If you run a business, this episode could save you from sleepless nights and costly mistakes. Rachel Michaelov, founder of Empire Tax Advisors and partner in Practice Wealth Partners, shares the deeply personal story that fueled her career and the practical systems that keep owners audit ready, tax efficient, and in control. You will learn how to choose the right entity, what your bookkeeper might be missing, and the exact questions to ask so you never assume someone else has it covered. Whether you are a solo founder, a growing service firm, or a dentist building wealth, this conversation turns “I didn’t know” into “I’ve got this.”

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

The Hidden Cost of Assumptions: Why relying on “someone recommended my accountant” can still lead to sales tax trouble, IRS notices, and avoidable audits. How to set roles and expectations in writing so nothing falls through the cracks.

Entity Choice That Actually Saves You Money: When staying a sole proprietor or single-member LLC becomes a tax trap. How and when electing S Corp status can reduce self-employment taxes once you cross the 60–70k income range.

Bookkeeping for Taxes, Not Just for Data Entry: The difference between generic categorizing and tax-smart books. Why every transaction needs a purpose under IRS rules and how proactive questions turn trips, meals, cars, and phones into properly documented deductions.

Sales Tax Compliance Made Understandable: The rule New York State cares about most. Why “I didn’t charge it” does not mean “I don’t owe it,” and how to set simple quarterly systems so you are never surprised.

Payroll, Depreciation, and Accountable Plans: The S Corp basics owners miss. How to pay yourself correctly, depreciate big purchases the right way, and reimburse mixed-use expenses like your phone with clean documentation.

For Dentists and Practice Owners: The all-in-one approach Rachel’s team uses to bring books current, resolve liabilities, and implement strategies that have saved clients significant amounts in taxes while restoring peace of mind.

Due Diligence You Can Use Today: A short checklist to vet your accountant: licenses (EA, CPA, or attorney), years of relevant experience, proactive planning, monthly reconciliations, tax-driven bookkeeping, and clear written scope.

If you have most of your savings trapped inside a 401k or IRA and you’ve wondered how to do more than buy another index fund, this episode opens the door. Henry Yoshida, CFP and co-founder and CEO of Rocket Dollar, explains how regular investors can legally use retirement accounts to access private and alternative investments. You will hear how a reluctant Merrill Lynch rookie became a three-time founder by solving a problem Wall Street ignored, why diversification now means more than stocks and bonds, and how to take a more proactive role in your financial life without becoming a market guru. This conversation is a practical roadmap to self-directed IRAs, private market access, and smarter retirement strategy for entrepreneurs and professionals who want more control.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

From “Plan B” to Category Leader: How Henry stumbled into finance, survived the dot-com downturn, and built three successful companies by serving overlooked customers.

The 401k Pivot That Changed Everything: The scrappy play that landed 120 small-business 401k plans and sparked a career focused on retirement accounts and real-world outcomes.

Why Traditional Diversification Isn’t Enough: What Henry means by “it’s the S&P 7,” why stocks and bonds now move together, and how non-correlated assets can improve risk-adjusted returns.

Self-Directed IRA 101: How Rocket Dollar lets you use an IRA or 401k rollover to invest in private and alternative assets, from single family rentals to private equity and venture funds.

Is This Even Allowed: The ERISA backstory since 1974, why private investments were always permissible inside IRAs, and why big brokerages never made it easy.

A Practical Allocation Mindset: How some investors shift 10 to 30 percent of IRA assets into alternatives while keeping the rest in broad index funds for balance.

Creative Investing Without Being an Expert: Why your local knowledge can be an investing edge, and how to think in terms of zig and zag when the public markets swing together.

The New A or B Retirement Conversation: Why the future of retirement accounts looks like regular IRAs for public markets and companion IRAs for private markets, and how both can work together.

Passive Is Over: Why “set it and forget it” no longer fits the times and what a proactive, aware approach looks like for busy founders and professionals.

Episode Highlights

The origin story that began with saving for law school and turned into a decade at Merrill Lynch guiding everyday savers inside break rooms across Austin.

The “richest man in Babylon” principle for modern retirement: start early, contribute consistently, and let compounding do the heavy lifting.

How Rocket Dollar acts as the “picks and shovels” to unlock retirement capital for private opportunities, without telling you what to buy.

Realistic minimums and examples for private funds that are now accessible to more investors, plus how customers typically use a self-directed IRA alongside a regular brokerage IRA.

A candid look at incentives on Wall Street and why most institutions keep you in their own public products.

Henry’s closing challenge to listeners: stop being purely passive, get informed, and take an active role in your retirement strategy.

Visit Rocket Dollar and Invest in what you want with a self-directed IRA

This episode originally aired on iHeart Radio 710 WOR The Voice of New York

If you are a founder or executive staring down disruption, this conversation is a practical playbook for building a culture of innovation that actually ships. AJ Bubb, founder of MXP Studios and host of Facing Disruption, breaks down how human plus AI accelerates results only when leaders fix the hidden blockers inside their teams. You will learn how to create psychological safety, design real experiments, and replace yes-people dynamics with honest feedback loops that move the business. Come for the innovation strategy. Stay for the leadership coaching, mindset frameworks, and the story of a global CEO who traded a silver fork dinner for a paper plate to hear the truth.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Innovation that Works in the Real World: What innovation means beyond buzzwords and how to mash ideas together to solve meaningful customer problems that create value fast.

Human + AI for Speed: Why AI is the cause and the customer experience is the effect, and how to aim your team at the effect first so technology choices follow strategy.

From Frameworks to Outcomes: Why “installing a framework” is not enough and how a leader, player, or coach model builds confidence, momentum, and ownership inside cross-functional teams.

Culture as a Performance System: How agency and psychological safety unlock creativity, experimentation, and faster delivery across product, engineering, and leadership.

Avoiding the Yes People Trap: How homogeneous mental models and go-along behavior wall leaders off from reality and how to invite dissent and get to the truth.

The Feedback Flywheel: A simple rule to stress test discovery work. If you only hear praise, keep interviewing until you collect constructive criticism, then build from that signal.

Leadership Presence that Listens: A memorable story from Accenture on how a CEO earned honest answers by sitting with analysts and asking three simple questions.

EQ x Tech x Team: Why personal growth and emotional resilience matter as much as tools, and how life and work feed each other for better or worse.

The Experimenter’s Mindset: Think big and act small through repeatable experiments, measurable wins, and a visible journal that compounds momentum over time.

Core Values that Guide Focus: How AJ uses Play and Passion to choose projects, say no quickly, and bring full energy to the work that matters.

Guest

AJ Bubb is the founder of MXP Studios, where he helps leaders and executives implement innovation at speed. He also hosts Facing Disruption, a podcast exploring the future of industries, rockstar product teams, and the experimenter’s mindset.

Episode Highlights

Innovation is a process of combining ideas to solve a real problem for a specific end user.

Teams accelerate when they share a clear vision, practice in real scenarios, and feel safe to test and learn.

Leaders who assume they know the answer often hire alignment over honesty, which silently slows everything down.

Cross-functional “player-coach” leadership builds team courage, capability, and handoff readiness.

Human plus AI creates leverage when the team starts from customer effect, not technology first.

Personal work and executive EQ remove control patterns that block innovation at the team level.

Small wins tracked in a simple journal compound into meaningful change.

This episode originally aired on iHeart Radio 710 WOR The Voice of New York

If you want better sleep, calmer nerves, less inflammation, and more daily energy without adding another pill or appointment, this conversation delivers a clear, practical path. Mark Fox, former chief engineer on the Space Shuttle program and inventor of Vibe and VegaVibe, explains how pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) and vagus nerve stimulation can help your body recover faster, feel better, and perform at a higher level. You will hear real usage patterns, study-backed outcomes, and simple ways to test these devices for yourself. This is a grounded look at next-gen wellness tech from someone who built his career on precision and proof.

• PEMF Made Simple: What pulsed electromagnetic fields are, how they occur naturally (think Schumann resonance), and why targeted PEMF can support circulation, cellular repair, and inflammation reduction.

• Cellular Energy Explained: How increasing cell membrane voltage and boosting ATP production can help the body do what it is designed to do: heal and rebalance.

• Wearable, On-the-Go Therapy: How Vibe and VegaVibe condense large, expensive mat-based PEMF systems into affordable, portable devices you can use for 30 to 60 minutes and get on with your day.

