How'd it Happen?

Do you crave a life of purpose and passion? Join us as we explore the incredible journey of Brad Axelrad, a man of many talents, including being an event producer, consultant, strategist, and podcast host. Brad is the host of the Face Your Dragon Podcast, where he interviews celebrity thought leaders and icons in the transformational space. We dive into the profound power of belonging and how it shapes our lives, with Brad sharing details of his transition from self-indulgence to service, a change triggered by the loss of his father. 

This episode also steps into the exhilarating world of live events and networking. Brad explains how, within just eight weeks, he turned a simple book study group into an enterprise that featured on NBC Nightly News. Learn from his experiences and insights on transforming traditional networking into an efficient engine of growth, harnessing the power of fear to fuel your success.

Finally, we unpack the art of finding your voice amidst fear. Brad discusses the transforming benefits of the Hoffman Process, his networking adventures, and introduces his new initiative aimed to help others find their voice and share their stories. As this episode wraps up, we delve into practical steps to transmute fear into triumph. This is an episode filled with inspiration and guidance, regardless of where you are on your journey. You’re about to discover that facing your fears isn't as daunting as it appears. Tune in!

Key highlights:

• Success, Self-Indulgence, and Personal Growth
• Personal Journey, Healing, and Service
• Fear of Success and Overcoming Critics
• Starting a Live Event Business
• Navigating Networking and Facing Inner Dragons
• Find Voice, Face Fears

Connect with Brad Axelrad:

• Website: faceyourdragon.com | wakeupocevent.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bradaxelrad
• Instagram: @bradaxelrad

To Connect with Mike:

• Website
• LinkedIn
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• YouTube
• Coaching
• Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift

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What if you could adopt a fresh perspective that transforms your business operations and accelerates your journey toward your dream exit? Ever considered what it means to view your business through a buyer's eye? Join Mike in this episode as he unpacks the game-changing concept of constantly observing your business from an outsider's viewpoint. Mike talks about the significance of extinguishing your business "dumpster fires" and discusses 5 key pointers to maintain this new outlook. Embrace this mindset and watch as you become a more efficient entrepreneur running a smoother operation. 

Having a buyer's eye for his own business, Mike talks about the consequential decisions it led him to and how it can do the same for you. So tune in, it's time for a paradigm shift in your business operations, all geared toward that Dream Exit!

To Connect with Mike:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Coaching
• Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift

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Listen in as Mike is joined by Bryan Clayton, a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of GreenPal, who takes us on his journey from an accidental teenage entrepreneur to an industry transformer. Hear how a childhood ultimatum from his dad to mow the neighbor's lawn led to Bryan's first taste of entrepreneurship. Bryan talks about his initial ambitions for a fancy car and how that quickly shifted to the purchase of a work truck as he discovered the potential of reinvesting in his business.

Bryan goes on to share invaluable lessons learned from scaling his lawn mowing business to a successful enterprise of 150 people and dozens of pieces of equipment. Tune in as he explains the importance of understanding the value of your work and having a differentiated value proposition to win more business. He shares his experience of selling his business, the preparation that went into it, and how the journey of a founder evolves over time.

Finally, Bryan dives into his transition from landscaping to starting a software company. Despite the challenges of building a software product from scratch, Bryan and his team persevered to create GreenPal, a platform connecting homeowners with local lawn care professionals. Listen in as he shares the trials and triumphs of building an online platform and their plans for expansion. Don't miss out on this inspiring story of entrepreneurship, growth, and industry transformation.

