High-Trust Business Podcast

Kristin Adkins spent eight years hiring speakers for conferences before she ever built a website. That gatekeeper seat taught her something most business owners never learn: the person deciding whether to hire you is not the person you picture when you write your own bio.

We get into why so many websites read like a resume crossed with an obituary, and why that kills trust instead of building it. Kristin explains the fix, write every page as a direct conversation with the specific person who writes the check, not a highlight reel of your accomplishments. That single shift is the difference between a website that gets Googled and dismissed, and one that gets you the meeting.

We also dig into why owning your specific angle beats sounding impressive, how frameworks make you memorable instead of forgettable, and why hiding your best material actually costs you credibility. Kristin shares a story about a client who didn't want his framework visible on his site. Within 24 hours of publishing it anyway, someone called asking for that exact framework by name.

If you're building any kind of trust asset, book, website, speaking one sheet, this conversation will change how you think about who it's actually written for and what happens after someone finds you through a search engine or an AI assistant instead of a referral.

Show notes: https://mrstuartbell.com/podcasts/htb/206-your-website-is-a-trust-test-with-kristin-adkins/

About Kristin Adkins: Website | LinkedIn

Your Book Is Closer Than You Think — You already say everything that needs to be in your book. 90-Minute Books turns it into a done-for-you lead generation tool. Get the Free Book

Terry George has been a financial advisor for 22 years, and this conversation is a companion piece to the one I recorded with his colleague John Becker a few weeks back. Same firm, same book, different angle on why it works.

What I liked most here is how Terry talks about niching without boxing himself in. He's built deep relationships with engineers over the years, people who think in systems and want the nuance, not the pitch. But he's also quick to point out that some of his best clients came from a conversation at church, not a marketing funnel. The lesson: your book should reflect who you naturally connect with, not just who you think you're supposed to target.

We also get into why Terry's firm built out a team model, bringing in specialists as needed instead of one advisor trying to do everything. That same thinking shaped how they built their book, aligning checklists and frameworks directly with what's in the pages so there's one clear next step instead of a scattered list of options.

If you've ever worried that sharing your process gives away the secret sauce, Terry's take is worth hearing. The value was never the information. It's the personalization, the follow-through, and the relationship that starts once someone actually reads what you wrote.

Show notes: https://mrstuartbell.com/podcasts/htb/205-building-a-book-clients-can-trust-with-terry-george/

About Terry George: Website | LinkedIn

Your Book Is Closer Than You Think — You already say everything that needs to be in your book. 90-Minute Books turns it into a done-for-you lead generation tool. Get the Free Book

Kendall Pouland helps construction companies and general contractors fix the processes they built on the fly, back when there was no time to write anything down. She calls it faithfully helping builders grow, and for years the idea of writing a book about it sat on her bucket list, feeling too big to actually happen.

What I like about this conversation is how ordinary the starting point was. Kendall wasn't chasing a book deal or a big platform. She had a specific pain point she saw over and over in construction companies, the sink-or-swim way people learn to run projects, and she turned that into a short, clear book instead of a 150 page manual nobody would read.

We get into why the book had to sound like her, not like a generic industry guide. Two early readers, neither of them buyers, told her it read exactly like her voice. That's the tell that the tone landed right, and it matters more than people think when you're trying to get a stranger comfortable enough to take the next step with you.

If you've got real expertise but no idea how to package it into something that opens doors instead of just sitting on a shelf, this one's worth your time. Kendall also talks through how she's using the book right now, fresh off the press, to start conversations with people who were never her clients before.

Show notes: https://mrstuartbell.com/podcasts/htb/204-turning-domain-expertise-into-a-book-with-kendall-pouland/

About Kendall Pouland: Website | LinkedIn

Your Book Is Closer Than You Think — You already say everything that needs to be in your book. 90-Minute Books turns it into a done-for-you lead generation tool. Get the Free Book

Scott Tucker runs a federally licensed retirement planning practice out of Chicago, and he's built his entire client pipeline around two books he wrote for two very different jobs. One is short and built for lead generation. The other is over 200 pages and built to answer every question a serious prospect might have before they ever sit down with him.