• Vagus Nerve 101: Why the vagus nerve is the communication highway between brain and organs, how tone affects stress, digestion, sleep, and headaches, and what proper stimulation can change.

• Heart Rate Variability Benefits: Why HRV is a leading indicator of health and recovery, and how a single session impacted HRV in clinical testing.

• PTSD Protocols and Outcomes: How a structured, 30-day usage protocol produced significant score reductions on the VA’s PCL-5 screening in Mark’s largest-to-date PTSD PEMF study.

• Protocols Like Songs: Why the devices run multi-frequency “songs” rather than a single frequency, and how different protocols target specific issues from anxiety to pain.

• Real-World Adoption: Why many traditional clinics lag on PEMF awareness, and how patient-led results are driving more physicians and wholesalers to take a closer look.

• Success Requires Consistency: Why most failures come from underuse or a nocebo mindset, and how to structure 3 to 4 weekly sessions for measurable results.

• How to Validate for Yourself: Practical steps to monitor changes using symptoms, HRV, and bloodwork trends while staying within FDA general wellness guidelines.

• Mark’s background as the youngest chief engineer on the Space Shuttle program establishes engineering rigor and credibility for wellness tech.

• Over 50 million user sessions across tens of thousands of devices points to real-world traction.

• The VegaVibe targets vagus nerve tone through a magnetic field worn like a necklace near the heart cluster, not through electrical stimulation to the neck.

• Vibe and VegaVibe use 50 to 60 specialized protocols, written as MP3-based frequency pairs that shift every few minutes to reach different tissues and systems.

• Consistency matters. Most users see best results with 30 to 60 minute sessions, 3 to 4 days per week, over 30 days.

Mark Fox is the inventor behind Vibe and VegaVibe PEMF devices and a former Space Shuttle program chief engineer. His work brings aerospace-grade engineering to consumer wellness, focusing on portable PEMF and vagus nerve solutions people can use at home, at work, or on the go.

This episode shares general wellness information and personal experiences. It is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional about your specific situation.

Website: Resona.health

This episode originally aired on iHeart Radio's 710 WOR The Voice of New York.

What does it take to be a truly effective leader in today’s fast-moving business world? Most companies promote top performers and hope they’ll “figure it out” when they step into leadership. But hope isn’t a strategy.

In this episode of The Hidden Entrepreneur Show, Josh Cary sits down with Chris Hossfeld, founder and CEO of Barrel Strength Leadership, to uncover the frameworks, lessons, and battlefield-tested wisdom that leaders need but rarely receive in the corporate world.

With 27 years in the U.S. Army, serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and leading international teams, Chris has lived leadership where the stakes were life or death. Today, he brings that same clarity and discipline to executives, founders, and organizations hungry for growth.

This isn’t another “death by PowerPoint” leadership seminar. Chris takes leaders into the field, literally. From Gettysburg to Normandy, he shows executives how history’s greatest battles can transform their communication, empower, and inspire their own teams.

If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose, or how to transform your organization into one that thrives at scale, this conversation will give you the unfiltered tools and frameworks to make it happen.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

The Missing Link in Most Companies: Why promoting great performers into leadership roles without proper training sets organizations up for failure.

The Three Pillars of Leadership: Communication, vision, and empowerment, and how to know if you’re succeeding at each.

Military-Grade Lessons for the Boardroom: How leadership training in the U.S. Army translates directly into running high-performing teams in business.

The Power of Empowerment: Why defining thresholds for decision-making makes organizations more agile, responsive, and effective.

Lessons from History: How Chris uses Gettysburg and Normandy to help leaders recognize toxic or absent leadership, understand organizational narratives, and apply these insights directly to their companies.

Frameworks Over Formulas: Why real leadership isn’t about step-by-step instructions, but about developing the mental models that let you adapt in any environment.

Sustained Change That Sticks: How follow-up and accountability 60–90 days after leadership training creates real transformation inside companies.

Chris’s message is clear: leadership isn’t optional, and it isn’t a one-day seminar. It’s an investment that multiplies across your people, culture, and bottom line.

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing yourself on TV, or wondered if media appearances really move the needle for entrepreneurs, this episode is for you.

Josh Cary sits down with Dominic Forth, CEO of Thought Leaders America, to unpack the real power of visibility, exposure, and positioning. Dominic has spent over 20 years in media, from newsroom trenches to consulting with top TV stations, and now he helps thought leaders and entrepreneurs break into television to elevate their credibility.

