You can feel the difference when someone knows your life well enough to catch your tone on the first hello. That’s the power running through this conversation with Bret Barnhart—twelve years of weekly mentorship that turned business growth into something deeper: a resilient marriage, a healthier relationship with his dad, and a family vision his kids help shape.

We dig into why long-term coaching beats quick fixes, how context compounds advice, and what happens when a leader drifts into “good enough.” Bret breaks down the danger of maintenance mode and how accountability pulls him back into his creator–developer strengths without sacrificing family. We get practical too: quarterly spouse surveys, “What Do I Want” check-ins, and a family map where everyone pins bucket-list trips. These small, steady habits keep alignment alive and make decisions easier when life gets loud.

The most moving arc tracks Bret’s father story—how pride and distance gave way to repair through persistent, uncomfortable questions. That healing didn’t just mend a relationship; it lowered stress, sharpened leadership, and removed a quiet cap on growth. We also look forward: testing a month-long sabbatical to prove the team can run, designing the next decade with health in mind, and preparing for the complex choices of raising teenagers into adults. The thread tying it all together is simple and demanding: growth loves accountability, and isolation kills excellence.

If you’re ready to trade hacks for honest change, join us. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a review with one area where you want accountability.

*Listen to Part 1 here.

Connect:

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• Join the ISI Community: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community
• Big A's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
• Bret's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-barnhart

What happens when a successful business owner realizes that achieving his financial goals left him feeling completely empty? Bret Barnhart had built Barnhart Excavating from $1,500 to a thriving company, but found himself miserable, angry, and struggling with high blood pressure in his twenties. His wake-up call came when reaching a long-desired financial milestone brought no satisfaction—only regret for all he had sacrificed along the way.

This raw, honest conversation reveals the remarkable 12-year mentorship journey between Bret and Aaron Walker. Their weekly Tuesday meetings have transformed not just Bret's business approach, but his entire life. Bret candidly shares how he evolved from boasting about "ripping people's heads off" to leading with grace, from trying to control every aspect of his business to effectively delegating key functions.

The most powerful revelations come when Bret discusses the ripple effects of mentorship on his family relationships. His wife, Crystal, has commented that she doesn't know what their life would look like without this consistent guidance. Bret now evaluates business opportunities not just by their profit potential, but by their "cost" to his family time and relationships—a perspective that's transformed his priorities.

Through stories like the "$1,157 per night camper" that Bret immediately sold after a reality check, we see how accountability creates clarity. Bret explains mentorship as "walking down a dark hallway with someone who's been down it before"—a perfect metaphor for navigating business and life challenges with guidance rather than alone.

Ready to find the brotherhood that will sharpen you? This episode presents a compelling case for why consistent mentorship is more important than quick fixes.

Join the ISI community free for 30 days at isibrotherhood.com/community and discover what having the right people walking beside you can do for your business, family, and spiritual life.

Connect:

• Connect with ISI Brothers: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/
• Join the ISI Community: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community
• Big A's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
• Bret's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-barnhart

Derek Champagne's extraordinary journey from a teepee-dwelling childhood to serial entrepreneurship offers profound insights into the elusive balance between achievement and fulfillment. In this deeply personal conversation, Derek reveals how his unconventional upbringing shaped his entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic. Raised by former hippies who found Christianity and opened their home to dozens of foster children, Derek learned early lessons about generosity and purpose that would guide his later life.

Music became Derek's first passion and business venture, managing bands by age 11 and eventually finding success in the competitive Hollywood scene. As the digital revolution disrupted the music industry, Derek pivoted through multiple businesses—from window washing to cookie distribution to marketing—demonstrating remarkable adaptability. Yet despite his professional achievements, he found himself in a corporate cubicle, struggling with depression and a profound sense of isolation.

The turning point came when Derek founded The Artist Evolution marketing agency and later discovered Iron Sharpens Iron, a brotherhood that helped him address the misalignment between his success and deeper purpose. With raw honesty, Derek shares his fear that spiritual growth might diminish his entrepreneurial drive—only to discover that authentic community and purpose actually enhanced his business acumen while bringing the peace he desperately sought.

For listeners questioning their own definitions of success, Derek offers a compelling alternative vision: building businesses with intention, creating systems that prioritize family, and finding fulfillment through significance rather than achievement alone. His partnership with Aaron Walker in Iron Sharpens Iron now allows him to guide other men through similar journeys of integration and wholeness.

Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial path or reassessing priorities mid-career, His journey demonstrates that success and significance can coexist when approached with intention, faith, and community support.

Ready to stop doing life and business alone? Join the brotherhood that will challenge, encourage, and sharpen you at isibrotherhood.com/community.

Connect:

• Connect with ISI Brothers: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/
• Join the ISI Community: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community
• Big A's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
• Derek's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theartistevolution/