INspired INsider Podcast

Douglas Feller is the Founder of MyHarvest, a personal growth platform offering free courses, career resources, housing support, and tools to help people build stability and opportunity. An entrepreneur with experience in real estate investing and asphalt business ownership, he rebuilt his career after serving time in federal prison, later building and selling his asphalt company. His own experience with the challenges of reentry helped inspire MyHarvest's mission. Today, Douglas focuses on creating resources that support personal growth, skills, second chances, and stronger paths forward for people from diverse backgrounds.

Tom Ruwitch is the Founder and CEO of Story Power Marketing, a marketing company that helps experts create compelling, client-attracting content through storytelling. A content marketing pioneer with more than 30 years of experience, he helps business leaders turn expertise into clear messaging, stronger connections, and business growth. He is also the Founder and CEO of Implementum, which combines strategy, technology, and done-for-you teams to simplify and accelerate growth. Earlier, Tom founded email marketing company MarketVolt in 2001, expanding his work in digital marketing, automation, and business growth.

Sustainable growth rarely comes from adding more tools, tactics, or ideas just for the sake of doing more. The real advantage comes from choosing resources that sharpen your thinking, strengthen your systems, and help you act with greater intention. So what does smarter growth actually look like in practice?

Douglas Feller and Tom Ruwitch suggest that smarter growth comes from combining the right resources with focused systems, practical learning, and a willingness to keep improving. They highlight the value of mentors, specialization, proven frameworks, technology, and curiosity as tools for making better business decisions. Douglas emphasizes learning through experience, surrounding yourself with strong mentors, and knowing when to focus on a specific niche, while Tom stresses connecting strategy, technology, and team into one cohesive system. Tom also explains how customized AI and automation can turn conversations and existing content into useful marketing assets rather than generic output. Together, their insights show that sustainable growth is less about chasing every new tactic and more about building systems that help ideas translate into consistent action.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz speaks with Douglas Feller and Tom Ruwitch about the tools and ideas behind smarter growth. They explore valuable business resources, stronger marketing systems, and practical uses of AI and automation. Douglas and Tom also share lessons on mentorship, storytelling, curiosity, and turning knowledge into action.

Nir Eyal is a bestselling author, behavioral science expert, and keynote speaker who helps individuals and organizations understand how psychology and technology shape human behavior. He is the author of the bestselling books Hooked, Indistractable, and Beyond Belief, which have sold over one million copies, been translated into over 30 languages, and earned recognition from The New York Times, Amazon, Audible, and The Globe and Mail.

A former Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturer, Nir has worked with organizations, including JPMorgan Chase and the US Air Force and invested in companies including Canva and Kahoot. He helps people build better habits, improve focus, and reach their full potential.

Why do some people turn knowledge into lasting change while others remain stuck in the same patterns? We have access to more books, podcasts, and expert advice than ever before, yet lasting transformation often feels out of reach. If information isn't the problem, what is the missing piece that drives real change?

Nir Eyal, bestselling author and behavioral science expert, says lasting change begins by examining the beliefs behind our actions. He explains that sustained motivation depends not only on knowing what to do and understanding the benefits, but also on having beliefs that support persistence. Rather than treating beliefs as fixed truths, Nir encourages viewing them as tools that can be tested and reshaped. He illustrates this through examples ranging from Serena Williams' coach using "belief hacking" to build confidence to Amazon's "Day One" philosophy of continual innovation. He also shares practical methods, including inquiry-based stress reduction, to help people challenge limiting beliefs, improve relationships, and unlock greater personal and professional potential.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Nir Eyal to discuss how beliefs shape performance, leadership, and personal growth. They explore why persistence matters more than talent, how leaders cultivate empowering beliefs, and practical ways to reframe limiting mindsets. Nir also shares why questioning common psychological assumptions can lead to better decisions and lasting change.

Jarrette Schule is the Founder and CTO of TenFore Golf, a cloud-based, all-in-one management platform built for golf courses and recreational facilities. He founded the company in 2015 after recognizing the limitations of legacy golf management systems. As TenFore's lead architect, Jarrette directs its technology vision and product development, creating mobile-first tools that help single- and multi-course facilities streamline operations, increase revenue, and improve the golfer experience.

