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On today's episode, we're back with our entrepreneurial spotlight series and joining Darren is Giovanni Marsico, founder of Archangel and creator of Destiny Fest — one of the most ambitious community-driven entrepreneurial platforms in the world.

Giovanni opens up about his origin story: being labeled "gifted" as a child, bullied for it, and learning to hate the very thing that would later become his superpower. From discovering the X-Men as a teenager to producing a 1,000-person event at just 17 years old, Giovanni shares how early experiences shaped his obsession with community, connection, and impact.

The conversation moves into darker territory as Giovanni reflects on a period of deep personal struggle, loss, and rebuilding — and how reframing pain as training completely changed his trajectory. That shift ultimately led to Archangel, Emmy-winning films like Dreamer, and now Destiny Fest — a large-scale event experience designed to merge financial success with meaningful impact.

You'll also hear Giovanni break down his powerful 5 C's of Dream-Building:

• Contribution
  
  

• Calling
  
  

• Curse
  
  

• Clarity
  
  

• Community
  
  

Along the way, he shares one of the most counter-intuitive marketing philosophies you'll hear this year:

"Marketing is what happens after someone pays you."

This episode is for entrepreneurs who feel called to something bigger — but may not yet know how to connect the dots between their pain, their gifts, and their purpose.

Show notes:

00:00 – From "Gifted" to Building Communities at Scale

02:32 – Bullied for Being Smart → Discovering Superpowers

04:06 – First Event at 17 & Finding His Path

09:15 – Hitting Rock Bottom (and the Turning Point)

13:17 – Entrepreneurs as Superheroes (Risk & Responsibility)

14:35 – Why Archangel Was Born

17:22 – Reverse-Engineering "Impossible" Goals (Seth Godin Story)

20:23 – The 5 C's of Dream-Building

28:13 – 10 Billion Smiles & the Vision for Massive Impact

31:14 – "Marketing Happens After They Pay You"

Find Giovanni on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giovannimarsicoofficial/?hl=en

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/giovannimarsico?originalSubdomain=ca

FIND US ON:

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/controlandcompound/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@controlandcompound?lang=en

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/darren-mitchell-associates-inc/?viewAsMember=true

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. The information contained in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and is separate and apart from the wealth coach services provided by Darren Mitchell and Associates, Inc. To its qualified clients, Control and Compound Financial expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental or any other damages arising out of any individual's use of this podcast or the information in it.

The views expressed here are those of each participant and guests, and not necessarily those of or endorsed by Control and Compound Financial, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and their respective directors, shareholders, officers, or employees. For full disclosure, visit controland compound.com/podcast-media.

BOOK A CALL WITH US NOW: https://www.controlandcompound.com/contact-us

What actually happened with our 2025 predictions — and what does 2026 really look like for Canadians?

In our annual predictions episode, Darren and Christina review last year's forecasts and hold themselves accountable for what they got right, what they missed, and what changed. From there, they break down what the data, policy decisions, and economic realities suggest for 2026.

They cover:

• Bank of Canada interest rate expectations and why cuts may be nearing the end
  
  

• Why "higher for longer" interest rates are changing how Canadians must plan
  
  

• Canada's GDP outlook and why slow growth may persist
  
  

• Inflation: why it looks controlled on paper but still hurts everyday Canadians
  
  

• Housing market predictions for 2026 (no boom, no crash — strategy matters)
  
  

• Stock market outlook for Canada vs the U.S.
  
  

• Bitcoin: what we got wrong, what fundamentals improved, and realistic expectations
  
  

• Why cash value life insurance continued to quietly outperform as a stable foundation asset
  
  

This episode is not about predictions for clicks — it's about understanding the environment Canadians are actually navigating and how to make informed decisions in a year defined more by stability than speculation.

Whether you're an investor, business owner, or planner, this episode will help you enter 2026 with clarity, discipline, and a stronger financial framework.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

1:50 - Bank of Canada predictions

4:00 - GDP predictions

6:40 - Inflation predictions

9:50 - Stock market predictions

12:15 - Real estate predictions

16:05 - Bitcoin predictions

20:00 - Cash value life insurance predictions

FIND US ON:

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/controlandcompound/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@controlandcompound?lang=en

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/darren-mitchell-associates-inc/?viewAsMember=true

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. The information contained in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and is separate and apart from the wealth coach services provided by Darren Mitchell and Associates, Inc. To its qualified clients, Control and Compound Financial expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental or any other damages arising out of any individual's use of this podcast or the information in it.

The views expressed here are those of each participant and guests, and not necessarily those of or endorsed by Control and Compound Financial, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and their respective directors, shareholders, officers, or employees. For full disclosure, visit controland compound.com/podcast-media.

BOOK A CALL WITH US NOW: https://www.controlandcompound.com/contact-us

Big goals don't create results — consistent execution does. In our annual goal setting episode, Darren and Christina share how they personally plan their year using a framework that blends EOS-style 90-day planning, daily habit systems, anti-goals, and weekly scorecards.

You'll learn why annual goals alone don't drive behavior, how to break big goals into manageable checkpoints, and how small daily actions compound into massive progress over time. The conversation also covers why perfection isn't required, how to recover quickly when you fall off track, and how to keep momentum going without burnout.

This episode is designed to help you move from motivation to control — and build a year that actually reflects your priorities.

Let's make 2026 your biggest and most successful year yet!

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

3:45 - Why do people fail to hit their goals?

5:45 - Step one: Set big goals

6:40 - Step two: Checkpoint goals

7:40 - Step three: Daily systems

9:20 - Step four: Anti-goals

11:20 - Step five: Rules

14:55 - Step six: The EOS system

20:55 - Step seven: Monthly calibration

23:10 - The three pillars of goal setting

25:50 - The anchor habit

FIND US ON:

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/controlandcompound/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@controlandcompound?lang=en

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/darren-mitchell-associates-inc/?viewAsMember=true

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. The information contained in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and is separate and apart from the wealth coach services provided by Darren Mitchell and Associates, Inc. To its qualified clients, Control and Compound Financial expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental or any other damages arising out of any individual's use of this podcast or the information in it.

The views expressed here are those of each participant and guests, and not necessarily those of or endorsed by Control and Compound Financial, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and their respective directors, shareholders, officers, or employees. For full disclosure, visit controland compound.com/podcast-media.

BOOK A CALL WITH US NOW: https://www.controlandcompound.com/contact-us

Most people don't realize that choosing the wrong dividend option can completely undermine a whole life insurance strategy.

On today's episode, Darren and Christina break down every dividend option available inside a participating whole life policy — and explain why Paid-Up Additions (PUAs) are not just the best option, but the only option that consistently delivers long-term wealth, liquidity, and control.

You'll learn:

• What insurance dividends actually are (and how they differ from investment dividends)
  
  

• Why options like reduced premiums, cash dividends, and loan repayment slow down wealth
  
  

• How paid-up additions immediately increase cash value AND death benefit
  
  

• Why higher death benefit forces higher cash value over time
  
  

• How dividends on dividends create the "snowball effect" of uninterrupted compounding
  
  

• Why most critics of whole life insurance are reacting to poorly designed policies
  
  

If you're using whole life insurance as a wealth tool — or considering Infinite Banking or the Canadian Rockefeller Method — this episode explains why paid-up additions are the engine that makes everything work.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

1:20 - Different types of dividend options

3:20 - Example of paid up addition

8:30 - Darren's analogy

13:45 - Why paid up additions give you control and access to your money

19:00 - Wrap up

FIND US ON:

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/controlandcompound/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@controlandcompound?lang=en

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/darren-mitchell-associates-inc/?viewAsMember=true

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. The information contained in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and is separate and apart from the wealth coach services provided by Darren Mitchell and Associates, Inc. To its qualified clients, Control and Compound Financial expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental or any other damages arising out of any individual's use of this podcast or the information in it.

The views expressed here are those of each participant and guests, and not necessarily those of or endorsed by Control and Compound Financial, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and their respective directors, shareholders, officers, or employees. For full disclosure, visit controland compound.com/podcast-media.

BOOK A CALL WITH US NOW: https://www.controlandcompound.com/contact-us

You worked hard. You took the risk. You built the business. So why does it feel like the CRA is the biggest partner you never invited in?

On today's episode, Darren and Christina break down the most dangerous corporate cash traps business owners fall into — often without even realizing it. From passive income clawbacks to estate planning disasters, these mistakes quietly erode your profits and limit your future options.

This is required listening for Canadian business owners who want control, flexibility, and tax efficiency — not surprises from the CRA.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

1:50 - What are corporate cash traps?

3:10 - The passive income trap

7:10 - Inefficient profit distribution

9:25 - Corporate association rules

11:55 - Estate planning traps

14:20 - Loss of the lifetime capital gains exemption

17:50 - How do we solve these traps?

21:15 - Real life example

FIND US ON:

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/controlandcompound/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@controlandcompound?lang=en

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/darren-mitchell-associates-inc/?viewAsMember=true

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. The information contained in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and is separate and apart from the wealth coach services provided by Darren Mitchell and Associates, Inc. To its qualified clients, Control and Compound Financial expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental or any other damages arising out of any individual's use of this podcast or the information in it.

The views expressed here are those of each participant and guests, and not necessarily those of or endorsed by Control and Compound Financial, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and their respective directors, shareholders, officers, or employees. For full disclosure, visit controland compound.com/podcast-media.

BOOK A CALL WITH US NOW: https://www.controlandcompound.com/contact-us

In Part 9 of The Rockefeller Method series, Darren and Christina break down the most overlooked part of wealth building: your team. They reveal how wealthy families like the Rockefellers use a family office mindset, coordinated advisors, and clear governance to protect wealth for generations.

You'll learn why most Canadians focus only on products, while the rich obsess over alignment between accountants, lawyers, planners, and insurance specialists. They also show how to apply this in Canada using corporate-owned life insurance, the capital dividend account (CDA), and high cash value policies.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

01:11 - Products Are NOT a Plan — Team Coordination Is

03:01 - Fragmentation: The Silent Killer of Wealth

05:01 - How the Rockefellers Built Their Family Office

07:01 - The Cost of Bad Advice + Money Magnifies Errors

09:31 - Preparing Heirs: Why Money Magnifies Who You Are

11:46 - Canadian vs. U.S. Rockefeller Method Differences

13:31 - Step 1: High Cash Value Life Insurance Foundation

15:31 - Corporate-Owned Policies & The Power of CDA

17:31- Generation 2 Policies + Cascading Tax-Free

20:11 - Trusts in Canada: Doing It the Right Way

22:31 - Different Plans for Different Families

25:01 - The Trustee & Board of Trustees: Your Team After You're Gone

27:01 - The CEO of the Family Wealth System: YOU

29:01- Final Takeaways: Start With the Foundation, Build Over Time

FIND US ON:

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/controlandcompound/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@controlandcompound?lang=en

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/darren-mitchell-associates-inc/?viewAsMember=true

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. The information contained in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and is separate and apart from the wealth coach services provided by Darren Mitchell and Associates, Inc. To its qualified clients, Control and Compound Financial expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental or any other damages arising out of any individual's use of this podcast or the information in it.

The views expressed here are those of each participant and guests, and not necessarily those of or endorsed by Control and Compound Financial, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and their respective directors, shareholders, officers, or employees. For full disclosure, visit controland compound.com/podcast-media.

BOOK A CALL WITH US NOW: https://www.controlandcompound.com/contact-us

Most entrepreneurs think they need more clients. Chris Cooper says they actually need better math.

In December's edition of our entrepreneurship series, Darren sits down with Chris Cooper as they break down The Simple Six – the six metrics every business owner MUST understand if they want to stop grinding and start growing:

1. Client head count (HEAD)
   
   

2. Average revenue per member (ARM)
   
   

3. Length of engagement (LEG)
   
   

4. Effective hourly rate
   
   

5. ROI on your expenses
   
   

6. Net owner benefit
   
   

Inside the episode, you'll discover:

• Why being the best trainer, stylist, or technician does NOT make you a great business owner
  
  

• How underpricing quietly destroys your business (and what to fix first)
  
  

• Why increasing average revenue per client is more powerful than chasing more leads
  
  

• How Chris' mentorship program uses the Simple Six to find your biggest growth opportunity each month
  
  

• Why so many passionate entrepreneurs quit—not because they stop caring, but because the money math doesn't work
  
  

Whether you're a gym owner, real estate investor, advisor, or any kind of entrepreneur, these six numbers apply to YOU.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction to Chris Cooper

01:22 - Chris hits rock bottom financially before a life-changing mentorship opportunity appears.

03:39 - The start of his blog DontBuyAds.com and turning blog posts into a bestselling book.

07:35 - Early growth of Two-Brain Business and choosing mentorship over courses for real results.

11:07 - Chris explains the Simple Six business metrics that drive profitability and success.

16:02 - Why entrepreneurs must fix pricing first before chasing more clients.

18:53 - The Golden Hour habit: one focused hour each day that 4x's business growth.

22:16 - Systems and documentation that turn chaos into a business that runs itself.

25:04 - The key traits of entrepreneurs who succeed long-term: self-leadership and consistency.

27:22 - The role of coaches in solving major problems in business and health in Canada.

33:33 - Redefining success: freedom of time, focus, energy, and money.

FIND US ON:

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/controlandcompound/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@controlandcompound?lang=en

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/darren-mitchell-associates-inc/?viewAsMember=true

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. The information contained in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and is separate and apart from the wealth coach services provided by Darren Mitchell and Associates, Inc. To its qualified clients, Control and Compound Financial expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental or any other damages arising out of any individual's use of this podcast or the information in it.

The views expressed here are those of each participant and guests, and not necessarily those of or endorsed by Control and Compound Financial, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and their respective directors, shareholders, officers, or employees. For full disclosure, visit controland compound.com/podcast-media.

BOOK A CALL WITH US NOW: https://www.controlandcompound.com/contact-us

Can you believe it's already December! What a year we've had and Darren and Christina are back for the last monthly update of 2025. In this episode, they'll cover:

• Bank of Canada's final rate decision of the year and what stubborn inflation means for borrowers
  
  

• Why the Canadian dollar is stuck around 71–73 cents and what could shake it loose
  
  

• Stock markets defying expectations with double-digit gains year-to-date
  
  

• The latest Bitcoin correction: is it a buying opportunity or time to panic?
  
  

• Canada's soft but stable housing market and where motivated sellers are showing up
  
  

• The new memorandum of understanding for a pipeline from Alberta to the BC coast and what it could mean for Canada's economy
  
  

• Strong earnings from Canada's big insurers and why whole life insurance keeps dominating
  
  

• A very cool health perk: multi-cancer early detection testing through Manulife Vitality
  
  

• A quick recap of the Rockefeller Method Masterclass and what's coming next on the podcast
  
  

If you're a Canadian investor, business owner, or just trying to make sense of money in this environment, this one's for you.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction

00:35 - Bank of Canada update

3:50 - Canadian dollar update

4:50 - Stock market update

5:40 - Bitcoin news

13:25 - Real estate update

16:10 - Economic news

23:30 - Life insurance industry news

28:45 - Control and Compound news

FIND US ON:

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/controlandcompound/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@controlandcompound?lang=en

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/darren-mitchell-associates-inc/?viewAsMember=true

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. The information contained in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and is separate and apart from the wealth coach services provided by Darren Mitchell and Associates, Inc. To its qualified clients, Control and Compound Financial expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental or any other damages arising out of any individual's use of this podcast or the information in it.

The views expressed here are those of each participant and guests, and not necessarily those of or endorsed by Control and Compound Financial, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and their respective directors, shareholders, officers, or employees. For full disclosure, visit controland compound.com/podcast-media.