The Freedom Founders Podcast

Mike Hambright—real estate entrepreneur, investor, educator, and founder of Investor Fuel—shares how his definition of success has evolved from chasing financial freedom to pursuing purpose, impact, and time freedom. This conversation explores decision-making, entrepreneurship, margin, legacy, and why building a life you love matters more than building a bigger business.

Episode Links:
Get David Phelps' Book: https://exitoptional.com

Connect with Mike Hambright:
Investor Fuel
FlipNerd

Timecodes:
00:00 – Better Decisions, Better Life
04:20 – Why Entrepreneurs Must Fail Forward
08:45 – Taking Bigger Swings Without Bigger Risk
11:39 – The Trap of “More”
15:04 – From Money to Time Freedom
20:46 – Goals, Seasons & Life Changes
24:18 – Simplifying Life as You Grow
29:10 – Why Margin Matters
31:42 – What Success Really Means
33:51 – The Regrets That Matter Most

What if success isn’t about doing more—but creating more freedom? David Phelps sits down with Zach Hoskins, entrepreneur, COO, and leadership coach, to discuss designing a life around intentionality, family, gratitude, and the belief that time—not money—is your most valuable form of dry powder. This conversation challenges conventional hustle culture and offers a refreshing framework for building a life you've already won.

Episode Links:
Get David Phelps' Book: https://exitoptional.com

Connect with Zach Hoskins:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachhoskins
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachhoskins
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zachhoskins
X: https://x.com/zachhoskins

Time Codes:
00:00 – Time Is Dry Powder
03:36 – Zach’s Military & Entrepreneurial Journey
05:30 – Designing a Compressed Workweek
11:15 – Fatherhood Changed Everything
14:47 – The Power of Free Time
16:55 – Money, Margin & Optionality
22:56 – If This Is As Good As It Gets
26:17 – The Five Freedoms Framework
29:11 – Purpose, Family & Unique Ability
30:18 – Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

How do You Build for Freedom Without Getting Trapped by Your Own Success?

In this episode, Dr David Phelps sits down with Perrin DesPortes to unpack one of the most overlooked problems in dentistry today — the practice that's become too valuable for a clean, simple exit.

If you've ever wondered how to transition your practice without taking a discount, handing it to a DSO, or getting trapped in a partnership that wasn't built to last — this conversation is for you.

David and Perrin cover:

• Why bank financing limits who can actually buy your practice — and what to do about it
• The critical difference between a transaction and a transition
• How to have the ownership conversation with associates before it's too late
• Why agreement and alignment are not the same thing — and why confusing them could cost you everything
• The profit sharing structure that rewards your partner without eroding your business
• Why the emerging group practice space may be the biggest opportunity in dentistry right now

The most expensive conversations in business are the ones you wait too long to have. This episode is the one that starts them.

Episode Links:

Connect with Perrin DesPortes:

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/perrindesportes

Twitter - https://twitter.com/perrindesportes

Get David's New Book -

https://exitoptional.com

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Communication and Mentorship in Partnerships

01:33 Navigating Associate Relationships and Ownership Conversations

14:00 The Importance of Community in Business Ownership

18:40 Understanding Ownership Mindset in Young Associates

23:36 Navigating the Path to Partnership

28:19 The Complexity of Profit Sharing and Equity

33:58 Future Trends in Dentistry and Business Ownership

45:31 The Dream of Exiting a Business

46:12 Evaluating Readiness for Exit

What if most of what we believe about education is wrong?

In this episode, Daniel Louzonis—founder of The Einstein Blueprint, educator, entrepreneur, and former Wall Street trader—shares why traditional schooling leaves massive human potential untapped. From homeschooling and accelerated learning to entrepreneurship, screens, and social intelligence, Daniel explains how parents can help kids become self-driven learners prepared for the real world.

