How'd it Happen?

In this compelling solo episode, Mike discusses the often overlooked but powerful act of sending handwritten notes. He explores how this simple gesture can leave a lasting impact, helping you stand out in our digital-focused world. Mike also shares his personal journey with handwriting, from a child with excellent penmanship to an adult whose writing has evolved over time. This isn't just about nostalgia; it's about how handwritten notes serve as a tangible, authentic way to express gratitude and appreciation.

The simple yet heartfelt gesture of a handwritten letter will never go forgotten from those who receive it. These small gestures leave a lasting impact, helping set you apart in a sea of emails and text messages. 

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Ever wondered what it takes to build a multi-billion dollar company from scratch? Settle in as Mike chats with Jonathan Cronstedt, better known as JCron. JCron is the force behind Kajabi, a company that has revolutionized the knowledge commerce industry. JCron unpacks his entrepreneurial journey, from the inception of the company, the trials and tribulations, the strategies that led to its success, to his life post-exit. He shares valuable insights on the significance of self-belief, the power of focus, and putting in the work before expecting results. He also shares his counter-intuitive belief on why people should come last in business. 

While JCron was the President at Kajabi, the company grew 2153%, achieving a $2B valuation within five years. After his 20-plus years in executive leadership, operations, and strategy, JCron developed the Bullseye Formula - his proven method for scaling to exit. Using the Bullseye Formula, JCron invests in and advises a diverse portfolio of companies through The Cronstedt Company, where he is Chairman and CEO. JCron is dedicated to supporting and equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs. He believes entrepreneurship is the single greatest transformational force in our world, and it may just be the thing that saves it. 

This conversation goes beyond entrepreneurship; it delves into the importance of meaning and purpose in life. JCron shares on how transformational books shaped his life, how the power of thoughts can create our realities, and the critical role of owning your audience in today's digital world. You will also gain a peek into how Kajabi is empowering people to turn their knowledge into a thriving business. If you're looking to chart your own entrepreneurial journey or seeking inspiration from a successful entrepreneur's story, this episode is a goldmine.

Connect with Jonathan Cronstedt:

LinkedIn: Jonathan Cronstedt

Website: https://www.jcron.com/

Twitter: @thejcron

For books and other resources mentioned in this episode, visit: https://mikemalatesta.com/podcast/episode402/

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Unlock the secrets of creativity with Mike in this Free Thinking Friday episode, as he delves into Austin Kleon's bestseller, "Steal Like an Artist". This episode promises to take you on a compelling journey, exploring the book's principles that inspire creativity in this digital era. You’ll hear how to draw inspiration from others, begin your creative journey, and the power of producing work that captivates. Mike also reveals his personal podcasting journey and how he channeled Kleon's principle of “writing the book you want to read.”

Mike uncovers the importance of side projects and hobbies in achieving work-life balance and talks about the power of showcasing your work. In this digital age, we are provided boundless opportunities for creating, no matter where we live. Mike also underscores the value of being kind and remaining consistent in your work. Whether you're an emerging creative or an established one, this episode offers insights that will keep you inspired and motivated. 

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Life is often a journey of trials and triumphs, and Mike’s guest, Matt Shields, has certainly had his fair share of both. Matt's story begins on rooftops, hammer in hand, at the tender age of 10, and takes us through his ascension in the real estate market. Tragically losing his father at 16, he transformed his grief into drive and determination to create a legacy of his own. His tale is a testament to how pain can push us to our full potential.

The entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in Matt. It led him from being an electrical apprentice to becoming a multifamily real estate expert, and further to founding Virtus Technology—a company dedicated to helping businesses innovate and thrive. He shares his unique approach to business and personal growth, focusing on the power of positive thinking and the necessity of learning from successful trailblazers. His story of developing an app using the language of the first iPhones is a testament to his knack for spotting knowledge gaps and, more importantly, filling them.

Matt’s resilience and relentless positivity are infectious. He has set an ambitious goal of impacting the lives of 1 million people, and he is well on his way to achieving it. Matt has a unique approach to property management inspired by his mentor, and carries a vision of creating a community filled with positivity. Tune in to learn from Matt’s journey, and let his story inspire you to create your own legacy.

Connect with Matt Shields:

LinkedIn: Matt Shields

Website: significanlc.com

Podcast: Invest In Sqft

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Tune into this Free Thinking Friday episode where Mike shares insights inspired by an autobiography he recently encountered called “Beyond the Wand” by Tom Felton, known for his role as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series. A riveting listen that lead Mike to ponder on what being truly 'rich' means. With Tom’s story of modest beginnings to landing a role in one of the biggest franchises in the world, and subsequently battling personal challenges, his life journey stirred some deep thoughts.

Listen in as Mike takes you through Felton's life-changing encounters with three 'kings' - a gas station owner, a cab driver, and a bouncer, each playing a crucial role in his redemption. Drawing from Felton's revelations, Mike explores the concept of being a 'rich' man or woman. Does it mean having money, food, shelter, love, friendships, impact, purpose, drive, curiosity, and a desire to be somebody that people care about? Or is it something else entirely? Join in as we ponder this question and strive to enrich ourselves and the world around us.

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Join Mike for a profound conversation with his special guest, Paul Hutchinson, a true liberator of humanity. Known for leading over 70 undercover rescue missions, Paul shares his journey from aspiring brain surgeon to becoming the founder of the Child Liberation Foundation and Liberate Humanity. You will get a firsthand account of his daring infiltrations into trafficking networks, his work with retired US service personnel, and federal police in combating child trafficking.

Paul Hutchinson is an executive director of new 2023 movie The Sound of Freedom. The film highlights one of the largest child rescue missions in history with over 120 victims being liberated. Paul’s role in the rescue is played by the producer of the film. That rescue mission in Colombia set the course of Paul’s lifetime focus on helping to heal humanity.

Diving into the brutal realities of child trafficking, this episode takes you through the dark world of undercover missions and the horrifying realities of organ harvesting. Paul sheds light on the danger, hostility, and heartbreak that he and his team had to confront during their operations. Paul examines the crucial role of breaking the chain of abuse before it takes root and the potential impact it can have in curbing child trafficking.

Wrapping up the discussion, Paul focuses on healing and rehabilitation for survivors of child trafficking. He deliberates on the complex moral implications surrounding the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against children and the often disappointing response from the justice system. Learn more about the Child Liberation Foundation and the liberating wings project, aimed at providing healing modalities for trauma victims. Tune in to understand how you can play your part in this revolution against child trafficking.

Episode resources:

Check out the trailer for the movie The Sound of Freedom

Connect with Paul Hutchinson:

TikTok: @liberating.humanity

Facebook: Paul Hutchinson

Instagram: @liberating.humanity

LinkedIn: Paul Hutchinson

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Get ready to unlock the wisdom of David Ogilvy, a titan in the world of modern advertising, and let his lessons elevate your approach to work and life. Brace yourself as Mike dissects his seminal work, Confessions of an Advertising Man, and uncover how to harness your first-class mind and deliver concise, impactful communication. Mike discusses how the art of storytelling resonates with your audience and the power of simplification for success. Ogilvy's insights will have you reshaping your everyday practices, from getting rid of negativity in your team to establishing yourself as a commanding authority in your field.

Here's your chance to take a deep dive into David Senra's Simply Founders podcast that brings to light the stories of diverse founders, including Ogilvy. Sink into the 20 remarkable lessons from Ogilvy's book and the masterful ad campaigns of Rolls Royce and Dove Soap that made advertising history. Mike explores doing first-class business, the fallacy of committee-led innovation, and the principles of effective advertising. What's more, you'll learn the vital traits of exceptional leaders and the significance of keeping promises. So, brace yourselves for Ogilvy's unconventional perspective on truth and genius. And don't forget to sign up for Mike’s weekly newsletter to stay on the path of greatness maximization.

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It's not every day that you have a chance to contemplate your mortality in a manner that's as eye-opening as it is empowering. When Mike sat down with Jodi Wellman, creator of 4000 Mondays, the conversation naturally gravitated toward the concept of temporal scarcity - a stark reminder of how precious our time truly is. Jodi's philosophy centers around the transformative power of Mondays, the day we often dread, turning it into a potent symbol of the time we have left. She opened up about her journey from a secure corporate job to the unpredictable realm of keynote speaking and coaching, a testament to her belief in seizing life by the horns.

Jodi Wellman created a company called Four Thousand Mondays after 10 years coaching executives and 17 years in Corporate America. It's designed around the fact that if we're lucky, we get about 4,000 Mondays in our lives. Jodi always wanted to be an entrepreneur but ignored the pull she felt since childhood and went after the paychecks and being responsible. Finally, she gave herself permission and allowed herself to shake things up, take a risk, and be okay with not following a linear path. In the last two years, she has said yes to opportunities, learned, failed, brushed herself off, and kept on going. Her TEDx talk from 2022 is on this topic and it's the 14th most-watched TEDx talk from 2022. 

