Today, we're going to be talking a whole lot of....bulls**t.

What you might not realize, though, is that BS could be the very thing that leads to your next breakthrough. At least, that's what my guest, John W. Wright, believes.

A high-school All-American in football, John was recruited by over 60 schools before committing to the University of Illinois. By the time John had finished there, he was the schools' (and the Big 10's) leading receiver, landing at #5 overall in NCAA history.

He spent three years in the NFL before injuries forced him out of the game he loved. He might have taken off the helmet and pads, but he never lost the fire and grit.

A keystone of his leadership style? Empowering others.

Nowadays, John uses his 80 acre estate, Greyfield, as a training center for leaders. One of his secrets is what he calls "positive bulls**t." Today, he's going to unpack that for us, and we'll get into what it takes to build great teams, the role of mentors, and how to have lasting impact.

Affiliate Links: John's Book: Bulls**t: A Good Word and a Vital Part of Leadership The Alchemist: A Fable about following Your Dream Angela Duckworth: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

After 20 years as a financial services professional and completing thousands of financial plans for clients…Ben shares the secrets to building wealth, but more importantly building a fulfilling life.

Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice.

Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show.

This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.

If someone is reckless, is that a good thing? Or a bad thing?

Beth Guckenberger has a strong opinion about that.

Beth lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. Along with her husband, Todd, they serve as co-executive directors of Back2Back Ministries, an international nonprofit dedicated to being a voice for orphaned and vulnerable children. Through a multipronged approach that meets spiritual, physical, educational, emotional and social needs, Back2Back is helping children across the globe overcome their life circumstances and break free from the cycle of generational poverty.

Through Back2Back, over 30,000 people have traveled to serve orphaned and vulnerable children. 250 students have gained access to high school and college education. 37 children's homes are making the transitions away from institutional care to family-style care. And over 500 organizations have been trained in Trauma Competent Care, rippling out to influence over 250,000 children in 68 countries. Between biological, foster, and adoption, the Guckenbergers have raised 11 children. Beth has also authored 13 books, including Throw the First Punch, Reckless Faith, and her most recent work, Warrior of Eden. Beth's Book: Reckless Faith (affiliate link) After 20 years as a financial services professional and completing thousands of financial plans for clients…Ben shares the secrets to building wealth, but more importantly building a fulfilling life. Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice.

Entrepreneurship is a sexy word to some… until they realize just how much work, grit, and bravery it takes to start your own business. It's not easy, and it's not for the faint of heart.

Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 20% of new businesses fail during the first two years; 45% during the first five years; and 65% during the first 10 years. Only ¼ of all businesses will make it to the 15 year mark.

Steve Wanamaker is an entrepreneur and businessman defying those odds.

In 1998, along with his wife, Steve took out a $20,000 loan on his house to start a print magazine out of their spare bedroom. The rest is history. Since then, Steve has started multiple successful media companies, two of which have been acquired.

In 2004, Steve's magazine, Inspire, was purchased by Gannett, a Fortune 500 media powerhouse that also owns The USA Today. And just last year, Steve sold his incredibly popular CDO Magazine, born from his time as co-director of MIT's Chief Data Officer Information Quality Symposium, to private equity firm Growth Catalyst Partners. Today, this online magazine has a global readership of 400,000 in more than 184 countries, and has been recognized as one of America's fastest-growing private companies.

Steve remains at CDO Magazine as founder and publisher, as well as sitting on the board for UC Health and FC Cincinnati.

We're going to talk about the real life of an entrepreneur, what it's like to sell one of your businesses, what's next for his career, and much, much more.

After 20 years as a financial services professional and completing thousands of financial plans for clients…Ben shares the secrets to building wealth, but more importantly building a fulfilling life. Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.

What if you could know what was coming down the line? What if you could plan for the next stage of your life? What if you could learn that the wins and losses you were experiencing right now were perfectly normal?

What if life was... well... surprisingly predictable? That's what my guest, Bobb Biehl, believes. And he has the resume to prove it.

For nearly 50 years, Bobb has been an executive mentor, helping thousands of leaders clearly define, and reach, their dreams. Since 1976, he has consulted with over 500 clients—Chick Fil A, the European Leadership Forum, and Logos Software just to name a few—and over 5,000 executives. He's the author of 35 leadership and management tools in the area of personal and organizational development, and has been on the executive staff for World Vision Inc and a board member for Focus on the Family.

Bobb's Book: Decade by Decade (affiliate link)

Bobb has spent his life helping others, and along the way, has gained invaluable insights into the predictability of life. His newest book, Decade by Decade, walks readers through what to expect at each stage of life. As you learn what is "normal," it brings perspective to your own life, and it builds empathy for what your family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors are experiencing in their respective phases of life as well.