Golf courses often juggle outdated systems for tee times, payments, food service, reporting, and customer engagement. What does it take to replace those fragmented systems with one platform designed around how modern facilities operate?

Jarrette Schule, a lifelong software developer with decades of experience building technology, explains that successful golf management software must address the entire operation rather than solve one isolated problem. He highlights the importance of listening to course operators, validating recurring needs, and designing tools around real-world workflows. This customer-led approach helped transform an on-course beverage-ordering concept into a connected platform spanning tee sheets, point-of-sale, booking, payments, food and beverage, reporting, and self-service kiosks. By bringing an outside technology perspective to golf, Jarrette identified opportunities that legacy providers had overlooked. He also uses a "rule of three" to prioritize features that deliver value across multiple customers instead of reacting to every individual request.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz speaks with Jarrette Schule, Founder and CTO of TenFore Golf, to discuss building an all-in-one platform for modern golf operations. They explore the product's evolution, customer-led development, and growth through multi-course operators. Jarrette also shares lessons from SaaS pricing, payment integrations, and moving from CEO to CTO.

Raveesh Dewan is the President and CEO of Joget Inc., a technology company that provides an open, AI-powered low-code platform for building, automating, and integrating enterprise applications. Under his leadership, Joget has continued to expand as a global enterprise platform used by Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and organizations across more than 100 countries. Before joining Joget, Raveesh held executive roles at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, helping shape its business and technology roadmaps. His work centers on digital transformation, open innovation, and responsible enterprise AI adoption.

Organizations face a critical challenge: modernizing legacy systems without sacrificing speed, security, or flexibility. As AI transforms enterprise software development, how can businesses accelerate digital transformation while staying in control?

For Raveesh Dewan, an engineer, open-source advocate, and enterprise technology leader, the answer lies in combining low-code development with AI while keeping organizations in control of their technology. He highlights that simply automating inefficient processes only creates faster inefficiencies, making process improvement just as important as automation. From helping a telecommunications company replace a legacy ERP system in under nine months to enabling a hospice to digitize patient records and improve patient care, he demonstrates how visual application development can solve complex business challenges. Raveesh also explains the rise of "vibe composition," the advantages of open-source platforms, and how reusable applications help organizations innovate more quickly without sacrificing governance or scalability.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Raveesh Dewan, President and CEO of Joget Inc., to discuss building AI-powered enterprise application platforms. They explore how to avoid the pitfalls of automating broken processes, replace legacy ERP systems with low-code solutions, and use AI-driven visual app composition to accelerate innovation.

Brian Nolan is the Co-owner of Darren & Phillip, a purpose-driven lifestyle brand creating premium matching apparel and accessories for dog lovers and their dogs. He leads the brand's American growth, strategy, and e-commerce expansion while advancing its mission to support dog rescue organizations worldwide. Before acquiring the company, Brian co-founded and led Sellbrite and BookOutdoors, which were acquired by GoDaddy and Hipcamp, respectively. A USC Marshall School of Business alumnus, he draws on extensive experience in entrepreneurship, product development, marketing, and e-commerce to build customer-focused brands that combine commercial growth with meaningful social impact.

Building a successful software company and buying an established consumer brand require very different operating skills. When a founder moves from SaaS exits into e-commerce ownership, how can past experience create an advantage without obscuring the realities of inventory, brand identity, and customer behavior?

According to Brian Nolan, the transition from startup exits to brand ownership requires proven growth instincts and a willingness to relearn the fundamentals. He emphasizes evaluating repeat purchases, unit economics, and audience engagement before an acquisition. After taking over Darren & Phillip, he improved systems, expanded sales channels, refined the product line, and repositioned the brand as a premium, human-first lifestyle company. The experience also showed him the impact of founder visibility and the value of longer transitions, performance-based incentives, disciplined inventory planning, authentic storytelling, and a clear brand identity.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Brian Nolan, Co-owner of Darren & Phillip, to discuss moving from SaaS exits to building a stronger e-commerce brand. Brian explains how he evaluated and acquired Darren & Phillip, repositioned its products and identity, and managed complex inventory challenges. He also shares lessons on seller transitions, acquisition incentives, and using Shopify and AI to guide decisions.

