Ep.120 | The Kings Table Podcast - The Impact of The Gig Economy And Debt On Businesses

This week’s guest is Darren Prince. Darren is an International best-selling author of his memoir Aiming High, is a prominent sports and celebrity agent and global advocate for addiction/mental health and recovery. Through his agency, Prince Marketing Group, he represents icons Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Jerry West, Dominique Wilkins, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Chevy Chase, Charlie Sheen, Denise Richards, Carmen Electra, and many others. PMG is one of the world's most respected boutique sports and entertainment agencies with over $500M in deals negotiated in its 25-plus years in the industry. With over 14 years of sobriety, it’s now Darren’s mission to help others avoid and break free from addiction and mental health struggles. 

In this episode, Darren candidly shares his journey and story of how he overcame his struggle with addiction. Ashish and Darren delve into the impact of focus, discipline, and energy management on life's trajectory, emphasizing the importance of maintaining balance. The conversation navigates through the dynamics of relationships and the influence of social media, Darren's experiences with 12-step meetings and insights gained from organizational experiences. He also advises anyone dealing with similar mental struggles as he did. Tune in to hear his journey and valuable lessons.

Highlights: 

00:00 - Ashish Introduces Darren

01:16 – Darren opens up about his life as an entrepreneur and the mental health challenges he faced.

6:47 – Reflecting on losing the joy of life and becoming consumed by the pursuit of money and success.

11:20 – Ashish delves into Darren's advice for individuals struggling with similar mental health issues.

16:50 – Exploring the impact of lack, distraction, and discipline on staying focused and on track in life.

21:11 – Ashish and Darren discuss the crucial role of energy in one's life.

22:16 – Ashish probes Darren on the key factors contributing to his success in life.

25:21 – Delving into the dynamics of relationships and the influence of social media on them.

28:49 – Ashish explores Darren's experiences with 12-step meetings.

30:24 – A conversation on the nuances of judgment in life.

33:33 – Darren shares his fears in response to Ashish's inquiry.

34:43 – Learning from organizational experiences, including strategies, teams, and leadership.

38:24 – Darren's valuable lessons learned from Magic Johnson.

39:56- Ashish asks Darren what it means to have a rich life

Connect with Darren Prince here:  

You can connect with Darren through his Website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Links:  

Sign up to the mailing list to receive special access and content here: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

Check out previous episodes of The Rich Equation Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rich-equation/id1585002788

Let's Connect! 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashishnathu/ 

Website: https://therichequationpodcast.com/  

This week’s guest is Nick Hiter. Nick founded Team Hiter, a business enterprise focused on helping entrepreneurs drive growth. In his role as the Executive Vice President at RAC Financial, he oversees strategic partnerships for a leading 8-figure payment processing company. His work supports a network of 100+ strategic partners supporting major brands such as Planet Hollywood, Brio, and Buca di Beppo to name a few.

As a thought leader on entrepreneurship himself, Nick’s insights have been featured in major media such as CBS, NBC, FOX, The New York Times, and Yahoo to name a few. In addition, as the host of The Hitstreak podcast, he talks weekly with top performers to break down their playbook to success so his audience of over 200 thousand can get to that next level too. Nick is also the voice of SiriusXM’s “Alternative” radio station!

In this episode, Nick talked about his background and the importance of having a personal brand for your business. Nick elaborates on the misconception that some individuals might have about not needing a personal brand in their respective fields. The conversation delves into decision-making based on audience needs rather than personal knowledge, and Nick reflects on his current journey, highlighting some of the challenges he's facing. Nick and Ashish explore the concepts of attraction versus pursuit in both professional and personal aspects of life, touching on wellness and marketing.

Highlights: 

00:00 - Ashish introduces this week’s guest, Nick Hiter. 

01:37 - Why is having a personal brand important,  and how does it impact your life roadmap.

04:02 - Nick speaks to those people who think they do not need to have their own branding in the nature of their business 

06:54 - How Nick deals with the day-to-day fatigue of growing the business, and having the proper mindset of going to places where your customers are at

10:30 - Nick shares what he is trying to accomplish in his community

12:44 - The problem with making decisions based on what you know vs where your audience truly is

17:11 - Nick shares where he’s at in his journey and shares some of his challenges

19:55 - Attracting things vs chasing things in life, and how this is applied in his personal life, wellness

23:24 - Informing vs transforming in marketing

28:54 - The difference between a quitter and a finisher 

30:27 - Nick and Ashish talk about their biggest fears

33:06 - Nick and Ashish discuss the difference between confidence and ego

37:25 - Nick has a message to the audience

42:08 - What it means to live a rich life

Connect with Nick Hiter here:  

You can connect with Nick through his Website, TikTok,  Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and  Podcast. 

Links:  

Sign up to the mailing list to receive special access and content here: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

Check out previous episodes of The Rich Equation Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rich-equation/id1585002788

Let's Connect! 

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashishnathu/ 

Website: https://therichequationpodcast.com/  

This week’s guest is James Foo Torres. James is a renowned Marketing strategist, a host of a top 1.5% of podcasts in the world, a bestselling author, and an international bestselling author. He is best known as Foo, Founder & CEO of Imperium Authority. Following his service in the Air Force, Foo launches his company with the mission of amplifying the positive impact of exceptional leaders. 

In this episode, James talked about his journey, exploring the experiences and reflections that led him to his current path. The dialogue evolves to discuss cultivating the right mindset in today's digital landscape and the commitment required to initiate change. James offers valuable insights into understanding key customers and refining your value proposition. He shares practical tips and strategies for becoming a strategic advisor. James also delves into the challenges people often face in his work. The episode concludes with a glimpse into James' current projects and reflections on the evolving nature of personal relationships and AI's impact on marketing, making for a thought-provoking conversation.

Highlights: 

00:00 - Ashish introduces this week’s guest, James Foo 

00:11 - James gave an introduction about what he does

02:41 - Ashish asks James to talk about his personal journey that got him on this path

08:28 - James talks about his self-reflection and epiphany that led to growth

09:52 - Adapting the right mindset in today’s digital world and having the commitment to start

14:54 - Understanding your key customer, understanding your value proposition

16:02 - Some tips and strategies to go through the phases of being a strategic advisor

26:54 - James shares what he is seeing from the people he works with as the one major thing they struggle with the most

28:56 - James shares some of the things he’s working on and next steps

31:58 - Building personal relationships and how it is changing in today’s AI world

35:31 - AI and marketing

45:29 - James shares what it means to live a rich life

Connect with James Foo here:  

You can connect with James through his Website, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and  Facebook. 

Links:  

Sign up to the mailing list to receive special access and content here: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

Check out previous episodes of The Rich Equation Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rich-equation/id1585002788

Let's Connect! 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashishnathu/ 

Website: https://therichequationpodcast.com/  

My guest this week is Brad Baldridge. Brad is the founder of Baldridge Wealth Management, and offers nearly 20 years of financial planning experience. He specializes in working with individuals and business owners to reach their personal and financial goals. He is a Certified Financial Planner professional and a member of the local and national chapters of the Financial Planning Association. Brad is well-known in his community where he conducts many workshops on college funding planning and how it impacts retirement. He is a co-author of a book written to educate business owners on financial topics. His articles have also appeared in newsletters for local chambers of commerce and other business owner groups.

In this episode, we delve into the complex world of college education and financing. They explore the crucial aspects of planning for a child's college education, including when to start and the associated costs. The discussion navigates the factors influencing scholarship pricing, the evolving relevance of college in today's society, and traditional investment options. They also consider the balance between saving for college and retirement, offering insights into the average costs of college in 2023. The conversation touches on the distinctions between merit-based and need-based scholarships, the evolving preferences of educational institutions, and the intricacies of tax deductions related to education expenses.

Highlights: 

00:00 - Ashish introduces the guest, Brad Baldridge

01:34 - As parents, how and when should we start thinking of our children’s college education

07:17 - Discussion on the cost of college education 

10:38 - Factors affecting the pricing of scholarships 

11:56 - Does college still have a place in society and when does it no longer become worth it

19:40 - Traditional investment for college from the perspective of business owners (529 plan)

25:48 - Reasonable percentage or amount to save for college or retirement

28:29 - Average cost of college in 2023 for State and Private colleges

30:58 - Merit-based vs need based cost for scholarships 

34:08 - What today’s modern-day institutions are wanting to see in students that impacts acceptance rates

38:57 - Why are education expenses not tax deductible?

41:04 - Are there tax deductions for education expenditures?

Connect with Brad Baldridge here:  

You can connect with Brad through his Website, Podcast, LinkedIn, and  Facebook.

Links:  

Sign up to the mailing list to receive special access and content here: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

Check out previous episodes of The Rich Equation Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rich-equation/id1585002788

Let's Connect! 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashishnathu/ 

Website: https://therichequationpodcast.com/  

Garry Lineham is the co-founder of the Human Garage in Venice, CA. Garry’s story of creating and founding the Human Garage begins when chronic pain took him “to the point where it was disabling” him from his life. As a former bodybuilder, he eventually found himself so injured he was bedridden for days at a time. Human Garage pursues the Power of Alignment, balancing both body and mind to maximize the innate capacities present in each of our bodies to heal. They believe by locating and releasing the origin of the problem of pain, biomechanically and biochemically, the body begins to unwind and lays the foundation for the body to heal itself. His story is one of seeking an alternative way to heal after trying more than 300 different styles of therapy and chiropractic, which eventually led him to co-founding the Human Garage.

In this episode, Garry profiled Ashish and leading them through calming breathwork exercises. The discussion unfolds with Garry sharing his inspirational journey into this field and his profound 'why.' They explore what sickness truly looks like and dive into the concept that genuine health is about growth and continuous curiosity. Garry emphasizes the profound connection between brain programming and body movement and delves into how pain can serve as a powerful motivator. Garry and Ashish then talked about stress, shedding light on its connection to perception and its impact on our lives. The episode concludes with insights into self-healing and what it means to live a rich life.

Highlights: 

00:00 - Ashish introduces this week’s guest, Garry Lineham

00:59 - Garry profiles Ashish and did some calming breathwork exercise

06:38 - How Garry shared his story, how he got into this line of work and his ‘why’

13:17 - What sickness look like

14:08 - True health is growing and wanting to know more

15:06 - The brain is programmed by the movement of the body

16:14 - Garry talks about health and pain being a motivator 

19:41 - Ashish and Garry talk about stress and how it is relevant to perception

29:07 - Desire is based on emotions, and emotion precede motion

30:22 - Garry and Ashish do another exercise

37:32 - Neuro muscular calibration

38:36 - The future of medicine is sef-healing

45:06 - Ashish asks Garry what it means to live a rich life

46:34 - Garry talks about Human Garage, a movement he co-founded

Connect with Garry Lineham here:  

You can connect with Garry through his Website, TikTok, Instagram, and  Facebook. 

Links:  

Sign up to the mailing list to receive special access and content here: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

Check out previous episodes of The Rich Equation Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rich-equation/id1585002788

Let's Connect! 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashishnathu/ 

Website: https://therichequationpodcast.com/  

Ryan is a Functional Medicine Practitioner, Traditional Naturopath, and Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist who helps people improve their health through lifestyle and dietary changes. He is passionate about educating his patients to make the proper modifications to their lifestyles to avoid and reverse obesity/weight gain, depression, fatigue, digestive issues, hormone imbalances, and chronic diseases. Unlike conventional medicine, Ryan doesn’t address symptoms but rather uses natural approaches to support and enhance your body’s ability to heal. His holistic approach utilizes the best and most appropriate techniques to help you feel and function at your best.

In this episode, we explore the world of natural functional medicine. We talk about the significance of water, the intricacies of nutrition macros, and the problematic nature of vegetable oils. The conversation touches on unlocking natural testosterone, the impact of stress, and the distinctions between vegetarian and vegan diets. We explore the future of health, discuss coffee and alcohol's health benefits, delve into intermittent fasting, and shed light on gut health and the mind-gut connection. They wrap up with insights on breathwork and the importance of having the right mindset. 

Highlights: 

00:00 - Ashish introduces this week’s guest, Ryan Kennedy
00:54 - Ryan talks about how he got into natural functional medicine, recalling his mom’s battle with cancer
04:46 - The baseline requirements before someone goes deep into functional medicine
07:39 - Why is water so important in functional medicine
11:30 - Discussion on the cadence in keeping your nutrition macros in check 
15:25 - The problem with vegetable oils and why it is bad for your health
18:40  - How can we unlock more testosterone naturally and can oil affect our testosterone levels 
19:52 - Chronic stress vs acute stress
23:45 - Healthy nutrition between vegetarians and vegans
25:50 - The future of health and how more and more people are waking up from the push on disease management vs getting to the root cause of illness
27:46 - Health benefits and reminders about coffee and alcohol
30:22 - Intermitted fasting - benefits and tips to optimize results
34:46 - Ryan shares some insights about gut health and the gut-brain connection, and how we can improve our gut health
39:36 - What is breathwork and how it is one of the most fundamental things to improve health
42:55 - The knowing-doing gap - why we know what to do but don’t do it which may be due to self-identity and self-image

Connect with Ryan Kennedy here:  

You can connect with Ryan through his Website, Podcast, LinkedIn, Instagram, and  Facebook. You can also learn more about his online Transformational Breathwork class. 

Links:  

Sign up to the mailing list to receive special access and content here: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

Check out previous episodes of The Rich Equation Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rich-equation/id1585002788

Let's Connect! 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashishnathu/ 

Website: https://therichequationpodcast.com/  

My guest this week is Simon Severino. Simon is a father of 3 and an accomplished business scaler. He has had an impressive 19-year entrepreneurial journey marked by the successful execution of numerous go-to-market strategies worldwide in collaboration with B2B teams. His dedication extends to assisting thousands of entrepreneurs in achieving financial freedom while creating robust systems that liberate businesses from reliance on their founders. Simon's expertise in market strategy, sales strategy, and scaling up is showcased across more than 300 podcasts and over 250 conferences. He has graced renowned platforms such as TEDx, Google, Entrepreneurs on Fire, and features regularly in Forbes and Entrepreneur, contributing insightful content on market and sales strategies. As a Forbes Business Council Member, Simon continues to inspire and empower entrepreneurs through his diverse range of impactful keynotes and publications.

In this episode, we navigate through a multifaceted discussion touching on various facets of entrepreneurship and investment. Simon talks about his entrepreneurial journey. We delved into his methodologies and strategies for guiding others in the entrepreneurial journey. The conversation dives into the intricacies of balancing action and mindfulness in one's personal life, including Simon's deliberate decision to reprioritize family time over extensive business travel. They explore avenues for successful customer engagement in businesses, the strategic approach to social media presence, and Simon's framework for investment. Delving into discussions on real estate, AI investments, and the future of 2024, Simon provides valuable insights into where the world of business and investment may be headed.

Highlights: 

00:00 - Ashish introduces the guest, Simon Severino

02:24 - Simon talks about his journey, how he started 

04:50 - What Simon is learning now from his guru or mentor

06:15 - Ashish asks Simon about his framework for coaching other entrepreneurs, and how he helps them in the journey of entrepreneurship 

10:32 - What has worked for Simon on the transitions of doing vs being in his personal life

13:40 - Making an intentional decision to cut his business travels and facing the impact of that decision in order to have more time with his family

16:25 - Where he’s seeing businesses having the most success in terms of engaging with more customers 

22:45 - Being on all social platforms or just focus on one or two for your business

24:46 - Simon shares his insights on his framework of how he invests money

30:07 - Simon shares how he collects his data when analyzing potential financial investments

34:41 - Real estate as an asset vs a liability

36:11 - Are we too early in investing in AI and how he is utilizing AI in business

39:23 - What Simon is excited about in 2024 

43:16 - Simon shares some things he is working on right now 

Connect with Simon Severino here:  

You can connect with Simon through his Website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Links:    

Sign up to the mailing list to receive special access and content here: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

Check out previous episodes of The Rich Equation Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rich-equation/id1585002788

Let's Connect! 

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashishnathu/ 

Website: https://therichequationpodcast.com/  

My guest this week is Natasha Todorovic. Natasha is a co-founder of NVC Consulting. She consults, coaches, and trains clients worldwide on the use of the Spiral Dynamics tools, and models and approaches based on the bio-psychosocial development theory of Dr. Clare W. Graves. Todorovic’s expertise includes consulting, training, and development at all levels of management. She earned a master’s degree in business administration from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, graduating with honors. She also holds a doctor of clinical hypnotherapy degree focused on accelerated learning, and is certified in the Adizes Methodology, a powerful corporate transformation process.

In this episode, Ashish and Natasha unpack this concept's history and multifaceted applications, exploring the various levels it encompasses and offering insights on identifying one's stage in the continuum of "human being-ness." The conversation navigates beyond the theoretical as they discuss how cultural challenges can impact businesses and the pivotal role of congruent leadership in fostering trust and enabling a culture of contribution within teams. Natasha elucidates the diversified approaches to leadership suited for distinct groups tackling varying complexities. Moving from the professional to the personal sphere, they explore the applications of spiral dynamics in personal life. Natasha shares her connection to spiral dynamics and its profound importance. The discussion extends to navigating relationships at plateaus, handling resistance to change, and embracing new sales strategies, offering valuable insights and strategies for engagement.

Highlights: 

00:00 - Ashish introduces the guest, Natasha Todorovic

01:10 - What is spiral dynamics, its history, and its applications

05:38 - The different levels of spiral dynamics and how to know what stage of “human being-ness” you’re on

08:39 - Underlying things that could get in the way of business such as cultural challenges

14:54 - Leaders are congruent with the people they are leading, where they trust you and are capable of building a culture where the people feel free to contribute

17:00 - There are different kinds of leadership for different kinds of groups for different kinds of complexities the team is solving

20:32 - How spiral dynamics can be applied to personal life 

22:48 - Ashish asks Natasha why spiral dynamics is important to her 

29:47 - How should we be engaging with the types of relationships that have plateaued, as we go through ebbs and flows in relationships

34:07 - How to deal with people who are not willing to change

39:50 - New sales strategies and what Natasha is learning from the process

Connect with Natasha Todorovic here:  

You can connect with Natasha through her Website, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

Links:  

Sign up to the mailing list to receive special access and content here: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

Check out previous episodes of The Rich Equation Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rich-equation/id1585002788

Let's Connect! 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashishnathu/ 

Website: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

My guest this week is Omar Medrano. Omar is a business coach and a highly-successful entrepreneur and business coach for people who are ready to turnaround their business. Omar became a serial franchise owner over the past two decades and after putting in the time, he’s become what his fans call “The Vacation CEO”. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, Medrano knows how to turn around flat businesses and businesses that are at the point of going under.

In this insightful episode, we delve into the world of entrepreneurship with our guest, Omar Medrano, who shares his experiences, challenges, and keys to success in the business realm. Omar's journey began with a passion for his craft, but he quickly realized that passion alone does not guarantee financial success. He emphasizes the importance of learning how to monetize your skills and talents to build a sustainable business. outlines his seven keys to success, providing valuable insights for aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs alike. We talk about failures and the common obstacles faced by business owners such as limiting beliefs and self-destructive patterns. We also also delve into the concept of "catching the falling knife" or buying someone's business. He cautions against the notion of narcissistically believing in one's ability to turn around a failing venture. This episode provides valuable insights and practical advice for entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey. Omar's expertise and passion for business are evident throughout the conversation, making it a must-listen for anyone seeking to navigate the entrepreneurial world with success.

Highlights: 

00:00 - Ashish introduces the guest, Omar Medrano

00:44 - Omar talks about his background, his journey, and how he got to where he's at

03:33 - Ashish asks Omar about the challenges that business owners are facing and the trends he's seeing

04:04 - Entrepreneurship is a process

06:59 - Follow your passion, but realize that it does not pay. You need to learn to monetize what you're good at

08:16 - Omar talks about his 7 keys to success

15:41 - Obstacles that Omar's clients experience and the limiting beliefs, self-destructing patterns that surfaces as a result of working with him

17:37 - Ashish asks Omar how he deals with failure

19:19 - Omar shares what he's working on with regard to his own development

21:55 - Omar's thoughts on catching the falling knife or buying someone's business and its relation to narcissism, thinking you can turn it around and become the better leader

Connect with Omar Medrano here:  

You can connect with Omar through his Website, Podcast, Facebook, and Instagram.

Links:  

Sign up to the mailing list to receive special access and content here: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

Check out previous episodes of The Rich Equation Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rich-equation/id1585002788

Let's Connect! 

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashishnathu/ 

Website: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

This week’s guest is Jun Loayza. Jun is an entrepreneur and the Creator of the Dad Smarter Not Harder podcast. He is focused on helping fathers become the best parents and husbands that they can be. He loves to write about being a better parent. 

In this episode, Ashish and Jun dive deep into contentment versus continuous self-improvement and the essence of life's purpose. The conversation delves into the pursuit of happiness, encouraging individuals to confront fears, embrace challenges, and navigate through failures as catalysts for personal growth. The discourse explores the concept of nurturing a growth mindset, emphasizing the value of consistent practice and the differentiation between a growth versus a fixed mindset. Jun candidly shares his current entrepreneurial endeavors and associated challenges, transitioning into a discussion on parenting. They dissect Jun's inspiration behind his podcast, focusing on effective parenting through the GRACE framework—emphasizing growth mindset, responsibility, autonomy, confidence, and empathy.

Highlights: 

00:00 - Ashish introduces the guest, Jun Loayza

01:19 - Being content vs becoming better, and the purpose of life

04:40 - Why are people chasing happiness, and overcoming the fear of challenges and failing

07:39 - Challenge your mind to grow

14:10 - Practice makes better

14:27 - Growth vs fixed mindset

15:12 - Jun shares what he is working on and some challenges he is facing as an entrepreneur

18:21 - Ashish and Jun discuss parenting and the inspiration behind his podcast show

24:50 - How we can become better parents using the GRACE framework (growth mindset, responsibility, autonomy, confidence, empathy)

38:22 - Parenting is delayed gratification and using gamification to make parenting fun

41:36 - Jun’s challenges as a parent and marriage this season 

45:40 - The challenge of balancing success and family expectations

1:01:01 - What Jun hopes to instill in his children (values, learnings)

Connect with Jun Loayza here:  

You can connect with Jun through his LinkedIn, Podcast, X and YouTube.

Links:  

Sign up to the mailing list to receive special access and content here: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

Check out previous episodes of The Rich Equation Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rich-equation/id1585002788 

Let's Connect! 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashishnathu/ 

Website: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

Sign up to the mailing list to receive special access and content here: https://therichequationpodcast.com/ 

Check out previous episodes of The Rich Equation Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rich-equation/id1585002788