The Captain Curt Show

What if your version of “success” isn’t even yours?

Brian Luebben (@brianluebben), author and founder of Action Academy, reveals how he walked away from a $250K job to build a life defined by purpose and freedom. He now teaches thousands how to buy businesses, replace their income, and design their ideal life — not someone else’s.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• The mindset shift that separates the 1% from the 99%
• Why wealth without freedom is failure
• How to build systems that buy back your time
• The power of community and mentorship in scaling faster
• What “enough” really means in business and life
• Why clarity, not hustle, is the new success metric

This episode is a masterclass in mindset, freedom, and fulfillment — from someone who actually walked away from “making it.”

Timestamps
02:34 – The moment Brian decided to walk away from a $250K job
04:50 – The solo trip to Italy that changed everything
06:36 – Why travel reshapes your definition of success
09:38 – Why getting rich fast isn’t the answer to happiness
13:43 – The “No Empty Seats” rule for spending money with purpose
15:22 – Why his viral anti–9-to-5 video triggered millions
17:22 – Why you can’t take advice from the 99%
22:24 – How “more” becomes a trap for entrepreneurs
24:10 – The difference between rich, wealthy, and free
30:15 – The “Game of Millions” framework for building true wealth
40:09 – How Action Academy helps people escape the system
1:09:17 – The perfect day exercise that rewires your goals

CONNECT WITH  BRIAN LUEBBEN:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianluebben
Website: https://actionacademy.com/

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest 

P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight. 

What happens when you take the discipline of an athlete and apply it to real estate?

In this episode, Owen Evans (@theowenevans), hotel owner, operator, and former gym coach, shares how he transformed a fitness mindset into a high-performing real estate career. From running a gym to managing boutique hotels, Owen breaks down the parallels between health, leadership, and wealth building — and the systems that make it all sustainable.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How discipline and fitness translate directly into real estate success
• Why hotel investing beats short-term rentals in today’s market
• The lessons behind scaling from flips to multimillion-dollar hotels
• Building partnerships that work (and learning from the ones that didn’t)
• The morning routines and health habits that fuel performance
• What “freedom” really means after building wealth through real estate

Owen’s story proves that consistency compounds — in the gym, in business, and in life.

Timestamps
02:02 – From gym ownership to flipping homes out of state
04:24 – Why Owen pivoted from short-term rentals to hotels
05:46 – The numbers game: why boutique hotels outperform STRs
07:45 – How physical fitness impacts business success
09:54 – The health and sleep habits that fuel better decision-making
12:36 – Why communication and leadership make or break hotel teams
16:25 – How to choose the right business partners (and avoid bad ones)
21:28 – Inside the Greensboro boutique hotel transformation
26:57 – The hardest parts of hotel ownership — and the most rewarding
33:17 – The strategy behind pricing, occupancy, and reviews
47:54 – How Owen structures his life for travel, fitness, and freedom
57:16 – The real definition of freedom after financial success

CONNECT WITH  OWEN EVANS:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theowenevans/ 

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest 

P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight. 

What if you could launch your business with half a million dollars—without touching your savings or giving up equity?

In this episode, Jack McColl (@jackmccoll), founder of Credit Stacking and author of Credit Stacking: Accelerate Financial Freedom with Business Credit, reveals the system he used to unlock $500K in zero-interest funding. He explains how entrepreneurs can use business credit to scale faster, build wealth responsibly, and travel the world while earning millions of reward points.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• The mindset shift from fearing debt to leveraging it
• How to qualify for $100K–$500K in 0% interest business credit
• The top 3 personal credit factors that affect approval
• Why “credit stacking” works faster than traditional loans
• How to use points to fly business class and travel for free
• Proven strategies for flipping debt into profit without risk

This episode is packed with tactical knowledge for entrepreneurs ready to scale faster, smarter, and with other people’s money.

