In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, educator, and author Andrew Ackerman.

Having founded two startups, invested in more than 70 early-stage companies, and mentored hundreds of entrepreneurs, Andrew shares lessons from every side of the startup world.

We discuss entrepreneurship, innovation, fundraising, startup mistakes, resilience, AI, and the realities of building a successful business.

Whether you’re launching your first venture or growing an existing company, this conversation is packed with practical insights and hard-earned wisdom from someone who has seen the startup journey from every angle.

Connect with Andrew on : https://www.andrewbackerman.com/

personal site and to buy the book:

https://www.andrewbackerman.com

https://www.amazon.com/Entrepreneurs-Odyssey-Approach-Startup-Success/dp/1032883545/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Similarly, if you need headshots or other digital assets, you can get them here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jE8GB1YL-lZc7HC3Nx-lM132aZG1u4qx?usp=sharing

Social Media links: http://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbackerman

https://x.com/andrewackerman

https://www.instagram.com/andrewbackerman/

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with speaker, executive coach, bestselling author, and former U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Reichert.

Ryan shares lessons from military leadership, addiction recovery, faith, personal transformation, and overcoming adversity. We discuss resilience, mindset, leadership, purpose, and how people can push through life’s toughest seasons without losing hope.

Whether you’re facing challenges in business, relationships, health, or personal growth, this conversation offers practical wisdom and inspiration for building a stronger, more meaningful life.

Connect with Ryan on : https://ourprotectordevelopment.com/

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with health practitioner, author, speaker, and podcast host Magic Barclay.

After surviving childhood trauma, addiction, obesity, an abusive marriage, and multiple life-threatening health conditions, Magic transformed her life through a deep understanding of trauma, functional health, and root-cause healing.

We discuss the connection between trauma and illness, stress and health, emotional healing, resilience, and how people can reclaim control of their wellbeing by addressing the root causes behind their struggles.

This conversation is filled with powerful lessons for anyone seeking better health, greater resilience, and a more fulfilling life.

Connect with Magic on : https://www.wholisticnaturalhealth.com.au/health-assessment-form/

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with leadership expert, entrepreneur, and podcast host Sandy Davis.

After spending decades helping organizations navigate change, Sandy found herself facing profound personal loss, burnout, and an identity crisis that forced her to rethink everything she thought she knew about success.

We discuss grief, resilience, leadership, entrepreneurship, reinvention, and how to navigate the messy middle between who you were and who you’re becoming.

If you’re facing change, uncertainty, or the feeling that there’s something more waiting for you, this conversation will leave you inspired and equipped to move forward.

Connect with Sandy on : https://substack.com/home/post/p-198768869

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with entrepreneur, real estate investor, and bestselling author KAYR Robinson.

Growing up in deep poverty and moving more than 18 times before adulthood, KAYR refused to let his circumstances define his future. Today, he owns more than 160 rental units and helps others understand the power of resilience, discipline, and long-term ownership.

We discuss real estate investing, mindset, overcoming adversity, financial independence, and the habits that helped him turn instability into success.

If you’re looking for inspiration and practical lessons on building a better future, this episode is for you.

Connect with KAYR on : https://www.kayrmotivates.com/book/

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with bestselling author and sales professional Abhinav Gokllani.

After moving from India to California with just $750 and a one-way ticket, Abhinav built an extraordinary career generating millions in sales and pipeline revenue.

We discuss human psychology, prospecting, sales, trust, influence, resilience, and the lessons that helped him transform his life from uncertainty to success.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, salesperson, business owner, or someone looking to create more opportunities in life, this episode is packed with practical insights and powerful lessons.

Connect with Abhinav on : https://geni.us/PD-review

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with caregiver advocate Geoff Grant.

After spending more than 25 years caring for loved ones, Geoff shares powerful lessons about resilience, burnout, purpose, and the realities caregivers face every day.

We discuss the emotional challenges of caregiving, why caregivers are often overlooked, how to avoid losing yourself while caring for others, and what true support looks like.

Whether you’re a caregiver yourself or simply want a deeper understanding of one of life’s most demanding roles, this conversation will leave you with valuable perspective and inspiration.

Connect with Geoff on : https://mailchi.mp/909ef29a5aad/joy-is-your-nature-a-caregivers-reset-guide

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Baiba Wisse, host of the Live In Technicolor Podcast and creator of The Era of You™ Method.

After spending years feeling disconnected in the corporate world, Baiba chose to pursue a life aligned with her purpose. We discuss burnout, courage, self-discovery, meaningful work, and how to stop living for weekends and start creating a life that energizes you every day.

If you’ve ever felt there’s more to life than simply getting through the workweek, this conversation will inspire you to take the first step toward building a life that’s truly your own.

Connect with Baiba on : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/career-in-technicolor-find-your-purpose/id1584835608

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with business coach, bestselling author, and creator of The Hamster Wheel Trap®, Peter Boolkah.

After spending more than 20 years helping founders across the globe, Peter explains why so many entrepreneurs unknowingly build businesses that depend entirely on them—and how to escape that cycle.

We discuss founder dependency, systems, leadership, burnout, scaling, enterprise value, and what it really takes to build a business that creates freedom instead of consuming your life.

If you’ve ever felt like your business can’t function without you, this conversation will completely change the way you think about entrepreneurship.

Connect with Peter on : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H465YQMP

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, and founder of The Investor’s Guide to Joy, Paul H. Graham.

After building and exiting multiple businesses, Paul realized that financial success without purpose often leaves entrepreneurs feeling unfulfilled. We explore his philosophy of “Wealth Without the Weight,” discussing entrepreneurship, investing, discipline, tax strategy, faith, and how founders can build wealth that supports the life they truly want.

Whether you’re building your first business or preparing for financial independence, this conversation will challenge how you think about success and legacy

Connect with Paul on : https://investorsguidetojoy.com/newsletter/