Success Story with Scott D. Clary
Welcome to the Success Story Podcast, hosted by entrepreneur, business executive, author, educator & speaker, Scott D. Clary (@scottdclary). On this podcast, you'll find interviews, Q&A, keynote presentations & conversations on sales, marketing, business, startups and entrepreneurship. Scott will discuss some of the lessons he's learned over his own career, as well as have candid interviews with execs, celebrities, notable figures and politicians. All who have achieved success through both wins and losses, to learn more about their life, their ideas and insights. He sits down with leaders and mentors and unpacks their story to help pass those lessons onto others through both experiences and tactical strategy for business professionals, entrepreneurs and everyone in between. To get more of the Success Story podcast, go to www.successstorypodcast.com.
Most Recent Episode
Dr. Abraham George - Shanti Bhavan Founder | The Life That Actually Matters
➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
Dr. Abraham M. George built a fortune on Wall Street, founding Multinational Computer Models and selling it to Fortune 500 company SunGard Data Systems in 1998. Then he walked away from it all. Armed with a PhD from NYU Stern and decades of finance experience, he returned to India in 1995 and founded Shanti Bhavan—a residential school that takes children from extreme poverty at age four and supports them through college. The model works: 98% graduate college, 97% land jobs at Amazon, Google, and Goldman Sachs, and every single graduate earns more in five years than their parents earn in a lifetime. His parallel work on lead poisoning exposed that 51% of Indian children had toxic blood levels, triggering India's 2000 ban on leaded petrol and protecting hundreds of millions. Featured in Netflix's "Daughters of Destiny," Shanti Bhavan has directly transformed over 15,000 lives—proof that one person's strategic commitment can dismantle generational poverty.
➡️ Show Links
https://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Cross-Finding-Purpose-Service/dp/B0F2GK4HW9
https://www.instagram.com/dr_abraham_george/
https://www.drabrahamgeorge.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraham-george-519315274
➡️ Podcast Sponsors
Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/
ShipStation - https://www.shipstation.com/ (Code: SuccessStory)
Square - https://square.com/go/success
SurveyMonkey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/scott
Monarch Money - https://www.monarchmoney.com (Code: Success)
Claude - https://claude.ai/success
Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott)
Revenued - https://www.revenued.com/
NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/
Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary
➡️ Talking Points
00:00 – Intro
01:25 – Did He Get Rich Just to Give It All Away?
06:49 – The Near-Death Moment That Changed His Life
09:28 – When Money Became the Wrong Goal
11:33 – Walking Away From Success to Serve Others
13:22 – Finding Purpose When You Feel Lost
18:57 – Scaling Impact Without Quitting Business
24:25 – Sponsor Break
27:09 – Building a School With No Education Experience
33:24 – A 17-Year Promise to One Child
36:00 – India’s 1,500-Year-Old Caste Crisis
42:35 – How Giving Changed Him
44:58 – The Brutal Reality of Building Shanti Bhavan
48:53 – Can Poverty and the Caste System Be Broken?
51:34 – Sponsor Break
53:27 – Does Shanti Bhavan Actually Work?
56:25 – Why Compassion Isn’t Enough
58:18 – Why He Had to Write Mountains to Cross
1:01:57 – What Makes the Sacrifice Worth It
1:06:15 – The One Lesson He Wants His Kids to Remember
1:07:12 – What He’s Fighting for Now
More Episodes
Tim Storey - Celebrity Life Coach | The Science Behind Sudden Success
➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
Tim Storey is a renowned author, speaker, and life coach who has spent over four decades helping individuals, celebrities, and organizations navigate life transitions and achieve personal breakthroughs. Based in Los Angeles, he has worked with high-profile clients including Robert Downey Jr., Kanye West, and various professional athletes, offering guidance on overcoming adversity and unlocking potential. Storey has authored several books, including "Utmost Living" and "The Miracle Mentality," and is known for his dynamic speaking style that blends practical wisdom with spiritual principles. His work focuses on helping people move from setbacks to comebacks, and he has become a sought-after voice in personal development, appearing on various media platforms and speaking to audiences worldwide about resilience, purpose, and transformation.