Timestamps

02:49 – The mindset shift that separates the wealthy from the broke
05:10 – How Jack discovered the 0% interest business credit loophole
06:25 – From $5K to $500K: cracking the credit stacking code
09:57 – The secret reason business credit doesn’t impact personal credit
11:52 – The 3 biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make with personal credit
15:36 – Which banks to build relationships with (and which to avoid)
18:33 – The “application stacking” strategy that accelerates approvals
20:58 – How Jack uses credit card points to fly business class for free
27:28 – The beginner’s roadmap to building bank trust and limits
31:49 – How to invest 0% capital without taking unnecessary risk
35:38 – Advanced tactics to roll balances and stay interest-free for years
40:30 – Why flipping debt into profit is the ultimate business cheat code
55:39 – What financial freedom looks like for Jack today

CONNECT WITH  JACK MCCOLL:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmccoll/
Website: https://go.creditstacking.com/join-now

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest 

P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight. 

What does it take to turn a $5 pair of shades into a $90 million eyewear empire?

In this episode, Chase Fisher (@chasefisher), founder of Blenders Eyewear, opens up about the early grind, the viral moments, and the lessons behind scaling one of America’s most exciting lifestyle brands. From surf coach to CEO, his story is one of creativity, conviction, and courage in the face of burnout and big decisions.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How Chase built Blenders Eyewear from $2,000 and a backpack
• The viral Deion Sanders collab that sold $4.5M in three days
• What it’s really like to go from founder to corporate partner after a $90M acquisition
• The truth about burnout, leadership, and stepping away from the CEO seat
• The mindset and relationships that separate survivors from scalers

This is the raw, unfiltered story of how a San Diego surf kid built a world-class brand, and the lessons every entrepreneur can take from the ride.

Timestamps
00:53 – How Blenders was born from $5 shades and a surf club night
04:07 – Betting on yourself and taking the leap
06:25 – The power of ground game: selling sunglasses from a backpack
09:03 – The GNC moment that changed Chase’s life
15:20 – Overcoming doubt and staying in the game
18:49 – Turning childhood challenges into business drive
27:16 – Building the right inner circle and mentorship community
33:03 – Balancing growth, stress, and realignment after success
36:39 – Inside the Deion Sanders partnership that exploded the brand
45:07 – The decision to sell Blenders for $90M — and what came next
48:40 – Hiring a CEO and navigating identity as a founder
54:46 – Recovering from burnout and learning to “take fun seriously”

CONNECT WITH  CHASE FISHER:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasefisher/
Website: https://www.blenderseyewear.com/

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest 

P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight. 

What if the key to financial freedom wasn’t more hours worked—but smarter assets owned?

In this episode, Alexio Barbara (@cashflowalexio), commercial broker at Bridge Point Realty Inc., reveals how he went from a lifeguard stand in Oceanside to building a multifamily portfolio worth $18M. He shares the wins, lessons, and mindset shifts that helped him escape the rat race and build lasting wealth.

Here’s what we cover:

• The leap from lifeguarding to commercial real estate
• How to break into multifamily investing and scale units fast
• Lessons from managing 71 doors in California’s competitive market
• Balancing family life with the demands of real estate
• Why wilderness trips keep him grounded while building wealth

This isn’t just a career story—it’s a blueprint for using real estate to create freedom, stability, and legacy.

Timestamps
01:05 – From lifeguarding to real estate
04:42 – The first property that changed the game
08:19 – Breaking into multifamily deals
12:40 – What it’s like managing 71 units in California
16:15 – Lessons learned from $18M AUM
20:37 – How to balance family and a real estate career
25:18 – Why camping and wilderness fuel creativity
29:41 – The broker’s role in building lasting portfolios
33:12 – Mistakes new investors should avoid
37:55 – The mindset that helped escape the rat race
42:18 – How Alexio wants to be remembered

CONNECT WITH ALEXIO BARBARA:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowalexio
Website: https://www.alexiobarbara.com

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest 

P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight. 

What if the only thing separating a struggling business from massive revenue was a smarter sales system?

In this episode, Dacoda Londhair (@dacodalondhair), founder of Speed2Close, unpacks the proven methods for generating leads, running profitable ads, and closing sales at the highest level. He also highlights the overlooked connection between health and sales performance—why staying sharp physically keeps you sharp in business.

