In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews talks with Tim Sanders, a best-selling author, consultant to Fortune 100 companies and one of the most highly sought after speakers around the globe. He’s the author of a number of books, including the New York Times best-selling book Love Is The Killer App: How to Win Business And Influence Friends. Tim talks about why developing these three intangibles - knowledge, network, and compassion - is key to winning. Listen To The Podcast: My next DREAM THINK DO guest, Tim Sanders, shares how knowledge, network, and compassion are three key tenets that can help you accomplish success by promoting the success of other people first. It may seem backward to some, that by helping other people, you are actually building up your own wins at the same time. But Tim believes in the power of strong relationships and what better way to build these kinds of connections than by helping others succeed?     And Tim knows what he’s talking about. He’s a best-selling author, consultant to Fortune 100 companies and one of the most requested speakers in the world. He’s written a number of books, including the one that he dives into during this episode, a New York Times bestseller: Love Is The Killer App: How to Win Business And Influence Friends.    The smartest entrepreneurs and leaders understand the value of the relationships they’re building each day. No one wins on their own. And Tim discusses how to use knowledge, network, and compassion to strengthen these relationships.   Listen to this episode to learn about the power of helping other people succeed and practical strategies to put into practice in your own life to give more knowledge, network better and be more compassionate. In this episode, you will… Hear  about the strategy that was the most difficult for Tim Sanders to breakthrough Learn how you can share your knowledge to help other people solve problems and why it’s important Gain insight into why reading one book a month can be one of your best investments   Learn the difference between being a common networker and a super connector Episode Resources: timsanders.com/dtd Love Is The Killer App: How to Win Business And Influence Friends MitchMatthews.com/133 DREAM. THINK. DO.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews talks with Diego Corzo, a real estate entrepreneur who is well on his way to achieving financial freedom. At just 26 years old, he is pursuing his dream career as a realtor, he’s a partner at Keller Williams and owns several rental properties. Diego demonstrates wisdom beyond his years. In this interview, he shares his story on making a career pivot, finding a great fit job and building wealth. Listen To The Podcast: Most people don’t achieve their dream job right out of college.   That was true for this week’s DREAM THINK DO guest, Diego Corzo. He graduated and got a nice job.  A good job.  A solid job.  Just not a “great fit” job. Diego knew he needed to make a change but he wasn’t sure what to do.  So he started to experiment.  He started to network.  He started to find work that he loved! That led to an entirely new career and he couldn’t be more excited. Now he’s in a job in real estate that helps him to thrive.  Plus, he’s investing in ways that are creating passive income so he can live more of the life he wants. On top of that, he’s a partner of a real estate agency and owner of several rental properties.      Not bad for someone who just turned 26. One thing that becomes clear in our conversation is that these early financial successes have fostered his passion for helping other millennials become financially free.   This episode is full of practical financial tips that are especially helpful if you are graduating soon or early in your career, and want to set yourself up for financial success.   In this episode, you will… Hear about what I call a “bridge job” is and how it can help you reach your goals Learn how you can create passive income to help live the life you dream of Gain insight into why adding more value can help you earn more Learn about the importance of patience in achieving financial freedom Episode Resources: MitchMatthews.com/132 DREAM. THINK. DO.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews talks with the co-founder of FoCo Cafe in Fort Collins, Colorado, Kathleen Baumgardner. This Cafe is a pay-what-you-can gourmet cafe that serves delicious, healthy food to anyone who wants to eat there. The restaurant is making good food accessible to everyone while building community at the same time. Kathleen and her husband Jeff are creating a positive impact both in the lives of the people who eat and serve at the cafe, as well as in their community by coming up with creative and real solutions to the world’s problems... Listen To The Podcast: Dreams can change. Sometimes the dreams that we pursue take us to places that surprise even ourselves. In this episode of DREAM THINK DO, I speak with the co-founder of the FoCo Cafe, Kathleen Baumgardner.  She never dreamed that one day she would own a restaurant. She had never worked a day in a restaurant before. It started with a simple question from her husband and co-founder, Jeff Baumgardner:   Shouldn’t everyone have access to good food? Fast forward 5 years and literally hundreds of conversations with people and this Cafe is now an important part of the Fort Collins, Colorado community. It’s a non-profit restaurant that encourages community involvement through things like the pay what you can modal and the free refrigerator that is stocked by the community to help those in need and to prevent food waste.    Even the story of how this Cafe was built is full of amazing threads of different people contributing and helping to make the Baumgardners’ dream a reality.     If you have the seed of a dream and you’re not sure if you want to step out and pursue that, this is an episode that can encourage you and help you take that first step.    In this episode, you will… Hear how to build a community around your big idea Learn about how you can invite other people into your dream Gain insight into fueling your creativity to keep innovating Learn why you should never discount a conversation How to get started with your big idea Episode Resources   FoCo Cafe FoCo Cafe on Facebook FoCo Cafe on Twitter FoCo Cafe on Instagram FoCo Cafe on Youtube FoCo Cafe on Pinterest MitchMatthews.com/131 DREAM. THINK. DO.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews talks with author Craig Ballantyne, who wrote The Perfect Day Formula: How To Own The Day And Control Your Life. Craig’s inspiration for the book came out of overcoming fear and crippling anxiety attacks, gaining control of his life and becoming a successful entrepreneur. He is the editor of a personal development newsletter where he provides daily writings to over 150,000 readers. He’s also a respected fitness expert and one of his passions is to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Through this book he wants to help people figure out how to get more results in less time. Listen To The Podcast: By the time your day is finished, do you feel like you’ve run the day or do you often feel as though the day has run you? So many people would love to learn the secrets to becoming more productive and effective - that’s why so many books have been written about this topic. My guest on this DREAM THINK DO episode, Craig Ballantyne, has maximizing his day down to a science. He’s written a book about how to create the ideal day and his goal is to help people learn how they can get better results in less time. One of his strategies, the Good Night Formula, even went viral and he’s been interviewed on Russian television. (Here’s the thing: it’s really that good.) This episode is for those who struggle to control their day, procrastinators, people who are stressed out, or even for people who have to-do lists that are too long and so you feel like you don’t accomplish what you want. So if you want to learn more about how you can maximize your entire day, listen in on our conversation as Craig reveals the crucial things you need to do as well as what you need to stop doing. In this episode, you will… Hear how you can create the ideal day Learn about the simple Good Night Formula that went viral Gain insight into how you can beat procrastination Learn why you need to create a not-to-do list Hear about the importance of creating life rules Episode Resources The Perfect Day Formula: How To Own The Day And Control Your Life (Click here to get your FREE copy) Twitter.com/CraigBallantyne DREAM. THINK. DO.