Ten Thousand Miles

Vic and JD share personal stories from their own careers, including moments when success suddenly turned into uncertainty. They explore why we attach so much of our identity to our jobs, why losing a role can feel like losing our value, and how to separate a temporary setback from the bigger story of who we are.

They also dig into the realities of today’s job market, from AI-driven resume screening and recruiter ghosting to the power of relationships, referrals, and having people willing to make a phone call on your behalf.

Most importantly, this is a conversation about confidence. How do you rebuild it? How do you create new evidence that you’re still capable? When should you ask for help? And what does it actually look like to support someone who’s sitting on the bench?

If you’ve been laid off, pushed out, passed over, rejected, or you’re simply questioning what comes next, this episode is for you.

You lost a job. You didn’t lose your value.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — When Your Career Knocks You Down

05:09 — Your Job Is Not Your Identity

11:00 — Surviving Setbacks & Owning Your Story

23:38 — Confidence Is Built, Not Given

29:59 — The Job Search Is Broken

40:11 — Stop Applying. Start Working Your Network.

46:57 — Asking for Help & Actually Helping Others

56:39 — Your Setback Might Be Your Next Beginning

Whether you’re actively searching for your next opportunity or helping someone who is, remember this: One bad chapter doesn’t erase the entire story.

Everyone faces embarrassing moments when starting out, but these experiences often shape our future trajectory. This discussion focuses on reframing failure and finding the value in those awkward early career lessons. If you feel stuck comparing your beginning to someone else's middle, this perspective on professional growth will help you reset your expectations.

We explore why adopting a progress over perfection attitude is essential for long-term success. By looking at how minor setbacks serve as building blocks, you can approach your daily work with more confidence. Whether you are navigating your first job or pivoting to a new industry, embracing these career lessons helps you move forward without the weight of past errors.

Subscribe for weekly career advice breakdowns, and let me know in the comments: what is one mistake you made that taught you a valuable lesson?

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro: The Embarrassing Story From My First Strategy Meeting

04:47 – Why CIOs Don't Need a Team — They Need an Army

09:32 – The Data Doesn't Lie: IT Project Failure Rates

13:58 – AI Is Becoming a Commodity — Stop Trying to Build It

18:32 – The Real Cost of Building In-House

24:07 – How to Buy Smart: A Framework for CIOs

Referenced in this episode: Vic's LinkedIn paper, "What I Wish I Knew as a New CIO."

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vic-pepe_a-30-year-look-back-activity-7490739364658860032-XeFX?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAB0zZUB4hhw7iJ4uEsh5eZZF3GNL-u_kIo

Technology leadership requires more than just code. Learn how to balance serious decision-making with genuine joy.

Sit down with Jason Tanaka, a fellow technologist and leader, as we break down the realities of managing technical teams. This conversation moves beyond standard management theory to focus on the human side of engineering management, exploring how we maintain authenticity while navigating high-stakes projects.

We discuss the specific challenges of career growth in the current landscape. By examining our own experiences—from serious strategy sessions to lighter, joyful exchanges—we highlight how technical mentorship and building strong workplace dynamics can define your trajectory. You will walk away with a clearer understanding of how to lead with both competence and character.

Subscribe for weekly technology leadership breakdowns, and let me know your biggest management hurdle in the comments.

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Meet Jason Tanaka and the AI-First Conversation

04:04 - The "Cocoon": Reinventing Software Development With AI

13:54 - What Does It Really Mean to Be AI-First?

21:39 - AI Governance, Risk and the Fear of the Unknown

26:36 - Will AI Replace Employees or Make Them More Powerful?

31:20 - Shadow AI and the New Role of IT

48:34 - Experimentation, Failure and Psychological Safety

01:05:07 - Growth Mindset and the First-Year Chef

If you're a CEO, CIO, CTO, technology leader, developer, entrepreneur, or business executive trying to understand how AI will reshape organizations, this conversation offers a practical and thought-provoking look at what comes next.

David Karandish, founder and CEO of Capacity, returns to Ten Thousand Miles to unpack how his company rocketed from $5M to over $100M in annual recurring revenue in just three and a half years. David breaks down the three (soon to be four) big bets that built Capacity: automating customer support with AI, raising capital outside the traditional VC path, and running a "compound startup" playbook — a strategy borrowed from Rippling's Parker Conrad — to build, partner, and acquire (19 acquisitions in 39 months) their way into an all-in-one customer experience platform.

Vic and David dig into how founder-to-founder relationships and a reputation for closing deals fuel Capacity's M&A engine, how agentic coding unexpectedly solved the "impossible" problem of integrating 19 acquired companies, and why differentiated AI models — not one-size-fits-all LLMs — will define the next wave of AI economics. The conversation also covers AI's role in education, why "problem describing, selecting, and solving" should never be collapsed into one step, how Capacity thinks about competition when everyone claims to be an AI company, and what inning we're really in when it comes to enterprise AI adoption.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome Back: David Karandish Returns

01:16 – From $5M to $100M ARR: The Three Big Bets

05:05 – The Compound Startup Playbook (Parker Conrad's Framework)

12:23 – How Capacity Finds, Diligences, and Closes Acquisitions

20:15 – Agentic Coding: The Hidden Unlock for M&A Integration

25:42 – Token Costs, Model Economics, and the Future of Compute

42:20 – AI in Education, Work, and the "Agents Everywhere" Bet

52:33 – Competing on the Oval: Problem-Solving Framework and What's Next

Guest: David Karandish, Founder & CEO of Capacity, previously founder of Answers.com

CEO Interview - What does it really take to grow a company from $6 million to more than $100 million in revenue? Leadership...

In this episode of Ten Thousand Miles, Vic Pepe sits down with Josh Gould - CEO of The Big Word, investor, and entrepreneur who has spent decades building and scaling businesses through recessions, wars, AI disruption, and private equity ownership.

Josh shares the unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship: why failure is the norm, how resilience beats brilliance, and why the companies that survive aren't always the prettiest—they're the ones built like cockroaches.

The conversation dives into scaling, private equity, AI, leadership, difficult decisions, and the mindset required to build businesses that can withstand almost anything. Along the way, Josh offers practical lessons on hiring, innovation, and why having fun may be one of the most underrated business strategies of all.

Whether you're a founder, executive, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom from someone who's lived every lesson he shares.

In this episode:

- Growing a company from $6M to $100M+

- Why most entrepreneurial decisions fail—and why that's okay

- The "cockroach" philosophy for building resilient businesses

- Lessons from surviving multiple waves of AI disruption

- What it's really like selling to private equity

- Build vs. buy: making smarter technology decisions

- Hiring leaders who complement your weaknesses

- Why entrepreneurship is both freedom and sacrifice

- The overlooked importance of having fun while building something meaningful

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Episode 120 & Meet Josh Gould

03:26 The Mission That Has Driven Josh's Entire Career

09:42 Why Failure Is the Real Path to Entrepreneurial Success

19:14 Scaling from $6M to $100M Through Constant Reinvention

29:39 Selling to Private Equity: What Every Founder Should Know

47:00 AI, Automation, and the Future of Business

01:12:31 Lightning Round: Leadership Lessons, Hiring, and Why You Should Never Forget to Have Fun

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuadgould?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios

https://youtube.com/@exec_craft?si=pZ-kiXjXXgsFn69r

https://www.instagram.com/execcraft?igsh=YzNtbGR5bmg5OHNo

https://en-us.thebigword.com/

See how a former Gladiators star handles public criticism. Learn how she pivots from being mocked to turning that attention into profit.In this candid Gladiators interview, we sit down to discuss the reality of life after the show.

Many public figures face ridicule online, but this conversation explores a different approach: embracing the attention rather than fighting it. If you have ever wondered how to shift your mindset when people are laughing at you, this discussion offers a practical perspective on taking control of your own narrative.We cover the challenges of public perception and the specific moment of clarity that led to this change in strategy.

By dealing with criticism head-on, the guest explains why choosing to monetize the memes was the smartest business decision they could make. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in personal branding and the realities of modern media fame.

Subscribe for weekly media and entertainment breakdowns, and tell us in the comments if you would do the same in their position.

00:00 Meet Lori “ICE” Fetrick: The Queen of Reinvention

03:17 From San Bernardino Athlete to Bodybuilder

13:32 Auditioning for American Gladiators

23:40 Fame, Madison Square Garden, and Life Behind the Scenes

26:31 Muscles & Mayhem and What Happened After Gladiators

34:10 The Hustle Years, Failure, Fear, and Reinvention

47:02 Staying Relevant and Unapologetically Yourself at 63

53:13 OnlyFans, Fitness, Longevity, and What Comes Next

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Josh Holyfield discusses the realities of building a legacy and the discipline required to sustain it. Get a raw look at his personal story and the specific mindset shifts needed for long-term growth.

This session explores the journey behind the Josh Holyfield brand, moving past standard interview surface-level questions. We examine the foundational experiences that prepared him for his current trajectory and analyze the practical steps he takes to maintain daily consistency. This is for listeners who want to understand the rigorous work ethic that drives high-level performance.

By examining his personal philosophy, you will gain a clearer picture of how to handle professional friction. We break down the specific mental hurdles Josh Holyfield faced and how his approach to obstacles has evolved over time. If you are looking for actionable insights on discipline, this conversation provides a blueprint for applying those lessons to your own path.

Chapters

00:00 – Meet Josh Holyfield: Reinvention Through Service

06:00 – From Homelessness to the U.S. Military

13:00 – Iraq, Afghanistan, and Finding Purpose Under Pressure

20:00 – Obedience vs. Discipline: The Lesson That Changed Everything

28:00 – Heartbreak, Identity, and Reinventing Himself

36:00 – Building a $15 Million Business by Serving First

46:00 – The Truth About Health, Hormones, and Lasting Transformation

56:00 – Life Lessons, Legacy, and Becoming the Man You Were Meant to Be

This episode features a candid conversation between the host and Alexa Palermo. If you are a fan of the show or interested in the journey behind this specific podcast, this episode provides direct insight into the themes being explored.

Throughout the interview, Alexa Palermo shares her experiences while the host guides the dialogue to ensure a comprehensive overview. Whether you are catching up on previous episodes or just finding the 10000 Miles podcast for the first time, this session highlights key moments that define the current season. This is a must-watch for those who appreciate a focused podcast interview that gets straight to the point.

Subscribe for weekly 10000 Miles podcast updates and leave a comment sharing your favorite moment from this interview.

Alexa Palermo, Channel Manager at Vonage, joins Ten Thousand Miles to share how she broke into channel sales in her 20s, built confidence through imposter syndrome, and uses AI (ChatGPT, Claude) to boost productivity in tech sales. A must-watch for anyone starting a career in IT channel sales.

Chapters:

00:00 – Cold open

00:58 – 117 episodes in: the mission behind Ten Thousand Miles

03:26 – Alexa introduces herself

04:13 – Why the channel builds stronger relationships

05:16 – Alexa's first channel job at Procure IT

09:44 – What really attracted her to channel sales

12:03 – The "unfair advantage" of growing up in the industry

14:13 – Biggest misconceptions about tech sales

17:09 – The dinner in Texas that changed everything

20:20 – Overcoming imposter syndrome

24:54 – Mentors who shaped her career (Chris Fury, Kristy Thomas, Marina Kay)

29:23 – Mistakes, rejection, and learning to wait your turn

37:00 – How AI (ChatGPT, Claude) is changing careers for young professionals

42:00 – Rapid fire: success, leadership & advice for young pros

44:06 – Why the channel needs more women

46:39 – Final takeaway & closing

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Learn entrepreneur mentorship strategies from Dave Gutman. Discover practical business advice and founder lessons for your next venture.

This episode sits down with Dave Gutman, a seasoned founder, speaker, and startup investor. We discuss his approach to building businesses and the core principles that guide his professional journey. Whether you are scaling a company or just starting out, his insights on entrepreneurship tips provide a clear roadmap for navigating common industry challenges.

Throughout our conversation, Dave breaks down the realities of being a founder in today's market. He shares honest perspectives on mentorship and investment that helped shape his career. This discussion is designed for anyone looking to refine their business strategy and understand the mindset required for long-term growth.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome to Ten Thousand Miles with Dave Guttman

01:20 – Early Life, Wrestling, Entrepreneurship, and Lessons from Failure

07:39 – Learning Business Through Search Funds, Mentors, and Acquisitions

20:29 – Defining Moments, Dyslexia, Brown, Wharton, and Life’s Turning Points

28:17 – The Cancer Misdiagnosis That Changed Everything

39:32 – Fundraising, Building Sellable Companies, and the Anti-MBA Philosophy

59:20 – AI, Lifelong Learning, Success, Leadership, and Final Lessons

Subscribe for stories and business breakdowns, and comment below with which specific entrepreneurship topic you want us to cover next.

Please Comment, Like, Share, and Subscribe!

What does it take to close a $2.9 million loan with a doctor you've never met — in a state you're not even licensed in yet — all because of a letterboard and a LinkedIn post? Denise Panza has done it. Repeatedly.

Denise is a 30-year mortgage veteran, licensed in 20 states, and one of the most authentic personal brand builders in the financial services industry. In this return appearance on Ten Thousand Miles, Denise and host Vic Pepe pull back the curtain on how she went from Facebook mom to LinkedIn powerhouse — and how her social media presence has fundamentally transformed her loan production, her reach, and the lives of the families she serves.

This isn't a fluffy "post more content" conversation. Denise gets real about what actually works, what mortgage professionals are doing wrong on social media, how she handles compliance in a heavily regulated industry, and why she answers her phone at 11 PM — not because she has to, but because she genuinely loves what she does.

Whether you're in mortgages, real estate, sales, or just trying to build a personal brand that actually converts — this episode is loaded with practical wisdom and a few laughs along the way.

Subscribe to Ten Thousand Miles for new episodes every Monday.

Hosted by Vic Pepe | Author of "The RFP Is Dead" and "The Lucky 13"

CONNECT WITH DENISE PANZA:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisepanza/ — follow her letterboard game in real time

• Apply Online: askmortgagegal.com

CONNECT WITH VIC PEPE & TEN THOUSAND MILES:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vicpepe

• D&M Enterprise Group: dmenterprise.net

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CHAPTERS

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00:00 – Welcome Back: Denise Panza Returns to Ten Thousand Miles

01:18 – Why LinkedIn Changed Everything for Denise's Mortgage Business

03:35 – From Facebook to LinkedIn: How She Found Her Platform

06:25 – The Letterboard Signature and Building an Authentic Brand

09:06 – What Skeptics Said — and Why She Did It Anyway

09:44 – The 99-Year-Old WWII Veteran She Met on a Plane (and What It Taught Her About LinkedIn)

16:00 – Consistency Over Virality: The Long Game of Social Media

25:55 – Why Most Mortgage Pros Are Posting the Wrong Content

32:14 – How a LinkedIn Post Turned a Stranger Into a $2.9M Loan Client

34:40 – Every Loan Type, Every Client: Why Denise Doesn't Pick a Niche

36:23 – No Boundaries, No Problem: Answering Calls at 11 PM

38:43 – Retirement Is Not in Her Vocabulary (and Why She's Right)

47:41 – The Algorithm Nobody Can Predict — Including Vic

51:14 – Rapid Fire: Best Post Ever, Worst Habits on Social, and the Compliance Question

54:29 – The Closing Story That Still Gives Her Chills

57:46 – Celebrate Yourself: Open That Bottle of Camus

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KEYWORDS & TOPICS COVERED

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mortgage loan officer LinkedIn strategy | personal branding for mortgage professionals | social media for real estate and lending | how to get mortgage clients on LinkedIn | mortgage sales tips 2025 | authentic content creation | loan officer marketing | jumbo loans | reverse mortgages | first-time home buyers | mortgage compliance and social media | building a brand in a regulated industry | LinkedIn growth strategy | mortgage industry podcast | sales mindset | work-life balance in sales | storytelling in sales | female entrepreneurs in finance | Ten Thousand Miles podcast | Vic Pepe podcast

Please Comment, Like, Share, and Subscribe!

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