The Matthews Mentality Podcast

In this Matthews Mentality Podcast episode, host Kyle Matthews interviews Dr. Debra Clary, founder and CEO of the Clary Group and author of The Curiosity Curve (launching with Fast Company in October 2025). Clary shares how she grew up feeling like an underdog and used that mindset to outwork others, beginning her career as a 4:00 AM Frito-Lay route driver in Detroit before moving into leadership roles at major organizations including Coca-Cola, Jack Daniels, Papa John’s, and Humana. She recounts learning credibility through discipline, building trust with backdoor receivers to increase route sales, earning a promotion to manager in nine months, and discovering the “power of a question” after being publicly accused of damaging truck tires that weren’t hers. Clary describes being fired after a corporate shakeup at Frito-Lay, landing at Coca-Cola through a recruiter connection, saving the Papa John’s account by gathering franchisee feedback and securing a video from Coca-Cola president Jack Stahl, then later being hired—and fired—by Papa John’s. After joining Jack Daniels as VP of strategy, she earned a doctorate at George Washington University and later moved to Humana, where she founded and ran a Leadership Institute developing the top 600 leaders, then supported enterprise-wide onboarding and performance efforts under a new CEO. The conversation centers on her 2019 “joke, question, and puzzle” that led her to commission MIT researchers to study curiosity and performance, ultimately prompting her to leave corporate life, start her firm, and build a framework for balancing curiosity and decisiveness. Clary explains the book’s “optimal amount of curiosity” and the four drivers of curiosity—exploration, openness, inspirational creativity, and focused engagement—while also discussing working motherhood, getting help to scale at home, women supporting women in leadership, and the realities of entrepreneurship, including taxes, hiring support, and the long sales cycle before momentum arrived in her third year.

00:00 Underdog Mindset

02:26 Why Curiosity Matters

03:03 The Italy Train Moment

05:07 MIT Research Breakthrough

06:03 Writing the Curiosity Curve

09:16 Growing Up in Michigan

12:35 Frito Lay Route Driver

15:32 Hacking Route Sales

18:21 Union Rules and Weekends

19:23 CEO Notices the Spike

24:52 From Driver to Manager

25:45 Leading Different People

33:15 Hard Lessons on Firing

35:57 Women in Corporate America

37:26 Women Supporting Women

39:48 Women Supporting Women

40:11 Fired at Frito Lay

42:57 Risk Taking Lessons

43:32 Reebok Storm Connection

44:30 Coke GM to Global

45:05 Saving Papa Johns

46:30 Calling the President

48:05 Leaving Coke Reflection

48:59 Hired Then Fired Again

50:53 Jack Daniels Lifeline

53:18 Working Mom Survival

56:15 Family Business Culture

57:24 Doctorate Grind

59:37 Curiosity as Driver

01:02:59 Humana Leadership Institute

01:06:19 Called to Entrepreneurship

01:09:13 Founder Reality Check

01:11:02 When It Finally Clicked

01:13:20 Craziest Investor Day

01:15:51 Legacy and Curiosity Curve

01:18:02 Curiosity Framework

01:19:39 Closing and Where to Find

What does it take to build one of the most powerful real estate companies in the world?

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Hamid Moghadam — Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Prologis — shares how he went from immigrating to the United States as a teenager to leading the world’s largest logistics real estate company.

Under Hamid’s leadership, Prologis grew into a global powerhouse spanning nearly 1.3 billion square feet across 20 countries, with an estimated 3% of global GDP flowing through its facilities annually 

We discuss:

How Prologis became the largest logistics real estate company in the world

The 42-year journey from startup to S&P 100 CEO

Surviving the Savings & Loan crisis and the 2008 Global Financial Crisis\

Time Stamps:

00:00 112 Earnings Calls & the Habit That Built a Career: Responsiveness

00:55 Meet Hamid Moghadam & Prologis: The Logistics Real Estate Giant

03:18 Why Vegas? Transitioning from CEO to Executive Chairman

04:46 Industrial Real Estate 101: What Really Happens Inside Warehouses

07:28 Growing Up in Pre-Revolution Iran & Early Education Abroad

12:16 MIT at 16, Stanford MBA, and the Revolution That Changed Everything

15:08 Starting Over in America: Loss, Rejection, and Landing the First Job

20:58 Founding AMB: Bootstrapping, Early Deals, and Building a Reputation

25:37 Why Industrial Won: Funds, Cycles, and the Road to Going Public

33:30 IPO Reality Check & Leadership Lessons: Work-Life Balance to ‘Enduring Excellence’

43:06 Three Phases of Leadership: Paranoia, ‘Scared & Not in Control,’ and What Comes Next

46:38 Stage 3 Growth: Building a Real Management Structure

47:13 Betting on E‑Commerce: Exiting Retail & Doubling Down on Logistics

49:39 Surviving the GFC: Stock Crashes, Leverage Shock & Raising Equity

53:27 The Prologis Merger: The Phone Call, Fast LOI & Analyst Doubts

55:30 Napa Dinner Secrecy: The Awkward Investor Encounter

57:56 Hardest CEO Moment: 2008 Layoffs and Hypergrowth Whiplash

59:53 CEO Reality Check: Bad News, Imperfect Info & Personnel Calls

01:01:19 Culture as the Moat: Survivor Bias, Team Accountability & Consistency

01:03:24 Merging Cultures: Values First, Then Structure (AMBs vs Prologis)

01:06:20 Biggest Leadership Mistake: Backing the Wrong Leader Too Long

01:08:13 Stepping Down After 42.5 Years: What He’ll Miss (and Won’t)

01:12:19 The Responsiveness Habit: Email, Respect & No Out‑of‑Office

01:14:23 Work, Family & Partners: Weekends, a Great Spouse, and Co‑Founders

01:17:26 Advice for Entrepreneurs: Find White Space in a More Efficient Market

01:19:11 Next Frontier: Data/AI in Real Estate—A ‘Bloomberg of Goods’

01:22:17 How to Build a Portfolio Today: Supply Constraints & Fortress Locations

01:24:21 Closing Thoughts: Social Media, Mentoring Limits & Final Thanks

In this engaging episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, host Kyle Matthews sits down with UFC Hall of Famer and former Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin. They discuss Griffin's storied career, including his time on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter, his legendary fight against Stephan Bonnar, and his championship victory over Rampage Jackson. Griffin shares insights into his transition from fighter to Vice President of Athlete Development at the UFC Performance Institute, where he now helps shape the next generation of fighters. This candid conversation also touches on the challenges of making weight, dealing with injuries, and the psychological aspects of fighting, providing a comprehensive look at the life of a professional MMA fighter.

00:00 Pushing Limits and Greed

00:45 Introducing UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin

00:57 Inside the UFC Performance Institute

01:27 Forrest Griffin's Role in Athlete Development

02:38 Expanding UFC's Global Reach

05:06 Challenges and Strategies in Training

10:40 Forrest Griffin's Early Life and Career

18:40 Transition from Football to Fighting

34:12 Joining the Ultimate Fighter

40:21 The Legendary Fight with Stephan Bonner

41:36 Randy Couture and the Bonner Fight

41:57 Mental Toughness in the Ring

43:04 The Keith Judian Fight and Lessons Learned

45:06 Winning the UFC Contract

47:56 Becoming a UFC Champion

55:06 The Challenges of Defending the Title

01:01:52 The Evolution of MMA and Training

01:07:56 Life After Fighting

01:10:54 Forrest Griffin's Legacy and Reflections

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality podcast, host Kyle Matthews interviews Piotr Tomasik, the co-founder and COO of TensorWave. Piotr shares the journey of founding TensorWave, an AI cloud and compute company based in Las Vegas, which aims to provide high-performance cloud infrastructure for modern AI workloads. The discussion covers Piotr’s background, his previous ventures, and the importance of building a robust tech community in Las Vegas. The conversation delves into the technical aspects of AI infrastructure, the impact of AI on various industries, and the challenges and opportunities present in the AI computing sphere. Piotr also reflects on the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey and offers insights into the dynamics of fundraising and building successful startups.

00:00 Introduction to AI Infrastructure Challenges

00:45 Meet Piotr Tomasik: AI Innovator

02:15 Building a Tech Community in Las Vegas

04:51 The Impact of California's Tax Policies on Tech

06:23 The Role and Vision of Tensor Wave

13:15 Future of AI: Predictions and Implications

16:47 Piotr's Journey: From Bay Area to Las Vegas

20:31 Early Career and Entrepreneurial Beginnings

25:51 Lessons from Founding Influential

33:37 The Relief of Financial Success

33:55 The Role of Family Support

35:06 Navigating an Acquisition

36:36 The Intensity of Startup Life

37:30 The Drive Behind Entrepreneurship

40:13 The Evolution of TensorWave

43:34 The Future of AI and Power

53:43 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

55:07 Reflecting on the Tech Industry

56:23 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

In this episode of Matthews Mentality, join host Kyle Matthews as he reconnects with his former USC teammate, Owen Hanson. Their conversation takes a deep dive into Owen's incredible life story that spans his days as a football player, becoming a notorious international bookie, and later a drug lord, to spending nearly a decade in federal prison. Discussing his motivations, the adrenaline rush, and the void he tried to fill with illegal activities, Owen shares pivotal moments including laundering money, his arrest, and subsequent quest for redemption. Now, focusing on rebuilding his life, Owen details his journey of creating a successful protein ice cream brand and his dedication to speaking with young people about the real consequences of his past actions. This candid and gripping interview is a testament to the capacity for change and second chances.

00:00 Introduction and Early Life

01:03 College Years and Athletic Pursuits

01:54 Transition to Underground Operations

02:28 Life in Federal Prison and Redemption

05:37 Reflecting on Childhood and Family

12:01 The Rush of Adrenaline and Illegal Activities

31:43 The Rush of Camaraderie and Adrenaline

32:18 Transition to Real Estate and Economic Downturn

32:58 Becoming a Bookie: The Start of a New Venture

33:50 The Rise of Online Sports Betting

34:34 Indictment and Legal Troubles

34:55 From Bookie to Cartel Connections

35:53 International Expansion and Cartel Involvement

38:31 The Cartel's Trust and High-Stakes Operations

45:45 The Australian Cocaine Operation

55:45 Reflections on Power and Happiness

01:00:13 Prison Realizations and True Friendships

01:03:39 Money Laundering Through Gambling

01:05:13 The Big Lie and the Lost Money

01:06:18 Confrontation and Desperation

01:08:08 The Cartel's Pressure and Ingenious Solutions

01:12:38 The Arrest and Life in Prison

01:15:11 The Road to Redemption

01:21:34 Building a New Life with Ice Protein

01:29:31 Reflections and Lessons Learned

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews interviews Antoine Tessier, CEO of DuPont Registry Group. They dive deep into Antoine's career journey from serving as the Chief Technology Officer at LVMH to leading the world's premier luxury automotive ecosystem. Antoine shares key lessons from his experience in luxury retail, the transformation of DuPont Registry into a seamless digital marketplace, and insights into the high-end automotive industry. They also discuss the future of luxury car markets and the importance of building genuine relationships with clients. Filled with anecdotes, professional wisdom, and a touch of humor, this episode offers valuable inspiration for aspiring leaders and luxury market enthusiasts alike.

00:00 Building Relationships in Luxury Commerce

00:30 Introducing Antoine Tessier: CEO of DuPont Registry Group

00:40 The Legacy and Vision of DuPont Registry Group

04:07 Antoine's Journey from France to the US

07:28 Career at Louis Vuitton and LVMH

17:01 Transition to CEO of DuPont Registry Group

19:50 Challenges and Insights as a CEO

22:03 Luxury Market Trends and Client Relationships

33:01 Personal Reflections and Ambitions

34:52 Curiosity and Moving to the US

35:17 First Impressions of America

36:05 Adjusting to Life in America

37:47 The Importance of Data in Business

39:10 Challenges and Successes as a CEO

43:29 Crazy Stories in the Luxury Car Industry

54:33 Advice for Aspiring Professionals

58:49 Final Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode, Kyle Matthews speaks with Dr. Patrick Leddin, a distinguished leader spanning military service, Fortune 500 consulting, entrepreneurship, academia, and bestselling authorship. Dr. Leddin, who co-authored 'Disrupt Everything and Win' with James Patterson, shares insights on adapting to disruption, essentials of effective leadership, and personal transformation. The conversation covers Dr. Leddin's experiences as an Army Ranger, the importance of mindsets and behaviors in leadership, practical advice on navigating artificial intelligence, and the critical nature of self-awareness and resilience in facing change.

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Essentials

01:19 Meet Dr. Patrick Leddin

02:57 Understanding Resistance to Change

04:44 The Power of Positive Disruption

10:45 James Patterson's Influence

19:07 Military Lessons in Leadership

38:32 Understanding Workplace Dynamics

38:45 Finding Your 'Why'

41:14 The Big Disruption: AI and the Future

41:58 Adapting to Technological Changes

43:00 The Five Roles in the Face of Change

48:20 Making Tough Leadership Decisions

53:21 Personal Stories of Resilience

57:53 Writing with James Patterson

01:06:07 Final Thoughts on Disruption and Success

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality podcast, host Kyle Matthews interviews Sadie Lincoln, co-founder and CEO of Barre3, a global fitness and wellness company. Sadie shares her transformative journey from working at 24 Hour Fitness to creating a revolutionary fitness movement inspired by her upbringing in a community of strong women. Key topics include Barre3's mindful approach to fitness, the impact of the 2008 financial crisis on the launch of her first studio, the challenges and resilience shown during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of intuition and community in her business philosophy. Tune in to hear about Sadie's personal and professional growth and her vision for the future of fitness.

00:00 Aha Moment: Rethinking Fitness

00:33 Introducing Sadie Lincoln: A Fitness Pioneer

01:24 Welcome to Nashville: A Warm Reception

02:58 Barre3: Revolutionizing Fitness

04:15 The Birth of Barre3: Overcoming Challenges

08:03 Scaling Success: From One Studio to Many

11:22 A Unique Upbringing: Sadie's Childhood

16:13 Education and Early Career: Finding Fitness

19:52 The Seed of Barre3: Personal Struggles and Realizations

25:38 Mind, Body, Spirit: The North Star

25:54 The Ballet Bar: A Tool for Modification

26:42 Balancing Motherhood and Business

27:56 Creating Play Lounge for Moms

28:53 The Importance of Connection

29:58 Intuition in Business Decisions

32:00 Challenges and Triumphs During COVID-19

36:45 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

39:50 Unexpected Business Moments

40:55 Global Expansion and Generosity

43:20 Advice for Young Professionals

47:58 Future Growth and Personal Motivation

49:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Find Sadie:

Twitter: https://x.com/barre3

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sadielincoln/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barre3/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadielincoln/?hl=enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barre3/?hl=en

Website: https://barre3.com/

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Find Kyle:

Twitter: https://x.com/kylematthewsceo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-matthews-ceo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylematthewsceo

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kylematthewsceo?_t=ZT-90KKp52n5MN&_r=1

Website: https://www.matthews.com

Website: https://www.thematthewsmentalitypodcast.com

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, host Kyle Matthews interviews Bianca D’Alessio, the founder and CEO of the Master's division and star of HBO's 'Selling The Hamptons'. Bianca shares her journey from earning $11,000 in her first year to becoming a top leader in modern real estate. She discusses the importance of self-improvement, confidence building, and adapting strategies that set her apart in one of the most competitive markets in the world. Bianca also touches on her experiences with reality TV, the psychological aspects of high-stakes negotiations, and her future vision for her company. For anyone interested in real estate or personal growth, Bianca's story offers valuable insights and inspiring lessons.

00:00 Starting Out in Real Estate: Overcoming Early Challenges

01:06 Introducing Bianca D’Alessio: A Real Estate Powerhouse

02:35 Discussing the New York Residential Market

09:59 The Journey to Confidence and Success

13:01 The Role of Women in Real Estate

18:16 Personal Stories and Lessons Learned

24:29 The Reality of Reality TV

31:09 Secrets Behind Luxury Real Estate

37:48 Understanding Real Estate Metrics

38:06 Staying Motivated Beyond Financial Success

39:52 Developing a Winning Mentality

41:26 Advice for Young Professionals

42:40 Misconceptions About Residential Agents

45:37 The Psychology of Real Estate Purchases

48:27 Building a Successful Real Estate Business

01:05:03 Work-Life Balance and Personal Growth

01:11:51 Final Thoughts and Personal Insights

Recorded at Theorist Studios in NYC

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Find Bianca:

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/biancadalessio/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/biancadalessio/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nestseekersmastersdivision/

Website: https://www.nestseekers.com/agent/bianca-dalessio/

TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@bianca_dalessio

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Find Kyle:

Twitter: https://x.com/kylematthewsceo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-matthews-ceo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylematthewsceo

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kylematthewsceo?_t=ZT-90KKp52n5MN&_r=1

Website: https://www.matthews.com

Website: https://www.thematthewsmentalitypodcast.com

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Peter Borzak, the Chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Pine Tree, a leading national retail real estate company. Peter shares insights from his nearly 30-year career in developing, acquiring, and operating retail assets, and the journey that shaped Pine Tree into a $3 billion portfolio company. The discussion includes Peter's career beginnings, his experience navigating the 2008 financial crisis, and tips on leadership, trust, and resilience in the real estate industry. Peter also delves into Pine Tree's strategic focus on necessity-based open-air shopping centers and their coast-to-coast presence in the United States.

00:00 Introduction to Peter Borzak and Pine Tree

01:49 Peter's Early Career and Real Estate Beginnings

04:26 Founding Pine Tree and Overcoming Challenges

07:15 Navigating the Real Estate Market and Scaling Pine Tree

11:23 The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis

17:20 Rebuilding and Future Outlook

38:21 Realizing the Importance of Effort Over Results

39:52 Balancing Business and Family Life

43:26 Coping with Stress and Maintaining Health

45:21 The Responsibilities and Challenges of Being a CEO

50:04 Motivations and Influences

57:15 The Importance of Listening and Learning

01:02:13 Pine Tree's Success and Future Plans

01:07:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts