"A community-first mindset means showing up for your people—even when they're just quietly watching." That’s how Paul Gowder, founder of PowWows.com, defines decades-long success in the online space. What started as a college hobby has blossomed into a vibrant, multimillion-follower platform celebrating Native American culture and proving that niche communities can not only survive but thrive in today’s noisy digital world.

Paul’s journey is a masterclass in staying true to your values, listening to your audience, and building engagement through heart, strategy, and the occasional well-placed email sequence.

We Also Talked About:

• How Paul turned a college web project into a thriving, sustainable business
• The surprising power of "lurkers" in online communities
• Why email is still king (and how Paul uses Kit (was ConvertKit) to dominate it)
• The moment social media nearly killed his forums—and how he pivoted
• Using Group Leads to bridge Facebook groups and email sequences
• What a “community-first mindset” really looks like in action
• Hiring from your own community to build a rock-solid team
• How a mastermind and a coach helped him 10x his email marketing results
• Why the medium (Facebook, email, TikTok) is less important than the mindset

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Find a PowWow near you:  https://www.powwows.com/powwowsnearme
• Paul’s personal site:  https://www.paulgowder.com
• Behind-the-scenes look at his email toolkit: https://www.paulgowder.com/emailtools
• ConvertKit (now branded as Kit) – Paul’s go-to email platform (affiliate link)
• Tool to sync Facebook group signups with email sequences -https://groupleads.net/ 
• Mediavine – Advertising partner for monetizing traffic - https://www.mediavine.com/ 

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"The world doesn’t happen to you — it happens through you." — Martin Salama

What if losing millions, a home, a marriage, and a BMW all within a few months could actually be the best thing that ever happened to you? For Martin Salama, that's exactly what it was. In this episode, Martin shares how he transformed personal and financial disaster into a powerful coaching philosophy — one that helps entrepreneurs not just survive chaos, but thrive because of it.

Martin is known as The Architect of The Warrior's Life, a coach who specializes in helping people live incredibly full lives — despite (or perhaps because of) the bumps in the road. After building and losing a multimillion-dollar business, Martin turned his own lessons into a seven-figure coaching program with a risk-reversal strategy that’s as bold as his personality.

We Also Talked About:

• How Martin’s five-year dream project collapsed overnight — and why it was the making of him
• Why most people stay stuck in a “why is this happening to me” mindset, and how to shift to “through me” thinking
• What reading The Four Agreements unlocked for him about anger, people-pleasing, and personal responsibility
• His journey from being a people-pleaser and control freak to a confident, compassionate coach
• How he built the "Live Incredibly Full Every Day" (LIFE) framework
• The problem with "done for you" coaching programs — and how Martin’s model is different
• The power of guarantees in business (and why Martin’s guarantee is a true game-changer)
• The gift he gave — and received — by donating stem cells to save a life

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (affiliate link)
• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki (affiliate link)
• Who Not How by Dan Sullivan (affiliate link)
• Martin’s book: Worrier to Warrior (affiliate link)
• Connect with Martin: ConnectWithMartin.com

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"You can’t out-hustle burnout. Trust me, I tried."

That’s the hard-earned insight from Dr. Victoria Mensch, who went from clinical psychologist to Silicon Valley high-achiever — and burned out in both. Now she teaches leaders how to create burnout-proof lives by mastering energy, not just calendars. In this episode, Victoria breaks down why traditional success so often leads to emotional exhaustion, and how you can build a life and business that leaves room for joy, not just productivity.

With a PhD in psychology and an MBA from UC Berkeley, Victoria brings both brain science and boardroom experience to the conversation. Her approach to self-leadership, energy management, and redefining control will have you rethinking the way you work — and why.

We Also Talked About:

• Why burnout isn’t always obvious — and how to spot the subtle signs

• The myth of “success = happiness” (and what actually creates fulfillment)

• How self-awareness is the first step in becoming a resilient leader

• The surprising power of intentionally scheduling joy

• How to relinquish control — and why it’s essential for avoiding burnout

• Moving from corporate life to entrepreneurship: the real risks and rewards

• What “languishing” looks like — and how to shift into a state of flourishing

• A practical framework for balancing time, energy, and values

• Why leadership always starts with self-leadership

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Silicon Valley Executive Academy – Victoria’s corporate consulting hub

• Victoria Mensch on LinkedIn – connect with her for insights and support

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“Marketing hasn’t fundamentally changed in 150 years. The tools have — but the core principles? Still the same.”

That’s Phillip Marzouk, branding strategist and marketing nerd (his words), explaining how modern business owners often get tripped up by tactics while missing the big-picture strategy. With a background spanning website development, airline marketing campaigns (hello, Hobbiton!), and helping mom-and-pop shops thrive, Phillip breaks down how solopreneurs can stop chasing every shiny tool and start focusing on what actually works.

Phillip has over 13 years of marketing experience, starting out in film before transitioning to the digital world. He’s led campaigns for big names like Qantas and Warner Bros, but what really lights him up is helping small businesses and solopreneurs cut through the noise and find what works for them — not just what’s trending.

We Also Talked About:

• The marketing truths that haven’t changed since Rolex used influencer marketing… in the 1920s
• What PPC (pay-per-click) and SEO really mean, and when you should use them
• Phillip’s journey from webmaster to high-level strategist (and why he left the Cannes Film Festival experience behind)
• How big-budget brands still rely on scrappy marketing strategies — and what solopreneurs can learn from that
• The critical moment when Phillip realized he preferred helping struggling small businesses over running blockbuster campaigns
• Why AI can’t replace your expertise — and how to use tools like ChatGPT without sounding like a robot
• The exact process he uses to turn bland AI output into high-performing marketing content
• When to stop doing it all yourself and finally hire help (hint: it's when you're spending more time fixing than growing)
• Why your business is no longer “your baby” once you start hiring — and why that’s a good thing

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RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Phillip’s website: https://digitalonbrand.com
• Sign up for Phillip’s newsletter and marketing tips via the website above

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Have you ever faced a moment in life that completely changed your trajectory? For Alan Lazaros, that moment came in the form of a near-fatal car accident. Once a corporate high-flyer with a successful career in engineering and business, Alan found himself questioning everything he thought he knew about success, fulfillment, and purpose. That moment of reckoning led him to embrace podcasting as a vehicle for growth, connection, and impact.

Fast forward to today, and Alan is the co-host of the Next Level University podcast, boasting nearly 2,000 episodes and a global reach. His journey is one of grit, reflection, and resilience, proving that real transformation happens when we align our work with our values and commit to daily self-improvement. If you're navigating the challenges of building a business or searching for a deeper sense of purpose, Alan's insights will inspire and motivate you to take action.

We Also Talked About:

• The pivotal moment that made Alan re-evaluate his life and career
• Why he chose podcasting over other business models
• The journey from two guys having deep conversations to running a daily global podcast
• How core values shape business success and partnerships
• The key mindset shifts needed to sustain a long-term business
• The role of humility and work ethic in building a strong team
• Navigating conflict in a business partnership and why it’s essential for growth
• The difference between external success and internal fulfillment—and why both matter
• Why hiring from within your community can lead to a stronger, more aligned team

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RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Podcast: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-university-podcast/ 
• Alan’s Book Club:  https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-book-club/ 
• Alan’s Website:  https://www.nextleveluniverse.com 
• The Conscious Couples Podcast
  • Spotify
  • Apple
• Books by Russell Brunson on entrepreneurship and sales funnel:
  
  • Traffic Secrets
  • Expert Secrets

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Have you ever felt stuck in a job you didn’t love and wondered if there was a way to break free? Carol Kabaale, a Meta-certified ad strategist, knows exactly what that’s like. She secretly quit her corporate job—without telling her fiancé.

As Carol puts it, “I just knew if I told everyone around me, they’d talk me out of it, so I kept quiet and built my plan in secret. And it worked.”

In this episode, Carol shares how she went from her first client to a full-fledged agency, the smart ad strategies she uses to help businesses grow, and insider tips on running Facebook ads without wasting money. If you’re looking for real talk on what it takes to succeed with online advertising (and a little courage to take your own leap), this is the episode for you.

We Also Talked About:

• Why Carol walked away from a promising corporate career (without telling anyone!)
• How she got her first clients and replaced her salary in record time
• The biggest mistakes small business owners make with Facebook ads
• A breakdown of different ad types—and which ones actually work
• Why understanding data is the key to ad success (even if you hate numbers)
• How to know if your business is ready to run ads—and what to do first

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RESOURCES MENTIONED

• • Carol’s Ads Readiness Quiz: carolkabaale.com
  • Book on overcoming procrastination:  Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy  (affiliate link)

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Have you ever wanted to write a book but got totally lost in the complexities of trying to do it through traditional publishing channels? What if you could bring your manuscript to life, maintain full creative control, and keep more of the profits by self-publishing? 

In this episode, I sit down with Michele DeFilippo, a publishing expert with over 50 years of experience, who shares her journey from traditional publishing to helping self-published authors create high-quality books that stand shoulder to shoulder with bestsellers. As Michele says, "Real self-publishing means you are in charge, you control your book, and you should get all the revenue." If you're ready to take control of your publishing journey, this episode is a must-listen!