What I liked about this conversation is how deliberate Scott is about matching the tool to the job. His workshop attendees are already serious, so they get the deeper book. His Facebook and radio audience needs a lighter hook, so they get the shorter one. Same expertise, two different doors into it.

We also got into something every high-trust business owner deals with: people don't act on your advice the moment they need it, they act when procrastination finally runs out. Scott talked about clients who first heard from his office years ago and are only now getting around to calling. His book sits on their coffee table the whole time, doing quiet work, reminding them they already picked their guy.

If you've ever wondered whether your book needs to be a hundred pages or ten, this is a good listen. Scott makes the case for having both, and using each one on purpose instead of by accident.

Show notes: https://mrstuartbell.com/podcasts/htb/203-turning-your-book-into-a-client-filter-with-scott-tucker/

About Scott Tucker: Website | LinkedIn

Your Book Is Closer Than You Think — You already say everything that needs to be in your book. 90-Minute Books turns it into a done-for-you lead generation tool. Get the Free Book

John Becker founded Clearview Wealth Management on Florida's Space Coast and now runs a team of 11 planners covering clients across 22 states. His background isn't what you'd expect. He came up studying human behavior before pivoting to finance, and people laughed at him for it. That background is exactly why his approach works.

What I found most interesting talking to John is how he thinks about the retirement window. Most people treat retirement as a finish line. John treats it as the most dangerous stretch of the whole race. There's a concept called sequence of returns, and if you retire into a down market while drawing on your portfolio, the math gets brutal fast. It's not about averages. It's about timing you can't fully control.

He also makes a point I've seen play out after more than 1,200 books. Clients often only see one slice of what you do. John's clients call him their "investment guy" when he also handles their insurance, estate planning coordination, tax strategy, and more. That's not their fault. It's a depth-of-relationship problem.

John's got a book out called Countdown to Retirement, and this conversation covers the thinking behind it. If you work with clients who are five to ten years from retirement, or you're in that window yourself, this one's worth your time.

Show notes: https://mrstuartbell.com/podcasts/htb/202-retirement-planning-is-a-chess-game-with-john-becker/

About John Becker: Website | LinkedIn

Your Book Is Closer Than You Think — You already say everything that needs to be in your book. 90-Minute Books turns it into a done-for-you lead generation tool. Get the Free Book

Some coaches think AI will replace them. Brandon Fuchs thinks the smart ones will use it to get better at what they already do.

Brandon went from two decades in construction to coaching 60 contractors across North America in just 18 months. His secret isn't just construction expertise, it's how he's combining that knowledge with AI tools to create scalable coaching systems.

I talked with Brandon about his transition from doing $100 million worth of construction projects to helping contractors build businesses instead of just bigger jobs for themselves. He walked me through how he's using ChatGPT not to replace coaching, but to make his coaching more personalized and available to more people.

We covered how his book fits into this model, why he's building his own media ecosystem instead of relying on social platforms, and how the iteration speed of coaching multiple businesses gives you insights you'd never get working solo. Brandon's approach shows what happens when you take deep industry knowledge and scale it through systems instead of just more hours.

Show notes: https://mrstuartbell.com/podcasts/htb/201-lead-close-build-repeat-with-brandon-fuchs/

About Brandon Fuchs: Website | LinkedIn

Your Book Is Closer Than You Think — You already say everything that needs to be in your book. 90-Minute Books turns it into a done-for-you lead generation tool. Get the Free Book

There's a huge gap between popping ibuprofen and going under the knife for spine and joint problems. Most people don't know what exists in between. I talked with Dr. Oliver Ghalambor, who's spent 18 years treating patients at Nortex Spine and Joint Institute without surgery. His new book "Regenerate Your Body" maps out treatments that actually heal underlying issues, not just mask symptoms. Oliver discovered interventional spine care during a residency rotation and knew immediately he'd found his calling. His clinic uses a multidisciplinary approach combining treatments like PRP therapy, shockwave, laser therapy, and nutrition to help patients avoid the operating room. We talked about how regenerative medicine has evolved and why patient awareness matters. Your body can often heal itself when you stack the right evidence-based treatments together. Oliver breaks down how to move from academic medical knowledge to practical guidance that helps people ask better questions about their care.

Show notes: https://mrstuartbell.com/podcasts/htb/200-regenerate-your-body-with-oliver-ghalambor/

About Oliver Ghalambor: Website | LinkedIn

Your Book Is Closer Than You Think — You already say everything that needs to be in your book. 90-Minute Books turns it into a done-for-you lead generation tool. Get the Free Book

I talked with Kristi Linebaugh, who's been guiding new authors through their first critical steps for years. She's the person you'll work with to turn your scattered ideas into a focused book that actually starts conversations with the right people. Most business owners come in wanting to write about everything they know. Kristi helps them narrow it down to the one thing that'll move the needle. She walks through why people freeze up after getting excited about their book, how to beat imposter syndrome, and why trying to include everything kills your book's effectiveness. You'll hear how she guides authors from 'how can I talk about all my expertise?' to 'how can I start one specific conversation?' She also breaks down the outlining process that gives you a clear roadmap, so you show up prepared instead of overwhelmed. If you've ever worried about what to include in your book or felt stuck at the starting line, this conversation cuts through the noise with practical steps you can use right away.

Show notes: https://mrstuartbell.com/podcasts/htb/199-making-the-process-easy-with-kristi-linebaugh/

About Kristi Linebaugh: Website | LinkedIn

Your Book Is Closer Than You Think — You already say everything that needs to be in your book. 90-Minute Books turns it into a done-for-you lead generation tool. Get the Free Book

I talk with Michael Shick, a retired military leader who now teaches project management at Western Carolina University and runs Rosemet, a business helping people break into project management careers.

Michael's dealing with a fascinating problem: there's massive demand for project managers, with 25 million new jobs being created globally each year through 2030. But the people who'd be perfect for these roles don't realize they're already qualified.

He explains how many professionals are doing project management work without knowing it. They have the experience for certifications like CAPM or PMP but lack the confidence to make the leap. His approach combines practical training with community support, especially for military families and career changers.

What caught my attention is how Michael uses his book to start conversations with people who never saw themselves as "project managers" but are already doing the work. His focus isn't on selling a program but on demystifying the path forward. The strategies apply to anyone trying to reach a mid-career audience that needs confidence and clarity more than just information.

Show notes: https://mrstuartbell.com/podcasts/htb/198-finding-the-right-people-with-michael-shick/

About Michael Shick: Website | LinkedIn

Your Book Is Closer Than You Think — You already say everything that needs to be in your book. 90-Minute Books turns it into a done-for-you lead generation tool. Get the Free Book

Starting conversations with the right people beats trying to reach everyone. I talked with Dave Dubeau, who's spent over 20 years helping real estate syndicators connect with accredited investors without the usual networking grind.

Dave's approach flips traditional marketing. Instead of cold calls and networking events that go nowhere, his clients use podcasts as direct relationship builders. Not for audience growth, but to invite their ideal investors as guests.

We cover how high-net-worth professionals dodge standard marketing channels, and why creating a guest-first experience opens doors that cold outreach can't touch. Dave walks through the evolution from trying to "net fish" for clients to using one-on-one interviews as lead generation.

This conversation's packed with practical ways to use your book and podcast as tools for starting quality conversations with top-tier prospects. If you're tired of chasing leads and want them coming to you instead, this one's worth your time.

Show notes: https://mrstuartbell.com/podcasts/htb/197-relationship-building-with-dave-dubeau/

About Dave Dubeau: Website | LinkedIn

Your Book Is Closer Than You Think — You already say everything that needs to be in your book. 90-Minute Books turns it into a done-for-you lead generation tool. Get the Free Book