Vision With Execution

Welcome back to The Vision with Execution Show! I’m Adam Torkildson, and today’s episode is packed with inspiration, strategy, and a little bit of surprise. My guest, Brittany Hansen, is a powerhouse—balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She’s on a mission to change the way businesses communicate and is taking big steps toward a TED Talk stage in 2025.

We dive into her journey—how she went from devoting over a decade to raising twice-exceptional children to co-founding a company that’s transforming business-consumer interactions. We also discuss how jiu-jitsu has shaped her problem-solving mindset, the power of AI in modern marketing, and why global trade missions are an untapped opportunity for entrepreneurs.

This episode is all about vision and execution—Brittany’s bold goal to improve communication worldwide, and the practical steps she’s taking to make it happen. If you’ve ever wondered how to translate your big ideas into action, this one’s for you. Connect with her on Linkedin

Adam:

A week ago, I found myself in a place I hadn’t been in years—rock bottom emotionally. I felt completely unmoored, like I was losing everything, and I had no idea how to break out of that mindset. That’s when David stepped in. Whether he was the “perfect guy” for this or not, I can’t say, but in that moment, he was the right person.

David:

Adam:

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To practice this heart coherence technique every single day.

To ask for help—twice a day, every day. That one scares me, but I know it’s necessary.

David:

Adam:

On this episode of Vision with Execution, we go deep into what it really means to be ready for disaster—whether it’s a wildfire, a power grid failure, or, as I often think about, the biblical end times. Jennifer doesn’t just preach survival—she’s lived through family members losing everything, and now she’s on a mission to make sure the rest of us don’t have to learn the hard way. Here’s what I learned from our fascinating conversation.

First-Person Recap:

I’ve had a lot of interesting guests on my podcast, but Jennifer Heller stands out. From the moment we started talking, I knew this episode was going to be different. Jennifer doesn’t just talk about disaster preparedness—she lives it. And after hearing her story, I started questioning everything I thought I knew about being ready for an emergency.

One of the first things that hit me was Jennifer’s definition of an apocalypse. For me, raised in a conservative Christian background, I think of the end of the world in biblical terms—the Second Coming, the final judgment. But for Jennifer, the apocalypse isn’t necessarily the end of the world; it’s any world-changing event. Losing a home, losing a loved one, a natural disaster—those moments shift reality in ways that are just as earth-shattering as any grand, cosmic event. And she’s seen it firsthand. Her family has lost homes to wildfires twice in just a few years. That kind of experience changes a person.

Jennifer doesn’t just stockpile gear like a stereotypical “prepper.” She thinks about the human side of emergencies. What’s it really like to be stuck in a high school gym after an evacuation? What small comforts make a difference when your world has been turned upside down? She packs her go-bag with more than just the essentials—there’s soap, earplugs, books, stuffed animals for her kids. Because survival isn’t just about staying alive; it’s about maintaining some level of comfort and sanity in chaos.

One thing that really stuck with me is her emphasis on communication. She’s not just thinking about what food to store—she’s planning out how her family will find each other if cell service is down. She’s set up designated meeting spots and even an out-of-town contact to relay messages. And she’s written it all down, because in a crisis, the last thing you want to do is try to figure it out on the spot.

I’ll be honest—I’ve always thought of “preppers” as a little extreme. But Jennifer made me realize that preparedness isn’t about paranoia. It’s about taking practical steps now so you don’t panic later. Her approach isn’t fear-based; it’s about comfort and control in situations that can easily spiral into chaos. And honestly? That’s something I can get behind.

She also reminded me how important it is to have faith in something greater than ourselves. As a Christian, I believe in a higher power guiding us through hard times, but I also believe in doing my part. Faith and preparedness aren’t opposites—they work hand in hand.

By the end of our conversation, I knew I needed to do better. I needed a plan. I needed to think beyond “grab a flashlight and some canned beans” and actually consider how my family would stay safe, connected, and sane in an emergency.