Episode Links:

Connect with Daniel Louzonis - https://www.einsteinblueprint.com/

Get David's New Book - https://exitoptional.com

Time Codes:

00:00 – Why Traditional Education Is Failing Kids

03:01 – How His Son Went From Counting to Algebra

09:43 – Hard Work vs Talent & “DNA”

15:55 – The Biggest Mistakes Parents Make

20:05 – Why He Chose Homeschooling

25:28 – The Most Important Non-Academic Skills

29:26 – Raising Entrepreneurial, Independent Kids

33:12 – Building The Einstein Blueprint Academy

36:05 – The Future of Education & Mentorship

38:04 – Exit Optional Playbook

What if the key to better leadership isn’t reacting faster—but thinking deeper?

In this episode, Schuyler Williamson—West Point graduate, Army combat veteran, entrepreneur, and author of The Steady Leader—shares how military leadership principles, intentional thinking, and faith-driven purpose shaped both his business journey and his life. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom on leadership, decision-making, influence, and building businesses that truly serve people.

Episode Links:

Schuyler's Official Website - https://www.schuylerwilliamson.com/

Schuyler's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/schuylerwilliamson/

Get David's New Book - https://exitoptional.com/

Time Codes:

00:00 – The Solution to Chaos Is Clarity

00:48 – Why Leaders Must Think First

01:06 – Choosing West Point Over Sports

05:20 – The Conversation That Changed His Life

07:48 – Why He Chose Business School

09:52 – Optionality & Living Below Your Means

10:59 – Desperation Destroys Decision-Making

12:13 – Military Planning for Business & Life

15:43 – Why Most People React Too Fast

16:08 – Entrepreneurs Get Bored Too Easily

17:50 – Can Leadership Be Trained?

20:44 – The Difference Between Responding & Reacting

22:51 – Teaching Leaders to Ask Better Questions

24:06 – Leadership, Trust & Team Buy-In

29:33 – The Biggest Leadership Mistakes

33:36 – Praying for Influence Instead of Success

40:12 – The Mission Behind Laundry Love

43:57 – How Laundry Love Serves Families

48:09 – What He’d Build If Money Didn’t Matter

49:31 – Where to Connect with Schuyler

Most investors think they understand risk—until the cycle turns.

In this episode, Anna Kelley—real estate operator, LP, and former institutional investor—breaks down why today’s economy is more fragile than it looks. From liquidity cycles to debt risk and market illusions, Anna shares what she’s watching closely and how disciplined investors can navigate uncertainty without getting caught in the next downturn.

Episode Links:

Anna Kelly's Website: https://annakelleyinvesting.com/

Get My New Book: https://exitoptional.com

Time Codes:

00:00 – Signal vs Noise in Today’s Economy

00:32 – Why Smart Investors Must Be More Careful

02:59 – The Liquidity Cycle Explained

06:30 – Why Refinancing Risk Is Rising

10:16 – Private Credit: The Hidden Threat

11:55 – Are We Still Early in the Downturn?

13:33 – Real Estate Repricing Reality

17:51 – Capital Calls & Investor Pain

20:20 – Why the Economy Isn’t Responding

22:05 – Could We Repeat the 1970s?

25:31 – The Fed, Inflation & Policy Risk

31:08 – The Reverse Wealth Effect Explained

36:44 – Why Investors Are Pulling Back

38:31 – Why Raising Capital Is So Hard Now

40:52 – What Makes a Deal Worth It Today

44:54 – Why Bigger Deals = Bigger Risk

47:51 – The Case for Simple, Long-Term Investing

Most business owners think the goal is simple: scale, sell, retire. But what if that path creates more regret than freedom?

CFO Burt Copeland breaks down why most exits fail—and how to build a business that gives you control, income, and options. This conversation challenges everything you’ve been told about selling.