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews talks with Ron Henry, founder of the premier brand and multi-million dollar company BlackRapid. Ron spent over 10 years as a photographer before he took the risk and invented and patented an entirely new type of camera strap. He launched BlackRapid and it has now become known for its great products and for a culture that cultivates growth, creativity, and innovation. Listen To The Podcast: There’s a reasonable risk is scary… It’s because there’s no guarantee how things will turn out.   My next guest on DREAM THINK DO, Ron Henry, is familiar with risk. After 10 years as a successful wedding photographer in the Seattle-area, he decided he wanted more out of life.  So he started to pursue an idea and he invented and patented a new camera strap. Less than 10 years later, that one idea has grown into the multi-million dollar company BlackRapid, which is now known as the world’s premier brand for camera straps. The risk clearly paid off. In our conversation, Ron talks about those early years of what pushed him to take that leap when he already had a successful career.   Plus, we dig into the importance of starting right where you are.  And… we discuss how he started small and kept pushing forward. That part of the conversation is TOTALLY worth it… but wait there’s more! A bonus aspect of this interview is when we start to talk about creating a business culture that works.    Ron obviously values people and he’s taken specific steps to cultivate an environment that inspires innovation, loyalty and full engagement - both internally and externally.   Listen to this episode for inspiration as Ron talks about the importance of timing in achieving big dreams and being able to create a life you love.   In this episode, you will… Be inspired to start on your dream regardless of where you are Learn why taking the risk to pursue your dream is worth it Gain insight into how what you think either creates or limits your success Learn how to create a workplace culture that people love   Episode Resources BlackRapid MitchMatthews.com/129 DREAM. THINK. DO.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews talks with Dana Malstaff, best-selling author, podcaster and onlinepreneur. She is the creator of the Boss Mom movement and author of the book Boss Mom: The Ultimate Guide to Raising a Business & Nurturing Your Family Like a Pro. When she’s not spending time with her family, most of her focus is on providing women (and men too) with the knowledge they need to grow their businesses while at the same time thriving with their families. Listen To The Podcast: Do you feel like you constantly have to choose between your family and your business? Ever feel like you’re not the best parent because you sometimes prioritize business over your kids? What if you could figure out a way to prioritize your business and your family so that both thrive? On today’s episode of DREAM THINK DO, my guest Dana Malstaff tackles this very topic on how she focuses on creating a better business and family life. She talks about how her personal life inspired her to start the Boss Mom movement and the importance of how doing what she loves makes her a better mom and a better entrepreneur.   She understands the guilt that entrepreneurs can feel when they’re pulled between work and family, and has created simple strategies that can help entrepreneurs lose the guilt and gain confidence in their life.    The need to shift from spending so much time doing urgent things to spending more time on what is most important is also something we talk about. Listen in to hear Dana’s thoughts on why planning is such an a key part of the strategy, and what kind of planning you can do help you have the family and business you want.   In this episode, you will… Hear how you can create a better business and family Learn the secret to solving guilt Gain insight into why 10 minutes is so important Learn about three areas you need to plan to achieve your goals Episode Resources Boss Mom: The Ultimate Guide to Raising a Business & Nurturing Your Family Like a Pro   Boss Mom   Boss-Mom.com/Trello (Click here for a free course on how to use Trello)   MitchMatthews.com/128   DREAM. THINK. DO.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews talks with Dr. Ahmed Seif, author of the Amazon best-selling book: The Fat Kid Within How To Ditch Dieting, Celebrate Your Body And Feel Like A Million Bucks. He shares his own transformative journey of moving from a place of hating his body to becoming healthy and a triathlete... all without the typical approaches to dieting. He offers specific, simple and surprising alternatives to willpower, scale-checking and going without. Listen To The Podcast: Dieting can be an emotional roller coaster. Repeatedly losing weight only to put it back on. Dr. Ahmed Seif, my guest on today’s episode, shares his inspiring journey of weight loss and transformation.  How he went from obesity and life-long self-loathing to now being in the best shape of his life.    The book approaches weight loss as a transformative journey toward becoming healthy rather than turning to dieting. His focuses on creating a healthier lifestyle instead of constantly depriving yourself of food. Part of this lifestyle change also includes digging deep and learning to deal with the underlying causes of why someone is using food for comfort.   Listen in to hear Dr. Seif’s thoughts on why we should ditch dieting in favor of a new approach.. In this episode, you will… Learn why you should stop measuring weight loss by your scale Learn how to change your mindset so you can live a healthier and richer life Find out the pitfalls of dieting and how to avoid them Learn how mindfulness (instead of willpower) will help you succeed Episode Resources The Fat Kid Within: How To Ditch Dieting And Celebrate Your Body And Feel Like A Million Bucks MitchMatthews.com/itunes DREAM. THINK. DO.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews talks with Don Yaeger, author of a new book Teammate: My Journey in Baseball and a World Series for the Ages that tells the story of David Ross, the backup catcher for the 2016 Chicago Cubs champion team. Don is a nationally acclaimed speaker and long-time associate editor of Sports Illustrated. He has spent time with some of the best leaders, athletes and coaches around the world, from John Wooden, to Michael Jordan, to Jimmy Johnson.   Pick a sports hero and Don has spent time with them! Listen To The Podcast: Not all of us can become superstars. So what happens when your job is to be the backup? My guest on today’s DREAM THINK DO episode, Don Yaeger, shares the story of veteran backup catcher David Ross.  It is an inspirational story about how he became the heart and soul of the 2016 Chicago Cubs and led them to become champions. Don has spent time with some of the biggest names in the sports industry, whether it’s leaders, players or coaches. (This includes a 12 year mentoring relationship with the great basketball coach for UCLA, John Wooden.) Also… Don shares the surprising backstory on how to got Coach Wooden as his mentor.  (You can apply this strategy too!) During our conversation, we also discuss the importance of being a good teammate and how this this can be the key to long term success in the workplace. Listen in to hear Don’s thoughts on why being a good teammate helped David Ross lead the Cubs to win the world series. And more importantly, why being a good teammate can help you win in your own life.   In this episode, you will… Hear about David Ross’ inspirational story Learn about how to be a good teammate Gain insight into why being a good teammate is good for you Learn about the importance of celebrating your teammates in the workplace Episode Resources don2@team180.com (Email Don for a free list of habits of great teammates. Put “Mitch Matthews teammate” in the subject line.) Teammate: My Journey in Baseball and a World Series for the Ages Great Teams: 16 Things High Performing Organizations Do Differently DonYaeger.com MitchMatthews.com/126 DREAM. THINK. DO.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews dives deep into the subject of speed mentoring. He explores a unique spin on mentoring that leaves no room for excuses of “being too busy” or not being able to access the people you’d love to be mentored by. Laying the speed mentoring strategy out in 3 simple steps, Mitch makes it available to anyone who’s ever wanted a mentor and the best part is that you can fit it around your schedule. Listen To The Podcast: There’s a reason why so many people want to be mentored. Mentors can help you to dream bigger, think better and do more than you could on your own. After all, they’ve already walked down the path and have a lot of insight and expertise to share. But with crammed schedules and the best thinkers out of reach, it can be tough to get started. That’s why Mitch focuses on speed mentoring during this episode of deep dive: it’s an easy way take action on finding a mentor while at the same time having access to the best thinkers in any industry. In this episode, you will… Learn what speed mentoring is and why it’s a great place to start Hear why even the busiest person has time for speed mentoring Learn how you can access the brightest minds in your field or areas of interest Get 3 simple tips on how you can get started as soon as this episode is done Episode Resources Participant Guide MitchMatthews.com/itunes DREAM. THINK. DO.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews talks with Dr. Anthony Paustian (“Tony”), who has published a new book A Quarter Million Steps, which chronicles the history of the Apollo program and lessons we can apply to our own lives. He also helped to build and launch DMACC West, the first technologically focused college campus. DMACC now hosts an annual conference - Celebrate! Innovation Week (ciWeek) - that brings global thought leaders to share their stories and inspire the next generation. Listen To The Podcast:                         We are all inspired in different ways. Dr. Anthony Paustian or “Tony”, my guest on today’s episode, grew up in a generation that was deeply impressed by the Apollo program. And he, in turn, strives to motivate the next generation in the same way that he drew inspiration from the men who walked on the moon. He’s written a book that delves into the history of the Apollo program with the desire to help us learn how we can be more creative, innovative and focused on accomplishing what we need to get done. Another way he’s helping to foster innovation is through ciWeek, which hosts speakers at the top of their industry to share their insights with audiences on innovation and achieving success. Listen in to hear Tony’s thoughts on how we can become more successful by learning a lesson from looking into the past. In this episode, you will… Hear about how space programs and sci-fi fostered innovation Learn lessons from history that can help you be more productive Gain insight into how some technology could be hindering innovation Learn why passion is key to having a good work ethic Episode Resources A Quarter Million Steps MitchMatthews.com/itunes DREAM. THINK. DO.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews talks with Perry Marshall, one of world’s most expensive and sought after business consultants. Perry is credited with launching two movements of modern marketing. His Google AdWords books laid the foundation for the pay per click industry that is now at $100 billion. More recently, he’s written a book 80/20 Sales and Marketing, which provides business owners with practical tools to achieve the success they dream of while working fewer hours. Listen To The Podcast:                         Many people dream of making money while they sleep. Or at least building some kind of machine that earns them money so they can work less and do more of the things they love. For many business owners, however, this is far from their reality. It can sometimes feel impossible to achieve that kind of freedom - after all, if it was easy, more people would be doing it.   Perry Marshall, my guest on this episode, shows how this can be done using the Pareto principle. Using the 80/20 rule, he lays out some ultimate business tools that will change your understanding of sales and marketing.      In this episode, you will… Hear why understanding the 80/20 principle is crucial for sales & marketing Learn what the power triangle is and how advanced marketers use it Get 5 power disqualifiers that will help you stop wasting your time in sales Learn how you can build a profitable business from a small percentage of your market Episode Resources 80/20 Sales and Marketing: The Definitive Guide to Working Less and Making More The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More With Less MitchMatthews.com/itunes DREAM. THINK. DO.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews talks with the partner and co-founder of Hashtag Legal, Jamie Lieberman. Her firm is dedicated to helping all entrepreneurs to run businesses in the digital age. She shares legal answers and specific strategies for some of the most common questions about the law.  This information will help you and your organization stay protected.    Listen To The Podcast:                         Talking about legal issues around your business and your creative ideas may make you want to run for cover.    However, conversations around legal strategies to keep you, your ideas and your business protected shouldn’t be put off.   Jamie Lieberman, my guest on today’s DREAM THINK DO episode, specializes in helping entrepreneurs run a business in the digital age. Her law firm has extensive experience in helping clients with everything from drafting and reviewing contracts to forming entities.  Plus, she helps her clients to protect their creative ideas! Listen to this episode to gain insight into how to do things right and keep yourself safe when it comes to business legal matters. You’ll hear answers to some of the most frequently asked legal questions from DREAM. THINK. DOers.        In this episode, you will… Learn how to avoid the biggest legal mistakes people make Hear about why you shouldn’t procrastinate to register your mark Gain insight into how to find a good lawyer who understands your industry Hear about the most important part when drawing up a contract Listen in on some priceless tips I’d not heard before in my 10+ years of being an entrepreneur Let me know what stood out to YOU! Leave a comment and share what was your biggest takeaway.  I’d love to hear from YOU! DISCLAIMER: All information provided during this interview is legal information and does not form an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship is not formed until you have a written agreement between yourself and an attorney. Episode Resources www.Hashtag-legal.com jamie@hashtag-legal.com MitchMatthews.com/itunes DREAM. THINK. DO.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews talks with David Covey, co-author of the new book Trap Tales: Outsmarting the 7 Hidden Obstacles to Success. David talks about some of the most common traps that we fall into as well as innovative ways to get out. You’re going to want to listen to his insights on outsmarting traps.  Plus, since he’s the son of Stephen R. Covey you’ll also hear about what it was like to “grow up Covey.” Listen To The Podcast:                         Success isn’t accidental. It takes a lot of hard work to achieve your goals. Yet all of us, no matter how successful, can sometimes get bogged down and caught in traps. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could recognize the traps before they happened so we could avoid them in the first place? That’s exactly what my guest on today’s episode, David Covey, talks about in his new book. He shares a few traps that can trip us up and how we can evade them. He also reveals the trap that remains one of his biggest challenges. Tune in to be inspired about how to navigate and sidestep common traps that all of us face as we pursue our goals. You’ll walk away with some practical advice that will help you stay on the path to DREAM bigger, THINK better and DO more. In this episode, you will… Hear about how David’s formative early years prepared him for his current success Learn which trap catches people by surprise the most Gain insight into why distractions can slow us down from achieving goals Hear about a fun idea that can help you get out and stay out of debt Episode Resources Trap Tales: Outsmarting the 7 Hidden Obstacles to Success SMCOV The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People MitchMatthews.com/itunes DREAM. THINK. DO.

Mitch Matthews does a deep dive on how to start and run a successful Mastermind Group with The 5 C's of Effective Masterminds. He answers listener questions on who you should invite, how to get started, how to run an effective meeting and when to stop. Listen in and then start your own Mastermind Group! Listen To The Podcast:                         Benjamin Franklin swore by his. Thomas Edison too. Napoleon Hill was credited with coining the phrase but the concept has been around since before Socrates. Mastermind groups. The idea is simple. A core group of people who meet on a regular basis with the singular goal of helping and pushing each other to achieve more. This concept is the secret behind countless successful people from many industries. The question is: How can you tap into secret and start up your own mastermind group? That’s exactly what I dig into with this week’s DREAM THINK DO episode. I take specific questions from DREAM THINK DO-ers from around the world and I walk you through the “5 C’s of Effective Mastermind Groups.” These are the practical and powerful step-by-step concepts that have helped my own Mastermind group thrive for 10 years! I want you to have them!   We’ll talk about: Who you should invite How to get started How to run an effective meeting How to create a supportive environment When to quit (this is important too!) I think you’ll dig it If you’ve ever wanted to achieve more in life… but you felt stuck. The Mastermind Group might be the secret sauce you’ve needed! So let’s get you the ingredients to make it work! After you’ve listened… let me know what stood out to you. And… let me know if you still have questions on the subject. I’d love to hear from YOU! Leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you. Keep bringing your awesome. Mitch

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews talks with Laura Lynn, creator of the Breezy and Brazen lifestyle blog. She writes about fashion, food, travel, and all things Nashville. She’s also released a new book called Lifestyle Blogging Basics: A How-To for Investing in Yourself, Working with Brands, and Cultivating a Community Around Your Blog, which is full of great practical blogging tips. You won’t want to miss this episode as we talk about how she learned to become a successful blogger. Listen To The Podcast:                         How do start a blog? Sure, you can just begin by writing one...but what if you want to build a successful blog or you’re REALLY  stuck on where to get started? Laura Lynn, my guest on today’s episode, shares her inspirational story on writing a blog during college before she really understood what blogging was about. She talks about how pursuing something she loved has allowed her to build a life around writing about things she’s passionate about, such as traveling, food, fashion and exploring Nashville. She’s also just released a new book, which gives readers specific “how-to” instructions to create a successful blog. So listen to our conversation for best practices on how to build a blog from the ground up or take your current blog to the next level. In this episode, you will… Gain specific strategies for starting a blog Understand the importance of having “content buckets” for success Learn about coming up with a name for your blog Hear about why timing is crucial when using social media Learn how to grow a community around your blog What’s something Laura said that stood out to you?  And/or… what’s a question YOU have about blogging and building an audience?  Comment below.  I’d love to hear from YOU! Keep bringing your awesome! Mitch Episode Resources Check out Laura’s blog: Breezy and Brazen Check out Laura’s book: Lifestyle Blogging Basics: A How-To for Investing in Yourself, Working with Brands, and Cultivating a Community Around Your Blog Listen to previous episodes of the DREAM THINK DO podcast on itunes: DreamThinkDo.com.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch talks with Sam Griffin, Executive Director of Creative Services for Garden & Gun Magazine. Plus, over his career, he’s worked with brands such as Cosmopolitan, New York Fashion Week, Oprah Magazine, Town and Country. Sam had to push through fear to achieve numerous dream jobs. In this interview, we talk about how he did it. Listen To The Podcast:                         What are you most afraid of? Public speaking? (That’s a BIG one!) Fear of failing? Maybe your fears are so deep… you’re not even sure what they are.  BUT you know they’re holding you back. Some of us through circumstances have legitimate fears, but many of us don’t have ANY good or logical reason for our fears. My guest today, Sam Griffin, understands that all too well. Plagued by fears since childhood, he later moved to New York City where for 13 years, he led Harper’s Bazaar, Bon Appétit, and House & Garden Magazine. Then he spent 2 years running his own consulting firm and working with brands, such as Cosmopolitan, New York Fashion Week, Oprah Magazine, and Town & Country Magazine. I’ll bet that you are probably dying to hear how Sam got the guts to follow his passion...from the midwest all the way to NYC! Sam is no stranger to success and will be spending 2 weeks in Sweden to film a documentary, all the while doing some cool stuff like traveling to an ice hotel...and guess how he’s getting there? (Hint: think lots of snow and fur!) In this episode, you will… Hear about Sam’s latest and really fun project in Sweden Learn why storytelling is so important when working with brands Gain insight into how you can beat fear Understand why life isn’t like high school... Hear about the new Dream Boost Advisory Team (D’BAT) and the exciting opportunity for YOU Episode Resources Garden & Gun Magazine Dream Boost Advisory Team (D’BAT) MitchMatthews.com/itunes DREAM. THINK. DO.

In this episode of the DREAM. THINK. DO. podcast, Mitch Matthews interviews Jake Kloberdanz, CEO, and Co-Founder of ONEHOPE. They talk about starting a cause-based business with your friends, how to find your “sweet spot” and how to look at fear in a new way. Listen To The Podcast:                         Isn’t it interesting how sometimes one phone call can completely change the direction of our lives? Sometimes it’s a path we’ve been wanting to follow but just hadn’t started...maybe the timing wasn’t right or we lacked courage. That’s what happened to Jake Kloberdanz, my guest on today’s episode of DREAM THINK DO… One phone call changed everything. When Jake was only 23 years old, he got together with some friends and founded ONEHOPE, a cause-centric company. That was 10 years ago and he hasn’t looked back. Since then he’s garnered recognition from Bloomberg's Businessweek Top 25 Under 25, Wine Enthusiast's Top 40 Under 40, and by Ernst & Young as their Young Entrepreneur of the Year. I invited Jake to talk about the inspiration behind ONEHOPE and how he and his friends have built such a successful cause-centric business. You won’t want to miss this exciting conversation about finding the cross-section of things you love to do and turning it into a business, and the role of respect in building lasting business relationships. In this episode, you will… Learn about business curveballs that you won’t learn in a business book Get advice about whether to start a business with your friends Hear about challenges specific to running a cause-centric business Learn why fear can actually be a good motivator Understand how to build a profitable business that celebrates and serves at the same time Episode Resources Act Today One Hope Wine Cause Entrepreneur One Hope Wine Discount for DTD listeners MitchMatthews.com/itunes DREAM. THINK. DO.

Mitch Matthews offers a proven 4-step process for navigating tough conversations.  After listening, you’ll be able to prepare for the interaction, engage with confidence, clarify the problem and the solution as well as deliver results.    Listen To The Podcast:                         It happens to all of us. Whether it’s navigating a stressful situation with a co-worker, dealing with a challenging client, clarifying things with a roommate or addressing hurt feelings with a family member…  difficult conversations happen to all of us. So… are you ready? In this DREAM THINK DO episode, I give you a four-step process.  (click here) It will help you to navigate tough conversations… and do it with more confidence and peace of mind too! (Plus, I offer an embarrassing story that reinforces I need these strategies too!)  I’ve trained thousands of people on these concepts.   They’ve told me this stuff works in the real world. Listen in and learn the strategies you need so you’re ready for “that” conversation! Then… leave a comment on which concept stands out to you.  What are you going to try differently the next time you navigate a tough conversation?  I’d love to hear from YOU! Keep bringing your awesome, Mitch   Here’s the show notes from this week: Summary Having a difficult conversation at work or with family is tough. Period. Yet, Mitch Matthews gives out a valuable tool to help: a simple 4 step process that can empower you to handle these difficult conversations with more confidence and skill. He’s trained hundreds of leaders to use this process. At the same time, Mitch candidly reveals that he needs to learn this process on a daily basis, just like the rest of us.   Time-Stamped Show Notes [00:00] Deep dive day: Strategies for handling difficult conversations. [04:02] Use this cheat sheet: Difficult Convos: Engaging, Clarifying, and Delivering. [05:21] What about navigating difficult conversations? [07:51] I’ve trained hundreds if not thousands of leaders to use this 4 step process.   [09:40] The 4 step process for navigating difficult conversations. [10:22] Keeping combat mentality the enemy. [15:23] How do I stay out of fight or flight mode? [17:50] Step 1: Preparing to engage. [22:45] Steps 2 - 4: How Mitch’s business partner David used the 4 step process to successfully navigate a tense conversation. [34:08] Pick one step at a time to work on. [36:11] These strategies can help in any difficult conversation you’re having. [38:10] Share this episode with someone who might need it and go to itunes and leave a review. Deep Dive with Mitch Matthews: Strategies for Navigating Difficult Conversations Deep dive day: Strategies for handling difficult conversations This is a big topic that Mitch gets questions for all the time. He also invites podcast listeners to send him more ideas: “If you have a subject you’d like to hear about then hit me up on Twitter at @mitchmatthews or shoot me an email direct: mitch@mitchmatthews.com. I love hearing from you.” This is an important topic to discuss because “[n]avigating our work, navigating family...there’s just times where we have to step into difficult conversations. And if we have some tools that equip us to do that, that give us more confidence to do that, then we can handle that a whole lot better.” Mitch covers this subject again because after the recent podcast interview with Matt Bodnar on negotiation strategies, it brought up the need to learn about specific strategies to help navigate difficult conversations. What about navigating difficult conversations? Mitch acknowledges that sometimes pursuing bigger dreams, thinking better or doing more can make other people uncomfortable: “Maybe it stretches you, or changes things with your schedule or your priorities and you have to navigate some difficult conversations.” Growth involves risk at times,

Mitch talks with Matt Bodnar about the fine art of negotiation. Matt is a partner at the investment firm, “Fresh Hospitality.” Bodnar joined them after several years at Goldman Sachs. Since coming on board, Matt has sourced and lead the firm’s investment in several restaurants (100+) and vertical farming startups. Listen To The Podcast:                         Let’s do some word association. What do you think of when I say the word, “negotiation” Many think of words like... pressure, coercion and/or manipulation. But my DREAM THINK DO podcast guest Matt Bodnar thinks differently. When you talk about negotiating with Matt, he brings up words like curiosity, understanding and win/win. This approach has made all the difference for Matt.   And… it’s made him very good at the art of negotiation. So much so that he was named in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, and the National Restaurant Association called him a “Rising Restaurateur Star.”   Matt is a partner at the investment firm, “Fresh Hospitality.”  Bodnar joined them after several years at Goldman Sachs. Since coming on board, Matt has sourced and lead the firm’s investment in several restaurants (100+) and vertical farming startups. He’s also the co-founder of Fresh Capital, which focuses on commercial real estate investing and development for restaurants. During our conversation, Matt shares his simple, powerful and immediately applicable strategies for negotiation.  You’ll be able to apply these concepts whether you’re putting together a big sale, an important contract… or just trying to navigate next steps with a team member. Listen in… and learn the recipe of effective negotiation.   Plus, comment below and let us know which concepts stood out to you!  I’d love to hear from you! Keep bringing your awesome. Mitch   Here’s the show notes from this week: Summary Nothing much would happen in the world without the art of negotiation. When most people think of negotiation, they think about opposition, coercion, and manipulation. When Matt Bodnar considers negotiation, he thinks about curiosity, understanding, and a win/win. He’s the man to ask, because that’s what he does for a living, and he does it so well. Time-Stamped Show Notes [00:00] Backstory on Bodnar. [02:51] What does Bodnar’s average workday look like? [06:23] No more 14-hour days behind a desk. [07:55] Operating principles for successful negotiations. [13:50] Pre-qualification and why it is important. [24:15] Leveraging, and the willingness to walk away. [30:35] Curiosity, active listening, and seeking to understand the other party. [32:02] Playing hardball doesn’t come easy to everyone. [33:45] Two powerful tools borrowed from The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss helped Bodnar to let go of the people-pleasing notion. [35:36] Parting words of wisdom for someone on the cusp of a big negotiation. [37:08] Check out Bodnar’s Podcast, The Science of Success, here: iTunes The Science of Success.   Matt Bodnar: The Art of Negotiation Bodnar’s Backstory After several years at Goldman Sachs, Matt Bodnar moved to the investment firm Fresh Hospitality in 2011. Now a partner, he says his focus is on deal-making, structuring transactions, and strategy. He was named in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and the National Restaurant Association called him a “Rising Restaurateur Star”. Restaurant Hospitality Magazine tagged him as a “Strategy Pro”. Bodnar is also the co-founder of Fresh Capital, and their focus is commercial real estate investing and development. Putting the Daily Grind Behind “I consider myself fundamentally an investor,” says Bodnar, who helps to source and lead investments in restaurants and businesses. What does an average work day look like? It turns out there is no typical work day. Every day can be very different, but most of his activity involves “sourcing new investment opportunities, and meeting new people.

Mitch interviews Neighbors Apparel Founder - Tessa Reeves. In the interview, they discuss how Tessa had thought she scored her dream job in New York City. But in a short time, she figured out it was a bad fit and she had to start all over. So through a series of experiments, she was able to uncover a career that she was passionate about. And to Tessa’s surprise… it was right in her backyard. Listen To The Podcast:                           What happens when the job you think will be your dream job… turns out to be a bad fit?   That’s what happened with my DREAM THINK DO podcast guest, Tessa Reeves. She scored her dream position with Vogue Magazine in New York City.   But within weeks, she started to realize that it wasn’t what she thought.   So… she quit. She started over. She started from scratch to find a “great fit” career. After a series of intentional experiments… she found it.   Surprisingly… it was in her own backyard. Here's a video interview with Tessa too from when we brought the BIG Dream Gathering to Kent State University: If you’ve ever found yourself in a “bad fit” job, you’re going to want to hear Tessa’s story.   Plus, you’re going to want to hear the specific steps she took to launch a career she now loves. Enjoy and interview and be sure to comment below on something that stood out to you from Tessa’s story.  I’d love to hear from YOU! Mitch TESSA’s CONTACT INFO: WEBSITE: http://www.neighborsapparel.com Here are the show notes from today’s DREAM THINK DO Episode:   Summary Sometimes that great job or career you always imagined is truly perfect. For someone else, that is. Not for you. When that happens, do you keep trying, hoping that one day you will settle into this awkward, new space, or do you go in search of something that fits not only your creative heart, but your spirit as well? Tessa Reeves found herself in this situation and decided to pivot and find meaningful work that encompassed all of who she is. This Kent State grad shares the story of moving from her parents’ Akron, Ohio home to New York City for a glamorous job at Vogue Magazine, and moving back home to find that her perfect fit was unexpectedly right in her own backyard.     Time-Stamped Show Notes [00:00] Reeves’ backstory. [04:03] What happened at Vogue Magazine? [07:02] That gut feeling that won’t go away. [11:00] Wearing different hats and trying to find a good fit. [16:25] Running away from a fashion career, but not fast enough. [19:05] Reeves is in over her head, but Neighbors Apparel begins to take shape. [21:50] Everything's a learning curve when you are new to management. [24:20] Business forced Reeves to be courageous, and she earned confidence with each step. [28:01] Words of wisdom for someone just starting out. [30:41] New ideas and plans for expansion. [36:16] Contact Information for Tessa Reeves and Neighbors Apparel. Tessa Reeves: Finding Fulfillment, Meaning, and Passion New York City Dreaming Tessa Reeves has always been a big dreamer, and one of her longest-held dreams was to work in the New York City fashion industry. Before she even finished her final year at college, she landed an internship with Vogue Magazine and moved from Akron to New York City. The first week, everything was new and she felt both nervous and excited. But after a couple of weeks, everything seemed mundane. No one seemed enthusiastic about what they were doing, and they worked excessively long hours. Reeves began to see it as working for materialism and celebrity, with no substance behind it. “What am I really doing here, or giving my life to,” she asked herself, “if this is the kind of career I’m starting?” Certain she was in the wrong place, within three weeks Reeves resigned, and returned home to Akron. What’s Next? “Everyone in my life was cheering me on from afar, and I was apprehensive to tell people that I quit.

Mitch interviews Robert Dickie, author of Love Your Work: 4 Practical Ways You Can Pivot to Your Best Career.     If you’ve had the inkling that there might be a change on the horizon for you and your career, you’re going to want to listen to this interview. My guest on the DREAM THINK DO podcast is Robert Dickie.   We talk about his newest book, “Love Your Work: 4 Practical Ways You Can Pivot to Your Best Career.” You know I LOVE this subject… and we dive deep into specific strategies you can use to get clear and find more of the work that you were created to do. Listen To The Podcast:                         Robert Dickie was a decorated Air Force officer and a successful executive, but then he found himself in a “bad fit” job.  He needed to change.  He needed to be intentional about it.  He started to experiment.   That lead him to work that is fulfilling, rewarding and profitable.    Over the past few years, Robert has started to teach others these strategies and people have benefited from them too.  They have used them to redesign their careers and/or find entirely new ones that we’re a better fit! So, I wanted to bring him on the show so we could share some of these concepts with you! If you’ve been thinking that you might need a change... listen in for some real world strategies that will help! Plus, I’d love to hear from you!  What’s a story or a strategy that stands out to you?  Leave a comment and let me know. In the meantime, keep bringing your awesome,   Mitch IMPORTANT LINKS: Love Your Work: 4 Practical Ways You Can Pivot to Your Best Career Robert’s website:  http://robertdickie.com/ Here are the show notes... Summary You can’t underestimate the importance of not just settling for a job, but finding your best and most fulfilling work. Robert Dickie, author of Love Your Work: 4 Practical Ways You Can Pivot to Your Best Career had a career that was anything but linear. He was a decorated air force officer, an executive for hire, and now, with Crown Financial Ministries, he helps people in over one hundred countries. Time-Stamped Show Notes [03:22] Introduction of Robert Dickie and his book, Love Your Work: 4 Practical Ways You Can Pivot to Your Best Career. [05:02] Discussing Career Pivots, how he has used them, and how you can use them too. [10:05] Why facing your fears and adding new skills are crucial to your success. [15:40] Examining the Four Career Quadrants, from Dickie’s latest book. [22:10] Crafting your plan, and who can help. [28:09] How to approach your boss for a win/win situation where you will both benefit. [37:15] Strategies to reinvent yourself and take advantage of the newest high-growth industries. [44:30] What that gnawing feeling in your gut really is, and how to cure it. [47:07] Reach out to Robert Dickie, read his blog, and pick up a copy of his latest book. Robert Dickie and the Reinvented Career A Non-Linear Career In his newest book, Love Your Work: 4 Practical Ways You Can Pivot to Your Best Career, Robert Dickie explores how you can find your best and most fulfilling work. He was a decorated Air Force officer, an executive for hire, author, coach, mentor, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur. Now, with Crown Financial Ministries, he is privileged to help people in over one hundred countries around the world. Dickie is married and lives with his wife, six children, and two dogs in Knoxville, Tennessee. Two Signs That It Is Time for a Pivot in Your Career Dickie has implemented pivots on his career path. The first was when he terminated a successful military career. In late 2000, he left his job as CEO in Flint, Michigan. He felt stagnant in his career, and knew he had to take a radical leap. In that pivot, he launched a start-up, and people thought he was crazy for leaving such a successful career. But others who had gone before him helped him craft a plan of intentional design which ...

Recognized social media and branding expert, Drew McLellan talks with Mitch Matthews about the secrets of growing your influence, audience, and impact. One of the most common questions we hear from DREAM THINK DO Listeners is: “I’ve got an important message.   How can I reach more people and have more of an impact?”   Today… if you want to influence people, grow your audience and make more of an impact… you need to understand social media. On this episode of DREAM THINK DO, Mitch interviews Drew McLellan about this very topic! Listen To The Podcast:                         McLellan has been on AdAge’s Top 150 list since it started and The Wall Street Journal calls him one of the “top ten bloggers every entrepreneur should read.” During their conversation, Mitch and Drew talk about: Advice for growing your audience whether you’re starting with 1 or 100,000 followers How to attract followers to your website and give them a reason to stay The key thing to avoid if you want to grow your influence Tips that any entrepreneur can use to create useful content. Whether you have a product, service, book or big idea… you can learn from Drew and his practical strategies and start to apply them immediately! Which of his ideas stood out to you?   Leave a comment.  We’d love to hear from YOU!   HERE’s some show notes from today’s show.  Enjoy -------------   Summary One of the top requests Mitch Matthews receives is for information on social media for entrepreneurs. Everyone with a website, product, or blog needs to know how best to use it to reach their target market. Recognized expert Drew McLellan of The McLellan Marketing Group and The Agency Management Institute has some advice on this topic. Starting his network blog in 2006, McLellan has been on AdAge’s Top 150 list ever since, while The Wall Street Journal calls him one of the “top ten bloggers every entrepreneur should read.” Time-Stamped Show Notes [00:00] Introduction to social media for entrepreneurs and expert, Drew McLellan. [06:07] McLellan discusses the pleasure of spending time with the people and things that matter the most. [11:01] Advice for growing an audience on social media. [18:45] Is social media an appropriate place to share your political opinions? [22:55] How to attract followers to your website and give them a reason to stay. [28:09] If you are desperate for a sale, your followers will sense that. Play hard to get and they will want you even more. [35:08] Tips that any entrepreneur can use to create useful content. [42:10] Don’t undervalue your ideas; people need the information you have. Drew McLellan and the Art of Leveraging Social Media One of the most-asked questions from entrepreneurs is, How can I use social media to enhance my customer base? Drew McLellan, who has been in advertising for more than twenty-five years, founded The McLellan Marketing Group in 1995, and also operates The Agency Management Institute, offering management training, consulting, and peer networking to his clients. In addition to his own network blog, he writes for Entrepreneur Magazine, The New York Times, CNN, Business Week, and others. The Wall Street Journal lists him as one of the “top ten bloggers every entrepreneur should read.” The Spoils of Hard Work McLellan works with agencies and clients across the country. He has worked long hours and devoted himself to growing his businesses. As a result, he says it is wonderful “getting to do what you love, serving the people that you love, in places that you love. It doesn’t get any better than that. But, I’m fifty-four years old,” McLellan says. “This didn’t happen overnight.” He has a twenty-three-year-old daughter working on her Master’s degree, and they set goals to visit a different continent together every year. He was able to free up the time to care for his mother,

Lindsay Palmer has made it a habit to create opportunities where none seem to exist. She did this throughout college and it got her a dream mentor and a position with the Pittsburgh Steelers. She did it after college to land her dream job. In this interview, Lindsay talks with Mitch about the strategies you can use to create opportunities and live more of the life you want to live. Listen To The Podcast:                         In college, she couldn’t find an internship matching with her passions, so she created one.That’s right.She created her own internship. (That effort helped her to eventually land a coveted position with the Pittsburgh Steelers.) She couldn’t find a mentor locally, so she searched the country for people who were the best of the best in her chosen field.She reached out.She connected. Those efforts enabled Lindsay to meet with one of the industry’s top leaders and then be invited to fly across the country to attend a series of events as her new mentor’s special guest. Her “dream job” didn’t exist right out of college, so she worked a “side-hustle” to build up her skills and make some extra money. Now… just a few years later… she’s in her dream job.And, I’m wildly blessed to say… that it’s with me and the team behind the BIG Dream Gathering. I wanted to bring Lindsay on DREAM THINK DO, because she has some great stories and some powerful insights to share when it comes to creating opportunities… especially when none seem to exist. If you’ve ever felt a little stuck... If you’ve ever needed to make a change, but you just weren’t sure where to start… I think you’re going to love this interview. Oh and let me know what stood out to you from Lindsay’s story.Leave a comment below.I’d love to hear from YOU! Enjoy. Mitch   FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BIG DREAM GATHERING: Lindsay and I talked about working together on the BIG Dream Gathering. Click here to find out more about these inspiring, powerful and fun events. Here’s a Podcast Summary for those who enjoy those types of things: Summary Did you ever wonder why attendees of the Big Dream Gatherings rave about the experience? The idea behind the gatherings and the Dream Think Do podcasts is to help people connect with their dreams and live their best lives. In 2011, host Mitch Matthews met a Duquesne student Lindsay Palmer at one of his Big Dream Gatherings. This is her story, which she shares candidly, with humor and passion, just like she lives her life. Time-Stamped Show Notes [00:00] Mitch Matthews talks about recent podcasts on Higher Purpose and why this one falls into the same series. [05:40] Introduction of Lindsay Palmer, who attended her first Big Dream Gathering when she was still a student at Duquesne University, and her light-bulb moment that changed the course of her life. [10:21] The Big Dream Gathering opened doors for Palmer, who was happy to run right through them in pursuit of her dream. She wanted to share what she got from the gathering with fellow students and arranged for Mitch Matthews to speak at her school. [15:15] What happened when Palmer found someone in Florida who was walking out her big dream as an event planner [16:30] Mitch Matthews’ definition of what a Dream Job is, and is not. [20:48] How “bridge jobs” and side hustles helped Palmer, and many others like her, pave the way to their dream job. [26:25] Through school, Palmer worked side jobs, convinced that they would help her get to her dream job sooner. Her peers thought she was overdoing it, but she was on a mission. [29:25] The payoff, and the joy of giving back. [32:45] Words of Wisdom for someone listening to the podcast from their dorm, their car, or their cubicle. Your Dream Job and What a Big Dream Gathering Can Do When Mitch Matthews met Lindsay Palmer at a Big Dream Gathering in 2011, he had no idea that their paths would cross repeatedly over the next few years.

Lise Cartwright is the “Queen of the Side Hustle.”  She created her dream job and has helped countless others do the same through her 24 best selling books.  Listen in to Lise’s story and get practical strategies so you can do the same! Listen To The Podcast:                         Have you ever been curious about trying something different as a career… but you just weren’t sure how to start… or if you even should? That’s where Lise Cartwright found herself a few years ago. She was in a job that wasn’t fulfilling.  A little part of her was dying every day.  She knew there had to be better for her.  BUT… she wasn’t in a place where she could just quit and start all over. Instead, she launched a side hustle. That is… she started to experiment with different kinds of work on her own time.   Writing. Organizing. Planning. All the stuff she loved. But now she was doing it for other people.  And she was getting paid. Things started to take off and she quit her “bad fit” job.  Now, she’s doing work that she enjoys… while getting paid well to do it.  It’s not easy… but it sure is satisfying. I love Lise’s story.  How about you?  What’s something that stood out to you from the ideas that Lise shared?   I’d love to hear from YOU!  Leave a comment and let me know. LISE’S CONTACT INFO: Cartwright has many bestselling books, including the popular Side Hustle Blueprint: How to Make an Extra $1,000 in 30 Days Without Leaving Your Day Job, all of which are available on Amazon. As well, she offers business-building courses and workshops, The 7 Day Challenge, and some useful freebies on her website, Hustle and Groove.  HERE ARE SOME SHOW NOTES IF YOU’RE INTO THAT SORT OF THING:   Summary When New Zealand's Lise Cartwright first appeared on the Dream Think Do podcast in March of 2015, she was a successful indie author with six Amazon bestsellers to her credit. Impressive, right? Now she returns as a guest less than two years later, and that bestseller number has grown to twenty-four. How does she do it? That is exactly what she shares with readers and followers in her books and courses. Known as “the queen of the side hustle,” Cartwright has built a highly successful business helping ordinary people turn their side passions or sidelines into full-time careers. She does this through coaching on her websites, in her books and audiobooks, through courses and workshops, and on her blog. Time-Stamped Show Notes [00:00]  Introduction to Lise Cartwright, bestselling author and success coach from Auckland, New Zealand [02:06]  Cartwright has been busy creating the exciting new course to go along with The Side Hustle [05:20]  Definition of the side hustle [07:00]  How Cartwright began her own side hustle and why [09:58]  With no background in writing and no experience, Cartwright became a relative expert, working in her spare time and on weekends [14:30]  The Side Hustle Blueprint series is born with titles such as How To Make an Extra $1,000 in 30 Days Without Leaving Your Day Job [18:09]  Revamping and updating her series to keep pace with changes in the industry, Cartwright works to make sure her information is cutting edge [21:25]  Cartwright shows that she can help the artist or artisan who wants to market her products online, by helping her find her market and client base [30:00]  The steps Cartwright reveals for an artist growing their business are the same steps you will need to build any type of online business [31:45]  Contact information and social media presence   The Side Hustle Queen of the side hustle, Lise Cartwright from Auckland, New Zealand, teaches others how to create this in their own lives because she successfully did it in her own. She defines the side hustle as "something you can do in your spare time, which is neither time nor financially intensive." Most of Cartwright's prior business life was spent in jobs where she w...

A few years ago, my DREAM THINK DO guest, Tom Pietras, asked himself a simple but profound question: “What would I regret if I got run over by a beer truck on the way home from work?“ (Hey… he lives in Madison, Wisconsin… so it’s not a crazy question!)  His answer (and his next steps) changed everything for the better. Listen To The Podcast:                         By all outward appearances, Tom had everything going for him. He was a successful executive doing challenging work he enjoyed. Plus, he had a happy marriage and was surrounded by some great friends. What more could a guy want? Here’s the thing. When he answered his “beer truck” question, he got hit with a surprise. The surprise… was that he wanted to dig back into a former passion. Music. Drumming to be more specific. He had drummed as a kid.  His dad had taught him.  He was good too.  But then a disagreement made him put down the sticks. They stayed down… for 29 years! But the “beer truck” question and a chance encounter at a dinner party changed everything… for the better. During our convo, we dig into Tom’s story but we also talk through some of the specific strategies he used to set a new course for his life and career. It hasn’t been easy… but the journey has been amazing. Whether you’re 25 or 75… or somewhere in between…  I think you’ll be inspired and equipped by hearing from Tom. I loved this convo.  I hope you do too! If so, what’s something from Tom’s story that stood out to you?  What’s something you could apply? Comment below and let me know. I’d love to hear from you! CONTACT INFO: Also, here’s how you can find out more about Tom and his band, CD, Know My Name by The Ryan McGrath Band is available on Amazon or iTunes. Website: The Ryan McGrath Band for concert and tour dates. Like them on Facebook for updates and information.     FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BIG DREAM GATHERING: Mitch and Tom also talked about working together on Mitch's BIG Dream Gatherings around the country. Click here to find out more about these inspiring, powerful and fun events. Here are the show notes if you're interested in those kinds of things: Summary Even with a successful career and a happy marriage, there can still be something missing in life. The choice then is whether to keep pushing the feelings away or to open yourself up to your long-buried passions. Tom Pietras, a successful executive at American Family Insurance, faced such a choice. He found his answer when he asked himself one question, What would I regret if I got hit by a beer truck on the way home? The answer opened up a new world to him. Time-Stamped Show Notes [00:00] The second in Mitch Matthews’ new series of three podcasts featuring three very diverse Dream Think Doers, at different points in their lives, who recognized the need to make a change to live more authentically. Introduction of Tom Pietras. [02:48] As a successful leader at American Family Insurance, Pietras had a fulfilling and enviable career. At forty-three he went through “somewhat of a midlife crisis” that led to fulfilling a long-buried passion to pursue drumming. [09:20] How a chance encounter at a dinner function turned into an incredible opportunity. [15:40] Finding a public forum where he could perform every week. [22:30] The Ryan McGrath Band cut their first album, Know My Name, available on Amazon and iTunes. [27:40] Success did not come overnight, but every step along the way, Pietras was planning, setting goals, and moving forward. [32:30] Pietras asked both his wife and employer for their support in pursuing his dream. [40:00] Words of Wisdom: Proceed as if Success Is Inevitable. Envision success. Dream Think Do – Tom Pietras Midlife Crisis When you’re going through a midlife crisis and you live in Madison, Wisconsin, asking yourself, What would I regret if I got run over by a beer truck on the way home fr...