In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Jodie McLean, CEO of EDENS, one of the nation’s largest privately held owners, operators, and developers of open-air retail and mixed-use destinations.

Jodie’s journey is anything but conventional. She joined EDENS as a financial analyst fresh out of college and spent more than three decades helping transform the company into a real estate powerhouse with a portfolio that serves millions of people every day. Along the way, she became one of the most respected leaders in commercial real estate, served as Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and helped redefine what retail real estate can be in a rapidly changing world.

Kyle and Jodie discuss leadership, mentorship, career longevity, the future of retail, artificial intelligence, community building, and the lessons learned from leading through economic cycles, e-commerce disruption, and changing consumer behavior.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Jodie rose from analyst to CEO after 36 years at one company

• Why loyalty, impact, and long-term thinking still matter in today's business world

• The leadership lessons that shaped EDENS' culture and growth

• How e-commerce transformed retail real estate—and why physical places matter more than ever

• Why AI may increase demand for human connection, not decrease it

• What makes great communities and thriving mixed-use developments

• Her experience serving as Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

• The challenges and opportunities of being a female leader in commercial real estate

• Why culture ultimately beats strategy in building great organizations

• The importance of mentorship, curiosity, resilience, and taking calculated risks

Jodie also shares the story of nearly leaving EDENS, the mentor who changed her career trajectory, and the bold decisions that helped shape one of the most innovative retail real estate companies in America.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, investor, commercial real estate professional, or someone looking to build a meaningful career, this conversation is packed with wisdom on leadership, purpose, and creating lasting impact.

Follow Jodie McLean:

LinkedIn: Jodie McLean

Instagram: @jodiewmclean

Learn More About EDENS:

https://www.edens.com

Follow Kyle Matthews:

Instagram: @KyleMatthewsCEO

X: @KyleMatthewsCEO

LinkedIn: Kyle Matthews

TikTok: @KyleMatthewsCEO

#JodieMcLean #EDENS #CommercialRealEstate #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #RetailRealEstate #BusinessPodcast #MatthewsMentality #CEO #WomenInBusiness #RealEstateDevelopment #CommunityBuilding #FederalReserve #BusinessLeadership #KyleMatthewsCEO

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Brian Finnegan, President and CEO of Brixmor Property Group (NYSE: BRX), one of the largest open-air shopping center owners and operators in the United States.

Brian’s story is a masterclass in leadership, patience, and long-term career growth. Starting as a leasing representative in 2004, he spent more than two decades working through nearly every operational role in the company before ultimately becoming CEO of a publicly traded real estate investment trust with 344 shopping centers, 62+ million square feet of retail space, and more than 900 million annual consumer visits.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Intro

00:55 Welcome to the Show

02:25 Understanding Brixmor Property Group

05:10 Retail's Resurgence

08:04 Supply and Demand Dynamics

11:19 Same Store Growth

12:51 How We Met

15:13 Networking as a Young Professional

16:49 Brixmor's Evolution and History

20:41 Lessons from Being Young

22:30 Philadelphia Roots

24:29 Getting Into Real Estate

26:49 Brokerage Lessons

28:33 Cold Calling Stories

30:56 Dealing with Rejection

34:32 Time Blocking and Prospecting

35:10 Maximizing Your Current Role

38:01 Moving Across America

39:37 Embracing New Cities

40:54 National Portfolio Experience

41:36 Market Expertise Matters

43:14 Career Growth and Relocation

45:20 Becoming CEO

49:07 First Quarter Success

51:59 CEO Responsibilities

53:13 Redevelopment Strategy

56:08 Work Life Balance

01:00:13 Technology and AI

01:05:07 Innovation and Young Talent

01:07:50 Advice for Young Professionals

01:10:01 Rapid Fire Round

If you're interested in commercial real estate, investing, leadership, entrepreneurship, career growth, public companies, REITs, retail real estate, or business strategy, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experience.

Follow Brian Finnegan:

LinkedIn: Brian Finnegan

Learn More About Brixmor Property Group:

Website: https://www.brixmor.com

NYSE: BRX

Follow Kyle Matthews:

Instagram: @KyleMatthewsCEO

TikTok: @KyleMatthewsCEO

X: @KyleMatthewsCEO

LinkedIn: Kyle Matthews

Subscribe for more interviews with CEOs, founders, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.