➡️ Show Links
https://www.instagram.com/timstoreyofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/TimStoreyOfficial/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/timstoreyofficial/
➡️ Podcast Sponsors
Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/
ShipStation - https://www.shipstation.com/ (Code: SuccessStory)
Square - https://square.com/go/success
SurveyMonkey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/scott
Monarch Money - https://www.monarchmoney.com (Code: Success)
Claude - https://claude.ai/success
Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott)
Revenued - https://www.revenued.com/
NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/
Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary
➡️ Talking Points
00:00 – Intro
01:28 – Thinking Beyond the Ordinary
05:14 – Tim Storey’s Origin Story
07:26 – Training Your Mind to See Possibility
17:09 – Action vs. Direction: What Actually Works
19:46 – Why Knowledge Without Action Fails
24:00 – The Power of the Right Partner
25:28 – Sponsor Break
28:13 – The Through Line of True Influence
37:52 – When You Lose Your Own Story
40:37 – Knowing Who Belongs in Your Life
44:08 – Sponsor Break
46:01 – Radical Empathy Without Losing Yourself
57:00 – Tim’s Biggest Frustration as a Coach
59:16 – What the Bible Really Says About Ego
1:05:48 – Living on a Higher Frequency
1:11:41 – Advice Tim Would Give His 20-Year-Old Self
Lessons - Inside the Billionaire Mind | Timothy Daniels - TIGER 21 CEO
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Timothy Daniels, CEO of TIGER 21, offers a deep look into what comes after financial success and why achievement alone is rarely enough. He explains how intentional community design, collective intelligence, and diversity of perspective help high-performing individuals continue growing and making meaningful impact. Timothy breaks down the strategy behind TIGER 21, sharing how peer networks are structured to strengthen decision-making, align personal goals with shared learning, and support both wealth stewardship and life fulfillment.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/VzMyf4s7d3k
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timothy-daniels-president-and-ceo-of-tiger-21/id1484783544
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4k438XfR1mddEgD98h26GQ
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Lessons - From Secretary to Overstock President | Stormy Simon - Former Overstock.com President
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Stormy Simon, former President of Overstock.com, reflects on her journey from secretary to executive leadership and what it truly means to bet on yourself. She shares how necessity, responsibility, and self-trust pushed her to take uncomfortable risks, while redefining success beyond money, titles, or external validation. Stormy explains why curiosity and continuous growth matter more than status, and how recognizing patterns of stagnation became a signal to move forward. She also opens up about staying grounded through massive success, finding freedom on her own terms, and aligning life decisions with personal values rather than societal expectations.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/zA6FnGKhPT0
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YHm9qv1avurZTABkf1t09
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Mike & Kass Lazerow - From Zero to $745M | The Simple Truth About Growth
➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
Mike and Kass Lazerow are married serial entrepreneurs and investors best known as the co-founders of Golf.com and Buddy Media, a social media marketing platform that sold to Salesforce in 2012 for $745 million. Their entrepreneurial journey began after they reconnected at a mutual friend's wedding in 1996, and two years later they co-founded Golf.com before marrying in 1999. After selling Golf.com to Time Warner in 2006 for $24 million, they launched Buddy Media. Since then, they have supported nearly 100 early-stage startup founders as angel investors and advisors, with their investments generating more than $10 billion in realized gains, including notable successes like Scopely and Liquid Death. They are authors of "Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story" and have received numerous accolades, including being ranked number one on Business Insider's Silicon Alley 100.
➡️ Show Links
https://www.instagram.com/kassandmike/
➡️ Podcast Sponsors
Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/
ShipStation - https://www.shipstation.com/ (Code: SuccessStory)
Square - https://square.com/go/success
SurveyMonkey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/scott
Monarch Money - https://www.monarchmoney.com (Code: Success)
Claude - https://claude.ai/success
Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott)
Revenued - https://www.revenued.com/
NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/
Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary
➡️ Talking Points
00:00 – Intro
01:28 – Why Building a Company Is Awful and Amazing
04:33 – How Not to Destroy a Relationship in Business
08:16 – Turning Each Other’s Weaknesses Into an Edge
11:45 – Building a Company With Your Partner
13:56 – Pivot or Die: Surviving the Hard Moments
18:26 – When to Quit vs. When to Push Through
23:29 – Sponsor Break
26:13 – Getting Your Team to Truly Buy In
33:03 – The 3 Real Reasons Companies Fail
35:46 – Why They Hired a Coach After Raising $100M
42:15 – Health, Burnout, and Long-Term Success
51:50 – Sponsor Break
53:45 – The Traits They Bet On as Investors
1:05:38 – Is Social Media Breaking Entrepreneurs?