This isn’t just about vanity metrics. It’s about authority, storytelling, and unlocking opportunities that only come when your message reaches a mass audience with trust and impact. If you want to understand what it takes to get booked on TV, and what to do with that exposure once you have it, this conversation will give you the blueprint.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why TV Still Matters: Even in the age of streaming and social media, legacy brands like ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox hold unmatched authority and influence.

The Three Traits TV Producers Look For: How being audience-centric, emotionally engaging, and authentic separates you from the competition.

The Power of Storytelling: Why facts and credentials aren’t enough and how to craft stories that stick in the minds of viewers and producers alike.

How to Build Momentum Beyond One Appearance: Why cramming everything into a single TV spot is a mistake, and how to create a narrative across multiple interviews.

Inside the Newsroom: What journalists and producers actually want from guests and how you can become the resource they need.

The Future of Media: Insights into where TV, streaming, and immersive platforms like Roblox are heading, and how entrepreneurs can leverage these shifts.

AI and Storytelling: Why human stories, combined with AI efficiency, will define the next wave of media strategy.

From Ferraris in the driveway to Van Halen in the backyard, Danielle Diamond grew up surrounded by the kind of rock-and-roll glamour most of us only dream about. But behind the limousines and backstage passes was a family quietly wrestling with deep mental health struggles, and a young girl searching for lasting happiness.

In this raw and powerful conversation, Danielle shares the remarkable journey behind her memoir Happy Adjacent. She reveals why chasing fame and fortune often leaves us emptier than before and what it really takes to feel fulfilled. Whether you’re navigating personal challenges, redefining success, or simply tired of waiting for “someday” to feel happy, Danielle’s story will shift your perspective and give you tangible ways to embrace joy right now.

The Illusion of “Having It All”: How growing up in the epicenter of ’80s rock stardom shaped Danielle’s understanding of wealth, fame, and happiness.

Life Behind the Limos: The hidden struggles that fame and luxury can’t erase and why no one is immune to pain.

Mental Health in the Shadows: Lessons from living with a parent battling severe mental illness, and the impact on self-worth and identity.

Losing It All at 18: How bankruptcy and starting from scratch taught Danielle resilience, drive, and independence.

The Turning Point: The wisdom Eric Clapton shared that completely reframed Danielle’s approach to happiness.

Happiness as an Inside Job: Practical mindset shifts and daily habits like meditation and reframing beliefs that make joy possible now, not “one day.”

The Power of Small Joys: How finding one thing to be grateful for can turn your outlook around, even in life’s lowest moments.

This episode isn’t just Danielle’s story; it’s a wake-up call to stop postponing happiness until conditions are “perfect.” You’ll leave inspired to create it where you stand, no matter your circumstances.

Book: Happy Adjacent online at happy-adjacent.com

What does a petroleum engineer with 35 years in the oil and gas industry know about creating a hit meal-planning app? More than you think. Mark Semmelbeck’s journey from running drilling operations to running a tech startup is as surprising as it is inspiring.

In this episode, you’ll hear how a simple Sunday visit to his daughter sparked the idea for A Better Meal, a smart, AI-powered meal-planning app that brings joy back to the kitchen. Mark shares his transition into entrepreneurship, his unexpected lessons in consumer tech, and why he believes healthy eating should be simple, personalized, and fun.

Whether you’re a seasoned home chef, a “cook only when you must” type, or an entrepreneur looking to pivot into a new industry, Mark’s story delivers both practical tips and a reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

From Oil to Apps: How Mark went from petroleum engineer to tech entrepreneur without a background in food or software.

The Problem Worth Solving: The Sunday afternoon meal-prep frustration that inspired A Better Meal.

AI in the Kitchen: How artificial intelligence is transforming meal planning, cooking skills, and grocery shopping efficiency.

Making Healthy Eating Fun: Why gamification and bite-sized cooking videos can turn even reluctant cooks into confident creators.

Overcoming the Crowded Market Challenge: How A Better Meal stands out from other meal-planning and delivery services.

Family Collaboration: How Mark’s son joined the mission, bringing his videography skills to produce high-quality cooking tutorials.