Key insights include:

• How to generate leads consistently without guesswork
• The ad strategies that turn clicks into paying clients
• Closing frameworks that drive higher conversion rates
• The health routines that fuel focus and energy for sales success
• Why discipline, not luck, creates consistent growth

This conversation delivers a complete playbook for entrepreneurs and sales professionals ready to scale. Learn the systems, habits, and mindset shifts that separate closers from quitters.

Timestamps:
01:10 – Why sales skills matter more than talent
04:42 – The first step to generating quality leads
09:05 – Ad strategies that actually convert into calls
13:21 – Why most entrepreneurs can’t close (and the fix)
16:44 – Inside the Speed2Close system
20:50 – The role of discipline in scaling sales
25:03 – How health habits sharpen business performance
30:17 – The biggest mistake business owners make with ads
34:40 – Daily sales habits that compound into results
39:18 – Closing frameworks that turn conversations into cash
43:09 – Staying consistent when leads slow down
47:32 – How Dacoda wants to be remembered 

CONNECT WITH DACODA LONDHAIR:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dacodalondhair

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest 

P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight. 

On The Captain Curt Show, host Curt Marker asks a big question: Is flipping houses dead in today’s market? To unpack it, he’s joined by Austin Cole, a San Diego real estate investor who has flipped 75+ houses with his father while also building rentals and Airbnb income streams.

This episode dives into:

• Is flipping still profitable in 2025? The truth about margins, ARVs, and market timing
• Contractor challenges: what to do when GCs run off with funds, and why site walks matter
• Buy & hold vs. flipping: why San Diego doesn’t cash flow, but West Virginia rentals do
• Airbnb playbook: how a cash-out refi + cost segregation created tax savings & steady revenue
• Investor trust: turning a $25K gap loan into millions in repeat private money
• Performance habits: why discipline in fitness, sobriety, and time management translate directly into business wins
• Biggest disasters: from a La Jolla nightmare flip to tools “walking off” sites—and the lessons that protect future deals

Whether you’re an investor, flipper, or high earner looking for passive income, this conversation shows what’s changing in real estate—and what fundamentals never die.

00:00 – Intro: Welcome to The Captain Curt Show

01:30 – Meeting Austin Cole (San Diego flipper + fitness focus)

04:45 – Sobriety, fitness, and business discipline

10:25 – First flip story: foundation issues & 3-year process

16:00 – Working with family: father–son partnership

20:50 – Getting burned by contractors & investor lessons

27:40 – Flipping vs. buy & hold in today’s market

34:20 – Airbnb strategy: cash-out refi + cost segregation

40:05 – Biggest disaster flip: La Jolla storm drain mess

46:15 – Fitness discipline & gym habits applied to business

51:50 – Social media, networking, and raising private money

58:30 – Why landscaping ROI beats cutting corners

1:04:10 – Mistakes to avoid when flipping houses

1:09:45 – Is flipping houses dead in 2025?

1:14:20 – Final advice, legacy, and book recommendations

Connect with Austin Cole on Instagram @austinccole

Keywords: Is flipping houses dead, house flipping 2025, real estate investing, ARV, general contractors, private money, Airbnb cash flow, cost segregation, San Diego flips, investor trust, sober entrepreneurship, fitness discipline, father–son real estate team

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest 

P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight. 

In this solo episode of The Captain Curt Show, I take you back to 2015 when I was making just $48,000 a year as an airline pilot and decided to take the leap into real estate. With only $17,500 in savings, an FHA loan, and a little help from my in-laws, I bought my very first property—a duplex in Vista, California—that completely changed my financial future.

I break down step by step how I:

• Negotiated $60,000 off the asking price
• Borrowed creatively to fund renovations
• Used the “BRRR” method without even knowing it
• Turned sweat equity into long-term wealth
• Walked away years later with $350,000 in profit

Most importantly, I share the 6 key lessons I learned from this deal that became the launchpad for Captain Capital and my journey into multi-million-dollar commercial projects.

If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t make enough to start investing,” this episode proves that you don’t need six figures to get in the game. All it takes is creativity, relationships, and the courage to start.

👉 Learn how you can apply these same principles to your own path toward financial freedom.

⏱️ Timestamps / Chapter Markers

00:00 – Welcome & intro to The Captain Curt Show

01:05 – Why my pilot salary wasn’t enough & what pushed me to invest

03:15 – Finding the duplex in Vista, CA

05:40 – Negotiating $60K off the purchase price

08:20 – FHA loan + $17,500 down payment explained

11:00 – Borrowing $16K from family to renovate

13:15 – Doing the remodel work myself (fans, outlets, bathrooms)

15:45 – The refinance: appraising at $510K in 6 months

18:30 – Discovering the BRRR method (before I knew the name)

20:10 – Six lessons from my first deal

26:00 – Selling in 2022 & walking away with $350K profit

28:00 – How that one deal became the launchpad for Captain Capital

30:00 – Closing thoughts + what’s coming next episode

#RealEstateInvesting #FinancialFreedom #WealthBuilding #FirstDeal #BRRRRMethod #PassiveIncome #PilotInvestor #DuplexInvesting #CaptainCapital #Entrepreneurship

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest 

P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight. 

Is Airbnb Already Dead? The Truth About managing your own property

Airbnb isn’t what it used to be. With rising competition, stricter regulations, and guests demanding hotel-quality experiences, the days of casual “hobby hosting” are over. So where does the real opportunity in hospitality investing lie?

In this episode of The Captain Curt Show, Curt Marker sits down with Evan Rundle, founder of Noviq, to unpack why small-time Airbnb hosts are burning out — and how professional co-hosting, boutique hotels, and commercial real estate offer a smarter path to cash flow and financial freedom.

You’ll learn:

• Why hobby hosting on Airbnb no longer works in today’s market
• The secrets to boosting revenue with dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs
• How economies of scale in cleaning, amenities, and management give pros the edge
• Why boutique hotels and commercial real estate are beating single Airbnbs on appreciation & NOI
• How seller financing and creative acquisitions unlock bigger deals with less risk
• Real strategies to avoid entrepreneurial burnout and build a business that gives you your time back

Evan also shares the inside scoop on his San Diego boutique hotel development — transforming underperforming properties into high-value, cash-flowing assets.

Whether you’re managing one rental or scaling into commercial real estate, this episode will challenge what you thought you knew about Airbnb and show you where the future of hospitality investing is headed.

👉 Don’t miss this deep dive into the death of hobby hosting and the rise of boutique hotels.

Connect with Evan: @theevanrundle

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest 

P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight. 

What if you could turn 50 views into millions—without chasing trends or losing your authenticity?

In this episode, Captain Curt sits down with Brandon Fortino, founder of Short Form Pros, who went from filming high school promo videos to helping founders and creators dominate their industries through content. From Jakarta to running a high-output media agency in San Diego, Brandon unpacks the exact mindset, frameworks, and tools that fuel his clients’ growth.

They dive into detaching from vanity metrics, building content that connects instead of just going viral, and the “COS” framework that consistently generates high-performing videos. Brandon shares how to blend storytelling with strategy, use AI without losing trust, and pivot your content without confusing your audience. He also opens up about client transformations that turned small online presences into deal-making machines.

Whether you’re a founder, creator, or marketer ready to finally see results from your content, this conversation is packed with clarity, strategy, and momentum.

This episode is a masterclass in turning consistent posting into consistent growth—one video at a time.

Timestamps
00:00 – The key mindset every creator needs to win online
02:30 – Brandon’s journey from Jakarta to content creator
07:32 – The moment that sparked his content career
10:02 – How perception shapes your online presence
12:34 – Why authenticity beats perfection in content
17:35 – Finding what makes your content truly unique
30:09 – How to win deals over bigger competitors
40:13 – Why trust matters more than views
42:44 – Drawing the line with AI in creative work
47:47 – The COS viral content framework explained
55:20 – Why LinkedIn is a goldmine for growth
1:20:25 – Final advice for entrepreneurs in 2025

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest 

CONNECT WITH BRANDON FORTINO:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandon.fortino/
Short Form Pros: https://www.shortformpros.video/ 

TAGS:
#ContentCreation #ContentStrategy #ShortFormContent #BuildTrust #MarketingThatWorks  

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest 

P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight.