In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with serial entrepreneur and world traveler John Abbas. From serving in the Navy to chasing storms, starting roofing companies, running a Vegas coffee shop through the recession, and eventually building multiple thriving businesses, John shares his powerful journey of wins, failures, and lessons. Together, they dive into what it really means to choose happiness, why perspective matters, and how building people and culture is the real key to scaling.

You’ll learn how John leverages business ownership for long-term wealth, why he prefers buying businesses over starting them, and the importance of values-driven leadership. This episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs at every stage.

Talking Points:

• Why happiness is truly a choice and how John learned this perspective in the Navy
• Lessons from building—and losing—businesses like roofing and a coffee shop during the recession
• Why buying businesses can be smarter than starting from scratch
• The critical role of culture, core values, and leadership in growth
• How John structures multiple businesses while being home every day by 3 p.m.
• Investing profits wisely for long-term wealth and financial freedom
• Why legacy is more about daily impact than being remembered

This episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️For Support inquires or Business inquiries, please email us at ➡︎ [email protected]

Our mission here at Elevate Media is to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs elevate their brands and make an impact through the power of video podcasting.

Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all our episodes or videos on the Elevate Media and Elevate Media Podcast YouTube channels. https://elevatemediastudios.com/disclaimer

In this powerful episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with Indiana Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith for an in-depth conversation on conviction, faith-driven leadership, and standing for truth in a culture of compromise. From personal sacrifices to political pressures, Micah shares what it truly means to lead with courage—even when it costs you. If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or someone wrestling with how to live out your beliefs in a public space, this episode is for you.

Key Talking Points:

• What conviction really means and why many operate without it
• Lessons from the Founding Fathers and how they still apply today
• Faith, politics, and the unseen battle for truth
• Navigating political corruption and leading in lion’s den environments
• Why servant leadership creates long-term influence
• Lessons from Trump, Lincoln, and pastors of the Revolutionary War
• The biblical foundation of American government
• How schools and parenting impact the future of our nation
• The importance of knowing your values before entering tough spaces
• Why we need more leaders who speak the hard truth in love

This episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️PODCAST: Subscribe to our podcast here ➡ https://elevatemedia.buzzsprout.com/

⚡️Need post-recording video production help? Let's chat ➡ https://calendly.com/elevate-media-group/application

⚡️For Support inquires or Business inquiries, please email us at ➡︎ [email protected]

Our mission here at Elevate Media is to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs elevate their brands and make an impact through the power of video podcasting.

Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all our episodes or videos on the Elevate Media and Elevate Media Podcast YouTube channels. https://elevatemediastudios.com/disclaimer

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with Robbin Nathaniel, former second-in-command of a $23 million nonprofit and founder of GPS LLC. Robbin shares how he transformed nonprofit growth through social media, why connection matters more than metrics, and how mission-driven leaders can simplify their strategy without getting lost in “checking the box” content.
 

Main Talking Points:

• Robbin’s journey from musician to nonprofit leadership and entrepreneurship
• The breaking point with social media in nonprofits
• Why leadership often resists social media and how to get buy-in
• Avoiding the “check the box” syndrome with content
• How to build trust and human connection through video
• Growing email lists with contests and lead magnets
• Paid ads vs organic growth: where small businesses and nonprofits should focus
• Building content pillars and balancing trends with mission-driven storytelling
• Defining success beyond vanity metrics
• Practical tips for consistency, cadence, and finding harmony as a leader

This episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

===========================

⚡️PODCAST: Subscribe to our podcast here ➡ https://elevatemedia.buzzsprout.com/

⚡️Need post-recording video production help? Let's chat ➡ https://calendly.com/elevate-media-group/application

⚡️For Support inquires or Business inquiries, please email us at ➡︎ [email protected]

Our mission here at Elevate Media is to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs elevate their brands and make an impact through the power of video podcasting.

Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all our episodes or videos on the Elevate Media and Elevate Media Podcast YouTube channels. https://elevatemediastudios.com/disclaimer

After 30 years in the corporate world, Nancy Dillingham Marks felt something needed to change. One glass art class shifted everything. In this inspiring episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, host Chris Anderson dives into Nancy’s powerful journey from COO to founder of the Glass Arts Collective—a studio dedicated to healing, creativity, and community.

Learn how Nancy discovered her passion through helping her mother, overcame imposter syndrome, and built a thriving business just weeks before the COVID shutdown. Her story is a testament to the power of pivoting, embracing imperfections, and reigniting your creative spark—no matter your age or experience.