We Also Talked About:

• The major disruptions in the publishing industry and how Michele pivoted her business
• The biggest mistakes self-published authors make and how to avoid them
• The difference between self-publishing and working with a "publishing service"
• How to ensure your book looks as professional as traditionally published bestsellers
• The step-by-step process of getting a book from manuscript to finished product
• The importance of book cover design and why it's more than just aesthetics
• Why Amazon's print-on-demand model has changed the game for indie authors
• The truth about book marketing and what authors need to know

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Michele DeFilippo’s website: 1106design.com
• Free resource: Publish Like the Pros (available on her website) or go to https://1106design.substack.com/ 

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What if the only thing standing between you and success was a mindset shift? According to entrepreneur, Nicky Billou, 

"Without sales, there's no business. And if you're scared of sales, you're scared of service." 

In this episode, we dive into what it means to truly serve in business and how shifting your mindset can transform not only your revenue but also your impact.

Nicky’s journey is inspiring. From leaving Iran as a teenager to becoming a best-selling author and highly sought-after business coach, he shares how his father’s values of generosity and service shaped his approach to business. He reveals how entrepreneurs can overcome their fear of selling, connect with clients authentically, and build a business rooted in service rather than stress.

We Also Talked About:

• The life-changing mindset shift that took a client from making $2K a month to $20K
• How to stop seeing sales as “sales” and start seeing it as an act of love and service
• Why belief in your clients is the foundation of their success
• The four must-have qualities for any entrepreneur serious about growth
• How to attract your ideal clients using Nicky’s 11-channel strategy
• The critical difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it
• How Nicky’s personal struggles with business and life led him to coaching
• The importance of having a coach and being coachable in business growth

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Nicky’s website:  https://www.ecircleacademy.com/
• Nicky’s podcast:  https://www.thethoughtleaderrevolution.com/episodes
• Book:  Get Booked & Get Paid: How To Generate 6 Figures+ A Year, Through Podcast Guesting

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“I was working way more than I should have been—and it was my husband who sat me down and said, ‘This family is going to break if you don’t make a change."

For Donna Dube, a former ICU nurse turned business operations expert, that moment was a wake-up call. In this episode, Donna shares how she transformed her life by setting boundaries, leveraging time management strategies, and focusing on what she calls “CEO-level work.” Her insights can help you escape the busywork trap and build a business that works for you, not the other way around.

We Also Talked About:

• The wake-up call that helped Donna reclaim her time and set boundaries.
• How to use a time audit to uncover inefficiencies and regain control of your schedule.
• Breaking tasks into “maintenance” vs. “growth” categories to maximize ROI.
• How fractional support roles like a Director of Operations can help entrepreneurs grow.
• The importance of identifying your hourly rate and delegating low-value tasks.
• Using tools like AI to simplify workflows and boost productivity.
• Why Donna loves "Atomic Habits" and "Traction" for transforming your business and life.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Download Donna’s free CEO Power Hour Playbook at https://ceoamplify.ca/ceo-power-hour
• Explore Donna’s other services at ceoamplify.ca.
• Books: 
• Atomic Habits by James Clear (affiliate link)
• Traction by Gino Wickman (affiliate link)

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Den López was sick of missing time with his family and craved the freedom to pursue his passion.  So he left his 16-year career as a mechanic and built his dream business teaching guitar.

“I needed something I could get control of,” he said 

Tune in to discover how Den turned his passion for teaching into a thriving online business and how you can apply his insights to your own journey.

Den Lopez is an innovative guitar teacher and the creator of the "Guitar in One Hour" method. With over 25 years of experience playing guitar and a high success rate for his students, Den has built a thriving business that transforms beginners and frustrated guitarists into confident players. His passion for making music accessible has inspired countless students worldwide.

We Also Talked About:

• The emotional trigger that pushed Den to leave his 16-year career as a mechanic to pursue his passion for teaching guitar.

• How a family musical tradition shaped Den’s approach to teaching and his belief that anyone can make music.

• Why 95% of people quit learning the guitar and how Den’s innovative system simplifies the process.

• The role of breaking false beliefs and the importance of finding a mentor to succeed in both music and business.

• Insights into how Den built his business from scratch while balancing work and family life.

• A fascinating story of resilience and passion: Batman, rope, and the leap of faith needed to break free from job security.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Den’s "Beginner Guitarist Playbook" – Get your free copy at learningguitarsecrets.com/free 

• Russell Brunson’s One Funnel Away Challenge - https://www.onefunnelaway.com/ 

• Django Reinhardt – Iconic gypsy jazz guitarist - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ308aOOX04 

• Shane Sams – Entrepreneur and founder of Flipped Lifestyle - https://www.flippedlifestyle.com/ 

• Pat Flynn – Entrepreneur and founder of the SPI community - https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/SPI-Community (affiliate link)

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