The June App Release: Sneak peek at the new features, including 80+ video classes, curated meal plans for athletes, and AI-powered ingredient cross-usage.

What happens when you're told from childhood that you'll never amount to anything? In this extraordinary episode, Josh Cary sits down with Unbroken author Robert Crawford, who was once ridiculed by teachers, dismissed by his father, and written off by nearly everyone, except his mother.

Robert’s story is raw, powerful, and unforgettable. From being a boy in Jamaica who was mocked and shamed in school, to founding his own nursery school at age 17, to becoming a global educator, counselor, and church leader, his journey is a testament to what’s possible when you choose to believe in yourself, even when no one else does.

If you’ve ever felt unseen, underestimated, or stuck in a narrative that wasn’t yours, this conversation will remind you that you can rewrite your story. Right now. Starting today.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

How Words Can Shape (or Shatter) a Child’s Future:

The moment Robert was publicly humiliated by a teacher, and how his mother’s loving response that same night changed everything.

The Power of a Single Believer:

Why one person who believes in you can be the catalyst for everything that follows and how to be that person for yourself or someone else.

Overcoming Labels and Low Expectations:

Robert’s perspective on self-fulfilling prophecies, and how he rewrote the narrative of failure that others tried to assign him.

From Market Stall to Nursery School Founder:

How Robert started a nursery school at 17, despite never attending high school, and grew it from 6 children to 66.

The Life-Altering Moment He Taught His Mother to Read:

The full-circle moment of becoming a teacher to the very woman who had sacrificed everything to give him a chance.

Redemption and Resilience in Adulthood:

How Robert pursued education relentlessly, became a teacher, counselor, and global leader all while carrying his mother’s legacy with pride.

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything:

Why Robert believes you must “clean the slate,” break free from mental slavery, and choose a new internal voice.

Who This Episode is For:

Anyone who grew up with limiting beliefs or harsh labels

Parents who want to understand the lifelong power of their words

Educators who need a reminder of their influence

Aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and authors who’ve ever felt "behind"

Listeners searching for a way to turn pain into purpose

Robert's Core Message:

You are the architect of your life. No matter how many times you've failed, been denied, or felt invisible, there is always redemption. You can rise.

Ever wondered if you could turn your creative passion into a real, profitable business without quitting your day job? This episode is your proof.

Jaclyn Isaac, founder of Doni Douglas Designs, went from managing global ad campaigns in Big Pharma to leading one of New Jersey’s most recognizable interior design firms. It all started as a side hustle, fueled by instinct, savagery (her word), and a refusal to stay small.

In this refreshingly honest and practical conversation, Jaclyn opens up about building a business without formal training, how she fought through imposter syndrome, and the exact mindset shift that took her from “downtown decorator” to a designer commanding high-end projects and premium fees.

Whether you're growing your side hustle, wrestling with self-worth as a creative entrepreneur, or finally ready to bet on yourself, Jaclyn’s journey will challenge your excuses and inspire your next move.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

The Reality of Starting on the Side

How Jaclyn balanced a full-time advertising job with growing a passion project and why “side hustle” is one of the most underrated business strategies available.

How to Know When It’s Time to Rebrand

The surprising moment a client told her, “Your name is holding you back,” and how that led to a full identity and mindset shift in her business.

Overcoming the Fear of Not Being 'Qualified'

Jaclyn didn’t go to design school. She’s never needed to. She shares how she built her reputation through results and referrals not credentials.

Pricing, Worth, and Owning Your Value

From $450 full apartment projects to commanding premium fees, Jaclyn walks through the emotional and tactical work of raising your internal thermostat.

The Truth About Time and Excuses

Why most of us do have time to build something meaningful and what doom-scrolling has to do with it.

Running a Business vs. Being Creative

Jaclyn reveals how her love for business, systems, and project management became the secret weapon that made her design firm scalable and profitable.

Conquering Imposter Syndrome on Job Sites and Beyond

The inner dialogue Jaclyn still uses to walk into high-stakes meetings, own her expertise, and lead confidently, even in male-dominated industries.

A Refreshing Take on Success and Strategy

This is not “quit your job and chase your passion” fluff. Jaclyn keeps it real about mortgages, children, and building something sustainable and soulful simultaneously.

Originally aired on iHeart Radio's 710 WOR with host Josh Cary.