#KyleMatthewsCEO #BrianFinnegan #Brixmor #BRX #CommercialRealEstate #RetailRealEstate #REIT #Investing #Leadership #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #RealEstateInvesting #CEO #Retail #ShoppingCenters #MatthewsMentality #BusinessGrowth #NYSE #CareerGrowth #CommercialProperty

Nick Friedman, co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, joins Kyle Matthews to share how a 2003 summer hustle with a beat-up cargo van grew into a national brand with roughly 200 franchise owners across 40+ states. They discuss the origin of the name and the HUNKS acronym (Honest, Uniformed, Nice, Knowledgeable Service), why customers pay for convenience and clutter relief, and how systems from The E-Myth helped them scale. Nick recounts appearing on Shark Tank’s first episode, dealing with Kevin O’Leary’s negativity, receiving an offer from Robert Herjavec, and turning it down. He explains franchising pros/cons, self-funding for 15 years, culture and accountability, lessons from Undercover Boss, industry headwinds tied to housing, and the company’s giving efforts including domestic violence survivor moves and Tampa hurricane relief.

On the Matthews Mentality podcast, host Kyle Matthews interviews four-time founder and Kasheesh CEO Sam Miller, who dropped out of college, bootstrapped early companies, achieved three exits, and now leads a fintech platform that lets consumers split purchases across multiple cards with no loans, interest, or credit checks. Miller explains Kasheesh’s origin as a response to predatory buy-now-pay-later lending, its evolution from a browser extension to Apple Pay/Google Pay, and growth to 110,000+ users and $72M+ in transactions. They discuss fundraising challenges, differences between bootstrapping and venture-backed startups, lessons from working in VC, and how consumer usage shifted from discretionary spending to essentials like rent and utilities. The conversation also covers AI’s impact on work, economic warning signs, and Kasheesh roadmap features like Replay, group payments, and rent reporting to credit bureaus.

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews interviews Neil Hershman, CEO of 16 Handles, entrepreneur, franchise operator, Everest summiter, endurance athlete, and business owner.

Neil shares how he left a hedge fund career at 23 years old, bought a single 16 Handles frozen yogurt franchise with an SBA loan, and scaled it into a rapidly growing national franchise brand with nearly 80 locations.

This episode covers entrepreneurship, franchising, business growth, leadership, scaling a company, SBA loans, franchise ownership, investing, mental toughness, endurance training, and building a successful consumer brand.

Topics covered in this episode:

• How Neil Hershman bought and scaled 16 Handles
• Growing a franchise business from 1 location to nearly 80 stores
• Using SBA loans to buy a business
• Entrepreneurship and startup lessons
• Scaling operations and franchise systems
• Leadership lessons from business and endurance sports
• Climbing Mount Everest and completing ultra-endurance races
• Balancing business growth, family, and personal performance
• The future expansion of 16 Handles across the United States
• How community-driven brands win in today’s market

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, franchising, startups, scaling a business, investing, business leadership, or founder stories, this episode is packed with insights and practical lessons.

Follow 16 Handles:

Instagram: @16handles

Website: https://16handles.com

Follow Kyle Matthews:

Instagram: @KyleMatthewsCEO

TikTok: @KyleMatthewsCEO

X: @KyleMatthewsCEO

LinkedIn: Kyle Matthews

Subscribe for more interviews with entrepreneurs, CEOs, investors, athletes, and high performers.

Kyle Matthews interviews Marc Riccio, CEO of USA Lacrosse, about the sport’s growth, access challenges, and lacrosse’s return to the Olympics in LA 2028 as a medal sport for the first time since 1908. Riccio explains the sixes format (a faster, smaller-sided game akin to rugby sevens) and notes the U.S. women are ranked No. 1 while the U.S. men are No. 2 behind Canada. He discusses obstacles such as high school sanctioning (24 states still not sanctioned), pay-to-play infrastructure, and efforts like “Lacrosse in a Bag” to introduce the sport in schools. Riccio shares leadership lessons from 17 years with the New York Jets, his career path, and how team culture and vulnerability help build championship rosters.

00:00 Move Early Mindset

00:38 Meet Marc Riccio

01:56 Lacrosse Growth Tailwinds

02:37 Olympics Hype And Hockey Comp

04:53 Participation Numbers And TAM

08:02 High School Sanctioning Fight

11:14 LA28 Sixes And Medal Odds

12:07 Lacrosse Origin Story

14:37 Traits Of Great Players

16:54 Team Culture And Leadership

19:41 From Kid Player To Scholarship

22:45 College Grind And Pro Reality

28:40 Breaking Into The Jets

31:01 Parcells Lessons And Decisions

37:04 Belichick Contrast And Media

39:02 Post Jets Career And CEO Life

41:24 Work Ethic And Choices

42:06 Work and Family Balance

42:49 Driven by Insecurity

44:14 From Winning to Legacy

45:33 Access to Lacrosse

47:40 Explaining USA Lacrosse

50:31 Pitch to Parents

52:21 Multi Sport vs Specialize

55:48 Toxic Parent Cultures

01:01:39 Lacrosse Community Magic

01:06:44 Olympics 2028 Journey

01:10:43 Global Growth and Funding

01:14:00 Final Wrap

Kyle Matthews interviews Stephen Smith, founder and CEO of HOTWORX, a 24-hour infrared fitness studio franchise that has grown to over 800 locations since opening its first studio in 2017 after a Jamaica conversation sparked the “yoga in a sauna” concept and a patented infrared fitness sauna. Smith explains HOTWORX's model—app-based access and booking, isometric sauna sessions (30 minutes) and HIIT sauna workouts (15 minutes) using cycling, a total body trainer, and a patented dual-tank rower—plus the claimed benefits of heat, infrared energy, and “3D training.” He shares his entrepreneurial path from opening Bodyplex at 22 to Planet Beach franchising, key franchising lessons, scaling practices like one coach per 50 locations, a “10/10 work ethic” hiring rule, and the launch of Diet Trax and AI-driven TrainingTRAX with Body Vision and 90-day challenges, while targeting 2,000 locations by 2030.

00:00 Work Ethic Filter

00:48 Meet Stephen Smith

02:41 Scaling to 800 Studios

04:13 What Is HOTWORX

06:28 Infrared Training Science

08:38 Jamaica Lightbulb Moment

09:55 Early Entrepreneur Roots

12:29 Bodyplex Leap of Faith

15:52 Golds Gym Lessons

17:30 Planet Beach Franchising

18:51 Franchisor Playbook

21:46 Work Life Balance Debate

23:15 Motivation and Football Mindset

26:30 From Fitness to Tanning

27:25 Reinventing Planet Beach

28:24 Naming HOTWORX

29:11 Launching the First Studio

29:46 Turning Customers into Franchisees

31:23 Scaling with Coaches

33:22 Ambition and Growth Mindset

34:30 Diet Trax to TrainingTRAX

36:44 Gamified 90 Day Challenges

37:15 Body Vision and AI Coaching

39:32 AI for Operations

41:11 Exit Plans and IPO Talk

41:57 Workations and Balance

42:52 Advice for Younger Self

45:30 Wild Entrepreneur Stories

49:14 Wrap Up and Where to Find HOTWORX

Kyle Matthews interviews Deb Liu, former Facebook senior executive who built the first mobile ad product, created Facebook Marketplace, and launched Facebook Pay, later serving as CEO of Ancestry and now co-founding Ember AI to bring AI-driven enterprise back office automation. Deb explains how Ember identifies workflow “hotspots” where human time is trapped in routinized tasks—often in procurement/invoicing and customer service— then re-orchestrates systems securely for leverage and insight, arguing “fast eats slow” in AI adoption. They discuss practical AI fluency for non-technologists, using multiple models to reduce hallucinations, and concerns about job impact. Deb shares why she started Women in Product, notes a gender gap in AI adoption, recounts her path from Stanford to PayPal and Facebook, reflects on growing up as an immigrant child in South Carolina, and discusses leadership, intentionality, family, and her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