Key highlights:

• From Lawn Mowing to Industry Transformation
• Lessons Learned From Scaling a Business
• Building a Successful Business With a Dream Exit
• Challenges of Starting a Software Company
• Building a Marketplace for Home Services

Connect with Bryan Clayton:

• Website: greenpal.com
• LinkedIn: Bryan Clayton

To Connect with Mike:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Coaching
• Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift

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Does what other people think still matter? Get ready for an intriguing episode as Mike explores how our Uber ratings can reveal more about us than we might think. Hear the story of an Uber ride in Nashville that led to the revelation that a 4.3 rating might not be as impressive as it sounds. Mike talks about why, even when we say we don't care about others' opinions, we may actually care more than we realize. Listen in as he explores the implications of this rating system, not just for our rides, but also for our understanding of how we interact with others. 

To Connect with Mike:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Coaching
• Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift

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Get ready to discover the secret behind engaging, curiosity-filled interviews as Mike shares the stage with the brilliant Casey Cheshire on his podcast, Creating the Greatest Show.  This enthralling conversation is sure to equip you with the right strategies to navigate interviews, ensuring you create memorable moments with your guests. This episode promises to take you behind the scenes of Mike’s own show, How Did It Happen, guiding you through the art of making your guest curious about themselves. It's all about the right balance between patience, humility, and well-crafted questions.

Together, Casey and Mike delve into the first essential 20 minutes of an interview. They confront the initial barriers, including guests' reluctance to appear boastful and the challenge of formulating engaging questions. The aim here is to stimulate enlightening conversations that captivate both the listener and the guest. This discussion also sheds light on the art of building rapport and stimulating curiosity, transforming a simple chat into an unforgettable exploration.

Lastly, Mike and Casey grapple with the tricky equilibrium of satisfying their curiosity versus the listeners'. Passion and commitment to the topics are vital for creating engaging content that resonates with your audience. They delve into the importance of committing to your podcast rather than testing the waters with a few episodes. Mike also stresses the importance of patience and humility in formulating profound, intriguing questions – it's not just about engaging the conversation but also about making it significant for our guests and listeners. So, buckle up for an exciting journey of discovery in the world of podcast hosting.

Key highlights:

• Strategies for Great Interview Podcasts
• Navigating an Interview's First 20 Minutes
• Podcast Etiquette
• The Role of Curiosity in Hosting
• The Importance of Engaging the Listener

Connect with Casey Cheshire:

Website: caseycheshire.com

To Connect with Mike:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Coaching
• Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift

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There's a certain beauty in finding the unexpected in life, isn't there? Like stumbling upon a hidden talent or passion that transforms not just your own life, but the lives of those around you as well. Well, Mike’s guest today, Tom Frazier, is a true embodiment of this spirit.

Frazier's life journey is one of constant exploration. From ethical hacking for the US federal government to transitioning to the Australian telecommunications industry, he's no stranger to charting his own course. His entrepreneurial journey is lined with lessons on the importance of problem-solving and the reality of what it takes to succeed. But the intrigue doesn't stop there. Tom has a profound fascination with dance, specifically swing and tap. This passion has found its home in the hearts of countless adults who've found joy, freedom, and unexpected connections on the dance floor under his guidance.

But the tech-savvy side of Tom is never far away. As the leader of Redivider, he's revolutionizing the world of data centers, with a unique approach that offers crucial benefits to communities and the environment. This episode is a riveting mix of Tom's insights on technology, entrepreneurship, and the liberating world of dance. Tune in as Frazier's unique perspective opens up a whole new avenue of thought for you.

Key highlights:

• From Government Security to International Success
• Finding Happiness in Career and Entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurship and the Addiction to Problem-Solving
• Edge Computing for Future Data Centers
• Data Center Construction Modularity and Efficiency
• Power Generation and Future Technology

Connect with Tom Frazier:

• Website: tomfrazier.com | redivider.co
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tomfrazier

To Connect with Mike:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Coaching
• Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift

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Get ready to gain a fresh perspective on the NFL as Mike unpacks surprising revelations from the Hard Knocks show. He'll be sharing his unique insights into how the NFL operates differently from traditional businesses - it's a pure meritocracy, a cult of personality around the quarterback, and places performance over loyalty. We'll be dissecting Aaron Rodgers' move to the New York Jets and how this reflects the NFL's distinctive system. If you're looking for a system that's simpler than traditional businesses, where performance trumps loyalty without the fear of lawsuits, the NFL might just be your inspiration!

