505: The Family First Entrepreneur with Steve Chou

Years ago, I remember coming across a podcast and blog called My Wife Quit Her Job. I had no idea then that, one day, the creator of this content would one day appear on my podcast.

steve chou

But then, he wrote a book. And our mutual friend, Jeff Goins, suggested an introduction. I’m glad he did.

Steve and his wife’s story, is a fascinating one, and one I can’t wait for you to learn more about in this episode.

His new book is all about how to create the life you’ve always wanted, without sacrificing your relationships—as so many often do—in the process. It’s called The Family First Entrepreneur: How to Achieve Financial Freedom Without Sacrificing What Matters Most.

We all want a comfortable life with plenty of time for family and friends. This vision is what inspired Steve to strike out on his own over a decade ago. But what he found was a nonstop schedule of never-ending work that wore him and his family down.

The hallmarks of modern business are making people miserable, Steve, says, and preventing them from enjoying life’s greatest gifts. Business owners get stuck on the hamster wheel of hustle only to end up burned out and looking for a better way.

For fifteen years, Steve has run two successful seven-figure businesses in twenty hours a week or fewer, leaving plenty of time for family, friends, and leisure. In the book, he shares profound insights and practical advice on business and life, demonstrating that you can, in fact, pursue your dream without sacrificing what matters most.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Steve and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

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504: Speak Up or Stay Stuck with Pam Marmon

Today’s guest is making her second appearance on the podcast. Her first was back in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. That book, called No One’s Listening and It’s Your Fault was geared to leaders.

pam marmon

Her new book is intended for managers and employees. It’s all about navigating the inevitable periods of change within an organization. It’s called Speak Up or Stay Stuck: Get Your Voice Heard When Fast and Forced Change Happens In the Workplace.

Your company is changing, Pam says, whether you like it or not. As a manager, you are expected to make that transformation happen, yet you feel voiceless, unseen, and unrepresented.

Change is not the enemy. It’s inevitable and it could be the key to your success. In Speak Up or Stay Stuck, Pam unpacks a practical framework for implementing organizational change while ensuring your voice is heard. Finally: the key to amplifying your message without jeopardizing your job.

You’ll discover how to communicate with senior leaders while effectively advocating for yourself and your team. Reclaim control and ownership of your work, grow your organizational change resilience, and find new ways to thrive when fast and forced change hits your workplace.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Pam and her work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

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503: Leadership Lessons Drawn From the Wisdom of Mom with Valerie Cockerell

Over 500 episodes in, and it’s still possible for there to be firsts. This episode brings with it a special milestone; one that includes having featured—for the first time—three members of the same family.

valerie cockerell

In previous episodes I’ve enjoyed having on Lee Cockerell and Dan Cockerell (father and son, respectively) to talk about their books.

Today, I’m pleased to welcome Lee’s daughter-in-law, and Dan’s wife, Valerie Cockerell.

Valerie’s new book is called Manage Like a Mother: Leadership Lessons Drawn From the Wisdom of Mom.

Leadership doesn’t have to be complicated, Valerie says. Mothers have known this all along as they practice their own no-nonsense form of leadership.

In Manage like a Mother, Valerie shares common-sense principles for anyone seeking to be an effective leader. She explains how raising children, nurturing their development, multitasking as only a mother does, managing conflicts, dealing with teenagers and being a great role model are some of the essential skills that leaders can easily apply to their professional working environments—with proven success. 

You don’t need to look much further than your own childhood to know what works and what doesn’t. Valerie’s book shows you how applying moms’ best practices can reap the best results for any organization.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Valerie and her work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

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502: Learning to Get Past Your Past with Jason VanRuler

Today’s guest and I seem to have a lot in common, and I’m so glad I was given the chance to meet him and interview him about his book. I think it’s one you definitely need to read for yourself.

jason vanruler

His name is Jason VanRuler, and his book is called Get Past Your Past: How Facing the Broken Places Leads to True Connection.

Your brokenness, Jason Says, is not the end of the story. It’s time to heal.

Any of us can get stuck in our struggle. Jesus came to set us free and give us life–abundant life–but while we believe it for everyone else, it’s hard to accept his forgiveness and grace for ourselves. We continue in our old ways, living as one with no hope because we’re afraid of failing if we try to get better.

But what if brokenness–the array of behaviors and symptoms that show us that all is not as it should be with us–isn’t all there is? What if we can change?

As a licensed therapist and a man who’s dealt with his own problems–including childhood trauma, alcohol abuse, drug use, and bouts of depression–Jason VanRuler understands what you’re going through. In Get Past Your Past, he offers empathy, grace, and a hand to hold as he shares from his own places of brokenness and his professional knowledge

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Jason and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

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501: Discover Who You Already Are, Who You Want to Be, and How to Ensure Others See You That Way with Aliza Licht

Today’s guest, a former fashion executive, successfully turned her communications expertise into a multimedia brand and consultancy. And today, you and I have the privilege of learning from her years of experience.

Her name is Aliza Licht, and her latest book is called On Brand: Shape Your Narrative, Share Your Vision, Shift Their Perception.

How you show up in person, over email, and on social media, Aliza says, communicates your personal brand. That brand deserves thoughtful cultivation and crafting as you shape your narrative, build your network, grow your confidence, and plot your future.

This book is for the new graduate seeking their first job, the middle manager looking to level up, the executive who wants to become more notable, the entrepreneur building from scratch, the person who wants to pivot to a new career, the social media influencer who is their own brand—it’s for anyone who wants to affect the way people perceive them and feel proud when they hear the words “that’s so on brand for you.”

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Aliza and her work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

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