What happens when you know your value—but say a lower number anyway?

In this episode of My Favorite Mistake, Mark Graban is joined by Amy Rasdal, founder of Billable at the Beach and author of Land a Consulting Project Now. Amy shares her favorite mistake from the early days of consulting: undercharging for her work because of fear, even when she knew she was worth more.

Amy explains how that moment became a “gateway mistake,” leading her to better understand pricing, confidence, and the hidden beliefs that hold many accomplished professionals back. The conversation explores why undercharging is so common, how fear shows up in pricing conversations, and why selling out your time at a discount can quietly limit long-term success.

This episode is especially relevant for consultants, freelancers, and professionals considering a move from corporate life into independent work.

🔗 Full show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake336

A devastating hospital mistake in Glasgow was described by leaders as “human error,” even as they acknowledged that “very rigorous processes” were not followed.

In this episode of The Mistake of the Week, Mark Graban examines why suspensions and discipline don’t guarantee improvement — and how gaps between written procedures and real work create hidden risk.

Punishment may feel like accountability, but without fixing the system, the same harm remains possible.

What happens when a business deal looks solid on paper—but falls apart in real life?

Episode page with video, links, and more

My guest for Episode #335 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Kevin Hipes, an entrepreneur, author, and former city commissioner who’s been called the “New York Forrest Gump” because of the many lives he’s lived.

Kevin shares the story of one of his biggest—and most unforgettable—business mistakes: buying an oil tanker in the Caribbean. What began as a seemingly foolproof investment with a strong pro forma turned into a cascade of unexpected challenges, including regulatory changes, ethical dilemmas, geopolitical risk, and international drama.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why smart people still make big business mistakes

• How external forces can derail even the best plans

• Learning from failure instead of hiding from it

• Resilience after financial and emotional setbacks

• The importance of mental health awareness for leaders and entrepreneurs

Kevin’s story is funny, sobering, and deeply human—and a powerful reminder that mistakes don’t define us unless we refuse to learn from them.