The Thought Leader Revolution Podcast | 10x Your Impact, Your Income & Your Influence

"Comfort absolutely murders your passion for life."  Progress comes from earning results the hard way—through discipline, physical effort, and daily standards that do not bend when motivation fades. Comfort weakens execution, while controlled hardship sharpens judgment, energy, and resilience. Whether in business, health, or life, the ability to persist when things get hard determines who lasts and who fades out.  Joe De Sena reflects on a life shaped by hustle, structure, and relentless effort—from early business lessons learned as a teenager to walking away from Wall Street in pursuit of something more alive. He shares how Spartan began as a failed idea, survived a decade of losses, nearly collapsed during the pandemic, and still grew into a global movement with a single mission: get people off the couch and back into ownership of their lives.  Joe is the founder of Spartan Race, bestselling author of Spartan Tough, and a lifelong advocate for physical challenge as a gateway to mental strength. His

"Authenticity is really the new currency in our world everywhere."  Join the audience on this special episode. I was given the opportunity to speak about the power of podcast guesting on the stage of Jack Canfield's Transformational Leadership Council. I was invited to teh stage by my good friend, Raymond Aaron. I shared how many treat podcast appearances as a branding exercise but the real value comes from long-form conversations where you can demonstrate your authenticity, creating trust and meaningful connection. Podcast guesting allows people to be heard in context, not soundbites, and to communicate ideas without the noise and friction of traditional marketing.  Build strong relationships with hosts while getting direct access to their engaged audiences, potentially high-income listeners, and decision-makers who already trust the host. It's a rare opportunity to build familiarity that short-form media can't replicate. When done well, podcast guesting leads to inbound conversations, collaborations,

"The deeper we meet ourselves, the deeper we can meet someone else."  True leadership begins with self-ownership. Growth is not about eliminating pain, conflict, or contradiction, but learning how to integrate them. When individuals stop chasing a one-sided version of positivity and instead understand polarity—challenge and support, strength and vulnerability—they gain clarity, resilience, and authenticity. Life stops happening to them and starts unfolding for them, revealing meaning even in the moments once labeled as failure or trauma.  Donna Parker is a global coach and speaker who helps people see themselves—and their lives—more honestly. She challenges the idea that growth comes from staying positive or avoiding discomfort, and instead points to the value of owning both sides of who we are. In this conversation, Donna explores how judgment, blame, and victim stories quietly keep people stuck, and why the moments we resist most often become the ones that shape our purpose. Drawing from decades of re

"I've worked really hard and success is really hard. But what I know is harder is being broke. And what I know is the hardest is living an unfulfilled life."  Building a global movement starts with clarity of purpose, disciplined execution, and the courage to act before conditions feel perfect. Sustainable growth is created by focusing on a clear mission, reverse-engineering goals into daily priorities, and eliminating distractions that drain time and energy. Success is less about perfection and more about consistent, intentional action taken in service of something larger than oneself.  Sandra Yancey shares how she built a multimillion-dollar, global organization by designing systems that scale, cultivating values-driven culture, and leading with generosity. She explains why entrepreneurs must master time management, build repeatable processes, and create environments where people feel respected, supported, and empowered to perform at a high level.  Sandra is the cofounder of eWomenNetwork, one of th

"Happy money is money that gives you joy when you receive it and also gets you excited when you pay."  Money carries energy, whether we notice it or not. When money is received with appreciation and released with gratitude, it circulates differently through life. Instead of being a source of stress, fear, or control, it becomes a tool for joy, generosity, and forward momentum. The relationship we form with money often mirrors our relationship with trust, self-worth, and contribution. When money is treated as something positive, supportive, and purposeful, it stops feeling heavy and starts feeling alive.  Ken Honda introduces the idea that money can be "happy" or "unhappy" depending on how it is experienced emotionally. He explains that happy money flows from doing meaningful work, creating value, and making others smile. When people earn through alignment with what they love, money becomes a natural byproduct rather than a constant struggle. Ken also connects money to ikigai—one's life purpose—and shows

