Pacific Capital's Podcast Playlist

In this inspiring episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Chad Willardson, founder of Pacific Capital, six-time author, husband, father of five, and one of the most respected voices in wealth management and leadership. Chad shares the courageous decision that changed his life forever, walking away from a successful career at Merrill Lynch with no safety net to build a company rooted in integrity, purpose, and people over profits. Today, Chad Willardson manages more than $1.5 billion in assets, but Chad reveals that his greatest success has never been measured by money. From overcoming fear and rejection to building elite teams, protecting company culture, prioritizing family, and turning down millions to stay true to his values, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone determined to build a meaningful life. 

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The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

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#ChadWillardson #FullyInvested #Leadership #EntrepreneurLife #WorkLifeIntegration #BusinessGrowth #HighPerformance #TimeManagement #FamilyFirst #PersonalDevelopment #WealthMindset #SuccessHabits #PodcastInterview #StorycomicPresents #AuthorInterview

Chad Willardson is back on Storycomic Presents—and this time he’s here to talk about his latest book, Fully Invested: Why Work-Life Balance Is a Total Lie. In our conversation, Chad breaks down why “balance” can leave high achievers feeling guilty and split in half, and what it looks like instead to build real alignment between business, family, health, and the life you’re trying to enjoy. 

We also get into the practical side: the book lays out seven strategies aimed at scaling without sacrificing your marriage, your kids, your health, or your sanity—and what Chad calls building “true wealth,” not just a bigger number on paper.1

If you’re a founder, creator, or leader who’s tired of doing everything “right” while still feeling behind, this episode is for you. Learn more about Chad and his work through Pacific Capital and the book page linked above. 

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/

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What does it take to build a family office with a $25M minimum and serve first-generation entrepreneurs navigating complex wealth? This episode breaks it down.

In this episode of Sterling Insights, Roger sits down with Chad Willardson, founder of Pacific Capital and advisor to ultra-high-net-worth founders. Together, they explore how to serve first-gen entrepreneurs with complex financial lives, sharing valuable insights and practical tips for advisors and families alike. Chad draws from his extensive experience building a boutique family office to discuss client fit, private investments, multi-generational planning, and how to say no—even to $100M prospects, offering actionable advice for those working with high-net-worth individuals. This episode is a must-listen for financial advisors, family office professionals, and entrepreneurial families, providing both knowledge and tools to navigate this important subject.

Key Takeaways:

● 💼 Know Your Ideal Client: Why Chad only serves first-gen founders with $25M+ and how he defines perfect-fit clients.

● 🧠 Be the Peer, Not Just the Planner: How being an entrepreneur himself makes Chad more effective as an advisor.

● 📊 Private Deals Are Everywhere: How his team evaluates hundreds of private investment opportunities each year for clients.

● 🧒 Smart, Not Spoiled: Why teaching kids about money early is essential—and how not to ruin the next generation.

● 🛩️ Lifestyle Decisions Matter: What to consider when clients ask, “Should I buy a jet?”

Quotes from Chad Willardson:

● "I’m more of a peer to my clients than just their advisor."

● "You don’t have to do business with people who aren’t a good personal fit."

● "Making money easy doesn’t make someone good with money."

🔗 Conclusion:

Serving ultra-wealthy entrepreneurs isn’t just about investing—it’s about simplifying their lives, protecting their time, and helping them think clearly in high-stakes moments.

Connect with Chad:

Website:  http://chadwillardson.com/

Connect with Roger:

Website:  https://www.sterlingfoundations.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sterlingfoundations/

Twitter:  https://x.com/SterlingFndMgt?mx=2

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/sterling-foundation-management-llc/

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In this episode of Legacy Builders with Kyle McGee, our host sits down with entrepreneur, author, and wealth advisor Chad Willardson to explore what it truly means to live a fully invested life — not just in business, but in faith, family, fitness, and purpose.

Chad opens up about his personal operating system, the vulnerability of writing his most authentic book yet, and why the traditional concept of “work–life balance” is a lie holding leaders back. He shares how intentional decisions, non-negotiable habits, and a values-driven mindset have helped him build a thriving company while staying anchored at home.

Connect with Chad: linkedin.com/in/chadwillardson

Buy Chad's Newest Book: https://fullyinvested.com/

Stay connected to the conversation by joining us on your favorite social media platform! 

https://linktr.ee/legacybuilderskm

Work-life balance? It’s a lie. In this episode, JR Lay sits down with Chad Willardson—author of Fully Invested—to explore what it really means to go “all in” without losing yourself in the process. You’ll learn how to integrate your values across life and business, why alignment beats balance every time, and how redefining success can unlock greater impact at home and in your company. Whether you're scaling a business or re-evaluating your priorities, this conversation will help you stop chasing and start building with intention.

On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I sit down with Chad Willardson, entrepreneur, wealth advisor, and author of Fully Invested, for a heartfelt and lively conversation about what it truly means to win big at work and at home - without sacrificing one for the other.

Chad shares the journey behind his "fully invested" philosophy: from the pivotal moment he chose family over chasing the Wall Street grind, to building successful businesses while making his marriage and five kids a top priority. Together, we unpack why "work-life balance" is a myth, and how true fulfillment comes from integrating your values into every part of your life, not compartmentalizing them.

Key themes include learning to say no to good opportunities so you can say yes to great ones, cultivating championship teams in business and family, and establishing rituals and communication that keep loved ones connected even as life and careers evolve. Chad's candid stories and practical strategies illuminate how being present, whether at home or work, not only deepens relationships but powers greater professional success.

Whether you're longing for more meaning at home while building your career, or questioning if you really have to choose between family and ambition, this episode is a powerful reminder that your richest life is possible when you invest fully in what truly matters.

About Chad,

Chad Willardson, CFF®, CRPC®, AWMA®, is the President and Founder of Pacific Capital, a family office services firm dedicated to helping high-net-worth entrepreneurs achieve lifestyle and financial freedom. Chad is also the Founder of ELEVATED, an exclusive coaching program for growth-focused entrepreneurs.

As an elected City Treasurer managing $650 million for taxpayers, Chad brings unparalleled expertise in wealth management, cash flow strategies, and business growth.

Beyond his professional achievements, Chad is deeply invested in his family and previously hosted The Smart Money Parenting Show, ranked the #2 podcast on Apple for Parenting, Kids & Family, where he shares actionable advice on raising money-smart kids and balancing success at work and home.

With over 20 years of experience in wealth management,

Chad continues to inspire entrepreneurs to win in business and at home.

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Chad Willardson went from top 2% at Merrill Lynch, speaking on Wall Street stages, to walking away from the corporate “matrix” to build a life where family and freedom come first. Today, he’s the founder of Pacific Capital, a fiduciary wealth advisory firm serving entrepreneurs and families, a five-time author, and a leading voice challenging the hustle culture with a new framework: work-life integration.

Raised with strong family and faith values but no entrepreneurial wealth, Chad learned early that true success isn’t just about a big bank account—it’s about being present at home and building wealth that lasts across generations. His books Smart, Not Spoiled and Why Work-Life Balance Is a Lie reveal how to raise grounded kids, manage money differently, and create both financial freedom and family legacy at the same time.

This episode explores:

• Growing up in a family that valued presence and faith over money—and how that shaped his path
• Turning down lucrative Wall Street jobs as a newlywed to prioritize marriage and fatherhood
• Leaving Merrill Lynch after 9 years despite high performance, and the freedom entrepreneurship unlocked
• Why entrepreneurs are “wealth wired differently”—and why traditional advice fails them
• Smart, Not Spoiled: practical ways to raise kids who understand money, work ethic, and value creation
• Why financial literacy should be taught in schools from 1st grade through college
• The viral Babysitter Guide that became a parenting and leadership lesson
• Missing the Kentucky Derby “main event” to make his son’s playoff game—and why he’d do it 100 out of 100 times
• Work-life integration: putting family on the calendar first, then business
• How money mindsets are inherited—and how anyone can rewire theirs to build wealth
• Why financial freedom is possible for everyone, regardless of background

This episode is about faith, family, and freedom. Chad’s story will challenge you to stop chasing hustle culture, start defining success on your own terms, and create wealth without sacrificing the relationships that matter most.

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🔗 Connect with Chad Willardson

Website: https://chadwillardson.com

Book: https://fullyinvested.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/chadwillardson

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcast

Host - Sean Martin: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin

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🔥 About the Guest – Chad Willardson

Chad Willardson is the President & Founder of Pacific Capital, a fiduciary wealth advisory firm in Southern California. With 23+ years advising entrepreneurs and families, Chad is a trusted voice on financial freedom, family legacy, and entrepreneur-focused wealth strategies. He’s the author of five books, including Smart, Not Spoiled and Why Work-Life Balance Is a Lie. His work has been featured in major outlets, and his viral parenting and money frameworks have reached millions. A husband, father of five, and entrepreneur, Chad leads with faith, integrity, and the belief that real success means thriving in both business and family life.

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Tags & Keywords

Chad Willardson, Pacific Capital, Smart Not Spoiled, Why Work Life Balance is a Lie, Fully Invested, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, financial freedom, wealth management, entrepreneur money mindset, family legacy, parenting and money, financial literacy, entrepreneur wealth, fiduciary, Wall Street to entrepreneur, money mindset, wealth wired differently, faith and business, work life integration, freedom and family

Welcome to another episode of Hacks and Hobbies! I’m your host, Junaid, and today we’re diving deep into the world of entrepreneurship, wealth-building, and lifestyle freedom with our returning guest, Chad Willardson.

Chad is the founder of Pacific Capital and creator of the Platinum Elevated coaching program, where he helps entrepreneurs not just grow their businesses, but also achieve true financial and lifestyle freedom. In this episode, Chad shares powerful strategies for investing outside your business, setting ambitious goals, and surrounding yourself with growth-minded people.

We’ll also discuss how to avoid burnout, recharge your energy, and create a business that supports the life you love.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your success to the next level, Chad’s insights will inspire you to take action and build the future you deserve. Stick around—this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Where to reach Our Guest

https://chadwillardson.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadwillardson/3 Hacks to take away

Connect with our Host Junaid

Want to be a guest on Hacks and Hobbies – Passion to Profit Stories?

Send Junaid Ahmed a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/hacksandhobbies

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Why do so many entrepreneurs achieve financial success but end up with broken personal lives?

In this episode, Chad Willardson—founder of Pacific Capital and Platinum Elevated—shares the truth about building wealth while keeping your family and health intact. From leaving Merrill Lynch after the 2008 recession to building his own firm, Chad reveals the hidden traps that keep entrepreneurs overworked, unhealthy, and unfulfilled, and how to break free.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode:

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Chad’s story: from Merrill Lynch to starting Pacific Capital

03:30 – Success at home and in business: why both matter

07:00 – The trap of control and what it costs entrepreneurs

12:00 – Why balance is a myth but intentional focus works

18:30 – Platinum Elevated: building communities that push you higher

📌 Connect with Chad:

Website: chadwillardson.com

LinkedIn: Chad Willardson

🎙 Wanna be a guest? Apply on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/hacksandhobbies

📖 Home Studio resources: https://homestudiobook.com

🔗 LI: https://linkedin.com/in/superjunaid

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In this episode of HawkeTalk, I sit down with Chad Willardson, founder and CEO of Pacific Capital, to hear how he went from a young Merrill Lynch trainee during the tech bubble to building a premier boutique wealth management firm for entrepreneurs.

Chad shares how growing up in Orange County shaped his values, why basketball and Michael Jordan fueled his competitive spirit, and what it really took to survive in a “shark tank” Wall Street training program where only three of 140 made it through. After nine years at Merrill Lynch and a front-row seat to the chaos of the 2008 financial crisis, Chad walked away from a seven-figure salary, lucrative offers from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, and even a multimillion-dollar signing bonus. Instead, he chose freedom, authenticity, and the chance to start over from zero.

We dive into the struggles and triumphs of launching Pacific Capital in 2011, from fighting off frivolous lawsuits to learning the nuts and bolts of leases, payroll, and leadership. Chad opens up about finding his niche serving growth-minded entrepreneurs, scaling his firm to $25M+ minimums, and why taking care of clients above all else has been the key to long-term success.

Through it all, Chad’s story is a reminder that persistence, integrity, and the courage to leave comfort for calling can transform both a career and a life.

In this episode: 

• (00:00) The best advice Chad ever got: take care of clients first
• (04:34) Surviving Merrill Lynch’s “boiler room” training days
• (10:24) Walking away from Merrill Lynch despite seven-figure earnings
• (15:54) Building a boutique family office model
• (22:15) Expanding services like tax strategy and travel concierge
• (23:20) Why entrepreneurs are underserved in wealth management
• (24:58) Advice on persistence and always putting clients first

Hawke Media

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• https://hawkemedia.com/
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About Our Guest

Chad Willardson is the founder and CEO of Pacific Capital, a boutique fiduciary wealth advisory firm in Southern California serving entrepreneurs and families with $25M+ in investable assets. Chad began his career at Merrill Lynch, where he rose to become one of the top advisors in his region before leaving in 2011 to launch his own firm.

At Pacific Capital, he and his team provide a true family office experience, from tax strategy and investment management to travel concierge and executive hiring support. He is also the author of Wealth Wired Differently, bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and financial professionals. Chad’s mission is simple: help entrepreneurs protect, grow, and enjoy their wealth while living life on their terms.

Chad Willardson

• Pacific Capital Website
• Chad Willardson on LinkedIn

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