With a goal to help us confront the unpredictable, so we can enjoy the life we have right now, Bobb's book is a game changer.

After 20 years as a financial services professional and completing thousands of financial plans for clients…Ben shares the secrets to building wealth, but more importantly building a fulfilling life. Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.

Ben and Dave look at the past year in podcast guests, television, life highs, lows and what to look foward to in the new year.

After 20 years as a financial services professional and completing thousands of financial plans for clients…Ben shares the secrets to building wealth, but more importantly building a fulfilling life. Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.

Whether retirement seems like it's just around the corner, or so far off you can't even imagine it, it's coming just the same. And the choices you begin to put into place, today, will make all the difference.

Keith Lawrence knows this first hand. After a 32-year career with Procter & Gamble, Keith has turned his attention to helping as many people as possible make their retirement the best years of their lives.

Keith is one of the country's few certified retirement coaches, and is the author of Your Retirement Quest: 10 Secrets For Creating and Living a Fulfilling Retirement (affiliate link).

Whether you are 19, or 90, you don't want to skip this one. Keith's proven track record, and his down-to-earth wisdom, could be the difference between a life you look forward to and one you dread.

Today, he's sharing his best tips for preparing for an amazing retirement, no matter your age or stage of life.

After 20 years as a financial services professional and completing thousands of financial plans for clients…Ben shares the secrets to building wealth, but more importantly building a fulfilling life. Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.

A recent study found that 66% of graduating high school students will make the jump to college. The biggest question each of them will face—how am I going to pay for this?

Higher education prices are soaring (they've risen 180% since the 1980s) and getting financial aid is often a confusing process. Do I fill out the FAFSA or not? Does my 529 savings plan hurt my chances at aid? Is public institution a better deal than a private? What about community college?

Higher education is one of life's most complex and most significant purchases. Today, we're going to try to clear the air about it.

I'm joined by Chris Wills. For nearly a decade, Chris has been the president of College Inside Track, an organization helping families navigate the complicated college process, find the right fit, and get the best price at the schools they consider.

Chris has done the deep dive into all things higher education, and his expert insights are invaluable. If you're a parent—no matter the age—you're going to want to save this one.

Chris is a frequent contributor to the College Inside Track website, where his articles like "The 5 Myths of College Costs" and "4 Mistakes Families Make That Increase the Cost of College" have influenced thousands of families.

After 20 years as a financial services professional and completing thousands of financial plans for clients…Ben shares the secrets to building wealth, but more importantly building a fulfilling life. Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.

Dan Buettner is letting the secret out—and what he has to say just might change the trajectory, and longevity, of your life. You're gonna want to lean in on this one. Dan discovered five places in the world—he calls them Blue Zones—where people live the longest, healthiest, lives—Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California. Spending significant time in these Blue Zones, Dan is unlocking the secrets that make these places so special. And he's bringing it to the world. Dan's Book: The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer: Lessons from the Healthiest Places on Earth (affiliate link) Dan has taken his message of a longer, healthier, happier life to The Today Show, Oprah, and Good Morning America. He's given keynote addresses at TEDMED and Google, and is putting his life-changing research into practice by partnering with governments, employers, and insurance companies to implement Blue Zones Projects—well-being initiatives based around his Blue Zones research. Dan is also a National Geographic Fellow, a three-time Guinness World Record holder for distance cycling, and an entrepreneur. After 20 years as a financial services professional and completing thousands of financial plans for clients…Ben shares the secrets to building wealth, but more importantly building a fulfilling life. Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.

You may not know their names, but I'm betting their story will grip you.

Kim and Laurie Baird were small town sweethearts. Young and in love, Laurie was 19 when they got married. With barely a penny to their name, they had to borrow a car for their honeymoon. They didn't have much, but they were committed to each other.

While on paper, things were looking good for the Bairds, in their home it was a different story. As success was building, their marriage was crumbling. With their three kids out of the house, things hit a crisis. After thirty years of marriage, The Bairds were at their wits end. They ended up separating, sitting on the knife-edge of divorce.

There was hurt, shame, and anger. But then they made an unexpected choice. They held on—just a little bit longer. And it made all the difference.

They don't have a book, or an online course they're trying to sell—they're two people who have walked a difficult road, and come out the other side passionate about marriage.

Today, we're going to hear their story, and pick up lessons they had to learn the hard way.

It's all about perseverance, perspective, and hanging on.

After 20 years as a financial services professional and completing thousands of financial plans for clients…Ben shares the secrets to building wealth, but more importantly building a fulfilling life.

Here is a brief legal disclaimer about today's episode: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professional before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.