"When I retired, I figured I'm going into my second career and I'm going to be a filmmaker."  Big ideas don't always start with big budgets. Sometimes they start during moments of disruption, when plans fall apart and creativity has to take the lead. This episode highlights how shifting direction during uncertain times can open the door to entirely new worlds—both creatively and personally.  Doug MacDougall joins the conversation to share the story behind Twice Upon A Time, a bold sci-fi fantasy web series that blends mystery, psychology, and time travel. What began as a creative pivot during lockdown has evolved into an ambitious, multi-season project featuring remote actors, genre-bending storytelling, and a cliff-hanger designed to leave audiences wanting more. The series follows five residents in a near-future asylum whose treatment hides far darker intentions than they realize.  Doug is an independent film producer who creates cinematic web series with actors located across North America. Worki

"We were delivering five-star service to clients who couldn't afford it."  Most businesses don't struggle because they lack talent or work ethic. They struggle because they're solving real problems for customers who can't afford meaningful solutions. When clients are under-resourced, even great work becomes exhausting, unpredictable, and hard to scale. The same effort, applied to better-capitalized customers, creates stability, clarity, and room to think long term instead of constantly chasing the next invoice.  Emad Rizkalla shares how his company worked with world-class brands yet still found itself financially strained. The issue wasn't capability—it was deal size. By moving upstream into government, defense, and large-scale workforce development, everything changed. Larger contracts meant fewer distractions, longer runways, and the ability to plan years ahead instead of months. The work didn't get easier, but the business finally made sense.  Emad is the founder of Bluedrop, a Canadian technology

"Most of our stress in life comes from all of the incompletions in our lives."  Becoming a better version of yourself starts with understanding the mechanics behind personal transformation. At its core, growth comes from developing integrity, building systems that eliminate overwhelm, and learning the discipline required to follow through on the commitments that shape your identity. When you treat your life as a designed creation—not an accidental series of reactions—you give yourself the structure needed to operate with clarity and confidence.  Bruce Muzik shares powerful insight into how his years immersed in transformational work—particularly the discipline he learned under Werner Erhard—revealed that excellence begins with completion, honesty, and the willingness to confront what isn't working. Bruce explains how procedures, integrity, and emotional responsibility become tools that not only elevate performance but also strengthen a person's sense of aliveness.  Bruce is a transformational educator

"I just want to focus on what I love doing, what lights me up, what brings me joy."  Buying back your time begins with understanding the true value of your hours. When you separate high-value strategic work from low-value administrative tasks, it becomes clear how much freedom can be reclaimed by eliminating, automating, or delegating what weighs you down. The core principle is simple: focus on the activities that move the needle, and build systems for everything else so time becomes an asset—not a burden.  George Rivera & Michael Santonato explore how real transformation happens when you stop being the hero of your business and start becoming its architect. George shows how documenting tasks, creating SOPs, and hiring smartly allows founders to spend more time in their genius. Michael shares how clearing administrative clutter elevates his ability to educate clients and close high-value opportunities. Together, they show that buying back your time is a mindset long before it becomes a system.  G

"Take some action, make a commitment to yourself."  Every meaningful business breakthrough starts with a simple truth: your time is your most valuable asset. When you choose to treat each moment like it matters, you naturally prioritize clarity, courage, and decisive action. That mindset—rooted in focus rather than fear—creates the space for stronger ideas, smarter systems, and the confidence to grow forward.  Becky Amble brings that principle to life. After realizing how quickly everything can change, Becky committed to helping entrepreneurs direct their energy toward what matters, including learning tools that multiply their impact. Through education, storytelling, and hands-on strategy, Becky shows how AI becomes less intimidating and more empowering when approached with curiosity and consistency.  Becky is an author, educator, and AI strategist who has invested more than 3,000 hours mastering ChatGPT and practical business applications of AI. She writes multiple books, teaches entrepreneurs global

"They get so excited about investing in the U.S. that they don't get the proper consultation before they do so."  Many Canadians lose money in U.S. real estate not because the deals are bad, but because the rules are different. Success comes from understanding taxes, choosing the right markets, and keeping structures simple. When emotions stay out of the way and the math leads, cross-border investing becomes far more predictable and profitable.  Michael Matthew shows how Canadians can avoid expensive mistakes by focusing on landlord-friendly states, population growth, and proper financing; why U.S. markets often offer better entry prices, how inspections can save you from disasters, and why due diligence matters more than excitement when evaluating a property.  Michael is a 35-year professional accountant who specializes in U.S.–Canada real-estate taxation. For over 15 years he has helped Canadians structure deals, avoid tax traps, and make smarter investing decisions on both sides of the border. 

"The whole point of life is people, is other people, is the love that you have for other people. That love is what makes you strong. It's what makes your life worth living."  Real wealth in business and entrepreneurship doesn't come from possessions or revenue; it comes from people. When you build a company around love, gratitude, and relationships, everything else becomes a tool rather than the goal. "Love people, use things" becomes a strategy: clients are human beings, your team is family, and money is simply fuel to serve more lives.  Sitting in a house full of laughter, food, and hugs on Thanksgiving, I'm reminded that every real win in my life has people at the center of it. I feel deep gratitude for my partner, my kids, my clients, my team, and every entrepreneur who's trusted me to help grow their business and impact. Relationships are the real ROI.  If this lands for you, turn it into action. Stop stressing over stuff that breaks and start protecting the love in the room. Call someone you hav

"Leadership is not something you do it's something that happens through who you are."   True strength in leadership begins at home. Families built on trust, communication, and that face the emotions beneath the surface, create a foundation far more powerful than any set of numbers on a spreadsheet. Stability, purpose, and resilience come from the invisible yet tangible forces of love, compassion, and loyalty. These shape how people show up in life and business.  René Sonneveld explains how these principles guided him through extraordinary chapters: global career pivots, deep personal loss, and the rediscovery of love. René shows why family governance fails without emotional governance, why "invisible capital" determines longevity, and why the most important asset a leader brings into any room is who they are. His insights tie into the message that family alignment wins over financial success. That's the true measure of legacy.  René is a father of five and a trusted coach to enterprise families worldwi

"When they see your face, look into your eyes, you're real and you're human and you're authentic, that's when trust happens."  Strong relationships form the backbone of every successful business. Growth becomes easier when you intentionally invest in the connections that matter, release the ones that drain your energy, and stay open to forming new relationships that bring purpose and momentum. Trust, consistency, and genuine human connection—not tactics—create the stability and opportunity that leaders rely on.    Alan McLaren, a veteran executive and relationship strategist, shares powerful insights on why intentional connection shapes long-term success. He explains how clarity, visibility, and authenticity help leaders expand their influence, strengthen their network, and build trust quickly and naturally. His approach to service-driven leadership reveals how meaningful conversations can spark new partnerships, deepen existing ones, and create opportunities that last. Everything culminates in the upcom

"82% of all Americans are now saying they expect the brands they buy from to share their values."   Staying true to your values isn't just the right thing to do, it's one of the smartest ways to grow a business. Today's episode breaks down why conviction creates clarity, why clarity creates trust, and why trust is the new currency in a marketplace flooded with noise, doubt, and deception.  Kurt Luidhardt shares how his work with political campaigns led him to uncover something much bigger: millions of consumers actively looking to spend their money with brands that reflect their beliefs. Kurt explains why this shift matters for entrepreneurs, how conviction-driven marketing works, and why businesses that communicate their principles authentically attract more loyal, resilient customers. He also unpacks the modern crisis of trust and shows how shared values help people make faster, more confident buying decisions.  Kurt is the co-founder of a nationally recognized digital strategy firm and the creator o