Chad Collins is the Founder and CEO of LiveBuys, a company that provides end-to-end live-selling solutions, including hosting, creative production, technology, fulfillment, and community engagement. Together with his team, he has produced 200+ sold-out events in 150+ cities, attracting 2.5 million fans and earning seven Guinness World Records. His event portfolio includes Brick Fest Live, Comic Con for Kids, and the Bucks County Card Show. Chad is also the creator of Coins, Cards & Chaos, a live-shopping and collectibles experience that connects collectors, creators, dealers, and brands.

What turns a niche collectibles business into a thriving community that people eagerly return to week after week? Is it the products themselves, or the way creators entertain, educate, and connect with their audience? And how can live commerce transform traditional events into experiences that keep collectors engaged long after the show ends?

According to Chad Collins, an award-winning entrepreneur and live commerce innovator, the key is to lead with entertainment before sales. He explains that audiences are far more likely to buy when they're first engaged through compelling content, authentic personalities, and interactive experiences. Rather than treating live selling as a transaction, he emphasizes creating a show that people genuinely want to watch. That philosophy has shaped everything from viral livestreams to large-scale collectibles events that combine in-person experiences with digital engagement. Chad also shares how experimenting with different formats, learning from failed ventures, and empowering creators have helped build loyal communities that naturally drive commerce.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Chad Collins, Founder and CEO of LiveBuys, to discuss how live commerce is transforming the collectibles industry. They explore building entertainment-first livestreams, creating immersive events like Chaos Expo, and growing loyal collector communities through content. Chad also shares lessons from Brick Fest Live, influencer partnerships, and scaling engagement across digital and in-person experiences.

Anirudh (Rudy) Ganesh is the Co-founder and CEO of Hotelzify, an AI-powered hospitality technology company that helps hotels increase direct bookings, streamline operations, and grow revenue. He leads the company's strategy and product vision, developing tools that combine booking technology, digital marketing, and AI-enabled guest engagement. Before founding Hotelzify, Rudy held software and product roles at JPMorgan Chase, Perpule, and Amazon. A National Institute of Technology Karnataka alumnus, he brings deep technical, product, and commercial experience to meaningful hospitality innovation worldwide.

Hotels lose revenue when potential guests encounter slow websites, missed calls, poor pricing, or complicated booking experiences. AI can address these gaps while allowing hotel teams to focus on delivering better stays — but what does an effective AI revenue engine actually look like?

According to Rudy Ganesh, a software developer turned product leader, an effective AI revenue engine combines direct-booking technology, automated marketing, intelligent pricing, and personalized guest communication. He highlights how AI agents can manage campaigns, recover abandoned bookings, answer calls and chats, and adjust room rates based on demand and competitor activity. Together, these tools help hotels attract more guests, convert more inquiries, and improve profitability without proportionally expanding their teams. Rudy also applies e-commerce lessons from Amazon, such as reducing checkout friction, offering relevant payment options, and re-engaging interested customers. By automating digital tasks, hotels can dedicate more attention to on-site operations and memorable guest experiences.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Rudy Ganesh, Co-founder and CEO of Hotelzify, to discuss building an AI revenue engine for hotels. They explore direct-booking conversion, automated marketing and pricing, and AI concierge tools. Rudy also shares how customer feedback shapes product development and profitable growth.

Melissa Kwan is the CEO and Co-founder of eWebinar, an on-demand video platform that turns prerecorded videos into interactive experiences with chat for demos, onboarding, and training. Before eWebinar, she founded Spacio, a real estate technology platform acquired by HomeSpotter in 2019. A three-time bootstrapped founder with more than 15 years of startup experience, Melissa specializes in B2B sales, business development, and building profitable companies with limited resources. She is also the host of the ProfitLed Podcast and the author behind the Your Founder Next Door newsletter.