00:00 AI Is the New Excel

00:46 Meet Deb Liu

01:58 What Ember AI Builds

03:15 Back Office Quick Wins

04:27 AI Leverage in Practice

08:05 Jobs Fear and Up skilling

10:59 Stop Saying I Don't Do AI

13:28 Why Women in Product Started

16:20 Closing the AI Adoption Gap

18:34 Who Wins the AI Race

20:34 From Civil Engineering to PayPal

25:04 Growing Up as Outsiders

28:51 Rocket Fuel and Belonging

35:23 Adversity and Tiger Mom

37:01 Asian American News Column

37:39 Driven to Leave Town

38:23 Teaching Kids Adversity

40:53 Family Tech Boundaries

44:41 Inside Facebook Marketplace

48:44 Finding Your Voice

51:26 Perfectionism and Growth

56:41 From Meta to Ancestry

01:00:54 CEO Doubts and Learning

01:03:50 Leading Through Lockdown

01:05:33 DNA Breakthroughs at Ancestry

01:06:40 Privacy and Genetic Risk

01:10:59 Mammogram Wakeup Call

01:11:40 Diagnosis And Early Biopsy

01:13:02 Risk Factors And Fear

01:16:13 Treatment And Recovery

01:17:56 Building Ember AI

01:21:18 Intentionality At Work

01:24:30 Habits And New Commitments

01:29:16 Career Stall During Motherhood

01:35:14 60 60 Marriage Framework

01:39:11 Motherhood Penalty Reality

01:42:21 Rapid Fire And Wrap Up

Kyle Matthews interviews Brad Beeler, a retired U.S. Secret Service special agent and prolific criminal polygraph examiner who served on President George H.W. Bush’s protection detail and was named Special Agent of the Year for work combating crimes against children. Beeler discusses polygraph accuracy and how it works, emphasizing preparation, baselining, and that people “beat the examiner” rather than the instrument. He shares practical deception-detection and communication tactics (yes/no questions, delays, qualifiers, overreactions, body-language mismatches, and reading feet) and warns about confirmation bias and false confessions. Beeler recounts cases including a “king of counterfeit” investigation, Olympic protection in Beijing, polygraph work, and a transformative homicide confession, and explains his book “Tell Me Everything” as a communication blueprint for trust and truth.

00:00 Truth Odds Explained

00:38 Meet Brad Beeler

01:34 Polygraph Dad Story

02:54 Car Sales Tactics

05:25 Everyday Lie Tells

05:45 Yes No Questions

12:56 Polygraph Book Origins

16:38 Why Secret Service

17:38 Hiring Marathon

19:08 How Polygraphs Work

23:18 Beating The Polygraph

26:31 Counterfeit King Case

34:01 Beijing Olympics Detail

37:24 Crimes Against Children

40:55 Online Grooming Risks

41:53 Extortion And Cyber Tips

42:39 Triple Homicide Breakthrough

44:36 Respectful Interrogation Tactics

45:48 False Confessions Risks

47:15 Confirmation Bias Lessons

53:05 Why People Commit Crimes

57:06 Facing True Evil Cases

01:01:58 Secret Service Career Phases

01:02:53 Sniper Threat Investigation

01:08:00 Presidents And World Travel

01:11:23 Protection Risks And Complacency

01:12:49 Reading People And Body Language

01:16:56 Honeybee Confession Story

01:20:47 Closing Thoughts And Where To Follow

On the Matthews Mentality Podcast, host Kyle Matthews interviews Dr. Michael Burcham, who launched, scaled, and sold three healthcare companies and later founded the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. Burcham recounts being rejected by 30 Nashville investors before flying to New York for his first trip and securing $10M at Rockefeller Center, then building Therapy Physics by consolidating outpatient rehab practices and ultimately selling at a high multiple. He shares lessons from growing up on a rural Mississippi farm, mentors who pushed him toward college, and how he built financial skills with an MBA. The conversation covers exits, post-sale challenges, scaling models, work-life tradeoffs, grief after losing his son, writing The Mask, common founder mistakes, his role at Shore Capital Partners, and his upcoming book, Blood, Sweat and Equity.

00:00 Walk Through The Door

00:38 Meet Dr Michael Burcham

01:23 Rejected In Nashville

03:08 Rockefeller Center Yes

07:02 The Rehab Rollup Pitch

08:50 Mississippi Farm Roots

11:20 Teacher Changed Everything

14:33 From Ole Miss To HCA

17:21 Should You Get A Masters

23:47 Launching In Denver

27:22 Exit Mechanics Explained

29:45 Life After The Sale

32:41 Imposter Syndrome And Drive

35:07 Buying Paradigm Health

37:03 Fixing Culture and Model

38:51 Fulfillment Helping Founders

41:07 Narus Health from Loss

42:33 Grief into Leadership

44:43 Founder Mistakes to Avoid

46:24 Joining Shore Partners

48:25 Work Life Balance Truths

55:02 Founder Abyss and Glass

56:13 Blood Sweat Equity Book

58:42 Wild Founder Stories

01:09:10 Final Takeaways and Wrap