity, active listening & creative solutions 03:58 – Cringe-worthy early career story: "Kick them in the balls" advocacy lesson 06:02 – The "now or never" moment that led to founding FiSolve in 2021 07:50 – Entrepreneurial journey: Hard work, validation, and the power of long-term relationships 09:47 – What firms misunderstand about SEC thinking (and how to make exams constructive) 13:35 – One key separator: Pay attention to SEC priorities (it's their playbook!) 15:10 – Unique challenges for small advisors & why FiSolve is "leveling the playing field" 17:30 – Misunderstood regs + the shift back to principles-based fiduciary standards 22:04 – Funniest mediation disputes (neighbors, ex-employees, and community drama) 25:04 – Secret mediation move: Caucusing to defuse tension 26:32 – Most underrated skill in finance: Detaching emotionally from investments 28:11 – Balancing lawyer precision with CEO innovation 30:00 – Evolution of "success": From skill-building at the SEC to long-term planning 32:34 – Quickfire: Book rec (Hamilton biography), respect earners, Netflix title, surprise fact (college rugby) 34:31 – What "Getting Real" means in compliance & financial services 35:57 – How to connect with Steve & FiSolve 36:24 – Outro
Keywords / TagsSteven Yadegari, FiSolve, SEC regulation, investment management compliance, outsourced CCO, financial services compliance, asset management, fiduciary duty, mediation in business, SEC exams, small advisors challenges, principles-based regulation
From Soviet immigrant to NASDAQ CEO, Serguei Melnik is racing to bring the world’s first truly abuse-deterrent fentanyl patch to market — and end accidental overdoses for good.
Full Episode Summary / Show NotesSerguei Melnik never planned to fight the opioid crisis. After ringing the opening bell at the NYSE in 2003 for his first public company (a Moldovan wine producer), taking multiple companies public, and semi-retiring, a chance Thanksgiving-weekend meeting in Las Vegas in 2015 changed everything.
That meeting introduced him to Gareth Sheridan and a tiny company with a big idea: coat fentanyl transdermal patches with an aversive layer (capsaicin + bitter agents) that makes abuse virtually impossible — without changing how the drug works for legitimate patients.
Eight years, one NASDAQ IPO (2021), and a partnership with Kindeva Drug Delivery (formerly part of 3M) later, Nutriband is on the cusp of FDA approval for AVERSA™ Fentanyl — the first abuse-deterrent transdermal fentanyl system.
In this raw, no-BS conversation, Serguei shares:
A story of immigrant hustle, unbreakable founder trust, and a mission to make the world’s most dangerous painkiller safe again.
Chapters00:00 – Cold Open: “Once we make pain patches safe, opioid abuse changes forever” 00:33 – Welcome & Intro 01:30 – From Soviet Union to ringing the NYSE bell in 2003 03:02 – “I just don’t want to be poor” – the real driver behind the hustle 04:53 – The core value that killed every deal before Nutriband: Honesty 06:31 – The 22-year-old cognac saved for the 2021 NASDAQ IPO 06:58 – Why Nutriband’s mission became personal 10:42 – How AVERSA™ actually works (taste + chemistry = no abuse) 12:13 – The 505(b)(2) shortcut & upcoming human abuse-liability study 14:10 – Manufacturing strategy, Kindeva partnership, and the role of 4P Therapeutics 16:14 – What Serguei will be most proud of (hint: it’s not the IPO) 17:02 – One message to the world about safe pain relief 18:19 – Advice to his 25-year-old self: “Don’t change anything” 18:42 – How to connect with Serguei & Nutriband 19:11 – Outro
KeywordsSerguei Melnik, Nutriband, AVERSA Fentanyl, abuse-deterrent fentanyl, opioid crisis, fentanyl patch, transdermal technology, medtech, NASDAQ IPO, Kindeva, 505b2, human abuse study, pain management, public health, immigrant entrepreneur, Soviet Union to Wall Street, Getting Real Podcast
From real estate law to shipping-container-sized batteries saving Texas lives — JJ Switzer bootstrapped SMT Energy to 500 MW operating + $1B pipeline. No VC. All grit.
Full Show NotesJohn “JJ” Switzer was a structured-finance lawyer who got “bit by the solar bug” in 2013. Six years later he bet the entire company on utility-scale battery storage. Today SMT Energy has 500 MW operating, 1.5 GWh in the pipeline, $250M in the ground, and a $1B development queue — all 100 % bootstrapped.
This is the closest thing you’ll hear to a modern-day “built an empire with no investors” masterclass.
You’ll discover:
If you’ve ever wondered what bootstrapped conviction at nine-figure scale actually sounds like — this is it.
Connect with JJ & SMT Energy Email → [email protected]
LinkedIn → JJ Switzer Website → smtenergy.com
If this episode fired you up, share it with one founder who still believes you don’t need VC to change the world.
Chapters00:00 – Intro: From law to $250M bootstrapped energy empire 01:39 – The book that turned a real-estate lawyer into a climate warrior 03:32 – The pivot that almost killed the company (and why he did it anyway) 09:00 – The $1M interconnection crisis – how friends & family saved the first deal 11:21 – “The win felt smaller than the fear of dying” 12:58 – Why battery storage (not solar) became the bet-the-company move 16:21 – AI data centers are coming – here’s how batteries power the future 20:20 – Economic boom vs. environmental cost – the real trade-offs nobody talks about 23:23 – Strategist vs. operator: How he balances heart and spreadsheet 26:02 – The day $60M in batteries almost got hit with 156 % tariffs 30:40 – Luck vs. hard work vs. natural ability – his final ratio 32:05 – What drives him when the headlines are gone 33:03 – Book rec: The Thinking Machine (must-read for 2025) 34:07 – Next 12 months: 400 more MWh + data-center UPS deals 34:53 – Getting Real: Mountains, family, and never retiring 35:56 – Advice to his 25-year-old self: “Take even bigger risks” 37:35 – How to connect & closing
Keyword Search TagsJJ Switzer, SMT Energy, bootstrapped energy, battery energy storage, solar developer, renewable energy 2025, data center power, uninterruptible power AI, Texas grid batteries, Winter Storm Uri, bootstrapped founder, $250M no VC, energy transition, climate wealth, Jigar Shah, grid resilience, AI power demand, clean energy entrepreneur, Denver energy, bootstrapped $1B pipeline
Princeton-trained quantum physicist Revant Nair walked away from string theory to build investment models that use the same principles governing the universe. Mind-bending, first-principles investing.
Full Show NotesMost investors rely on spreadsheets, news, and gut feel. Revant Nair relies on parsimony, falsifiability, and out-of-sample prediction — the exact same modeling rules used in quantum mechanics and general relativity.
In this episode you’ll discover:
If you’ve ever wanted to see markets through the eyes of a real theoretical physicist, this conversation will permanently change how you think about risk, return, and reality itself.
Connect with Revant & FMI Tech LinkedIn → Revant Nair Website → fmitech.com
If this episode rewired your brain, share it with one thinker who still believes in first principles.
Chapters00:00 – Intro: From string theory to decoding markets 01:06 – The three physics modeling rules that destroy 99 % of financial theories 04:20 – Parsimony: Why fewer assumptions = stronger predictions 06:45 – Falsifiability: The test almost no Wall Street model passes 09:10 – Out-of-sample prediction: The only proof a model isn’t lying 12:30 – How turbulence theory, fractals, and symmetry appear in price data 17:40 – Why over-fitting is the silent killer of alpha 21:15 – The danger of “tweaking until it fits any data” 25:00 – Markets as complex adaptive systems (just like nature) 28:40 – Advice to his younger self: Question every sacred cow 31:47 – Getting Real: Authenticity in an age of AI and social media distraction 33:05 – Closing thoughts & how to connect
Keyword Search TagsRevant Nair, FMI Tech, quantum physics investing, first principles investing, Princeton physicist, string theory markets, falsifiability finance, parsimony investing, out-of-sample prediction, financial modeling physics, symmetry markets, fractals trading, turbulence theory finance, complex systems investing, authentic leadership, AI distraction, Gen Z self-awareness, legacy thinking
He ran the best-performing fund-of-funds AND the best-performing crypto fund of all time (5,500 % in 2014). Tim Enneking reveals how dumb luck, radical honesty, and refusing binary thinking built a legendary career.
Full Show NotesTim Enneking has spent 35 years moving billions across traditional finance and crypto — from Eastern Europe fund-of-funds to launching the world’s first professional crypto index. He once turned $1M into $55M in a single year with Bitcoin… and still calls most of it “dumb luck.”
This is the rare conversation that combines hard-earned wisdom, zero ego, and life-changing principles.
You’ll discover:
If you’ve ever wanted a no-BS mentorship session from someone who’s seen every cycle in finance — this is it.
Connect with Tim LinkedIn → Timothy Enneking Fund → Psalion (psalion.com)
If this episode made you think differently about luck, money, or life — share it with one person who needs to hear it.
Chapters (with timestamps)00:00 – Intro: The man behind the 5,500 % Bitcoin fund 01:12 – “Dumb luck” – The real story of how he discovered Bitcoin in 2012 04:30 – The napkin presentation in Moscow that changed everything 08:39 – Raised in Hong Kong, 80 countries visited – Why “there’s no single right way” 14:10 – Respect vs. the Ugly American – Global dealmaking secrets 15:38 – When did he know Bitcoin wasn’t tulip mania? 19:35 – Failure is the fastest way to stay humble 20:58 – Volatility lessons: What crypto winters teach about human nature 23:32 – Exit planning 101 – Why most founders accidentally kill their company value 28:56 – Advice to his 20-year-old self: “Find a mentor” 31:31 – Investment + Life Rule #1: Never ask binary questions 35:40 – Life Rule #2: Diversification (citizenship, careers, everything) 38:40 – “Execution is everything” – Why brilliant ideas are worth $0 44:20 – The only business book he actually respects (and why) 47:44 – His two life mottos you’ll steal immediately 54:33 – Legacy: “Leave the world better than I found it” 56:40 – Getting Real: Radical honesty as the ultimate advantage 59:13 – Closing & how to connect
Keyword Search TagsTim Enneking, Bitcoin fund 5500%, crypto pioneer, best performing crypto fund, Bitcoin 2012, dumb luck investing, blockchain vs tokens, crypto winters, execution is everything, radical honesty, non-binary investing, global finance, Eastern Europe fund, Psalion, crypto mentorship, life mottos, diversification life, ugly American, negotiation principles, founder legacy
From the publisher's feed
Getting Real with Dan DiSciullo goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the human side of business. In authentic, unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, and business…
Whether you're building your first startup, leading a growing company, or aspiring toward business success, these conversations will challenge and inspire you. Dan's conversational, light-hearted approach creates space for guests to go off script and share what really moves them—the lessons learned in the trenches, the moments of doubt, and the deeper purpose that fuels their journey. If you're ready to get real about what it takes to succeed and grow as a human, not just a businessperson, this podcast is for you.