To Connect with Mike:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Coaching
• Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift

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In part 2 of this captivating conversation with Cal Fussman, Cal uncovers the power of curiosity and how our culture can both encourage and stifle it. Cal shares his insights on the ways in which curiosity gets buried as we grow older, often due to fear of asking the wrong question. Cal and Mike discuss how this natural inquisitiveness can be unearthed and reignited, and how the internet has influenced the way we approach questioning.

Tune in Cal and Mike dissect the art of the job interview, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions. From understanding the significance of an interviewer's attitude to discussing the role of listening in eliciting deeper responses, they get down to the nitty-gritty of conducting an effective job interview. Listen as they share strategies for companies to ensure their job postings accurately represent the positions they're trying to fill and how an atmosphere of authenticity and connection can be cultivated during the interview process.

Cal’s life experiences, from his globetrotting adventures to his bouts with boxing legends like Julio Cesar Chavez and Muhammad Ali, have all contributed to shaping his outlook on curiosity, creativity, and coaching. Join in as he reflects on how his admiration for mixed martial arts and insights from an expert led him to understand the transformative power of coaching. Tune in to part 1 if you haven’t already, and then come back to part 2 of this thought-provoking episode with Cal Fussman.

Key highlights:

• The Decrease of Curiosity
• The Power of Thoughtful Questions
• The Art of Interviewing
• The Challenges of Hiring and Authenticity
• Coaching's Power in Personal Development

Connect with Cal Fussman:

• Website: calfussman.com
• Twitter: @calfussman

To Connect with Mike:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Coaching
• Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift

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What if your understanding of integrity isn't as accurate as you think? In this solo episode of the How’d It Happen Podcast, Mike dives into the fascinating concept of integrity, challenging your preconceived notions and prompting an important reevaluation. Using a keynote address given to a group of high-achievers as a launch pad, Mike explores the intriguing notion that your self-perception of your integrity isn't as important as how others perceive it. Do we overestimate our competence and abilities? How can we recover when we falter? And most importantly, how can we maintain our integrity? Get set to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

To Connect with Mike:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Coaching
• Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift

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Picture this: a young boy, curious and full of wonder, pens a letter to President Lyndon Johnson. That young boy was none other than Mike’s esteemed guest, Cal Fussman, who has grown to become a renowned writer, interviewer, podcaster, and a New York Times bestselling author. In a heart-to-heart conversation, we'll trace Cal's journey, exploring how that innate curiosity shaped his insightful approach to life and interviewing.

As we navigate through the labyrinth of life, we often find our curiosity tamed, our authentic selves hidden behind digital screens. Cal and Mike discuss this paradox of our times - being more connected than ever before, but at a superficial level. They dig deeper into the concept of authenticity, particularly in the workplace, reflecting on how defining moments like JFK's assassination and the 9/11 attacks have affected our perspectives on authentic connections. 

In a world where remote work settings are becoming the norm, forging genuine relationships can be a difficult task. But fear not, as Cal and Mike also explore effective ways to break down these digital barriers. This conversation goes beyond the conventional, highlighting the importance of creating an authentic connection during job interviews and valuing the timeless power of handwritten notes. So, get ready to engage your curiosity and join in on a fascinating exploration with Cal Fussman.

Key highlights:

• Exploring the Roots of Success
• Authenticity and the Future of Work
• Remote Work Setting Benefits
• Reframing Interviews for Authentic Connections
• Handwritten Notes and Personal Connection

Connect with Cal Fussman:

• Website: calfussman.com
• Twitter: @calfussman

To Connect with Mike:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Coaching
• Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift

Please LIKE 👍SHARE 📲SUBSCRIBE to stay updated on all LIVE Streams on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter