The Matthews Mentality Podcast

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, host Kyle Matthews sits down with Julia Stewart, a legendary leader who has shaped some iconic restaurant brands, including Taco Bell, IHOP, and Applebee's. Julia shares her remarkable career journey, recounting her early days as a food server at IHOP to becoming the CEO and spearheading IHOP's $2.3 billion acquisition of Applebee's, creating the world's largest full-service restaurant company. She also discusses her pivot from the restaurant industry to launching 𝐴𝑙𝑢𝑟𝑥, a cutting-edge wellness company. The episode is packed with invaluable lessons on resilience, innovation, and the importance of mentorship and company culture.

00:00 The Call That Changed Everything

00:51 From IHOP Waitress to CEO

02:14 Pancake Memories and Family Stories

03:48 The Journey to Health Tech

04:50 Challenges in Raising Capital

06:04 Breaking Stereotypes in Health Tech

07:02 From Restaurant Giants to Wellness Innovator

08:46 The Importance of User Experience

20:05 Teaching Beyond the Classroom

25:46 The Visionary Behind Taco Bell's 24/7 Model

30:03 The Power of a Career Plan

32:23 Climbing the Career Ladder

33:23 Facing Gender Barriers

35:09 Sacrifices and Choices

37:45 Taking Risks and Learning

39:33 Mentorship and Learning from Failures

41:48 Leadership and Accountability

56:32 Handling Personal Tragedy

01:01:51 Women in the Workplace

01:05:17 Navigating Career Decisions

01:05:36 The Importance of Company Culture

01:06:26 Motivations and Achievements

01:10:42 Turning Around IHOP

01:12:08 The Applebee's Acquisition

01:22:34 Creating a Unified Culture

01:28:28 Balancing Work and Family

01:37:29 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode of The Matthews Mentality Podcast, host Kyle Matthews sits down with Carl Daikeler, visionary entrepreneur and CEO/co-founder of The Beachbody Company, now known as BODi. Carl shares insights into his relentless pursuit of innovation in the health and wellness industry, discussing the transformative impact of iconic fitness programs like P90X and Insanity. They delve into the challenges of taking Beachbody public, the evolution of fitness trends, and the importance of maintaining a sharp, innovative mindset. Carl also reflects on the personal toll of his professional journey and the unwavering commitment needed to drive a business to success. Tune in for an inspiring and insightful conversation on overcoming obstacles, the power of action, and the future of holistic health and wellness.

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, host Kyle Matthews sits down with Chad Bowden, the recently appointed General Manager of USC Football. Chad shares his journey from a student assistant at Cincinnati to becoming a pivotal figure in college football recruiting at Notre Dame, and now leading USC in the NIL and Transfer Portal era. They discuss the importance of minor details, from air temperature to recruitment strategies, and how these elements contribute to winning games. Chad also delves into the future of college football, the significance of creating a winning culture, and life after football, emphasizing the unique value proposition of USC. If you're passionate about football, leadership, and USC's rich tradition, this episode is a must-listen.

00:00 Introduction

00:41 Meet Chad Bowden: USC's General Manager

00:48 Building a Championship Roster

02:36 The Evolution of College Football Management

05:34 Life After Football: Preparing for the Future

09:48 Identifying Potential Beyond the Field

12:53 Chad's Journey: From Water Boy to General Manager

17:51 The Path to Becoming a Sports Agent

20:24 Lessons from Cold Calling

23:22 The Art of the One Call Close

23:51 Transition to Real Estate and Google AdWords

24:52 A Call to Football Coaching

27:38 Lessons from Coach Fickle

33:06 Joining USC and the Importance of Details

41:40 USC's Value Proposition

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, host Kyle Matthews sits down with the incredibly talented country and rock singer Annie Bosko. They discuss her early struggles, from performing in small venues to facing rejection in the music industry. Annie shares her inspirational journey, including working with legendary artists like Vince Gill and Dwight Yoakum, and overcoming personal challenges like a vocal cord injury. Despite numerous setbacks, Annie's relentless perseverance and love for music propelled her to success. Tune in to hear Annie's insightful reflections on the importance of self-belief, resilience, and staying true to one's dreams. Don't miss her new music releases and upcoming shows!

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, host Kyle Matthews welcomes Zach Leonsis, President of Media and New Enterprises for Monumental Sports Entertainment. They dive into the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone for personal and professional growth. Zach shares his journey and experiences, including his pivotal role in acquiring NBC Sports Washington and investing in innovative companies like Team Liquid and Epic Games. He discusses the complexities of operating multiple sports teams and venues, and the future of sports betting and eSports. Zach also reveals the key characteristics he looks for in teammates and leaders, and reflects on the importance of being genuine and having the ingenuity to 'figure it out.' Finally, they touch on the thrill of winning championships and the valuable lessons learned from both successes and failures. Whether you're a sports fan or an aspiring business leader, this episode provides insightful advice and inspiration.

00:00 Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

00:48 Introducing Zach Leonsis

01:02 Zach's Role at Monumental Sports

02:52 The Impact of Winning and Losing

13:52 Navigating the Pandemic

22:51 Zach's Background and Upbringing

36:51 College Days and Early Career

37:50 Diving into Media and Entertainment

38:48 Exploring the World of eSports

41:33 The Rise of Sports Betting

45:05 Leadership and Team Dynamics

50:06 Personal Growth and Mentorship

57:37 Community Impact and Challenges

01:09:37 Family and Personal Life

01:12:44 Future Aspirations and Legacy

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, hosted by Kyle Matthews, we dive deep into the world of real estate investments and development with Laith Hermiz, founder and CEO of Ironside Realty. Laith shares his journey from being the COO and Executive Vice President at Agree Realty Corporation to founding his own firm. With a rich career spanning both public REITs and private real estate, Laith discusses his critical role in acquiring and developing over $2 billion in assets, and the importance of strategic growth, value creation, and cultivating industry relationships. They explore current market trends, particularly the net lease space, and Laith offers insights on strategies and opportunities during disruptive times. The conversation also touches on the personal anecdotes, lessons learned from navigating the commercial real estate industry, and the importance of continuous learning, networking, and mentorship. 

00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome

00:29 Guest Introduction: Laith Hermiz

00:57 Early Career and Achievements

01:58 Net Lease Market Insights

06:44 Personal Anecdotes and Stories

13:57 Laith's Background and Family History

14:03 Education and Early Career Path

32:01 Discovering the Value of Networking

32:41 Transitioning from Law to Real Estate

33:41 Early Career in Real Estate Development

34:34 Major Projects and Career Milestones

34:58 Navigating the REIT Space

35:38 Balancing Career and Family

37:37 Motivations and Wealth Creation

39:10 Key Career Achievements

40:45 The Importance of Relationships

45:00 Challenges and Lessons from the GFC

51:44 Building a Successful Acquisition Platform

58:56 Impact of COVID-19 on Real Estate

01:00:53 Founding a New Venture

01:06:06 Navigating Market Shifts and Opportunities

01:06:55 The Appeal of STNL Retail Space

01:08:24 Challenges and Surprises as a Founder

01:10:11 Balancing Passion and Hard Work

01:11:25 The Art of the Deal and Building Relationships

01:14:39 Advice for Aspiring Professionals

01:24:10 Networking and Professional Growth

01:35:00 Final Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, host Kyle Matthews sits down with the incredibly talented country and rock singer Annie Bosko. They discuss her early struggles, from performing in small venues to facing rejection in the music industry. Annie shares her inspirational journey, including working with legendary artists like Vince Gill and Dwight Yoakum, and overcoming personal challenges like a vocal cord injury. Despite numerous setbacks, Annie's relentless perseverance and love for music propelled her to success. Tune in to hear Annie's insightful reflections on the importance of self-belief, resilience, and staying true to one's dreams. Don't miss her new music releases and upcoming shows!

00:00 Chris Stapleton's Journey: A Tale of Perseverance

01:22 Introducing Annie Bosko: A Rising Star in Country Music

02:27 The Hustle of a Musician: Behind the Scenes

04:32 Nervous Moments and Big Breaks

10:06 Early Beginnings: Annie's Musical Roots

13:26 Navigating the Music Industry: Challenges and Triumphs

25:42 Vocal Cord Injury: A Turning Point

28:26 Overcoming Adversity: The Road to Recovery

30:59 Facing Rejection: Stories from the Industry

41:37 Embracing Emotions and Self-Improvement

43:33 Football Lessons on Handling Emotions

47:06 Navigating the Music Industry

01:00:12 The Power of Music in Tough Times

01:10:08 Upcoming Events and Future Plans

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, host Kyle Matthews chats with Ted Raad, founder of Trend Companies, about his journey of creating a successful influencer management agency. The discussion delves into the influencer economy, the importance of authenticity for content creators, and the nuances of managing a rapidly growing business. Ted also offers valuable advice for aspiring influencers and discusses the impact of technology and AI on the future of influencer marketing. Tune in to learn from Ted’s experience in transforming challenges into opportunities in the dynamic world of social media.

00:00 The Podcast Idea Rejection

00:44 Turning 40 and Reflecting on Life

01:25 The Concept of High Achievers Podcast

02:51 75 Hard Challenge and Fitness Routine

08:03 Chicken Farming Challenges

10:41 Introduction to the Guest: Ted Rad

13:55 Ted's Background and Connection to Jake

15:08 Dede's Journey to Becoming an Influencer

21:53 The Importance of Authenticity in Social Media

22:21 Declining Lucrative Offers for Long-Term Gains

23:19 Starting Trend Management

26:03 Scaling Trend Management

27:15 The Growing Influence of Social Media

50:09 Navigating the Challenges of Hyper-Growth

53:18 Commission Structure Challenges

53:34 Unique Talent Management Approach

54:09 Self-Service Talent Management Tool

54:37 The Future of Talent Management and AI

55:33 Investing in Brands and Media for Equity

57:25 Organic Brand Partnerships

59:40 Building a Personal Brand

01:05:07 Starting and Scaling a Business

01:15:41 Executive Coaching and Mentorship

01:20:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Matthews Mentality, host Kyle Matthews sits down with  @EdBolian  an auto enthusiast, entrepreneur, and YouTube personality. Ed is famously known for breaking the Cannonball Run record in 2013 by driving from New York to LA in 28 hours and 50 minutes. They delve into Ed's fascination with cars, his journey from running an exotic car rental business to becoming a top car salesman and eventually founding  @VINwiki  a unique car history sharing platform. Ed shares insights into his career, entrepreneurial ventures, personal anecdotes, and the mindset that has driven his success. Tune in for an engaging conversation about speed, innovation, and the passion for the automotive world.

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, host Kyle Matthews sits down with legendary entrepreneur and business leader Gary Kusin. Gary shares his inspiring journey from co-founding globally recognized brands like Babbage’s (which evolved into GameStop) and Laura Mercier Cosmetics to leading Kinko’s transformation and its eventual sale to FedEx. This discussion covers Gary's early life experiences, pivotal career decisions, the challenges and triumphs in the business world, and his unwavering commitment to giving back to underserved communities. Tune in to hear about his incredible professional arc, key lessons learned, and his insights on fostering a success-driven mentality.