1:10:38 – The “Go Gauge” Decision Framework
1:15:59 – The Founder Delusion That Kills Great Ideas
1:17:26 – What They Respect Most About Each Other
1:18:23 – The One Lesson They’d Teach Their Kids
Lessons - From Refugees to $100M Exit | Lloyed Lobo - Community Building Expert
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Lloyed Lobo, community building expert and entrepreneur behind a $100M exit, shares why the future of successful businesses will be built around community rather than commodities. He breaks down the different types of communities founders can build, explains why starting with a community of practice matters before product-market fit, and outlines the practical first steps entrepreneurs can take to serve people authentically. Lloyed also dives into the importance of clear purpose, mission, vision, and values, and how aligning passion with service creates long-term leverage for building durable, meaningful companies.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/0BxVuTILyyU
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KfwK70MbHbkeVLCB4jgyg
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Lessons - The Science of Human Behavior | Dr. John Demartini - Human Behavior Expert
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Dr. John Demartini, a human behavior expert and global authority on personal development, breaks down the science behind how human values shape every decision, behavior, and long-term outcome in life and business. He explains why true values are revealed through actions rather than intentions, and how misaligned values often lead to frustration in careers, finances, and personal fulfillment. Drawing from decades of research and teaching, Dr. Demartini outlines practical ways to accurately identify core values and shares a framework for consciously reshaping them to support growth, wealth creation, and a more meaningful life.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/8JEa3ky30Sw
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5xvT74iD1WG8vszaFxf6FT
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Tommy Mello - $1 Billion Company Founder (A1 Garage Doors) | Why Control Keeps You Small
➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
Tommy Mello is a billionaire entrepreneur and founder of A1 Garage Door Service, which he started in 2007 with $50,000 in debt and transformed into North America's largest independently-owned garage door company, now operating in 19 states with over 700 employees and generating over $200 million in revenue. He is also a bestselling author of books including "Elevate" and "Home Service Millionaire," host of "The Home Service Expert" podcast (ranked in the top 0.1% of podcasts), and an Inc. Magazine columnist who shares strategies for scaling home service businesses. Mello had his first major exit in 2022 with nearly $30 million in EBITDA, distributed $100 million to employees from the transaction, and continues to focus on creating millionaires among his workforce while building toward his goal of reaching multiple billions in company valuation.
➡️ Show Links
https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommymello/
➡️ Podcast Sponsors
Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/
ShipStation - https://www.shipstation.com/ (Code: SuccessStory)
Square - https://square.com/go/success
SurveyMonkey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/scott
Monarch Money - https://www.monarchmoney.com (Code: Success)
Claude - https://claude.ai/success
Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott)
Revenued - https://www.revenued.com/
NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/
Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary
➡️ Talking Points
00:00 – Intro
01:25 – Tommy Mello’s Origin Story
09:49 – Scaling From $20M to $500M
12:49 – You Can’t Out-Delegate Me
14:30 – A $100M Exit Gift
20:13 – Sponsor Break
22:57 – You’re Focused on the Wrong Things
25:27 – What Drives Him Now
29:54 – Fear After Winning Big
38:16 – Sponsor Break
40:46 – Taxes Every Founder Misses
45:40 – Why SaaS Is Chasing AI
48:48 – Hire Smarter Than Yourself
52:17 – Life vs Business
58:28 – When Business Becomes Identity
1:02:38 – The Lesson He’d Teach His Kids
Lessons - The Hidden Psychology of Wall Street | Denise Shull - Performance Coach to Hedge Funds
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Denise Shull, performance coach to hedge funds, breaks down the hidden psychology behind high‑stakes decision making on Wall Street. She explains how emotions like fear, embarrassment, and anxiety quietly influence judgment, often disguising themselves as cognitive bias or ego. Denise challenges the idea that biases are unavoidable, showing why identifying what you’re actually feeling matters more than suppressing emotions. By acknowledging emotional signals early, she reveals how leaders and investors can adapt faster, make clearer decisions, and achieve better long‑term outcomes.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/dcnXBTEyTfk
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/denise-shull-founder-of-the-rethink-group-how-to/id1484783544
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sn8npZ5WbUe7yLYCWwGTJ
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Lessons - The Ex-Con Who Built an Empire | Ryan Stewman - Sales Coaching Mogul
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Ryan Stewman, sales coaching mogul and founder of a multi–eight-figure coaching ecosystem, breaks down how he turned hard-earned experience into a scalable business. He shares how selling at the level you’re already winning builds instant credibility, why pre-selling offers is the fastest way to validate demand and generate cash flow, and how sharp positioning filters the right buyers in crowded markets. Ryan also explains how simple funnels, premium pricing, and refining your audience can transform a one-person hustle into a powerful movement that scales far beyond the founder.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/wKLNAz53nsw
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7jMcKNnIKun3hQPpGUvt0E
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Dorie Clark - Reinventing You Author | The Hidden Cost of Personal Transformation
➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
Dorie Clark is a marketing strategist, keynote speaker, and executive coach who teaches at Duke University's Fuqett School of Business. She is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose books include "Entrepreneurial You," "Reinventing You," and "The Long Game," which explore personal branding, career development, and strategic thinking. Named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50, Clark has worked with clients ranging from Google and Microsoft to the World Bank and consulted for presidential campaigns. She is a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review and has been recognized by Forbes as one of the "Top 10 Communication Experts You Should Follow." Through her writing, speaking, and teaching, she helps professionals stand out, build their reputations, and create long-term career success.
➡️ Show Links
https://www.instagram.com/dorieclark/
https://www.youtube.com/DorieClark
➡️ Podcast Sponsors
Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/
ShipStation - https://www.shipstation.com/ (Code: SuccessStory)
Square - https://square.com/go/success
SurveyMonkey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/scott
Monarch Money - https://www.monarchmoney.com (Code: Success)
Claude - https://claude.ai/success
Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott)
Revenued - https://www.revenued.com/
NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/
Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary
➡️ Talking Points
00:00 – Intro
01:30 – How Identity Shapes Reinvention
03:40 – The Skill Behind Reinvention
09:40 – What Triggered Dorie’s Reinvention
15:47 – Your Work Is Not Your Identity
23:48 – Sponsor Break
26:32 – Getting Others Onboard With Change
28:37 – Reinventing Without Losing Focus
30:41 – When You Know It’s Time to Change
37:41 – What Dorie Is Exploring Now
40:27 – Why Exploration Always Pays Off
49:50 – Why These Ideas Matter
52:45 – Sponsor Break
55:15 – Becoming Known for One Idea
58:05 – Focus vs. Diversification
1:00:40 – Influence vs. Thought Leadership
1:04:32 – Finding Your Unique Voice
1:07:38 – Using Your Personal Story
1:16:52 – Advice to Her Younger Self
Lessons - Why Women Get 2% of VC Funding | Julia Boorstin - CNBC Senior Correspondent
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Julia Boorstin, CNBC Senior Correspondent and author, examines why women receive only a small share of venture capital funding despite equal or higher educational attainment. She breaks down how the “broken rung” slows early career advancement, how pattern matching and unconscious bias influence investment decisions, and why female founders often receive smaller checks even when they secure funding. Julia also highlights how diversifying leadership and restructuring investment processes can reduce bias and lead to stronger, more profitable outcomes.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/kKR7WlQZQ5c
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/51MMV72UDujKALoVsDiThd
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Lessons - Building a $700M Junk Empire | Brian Scudamore - 1-800-GOT-JUNK Founder
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Brian Scudamore, founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK, breaks down how leadership often becomes the biggest bottleneck to scale and why entrepreneurs must learn to get out of their own way. He shares how stepping back from day-to-day operations and empowering the right operators helped grow the business from $100 million to hundreds of millions in revenue. Brian also explains why finding leaders suited to each stage of growth is critical, and how systems, ownership, and franchising models allow companies to scale far beyond the founder’s personal limits.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/HGnt6NkuppQ
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6v7ABq4aTxtbLBFv4ttrhT
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Giorgos Tsetis - Nutrafol Founder | From Personal Crisis to $3.5 Billion Exit
➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
Giorgos Tsetis is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who co-founded Nutrafol in 2014, transforming it into the leading dermatologist-recommended hair growth supplement brand in the United States. Under his leadership, Nutrafol attracted over 2 million users and was acquired by Unilever in 2022 for over $1 billion, with Tsetis completing the sale of his remaining shares in early 2025 at a valuation of $3.5 billion. Now 41, he has launched a family office called Great Things to invest in breakthrough startups—including AI companies like Anthropic, xAI, and SpaceX—while channeling profits toward philanthropic causes focused on social good, food access, mental health, and education.