Episode Links:

Burt Copeland - New Life CFO - https://newlifecfo.com/
Get My New Book: https://exitoptional.com

Time Codes:

00:00 – Why Most Business Exits Fail

00:20 – The Hidden Risks of Selling Your Business

02:09 – The “Grind vs Sell” Trap

04:32 – What Makes a Business Truly Valuable

06:39 – Why Margins Matter Before You Exit

09:21 – CFO vs CPA: What Owners Miss

12:30 – Control vs Cash: The Real Tradeoff

14:15 – Earn-Outs Explained (And Why They Fail)

17:40 – The Hidden Dangers After Selling

21:17 – A Smarter Alternative to Full Exit

23:58 – The 10X Exit Myth (Real Numbers)

26:19 – Why You Don’t Actually Get Paid at Closing

28:10 – The Shocking Truth About Exit Success Rates

30:49 – Emotional Regret After Selling

32:22 – How Much You REALLY Need to Retire

33:30 – Final Advice: Rethink the Exit Plan

What if the conversations you’re avoiding are the very thing holding you back?

In this episode, Greg Stephens, author of The Art of Restoring Impossible Relationships, shares why real power comes from within—and why leaders must go first. Greg helps entrepreneurs navigate conflict, rebuild broken relationships, and unlock freedom on the other side of difficult conversations.

Episode Links:

Connect with Greg: [email protected]

Alignment Resources website: https://www.alignment-resources.com/

Get My New Book: https://exitoptional.com

Time Codes:

00:00 – Real Power Starts Within

03:07 – Decisions, Responsibility & Owning Your Life

06:38 – The Cost of Avoiding Conflict

11:02 – The Skillset Most Leaders Lack

13:42 – Speak Your Intent (Game Changer)

17:35 – Why You “Don’t Have Time” Is the Problem

21:38 – Facts vs Story (Where We Get It Wrong)

23:36 – First Step to Fix a Broken Relationship

25:03 – Ego, Power & What It Costs You

26:24 – When to Fix vs End a Relationship

32:10 – Transforming Teams & Company Culture

34:52 – How to Connect with Greg

What if your wealth isn’t as accessible as you think?

Ted Oakley is Founder & CIO of Oxbow Advisors with 50+ years in markets. He breaks down market volatility, liquidity risk, and why the ability to get to cash quickly may matter more than returns in the years ahead.

We cover inflation strategies, sequence risk, the growing gap between paper gains and real financial control, and why selling your business isn’t always the clear win it seems.

EPISODE LINKS:

Ted's Oxbow Advisors site: https://oxbowadvisors.com

Ted's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-oakley-08444a32

Get My New Book: https://exitoptional.com

Time Codes:

00:00 – Intro
01:04 – Why Experience in the Market Matters
04:25 – The Debt Problem No One Is Talking About
06:20 – Why the Next Decade Will Be More Volatile
08:12 – Rethinking Real Estate & Leverage
10:24 – The Hidden Truth About Private Equity Exits
11:48 – What Happens After You Sell Your Business
12:08 – Are We Heading Into a “Lost Decade”?
13:34 – Financial Repression Explained
15:27 – Why Hard Assets Matter More Than Ever
16:53 – Who Will Buy U.S. Debt?
19:28 – Can Governments Change the Rules on You?
21:01 – Why Younger Generations Are Shifting Mindsets
22:31 – Will AI Actually Replace Jobs?
25:03 – Why Tech & AI Stocks Could Reset
26:50 – The Danger of Sequence Risk
27:42 – The “Greed Factor” in Retirement
30:03 – What “Optionality” Really Means
31:33 – Why Liquidity Is Your Ultimate Safety Net

Marcus Crigler is the CEO of BEC, a CFO business that works with real estate investors and operators. He breaks down what businesses are struggling with, why profits are collapsing, why “scaling” is misleading, and how ignoring key numbers leads to painful resets. If you’re growing, struggling, or questioning your model, this episode will lead you in the right direction.

EPISODE LINKS:

Marcus Crigler's BEC Site: https://beccfo.com/

Marcus Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7/

Get My New Book: https://exitoptional.com

00:00 – Intro And The Bloated Problem

02:00 – Same Revenue, Millions Lost

04:30 – Growth Without Accountability

09:30 – The Scaling Illusion

13:00 – Expanding Markets vs Breaking Systems

15:30 – The Financial Pain of Growth

17:00 – KPIs That Actually Matter

20:30 – Ego vs Financial Freedom

24:30 – When Business Stops Being Worth It