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Syndication

We are very very pleased to bring you part 1 of our conversation with Ryan Deiss, CEO of Digital Marketer, co-founder of Idea Incubator LP, speaker, loving husband, and father of four.

We start the show by learning that while Ryan Deiss is a famous and sought after speaker, that was not his goal.  He is protective of his personal life and has learned to keep his business self and personal self separate.  He sometimes feels conflict about this as he knows the value of social media and presenting himself publicly for his professional endeavors.

Ryan Deiss has given this a ton of thought (even wishing at times he had gone in under a pseudonym) and shares some of his thoughts on keeping his professional self separate from his personal self.  He even shares a story about a weirdo who found his home phone number and called his wife!

After a bit of time down tangent road, we come back around and hear Ryan Deiss's thoughts on Utopia.  His vision is the ability to choose.  He has tried living the leisurely life, and after a week or two he's going crazy and needs to get back to work.  The true heart of it is being able to choose to work now, or read quietly, or attend a tennis match of his child, or meet a client.

Links for the show:

As always, a special thank you to The Strand for our intro and outro music!

Direct download: 104_Interview_Part_1_with_Ryan_Deiss.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

It's the last Friday of the month and that means it is time to talk about what we've learned from our stellar guests this month! Thank you to Josh Turner, Cheryl Liew Chng, Allyn & Greg Reid, and Omar Zenhom.

Ben & Josh joke about Josh Turner starting a business with his friend Ben and how that parallels so closely with this show. Then they jump right into Josh Turner's value bombs and talk about their favorite (surprisingly, our hosts agree with each other).

Next Josh & Ben recall how awesome Cheryl Liew Chng is because of her impact on the folks around her while being able to have time for herself and her family. Our hosts then discuss their favorite value bombs.

Then Ben & Josh talk about Allyn & Greg Reid. Josh shares how he met Greg and both Josh & Ben talk about how the conversation with Allyn & Greg impacted their lives.  It was also great having the pair on together as a couple, and this leads Ben & Josh down memory lane and the couples who have been on the show in the past.

Finally Josh & Ben talk about their impressions with Omar Zenhom, Ben explains how he likes talking to people he doesn't know and Josh shares his obstacle course and training simulator experience with Omar Zenhom.

Before we close out the show, remember to get our list of Top 10 Value Bombs from our guests over the last 100 episodes!

As always, a special thank you to The Strand for our intro and outro music!

Direct download: 103_Be_Excellent_to_Each_Other.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

We are stoked to bring you part 2 of our fun conversation with Omar Zenhom, Educator and Entrepreneur.

Our conversation so far meanders and we finally get to hear Omar Zenhom's definition of Utopia.  Omar feels it is important to do what you feel like doing.

Next, we learn what helps keep Omar Zenhom balanced.  He works out because he feels it is important to keep your body in a good place because it impacts your mental attitude.  We also learn that Omar spends time watching movies with Nicole (his significant other, who went to film school).  It's also critical to take time off, some of his best ideas came out when he was on vacation.

We close out the conversation with Omar Zenhom with his 3 Value Bombs:

  • Know the fundamentals and then rehearse (in business, life, and even dance)
  • Completely focus on one task at a time
  • Whatever you choose to do in life, want it bad

Follow Omar Zenhom:

As always, a special thank you to The Strand for our intro and outro music!

Direct download: 102_Interview_Part_2_with_Omar_Zenhom.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

We are excited to bring you part 1 of our interview with Omar Zenhom, Educator and an Entrepreneur.

Omar Zenhom starts off by giving us some background on where he came from professionally.  Omar used to teach English as a second language to folks coming in and learning so they could attend other classes.  Omar also gives us a glimpse into his professional career including working out of an Air BnB for a few months just to decide if the city was a good fit.

Next Omar Zenhom talks with us about having a "plan B" versus going 100% in and really believe in what you are trying.  Omar believes this can make a huge impact on your mental attitude and your commitment to an idea.  It isn't worth the effort to put in part time work, you have to dive all the way in.  This talk leads into a corner of how Omar thinks and acts.

Omar Zenhom also explains to us the importance of having those closest to you support you in your endeavors.  Those folks need to be on board and know you are doing what you are passionate about and it will take some sacrifice.  They need to prop you up in the tough times and celebrate the wins with you.

Follow Omar Zenhom:

As always, a special thank you to The Strand for our intro and outro music!

Direct download: 101_Interview_Part_1_with_Omar_Zenhom.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:07am EDT

Hello Utopians!  Josh and Ben are super stoked to bring you this extra episode, Episode 100!  Thank you so much for coming on this journey with us, we wouldn't be here if not for the support of all you listening out there and our fantastic guests for sharing their stories and experiences with us.

Josh and Ben talk about how Build Your Utopia has impacted us over the last year.

Next Josh and Ben reflect on how Build Your Utopia Guests have inspired, motivated, and challenged us.

Then Josh and Ben talk about work-life balance today compared to a year ago.

Following that, Josh and Ben cover where they are personally & professionally now versus last year.

Guest Clip compilation

Free Gift!

As always, a special thank you to The Strand for our intro and outro music for the last 100 shows!

Direct download: 100_Josh_and_Ben_Celebrate_100_Episodes.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

We are very excited to bring you the second half of our conversation with Allyn & Greg Reid, authors, producers, entrepreneurs and chasers of freedom.

We jump right back with another huge message from Greg, change your plan to a strategy.  Strategies are adjustable and flexible.  Greg makes another point that you have to adapt and illustrates this point with a fun story about a monkey and a nut.

Next, Allyn and Ben talk about the advantages and drawbacks of having a set schedule.  As we know, Ben is very process driven and uses the "blocked time" mentality to get work done.  Allyn believes that being so regimented doesn't leave you open to unexpected events and opportunities.

Finally, Allyn & Greg leave us with a huge value bomb each:

  • Allyn -- Ask Questions, especially "How", how is the language of creation
  • Greg --  We are a reflection of our associations

Follow Allyn & Greg Reid here:

As always, a special thank you to The Strand for our intro and outro music!

Direct download: 099_Interview_Part_2_with_Allyn_and_Greg_Reid.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

We are very excited to bring you part 1 of our conversation with Allyn & Greg Reid, authors, producers, entrepreneurs and chasers of freedom.

Not counting the slight derailment by Ben, we jump right into the definition of Utopia.  Allyn gives us a great view of of her Utopia and it is something we've never heard before.

Allyn & Greg really live an idea we've heard before on this show.  When Allyn & Greg decide to do something, they don't ask a friend, they find an expert in the area and ask them.  There is no reason to re-invent the wheel, find someone making a great wheel and learn from them.

Next, Allyn and Greg give us some great advice for being a couple devoted to eachother as well as business partners.  They get out of each other's way.  There is Allyn time, Greg time, and Allyn & Greg time.

Most people want to be "normal" and Allyn & Greg are happy by chucking that word out the window.

Follow Allyn & Greg Reid here:

As always, a special thank you to The Strand for our intro and outro music!

Direct download: 098_Interview_Part_1_with_Allyn_and_Greg_Reid.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

We are very pleased to bring you part 2 of our engaging conversation with Cheryl Liew Chng, Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, and the 24-Hour Woman.

Cheryl Liew Chng keeps the value high by sharing when she would outsource different tasks.  Cheryl says the best time to outsource work to other people is as soon as possible!  It is also a good idea to look at they type of work and if it is not your forte, then hire someone else to do it.  One of the key things to keep in mind when hiring people is not only 'are they a high performer' but also 'do we get along with eachother'.

We next change things up with Cheryl Liew Chng by figuring out what her outlets are.  Cheryl loves to bake (but not so much the washing up!).  She also loves to create floral arrangements.  She finds these types of activities that permit her to create very energizing.  Thankfully her family also knows that if she doesn't get this time, she becomes grouchy.  And no one in her family is upset when she cooks and bakes.

Finally, Cheryl Liew Chng drops her Value Bombs on us:

  • We all have 24 hours, invest in what matters most
  • If you have a burning desire, take the first step
  • You are valuable as a person, so live a life that is most excellent

Get the book The 24-Hour Woman

Follow what Cheryl Liew Chng has to say right here:

As always, a special thank you to The Strand for our intro and outro music!

Direct download: 097_Interview_Part_2_with_Cheryl_Liew_Chng.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

We are very pleased to bring you part 1 of our engaging conversation with Cheryl Liew Chng, Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, and the 24-Hour Woman.

Cheryl Liew Chng doesn't waste any time and jumps right in with her view of Utopia.  Cheryl wants us to live our lives as a living legacy and also thriving in the different facets of our lives.  She also gives us some tips on how to thrive!  When you go to a bookstore and what section of books do you find yourself in?  What do your friends and family say are the times you are really engaged and happy?  When you look back at your life, what projects or times were you most happy?  Those three can really help you triangulate the areas where you thrive.

Next, Cheryl Liew Chng shares her vision for the future of continuing to grow the 24-Hour Woman movement by touching and improving the lives of more and more woman.  Cheryl also wants to have the time to travel with her family.  Through all of this she finds herself as a role model and has to remind herself that people look up to her.  It's a great position to find yourself in and one she takes very seriously.

Cheryl Liew Chng recalls a turning point in her life that really got her thinking about her life and her future.  Cheryl worked with a good friend and mentor who asked her if she wanted to work in the healthcare field her entire life.  That really got her thinking about why she worked so hard and was so good at and committed to her job.

Get the book The 24-Hour Woman

Follow what Cheryl Liew Chng has to say right here:

As always, a special thank you to The Strand for our intro and outro music!

Direct download: 096_Interview_Part_1_with_Cheryl_Liew_Chng.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

We are very pleased to bring you part 2 of this week's conversation with Josh Turner, entrepreneur, author, and fan of Sour Patch Kids!

Josh Turner continues to get right into it by sharing how he makes time for all his interests during the day.  He just does it.  Josh elaborates by saying that he makes the time for himself, he has to or he gets into a negative mental state (like wondering why he is the only one in the office working late or being lethargic).  He makes it a point to jog in the morning, it helps him start the day upbeat and energized.

Josh Turner doesn't really struggle to make time for his outlets because he has built his business up to make sure he has the time for himself.  That doesn't mean he won't hop on the computer for an hour or two on the weekends, but he doesn't spend all day working.  It isn't worth it for him.

Ben recalls that Josh Turner mentioned in part 1 that he used to work 60 hours a week and wonders what changed from then to now.  Josh says he used to think it was a badge of honor to put in that many hours.  As he's grown, he's realized that he no longer wants to brag about that.  He'd rather brag about the opportunities for adventures that having a successful business offers.

Josh (our Josh) then leads us down a small tangent based on what Josh Turner said about having a strong number 2.  Josh said he's seen successful business with overworked and stressed owners because they are wearing too many hats.  He advocates finding a strong person who is dedicated and really bought into the business.  Josh also shares how to make the compensation plan work for someone especially when a business is new and growing.

Josh Turner closes out the show with these Value Bombs:

  • It's okay to dabble to find the one thing you want, but it's better to have one thing than many
  • Don't be afraid to invest in marketing and sales
  • You can never have enough cash in the bank

Books from this conversation:

Follow Josh Turner here:

As always, a special thank you to The Strand for our intro and outro music!

Direct download: 095_Interview_Part_2_with_Josh_Turner.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

We are very pleased to bring you part 1 of this week's conversation with Josh Turner, entrepreneur, author, and fan of Sour Patch Kids!

We get right into it with Josh Turner and learn his definition of Utopia is to do whatever makes you happy; enjoy what you're doing and look forward every day to do what you're doing.  It could be running your own business, it could be working at a food bank, anything really that gets you pumped up.  He dives in a bit further and calls out a number of things that he really enjoys doing (but none that he'd want to do 24/7).

Next, Josh Turner shares his journey of working for himself and how he got there.  He's been his own boss since 2010 (LinkedSelling started in 2011).  He was working for a construction firm that closed up and went out of business when the market crashed and that motivated Josh to take his part time entrepreneur ventures full time.  It could have been a rough situation as he didn't really have a pile of savings to ride on, he only had credit cards.  This let to a side conversation about how credit cards are very dangerous but can also be a great benefit to a company.

Books from this conversation:

Follow Josh Turner here:

As always, a special thank you to The Strand for our intro and outro music!

Direct download: 094_Interview_Part_1_with_Josh_Turner.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

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