Your Message Received!

If you've ever worked in New York, you may know the feeling. The city is fun, and you may even have your own "big, badass office", but those long commutes are expensive. They drain you of precious time and key family moments- that you're missing.

John Duffin interviews Derek Fredrickson, a fractional CEO and longtime COO who has lived in Paris for 10 years. Derek shares how he left a Wall Street career during the 2008 financial crisis to join his entrepreneur wife’s coaching business, where they aligned on complementary “front stage/backstage” roles and grew to multiple seven figures.

Derek explains how their family planned a move abroad, first considering Switzerland, then choosing Paris, and how they prepared by shifting the business online in 2015, using Skype/Zoom and asynchronous tools, while maintaining critical non-negotiables: no nights or weekends. Derek describes using nightly gratitude at dinner to help his kids adapt. He also outlines his COO approach: shifting founders from operator to owner, focusing on systems and accountability, implementing processes in phases (do it for you, together, then by yourself), delegating outcomes, not tasks, and using a “North Star” why and delegation audit to guide change.

To learn more about Derek Fredrickson, check out the links below.

https://thecoosolution.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekfredrickson/

https://www.facebook.com/derekfhttps://

www.youtube.com/@TheCOOSolution

00:00 Remote Work Prep

00:50 Podcast Welcome

02:36 Why France

03:37 Wall Street Exit

06:12 Train Aha Moment

08:14 A Family Affair- Joining Wife's Business

09:33 Risk And Safety Net

14:30 Life After Leap

16:28 Plan To Move Abroad

18:49 Settling In Paris

21:39 Business Goes Online

23:18 Family Gratitude Ritual

25:10 Fractional COO Insider

26:53 Bob Is The Bottleneck

27:23 Operator To Owner Shift

29:51 North Star Why Question

32:24 Careful COO Integration

33:32 Three Stage Process Rollout

36:35 Make It Up Make It Real

37:37 Delegate Outcomes Not Tasks

40:44 Accountability Culture Metrics

42:45 Hiring His Own COO

45:42 Delegation Audit Steps

48:03 Gratitude Family Wrap Up

Jay Duran on Letting Go, Sharing More, and Reclaiming Your Full Voice Host John Duffin welcomes returning guest and friend of the podcast, Jay Duran of Culture Matters.

As a host, it’s important to me to honor each guest with a unique conversation, rather than a rehash of greatest hits. Jay has accomplished a lot in a short amount of time, and I've been thrilled to have Jay as a guest on my podcast numerous times.

Today marks a shift in the conversation. Jay’s shift toward more personal, behind-the-curtain writing and sharing, including recent social media posts and blogs discussing personal matters, brings the culture to a whole new level.

Jay explains that after a decade of building his company and writing extensively for clients, he realized he never stopped writing—he stopped writing for himself—and now wants his private and public life, writing, and advisory work to align. We discuss how suffering, limited options, rejection, and risk shape entrepreneurs, and how success can create blind spots that require unlearning. Jay uses The Odyssey as a metaphor for letting go of outcomes and returning “home”.

The business model grows as Culture Matters focuses beyond results, money, and case studies-while also describing renewed creative projects, upcoming speaking engagements, and the realization of recognizing that his story can inform the work without replacing the work. Definitely worth a watch (or several)!

We also referenced very powerful previous podcasts that influenced my line of questioning. Here are the links.

