<![CDATA[Built For This: Stories of a Maverick]]>fd808a0c-e053-5090-8c3d-6c6c8adaf552Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:00:36 +0000Captivate.fmJenna Bayukhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/c5924345-9c47-4306-9a2a-ef2a2da1ed67/WgFmBOlai7kC0Vv5BmH_rCug.jpgBuilt For This: Stories of a MaverickJenna BayukJenna BayukBuilt for This is the podcast that dives deep into the defining moments of entrepreneurs - the ones where they could have quit but instead chose to push forward. Each episode uncovers the raw, emotional stories of grit, perseverance, and resilience that turned struggle into success. Through candid conversations with founders, visionaries, and game-changers, we explore the pivotal challenges that tested them, the lessons they learned, and the mindset shifts that propelled them to new heights. If you’ve ever faced setbacks and wondered if you have what it takes to keep going - this is the podcast that proves you do. Because those who make it aren’t just lucky. They’re built for this.https://kinshipkollective.com/falseepisodicnopodcastThe Psychology of Decision-Making for Founders to Avoid Misreading Signals with Mike MacCombieThe Psychology of Decision-Making for Founders to Avoid Misreading Signals with Mike MacCombieIn this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Mike MacCombie, Venture Partner at NextGen Venture Partners, Mentor at Techstars, and Community Builder at Sandbox, to explore the intersection of behavioral psychology, investing, and human connection.

Mike’s journey into venture was anything but traditional, starting as a middle school teacher before transitioning into behavioral consulting and eventually venture capital. This conversation dives into how his background shaped a unique investment philosophy rooted in understanding human behavior, decision-making, and the power of community.

Together, they unpack what truly drives successful companies, why founders often misread signals, and how behavioral patterns influence everything from fundraising to team dynamics. The episode also explores the future of venture in an AI-driven world, the increasing importance of community, and why human connection remains a competitive advantage.

Key Takeaways:

  • How Mike MacCombie applies behavioral psychology to evaluate startups and investment opportunities
  • Why community building is a strategic advantage—not just networking—and how to do it right
  • The key traits of successful founders, including resilience, focus, and self-awareness
  • Common investor biases like hype and anchoring—and how they impact decision-making
  • Why understanding human behavior is critical in an AI-driven future and how it shapes company success

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Community is about building context and connection—not just collecting contacts.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “If there’s not an ‘of course’ reason to say yes, there’s nothing there.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “People don’t fail because of ideas—they fail because of how they think, act, and respond.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “Trust actions, not words. Interest doesn’t mean commitment.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “Fear and anxiety come from inaction—action is what reduces it.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “The distance between who you are and who you present yourself to be is your level of unhappiness.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “The best companies are often the ones nobody else believes in—until they work.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “Technology should give us more space to be human, not replace it.” – Mike MacCombie

Key Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Mike MacCombie and episode overview

01:11 - Mike’s nonlinear journey from teaching to venture capital

04:16 - The moment that sparked his transition into startups

06:58 - Building community as a foundation for opportunity

09:18 - Launching Generous Ventures and early lessons

11:23 - Applying behavioral psychology to investing decisions

14:57 - Team vs market: what matters most in investing

17:34 - Measuring grit, resilience, and founder mindset

23:00 - Investor biases and the difference between networking vs community

26:30 - How to find or build meaningful communities

30:40 - Why people make suboptimal decisions

33:47 - Understanding founder psychology and customer behavior

37:22 - Managing fear, stress, and uncertainty

40:45 - The future of venture and AI’s impact

43:41 - Human behavior in an increasingly tech-driven world

47:30 - Systems, thinking, and staying organized

48:32 - Curiosity, learning, and mental frameworks

51:09 - Rapid fire insights and closing thoughts

FOLLOW OUR GUEST, MIKE MACCOMBIE ON:


FOLLOW OUR HOST, JENNA BAYUK ON:


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]]>In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Mike MacCombie, Venture Partner at NextGen Venture Partners, Mentor at Techstars, and Community Builder at Sandbox, to explore the intersection of behavioral psychology, investing, and human connection.

Mike’s journey into venture was anything but traditional, starting as a middle school teacher before transitioning into behavioral consulting and eventually venture capital. This conversation dives into how his background shaped a unique investment philosophy rooted in understanding human behavior, decision-making, and the power of community.

Together, they unpack what truly drives successful companies, why founders often misread signals, and how behavioral patterns influence everything from fundraising to team dynamics. The episode also explores the future of venture in an AI-driven world, the increasing importance of community, and why human connection remains a competitive advantage.

Key Takeaways:

  • How Mike MacCombie applies behavioral psychology to evaluate startups and investment opportunities
  • Why community building is a strategic advantage—not just networking—and how to do it right
  • The key traits of successful founders, including resilience, focus, and self-awareness
  • Common investor biases like hype and anchoring—and how they impact decision-making
  • Why understanding human behavior is critical in an AI-driven future and how it shapes company success

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Community is about building context and connection—not just collecting contacts.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “If there’s not an ‘of course’ reason to say yes, there’s nothing there.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “People don’t fail because of ideas—they fail because of how they think, act, and respond.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “Trust actions, not words. Interest doesn’t mean commitment.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “Fear and anxiety come from inaction—action is what reduces it.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “The distance between who you are and who you present yourself to be is your level of unhappiness.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “The best companies are often the ones nobody else believes in—until they work.” – Mike MacCombie
  • “Technology should give us more space to be human, not replace it.” – Mike MacCombie

Key Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Mike MacCombie and episode overview

01:11 - Mike’s nonlinear journey from teaching to venture capital

04:16 - The moment that sparked his transition into startups

06:58 - Building community as a foundation for opportunity

09:18 - Launching Generous Ventures and early lessons

11:23 - Applying behavioral psychology to investing decisions

14:57 - Team vs market: what matters most in investing

17:34 - Measuring grit, resilience, and founder mindset

23:00 - Investor biases and the difference between networking vs community

26:30 - How to find or build meaningful communities

30:40 - Why people make suboptimal decisions

33:47 - Understanding founder psychology and customer behavior

37:22 - Managing fear, stress, and uncertainty

40:45 - The future of venture and AI’s impact

43:41 - Human behavior in an increasingly tech-driven world

47:30 - Systems, thinking, and staying organized

48:32 - Curiosity, learning, and mental frameworks

51:09 - Rapid fire insights and closing thoughts

FOLLOW OUR GUEST, MIKE MACCOMBIE ON:


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]]>d25c6bfd-a37e-42ee-9a79-86b2aa57995aWed, 10 Jun 2026 02:00:00 -070054:50falsefull139391She Rebuilt the Wealth Game by Ditching Rentals and Betting on Notes with Tiffany AlexanderShe Rebuilt the Wealth Game by Ditching Rentals and Betting on Notes with Tiffany AlexanderIn this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Tiffany Alexander, Co-Founder & Partner at TaxLens AI, Chief Relationship Officer & Partner at The Pantheon, Host of Unveiling Journeys with Tiffany Alexander, Fund Manager/Owner at Aspen Sage Investment Fund, and Owner/Manager at Thankful Inc, to explore her journey of redefining wealth creation with impact. Tiffany shares how she’s built her career at the intersection of real estate, investment strategy, and community centered development.

From her beginnings as a college dropout who wanted to be an astronaut to diving into real estate and helping people flip houses with no money down, Tiffany’s story reveals how overcoming fear, surrounding yourself with the right people, and believing in yourself can lead to unexpected success. She discusses the highs and lows of real estate investing, her journey into purpose driven wealth, and the power of creative financing. Additionally, Tiffany talks about her new ventures and the ways she is integrating AI into her work.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tiffany’s journey from aspiring astronaut to successful real estate investor
  • The role of creative financing in real estate investing and the benefits of owning debt
  • Why surrounding yourself with the right people can unlock new opportunities
  • The importance of mindset and how persistence and belief can overcome challenges
  • How Tiffany is shifting towards AI-driven solutions in her new ventures

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “If I can do it, then I have no ability, which I thought in my head to do it that anybody could.” – Tiffany Alexander
  • “Just show up and get your hands dirty. That’s the difference between a good leader and a bad leader.” – Tiffany Alexander
  • “Done is better than perfect.” – Tiffany Alexander
  • “You have to advocate for yourself and show up for yourself.” – Tiffany Alexander
  • “There’s always room for creativity in real estate, and it’s what I love most about it.” – Tiffany Alexander

Key Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Tiffany Alexander and her entrepreneurial journey

00:02:34 - Tiffany’s early influences and dreams of being an astronaut

00:07:28 - Overcoming self-doubt and the role of mindset in her success

00:11:50 - What are the lessons she learned in real estate

00:16:27 - The importance of having a solid board of advisors and mentors

00:20:11 - How was the experience as a female in the male dominant industry

00:29:55 - Tiffany’s insights into real estate markets and investment strategies

00:31:23 - How buying bad debt works and entering the note-buying space

00:37:22 - How her investment fund works

00:42:13 - Hidden risks investors overlook, especially insurance costs

00:48:27 - How Tiffany uses AI in her ventures and her vision for the future

00:56:44 - Advice for new real estate investors: Creative finance and networking

01:02:57 - Closing thoughts: Being “built for this” and the power of persistence

FOLLOW OUR GUEST TIFFANY ALEXANDER ON:


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:


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]]>In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Tiffany Alexander, Co-Founder & Partner at TaxLens AI, Chief Relationship Officer & Partner at The Pantheon, Host of Unveiling Journeys with Tiffany Alexander, Fund Manager/Owner at Aspen Sage Investment Fund, and Owner/Manager at Thankful Inc, to explore her journey of redefining wealth creation with impact. Tiffany shares how she’s built her career at the intersection of real estate, investment strategy, and community centered development.

From her beginnings as a college dropout who wanted to be an astronaut to diving into real estate and helping people flip houses with no money down, Tiffany’s story reveals how overcoming fear, surrounding yourself with the right people, and believing in yourself can lead to unexpected success. She discusses the highs and lows of real estate investing, her journey into purpose driven wealth, and the power of creative financing. Additionally, Tiffany talks about her new ventures and the ways she is integrating AI into her work.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tiffany’s journey from aspiring astronaut to successful real estate investor
  • The role of creative financing in real estate investing and the benefits of owning debt
  • Why surrounding yourself with the right people can unlock new opportunities
  • The importance of mindset and how persistence and belief can overcome challenges
  • How Tiffany is shifting towards AI-driven solutions in her new ventures

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “If I can do it, then I have no ability, which I thought in my head to do it that anybody could.” – Tiffany Alexander
  • “Just show up and get your hands dirty. That’s the difference between a good leader and a bad leader.” – Tiffany Alexander
  • “Done is better than perfect.” – Tiffany Alexander
  • “You have to advocate for yourself and show up for yourself.” – Tiffany Alexander
  • “There’s always room for creativity in real estate, and it’s what I love most about it.” – Tiffany Alexander

Key Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Tiffany Alexander and her entrepreneurial journey

00:02:34 - Tiffany’s early influences and dreams of being an astronaut

00:07:28 - Overcoming self-doubt and the role of mindset in her success

00:11:50 - What are the lessons she learned in real estate

00:16:27 - The importance of having a solid board of advisors and mentors

00:20:11 - How was the experience as a female in the male dominant industry

00:29:55 - Tiffany’s insights into real estate markets and investment strategies

00:31:23 - How buying bad debt works and entering the note-buying space

00:37:22 - How her investment fund works

00:42:13 - Hidden risks investors overlook, especially insurance costs

00:48:27 - How Tiffany uses AI in her ventures and her vision for the future

00:56:44 - Advice for new real estate investors: Creative finance and networking

01:02:57 - Closing thoughts: Being “built for this” and the power of persistence

FOLLOW OUR GUEST TIFFANY ALEXANDER ON:


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:


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]]>c3c691b7-3ed6-4713-9a08-714a423ce373Wed, 27 May 2026 02:00:00 -070001:03:58falsefull138381The Inner Work That Saved Her Business and Transformed Her Life with Jennifer K. HillThe Inner Work That Saved Her Business and Transformed Her Life with Jennifer K. HillIn this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Jennifer K. Hill, Chief Executive Officer of OptiMatch, Certified Independent Trainer at HeartMath, and Founder of the Jen Hill Tribe/Love Club and keynote speaker to explore the deeper dynamics of leadership, human connection, and psychological safety in the workplace.

Jennifer began her career in recruiting, working closely with people at key career turning points, which sparked her interest in human behavior, motivation, and connection. She later moved into executive coaching after building and selling her recruiting firm. The conversation explores her journey through entrepreneurship, meditation, and neuroscience, alongside insights on self-awareness, accountability, intuition, and building more connected, psychologically safe workplace cultures.

Key Takeaways:

  • How Jennifer K. Hill’s journey from recruiting to executive coaching shaped her perspective on leadership and human behavior
  • Why psychological safety is the most important predictor of successful teams and workplace cultures
  • How leaders can improve connection and performance by understanding human motivation rather than personality labels
  • Why self-awareness and inner work are foundational to building trust, relationships, and strong organizations
  • How emerging technologies and AI may reshape the future of work while creating more space for creativity and human connection

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Until you understand yourself, it’s incredibly difficult to truly connect with others.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “The only thing you’ll ever see is what you’re looking for.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “The higher brain cannot function until the lower brain feels safe.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “Psychological safety is the foundation that allows teams to actually perform at their best.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “We are all designed differently, and understanding those differences is the key to connection.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “The secret to happiness and connection starts with reconnecting to yourself.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “Curiosity is the antidote to broken culture.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “When leaders slow down and get curious, trust and connection start to grow.” – Jennifer K. Hill

Key Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Jennifer Hill’s early career, failure, and diagnosis journey

00:02:15 - From recruiting to entrepreneurship and building a company

00:08:10 - Personal struggles, self-discovery, and leadership transformation

00:14:19 - Meditation, intuition, and developing self-awareness

00:17:02 - Serendipity, career pivots, and stepping into new opportunities

00:28:51 - Trusting intuition and decision-making frameworks

00:31:42 - Building OptiMatch and understanding human motivation

00:35:15 - Psychological safety and its impact on workplace culture

00:37:47 - The “golden triangle” of connection: self, others, purpose

00:39:34 - Neuroscience of stress and emotional regulation

00:49:21 - Practical tools: heart-focused breathing technique

00:58:01 - AI, the future of work, and leadership evolution

01:02:07 - Jennifer’s vision, book launch, and future impact

FOLLOW OUR GUEST, JENNIFER K. HILL ON:


FOLLOW OUR HOST, JENNA BAYUK ON:


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Jennifer K. Hill, Chief Executive Officer of OptiMatch, Certified Independent Trainer at HeartMath, and Founder of the Jen Hill Tribe/Love Club and keynote speaker to explore the deeper dynamics of leadership, human connection, and psychological safety in the workplace.

Jennifer began her career in recruiting, working closely with people at key career turning points, which sparked her interest in human behavior, motivation, and connection. She later moved into executive coaching after building and selling her recruiting firm. The conversation explores her journey through entrepreneurship, meditation, and neuroscience, alongside insights on self-awareness, accountability, intuition, and building more connected, psychologically safe workplace cultures.

Key Takeaways:

  • How Jennifer K. Hill’s journey from recruiting to executive coaching shaped her perspective on leadership and human behavior
  • Why psychological safety is the most important predictor of successful teams and workplace cultures
  • How leaders can improve connection and performance by understanding human motivation rather than personality labels
  • Why self-awareness and inner work are foundational to building trust, relationships, and strong organizations
  • How emerging technologies and AI may reshape the future of work while creating more space for creativity and human connection

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Until you understand yourself, it’s incredibly difficult to truly connect with others.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “The only thing you’ll ever see is what you’re looking for.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “The higher brain cannot function until the lower brain feels safe.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “Psychological safety is the foundation that allows teams to actually perform at their best.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “We are all designed differently, and understanding those differences is the key to connection.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “The secret to happiness and connection starts with reconnecting to yourself.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “Curiosity is the antidote to broken culture.” – Jennifer K. Hill
  • “When leaders slow down and get curious, trust and connection start to grow.” – Jennifer K. Hill

Key Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Jennifer Hill’s early career, failure, and diagnosis journey

00:02:15 - From recruiting to entrepreneurship and building a company

00:08:10 - Personal struggles, self-discovery, and leadership transformation

00:14:19 - Meditation, intuition, and developing self-awareness

00:17:02 - Serendipity, career pivots, and stepping into new opportunities

00:28:51 - Trusting intuition and decision-making frameworks

00:31:42 - Building OptiMatch and understanding human motivation

00:35:15 - Psychological safety and its impact on workplace culture

00:37:47 - The “golden triangle” of connection: self, others, purpose

00:39:34 - Neuroscience of stress and emotional regulation

00:49:21 - Practical tools: heart-focused breathing technique

00:58:01 - AI, the future of work, and leadership evolution

01:02:07 - Jennifer’s vision, book launch, and future impact

FOLLOW OUR GUEST, JENNIFER K. HILL ON:


FOLLOW OUR HOST, JENNA BAYUK ON:


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>563f0125-16f5-4207-85d5-4d35c723c21cWed, 13 May 2026 02:00:00 -070001:06:25falsefull137371What’s Coming Next Will Make or Break the Next Generation of Leaders with John FrankelWhat’s Coming Next Will Make or Break the Next Generation of Leaders with John FrankelIn this episode of Built For This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with John Frankel, Partner at ff Venture Capital, to unpack the evolution of artificial intelligence and how it is reshaping startups, investing, and the global technology landscape.

John Frankel is an investor with decades of experience supporting early-stage startups. He began his career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and has backed companies across emerging technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, robotics, fintech, drones, and enterprise software.

The conversation explores the history of AI from early applications like optical character recognition to modern large language models and why today’s AI moment feels both overhyped and underhyped at the same time. John explains how startups are using AI to operate with leaner teams, how the venture ecosystem is adapting to rapid technological change, and why founders who deeply understand AI tools are gaining massive competitive advantages.

Key Takeaways:

  • How artificial intelligence evolved from early applications like OCR to today’s large language models
  • Why AI is both overhyped and underhyped at the same time
  • How startups are using AI to grow faster with smaller, more efficient teams
  • What venture investors look for when evaluating AI-driven startups and founders
  • How technologies like robotics, drones, and autonomous systems could reshape daily life and industries

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Technology is always a form of creative destruction, the more creative it is, the more disruptive it becomes.” – John Frankel
  • “However bad AI is today is the worst it will ever be.” – John Frankel
  • “Humans tend to think linearly, but technology improves exponentially.” – John Frankel
  • “Great CEOs are often delusionally optimistic, they believe they can change the behavior of millions of people.” – John Frankel
  • “The companies that understand AI deeply today can run circles around those who don’t.” – John Frankel
  • “AI allows startups to grow faster without growing headcount at the same pace.” – John Frankel
  • “It’s very possible to replace human work with AI and spend more on electricity than the human salary.” – John Frankel
  • “If technology makes something 10x cheaper or 10x better, people will change their behavior.” – John Frankel

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to John Frankel and ff Venture Capital

02:13 – Early Tech Adoption and the Journey into Venture Capital

09:08 – The History of Artificial Intelligence

14:35 – AI in Everyday Life and Invisible Intelligence

20:13 – AI’s Impact on Startups and Productivity

26:50 – Regulation, Global Competition, and AI Governance

49:18 – The Future of Venture and AI-Driven Innovation

51:49 – Rapid Fire: AI Myths, Founder Traits, and Future Technologies

FOLLOW OUR GUEST JOHN FRANKEL ON:


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>In this episode of Built For This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with John Frankel, Partner at ff Venture Capital, to unpack the evolution of artificial intelligence and how it is reshaping startups, investing, and the global technology landscape.

John Frankel is an investor with decades of experience supporting early-stage startups. He began his career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and has backed companies across emerging technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, robotics, fintech, drones, and enterprise software.

The conversation explores the history of AI from early applications like optical character recognition to modern large language models and why today’s AI moment feels both overhyped and underhyped at the same time. John explains how startups are using AI to operate with leaner teams, how the venture ecosystem is adapting to rapid technological change, and why founders who deeply understand AI tools are gaining massive competitive advantages.

Key Takeaways:

  • How artificial intelligence evolved from early applications like OCR to today’s large language models
  • Why AI is both overhyped and underhyped at the same time
  • How startups are using AI to grow faster with smaller, more efficient teams
  • What venture investors look for when evaluating AI-driven startups and founders
  • How technologies like robotics, drones, and autonomous systems could reshape daily life and industries

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Technology is always a form of creative destruction, the more creative it is, the more disruptive it becomes.” – John Frankel
  • “However bad AI is today is the worst it will ever be.” – John Frankel
  • “Humans tend to think linearly, but technology improves exponentially.” – John Frankel
  • “Great CEOs are often delusionally optimistic, they believe they can change the behavior of millions of people.” – John Frankel
  • “The companies that understand AI deeply today can run circles around those who don’t.” – John Frankel
  • “AI allows startups to grow faster without growing headcount at the same pace.” – John Frankel
  • “It’s very possible to replace human work with AI and spend more on electricity than the human salary.” – John Frankel
  • “If technology makes something 10x cheaper or 10x better, people will change their behavior.” – John Frankel

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to John Frankel and ff Venture Capital

02:13 – Early Tech Adoption and the Journey into Venture Capital

09:08 – The History of Artificial Intelligence

14:35 – AI in Everyday Life and Invisible Intelligence

20:13 – AI’s Impact on Startups and Productivity

26:50 – Regulation, Global Competition, and AI Governance

49:18 – The Future of Venture and AI-Driven Innovation

51:49 – Rapid Fire: AI Myths, Founder Traits, and Future Technologies

FOLLOW OUR GUEST JOHN FRANKEL ON:


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>0a5801af-67f5-41ca-8dfb-a3c84fd8cbdaWed, 29 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -070055:01falsefull136361The Identity Crisis for Entrepreneurs to Rebuild Purpose after a Forced Exit with Josh KosnickThe Identity Crisis for Entrepreneurs to Rebuild Purpose after a Forced Exit with Josh KosnickIn this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Josh Kosnick, Founder & CEO at Kairos Coaching & Consulting, LLC and Professional EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide to explore the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the realities of leadership, and how adversity can reshape purpose and identity.

Josh Kosnick shares the story of his entrepreneurial journey from growing up watching his father lift their family out of poverty through entrepreneurship, to building a successful financial advisory firm, leading hundreds of employees, and eventually navigating an unexpected and painful exit from the company he helped build.

The conversation is about leadership, culture, identity, and resilience. Josh reflects on lessons learned from leading teams, managing difficult personalities, and the emotional toll of losing a business he expected to run for decades. He also shares how that experience ultimately led him to a new calling: coaching entrepreneurs, hosting leadership retreats, and helping high performers rediscover purpose, alignment, and personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • How Josh Kosnick’s upbringing and relationship with his entrepreneurial father shaped his leadership journey
  • The hidden challenges of running and exiting a successful business
  • Why leaders must distinguish between talent and character when building teams
  • How vulnerability and personal development are essential for effective leadership
  • Why adversity can become the catalyst for discovering deeper purpose and impact

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Success is not my identity, it’s something I strive for, but it’s not who I am.” – Josh Kosnick
  • “You’ve already overcome everything in your life up to this point. Technically, you’re undefeated.” – Josh Kosnick
  • “You were built to overcome every obstacle placed in your path.” – Josh Kosnick
  • “We have to focus on what’s right for the company, not who we feel attached to emotionally.” – Josh Kosnick
  • “Vulnerability isn’t weakness. Real vulnerability is strength.” – Josh Kosnick
  • “You’re not speaking to everyone in the room, you're speaking to one person who needs to hear it.” – Josh Kosnick

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Josh Kosnick and his entrepreneurial journey

02:21 – Growing up with an entrepreneurial father and early influences

04:57 – Lessons learned working alongside his father

11:07 – Transitioning into leadership and taking over the firm

16:23 – Difficult leadership decisions and navigating conflict within teams

22:08 – Building culture and managing relationships as a leader

23:04 – The unexpected lawsuit that forced Josh’s exit from his company

29:49 – Processing grief, identity loss, and rebuilding after a painful exit

43:01 – Leadership, vulnerability, and helping high performers confront personal challenges

55:22 – Rapid Fire: Redefining impact, purpose, and what it means to truly be “built for this”

FOLLOW OUR GUEST JOSH KOSNICK ON:


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Josh Kosnick, Founder & CEO at Kairos Coaching & Consulting, LLC and Professional EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide to explore the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the realities of leadership, and how adversity can reshape purpose and identity.

Josh Kosnick shares the story of his entrepreneurial journey from growing up watching his father lift their family out of poverty through entrepreneurship, to building a successful financial advisory firm, leading hundreds of employees, and eventually navigating an unexpected and painful exit from the company he helped build.

The conversation is about leadership, culture, identity, and resilience. Josh reflects on lessons learned from leading teams, managing difficult personalities, and the emotional toll of losing a business he expected to run for decades. He also shares how that experience ultimately led him to a new calling: coaching entrepreneurs, hosting leadership retreats, and helping high performers rediscover purpose, alignment, and personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • How Josh Kosnick’s upbringing and relationship with his entrepreneurial father shaped his leadership journey
  • The hidden challenges of running and exiting a successful business
  • Why leaders must distinguish between talent and character when building teams
  • How vulnerability and personal development are essential for effective leadership
  • Why adversity can become the catalyst for discovering deeper purpose and impact

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Success is not my identity, it’s something I strive for, but it’s not who I am.” – Josh Kosnick
  • “You’ve already overcome everything in your life up to this point. Technically, you’re undefeated.” – Josh Kosnick
  • “You were built to overcome every obstacle placed in your path.” – Josh Kosnick
  • “We have to focus on what’s right for the company, not who we feel attached to emotionally.” – Josh Kosnick
  • “Vulnerability isn’t weakness. Real vulnerability is strength.” – Josh Kosnick
  • “You’re not speaking to everyone in the room, you're speaking to one person who needs to hear it.” – Josh Kosnick

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Josh Kosnick and his entrepreneurial journey

02:21 – Growing up with an entrepreneurial father and early influences

04:57 – Lessons learned working alongside his father

11:07 – Transitioning into leadership and taking over the firm

16:23 – Difficult leadership decisions and navigating conflict within teams

22:08 – Building culture and managing relationships as a leader

23:04 – The unexpected lawsuit that forced Josh’s exit from his company

29:49 – Processing grief, identity loss, and rebuilding after a painful exit

43:01 – Leadership, vulnerability, and helping high performers confront personal challenges

55:22 – Rapid Fire: Redefining impact, purpose, and what it means to truly be “built for this”

FOLLOW OUR GUEST JOSH KOSNICK ON:


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>062a7bac-d041-4e16-a00e-6c7cf7e0efc8Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -070001:01:09falsefull135351When Wall Street Isn’t Enough, You Build the Future of Venture with Sarah Adams AndersonWhen Wall Street Isn’t Enough, You Build the Future of Venture with Sarah Adams AndersonIn this episode of Built For This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Sarah Adams Anderson, Founding Partner at Vault Fund, to explore how venture studios are reshaping the future of company building and early-stage investing.

