Happy Friday!  We are excited to come back to you, just Josh and Ben!  Part of our 'new format' of the show is to have a monthly recap show and discuss things we've learned from all the guests this month.

First Ben and Josh talk about Brianna Wu's interview.  Josh is convinced, though Ben asserts Josh is wrong, that Ben has a crush on Brianna.  Crush is the wrong word, Ben admires what she does and how she does it.  Josh and Ben could agree on Brianna's value-bomb of "be honest with yourself, keep on your 'mission objectives'."  Ben and Josh also discuss what her message means to us.

Next, Josh and Ben review their time with Josh's crush, Shannon Hernandez.  Josh clears things up and says Shannon is just a fun guy to hang out with.  We talk about some of the stories Shannon shared and we also agree on his value-bomb "stay persistent and allow yourself to grow in small steps."  This is huge and we talk about how Shannon is living this idea.

Then Ben and Josh cover Susan Carlson.  Josh and Ben both enjoyed speaking with Susan and both have a ton of respect for her.  She is very articulate and passionate about her goals and thoughts on the education system here in Phoenix.  Susan's value-bomb that stuck with us is "keep on keeping on."  This point also echos Shannon's point.

Before Josh and Ben discuss the most recent interview of the month, they get on a bit of a tangent about motorcycles (especially considering Josh just purchased a new bike).

Finally, Ben and Josh speak about Brett Gajda.  Brett shared some fun stories in his interview.  While it was a great time, it was also super informative.  Brett left us with a great value-bomb "breakdown almost always comes before break through."  Huge advice, and something we all should keep in mind when things get difficult.

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

We have a great show for you today, this is part 2 of our interview with Brett Gajda, coach, speaker, and podcast host.

According to Brett, success is being able to live your average perfect day, everyday.  While he isn't there yet, he as built all legs and is fine tuning them to be able to support his utopia.  Brett currently owns his business, which he can operate geography free, and earn passive income.

Once Brett Gajda has all the supports built up strong and stable and able to support his utopia, what is he going to do next?  He worded it great by saying he "can't plan for the back side of the mountain until he reaches the top."

Planning and building your business is key, and you have to have the vision and followthrough to make it.  Brett told a story of a friend who wants to learn to play the guitar that really brings the point home.

Brett Gajda gave us three valuable lessons today:

• Compromise your lifestyle for what you need, not what you want
• Breakdown almost always comes before break through
• Ask for support, we are all in this together

Books and Movies from Brett's interview:

• Three Feet From Gold on Amazon and iTunes
• Sliding Doors on Amazon and iTunes
• Star Wars on Amazon
• Princess Bride on Amazon and iTunes
• Back to the Future on Amazon and iTunes (parts one, two, and three)

Follow Brett Gajda here:

• Where There is Smoke
• Twitter

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

We have a great show for you today, this is part 1 of our interview with Brett Gajda, coach, speaker, and podcast host.

According to Brett, success is being able to live your average perfect day, everyday.  While he isn't there yet, he as built all legs and is fine tuning them to be able to support his utopia.  Brett currently owns his business, which he can operate geography free, and earn passive income.

Once Brett Gajda has all the supports built up strong and stable and able to support his utopia, what is he going to do next?  He worded it great by saying he "can't plan for the back side of the mountain until he reaches the top."

Planning and building your business is key, and you have to have the vision and followthrough to make it.  Brett told a story of a friend who wants to learn to play the guitar that really brings the point home.

Books and Movies from Brett's interview:

• Three Feet From Gold on Amazon and iTunes
• Sliding Doors on Amazon and iTunes
• Star Wars on Amazon
• Princess Bride on Amazon and iTunes
• Back to the Future on Amazon and iTunes (parts one, two, and three)

Follow Brett Gajda here:

• Where There is Smoke
• Twitter

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

Today we have part 2 of our interview with Susan Carlson, Educational Leader and Cultural Enthusiast.

Susan Carlson sees an opportunity to improve education in Arizona.  Arizona has one of the lowest ratings in the country for engaged youth.  Susan explains that, in a few years, that means the work force in Arizona will be one of the least educated and least motivated in the country.  The economy will suffer and national companies will either move or not even come to Arizona in favor of cities and states with a higher caliber work force.  Susan and Josh discuss how this public education issue will impact even Josh's son, who is at a private school.

Susan also shares with us a lesson she learned from her mother.  You are not a victim, if something is wrong, you need to do something to fix it.  This has taught Susan to be proactive in creating a change and making a difference.

Susan left us with some valuable lessons today:

• Commit to an action and do it
• Keep on Keeping on
• Networks matter, cultivate and maintain yours

Find more of what Susan Carlson is doing here:

• Carlson & Affiliates
• Los Alumnos Immersion Academy

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

Today we have part 1 of our interview with Susan Carlson, Educational Leader and Cultural Enthusiast.

Most of Susan's professional career has been in education.  With the exception of a stint in real estate, she has taught, administered, and served school boards.  She even chaired the ACT and AMEPAC boards.

Susan Carlson's Utopia is a place where people flourish by being able to participate in something you are passionate about.

She retired from teaching and with the support of her husband, she has started down the path of her Utopia.  She knows where she wants to end up, but she is not completely sure how she is going to get there.

Find more of what Susan Carlson is doing here:

• Carlson & Affiliates
• Los Alumnos Immersion Academy

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

Today is Part 2 of our interview with Shannon Hernandez, Professional Broadcaster, Podcast Producer, Trainer, and proponent of man buns.

Shannon Hernandez's Utopia is freedom.  He has found the path and walking it, but he doesn't know when he'll get there.

Speaking of walking, Shannon Hernandez found a ton of answers at the gym while on the treadmill and on the elliptical.  Shannon started working out after making a deal with himself.  He knows he needs to be healthier and lose weight but he didn't want to go to the doctor.  The deal was, if he can't lose weight and feel better on his own after six months, then he would see the doctor.

The trick is baby steps.  Any monumental journey starts with a first step.  This is how Shannon started his health plans and it is applicable to any goal you can set for yourself.  Any task is easy when you break it down to baby steps.

Shannon left us with great lessons today:

• You cannot give up
• Stay persistent and allow yourself to geo in small steps
• Have fun, you have to have fun

And these are a couple books that impacted his life:

• The Go Giver on Amazon and iTunes
• Launch on Amazon and iTunes

Follow Shannon on his website and on Twitter.

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

Today is Part 1 of our interview with Shannon Hernandez, Professional Broadcaster, Podcast Producer, Trainer, and proponent of man buns.

Shannon Hernandez has a masters degree and was a high school english teacher who worked part time at a Phoenix radio station.  Then the station offered him a full time evening shift and he couldn't pass it up.  This led Shannon to working full time at two jobs and in between those finding time to grade papers and sleep.

Could you get up at 6:00am and drive into school to teach a zero hour class until 4:00pm.  Then take a nap and head to the radio station to DJ from 7:00 until mid night.  Finally, grade papers until 2:00ish in the morning before taking another nap.  This is what Shannon did for about 4 months before the school semester ended and he resigned so he could work at the radio station full time.

He made it happen because he had to.  If you're really passionate, you'll sacrifice for your passion.

Shannon Hernandez found inspiration in these:

• The Go Giver on Amazon and iTunes
• Launch on Amazon and iTunes

Follow Shannon on his website and on Twitter.

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

Today is the second half of Josh Marsden and Ben Thompson's interview with entrepreneur, game developer, podcast host and equality advocate Brianna Wu.

Brianna Wu learned a ton from her parents and thanks them for a number of opportunities in her life. As a child, if she ever wanted to learn something, her parents gave her the resources and told her to 'go figure it out.' That mentality taught Brianna to be self sufficient and independent.

When Brianna sets her sights on something, she sticks with it until she makes it happen. "The Giant Spacekat Starship should have exploded many times but we pushed through." This attitude is evident not only in her company Giant Spacekat, but also in her actions for equality in the tech industry.

Brianna Wu left us with some valuable lessons:

• Exercise, the mind cannot live without the body
• Be honest with yourself, keep on your 'mission objectives'
• Get a support network of friends

Here are some additional links:

• Google Guys on Amazon and iTunes
• Revolution 60 for the iPhone and iPad

Follow Brianna on Twitter or just 'read the news'

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

Today is the first half of Josh Marsden and Ben Thompson's interview with entrepreneur, game developer, podcast host and equality advocate Brianna Wu.

It is difficult for Brianna Wu to build her utopia right now, considering the stand she has taken in the fight for equal rights in the tech industry.  Due to this, she has unfortunately received numerous threats against her person and her life.  This is a deplorable situation and a testament to Brianna's conviction and personality to stand up to the threats and fight for equality.

Brianna's commitment to better treatment in the tech industry is evident in her company.  Everyone knows about 'crunch time' in the game development industry and her views on how to handle it comes out in her interview.

Part 2 of Brianna Wu's interview will be out later this week.

• Google Guys on Amazon and iTunes
• Revolution 60 for the iPhone and iPad

Follow Brianna on Twitter or just 'read the news'

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