Scaling a SaaS business often means finding ways to grow without sacrificing your time, energy, or values. But what happens when the message that inspired you to build your product no longer resonates with customers? How do you break through a growth plateau while staying true to the business you want to build?

According to Melissa Kwan, a bootstrapped SaaS entrepreneur and experienced founder, sustainable growth starts with understanding what customers truly value — not what founders assume they value. She explains how shifting eWebinar's messaging from saving time to driving business growth unlocked new opportunities, while customer conversations uncovered unexpected use cases like recruiting and onboarding. Melissa highlights why creating delightful user experiences, maintaining integrity in product design, and building a lean, remote team have been key to long-term success. She also shares how AI has accelerated her marketing and operations and why defining personal non-negotiables helped shape both her company culture and leadership approach.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Melissa Kwan, CEO and Co-founder of eWebinar, to discuss building a scalable, customer-centric SaaS business. They explore refining product messaging for growth, creating software customers genuinely love, and building a high-performing remote team. Melissa also shares how changing her self-talk transformed her confidence as a founder and marketer.

Pat Mancuso is the CEO of Mancuso Consulting Group, a firm that helps business owners increase profitability, recover tax credits, and build stronger organizations through strategic consulting and leadership development. A serial entrepreneur, coach, and speaker with more than 30 years of experience, Pat has launched multiple successful companies and coached thousands of business leaders. Through consulting, speaking, and his proprietary RSTMM® system, he helps entrepreneurs scale their businesses, strengthen leadership teams, and create sustainable long-term growth.

Many business owners focus so intensely on growth that they overlook the risks quietly eroding their profits and company value. From inadequate protections to missed tax opportunities, how can owners uncover these costly blind spots before they cause lasting damage?

Pat Mancuso, a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist with more than 30 years of experience, says owners must proactively prepare, protect, and position their companies for long-term prosperity. He highlights how weak operational systems, insufficient asset protection, overlooked tax strategies, and rising healthcare expenses can expose a business to significant financial losses. Addressing these risks early allows owners to retain more of their earnings while building a stronger and more valuable company. Pat recommends understanding the business's current valuation and creating an exit plan years before a potential sale. He also emphasizes working with qualified specialists who can identify opportunities and vulnerabilities that traditional advisers may overlook.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Pat Mancuso, CEO of Mancuso Consulting Group, to discuss the hidden risks draining business profits. They explore costly blind spots, tax and exit planning, and strategies to reduce healthcare expenses. Pat also shares how stronger systems, asset protection, and business valuations can increase a company's long-term value.

Brian Kurtz is a direct marketing veteran, author, educator, and the former Executive Vice President of Boardroom Inc., where he spent 34 years helping grow the company to more than $150 million in annual revenue at its peak. During his tenure, he oversaw the mailing of close to two billion pieces of direct mail and helped market millions of subscriptions and tens of millions of consumer books.

Brian is widely recognized for his expertise in direct response marketing, customer acquisition, list strategy, and customer lifetime value. Today, as the founder of Titans Marketing, he teaches entrepreneurs and marketers the timeless principles behind building profitable, long-lasting businesses.

What turns an overlooked product into a multimillion-dollar success? Is it the product itself, or the strategy behind how it's marketed? And do timeless direct response principles still outperform today's trend-driven tactics?

For Brian Kurtz, a direct marketing veteran, enduring success comes from pairing proven direct response principles with great offers and relentless testing. He highlights that businesses don't always need to create something new — often the biggest opportunities come from repackaging, repositioning, or acquiring underutilized content. By refining headlines, segmenting audiences, and tailoring offers to the right customers, marketers can dramatically improve results without changing the core product. Brian also explains why fair partnerships, creative product sourcing, and testing across multiple channels are essential for long-term growth. His approach shows that understanding customer behavior and continuously optimizing campaigns can turn overlooked ideas into lasting, profitable businesses.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Brian Kurtz to discuss timeless direct response marketing strategies for building multimillion-dollar businesses. They explore sourcing winning products, increasing revenue through better offers and list segmentation, and using direct mail to scale growth. Brian also shares insights on repositioning underperforming products and building lasting customer relationships.