In this raw and powerful conversation, I sit down once again with Joel Gandara—a man whose life began in the shadows of communist Cuba and transformed through unrelenting grit, perspective, and intentional fatherhood.

We dive deep into the formative experiences that shaped our values, from growing up in extreme poverty and facing bullies, to working 80+ hour weeks just to get by. We talk about the strength of our mothers, the moments of scarcity that taught us resourcefulness, and how to convert painful memories into fuel for growth.

Joel opens up about how he raised resilient, self-reliant kids in a world that often overprotects and underprepares. We explore how to shift generational trajectories—not with wealth handouts, but with wisdom, responsibility, and love.

This episode is about honoring where you came from, building powerful focal points from your past, and creating a life you’re proud to look back on—while raising the kind of kids who can thrive without you.

If you’ve ever felt like life was unfair, or if you’re a parent wondering how to truly set your children up for success, this one will hit home.

Highlights:

* Why Joel keeps a photo of his childhood home on his desktop

* How poverty created resilience, not resentment

* The power of focal points from your past to fuel your drive

* Parenting without handouts: raising self-sufficient kids

* How to course-correct when your 20-something kids are lost

* Why gratitude is the ultimate superpower

Listen in. Reflect deeply. Pass it forward.

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