In this episode of Building a Life and Business Together, Stephanie and I open up about what’s been happening in our personal lives and in our business. We start lightheartedly, talking about her excitement for an upcoming Taylor Swift release in theaters and our family’s long-standing tradition of attending Homearama. We even share a bit of our everyday banter, complete with neighborhood interruptions, geese crossings, and pizza talk.

From there, the conversation takes a deeper turn. I reflect on the past couple of years in our business, specifically the financial ebbs we’ve experienced, the choices that led us here, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I share candidly about my journey of shifting focus, experimenting with how I show up, and the impact that my spiritual exploration has had on my audience and income.

Stephanie and I discuss the reality of walking through a long ebb season, what it’s taught us about authenticity, and how it’s led me to make a major decision: I’m shifting my professional focus back to the core audiences who first connected with my work, successful entrepreneurs, those in the struggle of building, and aspiring business owners.

I unpack the importance of product-to-market fit, why I’ve decided to lean back into practical, actionable business strategy and mindset coaching, and how this change doesn’t mean abandoning depth or authenticity. Instead, it means meeting people where they are and guiding them from there.

This episode is part behind-the-scenes reflection, part real-time pivot, and part encouragement for anyone who’s navigating seasons of transition in their own work. If you’ve ever wrestled with clarity, messaging, or wondering how to serve people in a way that connects, I think you’ll find this conversation both relatable and inspiring.

In this episode, Stephanie and I share unexpected adventure that took place when both Planet Fitness and Walmart lost power on the same rainy morning.

From there, the conversation flows into our latest binge of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, the way storytelling keeps pulling us into new worlds.

We discuss our thoughts about returning to content creation in the entertainment space.

Stephanie opens up about the tension she feels at home: wanting to launch back into her creative work while also feeling “trapped” by the clutter and unfinished projects in the house.

I share about attending my Aunt Joyce’s memorial service and the reflections it stirred in me about the way we live, the way so many people in the world fight, and the way we often miss the bigger picture of what matters most.

I shared a few updates about my business:

• Why I’m ending this season of my daily “Ask Me Anything” livestreams
• The meaningful connections that came from them
• My plans to reach new audiences by collaborating with peers and creating short-run niche podcasts
• And the big decision to retire the “Pay What You Want” model for the Free the Dream Workshop, moving instead to a clear investment and considering the return of the bonus mastermind day.

In this week’s episode, Stephanie and I invite you to join us on a walk as we catch up on the highlights of our recent days together.

We start with a fun conversation about the Downton Abbey finale movie and why that series has always held a special place in our lives. From the costumes and music to the way it wove history into storytelling, it gave us both a lot to reflect on about changing times and the comforts of today.

From there, we shift into our weekend adventures. We share about our trip to Natural Bridge State Park in Kentucky, where I got to combine exploring nature with one of my favorite hobbies, Parks on the Air, and successfully activated the park from the top of the bridge. Stephanie also opens up about her relationship with heights and what it was like for her to take the chairlift up and down.

Of course, no adventure is complete without great food. We tell the story of discovering Miguel’s Pizza. Stephanie compares it to some of her all-time favorites, and we both agree that it will be hard not to go back there every time we’re in the Red River Gorge area.

Finally, we wrap things up with our thoughts on finishing season seven of Outlander and diving into the new spin-off, Blood of My Blood.

This episode is about more than entertainment or weekend getaways. It’s about how simple, intentional choices, whether it’s carving out time for a movie, a walk, a shared meal, or a trip into nature, build the memories and rhythms of life and business together.

In this episode of Building A Life & Business Together, Stephanie and I take you inside one of the most unique weekends we’ve had in a while.

We start with something lighthearted… Stephanie calling me out for my “old man” sock choice. From there, we dive into a full weekend of dog-sitting chaos. With McKenna home briefly to take the LSAT, and Megan and Jacob away in Chicago, we found ourselves caring for not one, not two, but three dogs. Amelia, their youngest rescue, kept us on our toes with boundless energy and more than a few “accidents.” Maggie, their powerhouse mid-sized dog, reminded us just how strong a 40-pound dog can be. And of course, Leo, our steady companion, kept to his 7:24 AM wake-up ritual.

The whole experience left us both exhausted and laughing, reflecting on how much patience, training, and routine shape not just dogs but also our lives.

We also share our latest thoughts on Outlander. As long-time fans, we’ve noticed a shift in the writing during the second half of Season 7. While the show still delivers breathtaking cinematography and mystery, there are some storylines that left us shaking our heads. Still, the sci-fi elements and time-travel intrigue pulled me back in, and Stephanie and I talk openly about what keeps us watching.

On a personal note, I share an update about being 22 days back into keto. The clarity, energy, and freedom from sugar cravings have been a game-changer, and I reflect on why this lifestyle feels so aligned for me.

Finally, I talk about my amateur radio hobby and how I recently climbed into first place on the Parks on the Air leaderboard for our local park. From bug bites in Burlington to pushing through technical antenna issues in the Smoky Mountains, I share how persistence, adaptability, and a little playful competition make this hobby so enjoyable.

This episode is a mix of family stories, reflections on entertainment, health updates, and the joy of pursuing passions. It’s a glimpse into the rhythm of our life together… chaotic, meaningful, and always full of lessons.

Until next time, we encourage you to live your life on purpose.

In this episode of Building a Life and Business Together, Stephanie and I share a full, behind-the-scenes debrief of the August 2025 Free The Dream Workshop.

I start by setting the scene, beautiful fall-like weather, crisp air, and the kind of day that makes you want to savor every moment.

But the real story begins when we dive into what happened over those two days at the Free The Dream Workshop, where four attendees joined us for a powerful, intimate experience.

One of the most moving parts of the weekend was seeing attendees have life-changing realizations right in front of our eyes. Scott, one of our participants, said he received what he came for within the first two hours. Another attendee, Sara, who admitted she was “dragged there” by her husband, experienced a breakthrough that completely changed how she’ll approach relationships at work moving forward.

We talk about what it was like to watch those moments unfold, and how asking each participant to name their “miracle” at the start set the tone for the entire workshop.

In this episode, I explain why this workshop was structured different. For the first time ever, we offered it as a Pay-What-You-Want event. No set ticket price. No minimum. People could attend for free if they wanted.

We also changed the lunch and dinner format. Instead of sending everyone out on their own, we provided lunch on-site and took everyone out to dinner as a group, creating deeper connections and saving valuable session time.

Stephanie and I share why we’ve decided to limit future workshops to just 10 participants. The August event reminded us how intimacy creates space for deeper breakthroughs, personalized discussions, and the flexibility to follow the energy of the room rather than a rigid agenda.

We also discuss how the interactive whiteboard sessions, spontaneous metaphors, and real-time coaching moments brought our vision to life, successfully transforming this from a traditional conference into a true workshop experience.

We cover what worked well, what we’ll keep the same, and what will change for the upcoming October 17–18 workshop:

• The venue was perfect.
• Asking participants to set their own intentions at the start will now be a permanent part of every future workshop.
• We’ll continue to let the energy of the room guide the agenda rather than forcing a fixed schedule.

If you’ve ever wondered what really happens at a Free The Dream Workshop, beyond the promotional page, this episode gives you the honest, unfiltered story. We share the highs, the surprises, the lessons learned, and why we believe limiting attendance to 10 people will make the next one even more powerful.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what made August’s workshop unforgettable and why October’s event is shaping up to be our most transformative yet.

If you feel the pull to be in the room, visit FreeTheDreamWorkshop.com to reserve your spot for October 17–18.

When Stephanie and I hit record on this episode, we were sitting in the car, laughing about seatbelts, dog grooming appointments, and heading down to the river park before our day really got moving. What started as lighthearted banter turned into one of those conversations that just kept going deeper and deeper the more we walked.

Here’s what we talked about and what you can expect as you listen in:

I shared some real-time updates about the upcoming Free The Dream Workshop. Registrations coming in, a few last-minute changes, even a participant who backed out after realizing a small group might mean opening up more than he was ready for.

We talked about why small, intimate workshops often create the biggest breakthroughs and why we’ll always hold space for whoever shows up, whether it’s one person or twenty.

Stephanie also let you into her process for preparing her session, choosing personal stories, and making it interactive rather than just another “talk.”

I introduced a teaching that says the mind is always seeking thrills. Stephanie contrasted it with another teaching that says the mind is always seeking comfort. As we compared both, we realized they’re both true, and that’s where so many of us get stuck.

We want the thrill of big dreams, but we also want the comfort of what’s familiar. Sometimes the dream itself becomes a kind of “safe excitement” as long as it stays out in the future. We explored how this shows up in our lives, our business, and even in the people we coach.

One story I shared was about a client who admitted he didn’t want to fully let go of stress because part of him felt unworthy of success without struggle. That conversation tied directly into the theme of the mind chasing thrills while clinging to comfort.

I got honest about times in my own life when I delayed taking action, when I kept dreams safely out on the horizon so I wouldn’t have to risk failure or disrupt what was familiar.

I shared how I finally moved forward on hosting my first workshops, the resistance I felt leading up to it, and the role my friend Ray Edwards played in helping me step past fear into action.

Stephanie connected this back to the workshop participant who canceled, pointing out how perfectionism and fear of being seen often keep us from the very breakthroughs we want.

We shifted gears to talk about our health journey, starting with a strict carnivore reset, adding vegetables back in, and where we’ve each landed with keto and low-carb eating.

Stephanie talked about tracking her macros and how too few carbs can make her “snappish,” while I shared how much better I’ve felt since getting back into ketosis after being away from it for years.

For us, this wasn’t just about diet. It mirrored the larger conversation about comfort zones, risk, and building a lifestyle that actually works long-term rather than swinging between extremes.

I read an email from a listener who asked why I’m not “bigger” like some of the well-known thought leaders out there. My response?

I’m not chasing numbers, fame, or status. I care about going deep with the people I’m called to serve, whether that’s one person or one million.

Stephanie and I both agreed: we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be, doing exactly what we’re supposed to be doing.

We wrapped up with a reminder that there’s still time to join us at the next Free The Dream Workshop. If today’s conversation speaks to you, if you’re tired of delaying your dreams or holding back because of fear, we’d love to see you there.

It’s a two-day, pay-what-you-want experience designed to help you break free from limiting beliefs, release the grip of fear, and start living with courage and clarity.

You can register at FreeTheDreamWorkshop.com.

In this episode of Building a Life and Business Together, Stephanie and I take you along for one of our neighborhood walks and catch you up on everything from birthday celebrations to long-awaited roof repairs.

We start with Stephanie’s birthday and how she spent it exactly the way she wanted, a slow morning, a nostalgic trip to the movies to see Freakier Friday, and a homemade dinner that turned out better than I expected. We talk about the joy of family game night, the chocolate-on-chocolate cake that stole the show, and how even a simple day can become a treasured memory.

Then, we finally close the chapter on our year-long roof leak saga. I walk you through the twists, turns, and unexpected theories that brought us to the (hopefully final) fix, and we share our cautious optimism as we wait for the next big storms to confirm.

We also touch on a behind-the-scenes story about editing a wedding photo, the handful of confirmed listeners who keep us company each week, and where things stand with the upcoming Free The Dream Workshop.

It’s real life. A mix of the lighthearted, the frustrating, and the deeply personal. All shared as it unfolded. If you enjoy unfiltered conversations about marriage, family, and building a life you love, you’ll feel right at home here.

Stephanie and I invite you to join us for the next Free The Dream Workshop on Friday and Saturday, August 29th and 30th, 2025.

This is a two-day experience designed to clear the noise, uncover what’s next, and help you remember the part of you that’s still waiting to be lived.

Whether you come with a clear goal or just a sense that something needs to change, you’ll leave with fresh insight, practical tools, and the courage to take your next step.

You can learn more and secure your spot at FreeTheDreamWorkshop.com.