"You can create your content and put it out there on social media yourself. You can create your own content by having a podcast."  You no longer need traditional media to spread your message. In today's world, your ideas, your consistency, and your voice are enough to create real influence. When you share content regularly, you build authority that reaches the people who need you.  "You are your own media" means taking control of your platform. Podcasting—and especially guesting—lets your message travel fast. Podcast listeners are engaged, curious, and ready to act, making each appearance a powerful growth tool.  The moment is wide open. No gatekeepers. No barriers. Your message is the channel. You are the media—use it boldly. Email Nicky at nicky@ecircle.ca to learn more about the podcast guesting workshop happening on December 5th. Visit https://www.eCircleAcademy.com and book a success call with Nicky to take your practice to the next level. 

"You can never outperform your self-image."  Reclaiming health begins with ownership. True healing happens when you stop outsourcing your well-being and start living by principles that restore your body's natural intelligence. That means breaking free from the dependency mindset built by Big Pharma, choosing single-ingredient foods over processed ones, fasting to reset your metabolism, and sleeping deeply to rebuild from within. Health is not just the absence of disease—it's the active pursuit of energy, purpose, and clarity.  Ben Azadi shares how he went from obese and depressed to a peak state of physical and mental fitness. Drawing from his book Metabolic Freedom, Ben reveals how changing your self-image rewires your biology, fasting activates your body's repair systems, and gratitude—what he calls "Vitamin G"—becomes the ultimate anti-inflammatory. His philosophy blends science and purpose to show that you can heal yourself by living in alignment with nature's design.  Ben is a bestselling author,

"Follow your passion. Master your mindset. Monetize doing what you love."  Living your passion begins with self-awareness and courage—the willingness to question whether the life you're living is truly yours or one built on others' expectations. Passion isn't something you stumble upon; it's something you uncover by aligning your work, purpose, and daily choices with what fuels your heart. True joy emerges when you stop living in "shoulds" and start listening to your inner compass—transforming fear and limitation into clarity and flow.  LuAnn Buechler reveals how saying "yes" to opportunity became the defining habit that changed her life. From a 15-year career in hospitality to working with Dr. Ivan Misner and the Transformational Leadership Council, LuAnn's story is proof that life rewards aligned action. Her philosophy, "Work in your flame, not in your wax," encourages people to create lives centered on purpose. Through tools like The Passion Test and mindfulness practices, she helps clients shift from

"If you optimize your hormones, you lose depression, you lose anxiety, you feel good again, you're energized, you're good to go."  A mission born from struggle. Former cop and veteran Michael Seemann faced burnout, depression, and a body that was shutting down—until he discovered the power of hormone optimization. That breakthrough became Evolving Vitality, a clinic dedicated to restoring men's health through hormone balance, mental wellness, and affordable access to life-changing care. Michael shares how turning pain into purpose shaped his business mindset: build for service, not greed. Keep prices fair, lead with integrity, and let faith drive the mission. Success, he says, is simple—trust God, work hard, and do the right thing. Now, with clinics in five states and plans to expand across North America, Michael's proving that purpose-driven entrepreneurship can save lives—and restore the spirit of those who serve. Expert action steps:  1. Trust God – Have faith that He will lead you to the right purp

"I'm responsible for 100% of my own healing."  Success doesn't come from your coach—it comes from you. This nugget hits hard with one truth: no one can do the work for you. You can hire the best mentor in the world, but if you're not fully invested, nothing changes. The moment you take full ownership, everything shifts.  Your coach can guide, challenge, and inspire—but they can't move your feet. If you resist their direction or half-commit, you're setting your money on fire. But if you show up 100%—coach­able, committed, and accountable—you'll unlock results that no coach could ever hand you.  Visit https://www.eCircleAcademy.com and book a success call with Nicky to take your practice to the next level.