The Elliot Omanson Show

The Elliot Omanson Show

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The Elliot Omanson Show episodes

  • Why Most Business Owners Stay Stuck (The Money & Accountability Problem No One Admits)

    Most business owners don’t fail because they lack intelligence or work ethic — they fail because of broken money mindsets, weak accountability, and avoiding hard truths. In this episode, we break down why so many business owners stay stuck and what actually separates those who grow from those who plateau.


    In this long-form conversation, Ryan Christopher — Smoothie King franchise owner and fractional CXO — joins Elliot Omanson on Backseat Ballers to discuss the uncomfortable realities of entrepreneurship. They dive into why money is a reflection of value, how accountability actually works, why undercharging quietly destroys businesses, and how ego keeps owners trapped at the same level for years.

    This episode goes beyond surface-level motivation and hustle culture, exploring why most business owners never truly scale, the real relationship between money and value, the difference between accountability and excuses, why playing it safe kills long-term growth, and how honest self-awareness can fundamentally change business outcomes.

    If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or operator who wants to grow — and you’re tired of sugarcoated advice — this conversation will challenge how you think about money, responsibility, and leadership.

    2 hr 5 min
  • He Started a Business at 14. Now He Owns Multiple Companies

    He didn’t start with money, connections, or a perfect plan — just knocking on doors and mowing lawns at 14.


    In this episode, Ryan Christopher shares the real story behind becoming a multi-business owner — from early independence and failure to owning Smoothie King franchises, building mastermind groups, and coaching entrepreneurs across multiple industries. We talk honestly about what entrepreneurship actually looks like behind the scenes, including hiring mistakes, leadership challenges, accountability, family balance, and why so many talented people still fail in business.

    Ryan explains how entrepreneurial instincts are often learned early, why visionaries struggle with focus, and why culture matters more than skill when building a team. The conversation continues inside one of his Smoothie King locations, where he breaks down his approach to developing young employees and investing in underserved youth through the I AM Foundation.

    This is a raw, unfiltered look at entrepreneurship without the highlight reel — the wins, the losses, and the mindset required to build something that lasts.

    59 min
  • From Domino’s Delivery Driver to 1,000+ Homes — After Losing Everything

    Tony started as a Domino’s delivery driver, worked his way up to owning five franchises, lost everything in a divorce — and rebuilt from scratch into a business servicing over 1,000 homes.


    In this episode of Backseat Ballers, Tony shares the unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship: starting over in midlife, building trust with real estate investors around the world, managing employees in tough environments, and why consistency and accessibility matter more than hype.

    This conversation dives into what success actually looks like when there are no shortcuts — just showing up every day, making better decisions, and staying accountable to the people who depend on you.

    If you’re building a business, thinking about starting over, or trying to do things the right way for the long term, this episode will resonate.

    59 min
  • I Went From Mar-a-Lago to a NYC Left-Wing Conference… The Truth About BOTH Sides of America

    This week, Elliot shares one of the most surreal experiences of his life: starting the week inside Mar-a-Lago as a guest of Glenn Beck, and ending it in New York City surrounded by left-wing influencers, LGBTQ leaders, intelligence officials, and cultural activists. Two worlds that never mix — and Elliot walked straight through both.


    At Mar-a-Lago, Elliot attended the American Journey Experience fundraiser and was invited into Glenn Beck’s private collection, which includes the original rough draft of the U.S. Constitution, FDR’s wheelchair, the flag flown over Normandy, and countless artifacts that most museums don’t even have access to. It’s one of the largest private American history collections in existence, and seeing it up close offers a perspective few people ever get.

    Less than a day later, Elliot was on the opposite end of the political spectrum at a major influencer conference in Manhattan. The room was filled with LGBTQ organizers, former intelligence officers, human-rights leaders, content creators, and activists who see the world through a completely different lens. What was surprising isn’t how different the groups were — but how similar their fears, assumptions, and motivations turned out to be.

    Elliot breaks down why both sides believe the other is an existential threat, how political rhetoric convinces people that disagreement equals death, and why this mindset is tearing the country apart. He also shares moments of genuine connection, humor, and unexpected conversations that show how much common ground actually exists when people stop arguing and start listening.

    This is an honest, unfiltered look at America’s cultural divide from someone who stepped directly into both realities in the same week. If you want political commentary grounded in real experiences — not headlines — this episode delivers.

    32 min
  • The Truth About Business, Fatherhood & Success in America (Unfiltered)

    This unfiltered conversation with Skylor Alexander breaks down the real truth about business, fatherhood, and building success in America today. We get into the mindset, systems, personal responsibility, and hard lessons that shape entrepreneurs — along with the challenges of raising kids, navigating broken institutions, and finding purpose in a world full of distractions.


    If you want raw, real-world insight into business, parenting, personal growth, and the systems that shape our lives, this episode delivers.

    2 hr 7 min
  • From Poverty to Builder: How One Man Built a Purpose-Driven Construction Company in Kansas City

    From poverty to building a purpose-driven construction company — this episode follows the real story behind Stag Homes and the journey that shaped its founder.


    Skylor Alexander opens up about growing up low income, becoming a father young, navigating major challenges, getting fired the day he decided to start his company, and why he’s committed to building attainable housing and giving back to Kansas City.

    A raw, honest conversation about grit, family, community, and what it really takes to build something meaningful.

    53 min
  • From Google Quantum Engineer to Global Poverty Fighter: The Austin Fowler Story

    What happens when one of Google’s top quantum engineers decides his real mission is ending global poverty?


    In this episode of Backseat Ballers, Elliot sits down with Austin Fowler — quantum error-correction expert, Coursera educator, and founder of Stairway Invest — to explore how cutting-edge technology and ethical investing can unlock opportunity for millions.

    Austin shares how his work in quantum computing led to a deeper calling: helping micro-entrepreneurs across Africa, Asia, and Latin America gain access to capital. He explains the model behind Opportunity International, how small amounts of money can empower entire communities, and why scalable philanthropy is more effective than traditional charity. This is one of the most unique stories ever told on this podcast — a rare fusion of frontier tech, ethical wealth building, and human purpose.

    43 min
  • Modern Men Are Lost: Work, Success & Hard Truths | Michael Bone

    Most people never succeed because they misunderstand risk, avoid responsibility, and lack real purpose.


    In this episode, Elliot sits down with Michael Bone to break down the brutal truth about work, success, entrepreneurship, masculinity, and why modern men feel more lost than ever.

    Michael reflects on over three decades in corporate America, how working his way up into finance and leadership roles shaped his perspective, and what ultimately pushed him to leave the corporate world to build his own business.

    1 hr 22 min
  • The Hardest Thing He Ever Faced — Loss, Purpose & Starting Over | Michael Bone

    Mike Bone has lived through the kind of loss no parent should ever experience — and it changed everything.


    In this episode, Elliot sits down with Mike to talk about the hardest moment of his life, how he rebuilt his marriage, his purpose, and his career, and what he learned about resilience, discipline, and meaning along the way.

    Today, Mike runs two successful dog-training businesses in Kansas City. But behind the success is a story of grief, grit, faith, and choosing to build something that matters.

    This conversation is raw, real, and human. It’s not just about business — it’s about life.

    1 hr 9 min
  • Backseat Ballers Presents: The I AM Foundation | Inspiring Youth & Changing Lives

    This is not your average American Dream episode.

     

    This is Backseat Ballers x The I AM Foundation — hosted by Elliot Omanson on the two-time Emmy-nominated, fourteen-time Telly Award–winning American Dream TV.


    In this special feature, Elliot sits down with leaders and changemakers proving that greatness isn’t accidental — it’s chosen. Featuring Martin Taggart, Mike Rivera, and Elijah Dormeus, this episode highlights a mission that is transforming lives right here in Kansas City.

    The I AM Foundation works every day to lift youth out of impossible odds — mentoring, equipping, and empowering kids to build a legacy bigger than their circumstances. The impact is real, the results are measurable, and the stories will hit you straight in the heart.

    If this episode inspires you and you’d like to support the mission, visit the I AM Foundation website to learn more.

    Are you a business owner, leader, or community builder who’s making a difference? Reach out — we’re always looking for people who change their corner of the world for future episodes.

    7 min

About The Elliot Omanson Show

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Markets. Politics. Entrepreneurship. Honest conversations about what’s really happening and why it matters.
Elliot Omanson — host of Backseat Ballers and The Elliot Omanson Show.