She began her career in investment banking, including time at J.P. Morgan, navigating private companies through major market cycles. After graduating during the 2008 financial crisis, Sarah went on to launch Vault Fund with a bold thesis: repeatable company creation platforms can outperform traditional venture capital. In this episode, she breaks down how venture studios work, why ownership is often misunderstood, and why process and talent matter more than percentage.

The conversation covered AI’s accelerating impact on capital cycles, liquidity timelines, workforce shifts, and what the next decade of innovation may look like across healthcare, energy, and private markets.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Venture Studios Explained: How repeatable company-building models test, kill, and scale ideas more efficiently than traditional VC
  2. Ownership Myths: Why taking too much equity can actually hurt outcomes
  3. AI & Exit Timelines: How artificial intelligence is compressing company lifecycles and reshaping venture duration
  4. Talent Over Everything: Why founder quality and process discipline determine long-term success
  5. The Future of Capital: How AI, private equity roll-ups, and capital efficiency will define the next decade


Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. “I can’t be average. None of us can be average.” – Sarah Adams Anderson
  2. “If you’re taking more than 30% ownership in a studio model, it’s a red flag.” – Sarah Adams Anderson
  3. “We want to play with upside. We would prefer not to spend time in the downside.” – Sarah Adams Anderson
  4. “The barriers to entry for company creation are lower than they’ve ever been.” – Sarah Adams Anderson
  5. “We have essentially built ourselves over time for where we are today.” – Sarah Adams Anderson


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Sarah and her path from finance to venture

07:42 – Why early-stage venture and the move toward company creation

11:40 – Inside the venture studio model and why ownership matters

21:37 – AI’s impact on venture timelines and liquidity strategies

34:57 – Workforce disruption, reskilling, and the human side of AI

39:21 – The future of energy, global leadership, and emerging innovation

49:45 – Rapid Fire: Ownership myths, AI trends, and what “Built For This” means


FOLLOW OUR GUEST SARAH ADAMS ANDERSON ON:

  1. Sarah Adams Anderson LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-adams-anderson-b6231916
  2. Vault Fund LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vault-fund/
  3. Website: https://www.vaultfund.com


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>In this episode of Built For This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Sarah Adams Anderson, Founding Partner at Vault Fund, to explore how venture studios are reshaping the future of company building and early-stage investing.

She began her career in investment banking, including time at J.P. Morgan, navigating private companies through major market cycles. After graduating during the 2008 financial crisis, Sarah went on to launch Vault Fund with a bold thesis: repeatable company creation platforms can outperform traditional venture capital. In this episode, she breaks down how venture studios work, why ownership is often misunderstood, and why process and talent matter more than percentage.

The conversation covered AI’s accelerating impact on capital cycles, liquidity timelines, workforce shifts, and what the next decade of innovation may look like across healthcare, energy, and private markets.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Venture Studios Explained: How repeatable company-building models test, kill, and scale ideas more efficiently than traditional VC
  2. Ownership Myths: Why taking too much equity can actually hurt outcomes
  3. AI & Exit Timelines: How artificial intelligence is compressing company lifecycles and reshaping venture duration
  4. Talent Over Everything: Why founder quality and process discipline determine long-term success
  5. The Future of Capital: How AI, private equity roll-ups, and capital efficiency will define the next decade


Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. “I can’t be average. None of us can be average.” – Sarah Adams Anderson
  2. “If you’re taking more than 30% ownership in a studio model, it’s a red flag.” – Sarah Adams Anderson
  3. “We want to play with upside. We would prefer not to spend time in the downside.” – Sarah Adams Anderson
  4. “The barriers to entry for company creation are lower than they’ve ever been.” – Sarah Adams Anderson
  5. “We have essentially built ourselves over time for where we are today.” – Sarah Adams Anderson


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Sarah and her path from finance to venture

07:42 – Why early-stage venture and the move toward company creation

11:40 – Inside the venture studio model and why ownership matters

21:37 – AI’s impact on venture timelines and liquidity strategies

34:57 – Workforce disruption, reskilling, and the human side of AI

39:21 – The future of energy, global leadership, and emerging innovation

49:45 – Rapid Fire: Ownership myths, AI trends, and what “Built For This” means


FOLLOW OUR GUEST SARAH ADAMS ANDERSON ON:

  1. Sarah Adams Anderson LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-adams-anderson-b6231916
  2. Vault Fund LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vault-fund/
  3. Website: https://www.vaultfund.com


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>40698803-5e66-40c6-bc48-2eb767d3758aWed, 01 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -070054:01falsefull134341The Grit Matters More Than Talent for Founders with Morgan FlagerThe Grit Matters More Than Talent for Founders with Morgan FlagerIn this episode of Built for This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Morgan Flager, Managing Partner at Silverton Partners, to discuss his unconventional journey into venture capital and the future of investing in Austin’s thriving tech ecosystem.

Morgan shares insights from his career, from launching his first tech company to growing Silverton Partners into one of the top early-stage venture firms in Austin. With a keen eye for identifying market-defining companies, Morgan explains what it takes to be a successful founder and how to spot the next generation of breakout opportunities. He also dives into the challenges of capital allocation, product-market fit, and the exciting role of AI in shaping the next wave of startups.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Austin Advantage: Why Austin’s ecosystem is uniquely positioned to become the next big tech hub
  2. Founder Traits: The mindset and resilience Morgan looks for in founders who will succeed long-term
  3. The Importance of Grit: Can you learn grit, or is it innate? Morgan shares his perspective
  4. Investing in AI: How Silverton is approaching AI investments without getting swept up in the hype
  5. Building a Venture Firm: The challenges and rewards of starting Silverton Partners in a growing city like Austin


Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. “Grit is something that can be learned, but it has to happen sooner rather than later.” – Morgan Flager
  2. “Resilience is key. It’s not just about having an idea, but about sticking with it through the tough times.” – Morgan Flager
  3. “Being in Austin allowed us to be the first to back incredible founders without the same kind of competition you see in Silicon Valley.” – Morgan Flager
  4. “We didn’t just raise capital; we raised the opportunity to really make an impact in Austin’s ecosystem.” – Morgan Flager
  5. “AI is going to be the biggest shift in the market, but it’s all about finding the right timing and the right opportunities.” – Morgan Flager


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: The rise of Silverton Partners and why Austin is the next big tech hub

00:02:32 – Morgan’s unconventional journey from Stanford to venture capital

00:13:04 – Lessons learned from his first startup experience

00:17:09 – The importance of resilience in both founders and investors

00:24:43 – Why Morgan chose Austin over Silicon Valley

00:49:02 – Investing in AI without buying into the hype

01:07:26 – Rapid Fire: Founders, grit, and what it means to be "Built for This"

01:16:22 – How to connect with Silverton Partners and the future of investing in Austin


FOLLOW OUR GUEST MORGAN FLAGER ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mflager/
  2. Silverton Partners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silverton-partners/
  3. Website: https://www.silvertonpartners.com


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>In this episode of Built for This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Morgan Flager, Managing Partner at Silverton Partners, to discuss his unconventional journey into venture capital and the future of investing in Austin’s thriving tech ecosystem.

Morgan shares insights from his career, from launching his first tech company to growing Silverton Partners into one of the top early-stage venture firms in Austin. With a keen eye for identifying market-defining companies, Morgan explains what it takes to be a successful founder and how to spot the next generation of breakout opportunities. He also dives into the challenges of capital allocation, product-market fit, and the exciting role of AI in shaping the next wave of startups.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Austin Advantage: Why Austin’s ecosystem is uniquely positioned to become the next big tech hub
  2. Founder Traits: The mindset and resilience Morgan looks for in founders who will succeed long-term
  3. The Importance of Grit: Can you learn grit, or is it innate? Morgan shares his perspective
  4. Investing in AI: How Silverton is approaching AI investments without getting swept up in the hype
  5. Building a Venture Firm: The challenges and rewards of starting Silverton Partners in a growing city like Austin


Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. “Grit is something that can be learned, but it has to happen sooner rather than later.” – Morgan Flager
  2. “Resilience is key. It’s not just about having an idea, but about sticking with it through the tough times.” – Morgan Flager
  3. “Being in Austin allowed us to be the first to back incredible founders without the same kind of competition you see in Silicon Valley.” – Morgan Flager
  4. “We didn’t just raise capital; we raised the opportunity to really make an impact in Austin’s ecosystem.” – Morgan Flager
  5. “AI is going to be the biggest shift in the market, but it’s all about finding the right timing and the right opportunities.” – Morgan Flager


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: The rise of Silverton Partners and why Austin is the next big tech hub

00:02:32 – Morgan’s unconventional journey from Stanford to venture capital

00:13:04 – Lessons learned from his first startup experience

00:17:09 – The importance of resilience in both founders and investors

00:24:43 – Why Morgan chose Austin over Silicon Valley

00:49:02 – Investing in AI without buying into the hype

01:07:26 – Rapid Fire: Founders, grit, and what it means to be "Built for This"

01:16:22 – How to connect with Silverton Partners and the future of investing in Austin


FOLLOW OUR GUEST MORGAN FLAGER ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mflager/
  2. Silverton Partners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silverton-partners/
  3. Website: https://www.silvertonpartners.com


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>0cccb08e-1ab5-4258-80ec-b1d4eb7152ddWed, 18 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -070001:16:56falsefull133331He Left Silicon Valley to Build $25M Founders in the Midwest with Bill BaumelHe Left Silicon Valley to Build $25M Founders in the Midwest with Bill BaumelIn this episode of Built for This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Bill Baumel, Managing Director at the Ohio Innovation Fund, to explore what real innovation looks like beyond Silicon Valley hype.

With a career spanning telecommunications, cloud computing, and venture capital, Bill shares how his experience in Silicon Valley shaped his approach to investing, and why the Midwest is uniquely positioned to lead the next era of AI, healthcare, and biotech innovation.

From backing founders who solve everyday problems to scaling companies from zero to $50M in revenue, Bill breaks down the mindset, humility, and resilience required to build enduring businesses. The conversation dives deep into founder psychology, timing risk, team-building, and what it truly means to be built for this in today’s rapidly changing world.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Why the Midwest Matters: How healthcare data, research institutions, and talent create an unfair advantage for innovation
  2. Founder DNA: The traits Bill consistently sees in founders who succeed long-term
  3. Bottom-Up Innovation: Why real-world problems outperform abstract tech ideas
  4. Lessons from Being Early: Market timing, patience, and portfolio balance
  5. Built for This: How experience, adaptability, and humility define great leaders


Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. “Most of the best companies start with someone saying, ‘This is broken, and I need to fix it.’” – Bill Baumel
  2. “When founders become comfortable in their own skin, that’s when great things happen.” – Bill Baumel
  3. “The Midwest has the raw materials, data, talent, research; it’s about bringing it all together.” – Bill Baumel
  4. “You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room. You need to build the smartest room.” – Bill Baumel
  5. “Being built for this is about adaptability, not perfection.” – Bill Baumel


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Innovation beyond Silicon Valley hype

02:35 – What Bill looks for in founders today

05:40 – Solving real-world problems with AI and healthcare tech

08:54 – Midwest vs. Silicon Valley: Bottom-up vs. top-down innovation

13:35 – Founder spotlight: Scaling eFuse from zero to $50M

18:16 – Building teams smarter than yourself

24:24 – Founder confidence, humility, and leadership evolution

41:04 – The Ohio Innovation Fund’s looking forward and teams doing together

43:39 – Rapid fire: Habits, mentors, and lessons from failure

46:59 – Defining what “Built for This” really means

48:51 – How to get involved with the Ohio Innovation Fund


FOLLOW OUR GUEST BILL BAUMEL ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbaumel/
  2. Ohio Innovation Fund LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ohio-innovation-fund/
  3. Website: https://www.ohioinnovationfund.com/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>In this episode of Built for This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Bill Baumel, Managing Director at the Ohio Innovation Fund, to explore what real innovation looks like beyond Silicon Valley hype.

With a career spanning telecommunications, cloud computing, and venture capital, Bill shares how his experience in Silicon Valley shaped his approach to investing, and why the Midwest is uniquely positioned to lead the next era of AI, healthcare, and biotech innovation.

From backing founders who solve everyday problems to scaling companies from zero to $50M in revenue, Bill breaks down the mindset, humility, and resilience required to build enduring businesses. The conversation dives deep into founder psychology, timing risk, team-building, and what it truly means to be built for this in today’s rapidly changing world.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Why the Midwest Matters: How healthcare data, research institutions, and talent create an unfair advantage for innovation
  2. Founder DNA: The traits Bill consistently sees in founders who succeed long-term
  3. Bottom-Up Innovation: Why real-world problems outperform abstract tech ideas
  4. Lessons from Being Early: Market timing, patience, and portfolio balance
  5. Built for This: How experience, adaptability, and humility define great leaders


Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. “Most of the best companies start with someone saying, ‘This is broken, and I need to fix it.’” – Bill Baumel
  2. “When founders become comfortable in their own skin, that’s when great things happen.” – Bill Baumel
  3. “The Midwest has the raw materials, data, talent, research; it’s about bringing it all together.” – Bill Baumel
  4. “You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room. You need to build the smartest room.” – Bill Baumel
  5. “Being built for this is about adaptability, not perfection.” – Bill Baumel


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Innovation beyond Silicon Valley hype

02:35 – What Bill looks for in founders today

05:40 – Solving real-world problems with AI and healthcare tech

08:54 – Midwest vs. Silicon Valley: Bottom-up vs. top-down innovation

13:35 – Founder spotlight: Scaling eFuse from zero to $50M

18:16 – Building teams smarter than yourself

24:24 – Founder confidence, humility, and leadership evolution

41:04 – The Ohio Innovation Fund’s looking forward and teams doing together

43:39 – Rapid fire: Habits, mentors, and lessons from failure

46:59 – Defining what “Built for This” really means

48:51 – How to get involved with the Ohio Innovation Fund


FOLLOW OUR GUEST BILL BAUMEL ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbaumel/
  2. Ohio Innovation Fund LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ohio-innovation-fund/
  3. Website: https://www.ohioinnovationfund.com/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>1180c64b-c946-40ef-b792-e647102f2860Wed, 04 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -070049:27falsefull132321From Teen Volunteer to Global Leader: How Stephen Marks Turns Challenges into ImpactFrom Teen Volunteer to Global Leader: How Stephen Marks Turns Challenges into ImpactExclusive: Three listeners will be selected to receive a complimentary consultation with Stephen Marks. Like and share this episode to be considered!

In this episode of Built for This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Stephen Marks, founder of Emmersion, an international Investor and Managing Partner at Apertura. With roots in early volunteer work in Northern Mexico and a bold trajectory through finance, entrepreneurship, and global strategy, Stephen shares a deeply insightful and grounded perspective on how we must navigate this era of transformation.

From managing family portfolios through the 2008 financial crisis to investing in AI and eldercare solutions, Stephen unpacks how demographics, technology, and shifting geopolitics are converging to reshape the business world. His approach blends creativity, resilience, and a commitment to solving real-world problems across borders.

Through his portfolio companies, such as Apertura, Stephen is actively addressing labor gaps, eldercare crises, and shifts in automation across North and Latin America.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Making of a Global Investor: How early exposure to poverty and culture shaped Stephen’s business ethos.
  2. Why Grit Still Wins: Personal reflections on resilience from the 2008 crash to today’s market volatility.
  3. AI with a Human Touch: Why automation must coexist with human expertise, especially in eldercare and small business transitions.
  4. Latin America's Rise: Why this region is a hidden powerhouse for talent, investment, and growth.
  5. What Founders Need Now: The traits, creativity, and long-term vision investors are truly looking for.


Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. “You learn the most in moments of disruption—when everything feels upside down.” – Stephen Marks
  2. “Creativity, grounded in reality, is the most powerful currency.” – Stephen Marks
  3. “We’re not just investing in trends—we’re investing in people solving real problems.” – Stephen Marks
  4. “I think the trades are one of the biggest opportunities for the next generation.” – Stephen Marks
  5. “Global shifts are happening fast—diverse thought is the only way to stay ahead.” – Stephen Marks


Key Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro: Meet Stephen Marks, global investor and impact-driven entrepreneur

00:03:09 - Eye-Opening Experiences: How volunteering in Mexico sparked a global mindset

00:08:48 - Entrepreneurial Origins: Family roots and building his first business at 17

00:13:07 - Grit, Nature vs. Nurture, and Entrepreneurial Psychology

00:16:17 - Lessons from the 2008 Financial Crisis: Chaos, collapse, and resilience

00:26:49 - Going Global: Why Latin America became his investment focus

00:39:29 - Disruption as Opportunity: Navigating today’s volatile markets

00:51:12 - Advice to Next Gen Founders: Learn fast, think long-term, get creative

01:00:10 - Rapid Fire: Books, rituals, and what 'Built for This' means to Stephen


FOLLOW OUR GUEST STEPHEN MARKS ON:

  1. Stephen Marks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdmarks/
  2. Emmersion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emmersion-international/
  3. Emmersion Website: https://emmersion.ai/
  4. Apertura LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/apertura/
  5. Apertura Website: https://apertura.co/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>Exclusive: Three listeners will be selected to receive a complimentary consultation with Stephen Marks. Like and share this episode to be considered!

In this episode of Built for This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Stephen Marks, founder of Emmersion, an international Investor and Managing Partner at Apertura. With roots in early volunteer work in Northern Mexico and a bold trajectory through finance, entrepreneurship, and global strategy, Stephen shares a deeply insightful and grounded perspective on how we must navigate this era of transformation.

From managing family portfolios through the 2008 financial crisis to investing in AI and eldercare solutions, Stephen unpacks how demographics, technology, and shifting geopolitics are converging to reshape the business world. His approach blends creativity, resilience, and a commitment to solving real-world problems across borders.

Through his portfolio companies, such as Apertura, Stephen is actively addressing labor gaps, eldercare crises, and shifts in automation across North and Latin America.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Making of a Global Investor: How early exposure to poverty and culture shaped Stephen’s business ethos.
  2. Why Grit Still Wins: Personal reflections on resilience from the 2008 crash to today’s market volatility.
  3. AI with a Human Touch: Why automation must coexist with human expertise, especially in eldercare and small business transitions.
  4. Latin America's Rise: Why this region is a hidden powerhouse for talent, investment, and growth.
  5. What Founders Need Now: The traits, creativity, and long-term vision investors are truly looking for.


Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. “You learn the most in moments of disruption—when everything feels upside down.” – Stephen Marks
  2. “Creativity, grounded in reality, is the most powerful currency.” – Stephen Marks
  3. “We’re not just investing in trends—we’re investing in people solving real problems.” – Stephen Marks
  4. “I think the trades are one of the biggest opportunities for the next generation.” – Stephen Marks
  5. “Global shifts are happening fast—diverse thought is the only way to stay ahead.” – Stephen Marks


Key Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro: Meet Stephen Marks, global investor and impact-driven entrepreneur

00:03:09 - Eye-Opening Experiences: How volunteering in Mexico sparked a global mindset

00:08:48 - Entrepreneurial Origins: Family roots and building his first business at 17

00:13:07 - Grit, Nature vs. Nurture, and Entrepreneurial Psychology

00:16:17 - Lessons from the 2008 Financial Crisis: Chaos, collapse, and resilience

00:26:49 - Going Global: Why Latin America became his investment focus

00:39:29 - Disruption as Opportunity: Navigating today’s volatile markets

00:51:12 - Advice to Next Gen Founders: Learn fast, think long-term, get creative

01:00:10 - Rapid Fire: Books, rituals, and what 'Built for This' means to Stephen


FOLLOW OUR GUEST STEPHEN MARKS ON:

  1. Stephen Marks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdmarks/
  2. Emmersion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emmersion-international/
  3. Emmersion Website: https://emmersion.ai/
  4. Apertura LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/apertura/
  5. Apertura Website: https://apertura.co/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>110b02a1-0477-4484-925d-be98a8d2c809Wed, 18 Feb 2026 02:00:00 -070001:06:24falsefull131311How Elite Founders Raise Capital Without Chasing Investors with Salvatore BuscemiHow Elite Founders Raise Capital Without Chasing Investors with Salvatore BuscemiListeners can receive a free photocopy of Sal’s book by emailing: sal@investinglegacy.com

In this episode of Built for This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Salvatore Buscemi, investor, author, Managing Partner, and Co-Founder at Brahmin Partners. With over 20 years of experience in private credit, venture capital, and real estate, Sal has built a reputation for translating vision into capital with unmatched precision and persuasion.

Sal shares his journey from nearly becoming a doctor to becoming a Goldman Sachs banker and a maverick investor helping founders raise and scale in meaningful ways. This episode is a masterclass in emotional intelligence, strategic networking, capital raising, and the subtle art of spotting value others miss. Plus, hear Sal’s two golden rules for investing, and why EQ often beats IQ in high-stakes decision-making.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Two Rules of Investing: Why Sal avoids first-time founders and only follows like-kind family office capital.
  2. Leadership through Capital: How effective fundraising is about persuasion, integrity, and consistent follow-up.
  3. The Power of the Network: Why your network, not your pitch, is the biggest differentiator in venture capital.
  4. Raising Capital like Courtship: How treating investor relationships like dating leads to better long-term results.
  5. The Role of AI in Investing: How Sal uses AI tools to analyze markets, stress-test deals, and shape decision-making.


Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. "Money is conviction. If someone puts two bricks into a deal, what do they know that you don't?" – Salvatore Buscemi
  2. "Shark Tank did this country a disservice, raising money is more like courtship than grabbing someone’s wallet." – Salvatore Buscemi
  3. "Capital is a commodity. Trust is the currency." – Salvatore Buscemi
  4. "You either follow your gut now, or pay for it later." – Salvatore Buscemi
  5. "Network is everything. If you're not in the room, you’re not in the deal." – Salvatore Buscemi


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: From Wall Street to raising millions across real estate and venture

02:29 – Early Pivot: Why Sal walked away from medicine after passing out holding a bone

06:34 – Leadership Lessons from Loss: Losing his father and making a $30M raise by 29

12:23 – Sal’s 2 Investment Rules: No first-time founders, and follow like-kind families

15:26 – Trusting the Gut: The red flag Sal ignored, and the costly lesson learned

25:11 – How AI Is Used in Deals: From vetting pro formas to decoding founder pitches

28:58 – Getting in the Right Rooms: Why networking at the bar beats expensive tickets

33:40 – How to Start Investing: Building a strategy by asking better questions

36:45 – Rapid Fire: Habits, mentors, and the book he rereads every year

41:11 – What ‘Built for This’ Means to Salvatore Buscemi


FOLLOW OUR GUEST SALVATORE BUSCEMI ON:

  1. Salvatore Buscemi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatore-buscemi/
  2. Brahmin Partners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brahminpartners/
  3. Website: https://salvatorebuscemi.com/
  4. Twitter: https://twitter.com/SMBuscemi
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salvatorembuscemi/
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salvatore.buscemi.589
  7. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9kZAJSWVqwMDlSFjJNNGQg
  8. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Salvatore-M.-Buscemi/author/B00O5IHPTC?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>Listeners can receive a free photocopy of Sal’s book by emailing: sal@investinglegacy.com

In this episode of Built for This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Salvatore Buscemi, investor, author, Managing Partner, and Co-Founder at Brahmin Partners. With over 20 years of experience in private credit, venture capital, and real estate, Sal has built a reputation for translating vision into capital with unmatched precision and persuasion.

Sal shares his journey from nearly becoming a doctor to becoming a Goldman Sachs banker and a maverick investor helping founders raise and scale in meaningful ways. This episode is a masterclass in emotional intelligence, strategic networking, capital raising, and the subtle art of spotting value others miss. Plus, hear Sal’s two golden rules for investing, and why EQ often beats IQ in high-stakes decision-making.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Two Rules of Investing: Why Sal avoids first-time founders and only follows like-kind family office capital.
  2. Leadership through Capital: How effective fundraising is about persuasion, integrity, and consistent follow-up.
  3. The Power of the Network: Why your network, not your pitch, is the biggest differentiator in venture capital.
  4. Raising Capital like Courtship: How treating investor relationships like dating leads to better long-term results.
  5. The Role of AI in Investing: How Sal uses AI tools to analyze markets, stress-test deals, and shape decision-making.


Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. "Money is conviction. If someone puts two bricks into a deal, what do they know that you don't?" – Salvatore Buscemi
  2. "Shark Tank did this country a disservice, raising money is more like courtship than grabbing someone’s wallet." – Salvatore Buscemi
  3. "Capital is a commodity. Trust is the currency." – Salvatore Buscemi
  4. "You either follow your gut now, or pay for it later." – Salvatore Buscemi
  5. "Network is everything. If you're not in the room, you’re not in the deal." – Salvatore Buscemi


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: From Wall Street to raising millions across real estate and venture

02:29 – Early Pivot: Why Sal walked away from medicine after passing out holding a bone

06:34 – Leadership Lessons from Loss: Losing his father and making a $30M raise by 29

12:23 – Sal’s 2 Investment Rules: No first-time founders, and follow like-kind families

15:26 – Trusting the Gut: The red flag Sal ignored, and the costly lesson learned

25:11 – How AI Is Used in Deals: From vetting pro formas to decoding founder pitches

28:58 – Getting in the Right Rooms: Why networking at the bar beats expensive tickets

33:40 – How to Start Investing: Building a strategy by asking better questions

36:45 – Rapid Fire: Habits, mentors, and the book he rereads every year

41:11 – What ‘Built for This’ Means to Salvatore Buscemi


FOLLOW OUR GUEST SALVATORE BUSCEMI ON:

  1. Salvatore Buscemi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatore-buscemi/
  2. Brahmin Partners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brahminpartners/
  3. Website: https://salvatorebuscemi.com/
  4. Twitter: https://twitter.com/SMBuscemi
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salvatorembuscemi/
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salvatore.buscemi.589
  7. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9kZAJSWVqwMDlSFjJNNGQg
  8. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Salvatore-M.-Buscemi/author/B00O5IHPTC?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>e6e61ec7-21dd-46e0-bbbd-354de04eed6fWed, 04 Feb 2026 02:00:00 -070048:58falsefull130301He Gave Up $100 Million to Start Over in Technology with David MandelHe Gave Up $100 Million to Start Over in Technology with David MandelIn this episode of Built for This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with David Mandel, Managing Partner at Emerging Ventures Capital, to dive into his journey from building businesses in auto finance and insurance to becoming a venture capitalist in the world of transformative technologies. David shares his story of discovery and growth, touching on his early fascination with AI, his career pivot into the world of angel investing, and the lessons he’s learned while navigating the ever-changing venture landscape. With a sharp eye for scaling companies and an entrepreneurial mindset, David offers a wealth of insight into what it takes to build sustainable businesses and spot emerging trends, especially in AI.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Path to Tech Investment: How David went from being immersed in auto finance to rediscovering his passion for technology and AI in 2011-2012.
  2. Navigating the Startup World: Insights into how David transitioned from running businesses to angel investing and ultimately creating a venture fund.
  3. AI’s Impact on Venture Capital: David discusses how artificial intelligence is transforming both the landscape of venture capital and the types of companies he’s looking to back.
  4. Identifying Strong Founders: The qualities David looks for in founders, including grit, resilience, and the ability to execute even with limited resources.
  5. Building with Intention: How David values businesses that scale responsibly and sustainably, emphasizing a repeatable sales process and a strong go-to-market strategy.


Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. "The world of technology and venture is changing rapidly, and you need to keep up to stay relevant." – David Mandel
  2. "The biggest thing I’ve learned is that execution trumps a great idea every time." – David Mandel
  3. "The more I got into technology, the less interested I was in running my own businesses." – David Mandel
  4. "AI is going to touch every business. The question is, how do we find the truly unique applications?" – David Mandel
  5. "Leadership is about getting things done, not making excuses." – David Mandel


Key Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: David’s journey from auto finance to becoming a tech investor

09:56 - Leaving Success Behind: Why he walked away from thriving companies to pursue tech

17:45 - Evaluating Startups: What David looks for in founders and go-to-market strategies

23:39 - Real Traction: Why repeatable sales matter more than vanity metrics

31:41 - Building Emerging Ventures: From angel deals to launching a full VC fund

34:22 - Staying Early-Stage: Why he resists scaling to later-stage investments

46:55 - AI & Venture: Generative AI’s role in reshaping VC workflows

56:13 - Rapid Fire: Routines, missed trends, and what “Built for This” means to David


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DAVID MANDEL ON:

  1. David Mandel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mandel-/
  2. David Mandel’s Blog: https://davidmandel.blog/
  3. Emerging Ventures Capital’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emerging-vc/
  4. Emerging Ventures Capital’s Website: https://emerging.vc/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>In this episode of Built for This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with David Mandel, Managing Partner at Emerging Ventures Capital, to dive into his journey from building businesses in auto finance and insurance to becoming a venture capitalist in the world of transformative technologies. David shares his story of discovery and growth, touching on his early fascination with AI, his career pivot into the world of angel investing, and the lessons he’s learned while navigating the ever-changing venture landscape. With a sharp eye for scaling companies and an entrepreneurial mindset, David offers a wealth of insight into what it takes to build sustainable businesses and spot emerging trends, especially in AI.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Path to Tech Investment: How David went from being immersed in auto finance to rediscovering his passion for technology and AI in 2011-2012.
  2. Navigating the Startup World: Insights into how David transitioned from running businesses to angel investing and ultimately creating a venture fund.
  3. AI’s Impact on Venture Capital: David discusses how artificial intelligence is transforming both the landscape of venture capital and the types of companies he’s looking to back.
  4. Identifying Strong Founders: The qualities David looks for in founders, including grit, resilience, and the ability to execute even with limited resources.
  5. Building with Intention: How David values businesses that scale responsibly and sustainably, emphasizing a repeatable sales process and a strong go-to-market strategy.


Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. "The world of technology and venture is changing rapidly, and you need to keep up to stay relevant." – David Mandel
  2. "The biggest thing I’ve learned is that execution trumps a great idea every time." – David Mandel
  3. "The more I got into technology, the less interested I was in running my own businesses." – David Mandel
  4. "AI is going to touch every business. The question is, how do we find the truly unique applications?" – David Mandel
  5. "Leadership is about getting things done, not making excuses." – David Mandel


Key Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: David’s journey from auto finance to becoming a tech investor

09:56 - Leaving Success Behind: Why he walked away from thriving companies to pursue tech

17:45 - Evaluating Startups: What David looks for in founders and go-to-market strategies

23:39 - Real Traction: Why repeatable sales matter more than vanity metrics

31:41 - Building Emerging Ventures: From angel deals to launching a full VC fund

34:22 - Staying Early-Stage: Why he resists scaling to later-stage investments

46:55 - AI & Venture: Generative AI’s role in reshaping VC workflows

56:13 - Rapid Fire: Routines, missed trends, and what “Built for This” means to David


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DAVID MANDEL ON:

  1. David Mandel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mandel-/
  2. David Mandel’s Blog: https://davidmandel.blog/
  3. Emerging Ventures Capital’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emerging-vc/
  4. Emerging Ventures Capital’s Website: https://emerging.vc/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>3965e43b-a0ba-4625-83e5-af3b761f52e1Wed, 21 Jan 2026 02:00:00 -070001:01:51falsefull129291How Tracking Lions Awakened My Primal Leadership with David A. GerberHow Tracking Lions Awakened My Primal Leadership with David A. GerberBook Promotion "The Lion is You: Lessons from the wild on becoming fully alive” Launch date - April 2026!

In this episode of Built for This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with David A. Gerber, partner, executive coach, and speaker at Novus Global. David specializes in helping athletes and high-performing leaders unlock their aliveness, impact, and purpose. With over a decade of experience in mental performance, David has a bold yet compassionate coaching style and a TEDx talk with over 1 million views.

David is also a certified lion tracker and the creator of transformational lion tracking retreats in South Africa. These immersive experiences combine ancient tracking practices with coaching to help leaders reconnect with their vision and untapped potential.

When not coaching or leading expeditions, David volunteers with Cross Purpose in Denver and works globally with vulnerable children and families. His life and leadership philosophy center on this belief: when we feel most alive, we lead at our best.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Leading from Aliveness: How to track the "tracks" of your life to rediscover your true leadership potential.
  2. Transforming through Discomfort: Why true transformation often comes from embracing the hard moments.
  3. Primal Leadership: Reconnecting with your instinctual self for more courageous, impactful leadership.
  4. Nature as a Teacher: How getting out into nature helps recalibrate your mind and your life.
  5. Releasing Control: The power of surrendering to the process of growth and life’s mysteries.

Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. "When you’re tracking lions, you’re not just tracking animals, you’re tracking yourself." – David A. Gerber
  2. "I want this to change your entire life, not just your results on paper." – David A. Gerber
  3. "The biggest thing that life wants for us is freedom." – David A. Gerber
  4. "True leadership comes when you reconnect with your primal instincts and lead from a place of aliveness." – David A. Gerber
  5. "Pressure is a privilege. It’s a sign that you’re doing something meaningful." – David A. Gerber


Key Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Intro: The power of primal leadership and transformation

00:02:42 – David's Childhood: The influence of military and moving years

00:05:06 – From Fighter Pilot Dreams to Coaching: How David’s journey shaped

00:14:25 – Shifting from High Performance to Transformation: The importance of aligning vision

00:19:55 – From Heartbreak to Healing: David’s journey through divorce and coaching

00:27:17 – Why Lion Tracking is More than Metaphor: Connecting primal to leadership

00:41:13 – Overcoming Discomfort: How to be present with life’s uncertainties

00:47:35 – The Book: A sneak peek into David's upcoming book The Lion is You

00:51:06 – Rapid Fire: Thoughts on surrender, discipline, and overcoming self-doubt

01:01:11 – What 'Built for This' Means to David A. Gerber


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DAVID A. GERBER ON:

  1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidgerber/
  2. Website: https://www.davidagerber.com/
  3. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidagerber/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>Book Promotion "The Lion is You: Lessons from the wild on becoming fully alive” Launch date - April 2026!

In this episode of Built for This, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with David A. Gerber, partner, executive coach, and speaker at Novus Global. David specializes in helping athletes and high-performing leaders unlock their aliveness, impact, and purpose. With over a decade of experience in mental performance, David has a bold yet compassionate coaching style and a TEDx talk with over 1 million views.

David is also a certified lion tracker and the creator of transformational lion tracking retreats in South Africa. These immersive experiences combine ancient tracking practices with coaching to help leaders reconnect with their vision and untapped potential.

When not coaching or leading expeditions, David volunteers with Cross Purpose in Denver and works globally with vulnerable children and families. His life and leadership philosophy center on this belief: when we feel most alive, we lead at our best.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Leading from Aliveness: How to track the "tracks" of your life to rediscover your true leadership potential.
  2. Transforming through Discomfort: Why true transformation often comes from embracing the hard moments.
  3. Primal Leadership: Reconnecting with your instinctual self for more courageous, impactful leadership.
  4. Nature as a Teacher: How getting out into nature helps recalibrate your mind and your life.
  5. Releasing Control: The power of surrendering to the process of growth and life’s mysteries.

Noteworthy Quotes:

  1. "When you’re tracking lions, you’re not just tracking animals, you’re tracking yourself." – David A. Gerber
  2. "I want this to change your entire life, not just your results on paper." – David A. Gerber
  3. "The biggest thing that life wants for us is freedom." – David A. Gerber
  4. "True leadership comes when you reconnect with your primal instincts and lead from a place of aliveness." – David A. Gerber
  5. "Pressure is a privilege. It’s a sign that you’re doing something meaningful." – David A. Gerber


Key Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Intro: The power of primal leadership and transformation

00:02:42 – David's Childhood: The influence of military and moving years

00:05:06 – From Fighter Pilot Dreams to Coaching: How David’s journey shaped

00:14:25 – Shifting from High Performance to Transformation: The importance of aligning vision

00:19:55 – From Heartbreak to Healing: David’s journey through divorce and coaching

00:27:17 – Why Lion Tracking is More than Metaphor: Connecting primal to leadership

00:41:13 – Overcoming Discomfort: How to be present with life’s uncertainties

00:47:35 – The Book: A sneak peek into David's upcoming book The Lion is You

00:51:06 – Rapid Fire: Thoughts on surrender, discipline, and overcoming self-doubt

01:01:11 – What 'Built for This' Means to David A. Gerber


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DAVID A. GERBER ON:

  1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidgerber/
  2. Website: https://www.davidagerber.com/
  3. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidagerber/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

  1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/
  2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/
  4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

  1. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/
  2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/
  3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk
  4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?
  5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult
  6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

]]>95d1a3e8-0871-49a1-8235-6019220bc1a6Wed, 07 Jan 2026 02:00:00 -070001:13:14falsefull128281Turning Stress into Systems for Sustainable Growth with Celi AriasTurning Stress into Systems for Sustainable Growth with Celi Arias👉 Grab Celi's Chaos to Clarity: Stages of Growth freebie: https://go.celiarias.com/the-GAB-Stages-of-Growth

In this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk chats with Celi Arias, founder of Grown Ass Business, business strategist, and mindset coach, who’s on a mission to make scaling feel simple, soulful, and sustainable.

Celi shares how her entrepreneurial journey began at age 11 and eventually evolved into creating a business growth framework that works across industries. She opens up about rejecting the toxic hustle narrative, combining operations with mindset work, and why true transformation starts by solving the actual problem, not just what you think it is.

From bootstrapping ballet lessons as a kid to building a software platform that demystifies business health for founders, Celi brings honesty, humor, and a deeply refreshing perspective on what it really means to be “built for this.”


Key Takeaways:

  • Fix the fire before the mindset: Strategy calms your system, so you can do the inner work next.
  • You don’t need more products, you need a better strategy: Most entrepreneurs are solving the wrong problems.
  • Teach to set free: True coaching isn’t about creating dependence; it’s about empowering autonomy.
  • Strengths can become ceilings: The thing you’re best at might be the thing holding you back.
  • You get to choose: Every day, you get to decide who you want to be, and how you want to build.


Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Your mindset’s not going to fix a broken pricing strategy.” – Celi Arias
  • “You don’t need a coach forever. You just need to understand how business works.” – Celi Arias
  • “Business is business is business. The foundations are the same.” – Celi Arias
  • “The hard stuff’s not the metrics. The hard stuff’s you.” – Celi Arias
  • “Ease and flow come after years of hard work. Don’t let Instagram fool you.” – Celi Arias


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Celi’s approach to scaling with simplicity

02:55 – First Hustle: Babysitting club, door-to-door selling, and ballet dreams

05:50 – From Clothing Line to Coaching: How Celi built her real-world MBA

14:13 – Building a Better Coaching Model: Four days, no excuses, real results

25:10 – Why Mindset Comes After Strategy: Putting out the fire first

30:12 – Wellbeing and Self-Trust: Creating businesses that don’t break people

31:51 – Real Client Wins: From shame to scale, one fix at a time

42:36 – What’s Next: Turning the methodology into scalable software

49:02 – Rapid Fire: Simplicity habits, worst advice, and choosing your role

52:40 – What ‘Built for this’ means to Celi Arias 


FOLLOW OUR GUEST CELI ARIAS ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>👉 Grab Celi's Chaos to Clarity: Stages of Growth freebie: https://go.celiarias.com/the-GAB-Stages-of-Growth

In this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk chats with Celi Arias, founder of Grown Ass Business, business strategist, and mindset coach, who’s on a mission to make scaling feel simple, soulful, and sustainable.

Celi shares how her entrepreneurial journey began at age 11 and eventually evolved into creating a business growth framework that works across industries. She opens up about rejecting the toxic hustle narrative, combining operations with mindset work, and why true transformation starts by solving the actual problem, not just what you think it is.

From bootstrapping ballet lessons as a kid to building a software platform that demystifies business health for founders, Celi brings honesty, humor, and a deeply refreshing perspective on what it really means to be “built for this.”


Key Takeaways:

  • Fix the fire before the mindset: Strategy calms your system, so you can do the inner work next.
  • You don’t need more products, you need a better strategy: Most entrepreneurs are solving the wrong problems.
  • Teach to set free: True coaching isn’t about creating dependence; it’s about empowering autonomy.
  • Strengths can become ceilings: The thing you’re best at might be the thing holding you back.
  • You get to choose: Every day, you get to decide who you want to be, and how you want to build.


Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Your mindset’s not going to fix a broken pricing strategy.” – Celi Arias
  • “You don’t need a coach forever. You just need to understand how business works.” – Celi Arias
  • “Business is business is business. The foundations are the same.” – Celi Arias
  • “The hard stuff’s not the metrics. The hard stuff’s you.” – Celi Arias
  • “Ease and flow come after years of hard work. Don’t let Instagram fool you.” – Celi Arias


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Celi’s approach to scaling with simplicity

02:55 – First Hustle: Babysitting club, door-to-door selling, and ballet dreams

05:50 – From Clothing Line to Coaching: How Celi built her real-world MBA

14:13 – Building a Better Coaching Model: Four days, no excuses, real results

25:10 – Why Mindset Comes After Strategy: Putting out the fire first

30:12 – Wellbeing and Self-Trust: Creating businesses that don’t break people

31:51 – Real Client Wins: From shame to scale, one fix at a time

42:36 – What’s Next: Turning the methodology into scalable software

49:02 – Rapid Fire: Simplicity habits, worst advice, and choosing your role

52:40 – What ‘Built for this’ means to Celi Arias 


FOLLOW OUR GUEST CELI ARIAS ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>da6beba0-9fbc-46c4-8352-e425cf0ae70cWed, 19 Nov 2025 02:00:00 -070057:04falsefull127271He Helped the Most Reluctant Experts Find Their Voice with Vikram RajanHe Helped the Most Reluctant Experts Find Their Voice with Vikram RajanIn this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Vikram Rajan, marketing strategist and co-founder of phoneBlogger.net and Videosocials.net. Vikram shares how his early passion for tech and storytelling laid the groundwork for building community-driven platforms that empower professionals to show up authentically online.

He discusses the power of video for trust building, how AI is changing content marketing, and why helping clients find their voice is more important than optimizing for algorithms. Vikram also discusses the creation of VideoSocials as a peer-based video creation club and how it's become a space for accountability, creativity, and growth.

Through his practical systems, community-building strategies, and personal insights, Vikram inspires anyone from lawyers to creatives to stop waiting for perfection and just start showing up.

Key Takeaways:

  • Start before you're ready: Action creates clarity, don't wait for perfection.
  • Community over algorithms: Marketing works better when it's built on human connection.
  • AI is a tool, not a substitute: Technology supports creativity, not replaces it.
  • Voice builds visibility: Finding your voice leads to authentic and sustainable marketing.
  • Small audience, big impact: You don’t need millions, just meaningful relationships.


Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Jump into the pool. You're not going to drown in this kind of video pool.” – Vikram Rajan
  • “You're not wrong, you're just not out there yet.” – Vikram Rajan
  • “People want to know who they’re working with. Your personality is your brand.” – Vikram Rajan
  • “It’s not about content, it’s about relationships.” – Vikram Rajan
  • “If you build it, they won’t necessarily come. You have to bring them in.” – Vikram Rajan


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Vikram’s background and early roots in tech and writing

04:45 – From Family to Founder: Working with his father and finding a niche

08:19 – Launching phoneBlogger.net: A new way to publish for professionals

09:31 – Creating VideoSocials: Peer-driven content creation with community

15:12 – Helping Clients Find Their Voice: Tools and frameworks that work

21:14 – AI vs. Authenticity: Where tech fits into human storytelling

26:34 – Adapting with VIP: Podcasting and short-form content for busy pros

37:17 – Future Tools: Avatars, digital twins, and real connection

37:00 – Democratizing Content: Leveling the field for underrepresented voices

40:40 – Debunking Myths: The truth behind content visibility and reach

43:49 – Rapid Fire: Creativity hacks, content formats, and why Vikram is “built for this”


FOLLOW OUR GUEST VIKRAM RAJAN ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>In this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Vikram Rajan, marketing strategist and co-founder of phoneBlogger.net and Videosocials.net. Vikram shares how his early passion for tech and storytelling laid the groundwork for building community-driven platforms that empower professionals to show up authentically online.

He discusses the power of video for trust building, how AI is changing content marketing, and why helping clients find their voice is more important than optimizing for algorithms. Vikram also discusses the creation of VideoSocials as a peer-based video creation club and how it's become a space for accountability, creativity, and growth.

Through his practical systems, community-building strategies, and personal insights, Vikram inspires anyone from lawyers to creatives to stop waiting for perfection and just start showing up.

Key Takeaways:

  • Start before you're ready: Action creates clarity, don't wait for perfection.
  • Community over algorithms: Marketing works better when it's built on human connection.
  • AI is a tool, not a substitute: Technology supports creativity, not replaces it.
  • Voice builds visibility: Finding your voice leads to authentic and sustainable marketing.
  • Small audience, big impact: You don’t need millions, just meaningful relationships.


Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Jump into the pool. You're not going to drown in this kind of video pool.” – Vikram Rajan
  • “You're not wrong, you're just not out there yet.” – Vikram Rajan
  • “People want to know who they’re working with. Your personality is your brand.” – Vikram Rajan
  • “It’s not about content, it’s about relationships.” – Vikram Rajan
  • “If you build it, they won’t necessarily come. You have to bring them in.” – Vikram Rajan


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Vikram’s background and early roots in tech and writing

04:45 – From Family to Founder: Working with his father and finding a niche

08:19 – Launching phoneBlogger.net: A new way to publish for professionals

09:31 – Creating VideoSocials: Peer-driven content creation with community

15:12 – Helping Clients Find Their Voice: Tools and frameworks that work

21:14 – AI vs. Authenticity: Where tech fits into human storytelling

26:34 – Adapting with VIP: Podcasting and short-form content for busy pros

37:17 – Future Tools: Avatars, digital twins, and real connection

37:00 – Democratizing Content: Leveling the field for underrepresented voices

40:40 – Debunking Myths: The truth behind content visibility and reach

43:49 – Rapid Fire: Creativity hacks, content formats, and why Vikram is “built for this”


FOLLOW OUR GUEST VIKRAM RAJAN ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>976188d4-c0f4-4ae4-a81e-f1f7f0461204Wed, 05 Nov 2025 02:00:00 -070049:57falsefull126261She Risked Everything to Build a Business That Gave Her True Freedom with Ral WestShe Risked Everything to Build a Business That Gave Her True Freedom with Ral WestIn this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Ral West, an experienced entrepreneur and the founder of Ral West Livin' the Dream. With over four decades of entrepreneurial experience, Ral shares how she built businesses that create freedom and serve life rather than consuming it.

Ral talks about her journey from scaling a successful tourism business to teaching entrepreneurs how to build businesses that run without them. She reveals her six essential principles for business success: systems, measurement, leverage, culture, team, and customer delight, and explains how these pillars have shaped her approach to scaling with ease and living with intention.

Ral's passion for helping others craft businesses that allow for freedom, creativity, and a balanced life comes through as she shares key insights and strategies for entrepreneurial growth.

She teaches these same lessons through coaching, Mastermind Programs, online courses, and speaking. She also shares insights on her YouTube channel.

👉 You can access Ral West's Six Principles for free here


Key Takeaways:

  • Systems Are Key: Create scalable systems that allow your business to run without constant involvement.
  • Measure Everything: Track key data points beyond revenue, including customer satisfaction and conversion rates.
  • Leverage Your Resources: Use systems, education, and a strong team to scale without doing everything yourself.
  • Team Empowerment: Build a strong, incentivized team that is aligned with your business’s vision and goals.
  • Customer Relationships: Focus on delighting your customers and creating long-term loyalty.
  • Sustainable Growth: Create a business that gives you the freedom to think, grow, and live on your terms.


Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “A business that serves life, not consumes it, is built on systems.” – Ral West
  • “You can’t do it all yourself. You need a team that shares your vision and values.” – Ral West
  • “Scalable systems are not just for efficiency—they’re about creating freedom in your business and life.” – Ral West
  • “Taking risks and making mistakes is part of the journey. It’s all about learning and evolving.” – Ral West
  • “The key to success is creating a business that works without you being in the trenches every day.” – Ral West


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Ral’s entrepreneurial journey and roots in tourism

02:30 – The Influence of Her Father: Growing up in the tourism business

04:13 – Making the Leap: From marketing director to solopreneur

09:03 – Meeting Her Husband: How working together became their secret to success

15:00 – Taking Big Risks: The charter plane leap of faith that led to massive growth

23:22 – The Power of Education: Learning about systems and culture through college and mentorship

26:05 – The Six Essential Principles: A discussion about systems, measurement, leverage, culture, team, and customer delight

29:41 – Mastermind Insights: How Ral’s mastermind program helps entrepreneurs thrive

40:35 – Final Advice: How to shift from doing to designing your business for success

44:05 - Final thoughts: What built for this means to her. 


FOLLOW OUR GUEST RAL WEST ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>In this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Ral West, an experienced entrepreneur and the founder of Ral West Livin' the Dream. With over four decades of entrepreneurial experience, Ral shares how she built businesses that create freedom and serve life rather than consuming it.

Ral talks about her journey from scaling a successful tourism business to teaching entrepreneurs how to build businesses that run without them. She reveals her six essential principles for business success: systems, measurement, leverage, culture, team, and customer delight, and explains how these pillars have shaped her approach to scaling with ease and living with intention.

Ral's passion for helping others craft businesses that allow for freedom, creativity, and a balanced life comes through as she shares key insights and strategies for entrepreneurial growth.

She teaches these same lessons through coaching, Mastermind Programs, online courses, and speaking. She also shares insights on her YouTube channel.

👉 You can access Ral West's Six Principles for free here


Key Takeaways:

  • Systems Are Key: Create scalable systems that allow your business to run without constant involvement.
  • Measure Everything: Track key data points beyond revenue, including customer satisfaction and conversion rates.
  • Leverage Your Resources: Use systems, education, and a strong team to scale without doing everything yourself.
  • Team Empowerment: Build a strong, incentivized team that is aligned with your business’s vision and goals.
  • Customer Relationships: Focus on delighting your customers and creating long-term loyalty.
  • Sustainable Growth: Create a business that gives you the freedom to think, grow, and live on your terms.


Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “A business that serves life, not consumes it, is built on systems.” – Ral West
  • “You can’t do it all yourself. You need a team that shares your vision and values.” – Ral West
  • “Scalable systems are not just for efficiency—they’re about creating freedom in your business and life.” – Ral West
  • “Taking risks and making mistakes is part of the journey. It’s all about learning and evolving.” – Ral West
  • “The key to success is creating a business that works without you being in the trenches every day.” – Ral West


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Ral’s entrepreneurial journey and roots in tourism

02:30 – The Influence of Her Father: Growing up in the tourism business

04:13 – Making the Leap: From marketing director to solopreneur

09:03 – Meeting Her Husband: How working together became their secret to success

15:00 – Taking Big Risks: The charter plane leap of faith that led to massive growth

23:22 – The Power of Education: Learning about systems and culture through college and mentorship

26:05 – The Six Essential Principles: A discussion about systems, measurement, leverage, culture, team, and customer delight

29:41 – Mastermind Insights: How Ral’s mastermind program helps entrepreneurs thrive

40:35 – Final Advice: How to shift from doing to designing your business for success

44:05 - Final thoughts: What built for this means to her. 


FOLLOW OUR GUEST RAL WEST ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>365d8edc-f166-4a8c-815a-5daf1d46daddWed, 22 Oct 2025 02:00:00 -070045:22falsefull125251The Secret Power of Constraints That Unlock Innovation and Growth with Dr. Simone AhujaThe Secret Power of Constraints That Unlock Innovation and Growth with Dr. Simone Ahuja📌 Free Resource for Listeners: Recontracting Worksheet!

Our guest, Dr. Simone Ahuja, didn’t just stop at the conversation, she shared her exclusive Recontracting Worksheet, a practical tool to help you rethink expectations, reset boundaries, and design healthier ways of working.

Here’s how to get your copy:

  1. Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.
  2. Post “BUILT FOR THIS” on your favorite platform and tag us.
  3. Once you do, we’ll send you the Recontracting Worksheet directly!

In this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Dr. Simone Ahuja, innovation strategist, bestselling author, and founder of the advisory firm Blood Orange. Simone shares her unconventional journey from dentistry to documentary filmmaking to building a career helping Fortune 500 companies innovate like scrappy startups.

She discusses the concept of Jugaad innovation, a flexible, frugal, and improvisational approach to problem-solving, and how constraints can become the ultimate driver of creativity. Simone also highlights the importance of intrapreneurship, inclusive leadership, and solving the right problems inside organizations.

Through her practical playbooks and frameworks, Simone empowers individuals at every level to embrace change, build resilience, and lead innovation, even without big budgets or fancy titles.

Key Takeaways:

  • Constraints Drive Creativity: Turning limitations into innovation opportunities.
  • Good Enough > Perfect: Why progress beats perfection in problem-solving.
  • Intrapreneurship: Empowering employees to innovate inside big companies.
  • Inclusive Leadership: Building trust and creating space for diverse voices.
  • Right Problem First: Why identifying the real challenge matters most.

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Innovation is really just change—and change makes most people anxious.” – Dr. Simone Ahuja
  • “Constraints are not barriers—they’re the levers that unlock creativity.” – Dr. Simone Ahuja
  • “You don’t need a big title or big budget to innovate. You just need the right mindset.” – Dr. Simone Ahuja
  • “If you’re solving the wrong problem, no amount of innovation will matter.” – Dr. Simone Ahuja
  • “Fun and play aren’t distractions—they’re catalysts for better ideas.” – Dr. Simone Ahuja


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Simone’s background and path from dentistry to innovation.

03:09 – A Life-Altering Shift: How illness and travel sparked change.

08:03 – Discovering Jugaad: Lessons from India on frugal innovation.

10:40 – Breaking Perfection: Helping teams embrace “good enough.”

18:39 – Founding Blood Orange: Building an innovation firm.

20:57 – Intrapreneurship: Creating space for employees to innovate.

27:45 – Innovation & Inclusion: Trust and equity in organizations.

40:45 – From Keynote to Execution: Applying innovation in sprints.

42:00 – Defining the Right Problem: The most overlooked step.

49:10 – Rapid Fire: Innovation trends, habits, and being “built for this.”


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DR. SIMONE AHUJA ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>📌 Free Resource for Listeners: Recontracting Worksheet!

Our guest, Dr. Simone Ahuja, didn’t just stop at the conversation, she shared her exclusive Recontracting Worksheet, a practical tool to help you rethink expectations, reset boundaries, and design healthier ways of working.

Here’s how to get your copy:

  1. Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.
  2. Post “BUILT FOR THIS” on your favorite platform and tag us.
  3. Once you do, we’ll send you the Recontracting Worksheet directly!

In this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Dr. Simone Ahuja, innovation strategist, bestselling author, and founder of the advisory firm Blood Orange. Simone shares her unconventional journey from dentistry to documentary filmmaking to building a career helping Fortune 500 companies innovate like scrappy startups.

She discusses the concept of Jugaad innovation, a flexible, frugal, and improvisational approach to problem-solving, and how constraints can become the ultimate driver of creativity. Simone also highlights the importance of intrapreneurship, inclusive leadership, and solving the right problems inside organizations.

Through her practical playbooks and frameworks, Simone empowers individuals at every level to embrace change, build resilience, and lead innovation, even without big budgets or fancy titles.

Key Takeaways:

  • Constraints Drive Creativity: Turning limitations into innovation opportunities.
  • Good Enough > Perfect: Why progress beats perfection in problem-solving.
  • Intrapreneurship: Empowering employees to innovate inside big companies.
  • Inclusive Leadership: Building trust and creating space for diverse voices.
  • Right Problem First: Why identifying the real challenge matters most.

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Innovation is really just change—and change makes most people anxious.” – Dr. Simone Ahuja
  • “Constraints are not barriers—they’re the levers that unlock creativity.” – Dr. Simone Ahuja
  • “You don’t need a big title or big budget to innovate. You just need the right mindset.” – Dr. Simone Ahuja
  • “If you’re solving the wrong problem, no amount of innovation will matter.” – Dr. Simone Ahuja
  • “Fun and play aren’t distractions—they’re catalysts for better ideas.” – Dr. Simone Ahuja


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Simone’s background and path from dentistry to innovation.

03:09 – A Life-Altering Shift: How illness and travel sparked change.

08:03 – Discovering Jugaad: Lessons from India on frugal innovation.

10:40 – Breaking Perfection: Helping teams embrace “good enough.”

18:39 – Founding Blood Orange: Building an innovation firm.

20:57 – Intrapreneurship: Creating space for employees to innovate.

27:45 – Innovation & Inclusion: Trust and equity in organizations.

40:45 – From Keynote to Execution: Applying innovation in sprints.

42:00 – Defining the Right Problem: The most overlooked step.

49:10 – Rapid Fire: Innovation trends, habits, and being “built for this.”


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DR. SIMONE AHUJA ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>961dd486-c390-4a8f-9883-9d78f2bacb88Wed, 01 Oct 2025 02:00:00 -070052:21falsefull124241Your Story Is the Most Powerful Thing You Own with Gresham HarklessYour Story Is the Most Powerful Thing You Own with Gresham HarklessIn this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Gresham Harkless, Founder of CB Nation and Blue 16 Media. Gresham shares his entrepreneurial journey and the importance of using media and storytelling to build authentic brands. He discusses how digital marketing, SEO, and content creation can amplify underrepresented voices and transform businesses. Gresham emphasizes leadership, finding your superpower, and leveraging media to create impact.

Key Takeaways:

  • You Are a Media Company: Entrepreneurs can use media to build and amplify their brands.
  • Digital Marketing: The importance of SEO and content marketing for business growth.
  • Amplifying Voices: Gresham’s focus on highlighting underrepresented voices in business.
  • Leadership: Leading with authenticity and tapping into your unique strengths.
  • Storytelling: Using intentional storytelling to connect with audiences and drive impact.

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Every business owner and entrepreneur is underrepresented, just because there’s not as much celebration around it.” – Gresham Harkless
  • “Success is much more like a plate of spaghetti than a straight path.” – Gresham Harkless
  • “You have what you need to get to where you want to be.” – Gresham Harkless

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Gresham’s journey from early ventures to building Blue 16 Media.

06:46 – Entrepreneurial seeds at Howard University.

10:44 – Why media is more than marketing; it’s leadership in action.

15:12 – Gresham’s mission to amplify underrepresented voices.

23:35 – Leadership and mentorship insights.

33:57 – Importance of media presence.

41:30 – Overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence.

43:46 – What built for this means for Gresham Harkless


FOLLOW OUR GUEST GRESHAM HARKLESS JR. ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>In this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Gresham Harkless, Founder of CB Nation and Blue 16 Media. Gresham shares his entrepreneurial journey and the importance of using media and storytelling to build authentic brands. He discusses how digital marketing, SEO, and content creation can amplify underrepresented voices and transform businesses. Gresham emphasizes leadership, finding your superpower, and leveraging media to create impact.

Key Takeaways:

  • You Are a Media Company: Entrepreneurs can use media to build and amplify their brands.
  • Digital Marketing: The importance of SEO and content marketing for business growth.
  • Amplifying Voices: Gresham’s focus on highlighting underrepresented voices in business.
  • Leadership: Leading with authenticity and tapping into your unique strengths.
  • Storytelling: Using intentional storytelling to connect with audiences and drive impact.

Noteworthy Quotes:

  • “Every business owner and entrepreneur is underrepresented, just because there’s not as much celebration around it.” – Gresham Harkless
  • “Success is much more like a plate of spaghetti than a straight path.” – Gresham Harkless
  • “You have what you need to get to where you want to be.” – Gresham Harkless

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Gresham’s journey from early ventures to building Blue 16 Media.

06:46 – Entrepreneurial seeds at Howard University.

10:44 – Why media is more than marketing; it’s leadership in action.

15:12 – Gresham’s mission to amplify underrepresented voices.

23:35 – Leadership and mentorship insights.

33:57 – Importance of media presence.

41:30 – Overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence.

43:46 – What built for this means for Gresham Harkless


FOLLOW OUR GUEST GRESHAM HARKLESS JR. ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>8c547a6b-c8ca-4af4-a272-44826926aca4Wed, 24 Sep 2025 02:00:00 -070045:11falsefull123231This Broken System Was Hurting People So He Changed It with Donovan RyckisThis Broken System Was Hurting People So He Changed It with Donovan RyckisIn this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Donovan Ryckis, Founder and CEO of Ethos Benefits. Donovan shares his journey from financial advising to disrupting the healthcare benefits industry. He discusses his mission to remove conflicts of interest, provide transparency, and reduce costs for businesses and employees. With a fiduciary-first approach, Ethos Benefits is reshaping employee healthcare.

Donovan also explores the flaws in the healthcare system, the importance of fiduciary responsibility, and how Ethos helps businesses save money while providing better benefits. He emphasizes transparency and education in navigating the complex landscape of healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

Fiduciary Responsibility: Aligning company practices with fiduciary duty for clients and employees.

Transparency in Healthcare: Helping employers and employees understand costs and avoid hidden fees.

Employee-Centric Solutions: Shifting focus to benefit employees without increasing costs.

Building Ethos Benefits: Founding a company grounded in transparency, ethics, and improving healthcare benefits.

Disrupting a Broken System: Challenging traditional healthcare brokerage models by stripping commissions and aligning interests.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“We’re not asking employees to do anything different. We’re working behind the scenes to change the supply chain of healthcare costs.” – Donovan Ryckis

“The purpose of a system is what it does. If it’s not keeping costs low, it’s time to rethink it.” – Donovan Ryckis

“Your job as a leader is not to have all the answers. It’s to bring together the right resources to find them.” – Donovan Ryckis

“If you can’t follow the rules, change them.” – Donovan Ryckis


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Donovan’s journey from fitness to healthcare and founding Ethos Benefits.

06:25 – Fiduciary Duty: Why Donovan chose a fiduciary path in healthcare.

13:08 – Addressing Healthcare Costs: Ethos’ approach to reducing costs.

20:10 – The Power of Transparency: Leading to better decisions and savings.

26:45 – The Documentary: Insight into It’s Not Personal, It’s Just Healthcare.

35:45 – The Role of Documentation: Focusing on documenting everyone’s role. 

42:00 – Scaling Ethos: Aligning internal goals before scaling.

46:31 – Rapid Fire: Donovan shares insights on leadership, healthcare, and values.


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DONOVAN RYCKIS ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>In this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Donovan Ryckis, Founder and CEO of Ethos Benefits. Donovan shares his journey from financial advising to disrupting the healthcare benefits industry. He discusses his mission to remove conflicts of interest, provide transparency, and reduce costs for businesses and employees. With a fiduciary-first approach, Ethos Benefits is reshaping employee healthcare.

Donovan also explores the flaws in the healthcare system, the importance of fiduciary responsibility, and how Ethos helps businesses save money while providing better benefits. He emphasizes transparency and education in navigating the complex landscape of healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

Fiduciary Responsibility: Aligning company practices with fiduciary duty for clients and employees.

Transparency in Healthcare: Helping employers and employees understand costs and avoid hidden fees.

Employee-Centric Solutions: Shifting focus to benefit employees without increasing costs.

Building Ethos Benefits: Founding a company grounded in transparency, ethics, and improving healthcare benefits.

Disrupting a Broken System: Challenging traditional healthcare brokerage models by stripping commissions and aligning interests.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“We’re not asking employees to do anything different. We’re working behind the scenes to change the supply chain of healthcare costs.” – Donovan Ryckis

“The purpose of a system is what it does. If it’s not keeping costs low, it’s time to rethink it.” – Donovan Ryckis

“Your job as a leader is not to have all the answers. It’s to bring together the right resources to find them.” – Donovan Ryckis

“If you can’t follow the rules, change them.” – Donovan Ryckis


Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Donovan’s journey from fitness to healthcare and founding Ethos Benefits.

06:25 – Fiduciary Duty: Why Donovan chose a fiduciary path in healthcare.

13:08 – Addressing Healthcare Costs: Ethos’ approach to reducing costs.

20:10 – The Power of Transparency: Leading to better decisions and savings.

26:45 – The Documentary: Insight into It’s Not Personal, It’s Just Healthcare.

35:45 – The Role of Documentation: Focusing on documenting everyone’s role. 

42:00 – Scaling Ethos: Aligning internal goals before scaling.

46:31 – Rapid Fire: Donovan shares insights on leadership, healthcare, and values.


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DONOVAN RYCKIS ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>0405d289-a55e-4854-b374-9604e9c0fbc0Wed, 17 Sep 2025 02:00:00 -070048:51falsefull122221This One Shift in Education Can Unlock Every Student’s Genius with Edson BartonThis One Shift in Education Can Unlock Every Student’s Genius with Edson BartonIn this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk is joined by Edson Barton, Founder and CEO of YouScience. With a powerful personal story and a deep commitment to education reform, Edson is on a mission to make career-connected learning a reality for every student. His latest release, the 2025 Post-Graduation Readiness Report, reveals that most high school graduates don’t feel ready for what comes next.

Edson and Jenna dive deep into why students feel disconnected from their education, the role of aptitudes versus interests, how certifications can reshape outcomes, and how YouScience’s new work-based learning product launching this August could transform both schools and communities. If you're an educator, employer, parent, or student who wants to rethink what “readiness” really means, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

  • Students Want Relevance: 70% of high schoolers feel unprepared because they don't see how education connects to real life.
  • Aptitudes Interests: Real, performance-based aptitude testing offers deeper insights than traditional interest surveys.
  • Certifications Create Clarity: Industry-aligned credentials provide measurable value and clear direction for students.
  • Scalable Systems Matter: Effective career guidance must work at scale—across schools, districts, and states.
  • Work-Based Learning Is the Future: YouScience’s new platform aims to integrate real-world experience with classwork for better engagement and outcomes.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“Every single person has genius. It's our job to help them find that genius and apply it to their best-fit life.” – Edson Barton

“Success is subjective. Education should be personalized to what success means for each individual.” – Edson Barton

“Career-connected learning, when done right, changes everything—from engagement to graduation rates.” – Edson Barton

“You can’t be what you can’t see. We help students understand what’s actually possible for them.” – Edson Barton

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Meet Edson Barton and the mission behind YouScience

01:14 – Edson’s personal story: From feeling behind to becoming an education innovator

06:31 – Why career-connected learning matters more than ever

08:30 – The 2025 Readiness Report: 70% of students feel unprepared

13:01 – How to support educators and overwhelmed systems

19:35 – The power of certifications and how they fit into existing curriculum

30:34 – Hands-on learning: How students can discover what really fits

39:18 – Preview: YouScience’s new work-based learning product

44:56 – AI and Data: Scaling personalized guidance across entire schools

54:39 – Looking ahead: What’s next for career-connected education

57:29 – One key insight: Why three career-oriented classes can change a student’s life


FOLLOW OUR GUEST EDSON BARTON ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>In this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk is joined by Edson Barton, Founder and CEO of YouScience. With a powerful personal story and a deep commitment to education reform, Edson is on a mission to make career-connected learning a reality for every student. His latest release, the 2025 Post-Graduation Readiness Report, reveals that most high school graduates don’t feel ready for what comes next.

Edson and Jenna dive deep into why students feel disconnected from their education, the role of aptitudes versus interests, how certifications can reshape outcomes, and how YouScience’s new work-based learning product launching this August could transform both schools and communities. If you're an educator, employer, parent, or student who wants to rethink what “readiness” really means, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

  • Students Want Relevance: 70% of high schoolers feel unprepared because they don't see how education connects to real life.
  • Aptitudes Interests: Real, performance-based aptitude testing offers deeper insights than traditional interest surveys.
  • Certifications Create Clarity: Industry-aligned credentials provide measurable value and clear direction for students.
  • Scalable Systems Matter: Effective career guidance must work at scale—across schools, districts, and states.
  • Work-Based Learning Is the Future: YouScience’s new platform aims to integrate real-world experience with classwork for better engagement and outcomes.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“Every single person has genius. It's our job to help them find that genius and apply it to their best-fit life.” – Edson Barton

“Success is subjective. Education should be personalized to what success means for each individual.” – Edson Barton

“Career-connected learning, when done right, changes everything—from engagement to graduation rates.” – Edson Barton

“You can’t be what you can’t see. We help students understand what’s actually possible for them.” – Edson Barton

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Meet Edson Barton and the mission behind YouScience

01:14 – Edson’s personal story: From feeling behind to becoming an education innovator

06:31 – Why career-connected learning matters more than ever

08:30 – The 2025 Readiness Report: 70% of students feel unprepared

13:01 – How to support educators and overwhelmed systems

19:35 – The power of certifications and how they fit into existing curriculum

30:34 – Hands-on learning: How students can discover what really fits

39:18 – Preview: YouScience’s new work-based learning product

44:56 – AI and Data: Scaling personalized guidance across entire schools

54:39 – Looking ahead: What’s next for career-connected education

57:29 – One key insight: Why three career-oriented classes can change a student’s life


FOLLOW OUR GUEST EDSON BARTON ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>1ce2188a-dc12-4f3b-99b6-1c083c71ff61Wed, 10 Sep 2025 02:00:00 -070001:08:51falsefull121211Most Leaders Don’t Realise They’re the Reason Their Business Is Stuck with Diane HelbigMost Leaders Don’t Realise They’re the Reason Their Business Is Stuck with Diane HelbigIn this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk is joined by Diane Helbig, Chief Improvement Catalyzer at Helbig Enterprises. Diane has spent over 25 years helping businesses and nonprofits thrive by crafting straightforward strategies for growth, accountability, and performance. She is a keynote speaker, best-selling author, and the host of the Accelerate Your Business Growth podcast.

Diane shares her journey from being thrust into sales by her company to founding her own business. She discusses the importance of curiosity-driven sales, leadership development, and the power of aligning personal goals with business success. If you’re looking to transform your approach to sales, leadership, and creating sustainable business growth, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

Sales is About Listening: Shift from selling to listening for more authentic client relationships.

Accountability in Leadership: Leaders must build systems that foster accountability and effective communication.

Self-Awareness for Growth: Understanding your leadership style is key to business growth.

Systems Drive Small Business Success: Implementing effective systems helps businesses avoid common pitfalls.

Leadership is About Facilitating Resources: Leaders should bring together the right resources, not provide all the answers.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“Sales isn’t about convincing, it’s about listening and understanding what people really need.” – Diane Helbig

“Your job as a leader is not to have all the answers. It’s to convene the right resources to find the answers.” – Diane Helbig

“We all have within us the ability, knowledge, and curiosity to do whatever we set our minds to.” – Diane Helbig

“If you’re not accountable to yourself, how can you expect others to be accountable to you?” – Diane Helbig

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Diane’s journey from corporate sales to consulting.

05:25 – Curiosity in Sales: Moving from selling to listening.

11:30 – Accountability in Leadership: Creating systems for team accountability.

19:15 – Confidence in Business: Building sustainable systems over chasing sales.

23:20 – Workshops & Training: Importance of engagement and communication.

31:08 – Rewarding & Challenging Clients: Real-world examples of Diane’s impact.

34:44 – Rapid Fire: Diane shares her sales approach, favorite book, and thoughts on leadership.


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DIANE HELBIG ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>In this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk is joined by Diane Helbig, Chief Improvement Catalyzer at Helbig Enterprises. Diane has spent over 25 years helping businesses and nonprofits thrive by crafting straightforward strategies for growth, accountability, and performance. She is a keynote speaker, best-selling author, and the host of the Accelerate Your Business Growth podcast.

Diane shares her journey from being thrust into sales by her company to founding her own business. She discusses the importance of curiosity-driven sales, leadership development, and the power of aligning personal goals with business success. If you’re looking to transform your approach to sales, leadership, and creating sustainable business growth, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

Sales is About Listening: Shift from selling to listening for more authentic client relationships.

Accountability in Leadership: Leaders must build systems that foster accountability and effective communication.

Self-Awareness for Growth: Understanding your leadership style is key to business growth.

Systems Drive Small Business Success: Implementing effective systems helps businesses avoid common pitfalls.

Leadership is About Facilitating Resources: Leaders should bring together the right resources, not provide all the answers.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“Sales isn’t about convincing, it’s about listening and understanding what people really need.” – Diane Helbig

“Your job as a leader is not to have all the answers. It’s to convene the right resources to find the answers.” – Diane Helbig

“We all have within us the ability, knowledge, and curiosity to do whatever we set our minds to.” – Diane Helbig

“If you’re not accountable to yourself, how can you expect others to be accountable to you?” – Diane Helbig

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Diane’s journey from corporate sales to consulting.

05:25 – Curiosity in Sales: Moving from selling to listening.

11:30 – Accountability in Leadership: Creating systems for team accountability.

19:15 – Confidence in Business: Building sustainable systems over chasing sales.

23:20 – Workshops & Training: Importance of engagement and communication.

31:08 – Rewarding & Challenging Clients: Real-world examples of Diane’s impact.

34:44 – Rapid Fire: Diane shares her sales approach, favorite book, and thoughts on leadership.


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DIANE HELBIG ON:



FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>8c17442b-434a-4f30-b857-80cff15a26c4Wed, 03 Sep 2025 02:00:00 -070036:20falsefull120201A Crash Took Her Father and Her Voice -This Is How She Got Both Back with Tiffany YuA Crash Took Her Father and Her Voice -This Is How She Got Both Back with Tiffany YuIn this powerful episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Tiffany Yu, CEO & Founder of Diversability, a 3x TEDx speaker, and the author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World. After a life-altering car accident at age nine that claimed her father’s life and left her with a permanent disability, Tiffany spent years silenced by trauma, stigma, and cultural barriers. But she emerged with a mission: to redefine what disability means and advocate for more inclusive communities, workplaces, and leadership.

This episode is a must-listen for leaders, allies, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of inclusive leadership and human resilience.

Key Takeaways:

Disability Is Not a Sob Story: Tiffany reframes disability as a neutral and even empowering, part of identity, not something tragic or to hide.

Reclaiming Voice After Silence: It took stepping outside of her family and cultural norms for Tiffany to begin healing and finding her voice.

Community as a Healing Force: She found belonging and purpose by starting the first-ever disability student group at Georgetown University.

Inclusion Starts with Design: Inclusive spaces should be proactively accessible, not just reactively accommodating.

Disability Drives Innovation: From curb cuts to voice dictation, inclusive design has led to many everyday solutions we all benefit from.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“Disability isn’t a sob story. It’s a generative, creative force.” — Tiffany Yu

“Accommodations are reactive equity. Accessibility is proactive equity.” — Tiffany Yu

“We already have everything we need from within, we just need the right strategies to unlock it.” — Tiffany Yu

“I used to think success was external. Now, it’s how I show up and whether I like the person I see in the mirror.” — Tiffany Yu

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Trailer & Guest Intro: Tiffany Yu

06:33 – The early stages of healing, Cultural dynamics and silence

16:54 – Building self-pride through community, advocacy, and self-acceptance

23:26 – TEDx talk impact and the power of storytelling

33:53 – Top 3 things companies get wrong about disability inclusion

44:27 – Job interviews, assumptions, and how to advocate for yourself

52:03 – How community and networking fuel career opportunity

58:45 – 1 word that encourages Tiffany when imposter syndrome hits

59:57– What it means to be “Built for This”

FOLLOW OUR GUEST TIFFANY YU ON:

Website: http://tiffanyyu.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/imtiffanyyu

Twitter: http://twitter.com/imtiffanyyu

Instagram: http://instagram.com/imtiffanyyu

TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@imtiffanyyu

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

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

Buy her book: http://tiffanyyu.com/book

FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com

FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>In this powerful episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Tiffany Yu, CEO & Founder of Diversability, a 3x TEDx speaker, and the author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World. After a life-altering car accident at age nine that claimed her father’s life and left her with a permanent disability, Tiffany spent years silenced by trauma, stigma, and cultural barriers. But she emerged with a mission: to redefine what disability means and advocate for more inclusive communities, workplaces, and leadership.

This episode is a must-listen for leaders, allies, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of inclusive leadership and human resilience.

Key Takeaways:

Disability Is Not a Sob Story: Tiffany reframes disability as a neutral and even empowering, part of identity, not something tragic or to hide.

Reclaiming Voice After Silence: It took stepping outside of her family and cultural norms for Tiffany to begin healing and finding her voice.

Community as a Healing Force: She found belonging and purpose by starting the first-ever disability student group at Georgetown University.

Inclusion Starts with Design: Inclusive spaces should be proactively accessible, not just reactively accommodating.

Disability Drives Innovation: From curb cuts to voice dictation, inclusive design has led to many everyday solutions we all benefit from.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“Disability isn’t a sob story. It’s a generative, creative force.” — Tiffany Yu

“Accommodations are reactive equity. Accessibility is proactive equity.” — Tiffany Yu

“We already have everything we need from within, we just need the right strategies to unlock it.” — Tiffany Yu

“I used to think success was external. Now, it’s how I show up and whether I like the person I see in the mirror.” — Tiffany Yu

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Trailer & Guest Intro: Tiffany Yu

06:33 – The early stages of healing, Cultural dynamics and silence

16:54 – Building self-pride through community, advocacy, and self-acceptance

23:26 – TEDx talk impact and the power of storytelling

33:53 – Top 3 things companies get wrong about disability inclusion

44:27 – Job interviews, assumptions, and how to advocate for yourself

52:03 – How community and networking fuel career opportunity

58:45 – 1 word that encourages Tiffany when imposter syndrome hits

59:57– What it means to be “Built for This”

FOLLOW OUR GUEST TIFFANY YU ON:

Website: http://tiffanyyu.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/imtiffanyyu

Twitter: http://twitter.com/imtiffanyyu

Instagram: http://instagram.com/imtiffanyyu

TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@imtiffanyyu

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

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

Buy her book: http://tiffanyyu.com/book

FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com

FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>62af2274-2eb3-4917-a765-610bce174d62Wed, 27 Aug 2025 02:00:00 -070001:01:16falsefull119191When No Books Existed for Struggling Teens, Louise Baigelman Sparked a Global Reading RevolutionWhen No Books Existed for Struggling Teens, Louise Baigelman Sparked a Global Reading RevolutionIn this insightful episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Louise Kraft Baigelman, founder and CEO of Storyshares, a nonprofit dedicated to creating culturally inclusive, age-appropriate books for struggling readers. Louise, a Teach for America alum and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, shares her mission to transform education by helping older students develop literacy skills through engaging reading material. She is also an author and reading expert at Understood.org.

Louise opens up about her journey from the classroom to launching a global platform for struggling readers. She discusses her personal experience as a literacy educator and how the lack of appropriate resources led her to build Story Shares. From solving the problem of reading materials for older students, she has developed a unique approach to tackling educational inequity, empowering students and teachers alike.

This episode highlights the power of education, the importance of connecting with students, and how a single idea can spark a global movement. Whether you're a parent, educator, or just passionate about educational reform, this episode will inspire you to take action.

Key Takeaways:

Power of Connection: Building connections through books and stories is key to student engagement and growth.

Tackling Educational Inequity: Story Shares addresses the need for age-appropriate books for older, struggling readers.

Entrepreneurship in Education: Louise’s journey shows how identifying a problem and taking action can lead to impactful solutions.

Empowering Educators: Providing teachers with the right resources and tools helps them support students' literacy development.

Global Impact: Story Shares' global author community is driving forward-thinking solutions for education worldwide.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“The best teachers are those who make a connection, who meet students where they are.” – Louise Kraft Baigelman

“Find something you love about the world or yourself and lean into that.” – Louise Kraft Baigelman

“Entrepreneurship comes from identifying a problem and creating a solution.” – Jenna Bayuk

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Trailer & Introduction to Louise Kraft Baigelman

08:39 – Launching a writing contest to solve the problem 

13:07 – Turning the experiment into a successful business 

16:32 – Addressing the science of reading and systemic issues

20:23 – Gaining recognition from the Library of Congress

21:38 – Building a digital platform and reaching a global audience

25:46 – The challenges and lessons learned along the way 

43:19 – Rapid Fire

45:19 – Message for a reader

FOLLOW OUR GUEST LOUISE KRAFT BAIGELMAN ON:


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>In this insightful episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Louise Kraft Baigelman, founder and CEO of Storyshares, a nonprofit dedicated to creating culturally inclusive, age-appropriate books for struggling readers. Louise, a Teach for America alum and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, shares her mission to transform education by helping older students develop literacy skills through engaging reading material. She is also an author and reading expert at Understood.org.

Louise opens up about her journey from the classroom to launching a global platform for struggling readers. She discusses her personal experience as a literacy educator and how the lack of appropriate resources led her to build Story Shares. From solving the problem of reading materials for older students, she has developed a unique approach to tackling educational inequity, empowering students and teachers alike.

This episode highlights the power of education, the importance of connecting with students, and how a single idea can spark a global movement. Whether you're a parent, educator, or just passionate about educational reform, this episode will inspire you to take action.

Key Takeaways:

Power of Connection: Building connections through books and stories is key to student engagement and growth.

Tackling Educational Inequity: Story Shares addresses the need for age-appropriate books for older, struggling readers.

Entrepreneurship in Education: Louise’s journey shows how identifying a problem and taking action can lead to impactful solutions.

Empowering Educators: Providing teachers with the right resources and tools helps them support students' literacy development.

Global Impact: Story Shares' global author community is driving forward-thinking solutions for education worldwide.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“The best teachers are those who make a connection, who meet students where they are.” – Louise Kraft Baigelman

“Find something you love about the world or yourself and lean into that.” – Louise Kraft Baigelman

“Entrepreneurship comes from identifying a problem and creating a solution.” – Jenna Bayuk

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Trailer & Introduction to Louise Kraft Baigelman

08:39 – Launching a writing contest to solve the problem 

13:07 – Turning the experiment into a successful business 

16:32 – Addressing the science of reading and systemic issues

20:23 – Gaining recognition from the Library of Congress

21:38 – Building a digital platform and reaching a global audience

25:46 – The challenges and lessons learned along the way 

43:19 – Rapid Fire

45:19 – Message for a reader

FOLLOW OUR GUEST LOUISE KRAFT BAIGELMAN ON:


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:


]]>21c6c915-4328-4653-9e11-d40bbf58788dWed, 20 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -070047:11falsefull118181She was silenced by family, ignored in boardrooms, and still rose — Fotini IconomopoulosShe was silenced by family, ignored in boardrooms, and still rose — Fotini IconomopoulosIn this insightful episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Fotini Iconomopoulos, a high-stakes negotiation and communication strategist. She is the founder of the Forward Focusing, MBA Sessional Instructor at Schulich School of Business. Fotini has empowered Fortune 50 executives, entrepreneurs, and global teams for over a decade. As the founder of Forward Focus and author of the bestselling book Say Less, Get More, she blends strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and practical frameworks to transform negotiations and leadership dynamics.

Fotini shares how her upbringing shaped her approach to negotiation and how, after working in various industries, she embraced negotiation as both an art and a science. She discusses her four-step framework for negotiation and the importance of embracing power dynamics in business relationships. Whether you’re negotiating a major deal or managing daily conversations, this episode will give you actionable insights to communicate with clarity and confidence.

Key Takeaways:

Power of the Pause: Take a moment to breathe and reflect during negotiations to stay composed and confident.

Negotiation Is Universal: Negotiation skills are vital in everyday life, from interactions with kids and pets to colleagues.

The Four Ps Framework: Fotini’s framework - Power, People, Process, and Communication guides successful negotiations.

Power Up: Women should confidently showcase their value to close the gender gap in negotiations.

Cooperation Over Competition: Collaboration can elevate your value and foster stronger professional relationships in competitive industries.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“The most effective negotiators are really boring to watch. They’re taking their time.” – Fotini Iconomopoulos

“Negotiation is not about being the loudest person in the room, it’s about listening, observing, and finding solutions that benefit all parties.” – Fotini Iconomopoulos

“Embrace the power of the pause. It gives your brain a chance to catch up with your thoughts.” – Fotini Iconomopoulos

“You are not your job. You are not your title. You are not on your calendar.” – Fotini Iconomopoulos

“People are not telepathic. You have to make your value known.” – Fotini Iconomopoulos

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Who is Fotini Iconomopoulos?

03:30 – Early life lessons in negotiation from Fotini's family business

09:55 – Developing a framework for effective communication and negotiation

16:40 – The value of emotional intelligence in business negotiations

29:44 – The power of pause and how it improves negotiations

35:41 – Addressing common fears around negotiation, especially for women

46:05 – Using body language and positioning in high-level negotiations

55:33 – Advancing women's confidence in negotiation through strategic collaboration


FOLLOW OUR GUEST FOTINI ICONOMOPOULOS ON:

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

Websites: https://fotiniicon.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fotini.iconomopoulos

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


Free tool for folks to increase their self-awareness and get some quick tips from my negotiation style quiz here: https://fotiniicon.com/quiz/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>In this insightful episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Fotini Iconomopoulos, a high-stakes negotiation and communication strategist. She is the founder of the Forward Focusing, MBA Sessional Instructor at Schulich School of Business. Fotini has empowered Fortune 50 executives, entrepreneurs, and global teams for over a decade. As the founder of Forward Focus and author of the bestselling book Say Less, Get More, she blends strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and practical frameworks to transform negotiations and leadership dynamics.

Fotini shares how her upbringing shaped her approach to negotiation and how, after working in various industries, she embraced negotiation as both an art and a science. She discusses her four-step framework for negotiation and the importance of embracing power dynamics in business relationships. Whether you’re negotiating a major deal or managing daily conversations, this episode will give you actionable insights to communicate with clarity and confidence.

Key Takeaways:

Power of the Pause: Take a moment to breathe and reflect during negotiations to stay composed and confident.

Negotiation Is Universal: Negotiation skills are vital in everyday life, from interactions with kids and pets to colleagues.

The Four Ps Framework: Fotini’s framework - Power, People, Process, and Communication guides successful negotiations.

Power Up: Women should confidently showcase their value to close the gender gap in negotiations.

Cooperation Over Competition: Collaboration can elevate your value and foster stronger professional relationships in competitive industries.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“The most effective negotiators are really boring to watch. They’re taking their time.” – Fotini Iconomopoulos

“Negotiation is not about being the loudest person in the room, it’s about listening, observing, and finding solutions that benefit all parties.” – Fotini Iconomopoulos

“Embrace the power of the pause. It gives your brain a chance to catch up with your thoughts.” – Fotini Iconomopoulos

“You are not your job. You are not your title. You are not on your calendar.” – Fotini Iconomopoulos

“People are not telepathic. You have to make your value known.” – Fotini Iconomopoulos

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Who is Fotini Iconomopoulos?

03:30 – Early life lessons in negotiation from Fotini's family business

09:55 – Developing a framework for effective communication and negotiation

16:40 – The value of emotional intelligence in business negotiations

29:44 – The power of pause and how it improves negotiations

35:41 – Addressing common fears around negotiation, especially for women

46:05 – Using body language and positioning in high-level negotiations

55:33 – Advancing women's confidence in negotiation through strategic collaboration


FOLLOW OUR GUEST FOTINI ICONOMOPOULOS ON:

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

Websites: https://fotiniicon.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fotini.iconomopoulos

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


Free tool for folks to increase their self-awareness and get some quick tips from my negotiation style quiz here: https://fotiniicon.com/quiz/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>d27ba355-55df-4ffc-a1ea-93e568e7fbe6Wed, 13 Aug 2025 02:00:00 -070001:00:54falsefull117171When the Body Breaks Down, the Soul Speaks, and a New Purpose Is Born with David K. RichardsWhen the Body Breaks Down, the Soul Speaks, and a New Purpose Is Born with David K. RichardsIn this candid episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with David K. Richards, the founder and CEO at Changemaker Education, the founder of David K Richards Coaching and Consulting, a founder of Growth Public Schools, a former CEO turned Conscious Leadership Advisor, to explore the deeply personal and universal journey of redefining success. David opens up about the moment he realized his corporate achievements left him feeling hollow, the path he took to reclaim his sense of self, and how he's now helping high-performing founders and executives move from burnout to inner alignment.

With powerful insights on masculine conditioning, productivity addiction, and the myth of external validation, David shares a refreshing roadmap for leaders ready to trade pressure for presence. Whether you're an entrepreneur navigating identity shifts or a leader tired of chasing status, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and lead with your whole self.

Key Takeaways:

Burnout Wakes You Up: David’s journey shows that success without alignment eventually collapses and burnout is often the doorway to deeper self-awareness.

Who Are You Without the Hustle?: He challenges leaders to explore identity beyond achievement, titles, and busyness.

Productivity Addiction Is Real: David unpacks how our culture equates doing with worthiness and why rest is a revolutionary act.

Lead from the Inside Out: True leadership starts with inner clarity. David teaches founders to reconnect with their values before scaling outward.

Rewrite the Success Script: There’s no prize for self-abandonment. You can build powerful companies without sacrificing your well-being.

Emotions Are Data: From suppressed rage to joy, your feelings are signals. David shares how emotional intelligence transforms business decisions.

Being Built for This Means Choosing Wholeness: Resilience doesn’t mean powering through it means choosing truth, rest, and realignment.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“I built everything they told me to build, and I was miserable.” – David K. Richards

“Masculine conditioning teaches us to suppress, achieve, and never feel. That doesn’t work.” – David K. Richards

“If you don’t slow down, life will force you to.” – David K. Richards

“Productivity is not presence. Busyness isn’t leadership.” – David K. Richards

“Emotions are sacred messengers. Stop treating them like threats.” – David K. Richards

“You are not your business. You are not on your calendar.” – David K. Richards


Key Timestamps: 

00:00 – Trailer & intro to David K. Richards

03:30 – The moment success felt empty: CEO burnout and disconnection

06:11 – Masculine energy, conditioning, and the cost of performance

9:55 – Rebuilding identity beyond leadership and external validation

16:40 – Emotional fluency in business: embracing rage, joy, and grief

29:16 – Healing hustle culture: what presence actually looks like

35:41 – Why rest is not laziness, it's leadership

44:55 – Issues surrounding education

54:30 – Conscious masculine leadership: embodying purpose

01:01:57 – What “Built for This” means to David


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DAVID K. RICHARDS ON

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-k-richards-a1b43753/

Websites:

https://www.changemakereducation.com/

https://www.davidkrichards.com/

https://www.growthps.org/

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


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>In this candid episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with David K. Richards, the founder and CEO at Changemaker Education, the founder of David K Richards Coaching and Consulting, a founder of Growth Public Schools, a former CEO turned Conscious Leadership Advisor, to explore the deeply personal and universal journey of redefining success. David opens up about the moment he realized his corporate achievements left him feeling hollow, the path he took to reclaim his sense of self, and how he's now helping high-performing founders and executives move from burnout to inner alignment.

With powerful insights on masculine conditioning, productivity addiction, and the myth of external validation, David shares a refreshing roadmap for leaders ready to trade pressure for presence. Whether you're an entrepreneur navigating identity shifts or a leader tired of chasing status, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and lead with your whole self.

Key Takeaways:

Burnout Wakes You Up: David’s journey shows that success without alignment eventually collapses and burnout is often the doorway to deeper self-awareness.

Who Are You Without the Hustle?: He challenges leaders to explore identity beyond achievement, titles, and busyness.

Productivity Addiction Is Real: David unpacks how our culture equates doing with worthiness and why rest is a revolutionary act.

Lead from the Inside Out: True leadership starts with inner clarity. David teaches founders to reconnect with their values before scaling outward.

Rewrite the Success Script: There’s no prize for self-abandonment. You can build powerful companies without sacrificing your well-being.

Emotions Are Data: From suppressed rage to joy, your feelings are signals. David shares how emotional intelligence transforms business decisions.

Being Built for This Means Choosing Wholeness: Resilience doesn’t mean powering through it means choosing truth, rest, and realignment.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“I built everything they told me to build, and I was miserable.” – David K. Richards

“Masculine conditioning teaches us to suppress, achieve, and never feel. That doesn’t work.” – David K. Richards

“If you don’t slow down, life will force you to.” – David K. Richards

“Productivity is not presence. Busyness isn’t leadership.” – David K. Richards

“Emotions are sacred messengers. Stop treating them like threats.” – David K. Richards

“You are not your business. You are not on your calendar.” – David K. Richards


Key Timestamps: 

00:00 – Trailer & intro to David K. Richards

03:30 – The moment success felt empty: CEO burnout and disconnection

06:11 – Masculine energy, conditioning, and the cost of performance

9:55 – Rebuilding identity beyond leadership and external validation

16:40 – Emotional fluency in business: embracing rage, joy, and grief

29:16 – Healing hustle culture: what presence actually looks like

35:41 – Why rest is not laziness, it's leadership

44:55 – Issues surrounding education

54:30 – Conscious masculine leadership: embodying purpose

01:01:57 – What “Built for This” means to David


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DAVID K. RICHARDS ON

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-k-richards-a1b43753/

Websites:

https://www.changemakereducation.com/

https://www.davidkrichards.com/

https://www.growthps.org/

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


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>63e061ed-3111-431c-94db-b47c5686be02Wed, 06 Aug 2025 02:00:00 -070001:03:24falsefull116161Perfectionism Is the Silent Killer of Great Businesses with Laura LorenzPerfectionism Is the Silent Killer of Great Businesses with Laura LorenzIn this empowering episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk dives into a wisdom-packed conversation with Laura Lorenz, Owner of Top Floor Mentoring and Executive Director at Business Leaders Unleashed. With 35+ years of business leadership, Laura has mentored countless entrepreneurs and small business owners through the fog of overwhelm into clarity, confidence, and scalable systems.

From her early career teaching software sales to building a 10-person agency, Laura shares how life experience, entrepreneurial roots, and her no-BS style helped her evolve into a trusted mentor for ambitious solopreneurs and service providers.

Together, they explore why systems outpace talent, how to manage perfectionism, when to slow down to speed up, and what it truly means to be “built for this.” If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of to-dos, imposter syndrome, or decision fatigue, Laura offers tactical guidance and mindset shifts that meet you right where you are.

Key Takeaways:

Foundation Over Fire Drills: Growth begins with vision and systems, not shortcuts. If your foundation is shaky, speed will only magnify the cracks.

Don’t Coach Yourself Alone: Even mentors need mentors. Laura shares why having someone to challenge your thinking is a non-negotiable for growth.

Perfection is the Enemy of Progress: Laura helps clients ditch the pressure to be perfect and shift toward done, clear, and consistent.

Accountability Transforms Action: Her “Goal Getters” group model shows how small circles of trust fuel progress, confidence, and follow-through.

Tailored, Not Templated: Unlike cookie-cutter coaching, Laura adapts her mentorship to every client’s unique journey, industry, and pace.

AI Is a Tool, Not a Threat: Whether you’re a solopreneur or scaling a team, embrace tech like Claude to ideate smarter but never lose your human voice.

Built for the Bounce Back: True entrepreneurs get hit and get up again and again. Clarity and courage are their superpowers.


Noteworthy Quotes:

“If you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you won’t survive your worst day.” – Laura Lorenz

“Everyone needs a coach, even the coach needs a coach.” – Laura Lorenz

“I don’t call myself a coach. I’m a mentor because I can’t keep my mouth shut.” – Laura Lorenz

“You don’t need another idea. You need to finish the one you started.” – Laura Lorenz

“We live by our calendars if it’s not scheduled, it won’t get done.” – Laura Lorenz

“AI won’t replace people. We still crave connection, emotion, and heart.” – Laura Lorenz


Key Timestamps: 

00:00 – Trailer & Intro to Laura Lorenz and Top Floor Mentoring

02:59 – Realizing her entrepreneurial roots and coaching DNA

06:49 – Launching Goal Getters: the power of accountability groups

08:10 – Creating vulnerability and safety in mentorship circles

10:57 – How to rebuild confidence and overcome perfectionism

14:02 – A client story: from scattered solopreneur to 2x monthly growth

17:49 – From tactics to strategy: scaling starts with systems

21:11 – Laura’s take on AI, Claude, and how tech fits into mentorship

27:43 – How to slow down ambitious entrepreneurs to avoid burnout

34:21 – Why servant leadership is the path forward

38:21 – Advice for solopreneurs: don't try to do it all yourself

43:26 – Laura’s instant mindset reset (Tony Robbins-approved)

46:53 – What “Built for This” means to Laura


FOLLOW OUR GUEST LAURA LORENZ ON

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

Website: https://www.topfloormentoring.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.lorenz.568/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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



]]>In this empowering episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk dives into a wisdom-packed conversation with Laura Lorenz, Owner of Top Floor Mentoring and Executive Director at Business Leaders Unleashed. With 35+ years of business leadership, Laura has mentored countless entrepreneurs and small business owners through the fog of overwhelm into clarity, confidence, and scalable systems.

From her early career teaching software sales to building a 10-person agency, Laura shares how life experience, entrepreneurial roots, and her no-BS style helped her evolve into a trusted mentor for ambitious solopreneurs and service providers.

Together, they explore why systems outpace talent, how to manage perfectionism, when to slow down to speed up, and what it truly means to be “built for this.” If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of to-dos, imposter syndrome, or decision fatigue, Laura offers tactical guidance and mindset shifts that meet you right where you are.

Key Takeaways:

Foundation Over Fire Drills: Growth begins with vision and systems, not shortcuts. If your foundation is shaky, speed will only magnify the cracks.

Don’t Coach Yourself Alone: Even mentors need mentors. Laura shares why having someone to challenge your thinking is a non-negotiable for growth.

Perfection is the Enemy of Progress: Laura helps clients ditch the pressure to be perfect and shift toward done, clear, and consistent.

Accountability Transforms Action: Her “Goal Getters” group model shows how small circles of trust fuel progress, confidence, and follow-through.

Tailored, Not Templated: Unlike cookie-cutter coaching, Laura adapts her mentorship to every client’s unique journey, industry, and pace.

AI Is a Tool, Not a Threat: Whether you’re a solopreneur or scaling a team, embrace tech like Claude to ideate smarter but never lose your human voice.

Built for the Bounce Back: True entrepreneurs get hit and get up again and again. Clarity and courage are their superpowers.


Noteworthy Quotes:

“If you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you won’t survive your worst day.” – Laura Lorenz

“Everyone needs a coach, even the coach needs a coach.” – Laura Lorenz

“I don’t call myself a coach. I’m a mentor because I can’t keep my mouth shut.” – Laura Lorenz

“You don’t need another idea. You need to finish the one you started.” – Laura Lorenz

“We live by our calendars if it’s not scheduled, it won’t get done.” – Laura Lorenz

“AI won’t replace people. We still crave connection, emotion, and heart.” – Laura Lorenz


Key Timestamps: 

00:00 – Trailer & Intro to Laura Lorenz and Top Floor Mentoring

02:59 – Realizing her entrepreneurial roots and coaching DNA

06:49 – Launching Goal Getters: the power of accountability groups

08:10 – Creating vulnerability and safety in mentorship circles

10:57 – How to rebuild confidence and overcome perfectionism

14:02 – A client story: from scattered solopreneur to 2x monthly growth

17:49 – From tactics to strategy: scaling starts with systems

21:11 – Laura’s take on AI, Claude, and how tech fits into mentorship

27:43 – How to slow down ambitious entrepreneurs to avoid burnout

34:21 – Why servant leadership is the path forward

38:21 – Advice for solopreneurs: don't try to do it all yourself

43:26 – Laura’s instant mindset reset (Tony Robbins-approved)

46:53 – What “Built for This” means to Laura


FOLLOW OUR GUEST LAURA LORENZ ON

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

Website: https://www.topfloormentoring.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.lorenz.568/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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



]]>ce63cb26-9aa9-4015-ad50-64b9d94539ecWed, 30 Jul 2025 02:00:00 -070048:02falsefull115151Burnout After $10K Months Forced a Pivot to AI Systems That Finally Scaled with Nikita VakhrushevBurnout After $10K Months Forced a Pivot to AI Systems That Finally Scaled with Nikita VakhrushevIn this energizing episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick , host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Nikita Vakhrushev, CEO and founder of ASPEKT, a cutting-edge email and SMS marketing agency powered by creativity, data, and AI. Nikita shares his incredible journey from printing t-shirts in high school to building a thriving remote-first agency that blends tech innovation with marketing brilliance.

As an early adopter of AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude, Nikita reveals how he uses them not to replace humans, but to augment strategy, optimize execution, and deepen storytelling. He opens up about team culture, the power of iteration, and why he believes agencies of the future will be data hubs rather than task runners.

Whether you’re a brand owner, creative strategist, or AI-curious entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with actionable insights, unconventional wisdom, and a look into what’s next in marketing and leadership.

Key Takeaways:

Start Small, Scale Smart: Nikita’s journey began with stickers and t-shirts and evolved into a high-retention email agency by following curiosity and solving real problems.

Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Aspekt thrives on a culture of honest feedback, experimentation, and learning without fear of failure.

AI Is a Partner, Not a Replacement: Tools like ChatGPT boost productivity but still need a human lens for nuance, strategy, and connection.

Email Still Reigns: Despite new platforms, email remains a critical owned channel that can drive 25–30% of a brand’s revenue when done right.

Above-the-Fold Magic: Most brands fail by not optimizing the top section of their emails. Nikita breaks down why that space is critical.

Remote Teams, Real Culture: Building a remote-first company starts with trust, accountability, and shared values, not time zones


Noteworthy Quotes:

“You don’t need an office to have a high-performing team, you need clarity, autonomy, and shared values.” – Nikita Vakhrushev

“AI won’t take your job. But someone who knows how to use AI better than you might.” – Nikita Vakhrushev

“Email isn’t dead. What’s dead is lazy email marketing.” – Nikita Vakhrushev

“Mistakes don’t matter, repeating them does.” – Nikita Vakhrushev

“I don’t care if you fail. I care if you learn and improve.” – Nikita Vakhrushev


Key Timestamps: 

00:00 – Trailer and intro to Nikita Vakhrushev and ASPEKT 

05:17 – Why he pivoted from drop-shipping to agency work

11:15 – First hires and learning to build a team

17:47 – Human creativity vs AI: striking the right balance

24:32 – Why email still drives revenue and where brands go wrong

31:18 – Building curiosity and psychological safety in remote teams

35:14 – Mistakes are welcome just don’t repeat them

38:38 – The future of agencies: data hubs over task-doers

40:15 – AI fatigue and the coming pendulum swing back to human touch

47:08 – What “Built for This” means to Nikita


FOLLOW OUR GUEST NIKITA VAKHRUSHEV ON

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-v/

Website: https://aspektagency.com/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCplkQy0QUICiUq5dkb9Fj7Q

Email: https://aspektagency.com/email-sms-marketing-audit/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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


]]>In this energizing episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick , host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Nikita Vakhrushev, CEO and founder of ASPEKT, a cutting-edge email and SMS marketing agency powered by creativity, data, and AI. Nikita shares his incredible journey from printing t-shirts in high school to building a thriving remote-first agency that blends tech innovation with marketing brilliance.

As an early adopter of AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude, Nikita reveals how he uses them not to replace humans, but to augment strategy, optimize execution, and deepen storytelling. He opens up about team culture, the power of iteration, and why he believes agencies of the future will be data hubs rather than task runners.

Whether you’re a brand owner, creative strategist, or AI-curious entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with actionable insights, unconventional wisdom, and a look into what’s next in marketing and leadership.

Key Takeaways:

Start Small, Scale Smart: Nikita’s journey began with stickers and t-shirts and evolved into a high-retention email agency by following curiosity and solving real problems.

Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Aspekt thrives on a culture of honest feedback, experimentation, and learning without fear of failure.

AI Is a Partner, Not a Replacement: Tools like ChatGPT boost productivity but still need a human lens for nuance, strategy, and connection.

Email Still Reigns: Despite new platforms, email remains a critical owned channel that can drive 25–30% of a brand’s revenue when done right.

Above-the-Fold Magic: Most brands fail by not optimizing the top section of their emails. Nikita breaks down why that space is critical.

Remote Teams, Real Culture: Building a remote-first company starts with trust, accountability, and shared values, not time zones


Noteworthy Quotes:

“You don’t need an office to have a high-performing team, you need clarity, autonomy, and shared values.” – Nikita Vakhrushev

“AI won’t take your job. But someone who knows how to use AI better than you might.” – Nikita Vakhrushev

“Email isn’t dead. What’s dead is lazy email marketing.” – Nikita Vakhrushev

“Mistakes don’t matter, repeating them does.” – Nikita Vakhrushev

“I don’t care if you fail. I care if you learn and improve.” – Nikita Vakhrushev


Key Timestamps: 

00:00 – Trailer and intro to Nikita Vakhrushev and ASPEKT 

05:17 – Why he pivoted from drop-shipping to agency work

11:15 – First hires and learning to build a team

17:47 – Human creativity vs AI: striking the right balance

24:32 – Why email still drives revenue and where brands go wrong

31:18 – Building curiosity and psychological safety in remote teams

35:14 – Mistakes are welcome just don’t repeat them

38:38 – The future of agencies: data hubs over task-doers

40:15 – AI fatigue and the coming pendulum swing back to human touch

47:08 – What “Built for This” means to Nikita


FOLLOW OUR GUEST NIKITA VAKHRUSHEV ON

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-v/

Website: https://aspektagency.com/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCplkQy0QUICiUq5dkb9Fj7Q

Email: https://aspektagency.com/email-sms-marketing-audit/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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


]]>b31e9a1d-5d44-470a-878a-3d2b0a6e9f7fWed, 23 Jul 2025 02:00:00 -070048:51falsefull114141The Invisible Force Behind Every Breakdown in Leadership with Art GiserThe Invisible Force Behind Every Breakdown in Leadership with Art GiserIn this illuminating episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Art Giser, the creator, owner of Energetic NLP, a transformational method that combines energy work, neurolinguistic programming, and spiritual development. He is also a senior consultant at MCS consulting, and owner of extraordinary leaders and teams. With over 35 years of experience, Art’s journey spans managing medical research labs to receiving empowerments from the Dalai Lama to helping executives, entrepreneurs, and healers unlock their true power.

Art shares how he bridged his scientific background with spiritual exploration, and how that journey helped him discover the tools to help people remove unconscious blocks and align with their deeper selves. He walks us through the process of energetic healing, navigating belief systems, and how to create real transformation in leadership and life.

Whether you’re energy-curious or already doing the inner work, this episode is full of deep wisdom, practical takeaways, and even a live energy activation to reconnect with your purpose.

Key Takeaways:

There’s No Fork: Art’s path proves that science and spirituality can coexist and thrive together.

Your Inner Wisdom is Powerful: Transformation happens when you align your spirit, mind, and body, not just your conscious goals.

Corporate Energy Work is Real: Energetic leadership has quietly helped shift team dynamics in Fortune 500 companies.

Beliefs Are the Real Block: Most people sabotage healing because of unconscious stories about worth, punishment, or redemption.

You Can Learn Energy Work: These aren’t mysterious “gifts” they’re natural abilities anyone can develop with the right guidance.


Noteworthy Quotes:

“Understanding is the booby prize of life. Transformation goes deeper.” – Art Giser

“Most teams don’t hate each other, they’ve just made up stories about one another.” – Art Giser

“You don’t need to be born gifted to do energy work. It’s your birthright.” – Art Giser

“I’m tired of hiding. This is who I am, and it works.” – Art Giser

“Let go of trying to be right. Just show up with your light.” – Art Giser


Key Timestamps: 

00:00 – Trailer and introduction of guest Art Giser

02:46 – Art’s background & dual interest in science and energy work from childhood

06:36 – The lightning bolt moment that led to discovering NLP

14:00 – Integrating corporate leadership with energy work

24:11 – Why people subconsciously resist healing

35:25 – Helping teams resolve conflict & Teaching them

47:56 – Advice for someone trying to bring this work to a resistant leader

53:50 – Vision in kind of support and energy

1:00:08  – Guided energetic healing process with Art

1:10:20 – Foundational books that shaped Art’s spiritual and NLP path

1:11:43 – What “Built for This” means to Art Giser


FOLLOW OUR GUEST ART GISER ON:

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

Website: https://energeticnlp.com/

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

Free Resources to Explore:

Watch the free video program: www.BlockBuster7.com

Join the free weekly world and personal healing meditation: www.ChangeTheWorldFromYourLivingRoom.com


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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




]]>In this illuminating episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Art Giser, the creator, owner of Energetic NLP, a transformational method that combines energy work, neurolinguistic programming, and spiritual development. He is also a senior consultant at MCS consulting, and owner of extraordinary leaders and teams. With over 35 years of experience, Art’s journey spans managing medical research labs to receiving empowerments from the Dalai Lama to helping executives, entrepreneurs, and healers unlock their true power.

Art shares how he bridged his scientific background with spiritual exploration, and how that journey helped him discover the tools to help people remove unconscious blocks and align with their deeper selves. He walks us through the process of energetic healing, navigating belief systems, and how to create real transformation in leadership and life.

Whether you’re energy-curious or already doing the inner work, this episode is full of deep wisdom, practical takeaways, and even a live energy activation to reconnect with your purpose.

Key Takeaways:

There’s No Fork: Art’s path proves that science and spirituality can coexist and thrive together.

Your Inner Wisdom is Powerful: Transformation happens when you align your spirit, mind, and body, not just your conscious goals.

Corporate Energy Work is Real: Energetic leadership has quietly helped shift team dynamics in Fortune 500 companies.

Beliefs Are the Real Block: Most people sabotage healing because of unconscious stories about worth, punishment, or redemption.

You Can Learn Energy Work: These aren’t mysterious “gifts” they’re natural abilities anyone can develop with the right guidance.


Noteworthy Quotes:

“Understanding is the booby prize of life. Transformation goes deeper.” – Art Giser

“Most teams don’t hate each other, they’ve just made up stories about one another.” – Art Giser

“You don’t need to be born gifted to do energy work. It’s your birthright.” – Art Giser

“I’m tired of hiding. This is who I am, and it works.” – Art Giser

“Let go of trying to be right. Just show up with your light.” – Art Giser


Key Timestamps: 

00:00 – Trailer and introduction of guest Art Giser

02:46 – Art’s background & dual interest in science and energy work from childhood

06:36 – The lightning bolt moment that led to discovering NLP

14:00 – Integrating corporate leadership with energy work

24:11 – Why people subconsciously resist healing

35:25 – Helping teams resolve conflict & Teaching them

47:56 – Advice for someone trying to bring this work to a resistant leader

53:50 – Vision in kind of support and energy

1:00:08  – Guided energetic healing process with Art

1:10:20 – Foundational books that shaped Art’s spiritual and NLP path

1:11:43 – What “Built for This” means to Art Giser


FOLLOW OUR GUEST ART GISER ON:

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

Website: https://energeticnlp.com/

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

Free Resources to Explore:

Watch the free video program: www.BlockBuster7.com

Join the free weekly world and personal healing meditation: www.ChangeTheWorldFromYourLivingRoom.com


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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




]]>62e0ecf8-c06d-4337-994f-5acc0be3dec3Wed, 16 Jul 2025 02:00:00 -070001:13:05falsefull113131She Turned Her Deepest Wounds into a Mission to Save Others with Patti StewartShe Turned Her Deepest Wounds into a Mission to Save Others with Patti StewartIn this powerful episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Patti Stewart, Founder of Defense in Heels, a nonprofit that provides community, mentorship, and career support to women in the defense and national security industries. She is also IDP Diamond Director at Damsel in Defense. With over two decades of experience in military, intelligence, and cybersecurity leadership, Patti shares her remarkable journey of breaking barriers, building community, and reshaping what leadership looks like in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Patti opens up about her time in Afghanistan, the challenges she faced navigating motherhood in national security, and how she turned her lived experience into a movement that supports thousands of women. Through candid stories and deep reflections, Patti shares what it truly means to lead with empathy, serve with purpose, and create systems that empower others. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to build inclusive leadership and impact-driven businesses.

Key Takeaways:

Service is Strength: Leadership is about helping others grow, even when you’re under pressure yourself.

Representation Matters: Patti’s journey highlights the importance of showing up fully and authentically in spaces where few women are present.

Motherhood and Mission: You don’t have to choose between career and family. Patti’s story proves you can lead with both.

Build What You Need: Defense in Heels was born from a real gap in support. Instead of waiting for change, Patti created it.

Redefining Leadership: Empathy, collaboration, and community-building are strategic strengths, not soft skills.


Noteworthy Quotes:

“Sometimes your biggest breakthroughs come from the moments that break you.” – Patti Stewart

“I didn't see people who looked like me in the room—so I decided to stay in the room and hold the door open for others.” – Patti Stewart

“You can be a great mom and a great leader. They’re not mutually exclusive.” – Patti Stewart

“Don’t wait for a seat at the table. Build your own and invite others to join.” – Patti Stewart

“We need to start seeing empathy as a competitive advantage in leadership.” – Patti Stewart


Key Timestamps:

00:00 - Trailer and introduction of guest Patti Stewart

03:44 - Patti’s military journey and the Afghanistan experience

07:22 - Building confidence and credibility in male-dominated fields

11:35 - Transition to entrepreneurship and founding Defense in Heels

14:50 - Balancing motherhood with a high-intensity national security career

18:30 - Finding purpose and fulfillment through service

23:45 - The power of community and mentorship for women in defense

28:00 - Practical lessons on building scalable impact

32:15 - Changing the definition of leadership through empathy and service

36:40 - Advice for women stepping into leadership roles

49:13 - Final thoughts and Patti’s mission to expand Defense in Heels


FOLLOW OUR GUEST PATTI STEWART ON:

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

Website: https://www.defenseinheels.com/

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


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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





]]>In this powerful episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Patti Stewart, Founder of Defense in Heels, a nonprofit that provides community, mentorship, and career support to women in the defense and national security industries. She is also IDP Diamond Director at Damsel in Defense. With over two decades of experience in military, intelligence, and cybersecurity leadership, Patti shares her remarkable journey of breaking barriers, building community, and reshaping what leadership looks like in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Patti opens up about her time in Afghanistan, the challenges she faced navigating motherhood in national security, and how she turned her lived experience into a movement that supports thousands of women. Through candid stories and deep reflections, Patti shares what it truly means to lead with empathy, serve with purpose, and create systems that empower others. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to build inclusive leadership and impact-driven businesses.

Key Takeaways:

Service is Strength: Leadership is about helping others grow, even when you’re under pressure yourself.

Representation Matters: Patti’s journey highlights the importance of showing up fully and authentically in spaces where few women are present.

Motherhood and Mission: You don’t have to choose between career and family. Patti’s story proves you can lead with both.

Build What You Need: Defense in Heels was born from a real gap in support. Instead of waiting for change, Patti created it.

Redefining Leadership: Empathy, collaboration, and community-building are strategic strengths, not soft skills.


Noteworthy Quotes:

“Sometimes your biggest breakthroughs come from the moments that break you.” – Patti Stewart

“I didn't see people who looked like me in the room—so I decided to stay in the room and hold the door open for others.” – Patti Stewart

“You can be a great mom and a great leader. They’re not mutually exclusive.” – Patti Stewart

“Don’t wait for a seat at the table. Build your own and invite others to join.” – Patti Stewart

“We need to start seeing empathy as a competitive advantage in leadership.” – Patti Stewart


Key Timestamps:

00:00 - Trailer and introduction of guest Patti Stewart

03:44 - Patti’s military journey and the Afghanistan experience

07:22 - Building confidence and credibility in male-dominated fields

11:35 - Transition to entrepreneurship and founding Defense in Heels

14:50 - Balancing motherhood with a high-intensity national security career

18:30 - Finding purpose and fulfillment through service

23:45 - The power of community and mentorship for women in defense

28:00 - Practical lessons on building scalable impact

32:15 - Changing the definition of leadership through empathy and service

36:40 - Advice for women stepping into leadership roles

49:13 - Final thoughts and Patti’s mission to expand Defense in Heels


FOLLOW OUR GUEST PATTI STEWART ON:

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

Website: https://www.defenseinheels.com/

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


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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





]]>ad1d8bc4-05a0-4591-8acf-63fb1cf7b888Wed, 09 Jul 2025 02:00:00 -070052:21falsefull112121He Built a $100M Company but Had to Unlearn Everything First with Idan ShpizearHe Built a $100M Company but Had to Unlearn Everything First with Idan ShpizearIn this powerful episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Idan Shpizear, Founder of 911 Restoration - The Fresh Start Company and Milestone SEO. Idan shares his remarkable journey from a small farm in Israel to immigrating to the U.S. with nothing but a thousand dollars and a dream. From humble beginnings to building a nationwide business, Idan emphasizes the importance of hard work, reinvention, and spiritual growth.

Idan discusses how he combined grit and curiosity to build 911 Restoration, offering insights into entrepreneurship, leadership, and how spiritual awareness shifted his leadership style. He highlights the importance of mindset, authenticity, and understanding your inner world to create lasting change in business and life.

Key Takeaways:

Hard Work + Curiosity = Success: Idan’s journey from a farm in Israel to building a nationwide business shows how hard work and a willingness to learn new things can lead to massive success.

Spiritual Awakening: The realization that true success comes from inner growth, not just external achievements.

Human-to-Human Business: Idan’s philosophy of putting people first, whether clients or employees, creates a business built on trust, connection, and value.

The Power of Accountability: Effective leadership includes holding yourself and your team accountable, fostering growth and success.

Reinvention from Within: Inner awareness and shifting personal patterns are crucial for business and personal transformation.


Noteworthy Quotes:

"You are not who you think you are. You are much more than that." – Idan Shpizear

"When you change internally, your external reality shifts." – Idan Shpizear

"True leadership is about serving others, helping them grow, and guiding them to their fullest potential." – Idan Shpizear

"Everything I have done has been happening for me, not to me." – Idan Shpizear

"The most important thing in business is not making money, it’s creating a positive impact on others." – Idan Shpizear


Key Timestamps:

[00:00] Trailer & Introduction to Idan Shpizear

[03:17] Growing up in Israel and the lessons learned from farming

[06:45] The immigrant journey and moving to the U.S.

[10:20] Starting out in the carpet cleaning business

[14:30] Discovering the restoration industry and the first big opportunity

[17:45] Transitioning from small business to scaling nationwide

[21:10] Spiritual awakening and how it shaped leadership style

[24:00] The role of curiosity in business growth

[27:30] Accountability and supporting team evolution

[30:45] Shifting perspective: How internal growth leads to external success

[34:20] Building a business with human connection at the core

[40:00] The importance of letting go of limiting beliefs

[45:00] Practical leadership advice for today’s entrepreneurs

[50:00] Closing thoughts: Reinventing from the inside out


FOLLOW OUR GUEST IDAN SHPIZEAR ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/911restoration/

Website: https://www.911restoration.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idanshpizear/?hl=en


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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




]]>In this powerful episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick Podcast, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Idan Shpizear, Founder of 911 Restoration - The Fresh Start Company and Milestone SEO. Idan shares his remarkable journey from a small farm in Israel to immigrating to the U.S. with nothing but a thousand dollars and a dream. From humble beginnings to building a nationwide business, Idan emphasizes the importance of hard work, reinvention, and spiritual growth.

Idan discusses how he combined grit and curiosity to build 911 Restoration, offering insights into entrepreneurship, leadership, and how spiritual awareness shifted his leadership style. He highlights the importance of mindset, authenticity, and understanding your inner world to create lasting change in business and life.

Key Takeaways:

Hard Work + Curiosity = Success: Idan’s journey from a farm in Israel to building a nationwide business shows how hard work and a willingness to learn new things can lead to massive success.

Spiritual Awakening: The realization that true success comes from inner growth, not just external achievements.

Human-to-Human Business: Idan’s philosophy of putting people first, whether clients or employees, creates a business built on trust, connection, and value.

The Power of Accountability: Effective leadership includes holding yourself and your team accountable, fostering growth and success.

Reinvention from Within: Inner awareness and shifting personal patterns are crucial for business and personal transformation.


Noteworthy Quotes:

"You are not who you think you are. You are much more than that." – Idan Shpizear

"When you change internally, your external reality shifts." – Idan Shpizear

"True leadership is about serving others, helping them grow, and guiding them to their fullest potential." – Idan Shpizear

"Everything I have done has been happening for me, not to me." – Idan Shpizear

"The most important thing in business is not making money, it’s creating a positive impact on others." – Idan Shpizear


Key Timestamps:

[00:00] Trailer & Introduction to Idan Shpizear

[03:17] Growing up in Israel and the lessons learned from farming

[06:45] The immigrant journey and moving to the U.S.

[10:20] Starting out in the carpet cleaning business

[14:30] Discovering the restoration industry and the first big opportunity

[17:45] Transitioning from small business to scaling nationwide

[21:10] Spiritual awakening and how it shaped leadership style

[24:00] The role of curiosity in business growth

[27:30] Accountability and supporting team evolution

[30:45] Shifting perspective: How internal growth leads to external success

[34:20] Building a business with human connection at the core

[40:00] The importance of letting go of limiting beliefs

[45:00] Practical leadership advice for today’s entrepreneurs

[50:00] Closing thoughts: Reinventing from the inside out


FOLLOW OUR GUEST IDAN SHPIZEAR ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/911restoration/

Website: https://www.911restoration.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idanshpizear/?hl=en


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON:

website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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




]]>e3729a95-e578-46b3-84ff-96d272a9f4f4Wed, 02 Jul 2025 02:00:00 -070001:13:56falsefull111111The Hidden Skill That Turns Vision Into Real Change with Jonah BurlingameThe Hidden Skill That Turns Vision Into Real Change with Jonah BurlingameIn this episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Jonah Burlingame, the Founder and Design Strategist at mind-arc, a strategy and innovation firm. Jonah, a strategist, painter, and AI innovator, blends storytelling, creativity, and systems thinking to help businesses develop strategic clarity and momentum. He shares his journey from a creative artist to a business strategist, highlighting how he combines artistry with business to create impactful solutions. Jonah discusses the intersection of creativity, strategy, and AI, and how his work continues to evolve to meet the demands of the modern business landscape.

Key Takeaways:

Creativity in Strategy: Jonah blends art and business strategy to drive innovation and clarity in processes.

Multifaceted Leadership: Embrace diverse passions to bring fresh perspectives and solutions to leadership.

Collaboration and Connection: Like a band, collaboration sparks creativity, where all strengths align toward a common goal.

AI and Creativity: AI tools can boost creativity and efficiency, but human connection and critical thinking remain essential.

Storytelling for Change: Leaders must present strategies as stories to make complex concepts relatable and actionable.


Noteworthy Quotes:

"The real magic happens when you collaborate, when two or more people come together to create something new." – Jonah Burlingame

"Creativity is not just about the answers, but also about sitting with the unknown and interrogating it." – Jonah Burlingame

"The role of a leader is to bridge the gap between vision and execution, telling a story that resonates with everyone involved." – Jonah Burlingame

"AI is a tool, but it’s our responsibility to ensure it’s used in a way that benefits humanity and doesn’t leave people behind." – Jonah Burlingame


Key Timestamps:

[00:00] Trailer & Introduction of Guest - Jonah Burlingame

[03:02] Blending Art with Business

[04:25] The Power of Collaboration

[06:35] Multifaceted Approach to Leadership

[09:40] AI’s Role in Creativity

[13:45] Handling Resistance to Change

[17:26] The Pace of AI Change

[21:26] Strategy as Storytelling

[29:18] Turning Strategy into Action

[33:47] Common Missteps in Strategy

[39:01] Adapting Roadmaps for Change

[45:24] Simplifying Leadership Vision

[50:10] Balancing Innovation & Execution

[54:27] Creativity in Business

[59:42] Final Thoughts on AI & Creativity


FOLLOW OUR GUEST JONAH BURLINGAME ON:

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

Website: https://www.mind-arc.com/

“AI for the C-Suite: Practical tools and tips for leaders” Registration link: https://www.mind-arc.com/webinar-ai-for-execs/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonah_burlingame_art?igsh=MWg0aGtiaG5idGpwMQ==


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>In this episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Jonah Burlingame, the Founder and Design Strategist at mind-arc, a strategy and innovation firm. Jonah, a strategist, painter, and AI innovator, blends storytelling, creativity, and systems thinking to help businesses develop strategic clarity and momentum. He shares his journey from a creative artist to a business strategist, highlighting how he combines artistry with business to create impactful solutions. Jonah discusses the intersection of creativity, strategy, and AI, and how his work continues to evolve to meet the demands of the modern business landscape.

Key Takeaways:

Creativity in Strategy: Jonah blends art and business strategy to drive innovation and clarity in processes.

Multifaceted Leadership: Embrace diverse passions to bring fresh perspectives and solutions to leadership.

Collaboration and Connection: Like a band, collaboration sparks creativity, where all strengths align toward a common goal.

AI and Creativity: AI tools can boost creativity and efficiency, but human connection and critical thinking remain essential.

Storytelling for Change: Leaders must present strategies as stories to make complex concepts relatable and actionable.


Noteworthy Quotes:

"The real magic happens when you collaborate, when two or more people come together to create something new." – Jonah Burlingame

"Creativity is not just about the answers, but also about sitting with the unknown and interrogating it." – Jonah Burlingame

"The role of a leader is to bridge the gap between vision and execution, telling a story that resonates with everyone involved." – Jonah Burlingame

"AI is a tool, but it’s our responsibility to ensure it’s used in a way that benefits humanity and doesn’t leave people behind." – Jonah Burlingame


Key Timestamps:

[00:00] Trailer & Introduction of Guest - Jonah Burlingame

[03:02] Blending Art with Business

[04:25] The Power of Collaboration

[06:35] Multifaceted Approach to Leadership

[09:40] AI’s Role in Creativity

[13:45] Handling Resistance to Change

[17:26] The Pace of AI Change

[21:26] Strategy as Storytelling

[29:18] Turning Strategy into Action

[33:47] Common Missteps in Strategy

[39:01] Adapting Roadmaps for Change

[45:24] Simplifying Leadership Vision

[50:10] Balancing Innovation & Execution

[54:27] Creativity in Business

[59:42] Final Thoughts on AI & Creativity


FOLLOW OUR GUEST JONAH BURLINGAME ON:

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

Website: https://www.mind-arc.com/

“AI for the C-Suite: Practical tools and tips for leaders” Registration link: https://www.mind-arc.com/webinar-ai-for-execs/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonah_burlingame_art?igsh=MWg0aGtiaG5idGpwMQ==


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>87b3c1c2-0f74-432d-9840-dcb3d40298b7Wed, 25 Jun 2025 02:00:00 -070001:04:34falsefull110101My Illness Wasn’t Physical It Was Emotional with Azi Mohammadian, M.A., RCCMy Illness Wasn’t Physical It Was Emotional with Azi Mohammadian, M.A., RCC In this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Azi Mohammadian, M.A., RCC, Registered Clinical Counsellor and the Founder & Director of Clinical Services at Azi Counselling & Associates. Azi shares her powerful personal story of transformation from growing up in Iran and navigating cultural stigma around mental health to immigrating to Canada and becoming a therapist. Azi opens up about her journey through trauma, divorce, chronic illness, and self-discovery, offering listeners deep insights into emotional healing, resilience, and the power of therapy.

Through candid storytelling, Azi sheds light on the challenges of building a new life, unpacking childhood wounds, and learning to set boundaries all while helping others do the same. Her vulnerability and honesty provide inspiration for anyone looking to heal, grow, and find purpose through adversity.

Key Takeaways:

Therapy Begins Within: Azi’s healing journey started with a single counselling session that changed her perspective forever.

Trauma & the Body: Chronic illness can be the body’s way of expressing unhealed trauma.

Boundaries Are Healing: Setting boundaries with family and relationships is vital to mental and physical wellness.

Attachment & Identity: Exploring attachment styles helped Azi understand her emotional responses and rebuild healthy connections.

From Client to Clinician: Azi’s experiences shaped her unique, deeply empathic approach to therapy.


Noteworthy Quotes:

“She planted the seed. I didn’t know it at the time, but that one therapy session changed my life.” – Azi Mohammadian

“Sometimes your body says no longer before your mind does.” – Azi Mohammadian

“Healing isn’t linear, it’s layers. Each one takes you deeper into yourself.” – Azi Mohammadian

“You have to outgrow your therapist sometimes. That’s part of the healing process too.” – Azi Mohammadian


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Trailer and Introduction to Azi Mohammadian - Guest 

[00:05:30] Azi’s First Therapy Experience in Iran

[00:13:15] Immigrating to Canada & Building a New Life

[00:23:00] Starting Therapy Training & Facing Marital Challenges

[00:29:15] Becoming a Therapist While Healing Herself

[00:40:00] Transitioning to Private Practice

[00:46:00] Outgrowing a Therapist and Digging Deeper

[00:52:05] Processing Trauma & Uncovering Repressed Memories

[01:00:08] Diagnosed with MS, The Body Keeps the Score

[01:08:00] Discovering Gabor Maté & Trauma-Informed Practice

[01:29:04] Exploring Plant-Assisted Therapy in Client Work: Ensuring Proper Training and Preparation


FOLLOW OUR GUEST AZI MOHAMMADIAN ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azi-mohammadian-she-her-hers-m-a-rcc-1006a894/-a-rcc-1006a894/

Website: https://azicounselling.com/

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


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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


]]> In this episode of Built for This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Azi Mohammadian, M.A., RCC, Registered Clinical Counsellor and the Founder & Director of Clinical Services at Azi Counselling & Associates. Azi shares her powerful personal story of transformation from growing up in Iran and navigating cultural stigma around mental health to immigrating to Canada and becoming a therapist. Azi opens up about her journey through trauma, divorce, chronic illness, and self-discovery, offering listeners deep insights into emotional healing, resilience, and the power of therapy.

Through candid storytelling, Azi sheds light on the challenges of building a new life, unpacking childhood wounds, and learning to set boundaries all while helping others do the same. Her vulnerability and honesty provide inspiration for anyone looking to heal, grow, and find purpose through adversity.

Key Takeaways:

Therapy Begins Within: Azi’s healing journey started with a single counselling session that changed her perspective forever.

Trauma & the Body: Chronic illness can be the body’s way of expressing unhealed trauma.

Boundaries Are Healing: Setting boundaries with family and relationships is vital to mental and physical wellness.

Attachment & Identity: Exploring attachment styles helped Azi understand her emotional responses and rebuild healthy connections.

From Client to Clinician: Azi’s experiences shaped her unique, deeply empathic approach to therapy.


Noteworthy Quotes:

“She planted the seed. I didn’t know it at the time, but that one therapy session changed my life.” – Azi Mohammadian

“Sometimes your body says no longer before your mind does.” – Azi Mohammadian

“Healing isn’t linear, it’s layers. Each one takes you deeper into yourself.” – Azi Mohammadian

“You have to outgrow your therapist sometimes. That’s part of the healing process too.” – Azi Mohammadian


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Trailer and Introduction to Azi Mohammadian - Guest 

[00:05:30] Azi’s First Therapy Experience in Iran

[00:13:15] Immigrating to Canada & Building a New Life

[00:23:00] Starting Therapy Training & Facing Marital Challenges

[00:29:15] Becoming a Therapist While Healing Herself

[00:40:00] Transitioning to Private Practice

[00:46:00] Outgrowing a Therapist and Digging Deeper

[00:52:05] Processing Trauma & Uncovering Repressed Memories

[01:00:08] Diagnosed with MS, The Body Keeps the Score

[01:08:00] Discovering Gabor Maté & Trauma-Informed Practice

[01:29:04] Exploring Plant-Assisted Therapy in Client Work: Ensuring Proper Training and Preparation


FOLLOW OUR GUEST AZI MOHAMMADIAN ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azi-mohammadian-she-her-hers-m-a-rcc-1006a894/-a-rcc-1006a894/

Website: https://azicounselling.com/

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


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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


]]>f1800026-fd40-4566-86b2-eda3bd3b128eWed, 11 Jun 2025 02:00:00 -070001:44:34falsefull1991He Proved Inclusion Is Not About Diversity but Performance and Profit with Paolo GaudianoHe Proved Inclusion Is Not About Diversity but Performance and Profit with Paolo GaudianoIn this episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Paolo Gaudiano, the Founder and Chief Scientist at Aleria and author of Measuring Inclusion. Paolo, an aerospace engineer turned DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) expert, shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. He discusses how his background in aerospace engineering and neuroscience helped shape his approach to diversity and inclusion, using a data-driven model to tackle DEI issues in the workplace. Through his work, Paolo is helping companies shift from traditional DEI practices to more quantitative and actionable methods. In this episode, we explore his unique perspective on measuring inclusion, improving organizational behavior, and fostering a more inclusive, performance-driven workplace.

Key Takeaways:

Diversity vs. Inclusion: Focus on how individuals are treated based on identity traits, not just diversity metrics.

Quantitative DEI: Use data-driven tools to gain insights into employee experiences and improve inclusion.

Meritocracy & Inclusion: Recognize flaws in meritocracy and focus on fair employee evaluations beyond surface-level metrics.

Impact on Business: Diversity and inclusion enhance business performance, satisfaction, and retention.

AI & Simulation: Leverage AI to predict and measure the impact of diversity initiatives on organizational performance.


Noteworthy Quotes:

“The problem is not diversity alone; it’s understanding the day-to-day experiences of employees and how they are impacted by their identity traits.” – Paolo Gaudiano

“Meritocracy without measurement is just an ideology.” – Paolo Gaudiano

“Inclusion is invisible. We often don’t notice when things are going well, but exclusion is very visible and damaging.” – Paolo Gaudiano

“Organizations often fail to realize that their most valuable asset—human capital is being undermined by exclusion.” – Paolo Gaudiano


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Trailer & Introduction to Paolo Gaudiano

[00:01:11] Paolo’s Background: From Aerospace Engineering to DEI

[00:05:17] The Role of Analytics in Measuring Inclusion

[00:10:03] The Problems with Traditional DEI Metrics

[00:13:50] How Inclusion Affects Company Performance and Retention

[00:19:20] Understanding the Impact of Diversity on Employee Satisfaction

[00:24:00] AI and Simulations in DEI Work

[00:28:45] Why Traditional Meritocracy is Not the Solution

[00:33:12] Creating a More Inclusive and Performance-Oriented Workplace

[00:40:20] What Leaders Need to Understand About DEI

[01:13:30] Paolo’s Vision for the Future of DEI and Workplace Inclusion


FOLLOW OUR GUEST PAOLO GAUDIANO ON:

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

Website: https://www.aleria.tech/paolo-gaudiano

Book: measuringinclusion.com/book 

TED talks: go.ted.com/paologaudiano

bit.ly/PGAUDIANO-TEDx 

Annual D&I Research Conference: https://dirc.info/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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


]]>In this episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Paolo Gaudiano, the Founder and Chief Scientist at Aleria and author of Measuring Inclusion. Paolo, an aerospace engineer turned DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) expert, shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. He discusses how his background in aerospace engineering and neuroscience helped shape his approach to diversity and inclusion, using a data-driven model to tackle DEI issues in the workplace. Through his work, Paolo is helping companies shift from traditional DEI practices to more quantitative and actionable methods. In this episode, we explore his unique perspective on measuring inclusion, improving organizational behavior, and fostering a more inclusive, performance-driven workplace.

Key Takeaways:

Diversity vs. Inclusion: Focus on how individuals are treated based on identity traits, not just diversity metrics.

Quantitative DEI: Use data-driven tools to gain insights into employee experiences and improve inclusion.

Meritocracy & Inclusion: Recognize flaws in meritocracy and focus on fair employee evaluations beyond surface-level metrics.

Impact on Business: Diversity and inclusion enhance business performance, satisfaction, and retention.

AI & Simulation: Leverage AI to predict and measure the impact of diversity initiatives on organizational performance.


Noteworthy Quotes:

“The problem is not diversity alone; it’s understanding the day-to-day experiences of employees and how they are impacted by their identity traits.” – Paolo Gaudiano

“Meritocracy without measurement is just an ideology.” – Paolo Gaudiano

“Inclusion is invisible. We often don’t notice when things are going well, but exclusion is very visible and damaging.” – Paolo Gaudiano

“Organizations often fail to realize that their most valuable asset—human capital is being undermined by exclusion.” – Paolo Gaudiano


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Trailer & Introduction to Paolo Gaudiano

[00:01:11] Paolo’s Background: From Aerospace Engineering to DEI

[00:05:17] The Role of Analytics in Measuring Inclusion

[00:10:03] The Problems with Traditional DEI Metrics

[00:13:50] How Inclusion Affects Company Performance and Retention

[00:19:20] Understanding the Impact of Diversity on Employee Satisfaction

[00:24:00] AI and Simulations in DEI Work

[00:28:45] Why Traditional Meritocracy is Not the Solution

[00:33:12] Creating a More Inclusive and Performance-Oriented Workplace

[00:40:20] What Leaders Need to Understand About DEI

[01:13:30] Paolo’s Vision for the Future of DEI and Workplace Inclusion


FOLLOW OUR GUEST PAOLO GAUDIANO ON:

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

Website: https://www.aleria.tech/paolo-gaudiano

Book: measuringinclusion.com/book 

TED talks: go.ted.com/paologaudiano

bit.ly/PGAUDIANO-TEDx 

Annual D&I Research Conference: https://dirc.info/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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


]]>3b33ffc0-3d4c-4c6c-b963-9dd15b4d71dcWed, 04 Jun 2025 02:00:00 -070001:20:17falsefull1881I Lost My Mom, My Identity and My Way Until Breathwork Brought Me Back - Kyla GagnonI Lost My Mom, My Identity and My Way Until Breathwork Brought Me Back - Kyla Gagnon In this episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Kyla Gagnon, Magnum Athlete at Magnum Nutraceuticals, a breathwork facilitator, empowerment coach for women in Victoria BC and host of the Reclaimed Podcast. Kyla takes us through her transformative journey from personal trainer to a successful coach guiding others, particularly women, in reclaiming their power through breathwork and somatic practices. She shares her deep thoughts about how these practices can help reconnect with the body, release emotions, and tap into inner strength.

She opens up about the healing power of breathwork, her path to discovering it, and how it led her to shut down her fitness business and start anew. This episode offers powerful insights for anyone seeking to break free from societal expectations and reconnect with their true selves.

Key Takeaways:

Breathwork as Transformation: Kyla shares how breathwork helped her release long-held emotional trauma and reconnect with herself.

The Power of Curiosity: Emphasizing how curiosity is a driving force for change and growth in both personal and professional life.

Body Awareness and Healing: Kyla’s journey to connect more deeply with her body, learning to listen to and honor its wisdom.

Creating Safe Spaces: How breathwork and vulnerability come together to create healing spaces for others, especially in group sessions.

The Importance of Self-Discovery: Kyla emphasizes the significance of solitude and reflection to reconnect with your inner power.

Radical Self-Love: The importance of living authentically and choosing a path that resonates with your core values, even if it means challenging societal norms.


Noteworthy Quotes:

“If you’ve got that curiosity, just take the first small step. It won’t happen if it stays in your head.” – Kyla Gagnon

“Everyone can be an entrepreneur; you just have to start small and keep going.” – Kyla Gagnon

“Breathwork is not just about the breath, it's about the release, the surrender, and the emotional liberation that comes with it.” – Kyla Gagnon

“A woman in her power is not like ‘I’m boss,’ it’s grounded, open-hearted energy that draws people in.” – Kyla Gagnon

“You are the healer in your own life. The space I create is just for you to reconnect with your body’s wisdom.” – Kyla Gagnon


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] – Trailer & Introduction to Kyla Gagnon and her story

[00:02:13] – Kyla’s journey from fitness to breathwork and empowerment coaching

[00:06:00] – Overcoming the emotional toll of fitness competitions and societal expectations

[00:10:30] – Discovering breathwork and its transformative impact on her life

[00:14:40] – The power of curiosity and taking the first step towards personal change

[00:22:30] – Breathwork as a tool for releasing trauma and reconnecting with self

[00:30:50] – The role of community in healing and the power of group breathwork

[00:36:30] – Breathwork as a means of reclaiming personal power and emotional healing

[00:44:49] – Kyla’s upcoming projects: Breathwork teacher training and masterclass series

[00:55:55] – Advice for those feeling disconnected from their inner power and the importance of solitude


FOLLOW OUR GUEST KYLA GAGNON ON:

LinkedIn 1: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyla-gagnon-b019103b/

LinkedIn 2:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyla-gagnon-34962321a/

Website: https://www.kylagagnon.com/

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

(Join Kyla’s REBIRTH Masterclass happening all June inside her breathwork membership! 

Sign up at https://www.kylagagnon.com/the-rebirth and use code BUILTFORTHIS for 15% off.)


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

 Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]> In this episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Kyla Gagnon, Magnum Athlete at Magnum Nutraceuticals, a breathwork facilitator, empowerment coach for women in Victoria BC and host of the Reclaimed Podcast. Kyla takes us through her transformative journey from personal trainer to a successful coach guiding others, particularly women, in reclaiming their power through breathwork and somatic practices. She shares her deep thoughts about how these practices can help reconnect with the body, release emotions, and tap into inner strength.

She opens up about the healing power of breathwork, her path to discovering it, and how it led her to shut down her fitness business and start anew. This episode offers powerful insights for anyone seeking to break free from societal expectations and reconnect with their true selves.

Key Takeaways:

Breathwork as Transformation: Kyla shares how breathwork helped her release long-held emotional trauma and reconnect with herself.

The Power of Curiosity: Emphasizing how curiosity is a driving force for change and growth in both personal and professional life.

Body Awareness and Healing: Kyla’s journey to connect more deeply with her body, learning to listen to and honor its wisdom.

Creating Safe Spaces: How breathwork and vulnerability come together to create healing spaces for others, especially in group sessions.

The Importance of Self-Discovery: Kyla emphasizes the significance of solitude and reflection to reconnect with your inner power.

Radical Self-Love: The importance of living authentically and choosing a path that resonates with your core values, even if it means challenging societal norms.


Noteworthy Quotes:

“If you’ve got that curiosity, just take the first small step. It won’t happen if it stays in your head.” – Kyla Gagnon

“Everyone can be an entrepreneur; you just have to start small and keep going.” – Kyla Gagnon

“Breathwork is not just about the breath, it's about the release, the surrender, and the emotional liberation that comes with it.” – Kyla Gagnon

“A woman in her power is not like ‘I’m boss,’ it’s grounded, open-hearted energy that draws people in.” – Kyla Gagnon

“You are the healer in your own life. The space I create is just for you to reconnect with your body’s wisdom.” – Kyla Gagnon


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] – Trailer & Introduction to Kyla Gagnon and her story

[00:02:13] – Kyla’s journey from fitness to breathwork and empowerment coaching

[00:06:00] – Overcoming the emotional toll of fitness competitions and societal expectations

[00:10:30] – Discovering breathwork and its transformative impact on her life

[00:14:40] – The power of curiosity and taking the first step towards personal change

[00:22:30] – Breathwork as a tool for releasing trauma and reconnecting with self

[00:30:50] – The role of community in healing and the power of group breathwork

[00:36:30] – Breathwork as a means of reclaiming personal power and emotional healing

[00:44:49] – Kyla’s upcoming projects: Breathwork teacher training and masterclass series

[00:55:55] – Advice for those feeling disconnected from their inner power and the importance of solitude


FOLLOW OUR GUEST KYLA GAGNON ON:

LinkedIn 1: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyla-gagnon-b019103b/

LinkedIn 2:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyla-gagnon-34962321a/

Website: https://www.kylagagnon.com/

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

(Join Kyla’s REBIRTH Masterclass happening all June inside her breathwork membership! 

Sign up at https://www.kylagagnon.com/the-rebirth and use code BUILTFORTHIS for 15% off.)


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

 Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>7b71724e-aad3-443b-a6fb-b986fc296db5Wed, 21 May 2025 02:00:00 -070001:05:53falsefull1771From Cultural Expectations to Creative Freedom – She Finally Chose Herself with Van Lai-DuMoneFrom Cultural Expectations to Creative Freedom – She Finally Chose Herself with Van Lai-DuMoneIn this inspiring episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk interviews Van Lai-DuMone, the Founder and CEO at worksmart Advantage and author of "What if Pigs Can Fly?”. Van, a Vietnamese refugee, shares her remarkable journey from fleeing Saigon at the fall of Vietnam to becoming an entrepreneurial force in leadership training. With her deep passion for creativity and curiosity, she discusses how her upbringing shaped her entrepreneurial journey, how her family’s resilience empowered her, and how she is now revolutionizing the workplace with creative problem-solving.

Van’s story is a testament to overcoming adversity, whether it’s navigating a new life in America or shifting from a corporate career to founding her own company. In this episode, she opens up about her experiences, including starting a ballet bar studio, launching her digital creative toolbox, and her vision of bringing creativity to corporate leadership. This episode will inspire anyone feeling stuck or uncertain about their path, urging them to take that first step toward pursuing what excites them.

Key Takeaways

Refugee to Entrepreneur: Van shares how her immigrant experience taught her resilience and work ethic.

The Power of Curiosity: How creativity and curiosity have shaped her leadership philosophy.

The Importance of Resilience: Learning from the adversity her family faced and how it inspired her to keep going.

Creative Leadership: Why Van believes creative problem-solving is essential in the workplace.

Entrepreneurship Journey: The lessons from starting and growing her own business, Work Smart Advantage.

Digital Toolbox: Van’s new creative problem-solving toolbox, launching soon, is designed to help leaders and facilitators bring creativity into their organizations.


Noteworthy Quotes

"The idea of living on a farm has always been in my head. It’s my ‘what if’ curiosity." – Van Lai-DuMone

"If you’ve got that curiosity, just take the first small step. It won’t happen if it stays in your head." – Van Lai-DuMone

"I want to be that person who helps bring creativity and play into the workplace to solve problems." – Van Lai-DuMone

"Everyone can be an entrepreneur; you just have to start small and keep going." – Van Lai-DuMone


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Trailer & Introduction to Van Lai-DuMone and her journey

[00:02:22] Growing up as a Vietnamese refugee and the early lessons in work ethic

[00:07:14] The cultural shift and struggles of her parents in America

[00:11:00] How Van found her career path through various trials and pivots

[00:22:00] Starting her digital creative problem-solving toolbox

[00:28:50] Overcoming personal challenges and the role of resilience

[00:37:04] The story behind her passion for animals and the dream of a farm

[00:35:33] The Journey to Writing "What If Pigs Can Fly" and Following Curiosity

[00:41:33] The Vision of "What If Pigs Can Fly" Farm and Mini Animals

[00:52:27] Van’s future plans and vision for creativity in leadership

[01:00:13] Advice to somebody who is hesitant to pursue their curiosity


FOLLOW OUR GUEST VAN LAI-DUMONE ON:

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

Website: https://www.worksmartadvantage.com/ 

Book: https://a.co/d/8t2JNQ5


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>In this inspiring episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk interviews Van Lai-DuMone, the Founder and CEO at worksmart Advantage and author of "What if Pigs Can Fly?”. Van, a Vietnamese refugee, shares her remarkable journey from fleeing Saigon at the fall of Vietnam to becoming an entrepreneurial force in leadership training. With her deep passion for creativity and curiosity, she discusses how her upbringing shaped her entrepreneurial journey, how her family’s resilience empowered her, and how she is now revolutionizing the workplace with creative problem-solving.

Van’s story is a testament to overcoming adversity, whether it’s navigating a new life in America or shifting from a corporate career to founding her own company. In this episode, she opens up about her experiences, including starting a ballet bar studio, launching her digital creative toolbox, and her vision of bringing creativity to corporate leadership. This episode will inspire anyone feeling stuck or uncertain about their path, urging them to take that first step toward pursuing what excites them.

Key Takeaways

Refugee to Entrepreneur: Van shares how her immigrant experience taught her resilience and work ethic.

The Power of Curiosity: How creativity and curiosity have shaped her leadership philosophy.

The Importance of Resilience: Learning from the adversity her family faced and how it inspired her to keep going.

Creative Leadership: Why Van believes creative problem-solving is essential in the workplace.

Entrepreneurship Journey: The lessons from starting and growing her own business, Work Smart Advantage.

Digital Toolbox: Van’s new creative problem-solving toolbox, launching soon, is designed to help leaders and facilitators bring creativity into their organizations.


Noteworthy Quotes

"The idea of living on a farm has always been in my head. It’s my ‘what if’ curiosity." – Van Lai-DuMone

"If you’ve got that curiosity, just take the first small step. It won’t happen if it stays in your head." – Van Lai-DuMone

"I want to be that person who helps bring creativity and play into the workplace to solve problems." – Van Lai-DuMone

"Everyone can be an entrepreneur; you just have to start small and keep going." – Van Lai-DuMone


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Trailer & Introduction to Van Lai-DuMone and her journey

[00:02:22] Growing up as a Vietnamese refugee and the early lessons in work ethic

[00:07:14] The cultural shift and struggles of her parents in America

[00:11:00] How Van found her career path through various trials and pivots

[00:22:00] Starting her digital creative problem-solving toolbox

[00:28:50] Overcoming personal challenges and the role of resilience

[00:37:04] The story behind her passion for animals and the dream of a farm

[00:35:33] The Journey to Writing "What If Pigs Can Fly" and Following Curiosity

[00:41:33] The Vision of "What If Pigs Can Fly" Farm and Mini Animals

[00:52:27] Van’s future plans and vision for creativity in leadership

[01:00:13] Advice to somebody who is hesitant to pursue their curiosity


FOLLOW OUR GUEST VAN LAI-DUMONE ON:

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

Website: https://www.worksmartadvantage.com/ 

Book: https://a.co/d/8t2JNQ5


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>abc8e59c-10e2-43b4-815d-509a2af11302Wed, 14 May 2025 02:00:00 -070001:02:51falsefull1661How Losing His Hockey Dream Helped Ilan Cumberbirch Rebuild His Identity and Build Yard AthleticsHow Losing His Hockey Dream Helped Ilan Cumberbirch Rebuild His Identity and Build Yard AthleticsIn this episode of the Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Ilan Cumberbirch, Founder & Owner of Yard Athletics. Ilan takes listeners through his journey from growing up in Vancouver to becoming a professional athlete and ultimately transitioning into entrepreneurship.

He shares his experiences in the world of sports, the lessons he learned from his athletic career, and how they shaped his approach to building a successful business. Ilan also shares the challenges he faced while founding Yard Athletics and how he strives to create a training environment that is accessible to all, from elite athletes to everyday individuals. This episode highlights the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and building a culture of respect and growth within a business.


Key Takeaways

From Athlete to Entrepreneur: Ilan’s journey from hockey player to fitness entrepreneur, learning valuable lessons along the way.

The Importance of Diverse Sports Experience: How playing multiple sports at a young age shaped Ilan’s approach to fitness and business.

Building a Training Facility: The challenges and rewards of transitioning from renting space to owning and running your own facility.

Creating a Strong Business Ethos: Ilan’s approach to building Yard Athletics with a focus on strength training, proper movement patterns, and inclusivity for all fitness levels.

Adapting to Change and Overcoming Challenges: Insights into dealing with adversity and using setbacks as motivation for growth.

The Power of Teamwork and Community: How teamwork in both sports and business contributes to the success of Yard Athletics.

Entrepreneurial Lessons: The importance of persistence and learning from mistakes while navigating the entrepreneurial journey.


Noteworthy Quotes

“The longer you stay in it, the bigger the reward at the end.” – Ilan Cumberbirch

“You’re not paying the coach for the session, you’re paying for the years of knowledge behind that moment.” – Ilan Cumberbirch

“If you can’t skate, you can’t play hockey.” – Ilan Cumberbirch

“The longer you can stay in the game, the bigger the reward at the end.” – Ilan Cumberbirch


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Trailer & Introduction to Ilan Cumberbirch and Yard Athletics

[00:01:50] Growing Up in Vancouver and Getting Into Sports

[00:06:38] Transitioning from Hockey to Entrepreneurship

[00:10:15] The Challenges of Starting Yard Athletics

[00:18:30] Finding the Right Space for Yard Athletics

[00:25:00] Creating a Strong Business Culture and Ethos

[00:28:00] Building a Community: The Value of Inclusivity in Training

[00:36:00] The Entrepreneurial Journey: Learning from Mistakes and Moving Forward

[00:45:00] Ilan discusses their onboarding process for new trainers.

[01:08:30] Ilan discusses the motivation to train and the role of his son.

[01:12:30] Ilan shares his thoughts on building a real body versus chasing aesthetics

[01:17:00] Jenna asks about squats and muscle growth.

[01:26:00] Ilan talks about the possibility of working with top athletes or teams.

[01:28:43] what “built for this” means to Ilan

[01:31:12] Ilan shares the details about the Yard Athletics giveaway.


FOLLOW OUR GUEST ILAN CUMBERBIRCH ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilan-cumberbirch-58135966/

Website: https://yardathletics.ca/ 

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ilancumberbirch/?hl=en 

E-Book: https://yardathletics.myflodesk.com/lessons 


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>In this episode of the Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk speaks with Ilan Cumberbirch, Founder & Owner of Yard Athletics. Ilan takes listeners through his journey from growing up in Vancouver to becoming a professional athlete and ultimately transitioning into entrepreneurship.

He shares his experiences in the world of sports, the lessons he learned from his athletic career, and how they shaped his approach to building a successful business. Ilan also shares the challenges he faced while founding Yard Athletics and how he strives to create a training environment that is accessible to all, from elite athletes to everyday individuals. This episode highlights the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and building a culture of respect and growth within a business.


Key Takeaways

From Athlete to Entrepreneur: Ilan’s journey from hockey player to fitness entrepreneur, learning valuable lessons along the way.

The Importance of Diverse Sports Experience: How playing multiple sports at a young age shaped Ilan’s approach to fitness and business.

Building a Training Facility: The challenges and rewards of transitioning from renting space to owning and running your own facility.

Creating a Strong Business Ethos: Ilan’s approach to building Yard Athletics with a focus on strength training, proper movement patterns, and inclusivity for all fitness levels.

Adapting to Change and Overcoming Challenges: Insights into dealing with adversity and using setbacks as motivation for growth.

The Power of Teamwork and Community: How teamwork in both sports and business contributes to the success of Yard Athletics.

Entrepreneurial Lessons: The importance of persistence and learning from mistakes while navigating the entrepreneurial journey.


Noteworthy Quotes

“The longer you stay in it, the bigger the reward at the end.” – Ilan Cumberbirch

“You’re not paying the coach for the session, you’re paying for the years of knowledge behind that moment.” – Ilan Cumberbirch

“If you can’t skate, you can’t play hockey.” – Ilan Cumberbirch

“The longer you can stay in the game, the bigger the reward at the end.” – Ilan Cumberbirch


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Trailer & Introduction to Ilan Cumberbirch and Yard Athletics

[00:01:50] Growing Up in Vancouver and Getting Into Sports

[00:06:38] Transitioning from Hockey to Entrepreneurship

[00:10:15] The Challenges of Starting Yard Athletics

[00:18:30] Finding the Right Space for Yard Athletics

[00:25:00] Creating a Strong Business Culture and Ethos

[00:28:00] Building a Community: The Value of Inclusivity in Training

[00:36:00] The Entrepreneurial Journey: Learning from Mistakes and Moving Forward

[00:45:00] Ilan discusses their onboarding process for new trainers.

[01:08:30] Ilan discusses the motivation to train and the role of his son.

[01:12:30] Ilan shares his thoughts on building a real body versus chasing aesthetics

[01:17:00] Jenna asks about squats and muscle growth.

[01:26:00] Ilan talks about the possibility of working with top athletes or teams.

[01:28:43] what “built for this” means to Ilan

[01:31:12] Ilan shares the details about the Yard Athletics giveaway.


FOLLOW OUR GUEST ILAN CUMBERBIRCH ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilan-cumberbirch-58135966/

Website: https://yardathletics.ca/ 

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ilancumberbirch/?hl=en 

E-Book: https://yardathletics.myflodesk.com/lessons 


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>661ea01e-cdfa-4d58-bacb-5e674fd2345bWed, 07 May 2025 02:00:00 -070001:32:55falsefull1551Resilience Under Pressure: The Mindset of a Special Forces Entrepreneur - Dean StottResilience Under Pressure: The Mindset of a Special Forces Entrepreneur - Dean StottIn this gripping episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk interviews Dean Stott MBE, Global Security Director, speaker, expedition leader, a former UK Special Forces operator and world-record-holding endurance athlete. Dean takes listeners through his remarkable journey, from growing up in a military family to becoming a high-level Special Forces operator and transitioning into the world of entrepreneurship.

He shares his powerful story of perseverance, overcoming physical and mental challenges, and how he transformed his unique skill set into a thriving security business. Dean also discusses his experience with global evacuations, working in high-risk environments, and how his military training shaped his entrepreneurial mindset. This episode highlights the importance of resilience, adaptability, and continuously evolving through life’s challenges.


Key Takeaways

From Military to Entrepreneur: Dean’s journey from a Special Forces operator to a successful security consultant and entrepreneur.

The Power of Resilience: How Dean’s military background taught him to keep going, no matter the obstacles.

Mental and Physical Toughness: The importance of physical fitness and mental resilience in both military operations and entrepreneurship.

Adapting to Change: How Dean successfully transitioned from the military to civilian life, finding new purposes and projects.

Lessons in Leadership and Teamwork: Insights into how military teamwork and leadership translate into the business world.

Unique Partnerships: Dean and his wife, Alana, demonstrate a powerful partnership in both business and life.

Overcoming Adversity: Dean's recovery from a devastating injury and how it fueled his next chapter in life.


Noteworthy Quotes

“You can’t be experienced without experiences, good or bad.” – Dean Stott

“Resilience is just getting up every day regardless of what's in front of you.” – Dean Stott

“Anticipation is worse than participation.” – Dean Stott

“Teamwork is not about who's in charge, it’s about the collective effort.” – Dean Stott

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – Dean Stott


Key Timestamps

[00:00:00] Trailer & Introduction to Dean Stott & His Journey

[00:02:07] Growing Up in a Military Family & Early Challenges

[00:05:09] Transition from Childhood Struggles to Military Life

[00:09:00] Joining the Military & The Early Years

[00:13:24] Training, Special Forces, and Overcoming Obstacles

[00:18:56] The Importance of Mental Toughness in Special Forces

[00:23:14] From Military Service to Security Consultant

[00:27:20] High-Stakes Evacuations & Operations in War Zones

[00:34:00] Building a Security Business: Lessons Learned

[00:39:10] Balancing Family Life and High-Risk Work

[00:43:17] The World Record Bike Ride & The Road to Entrepreneurship

[00:47:12] The Netflix Show: Behind the Scenes of Special Forces TV

[00:51:10] Leading with Integrity in High-Risk Environments

[00:55:30] Resilience, Leadership, and Entrepreneurial Wisdom

[01:08:22] How to Reach Dean Stott & Connect with His Work


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DEAN STOTT ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-stott-mbe-24725880/

Website: https://www.deanstott.com/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email:info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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


]]>In this gripping episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk interviews Dean Stott MBE, Global Security Director, speaker, expedition leader, a former UK Special Forces operator and world-record-holding endurance athlete. Dean takes listeners through his remarkable journey, from growing up in a military family to becoming a high-level Special Forces operator and transitioning into the world of entrepreneurship.

He shares his powerful story of perseverance, overcoming physical and mental challenges, and how he transformed his unique skill set into a thriving security business. Dean also discusses his experience with global evacuations, working in high-risk environments, and how his military training shaped his entrepreneurial mindset. This episode highlights the importance of resilience, adaptability, and continuously evolving through life’s challenges.


Key Takeaways

From Military to Entrepreneur: Dean’s journey from a Special Forces operator to a successful security consultant and entrepreneur.

The Power of Resilience: How Dean’s military background taught him to keep going, no matter the obstacles.

Mental and Physical Toughness: The importance of physical fitness and mental resilience in both military operations and entrepreneurship.

Adapting to Change: How Dean successfully transitioned from the military to civilian life, finding new purposes and projects.

Lessons in Leadership and Teamwork: Insights into how military teamwork and leadership translate into the business world.

Unique Partnerships: Dean and his wife, Alana, demonstrate a powerful partnership in both business and life.

Overcoming Adversity: Dean's recovery from a devastating injury and how it fueled his next chapter in life.


Noteworthy Quotes

“You can’t be experienced without experiences, good or bad.” – Dean Stott

“Resilience is just getting up every day regardless of what's in front of you.” – Dean Stott

“Anticipation is worse than participation.” – Dean Stott

“Teamwork is not about who's in charge, it’s about the collective effort.” – Dean Stott

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – Dean Stott


Key Timestamps

[00:00:00] Trailer & Introduction to Dean Stott & His Journey

[00:02:07] Growing Up in a Military Family & Early Challenges

[00:05:09] Transition from Childhood Struggles to Military Life

[00:09:00] Joining the Military & The Early Years

[00:13:24] Training, Special Forces, and Overcoming Obstacles

[00:18:56] The Importance of Mental Toughness in Special Forces

[00:23:14] From Military Service to Security Consultant

[00:27:20] High-Stakes Evacuations & Operations in War Zones

[00:34:00] Building a Security Business: Lessons Learned

[00:39:10] Balancing Family Life and High-Risk Work

[00:43:17] The World Record Bike Ride & The Road to Entrepreneurship

[00:47:12] The Netflix Show: Behind the Scenes of Special Forces TV

[00:51:10] Leading with Integrity in High-Risk Environments

[00:55:30] Resilience, Leadership, and Entrepreneurial Wisdom

[01:08:22] How to Reach Dean Stott & Connect with His Work


FOLLOW OUR GUEST DEAN STOTT ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-stott-mbe-24725880/

Website: https://www.deanstott.com/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email:info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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


]]>5a4a2092-3243-4822-babe-240e51ca5507Wed, 30 Apr 2025 02:00:00 -070001:08:51falsefull1441From Trauma Survivor to global Humanitarian - saving trafficking victims with Alana StottFrom Trauma Survivor to global Humanitarian - saving trafficking victims with Alana StottIn this powerful and deeply moving episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Alana Stott, author, advocate, entrepreneur, and founder of the Blue Rose Foundation. Alana shares her raw, courageous journey from a childhood marked by trauma, loss, and survival to becoming a relentless force in the fight against human trafficking and a pioneer in mental health advocacy.

From overcoming childhood abuse, surviving sexual assault, and navigating a broken justice system, to building security businesses with her Special Forces husband and launching rescue missions across the globe, Alana’s story is one of purpose-driven grit. She also opens up about her personal healing journey through plant medicine and shares how she's transforming pain into policy including her mission to pass legislation that makes grooming illegal.


This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about justice, resilience, and disrupting systems that fail the vulnerable.


Key Takeaways

Trauma into Purpose: Alana’s assault survival fueled her mission to protect women and fight trafficking.

Justice System Failures: She exposes how survivors are mistreated and why change is urgent.

From Bank to Battlefield: Alana shares her journey from finance to global rescue missions.

Behind Private Security: The dark truth about overpriced protection and how she does it differently.

Healing with Plant Medicine: How psychedelics helped her overcome trauma and an eating disorder.

The Blue Rose Foundation: Her nonprofit connects donors to real impact and drives global change.

Outlawing Grooming: Alana’s pushing U.S. legislation to make grooming a federal crime.


Noteworthy Quotes

“The sexual assault wasn’t the worst part, it was the aftermath that broke me.” – Alana Stott

“Our life isn’t to get rich. Our drive is to help people.” – Alana Stott

“I just want it to stop happening in the first place. That’s why we need to make grooming illegal.” – Alana Stott

“If you’re not living your purpose, you’re doing an injustice to the life you could have.” – Alana Stott


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Trailer & Introduction to Alana Stott & Her Mission

[00:01:37] Childhood Trauma & Working from Age 11

[00:03:40] Surviving Sexual Assault & Going to Court

[00:07:54] Why She Became an Advocate for Victims

[00:10:06] First Nonprofit Role: No Training, All Heart

[00:14:15] Meeting Her Husband & Building a Life Together

[00:21:16] Helping Him Transition Out of Special Forces

[00:32:20] Founding the Blue Rose Foundation

[00:42:59] Plant Medicine & Healing Decades of Trauma

[00:54:39] Future Vision: Police Training, New Laws & Awareness

[00:55:58] What is “built for this” mean to Alana 


FOLLOW OUR GUEST ALANA STOTT ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-stott-mbe-194493aa/

Website: https://bluerose.foundation/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

 Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Alana Stott, author, advocate, entrepreneur, and founder of the Blue Rose Foundation. Alana shares her raw, courageous journey from a childhood marked by trauma, loss, and survival to becoming a relentless force in the fight against human trafficking and a pioneer in mental health advocacy.

From overcoming childhood abuse, surviving sexual assault, and navigating a broken justice system, to building security businesses with her Special Forces husband and launching rescue missions across the globe, Alana’s story is one of purpose-driven grit. She also opens up about her personal healing journey through plant medicine and shares how she's transforming pain into policy including her mission to pass legislation that makes grooming illegal.


This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about justice, resilience, and disrupting systems that fail the vulnerable.


Key Takeaways

Trauma into Purpose: Alana’s assault survival fueled her mission to protect women and fight trafficking.

Justice System Failures: She exposes how survivors are mistreated and why change is urgent.

From Bank to Battlefield: Alana shares her journey from finance to global rescue missions.

Behind Private Security: The dark truth about overpriced protection and how she does it differently.

Healing with Plant Medicine: How psychedelics helped her overcome trauma and an eating disorder.

The Blue Rose Foundation: Her nonprofit connects donors to real impact and drives global change.

Outlawing Grooming: Alana’s pushing U.S. legislation to make grooming a federal crime.


Noteworthy Quotes

“The sexual assault wasn’t the worst part, it was the aftermath that broke me.” – Alana Stott

“Our life isn’t to get rich. Our drive is to help people.” – Alana Stott

“I just want it to stop happening in the first place. That’s why we need to make grooming illegal.” – Alana Stott

“If you’re not living your purpose, you’re doing an injustice to the life you could have.” – Alana Stott


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Trailer & Introduction to Alana Stott & Her Mission

[00:01:37] Childhood Trauma & Working from Age 11

[00:03:40] Surviving Sexual Assault & Going to Court

[00:07:54] Why She Became an Advocate for Victims

[00:10:06] First Nonprofit Role: No Training, All Heart

[00:14:15] Meeting Her Husband & Building a Life Together

[00:21:16] Helping Him Transition Out of Special Forces

[00:32:20] Founding the Blue Rose Foundation

[00:42:59] Plant Medicine & Healing Decades of Trauma

[00:54:39] Future Vision: Police Training, New Laws & Awareness

[00:55:58] What is “built for this” mean to Alana 


FOLLOW OUR GUEST ALANA STOTT ON:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-stott-mbe-194493aa/

Website: https://bluerose.foundation/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

 Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>60920db0-3572-484c-945e-7e88cdc9e91cWed, 23 Apr 2025 02:00:00 -070057:10falsefull1331How Overcoming Tragedy Led to Building a Gen Z Mentorship Revolution with Nancy GaleHow Overcoming Tragedy Led to Building a Gen Z Mentorship Revolution with Nancy GaleIn this inspiring episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Nancy Gale, a designer, entrepreneur, activist, philanthropist and founder of Jamah and Ambition to discuss resilience, reinvention and the drive behind building a successful brand. Nancy opens up about her journey, starting with her childhood and the early lessons she learned from her parents. She shares pivotal moments in her life, including the challenges she faced while caring for her mother during a long illness and the deep personal tragedy of her mother’s murder. Despite these hardships, Nancy has built a thriving luxury handbag brand, Jamah, and a nonprofit, Ambition, that empowers underserved youth.

Through it all, Nancy emphasizes the importance of joy in hard work, the power of resilience, and the need to turn adversity into action. She also discusses her mission with Ambition, which focuses on providing youth access and exposure to opportunities that can change their lives, along with teaching them to embrace challenges and find solutions. Nancy’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of overcoming obstacles.

Key Takeaways:

Resilience Through Adversity: Nancy highlights how personal struggles shaped her entrepreneurial mindset.

The Power of Hard Work: Nancy stresses the value of hard work for long-term success.

Building a Luxury Brand: Nancy shares her journey from gifting products to founding Jamah, a luxury handbag brand.

Ambition's Mission: Ambition offers mentorship and opportunities to underserved youth, focusing on leadership and resilience.

Power Not Pity: Nancy’s nonprofit helps youth overcome challenges with a "Power Not Pity" approach.


Noteworthy Quotes:

"We get to decide how we take life on. Do you want your life to happen to you, or do you want it to happen to your life?" – Nancy Gale 

"If you love what you do, you will have what it takes to work really hard." – Nancy Gale 

"We all have these moments, and if we don’t share them and connect with others, what is the point?" – Jenna Bayuk

"I’m not going to get over it. I’m going to get through it." – Nancy Gale


Key Timestamps: 

[00:00:00] Trailer & Episode and Guest Introduction

[00:02:28] Nancy’s Early Life and Childhood Lessons

[00:03:39] The Power of Hard Work and Resilience

[00:07:48] Nancy’s Experience with Adversity and Finding Strength

[00:10:28] Turning Personal Tragedy into Action

[00:21:08] Launching Jamah: From Gifting to Luxury Handbags

[00:22:40] Overcoming Doubts and Building a Luxury Brand

[00:32:51] The Humble Flex and Empowering Others

[00:40:06] Partnering with Boys and Girls Clubs to Scale Ambition

[00:52:54] How to Get Involved with Ambition and Support the Cause


FOLLOW OUR GUEST NANCY GALE JAMAH ON:

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

Jamah Website : http://www.jamah.com/ 

Ambition Website:https://www.ambition.org/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

 Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kinshipkollective8069

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>In this inspiring episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Nancy Gale, a designer, entrepreneur, activist, philanthropist and founder of Jamah and Ambition to discuss resilience, reinvention and the drive behind building a successful brand. Nancy opens up about her journey, starting with her childhood and the early lessons she learned from her parents. She shares pivotal moments in her life, including the challenges she faced while caring for her mother during a long illness and the deep personal tragedy of her mother’s murder. Despite these hardships, Nancy has built a thriving luxury handbag brand, Jamah, and a nonprofit, Ambition, that empowers underserved youth.

Through it all, Nancy emphasizes the importance of joy in hard work, the power of resilience, and the need to turn adversity into action. She also discusses her mission with Ambition, which focuses on providing youth access and exposure to opportunities that can change their lives, along with teaching them to embrace challenges and find solutions. Nancy’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of overcoming obstacles.

Key Takeaways:

Resilience Through Adversity: Nancy highlights how personal struggles shaped her entrepreneurial mindset.

The Power of Hard Work: Nancy stresses the value of hard work for long-term success.

Building a Luxury Brand: Nancy shares her journey from gifting products to founding Jamah, a luxury handbag brand.

Ambition's Mission: Ambition offers mentorship and opportunities to underserved youth, focusing on leadership and resilience.

Power Not Pity: Nancy’s nonprofit helps youth overcome challenges with a "Power Not Pity" approach.


Noteworthy Quotes:

"We get to decide how we take life on. Do you want your life to happen to you, or do you want it to happen to your life?" – Nancy Gale 

"If you love what you do, you will have what it takes to work really hard." – Nancy Gale 

"We all have these moments, and if we don’t share them and connect with others, what is the point?" – Jenna Bayuk

"I’m not going to get over it. I’m going to get through it." – Nancy Gale


Key Timestamps: 

[00:00:00] Trailer & Episode and Guest Introduction

[00:02:28] Nancy’s Early Life and Childhood Lessons

[00:03:39] The Power of Hard Work and Resilience

[00:07:48] Nancy’s Experience with Adversity and Finding Strength

[00:10:28] Turning Personal Tragedy into Action

[00:21:08] Launching Jamah: From Gifting to Luxury Handbags

[00:22:40] Overcoming Doubts and Building a Luxury Brand

[00:32:51] The Humble Flex and Empowering Others

[00:40:06] Partnering with Boys and Girls Clubs to Scale Ambition

[00:52:54] How to Get Involved with Ambition and Support the Cause


FOLLOW OUR GUEST NANCY GALE JAMAH ON:

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

Jamah Website : http://www.jamah.com/ 

Ambition Website:https://www.ambition.org/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website:  https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com


FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

 Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kinshipkollective8069

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>7745fe1c-d2c3-496a-9f67-d903eb2ede33Wed, 16 Apr 2025 02:00:00 -070058:55falsefull1221How Burnout and Divorce Led to Building a Purpose Driven Brand with Kyle E. CoxHow Burnout and Divorce Led to Building a Purpose Driven Brand with Kyle E. CoxIn this episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Kyle E. Cox, Founder of ThoroMan Worldwide, Co-Founder of Thoroughly Crafted Goods (TCG), Advisory Board Member at Ambition, and Advisor at Luminary Education. Kyle shares his inspiring journey from serving in the US Navy to creating successful businesses that have made an impact in the worlds of fashion, sports, and entertainment.

Kyle’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. He talks about overcoming challenges, finding his true purpose, and using his platform to give back to the community. From working with top brands like the LA Clippers and Universal Music, to his ongoing entrepreneurial ventures, Kyle’s path is a testament to the power of perseverance, grit, and purpose.

In this episode, we unpack what it truly means to be "built for this", with practical advice and motivational insights for anyone looking to make an impact in their own field.

Key Takeaways

The Power of Resilience – Kyle’s journey emphasizes the role of perseverance and mindset in overcoming obstacles.

Embracing Reinvention – Kyle reinvents himself through each new venture, staying true to his purpose.

Building Communities Through Business – Creating purpose-driven, supportive communities is key to success.

Sacrifice and Purpose – Entrepreneurs make sacrifices, but staying focused on a greater purpose leads to long-term success.

The Role of Mentorship – Learning from others and staying grounded has been vital to Kyle’s growth.

Entrepreneurial Mindset – Bold decisions, risk-taking, and learning from setbacks are essential in entrepreneurship.

Navigating Setbacks with Purpose – A long-term vision helps entrepreneurs stay the course during tough times.

Noteworthy Quotes

“Success isn’t about luck. It’s about perseverance. If you’re here, you’re built for this.” – Jenna Bayuk

“Every experience in life, every skill set I’ve gained has led to what I’m doing today. It all has a purpose.” – Kyle E. Cox

“Entrepreneurship is about reinvention, about finding your purpose and sticking with it, no matter the obstacles.” – Kyle E. Cox

“It’s not about money, it’s about creating a community and making an impact.” – Kyle E. Cox

“I’ve made mistakes, but it’s about tapping into my true purpose. That’s what has kept me going.” – Kyle E. Cox


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Trailer & Episode and Guest Introduction

[00:05:07] Parents’ Sacrifices & Entrepreneurial Spirit

[00:06:52] Pressure to Succeed & Love for Sports

[00:09:01] First Job at McDonald’s & Early Lessons

[00:11:47] Economic Crash & Pivot to Stability - Navy Experiences

[00:15:34] Mobile Apps & Founding TCG

[00:18:12] Expansion Plans Beyond Footwear

[00:20:17] COVID’s Impact & Direct-to-Consumer Shift

[00:22:39] Vulnerability & Success Evolution

[00:29:53] Entrepreneurial Perseverance and Balance

[00:39:37] How 'Thorough Man' Became More Than Just a Hashtag

[00:45:20] The Turning Point: Father Boyle & The Bigger Mission

[00:49:00] Mentorship & The Birth of Thorough Man

[00:58:56] Challenges Young Men Face Today

[01:10:20] Personal Mental Health Struggles

[01:19:05] Gender-Specific Mental Health Approaches

[01:25:36] Overcoming Challenges & Key Lessons


FOLLOW OUR GUEST KYLE E. COX ON:

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

Website TCG Footwear : https://tcgfootwear.com/

Website ThoroMan WorldWide: https://bethoro.org/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>In this episode of Built for This Podcast: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Kyle E. Cox, Founder of ThoroMan Worldwide, Co-Founder of Thoroughly Crafted Goods (TCG), Advisory Board Member at Ambition, and Advisor at Luminary Education. Kyle shares his inspiring journey from serving in the US Navy to creating successful businesses that have made an impact in the worlds of fashion, sports, and entertainment.

Kyle’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. He talks about overcoming challenges, finding his true purpose, and using his platform to give back to the community. From working with top brands like the LA Clippers and Universal Music, to his ongoing entrepreneurial ventures, Kyle’s path is a testament to the power of perseverance, grit, and purpose.

In this episode, we unpack what it truly means to be "built for this", with practical advice and motivational insights for anyone looking to make an impact in their own field.

Key Takeaways

The Power of Resilience – Kyle’s journey emphasizes the role of perseverance and mindset in overcoming obstacles.

Embracing Reinvention – Kyle reinvents himself through each new venture, staying true to his purpose.

Building Communities Through Business – Creating purpose-driven, supportive communities is key to success.

Sacrifice and Purpose – Entrepreneurs make sacrifices, but staying focused on a greater purpose leads to long-term success.

The Role of Mentorship – Learning from others and staying grounded has been vital to Kyle’s growth.

Entrepreneurial Mindset – Bold decisions, risk-taking, and learning from setbacks are essential in entrepreneurship.

Navigating Setbacks with Purpose – A long-term vision helps entrepreneurs stay the course during tough times.

Noteworthy Quotes

“Success isn’t about luck. It’s about perseverance. If you’re here, you’re built for this.” – Jenna Bayuk

“Every experience in life, every skill set I’ve gained has led to what I’m doing today. It all has a purpose.” – Kyle E. Cox

“Entrepreneurship is about reinvention, about finding your purpose and sticking with it, no matter the obstacles.” – Kyle E. Cox

“It’s not about money, it’s about creating a community and making an impact.” – Kyle E. Cox

“I’ve made mistakes, but it’s about tapping into my true purpose. That’s what has kept me going.” – Kyle E. Cox


Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Trailer & Episode and Guest Introduction

[00:05:07] Parents’ Sacrifices & Entrepreneurial Spirit

[00:06:52] Pressure to Succeed & Love for Sports

[00:09:01] First Job at McDonald’s & Early Lessons

[00:11:47] Economic Crash & Pivot to Stability - Navy Experiences

[00:15:34] Mobile Apps & Founding TCG

[00:18:12] Expansion Plans Beyond Footwear

[00:20:17] COVID’s Impact & Direct-to-Consumer Shift

[00:22:39] Vulnerability & Success Evolution

[00:29:53] Entrepreneurial Perseverance and Balance

[00:39:37] How 'Thorough Man' Became More Than Just a Hashtag

[00:45:20] The Turning Point: Father Boyle & The Bigger Mission

[00:49:00] Mentorship & The Birth of Thorough Man

[00:58:56] Challenges Young Men Face Today

[01:10:20] Personal Mental Health Struggles

[01:19:05] Gender-Specific Mental Health Approaches

[01:25:36] Overcoming Challenges & Key Lessons


FOLLOW OUR GUEST KYLE E. COX ON:

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

Website TCG Footwear : https://tcgfootwear.com/

Website ThoroMan WorldWide: https://bethoro.org/


FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON:

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

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

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

Email: info@kinshipkollective.com



FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS - STORIES OF MAVERICK! PODCAST ON:

Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/

X: https://x.com/JBayuk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult

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

]]>de55627e-09d6-44a5-a5b9-7ebca0987b5bWed, 09 Apr 2025 02:00:00 -070001:29:33falsefull1111New Episode Coming SoonNew Episode Coming SoonBuilt For This - Stories of a Maverick! is the podcast that dives deep into the defining moments of entrepreneurs—the ones where they could have quit but instead chose to push forward. Each episode uncovers the raw, emotional stories of grit, perseverance, and resilience that turned struggle into success.

Through candid conversations with founders, visionaries, and game-changers, we explore the pivotal challenges that tested them, the lessons they learned, and the mindset shifts that propelled them to new heights.

If you’ve ever faced setbacks and wondered if you have what it takes to keep going—this is the podcast that proves you do. Because those who make it aren’t just lucky. They’re built for this.

]]>Built For This - Stories of a Maverick! is the podcast that dives deep into the defining moments of entrepreneurs—the ones where they could have quit but instead chose to push forward. Each episode uncovers the raw, emotional stories of grit, perseverance, and resilience that turned struggle into success.

Through candid conversations with founders, visionaries, and game-changers, we explore the pivotal challenges that tested them, the lessons they learned, and the mindset shifts that propelled them to new heights.

If you’ve ever faced setbacks and wondered if you have what it takes to keep going—this is the podcast that proves you do. Because those who make it aren’t just lucky. They’re built for this.

]]>f0b97e7f-47a4-4de1-8d78-edfbeece9e54Mon, 10 Mar 2025 01:00:00 -070000:33falsefull