In this episode, I sit down with Dan Fisher, EP, editor, and Emmy-winning storyteller behind Bottle Rocket Media, to talk about the real work of building a creative company that lasts. We get into leadership without ego, why listening is the most underrated skill, how to protect the original idea when clients pull you off course, and what it took to rebuild the business after 2020 (including the surprising role SEO played in saving the company).

If you’re a founder, creator, or agency leader trying to stand out without burning out, this one’s loaded.

What we cover

• Why people fail to do work they love (risk vs. fear)

• The power of listening as a leadership skill

• Audience-first storytelling (stop creating for yourself)

• Protecting the idea when clients want to zig

• How Bottle Rocket pivoted post-2020 (and how SEO kept them alive)

• Personal brand vs. company brand: finding the line

• Best way to earn trust: show up and keep showing up

• Building teams without ego (flat org, best idea wins)

Sometimes the best ideas come from the most ordinary places. For David Ask, it was a simple conversation with his brother-in-law that turned into Stat Guard Plus, a little piece of plastic that locks down your thermostat and ended up in Home Depot, Lowe’s, and thousands of stores across the country.

In this episode, David and I talk about what it really takes to bring an idea to life—the mistakes, the late nights, the knockoffs, the grit. We get into manufacturing overseas, protecting your vision, and what happens when a $20 product ends up saving people hundreds on their energy bills.

But this isn’t just about thermostats. David’s a musician, a writer, and the voice behind Guardians of Grit, a movement about helping men show up with honesty, identity, and resilience. His story is about more than business, it’s about becoming the man you’re meant to be.

In this milestone episode, Deevo sits down with Marla Ballard, CEO of You2Shine, to explore the deep work of healing trauma, embracing authenticity, and stepping fully into who you were meant to be.

Marla opens up about her journey from sales and entrepreneurship to becoming a leader in quantum personal development—a path recognized by Forbes in 2024. Together, they dive into:

• Why we carry hidden patterns and blind spots
• The difference between ego-driven ambition and purpose-driven ambition
• How worthiness and vulnerability shape true leadership
• The power of universal laws and spiritual alignment
• Why “You Matter” is more than a message—it’s a movement

This conversation is raw, soulful, and filled with real talk about identity, healing, and creating impact. If you’ve ever struggled with worthiness, authenticity, or the tension between ambition and meaning, this episode will resonate deeply.