➡️ Show Links
https://www.instagram.com/giorgostsetis/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/giorgos-tsetis-1a05ab1a/
➡️ Podcast Sponsors
Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/
ShipStation - https://www.shipstation.com/ (Code: SuccessStory)
Square - https://square.com/go/success
SurveyMonkey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/scott
Monarch Money - https://www.monarchmoney.com (Code: Success)
Claude - https://claude.ai/success
Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott)
Revenued - https://www.revenued.com/
NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/
Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary
➡️ Talking Points
00:00 – Intro
01:31 – When Business Becomes Sacred
03:35 – The Scarcity Trap Every Entrepreneur Faces
08:20 – The Personal Problem That Started It All
14:19 – Finding Courage to Solve a Real Human Problem
22:00 – Handling the Pressure of Launching Nutrafol
27:54 – Are Health Companies Playing God?
30:53 – Sponsor Break
33:37 – Starting From Zero to Build for Women
38:59 – Hidden Opportunities in Everyday Suffering
44:10 – What Human Flourishing Really Means
49:13 – Why Health Is the Ultimate Optimization
52:40 – Where the Next Health Tech Breakthroughs Are
56:12 – A Return to Nature and True Healing
56:31 – What Actually Keeps Giorgos Up at Night
1:02:13 – Sponsor Break
1:05:41 – How AI Will Reshape Health Tech
1:12:32 – What Makes Giorgos Different
1:18:57 – Exiting a Company for $3.5 Billion
1:28:58 – The Goal That Matters Most Now
1:35:14 – The One Lesson He’d Teach His Kids
Lessons - The Abundance Mindset That Changes Everything | Saul Blinkoff - Disney Animator
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this “Lessons” episode, Saul Blinkoff, Disney animator and creative leader behind films like Mulan and Tarzan, reflects on how achieving success can still leave a deeper sense of purpose unfulfilled. He shares how redefining abundance as service—not accumulation—shifted his mindset from personal achievement to responsibility and impact. Saul explores how awareness of mortality sharpens clarity around values, leadership, and decision-making, and why using creative work to help others creates meaning that lasts far beyond career milestones.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/3nkiT-DStLo
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5YNeNJorzU2MlF8BASUgiB
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Lessons - How to Win Against Toxic People | Rebecca Zung - High-Conflict Negotiation Expert
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Rebecca Zung, a high-conflict negotiation expert, breaks down how to successfully negotiate with toxic and narcissistic personalities when conventional approaches fail. She explains why mindset and preparation are the real sources of leverage before any conversation even begins, and why assuming a fair or cooperative outcome can leave you vulnerable to manipulation. Drawing from her SLAY methodology, Rebecca shares practical strategies for anticipating aggressive behavior, protecting your interests, and ethically countering manipulation to achieve a stronger, more controlled outcome.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/aTgguqJjB0w
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EHQKgTdfr4fMCqcKeyRdt
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Paul James - Founder of DialHawk | From Brother's Garage to Multiple 7-Figure AI Businesses
➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
Paul James is a digital marketing entrepreneur and founder of DialHawk, a call tracking and local SEO software platform that helps businesses optimize lead conversion. After dropping out of college in 2010, he built a six-figure agency from his brother's garage before scaling multiple ventures to 7-figure revenue. James is a bestselling author of Reverse Engineer Your Future (5-star Amazon rating), YouTube educator with over 305,000 subscribers, and has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Yahoo Finance. Through DialHawk Academy, he teaches aspiring entrepreneurs local SEO and affiliate marketing strategies.
➡️ Show Links
https://www.instagram.com/hellopauljames/
http://www.youtube.com/@iampauljames/
➡️ Podcast Sponsors
Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/
ShipStation - https://www.shipstation.com/ (Code: SuccessStory)
Square - https://square.com/go/success
SurveyMonkey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/scott
Monarch Money - https://www.monarchmoney.com (Code: Success)
Claude - https://claude.ai/success
Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott)
NetSuite — https://netsuite.com/scottclary/
Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary
➡️ Talking Points
00:00 – Intro
01:26 – What SEO Still Gets Right in 2025
04:25 – Paul’s Origin Story
06:48 – From Music to Entrepreneurship
08:40 – Choosing the Right Career Path
12:52 – Paul’s Biggest Business Decisions
15:20 – How Divorce Changed His Business
18:40 – Entering AI and Content Creation
19:57 – Sponsor Break
22:41 – Why Paul Left SEO for AI
24:02 – AI Marketing Strategies That Work
27:23 – Getting Real Value From AI
30:46 – Building an Audience That Converts
34:02 – Using AI Without Being Replaced
35:00 – AI-Driven Lead Generation
38:28 – Common AI Mistakes People Make
40:42 – Sponsor Break
43:12 – What AI Changed About Content
44:46 – Mental Models for Tough Times
47:41 – Habits Holding Entrepreneurs Back
51:04 – The Future of AI in Marketing
53:36 – Measuring Marketing Results
1:00:49 – Paul’s Most Important Lesson
Lessons - Solving Impossible Problems | Naveen Jain - Billionaire Serial Entrepreneur
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Naveen Jain, billionaire serial entrepreneur, explores what it truly means to solve “impossible” problems through moonshot thinking. He shares how asking better, more fundamental questions can unlock breakthroughs others overlook, and why exponential technologies make world-changing ideas commercially viable. Naveen also breaks down how long-term vision can coexist with building real businesses along the way, drawing from his work in healthcare and science. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, explaining why resilience through uncertainty is essential for lasting impact and success.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/CsbMixED_cM
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/622HEcEkZP2XCF5ESfffjp
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Lessons - The New Mental Health Revolution | Jose Muñoz - Psychedelic Research Pioneer
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Jose Muñoz, a pioneer in psychedelic research, explores how ketamine-assisted therapy is reshaping the future of mental health. He explains how neuroplasticity creates a unique window for changing habits, thought patterns, and emotional responses, positioning happiness itself as a learnable skill. Jose also breaks down why intention-setting, repetition, and integration are critical for long-term results, and how personalized protocols turn short-term insight into meaningful, real-life behavioral change.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/EnVxZQOH5dM
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3uL4E3G7L2K3dK4L8yPRX3
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Niko Mercuris - Crypto Renegades Founder | How I Rebuilt From Zero Three Times
➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
Niko Mercuris is a serial entrepreneur who's built multiple multi-million dollar companies over 25 years, primarily in sales and marketing. He scaled call centers to over 230 employees that generated 14,000 sales per week—experience he documented in his Amazon bestselling book "2451 Sales Per Day." He's also the author of "Millionaire Mindset Mastery" and has been investing in real estate and financial markets since 2001. After losing $4 million in the 2008 crash, he rebuilt by diversifying into alternative assets and now coaches business owners on scaling operations, sales systems, and building sustainable wealth.
➡️ Show Links
https://tradewithniko.com/join
https://www.youtube.com/@NikoMercuris/videos
https://www.instagram.com/nikomercuris/
➡️ Podcast Sponsors
Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/
ShipStation - https://www.shipstation.com/ (Code: SuccessStory)
Square - https://square.com/go/success
SurveyMonkey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/scott
Monarch Money - https://www.monarchmoney.com (Code: Success)
Claude - https://claude.ai/success
Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott)
NetSuite — https://netsuite.com/scottclary/
Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary
➡️ Talking Points
00:00 – Intro
01:25 – The Mindset of Successful Investors
06:16 – How Niko Learned to Invest
13:20 – Surviving the 2008 Financial Crisis
17:58 – Hitting Rock Bottom
22:08 – Why Chasing Money Fails
24:05 – Beating Fear and Greed in Investing
27:42 – Using Leverage With Discipline
31:45 – Sponsor Break
34:29 – How Leverage Goes Wrong
38:43 – How Long It Takes to Learn Investing
43:09 – Best Investing Types for Beginners
48:25 – Sponsor Break
50:55 – The Biggest Trading Mistake
52:24 – What Really Drives Profits
55:52 – Niko’s Evolving Money Mindset
1:01:08 – When to Start Investing
1:07:03 – Advice to My 20-Year-Old Self
Lessons - From War Hero to Hollywood | J.R. Martinez - Army Veteran & Actor