In this episode of the How’d It Happen Podcast, Mike and Jodi didn't shy away from the hard stuff. The conversation got candid about the psychology behind our avoidance of contemplating our mortality, the 'free fantasy' we often indulge in, and the common fears of rejection and failure. They challenged some deeply ingrained notions, pushing the boundaries of our comfort zones. Jodi's story is a beacon of inspiration, showing us that the fulfillment we seek often lies just beyond the risks we dare to take. Buckle up for this enlightening exchange, and let's start heading towards a regret-free existence, one Monday at a time.

Key highlights:

• Embracing the Limited Time We Have
• Activation for Achieving Dreams 
• The Psychology of Fear and Epiphany 
• Embracing Mortality to Seize Opportunities 
• The Different Types of Regret and How to Avoid Regrets of Omission
• The Risks and Rewards of Entrepreneurship 

Episode resources:

Watch Jodi’s TEDx Talk: How Death Can Bring You Back to Life

Take Jodi’s short quiz to estimate how many Mondays you have left: fourthousandmondays.com/resources

Connect with Jodi Wellman:

Website: fourthousandmondays.com

LinkedIn: Jodi Wellman

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What does it take to make it in the entrepreneurial world? David Belman, President and CEO of Belman Homes and co-founder of Young Guns Movement, sheds light on this in today's episode. Discover how David and his team are making strides to shorten the learning curve for ambitious business owners, and why Mike has been invited as the keynote speaker for their upcoming event in Brookfield, Wisconsin. 

Mike and David navigate the importance of personal branding in today's competitive business landscape and explain why knowing what you stand for can make a world of difference. Hear David's compelling experience with Operation Finally Home, a program committed to aiding wounded veterans. Get a sneak peek into the Young Guns Movement event with speakers who are set to share their expertise on becoming a leading industry icon. Get ready to be inspired, learn, and join a community of action-oriented individuals ready to make a difference. Tune in for more!

Episode resources:

Get more information about the Young Guns event taking place August 17: younggunsevent.com/attend/

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We all probably think that we know the difference between right and wrong, and wouldn’t get caught up in something we aren’t supposed to be doing, but according to Kelly Richmond Pope, it can be a slippery slope. Some people get into legal trouble by starting small or by not speaking up when someone sneakily gets them involved. On this episode of the How’d It Happen Podcast, Mike and Kelly discuss the three categories of fraud perpetrators: intentional, accidental, and righteous. 

Kelly wants to turn fraud upside down and allow people to see themselves in these unethical decisions. She wants to stop the language of "it's them, not me" and be more inclusive in understanding that it can be us. She explains that anyone can be talked into anything under the right circumstances and that we have a great ability to compartmentalize levels when it comes to what we will and won't do.

Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope is a nationally recognized expert in risk, forensic accounting, and white-collar crime research, and an award-winning educator, researcher, author, and award-winning documentary filmmaker. Her area of expertise lies in understanding and identifying financial fraud risk within financial statements, assessing corporate culture and compliance systems designed to confront internal control challenges. Pope's research on executive misconduct culminated in directing and producing the award-winning documentary, All the Queen's Horses which explores the largest municipal fraud in U.S. history. Pope’s TED Talk entitled "How Whistle-blowers Shape History” has been viewed over 1.6 million times.

In this episode, Mike and Kelly explore the trillion-dollar fraud industry. They discuss the power of persuasion and the importance of embracing internal whistleblowing. Learn how to recognize and prevent fraud and protect yourself from being a victim of fraud or getting involved in the wrong situation.

Key highlights:

• Fraud perpetrators: intentional, accidental, and righteous
• The problem with our culture encouraging people to mind their own business
• Different types of whistleblowers and their importance
• How to protect yourself from fraud and getting involved in unethical or illegal situations

Episode resources:

Fool Me Once: A Fraud Experience

Kelly’s book: Fool Me Once: Scams, Stories, and Secrets from the Trillion-Dollar Fraud Industry 

Connect with Kelly Richmond Pope:

Website: kellyrichmondpope.com

Instagram: @kellyrpope

LinkedIn: Kelly Richmond Pope, CPA

To Connect with Mike:

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