Jennifer’s created an entire system to help people prepare, and after listening to her, I get it. If you’re even remotely concerned about what you’d do in a crisis, check out her website at herecomestheapocalypse.com. And if you can’t spell “apocalypse,” she’s got you covered with hcta.xyz. Don’t wait until disaster strikes to realize you should have been ready.

This episode changed how I see preparedness—and it might change how you see it too.

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This distinction really resonated with me because, through my own experiences in addiction recovery, I’ve seen firsthand how mentorship is about connection. As Deborah put it, humans are wired to help each other. Mentoring isn’t just beneficial for the mentee—it has life-changing rewards for the mentor too. In fact, studies show that people who actively engage in service and mentoring live longer, happier lives.

We also talked about the concept of generativity, a stage in life where people naturally want to give back. She used examples from A Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life to illustrate how giving leads to true fulfillment, and how organizations like SCORE (score.org) and The Mentor Project (mentorproject.org) provide structured ways for people to mentor.

One of my favorite moments in our discussion was when I shared the LDS missionary experience—where 18-year-old men dedicate two years to unpaid service worldwide. It turns out there’s almost no formal research on the long-term effects of early civic engagement on mentorship, but it’s clear that giving at a young age primes you for a lifetime of service.

If you’ve ever thought about mentoring, this episode will inspire you to just start. You don’t need an official title—just a willingness to help someone else grow. And in doing so, you’ll grow too.

I had no idea what I was walking into when I invited Jim Marshall onto my podcast. The guy claimed to have discovered a system—a mathematically structured framework—that could explain and predict human behavior. I’d heard a lot of big claims before, but this one? It sounded like something straight out of a sci-fi novel.

"Septemics," he called it. The study of how nearly every aspect of human behavior operates within seven distinct levels. It applies to individuals, relationships, politics—you name it. And according to Jim, if I could determine where someone fell on these scales, I could understand them better than they understood themselves.

Naturally, I had to put this to the test.

I told Jim about my 14-year-old daughter. Like most teenage girls, she’s going through changes—emotional, social, and everything in between. I’ve tried everything to connect with her, from coaching her basketball team to spending one-on-one time together. Nothing seemed to break through.

Jim didn’t flinch. "Find her level on each of the 35 Septemic scales," he said. "Once you do, you’ll understand her better than she understands herself."

I was skeptical. How could some arbitrary system decode the complexities of parenting? But as Jim explained the system’s structure, something clicked. He walked me through how he’d spent decades refining these seven-level scales, using biofeedback machines and real-world analysis to map out human behavior patterns. The more he spoke, the more I saw how these concepts could be applied—not just to my daughter but to every relationship I’ve ever struggled to understand.

Then he dropped the biggest bombshell of all: every major life problem—every misunderstanding, every conflict—could be traced back to one of these scales. And once you knew where someone landed, you had a roadmap for helping them grow.

It was one of those rare moments where my brain felt like it was rewiring itself in real time. Suddenly, everything from my teenage struggles to business negotiations made a little more sense.

By the time our conversation wrapped up, I knew one thing for sure: I needed to dive deeper into this. If there was even a chance that these scales could improve my relationships—personal and professional—I wanted in.

Jim’s book, Septemics: Hierarchies of Human Phenomena, is available on Amazon, and his website, Septemics.com, breaks down the fundamentals of his work. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, one thing is certain—once you hear his theories, you’ll never see human behavior the same way again.

I don’t throw this phrase around often, but this might be one of the most eye-opening conversations I’ve ever had.

Want to know where YOU fall on these scales? Check out Jim’s book, and let me know what you think. Because if he’s right, this system could change everything.

I opened the show with my signature relaxed style—greeting Jared warmly and double-checking our audio setup with a bit of playful banter about AirPods versus my “best lighting” in the basement. I quickly recapped the no-frills format of my show: one-take recordings, quick edits, and a live push to LinkedIn for instant impact.

Right from the start, Jared’s energy shone through. He introduced himself as a former startup CEO who now wields his experience as a COO in venture capital. What really grabbed my attention was his candid discussion about reinventing himself: his vision for 2025 isn’t about following a preset path but about creating a role where work feels like play. Jared detailed his daily ritual of tapping into a meticulously built CRM filled with nearly 300 contacts. Every day, he reaches out, reconnecting with old friends, colleagues, and mentors—turning casual catch-ups into strategic opportunities. His method is as refreshing as it is bold, proving that networking isn’t just for job hunting; it’s a dynamic tool for continuous reinvention.

We then veered into more personal territory—sharing our Utah roots, trading dad jokes (I even teased him about “picking my nose” and mispronouncing names), and discussing the balance between work and family. Jared’s insights about his life as a dedicated dad to four young boys, contrasted with my own regimented early-morning routines (complete with sauna sessions and scripture study), brought a human touch to our conversation. It was clear that while our paths differ, our commitment to excellence and authenticity is the same.

The core of our chat centered on vision and execution. I pressed Jared on his strategy for 2025, and he revealed that his current mission is to find that one passion project that reignites the spark of joy in his work. His approach—leveraging relentless follow-ups and deep, genuine connections—underscored the idea that true success is built on both resilience and the willingness to step into the unknown.

As the interview wound down, I expressed my gratitude for Jared’s transparency and vowed to revisit his journey once he finds his next big breakthrough. I encouraged listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn and take away the lesson that reinventing yourself is always within reach, no matter where you are in your career. This episode, filled with raw insights, humor, and actionable strategies, perfectly encapsulates what the Vision with Execution Show is all about.

I sat down with marketing expert and entrepreneur Carrie Loranger, who went from struggling to afford groceries (while working a Fortune 500 job!) to building multiple successful businesses and mentoring others to do the same. She breaks down the TRUTH about side hustles, the #1 mistake new entrepreneurs make, and how she’s creating a game-changing program in 2025.

We also talk about the SECRET behind why some people thrive in business while others struggle—and it all starts in your mind.

🚀 Want to learn how to execute on YOUR vision? This episode is packed with actionable insights and straight-up real talk. Don’t miss it!

This week on The Vision with Execution Show, I had the pleasure of speaking with Carrie Loranger, a fellow SCORE mentor and marketing expert, about the power of vision, execution, and the unexpected challenges of entrepreneurship.

Before we even got into our discussion, I had to share one of the strangest interactions I’ve had in a while—a mentee I was trying to help through SCORE decided he didn’t like our conversation and hung up on me. Then, for the next two days, I was bombarded with spam calls from health insurance companies—his bizarre way of getting revenge. But here's the kicker: he emailed me later to apologize. This got me reflecting on something I’ve come to accept—I seem to have a polarizing effect on people. Some admire me, some try to sue me, but in the end, it all comes down to the fact that I invite challenges into my life, consciously or not.

Carrie and I dove into the mindset that shapes our realities, discussing how our thoughts manifest our experiences. We talked about the importance of transitioning strategically from a 9-to-5 to entrepreneurship, the necessity of a financial cushion, and how sales is really just about solving people’s problems.

One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation? The reminder that nothing happens by accident. Whether you call it God, the universe, or fate, everything in our lives is drawn to us for a reason. Carrie’s journey—from corporate America to running a successful marketing business—reinforced that belief. She shared her experience with side hustles, from mobile notary work to forex trading, and ultimately, how she built a business that aligns with her passions.

We also touched on niching down, the power of community, and how she plans to scale her vision in 2025 with virtual group coaching. It’s a conversation packed with insights, real talk, and valuable lessons for anyone looking to turn their ideas into reality.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone struggling to transition into entrepreneurship or seeking clarity on their vision for the future. Tune in, take notes, and let’s execute on our goals together. 

When I hit record on my podcast, I never know exactly how the conversation will flow, and that’s the way I like it. My guest today, Cort Brady, was dialing in from Draper, Utah, just about 20 minutes from me in American Fork. I could tell right away we were going to have a natural, laid-back conversation, which is exactly what I aim for when I bring people onto the Vision with Execution podcast.

I started by making sure our audio was good—podcasting isn’t always glamorous, and sometimes, you have to roll with the punches. Cort had to adjust his setup since his usual recording space was taken, but we made it work. That’s ingenuity at its finest. Once everything was set, we kicked things off, and I introduced Cort as the founder and CEO of Covalent, a company that helps founders build great teams so they can grow faster with less turbulence. I hoped I didn’t butcher that too much, but Cort seemed cool with it.

We got into our backgrounds, finding common ground in our entrepreneurial journeys. He shared that he met his wife at BYU-Idaho and was studying finance before leaving with just 20 credits left to jump into business opportunities. We both agreed that real-world experience teaches lessons no degree ever could. His path took him through door-to-door sales, founding Aspen, and eventually Covalent. I loved hearing how he navigated those transitions, learning from setbacks and successes alike. He even had a $500,000 software bet that didn’t quite pan out, but the way he described it—owning the failure, learning from it—was something every entrepreneur can relate to.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was his perspective on negotiation. Before our chat, I had a pretty negative association with the word, picturing a power struggle. But Cort reframed it as simply understanding what the other person wants and figuring out how to align that with what you can deliver. It’s not about winning the deal at all costs but about keeping the relationship intact so that there’s always another negotiation in the future. That clicked with me. It’s how I’ve tried to operate in business, even if I never called it negotiation before.

We also talked about personal goals—because business and life are deeply connected. Cort’s vision for 2025 is freeing 12 founders so they can focus on what they actually set out to do. He wants to grow Covalent’s software to 100K ARR and build his rental property portfolio, which he started last year with a buzzer-beater real estate deal made just before the new year. On the relationship side, he’s committed to strengthening connections with his wife, kids, and his ‘tier 1’ friends—the ones who are like family. That phrase stuck with me. We choose our friends, and some become as important as the people we’re born with.

Health was another big goal for him—hitting 9% body fat, building muscle, and even improving flexibility. I respected the way he approached it with clear, specific numbers. It reminded me of my own fitness journey and how tracking real metrics, like through DEXA body scans, gives you a much better picture than just looking in the mirror or chasing PRs at the gym.

As we wrapped up, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much ground we covered. Business, relationships, faith, health—it all matters. And Cort wasn’t just throwing out vague aspirations; he had a clear vision and an execution plan behind it. That’s the kind of mindset that gets people where they want to go.

Before signing off, I thanked him for being real and sharing his actual numbers and goals. It’s easy to stay surface-level, but conversations like this remind me why I do this podcast in the first place. It’s about learning from people who are making things happen, seeing what works, and applying those lessons to our own lives.

After we ended the recording, I promised to get the episode up by the next day and tag him on LinkedIn. If he could share it, great—but either way, I knew it was a solid conversation worth putting out into the world. And that’s what keeps me excited to keep hitting record, episode after episode.

Ryan shares his journey from rollerblading and competing in ballroom dance to performing on So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, and even Broadway. He breaks down the three-step visualization process he used to go from struggling in competitions to becoming a national finalist. We also discuss how his wife, Ashley, overcame a life-threatening illness through the power of mindset and neuroscience.

Beyond dance, we explore the discipline of competitive shooting, the importance of humility in success, and our joint business venture, Idea Wins, where we help small businesses find ways to save money and operate more efficiently.

This episode is packed with inspiration, actionable strategies, and personal insights that can help you sharpen your vision and execute it in 2025. Plus, we have some fun imagining Ryan ballroom dancing, rollerblading, and target shooting all at once—because why not?

Key Takeaways:
✔ The power of visualization: first-person, third-person, and emotional connection
✔ Why daily rituals are key to success in any area of life
✔ How to stay humble while achieving your biggest dreams
✔ The importance of serving others and giving back before you "make it"
✔ Business strategies for maximizing efficiency and keeping more of your hard-earned money

🎯 Ready to level up in 2025?
Listen now and get inspired to turn your vision into reality!

Welcome back to The Vision with Execution Show! I’m Adam Torkildson, and this is my twelfth episode. Today, I’m joined by Romney Williams, CEO of DryOut. We first connected a few months ago through CEO.com, thanks to AI matchmaking us as two guys who should have a conversation. Turns out, the AI got it right.

Before we dive into Romney’s insights, I want to share a little bit about why I do this show. I firmly believe that vision without execution is just hallucination—thank you, Thomas Edison, for that gem. This show is about talking to leaders who not only dream big but also execute at a high level. Romney is one of those people.

We kicked off our conversation with some small talk, and, as always, I had to throw in a bit about my dad being a full-time circus clown. That kind of background gives me an appreciation for people with a good sense of humor, and Romney fits right in.

So what is DryOut? If you’ve ever had a phone take a swim, lost a pair of earbuds in the wash, or dealt with rust and corrosion on your gear, DryOut is something you’ll want to know about. The whole thing started when DryOut’s founder, Elliot Harris, had a moment of desperation after his phone got wet. He ran to Best Buy, where he was met with the old rice-bowl trick. Spoiler: it didn’t work. But then he had a lightbulb moment—while wearing a moisture-wicking shirt and eating beef jerky, he realized he could create a better solution using moisture-wicking material and silica gel. Fast forward, and DryOut now has patented technology designed to remove moisture efficiently and effectively from electronics, firearms, and more.

When Romney joined DryOut three and a half years ago, the vision was clear: DryOut shouldn’t just be another consumer product—it should be the ingredient brand for moisture control, just like Gore-Tex is for waterproof clothing. Instead of just selling standalone products, DryOut is embedding its technology into other brands’ products. This means we might start seeing DryOut-integrated laptop bags, tool cases, camera gear, and even military-grade night vision goggle pouches.

This concept—what Romney and I called the Intel Inside Playbook—is powerful. It’s about leveraging strong brands with existing trust and value to introduce a new technology seamlessly. It’s a smart, scalable business move, and I love seeing it in action.

Every guest on this show gets asked two big questions:

What is your vision for 2025?

How are you going to execute on it?

For Romney, DryOut’s goal is massive: to be in every North American household, to protect every member of the armed forces, and to support first responders. They’re already in discussions with major brands and government entities, looking to integrate DryOut into products ranging from kayaks to military-grade storage cases.

But what struck me even more was DryOut’s why. They exist not just to rescue wet electronics but also to help people—specifically children and veterans struggling with mental health challenges. It’s a mission-driven company, and that resonates deeply with me.

One thing I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is how spirituality plays into vision and execution. Growing up as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was taught to pray for guidance. Prayer has become a way for me to mentally imagine and articulate my vision before making it a reality. Romney and I connected on this as well. His faith anchors him while also pushing him to dream bigger, move faster, and execute better.

We also talked about the importance of core values in business. DryOut’s four non-negotiables? Humble, Hungry, Happy, and Honest. If you want to succeed in business—or life—you need strong values, and you have to stick to them, no matter what.

So where is DryOut headed? They’re on track to revolutionize moisture protection across industries. And while Romney couldn’t reveal too many details, let’s just say that their tech might soon be found in protective cases for high-end electronics, weapons, and maybe even kayaks. If you’re in the business of protecting valuable gear from moisture, keep an eye on DryOut.

This conversation was a reminder of why I started this show—to learn, to connect, and to share stories that inspire execution. Romney is someone who truly embodies vision with execution, and I’ll be watching DryOut closely as they continue to grow.

If you want to connect with Romney, he’s easy to find on LinkedIn. And if you want to learn more about DryOut, check out dryout.com.

Until next time, keep your vision strong and your execution even stronger.

This has been The Vision with Execution Show. I’m Adam Torkildson. Thanks for tuning in!