Dropping Bombs (Ep 78) - Are meetings important for company culture

https://youtu.be/PfFKg4jQH3I?si=h3S8uacebiXQSjDT

Control Or Be Controlled: Are You In Control Of Your Life?

https://youtu.be/sshpDUQGYdQ?si=MUy1IQrL6NZWzhyZ

00:00 Letting Go Odyssey

00:54 Podcast Welcome

01:31 Jay Returns Again

04:23 Integration Season

06:30 Shame Post Shift

07:58 Writing For Self

10:42 Pride And Layers

14:38 Pain Fuels Risk

20:01 Why Share Shame

21:26 Authenticity Online

24:09 Ferrari Back On

24:57 Going Home Metaphor

27:10 Completeness And Learning

28:36 Unlearning And Writing

31:07 Sharing Thoughts Publicly

32:18 Books Leadership, and Culture

33:30 Love Of Speaking

36:50 Story Versus Brand

40:06 Owning Your Leadership

43:00 Marriage And Not Alone

44:04 Transparency With Purpose

45:35 Who Your Content Attracts

50:40 Brad Lea Episode Reflection

55:02 Learning Unlearning Together

56:09 Closing and Sign-Off

Paul Espinosa on Escaping the Box: From Gang Life to Family, Work, and Giving Back On the Your Message Received podcast, host John Duffin continues his conversation with California-based educator and lecturer Paul Espinosa, who is writing a book called Survival of the Psyche.

Paul describes growing up as a shy “observer” with big dreams, feeling trapped in a cultural “box,” and seeking belonging. The dual vision also included money and the powerful lure of gang life. Listen to Paul explain the meaning of “homie love” in gang life while knowing it carried high costs. He explains the exhaustion of living two roles—gang member and family man—and how a gun confrontation, trade school, and a client’s offer to work construction helped him experience life outside the box.

Paul credits his wife’s ultimatum and relocation with pushing real change. He now speaks in schools and works in jail programs, designing curriculum on topics like anger management and substance awareness, emphasizing authenticity, brain development, and his critical message that people can choose their actions but not the consequences.

Paul's message is so powerful, and Paul Espinosa's storytelling is spellbinding. You'll get to walk the tightrope with us, as Paul vividly describes this dual, conflicting former life- the high cost of living that life- and the beautiful road of redemption and service. I am so grateful to have Paul Espinosa as my friend. Watching his uplifting story unfold is a sheer joy. I am confident that you'll be mesmerized by this episode.

To learn more about Paul and to follow the journey, check out the links below.

Prior Podcast Episode with John Duffin and Paul Espinosa

https://www.instagram.com/paul_damascus_72/

https://www.facebook.com/paul.espinosa.980

00:00 Awkward First Step

00:32 Podcast Welcome

01:45 Paul Espinosa Returns

03:55 Observer Mindset

08:18 Gang Life Belonging

13:20 Two Divided Paths Clash

17:16 Gunpoint Wakeup

23:45 Taking Legit Work

27:08 Humbling Shift

28:22 First Real Job Shock

29:17 Double Life Contrast

30:54 Wife Draws the Line

34:48 Leaving the Hood Behind

37:49 Tricked Into Speaking

44:27 Teaching Inside the Halls

48:05 Choices and Consequences

55:08 Closing Thanks and Links

From Big Tech Burnout to Land Flipping Freedom: Mike Deaton’s “DIRT” Framework

Host John Duffin interviews Mike Deaton, who spent over 20 years in big tech supply chain roles before being laid off in 2016 on the same day as his wife, Ligia. Imagine the feeling when both partners endure a serious career change on the same day!!

Instead of returning to corporate work, they mapped their values and “perfect day,” hired a coach, and used a land-flipping toolkit Mike had previously purchased to build a business focused on buying vacant land at deep discounts and reselling without renovations. Mike explains the simplicity of land compared to other real estate models, early challenges around mindset and sales, and the importance of combining systems with soft skills. He outlines his coaching approach and DIRT framework—Define strategy, Identify markets, Reach out to owners, and perform Transactions—anchored in each person’s “why,” celebrating small wins and leveraging different forms of capital, such as relationships, time, and know-how.

The impact of pivoting and change, especially when forced, is difficult. But what I got from Mike was the clarity that when a new situation presents itself, and it feels true to you, you have to seize that moment.

To learn more about Mike Deaton and purchase his book, click the links below.

https://flippingdirt.us/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbdeaton/

00:00 Love of Transformation

00:36 Podcast Intro and Guest

03:06 From Big Tech to Layoffs

05:33 Choosing Freedom Over Following the Herd

5:57 Discovering Land Flipping

09:03 Career Highs and Burnout

15:14 Resisting the Safe Default

17:27 Building a Life Together

19:44 Coaching and Mindset Shift

21:18 Land Flipping Explained

22:09 Messy Middle and First Win

22:50 First Deal Momentum

23:14 Coaching Done Differently

24:43 Soft Skills Origins

29:14 Transformation Through Wins

31:34 Land Business Basics

34:17 Capital Time Matrix

39:01 Network As Capital

41:56 Values Then Action

46:55 Outro And Resources

On this episode of the Your Message Received podcast, host John Duffin interviews Dr. Jack Groppel, author of Mountains Within and a sports science and human performance expert who co-founded the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute.

Groppel recounts a childhood shaped by curiosity, solitude, sports, and a difficult, fear-based relationship with his father that drove him to overachieve. This pivotal early relationship included a severe beating that drove Jack to seek approval and constantly question if he was good enough. Through achievements like becoming an Eagle Scout early and walking on to play tennis at the University of Illinois despite not being recruited, Jack Groppel answered some of these questions- at least in his own mind.

Jack describes pioneering high-speed film analysis in tennis and an early baseball study with the Chicago White Sox that unexpectedly captured pitchers’ pickoff moves, leading to published research on head-first vs. feet-first slides.

Groppel also shares adopting his son Shen from China, committing to a nonviolent parenting approach, climbing Kilimanjaro together, and his message that people can transform at any stage by repeatedly asking, “What matters most right now?”

To learn more about Dr. Jack Groppel, check out the links below.

https://jackgroppel.net/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackgroppel/

00:00 Hidden Film Discovery

00:47 Podcast Intro and Guest Setup

03:19 Curious Childhood Outdoors

04:20 Solo Sports and Cardinals Loyalty

07:20 Dad the Hero and Villain

10:24 Eagle Scout and Illinois Walk On

12:39 Shoulder Injury and Recovery

16:40 Alaska Trip Turning Point

19:06 Tennis Science Meets Legends

23:01 White Sox Film Breakthrough

26:56 Adopting Shen from China

28:49 Discipline Without Hitting

30:09 Saying I Love You

31:04 Marriage And Intimacy Lessons

31:47 Faith Therapy And Mentors

34:03 Adopting Shen In China

36:17 Kilimanjaro Dream With Shen

41:46 Summit Night And Big Dog

44:33 Transform Your Life Message

46:51 What Matters Most Daily

48:03 Honoring Dad And Priorities

49:47 Links Thanks And Signoff

From Selling T- Shirts with Radio Promotions to Award-Winning Documentaries: Scott Randolph’s Resilience, Networking & Storytelling

Host John Duffin interviews Scott Randolph, founder of Arrival Video Productions LLC, about how seizing opportunities during his 15-year radio and TV career led to cable production, documentary filmmaking, public speaking, and storytelling. 

Scott recounts landing his first promotions job at Eagle 106, earning trust through reliability and integrity, and surviving multiple station overhauls by maintaining a positive attitude and resilience. 

Randolph describes how lessons learned from less successful sales roles, combined with extensive networking, helped him transition into Comcast’s Newsmakers crew and grow from teleprompter and graphics to assistant director and director. 

Scott discusses his creative approach to matching music to imagery, founding Arrival Video in 2006, and producing The Battle of Crooked Billet, a Revolutionary War documentary with reenactors and dialogue that evolved into a docudrama feel, which is now being negotiated with several streaming networks. 

He also shares his love of history, public speaking for 55+ communities, and how to book him via ghoststoursofnewhope.com.

00:00 Radio Roots and Big Leap

00:53 Podcast Welcome and Guest Intro

03:04 Philly Neighborhood Connection and Memories

04:30 Landing Eagle 106 Gig

08:30 Hershey Trip Integrity Moment

13:16 Resilience Through Station Shakeups

16:55 Skills Across Media and Sales Lessons

21:17 Networking Into Newsmakers Crew

23:45 Assistant Director Responsibilities

26:30 Finding Creative Voice in Editing

29:35 Crooked Billet Documentary Origins

31:50 Docudrama Shift and Streaming Talks

34:15 Spy Scene Surprise

35:46 Editing Room Magic

36:08 Recut After A Decade

37:49 Crooked Billet Connections

41:36 History Bug Origins

42:55 Revolution Over Civil War

44:55 Performing 1776 As A Kid

47:24 Speaking At 55 Plus

49:58 Emotional Connection Live

53:22 Theater Roots And Role Models

53:58 Mom The Creative Force

59:28 Never Let Age Define You

01:01:38 Where To Find Scott

01:02:40 Final Thanks And Wrap

From Scotland to Silicon Valley: Garry Drummond on Bootstrapping, Security Startups & Buying Back Time

On the Your Message Received podcast, host John Duffin interviews Scottish entrepreneur and Loch Technologies founder Garry Drummond about his journey from early adversity and a teenage “Kiddo Video” venture to building security-focused startups in Silicon Valley.

Drummond shares lessons in persistence, execution over ideas, and the importance of margins, recounting how his UK mail-order company Microworld sold millions but failed on thin 10% margins, forcing him to sell assets and move to California with his wife and young son.

He describes landing a role via Dice, helping pioneer vulnerability management by turning penetration testing into a scalable appliance, and later growing Loch from a garage to global deployments, including drone detection.

Garry also details his bootstrap principles, his work-life health focus (Garry doesn't speak from the typical work-life balance perspective), and his delegation strategies to “buy back time.”

I will also share that part 2, with Garry Drummond, is coming soon. You’ll see today, and in the next episode, that Garry Drummond is a prolific storyteller.

Check out the links below and secure your copy of Garry Drummond's Book

https://www.scotsman.com/business/22-of-scotlands-smartest-tech-founders-head-to-silicon-valley-and-singapore-5267188

https://thebootstrapceo.com/

00:00 Early Hard Lessons

00:53 Podcast Welcome

02:01 Humble Beginnings

05:12 Kiddo Video at 14

09:00 Milk Run Mindset

11:09 Why Silicon Valley

14:37 Greyhound Rescue Lesson

20:19 Microworld Margin Mistake

22:50 Yellow Pages to Vulnerability

27:05 Scaling and Market Timing

31:05 Bootstrap CEO Principles

38:10 Revenue Model and Delegation

42:33 Wrap Up and Links

43:47 Final Sign-Off

Adam Olsen on Speed, Systems, and Staying Ahead

On the Your Message Received podcast, host John Duffin interviews Texas real estate leader Adam Olsen, who has completed over 5,000 transactions and built the Adam Olsen Team and The Commercial Professionals.

Olsen shares how he started in real estate at 18, took seven months to close his first deal, then grew through consistent presence, follow-up, and a willingness to adapt as social media and AI disrupted the market.

He discusses his early motivation, including losing his father young and later buying back his father’s red-and-white 1956 Chevy Bel Air, and explains how his cattle-industry background led into ranch and land deals, development work, and commercial transactions.

Olsen outlines what he looks for when hiring, why “speed to lead” and “speed of implementation” matter, how he uses AI tools to save time, and why businesses that don’t adapt will fall behind.

To learn more about Adam Olsen and his teams, check out the links below. https://www.instagram.com/adamsolsen/

https://www.instagram.com/adam.olsen.team/

https://thecommercialprofessionals.com/

https://adamolsenteam.com/

00:00 Disruption and AI urgency

00:54 Podcast intro and guest setup

04:28 Adam Olsen origin story

06:54 Dad memories and that Chevy Bel Air

12:05 Pilot license and going all in

14:58 Early grind and sales basics

18:41 Safety net and sacrifices

22:29 Scaling up and leadership shift

26:16 Confidence and communication skills

30:42 Finding a niche in land deals

32:07 Land Deals and Rights

34:18 Marketing and Prospecting

35:29 Team Size Breakdown

37:28 Hiring for Street Smarts

43:00 Speed of Implementation

49:17 AI Tools and Market Risks

57:57 Disruptive Business Growth

01:05:33 Where to Follow Adam

01:06:19 Final Wrap and Credits

Join us on the Your Message Received podcast as host John Duffin interviews Aurora Winter—MBA, award-winning author, TV executive producer, and strategic brand showrunner—about why “the message sent is not the message received” and how concise messaging can transform a business and a life.

Aurora shares how seven words (“five weeks of sun, fun, and tax shelter”) generated $3 million in one week in her yacht charter business, and how a practiced 20-minute pitch at the Banff Media Festival sparked a bidding war and launched her screen career, while teaching her to prepare what to ask for when success arrives.

Aurora dives a little deeper, as our guest explains her 64/4 rule focused on high-leverage communication, her work at Same Page Publishing to “launch thought leaders” by building audiences before book publication, the “movie trailer” and “Netflix series” mindsets, her four human superpowers (stories, style, presence, coaching).

Stay until the end for a great free incentive-a free 20-question quiz at

thoughtleaderlaunch.com.

00:00 AI Scale or Destroy

00:14 Brand Showrunner Strategy

00:54 Podcast Intro and Guest

04:13 Fractional Showrunner Explained

04:38 Communication Origin Story

06:11 Seven Words Breakthrough

08:39 Overexplaining and Clarity

12:57 Pitch That Changed Everything

17:19 Practicing the 20 Minute Pitch

22:11 64 4 Communication Rule

23:57 Ask for the Next Step

25:44 Leaving Money Behind

26:55 Guts to Build

29:19 From Grief to Book

30:50 Grief Coach Academy

33:02 Secret Sauce Advantage

36:49 We Launch Thought Leaders

39:41 Brand Bible Process

42:20 Trailer vs Series

45:05 Quiz and Book Bonuses

48:17 Four Human Superpowers

50:31 Closing Thanks

Laurent Cohen (GetOblic) on Trust-First Voice AI, Authenticity, and Building Through Crisis

Host John Duffin interviews Laurent Cohen, founder of GetOblic, about developing a trust-first approach to voice AI and finding an authentic business voice. Cohen shares how living in France, the U.S., and Israel shaped his mindset around craftsmanship, efficiency, and urgency, and discusses feeling safe in Israel despite wartime uncertainty.

Laurent explains that adopting new technology requires earning trust, especially for small businesses operating in constant emergency mode, and argues AI should free owners to focus on customer relationships rather than replace them. Cohen rejects voice cloning as a breach of trust, emphasizing guardrails and strong data instead. He recounts a 2010 e-commerce crisis triggered by an Icelandic volcano and a bank shutdown, stressing responsibility, patience, and time.

Mr. Cohen advises learning with AI first—using it to build skills—before applying it operationally.

To learn more about Laurent Cohen, make sure to check out the links below.

https://getoblic.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurent-cohen-usa/

00:00 Volcano Chaos Lesson

00:55 Podcast Welcome Intro

02:26 Life Across Cultures

04:35 Craft Efficiency Urgency

07:16 Safety And Perspective

11:12 Building With New Tech

15:03 Small Business Trust Shift

20:16 Identity Over Voice

24:02 No Voice Cloning Stance

25:34 Data Guardrails Approach

27:09 Losing Authenticity

29:12 Kids As Motivation

31:00 Surviving Business Crisis

34:01 Volcano Disrupts Shipping

35:45 Chargebacks Kill Payments

37:03 Owning The Mistakes

40:44 Time Craft And Execution

44:27 AI For Service Pros

47:15 Learn With AI First

50:50 Where To Find Laurent

51:47 Final Thanks And Outro