The Ownership Game with Gary Montalvo

What if your greatest legacy isn’t what you leave behind — but how you live right now?

In this episode of The Ownership Game, I sit down with Christian Fischer, a values-driven leader, entrepreneur, and father who’s on a mission to help people build legacies rooted in purpose, service, and self-awareness.

This isn’t your typical leadership talk. Christian opens up about the habits, mindsets, and daily decisions that have shaped how he leads in business, in family, and in faith. From overcoming identity struggles to redefining success through service, this conversation is packed with wisdom that challenges the hustle-for-worth narrative — and invites you to slow down and lead with integrity.

If you're an entrepreneur, parent, or high-performer who feels called to something deeper, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why legacy starts long before you leave anything behind
• Leading from identity, not insecurity
• The difference between calling and ego
• Building habits that reflect your values — not just your goals
• Leading as a parent and partner with intentionality
• How to redefine masculinity through vulnerability and faith
• The power of pausing to reflect, redirect, and realign

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome & Intro: Leadership Is Personal

03:20 Meet Christian Fischer: Business, Family, and Faith

06:45 From Confusion to Calling: Identity Work in Leadership

10:10 Redefining Success: It's Not About Titles

14:30 Legacy as a Daily Practice

19:00 How Christian Leads at Home and in Business

23:40 Habits, Anchors, and Rhythms That Build Character

28:55 Masculinity, Faith & Leading Through Humility

33:10 Learning to Slow Down to Speed Up

38:40 What True Ownership Looks Like

42:30 Christian’s Legacy Vision

46:00 Final Reflections + Invitation to Lead from Within

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Connect with Christian:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisruptiveChefCommunity 

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/christianjfischer 

Website: https://www.christianjfischer.com/ 

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What if the biggest risk in the Age of AI… is sitting on the sidelines?

In this episode of The Ownership Game, host Gary Montalvo sits down with AI Strategist and educator Marnie Wills for an honest, insightful conversation on how to lead yourself (and your business) through the most disruptive technological revolution of our time.

If AI feels intimidating, overwhelming, or like “something for the tech people,” this conversation is going to flip that script.

Marnie, a self-proclaimed non-techie with an athlete’s mindset, shares how she became her own Chief AI Officer, and how she now helps everyday entrepreneurs and creatives do the same — without needing to code, know the jargon, or “keep up” with every new tool.

This episode is all about mindset, experimentation, and reclaiming your agency in an accelerating world. Whether you're already using AI tools in your business or you’ve been avoiding it altogether, you'll walk away feeling clearer, more empowered, and ready to play the long game.

In this episode, we discuss:

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome: The AI Revolution Is Already Here

03:00 Marnie’s Story: From Blackberry Loyalist to AI Strategist

06:45 How AI 10X’d Her Business (and Helped Her Exit One)

09:30 Developing an AI-First Mindset

13:00 Why You Don’t Need to Be “Techy” to Lead with AI

15:50 From Overwhelm to Ownership: Pick One Tool and Start

21:15 Becoming Your Own Chief AI Officer

26:00 Building Trust with AI Tools as a Creative/Entrepreneur

31:40 Using AI for Coaching, Strategy, and Business Ops

35:00 Launching Your Own AI Platform (and Owning Your Data)

40:30 How to Protect Your Intellectual Property

45:00 The Coaching Industry’s AI Disruption (And Opportunity)

49:00 Marnie’s Final Message: Confidence Through Collaboration

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Connect with Marnie:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businesswithaistrategist 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marnie-wills-entrepreneur 

Website: www.businesswithaistrategist.com 

Onesheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uSdbDmSdjh5Sa_v5Htp-MbD2EIn_bxDH/view?usp=sharing 

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What if success isn’t about doing more, but becoming more of who you already are?

In this episode of The Ownership Game, Gary Montalvo sits down with Cauveé (Kaw-Vay), also known as Cauvee, and widely recognized as The Inspiration Engineer®, to talk about what it means to build a life that doesn’t just look good, but feels aligned on every level.

Cauveé has helped influencers, entrepreneurs, and leaders take off the mask, reconnect with their truth, and create a reality that honors their full, authentic self. In this episode, he opens up about his own transformation, from living in survival mode to stepping into purpose-driven leadership.

This conversation is raw, reflective, and filled with frameworks you can use to shift your energy, upgrade your environment, and finally start living a life that holds all of you.

In this episode, we discuss:

Chapters: 

00:00  Intro: The Inspiration Engineer Joins the Game

02:30  From Trauma to Transformation: Cauveé’s Origin Story

06:10  Why Achievement Can’t Heal Abandonment

09:50  Masculinity, Vulnerability & the Power of Softness

13:15  The Energy Audit: Realigning Your Time, People & Space

18:00  Authenticity vs. Performative Success in the Digital Age

23:40  Your Divine Algorithm: Operating From Inner Truth

29:20  The Cost of Living Disconnected from Purpose

33:50  Presence, Peace, and the Art of Letting Go

39:00  Designing a Life That Holds All of You

44:15  Cauveé’s Message to Creators and Leaders Ready to Evolve

47:30  Closing Reflections: Who Are You Without the Mask?

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Connect with Cauveé:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cauvee

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cauvee

Website:  inspirationengineer.com 

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cauvee

Onesheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15QC1tuF2oRVynvwS1Zqb_ocvzndq-oHhewK2pmtJpto/edit?tab=t.0 

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Love this episode? Here’s how to support the show:

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Have a question or suggestion for the show? Let us know about it by visiting www.TheOwnershipGame.com

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Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/47xYgUn

What if the life you built — the one that looks perfect on paper — feels like a prison behind the scenes?

In this deeply honest conversation on The Ownership Game, Gary Montalvo sits down with Betsy Pepine, a successful real estate entrepreneur and author, who shares her story of what happens when outward success clashes with inner fulfillment.

Betsy opens up about the moment she realized she was living inside “boxes” built by other people’s expectations — and the courageous journey she took to break free, rewrite her story, and define success on her own terms.

If you’ve ever found yourself chasing achievement but feeling empty, questioning the stories you’ve inherited, or wondering how to live a more authentic life — this episode of The Ownership Game is for you.

In this episode, we discuss:

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction: When the Hustle Becomes the Cage

02:30 Meet Betsy Pepine: Success on Paper, Disconnection Inside

06:00 The First Signs: Listening to the Body and Inner Voice

09:30 Tools for Uncovering the Truth: Therapy, Meditation & More

14:45 Defining and Spotting the “Boxes” You Live In

19:20 Social and Cultural Boxes: Gender, Money & Status

25:00 The Ego Death of Changing Careers and Identities

31:30 Framework: Identifying Your Boxes and Facing the Fears

36:50 Betsy’s Book and How It Can Help Others

40:10 Powerful Takeaways: Joy, Impact, and Authenticity

46:30 Closing Reflections: Remembering Who You Really Are

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Connect with Betsy:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betsypepine

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsypepine/

Website: https://www.betsypepine.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetsyPepine 

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gainesvillerealtor 

Grab Betsy’s book Breaking Free from the Boxes: https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Boxes-Dismantling-Metaphorical-That/dp/1636802842/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= 

Join Betsy’s new companion course coming soon!

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Love this episode? Here’s how to support the show:

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Have a question or suggestion for the show? Let us know about it by visiting www.TheOwnershipGame.com

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Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/47xYgUn

Why do we get stuck in self-sabotaging patterns — even when we know exactly what to do? 

In this powerful episode of The Ownership Game, Gary sits down with mindset and strategy coach Sara Gilbert to unpack the invisible patterns that keep entrepreneurs, leaders, and high-achievers stuck in the cycle of “I know what to do, but I’m not doing it.”

Sara reveals how our identity, emotions, and the stories we tell ourselves create hidden limits on our growth. Together, they break down how to spot these patterns, rewire your language, and shift from fear-driven action to leadership-driven alignment.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by procrastination, perfectionism, or over-preparation — this episode will show you how to break free.

In this episode, we discuss:

Chapters: 

00:00 The Power of “I Am” Statements: How Identity Shapes Behavior

02:30 Sara’s Journey: From Business Strategy to Deep Mindset Work

05:50 Why “Be-Do-Have” is the Real Game Changer for Entrepreneurs

08:00 The Hidden Role of Emotions: Why Safety Sabotages Growth

14:00 The Familiarity Zone: Why We Stay in Patterns that Don’t Serve Us

19:00 Language as a Tool: How to Rewrite Your Stories

25:00 The Right Questions vs. The Wrong Questions: Moving from Stuck to Free

33:00 Why Slowing Down Helps You Speed Up

42:00 Self-Awareness, Self-Honesty, Self-Leadership: A New Model for Change

51:00 Why Ownership Over Your Stories is Non-Negotiable

54:00 Final Thoughts: Playing the Ownership Game in Life and Business

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Connect with Sara:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100015061414304

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

Website: https://saragilbert.coach/ 

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Love this episode? Here’s how to support the show:

 __________________________________

Have a question or suggestion for the show? Let us know about it by visiting www.TheOwnershipGame.com

Sign up to get episodes and bonus content delivered to your inbox weekly at www.TheOwnershipGame.com

Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/47xYgUn

Is burnout just a scheduling issue — or is it the story you’re telling yourself?

In this powerful episode of The Ownership Game, Gary Montalvo sits down with Dr. Jaime G. Raygoza, organizational psychologist, coach, and burnout expert, to dismantle the myth that overwork is just about poor time management. Dr. Jaime shares his raw, near-fatal story of hustle culture gone too far — and the hard-earned wisdom he now uses to help entrepreneurs, leaders, and high-achievers break the cycle of burnout.

If you’ve ever felt like the only way to succeed is to do more, push harder, or ignore what your body is screaming at you — this conversation is your permission slip to choose a wiser path.

In this episode, we discuss:

Chapters: 

00:00  Introduction: The Infinite vs. Finite Game

03:00  Meet Dr. Jaime: From 120-Hour Weeks to Near Death

10:00  What Drives Unchecked Hustle? Proving Your Worth

18:00  Signs You’re Burnt Out (Your Body Knows First)

24:00  Why Entrepreneurs Ignore Burnout (and Pay the Price)

31:00  How Burnout Limits Innovation & Leadership

36:00  Practical Reset Tools: Body Scans, Environment Shifts & Laughter Yoga

44:00  How to Manage Stress When You Can’t Change Your Circumstances

48:00  The Gift Inside the Breakdown: Enjoying the Process

52:00  Outro: Stop Proving, Start Living

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Connect with Dr. Jaime:

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


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089604794211 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-gabriel-raygoza/ 

Website: http://www.rainbowcareercoaching.com/ 

__________________________________

Love this episode? Here’s how to support the show:

 __________________________________

Have a question or suggestion for the show? Let us know about it by visiting www.TheOwnershipGame.com

Sign up to get episodes and bonus content delivered to your inbox weekly at www.TheOwnershipGame.com

Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/47xYgUn

What does it look like to say yes to your inner nudge—even when it's terrifying?

In this episode of The Ownership Game, Gary sits down with longtime friend and powerhouse marketing executive turned podcast host, Lesley-Anne Stone. After facing the life-altering challenge of parenting a child with severe food allergies, Lesley-Anne launched the globally ranked podcast Resilience and Hope, giving voice to the raw, emotional, and empowering stories that often go untold in the parenting and health world.

She opens up about how grief, intuition, and a deep need for authenticity fueled her unexpected leap into podcasting—and how that leap has impacted families around the world. Whether you’ve got an idea on the backburner or you’re in the thick of building something new, this episode is a masterclass in trusting your instincts, creating with purpose, and leading with your story.

In this episode, we discuss:

Chapters: 

0:00 A Mother’s Mission Begins

2:00 Saying Yes to the Inner Nudge

6:30 From Branding Executive to Podcast Host

11:45 How a Doctor’s Invitation Sparked It All

14:00 The Power of Moving Before You’re Ready

17:30 Grief, Growth, and the Gift of Collaboration

22:00 Building a Podcast That’s Deeply Personal

27:00 The Risk and Reward of Radical Honesty

33:00 Inside the Groundbreaking Food Allergy Program

38:00 What It Really Takes to Get to Remission

44:00 Making Hope Accessible to Families Everywhere

48:00 Season Two, Possibility, and the Next Chapter

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Connect with Lesley-Anne:

Instagram: @resilienceandhopepodcast

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

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resilienceandhopepodcast

Website: https://linktr.ee/resilienceandhopepodcast 

Food Allergy Institute: www.foodallergyinstitute.com

Resilience And Hope: A Food Allergy Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Links below!

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/resilience-hope-a-food-allergy-podcast/id1797657949 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3uQ1UHk9k0oBaJpKE310YT 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ResilienceandHopePodcast/shorts 

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Love this episode? Here’s how to support the show:

 __________________________________

Have a question or suggestion for the show? Let us know about it by visiting www.TheOwnershipGame.com

Sign up to get episodes and bonus content delivered to your inbox weekly at www.TheOwnershipGame.com

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What happens when life doesn't hand you safety—but you choose strength instead?

In this powerful episode of The Ownership Game, Gary sits down with Ron Rubin, a successful entrepreneur and financial advisor whose character was literally forged by pressure. From facing antisemitism and domestic abuse in his youth to building a thriving business grounded in integrity, Ron shares how adversity shaped his relentless discipline, his unshakable values, and his quiet—but potent—leadership style.

This isn’t a story about surviving the past. It’s a masterclass in transforming it.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone looking to rebuild from the inside out—this is the episode you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode, we discuss:

Chapters:

00:00 Life on High Alert: Ron’s early years facing violence at home and school

03:30 Turning Pain into Purpose: The mindset shift that defined his life

07:40 Education as a Lifeline: The immigrant work ethic and academic ambition

13:00 Resilience, Not Reaction: When bullying teaches self-worth

19:00 Witnessing a Parent’s Downfall: The impact of addiction on identity

25:00 Forging a Career: The bold early years of Ron’s financial services journey

27:15 Lessons from 120 Mentors: What top performers all have in common

30:00 Radical Transparency in Business: Defining values in a shady industry

34:30 Taking Ownership in Crisis: A major betrayal and how Ron handled it

39:50 Fortune Favors the Bold: Risking it all to start his own firm

42:00 Legacy and Mentorship: Serving future generations with integrity

50:00 The Exit Plan: Why Ron sold his company—and what comes next

53:00 Daily Discipline: Ron’s personal system for staying aligned

56:00 Final Takeaway: You’re not what you survived—you’re who you become

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Love this episode? Here’s how to support the show:

 __________________________________

Have a question or suggestion for the show? Let us know about it by visiting www.TheOwnershipGame.com

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Judgment is sneaky—it wears the disguise of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and hustle. And the most dangerous part? We often don’t even realize it’s there. 

In this episode of The Ownership Game, Gary Montalvo is joined by transformational coach and leadership expert Dawn Speaks to explore how judgment silently corrodes self-worth, derails potential, and keeps us from showing up fully in our lives.

Together, they unpack how inherited beliefs, cultural conditioning, and internalized voices from the past shape our behavior and identity. You'll learn how judgment isn't just a thought—it’s an operating system. But the good news? It can be dismantled.

If you've ever performed strength while struggling, avoided action because you feared being “too much,” or secretly believed success needs to be earned through suffering—this conversation is your invitation to break free.

In this episode, we discuss:

Chapters:

00:00 Opening Reflections: The voice in your head isn't your own

03:20 Introducing Dawn Speaks: A powerful voice in leadership and transformation

08:00 Coaching Entrepreneurs: Fear, capacity, and breaking internal ceilings

13:30 The Real Voice of Judgment: Would you let someone else talk to you that way?

18:40 The Hustle Trap: How “working hard” can be a mask for unworthiness

24:00 Presence vs. Productivity: Why slowing down can move you forward

27:30 Money Shame & Inherited Stories: Judgment’s grip on our financial identity

33:00 Discovery vs. Defensiveness: Fighting for your limitations

38:00 Boundaries, Bravery & Saying “No”: Empowerment without apology

46:00 Invitation to the Event: Beyond Circumstances—July 26th in NYC

55:00 Final Thoughts: Bringing discernment with compassion

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Connect with Dawn:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawn.speaks.77

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

Please Note: Beyond Circumstances: Dawn and Gary's one-day training in NYC has been rescheduled to October 11th. https://beyondcircumstancesnyc.com/

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Love this episode? Here’s how to support the show:

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Have a question or suggestion for the show? Let us know about it by visiting www.TheOwnershipGame.com

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Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/47xYgUn

 What happens when a smart, capable woman gets trapped in a high-control religious system that strips her of her identity, voice, and power? In this powerful episode of The Ownership Game, host Gary Montalvo sits down with psychotherapist, leadership coach, and author Michelle Moffitt. For 30 years, Michelle was immersed in a patriarchal religious system that shaped every part of her life—from her marriage to her career to her voice.

But this is more than a story about faith or religion—it’s about trauma, belonging, people-pleasing, and the cost of abandoning your authenticity for acceptance. Michelle’s story is raw, honest, and a wake-up call for anyone questioning the systems they're a part of.

If you've ever felt stuck in a life you didn't consciously choose—or found yourself judging someone who is—this conversation will challenge and inspire you. 

In this episode, we discuss:

Chapters:

00:00 Intro Clip: Michelle on Gaslighting in Religious Systems

01:16 Welcome to The Ownership Game

02:10 What Are High-Control Systems & Why Smart People Get Trapped

03:30 Introducing Michelle Moffitt: Therapist, Coach, Author

04:00 Michelle’s Progressive Upbringing vs. The System She Entered

06:00 Trauma, Date Rape & the Search for Safety

08:00 Entering a Patriarchal Religious System

10:00 Early Red Flags, Marriage, and Loss of Voice

13:00 Why We Stay: Belonging, Love-Bombing & Indoctrination

16:00 Understanding Narcissism, Gaslighting & Control

20:00 The Turning Point: Realizing Something Was Deeply Wrong

23:00 Asking for Help from the Church—and Being Told to Repent

27:00 Being Cast Out, Losing Everything & Moving Back to Seattle

31:00 Rebuilding Life From Scratch

34:00 Healing the Body from Hypervigilance

36:00 Becoming a Therapist: Awakening Through Education

39:00 Enneagram, Coaching, and Newfound Agency

45:00 Final Reflections on Motivation, Forgiveness & Self-Compassion

54:00 Advice for Others Escaping Toxic Systems

58:00 Closing Thoughts from Gary: Healing Begins with Honoring Your Truth 

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Connect with Michelle:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.rogers.520357/https://www.facebook.com/michelle.rogers.520357/

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

Website: https://michellemoffitt.com/ 

Michelle would like to promote: https://www.amazon.com/Cracked-Open-Journey-Resilient-Independent-ebook/dp/B0DCCFCT5D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23VQZJN1V6JKI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PYMyl6cA-9ODB4h2mORSfd8EhDwCJkHGACcGpF5ZclQ-vzl95zWIMuZx1hKAYAKFMHfK-IgdR0ZXAawSD0TZ1g.Nn3Ig2eHPMANvfOBDJEX_-u1u-j6IefuFeCYLDWvwsE&dib_tag=se&keywords=michelle+moffitt+cracked&qid=1736628528&sprefix=%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1 

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Love this episode? Here’s how to support the show:

 __________________________________

Have a question or suggestion for the show? Let us know about it by visiting www.TheOwnershipGame.com

Sign up to get episodes and bonus content delivered to your inbox weekly at www.TheOwnershipGame.com

Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/47xYgUn