🎯 Main Talking Points:

• Leaving the corporate world after 30+ years
• How one glass class changed everything
• Starting a creative business right before COVID
• The therapeutic and healing power of fused glass
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and embracing creativity
• Building a community around shared artistic expression
• Why adults need creative outlets more than ever
• Lessons on joy, business pivots, and life satisfaction
• The metaphor of broken glass as a symbol of transformation
• How to redefine success beyond traditional business metrics

This episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

===========================

⚡️PODCAST: Subscribe to our podcast here ➡ https://elevatemedia.buzzsprout.com/

⚡️Need post-recording video production help? Let's chat ➡ https://calendly.com/elevate-media-group/application

⚡️For Support inquires or Business inquiries, please email us at ➡︎ [email protected]

Our mission here at Elevate Media is to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs elevate their brands and make an impact through the power of video podcasting.

Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all our episodes or videos on the Elevate Media and Elevate Media Podcast YouTube channels. https://elevatemediastudios.com/disclaimer

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with growth expert and founder of Experts Only Consulting, Allison Bridges. With a track record of building $2.5 million startups and helping businesses grow by over 100% in just six months, Alison brings the fire. They dive into the real steps for scaling a service-based business, why mindset and creative energy matter more than you think, how to systematize your growth with automation tools, and what metrics and advice to completely ignore. This episode is packed with practical strategies and bold truths that every entrepreneur needs to hear.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The first lever Allison pulls to generate major growth
• Why energy and belief are foundational to business success
• How to escape the “suck phase” of your business
• The real reason most businesses stall out
• Why ChatGPT and automations can hurt your brand (unless used right)
• The biggest myth about time-blocking and productivity
• How to build systems without spending a fortune
• The mindset shift needed to scale without burnout
• What metric you should stop tracking today
• Why you need to plan your business with the exit in mind

This episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

===========================

⚡️PODCAST: Subscribe to our podcast here ➡ https://elevatemedia.buzzsprout.com/

⚡️Need post-recording video production help? Let's chat ➡ https://calendly.com/elevate-media-group/application

⚡️For Support inquires or Business inquiries, please email us at ➡︎ [email protected]

Our mission here at Elevate Media is to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs elevate their brands and make an impact through the power of video podcasting.

Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all our episodes or videos on the Elevate Media and Elevate Media Podcast YouTube channels. https://elevatemediastudios.com/disclaimer

Discover the real path to growing a successful online business as Todd and Leah Getts join Chris Anderson on the Elevate Media Podcast. They break down the biggest myths in digital entrepreneurship and share how to grow and market your business online the right way.

• The biggest lie about starting an online business
• Why simple strategies outperform complex ones
• How to avoid building a “Frankenstein business”
• What Todd & Leah would do differently if starting over
• Building a business that fits your life—not the other way around
• The power of clarity, consistency, and core offers
• How Todd & Leah scaled from zero to a 7-figure business
• Why most funnels don’t work (and how to fix yours)
• Real advice for entrepreneurs tired of chasing “hacks”
• How to trailblaze your own path online

This episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

===========================

⚡️PODCAST: Subscribe to our podcast here ➡ https://elevatemedia.buzzsprout.com/

⚡️Need post-recording video production help? Let's chat ➡ https://calendly.com/elevate-media-group/application

⚡️For Support inquires or Business inquiries, please email us at ➡︎ [email protected]

Our mission here at Elevate Media is to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs elevate their brands and make an impact through the power of video podcasting.

Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all our episodes or videos on the Elevate Media and Elevate Media Podcast YouTube channels. https://elevatemediastudios.com/disclaimer

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, host Chris Anderson speaks with Ali Hafizji, engineer turned entrepreneur and founder of Wednesday and Tuesday, two innovative agencies. Ali shares his journey from building scalable systems to running product-driven teams focused on AI, customer acquisition, and sustainable growth. He explains how product-market fit applies to both products and services, why most founders plateau, and how to break through by changing yourself and your systems. A must-listen for entrepreneurs seeking to scale with intention and adaptability.

Main Talking Points:

• What product-market fit really means—and how to know when you have it
• Ali’s journey from engineering at scale to founding two agencies
• The biggest challenge for founders: themselves
• How to adapt business systems to scale through S-curve growth
• The impact of AI on service businesses and client expectations
• Why smaller teams have an edge in flexibility and innovation
• Lessons in delegation, decision-making, and evolving leadership
• Using sprints and skin-in-the-game pricing models for client trust
• Navigating fear and economic downturns with resilience
• Personal habits, sports, and the mental edge in entrepreneurship

This episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

===========================

⚡️PODCAST: Subscribe to our podcast here ➡ https://elevatemedia.buzzsprout.com/

⚡️Need post-recording video production help? Let's chat ➡ https://calendly.com/elevate-media-group/application

⚡️For Support inquires or Business inquiries, please email us at ➡︎ [email protected]

Our mission here at Elevate Media is to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs elevate their brands and make an impact through the power of video podcasting.

Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all our episodes or videos on the Elevate Media and Elevate Media Podcast YouTube channels. https://elevatemediastudios.com/disclaimer

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, host Chris Anderson sits down with branding expert and author Ruben Alvarez, CEO of Marketing Hunters, to unpack the critical difference between branding and marketing—and why it matters more than ever in today’s AI-driven world. They dive into his new book The Black Book of Branding, explore how speed is killing strategy, why authenticity beats automation, and how to future-proof your business by branding with psychology, not just content.

Whether you’re a small business owner, agency leader, or entrepreneur, this conversation will show you how to create a lasting brand that sells—not just trends. Get ready to elevate your influence, connect deeper, and grow a brand people trust.

This episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

===========================

⚡️PODCAST: Subscribe to our podcast here ➡ https://elevatemedia.buzzsprout.com/

⚡️Need post-recording video production help? Let's chat ➡ https://calendly.com/elevate-media-group/application

⚡️For Support inquires or Business inquiries, please email us at ➡︎ [email protected]

Our mission here at Elevate Media is to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs elevate their brands and make an impact through the power of video podcasting.

Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all our episodes or videos on the Elevate Media and Elevate Media Podcast YouTube channels. https://elevatemediastudios.com/disclaimer

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Peter transitioned from a legal career to wealth management through an unexpected opportunity
• The importance of building strong client relationships and trust over time
• Why entrepreneurs should focus on long-term wealth building, not just income
• Two of the most powerful ways to build wealth: starting a business and legally reducing taxes
• The impact of proper business structure and tax strategy (e.g., S-Corp vs. W-2 income)
• Foundational elements for asset protection and legacy planning, including insurance and estate documents
• Why having a clearly defined “ideal life” matters more than chasing a financial number
• How the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) framework can help scale and structure a business
• The importance of building a company that can operate independently of the founder
• Why successful entrepreneurs emphasize delegation, focus, and doing only what moves the needle
• Daily health and reflection habits Peter uses to stay energized and aligned
• The value of unplugged time, especially for thinking, walking, and long-term vision clarity
• Insights from working with ultra-wealthy clients and what truly sets them apart
• The MIT (Most Important Thing) method to eliminate distraction and stay focused
• How personal passions like reading, music, and hiking contribute to long-term success

Connect with Peter Culver

Phone: (917) 697-4156

Website: www.wealththrive.com

This episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

===========================

⚡️PODCAST: Subscribe to our podcast here ➡ https://elevatemedia.buzzsprout.com/

⚡️Need post-recording video production help? Let's chat ➡ https://calendly.com/elevate-media-group/application

⚡️For Support inquires or Business inquiries, please email us at ➡︎ [email protected]

Our mission here at Elevate Media is to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs elevate their brands and make an impact through the power of video podcasting.

Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all our episodes or videos on the Elevate Media and Elevate Media Podcast YouTube channels. https://elevatemediastudios.com/disclaimer

In this special in-person episode, Chris Anderson sits down with Tipton, Indiana’s Mayor Kegan Schmicker to talk leadership, community vision, and the real weight of decision-making in public service. From personal mindset strategies to professional growth goals, Mayor Schmicker offers a grounded perspective on what it really takes to lead with purpose—whether you’re running a business or a city.

• How Mayor Schmicker’s leadership journey began in high school and evolved through service
• Navigating criticism and failure in leadership roles with conviction and vision
• Leading a small town with an entrepreneurial mindset and community-first strategy
• Balancing personal well-being and mental health in public-facing leadership
• Building thick skin while remaining emotionally present and grounded
• The power of setting a vision and sacrificing short-term comfort for long-term growth
• What Tipton’s revitalization says about small-town innovation
• Leadership lessons from other mayors and mentors across Indiana
• How nature, family, and silence create space for better leadership and clarity
• What success looks like beyond politics—being a present, purposeful father

This episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

===========================

⚡️PODCAST: Subscribe to our podcast here ➡ https://elevatemedia.buzzsprout.com/

⚡️Need post-recording video production help? Let's chat ➡ https://calendly.com/elevate-media-group/application

⚡️For Support inquires or Business inquiries, please email us at ➡︎ [email protected]

Our mission here at Elevate Media is to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs elevate their brands and make an impact through the power of video podcasting.

Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all our episodes or videos on the Elevate Media and Elevate Media Podcast YouTube channels. https://elevatemediastudios.com/disclaimer