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, J.R. Martinez, an Army veteran, actor, and motivational speaker, shares his powerful journey of rebuilding identity after life-altering adversity. Drawing from his experience of being injured in combat and finding a new purpose beyond the military, J.R. explains how service, not status, became the foundation of his career. He reflects on how listening more than speaking creates real impact, why purpose often reveals itself through small moments rather than big signs, and how aligning your work with passion and values leads to long-term fulfillment.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/mtwdhFMT13I
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/741QVpzbUXpkOm4L2BzJqR
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Lessons - Building a $100M Open Source Empire | Ian Tien - SaaS Scaling Expert
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Ian Tien, SaaS scaling expert and co-founder of Mattermost, breaks down how to build and scale a $100M open source business in an increasingly high-risk security landscape. He explains why security is less about open versus closed source and more about culture, long-term investment, and collaboration with a committed community. Ian also shares how customer-led product development helped land early enterprise customers without heavy fundraising, and why focusing on impact, growth, and human connection is key to attracting and retaining world-class technical talent.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/oZM4Zao3Aqs
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ian-tien-ceo-co-founder-of-mattermost-open-source/id1484783544
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/59DeI22hRs73LN4WzRBG4G
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Ryan Serhant - Owning Manhattan | Started on Wall Street's Worst Day, Sold $20B Since
➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
Ryan Serhant is one of the world's most successful real estate brokers and the founder and CEO of SERHANT, a multidimensional brokerage operating at the intersection of media, entertainment, education, and technology. Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Massachusetts, he graduated from Hamilton College in 2006 with degrees in English literature and theater. After starting in real estate in 2008 during the financial crisis and earning only $9,000 his first year, he went on to close more than $20 billion in sales throughout his career. He is the star and producer of Netflix's Owning Manhattan and previously starred in Bravo's Emmy-nominated Million Dollar Listing New York as well as a three-time bestselling author.
➡️ Show Links
https://www.instagram.com/ryanserhant/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanserhant/
➡️ Podcast Sponsors
Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/
ShipStation - https://www.shipstation.com/ (Code: SuccessStory)
Square - https://square.com/go/success
SurveyMonkey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/scott
Monarch Money - https://www.monarchmoney.com (Code: Success)
Claude - https://claude.ai/success
Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott)
NetSuite — https://netsuite.com/scottclary/
Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary
➡️ Talking Points
00:00 - Intro
01:25 - Chaos as a Superpower
04:25 - Lessons from Three Career Deaths
10:28 - When Hard Work Beats Luck
15:49 - Sponsor Break
18:33 - Working for Your Future Self
25:29 - Owning Your Reality
27:47 - Your Broken Relationship with Time
31:19 - Knowing When to Slow Down
33:23 - Sponsor Break
35:53 - Escaping the Hustle Trap
38:14 - Habits of 10-Figure Earners
41:04 - What's Next for Ryan
41:50 - The One Lesson for His Kids
Lessons - The Magic of Surrendering to Your Calling | Kute Blackson - Transformational Teacher
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Kute Blackson, transformational teacher and author, challenges the common belief that purpose is something you must figure out before taking action. He explains why obsessively searching for a single calling often creates anxiety and paralysis, and how viewing life as a process of growth and evolution removes that pressure. Kute shares practical guidance on following what brings you aliveness, developing skills through every experience, and serving others as a way for purpose to naturally reveal itself over time.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/4bysdALiPEU
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uM6eNgcGWuQDA0sX8Olia
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Lessons - Why Command & Control Is Dead | Stephen M.R. Covey - Speed of Trust Author
➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory
In this "Lessons" episode, Stephen M.R. Covey, author of The Speed of Trust, explains why the traditional command-and-control model of leadership is no longer effective in today’s world of work. He breaks down the shift toward “trust and inspire” leadership, highlighting why trust alone isn’t enough without purpose, meaning, and genuine inspiration. Stephen explores how inspired cultures outperform merely engaged ones, why modern employees need to feel valued and connected to a larger mission, and how leaders at every level can learn to inspire through care, empathy, and purpose-driven leadership.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/5X4jg557ecY
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1O0HMmuFTmmcrHqELoKUXo
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary