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School of Hard Knocks Podcast
School of Hard Knocks Podcast
Author: The School of Hard Knocks
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Feauturing the Worlds Top Entrepreneurs and Creators
Brought to you by The School of Hard Knocks
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Brought to you by The School of Hard Knocks
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
45 Episodes
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Myron Golden is a renowned business consultant and sales strategist known for turning content into cash flow through offers, authority, and value-based selling. In this episode, he breaks down why income follows value—not effort—why “time is money” is a trap, and how to use the law of averages to win in sales. He also shares his faith-based framework for decision-making, mentorship, and building a fulfilled life through creation, connection, and contribution.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Jim Keyes led some of the most iconic companies in the world, including serving as CEO of 7 Eleven during one of the most volatile periods in its history.He breaks down how growing up dirt poor shaped his leadership edge, why 7 Eleven’s bankruptcy nearly ended the company, and how seeing crisis as opportunity changed the trajectory of his career.We also cover what actually saves companies in free fall, why fear kills more businesses than bad strategy, how equity creates real wealth, and the leadership decisions most CEOs avoid when the stakes are highest.This episode is a blueprint for navigating collapse, leading at scale, and building a career that turns chaos into opportunity.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Vic Keller founded 17 companies and exited 9 of them, including three sales to Berkshire Hathaway.He breaks down how growing up blue collar shaped his edge, why getting punched in the mouth early almost killed his first business, and how rebuilding instead of quitting changed everything.We also cover what real buyers look for, why cheap deals are not worth the pain, how to deleverage the founder, and the hidden cost of exits when selling the business means losing relationships too.This episode is a blueprint for building companies that survive bad weather and outlast the founder.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Kirt Linington is a South Africa–born entrepreneur who came to the U.S. with $700, started door knocking at 42, and sold his roofing company in 2022 for a nine-figure exit.He breaks down how he built $62M in revenue while still working his corporate job, why sales must come before systems, and how to think about rejection as a skill—not a personality trait.We also cover what private equity looks for, how to maximize enterprise value, and why personal discipline shows up in business outcomes.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Daniel Lubetzky is the founder of KIND and one of the most influential entrepreneurs in modern consumer brands. In this episode, we break down how he went from a $24,000 salary after Stanford Law School to building a $5 billion company, why long term thinking matters more than early wins, and how purpose driven capitalism can create both impact and scale. Daniel shares how embracing setbacks shaped his approach to business, why most people misunderstand wealth creation, and what it really takes to build something that lasts without chasing hype. We also talk about discipline, values, and the role of hard work in a world obsessed with shortcuts. Because real wealth isn’t a paycheck. It’s building something meaningful that compounds over time.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Ari Rastegar is a real estate developer and investor behind some of the most ambitious projects reshaping major U.S. cities. In this episode, we break down how starting with just $3,000 turned into a multi-billion-dollar real estate portfolio, why failure became his greatest advantage, and why most people misunderstand what it actually takes to build long term wealth. Ari explains why zoning, timing, and anticipation matter more than chasing “safe” deals, and why a billion-dollar valuation doesn’t mean cash in the bank. He also shares the story of writing himself a $1 billion check at 23 and carrying it for 15 years as a reminder of what he was building toward. Because real wealth isn’t reacting to the present. It’s having the patience to build the future before everyone else sees it.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Dr. De is the CEO of Biohax, a healthcare company focused on optimizing health, performance, and longevity for high performers. In this episode, we break down why burnout is normalized, why modern systems treat symptoms instead of building long-term health, and how hidden stressors quietly drain energy and performance over time. Dr. De shares his framework for reclaiming control over your biology through discipline, awareness, and long-term thinking. I also open up about my own health journey and why longevity has become a non-negotiable as I build for the future. Because real wealth isn’t money. It’s energy, clarity, and time to enjoy what you build.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Dariush Soudhi is a serial entrepreneur who built — lost — and rebuilt multiple companies after a violent home invasion led to a heart attack, frozen accounts, and total collapse. Starting over in Dubai with just $750, he rebuilt from zero through door-to-door sales, ruthless self-accountability, and value-based pricing. Today, he runs a portfolio of businesses by solving real problems and charging what outcomes are worth. This episode breaks down rebuilding after trauma, pricing with self-worth, choosing time over ego, and what it actually takes to earn a second chance without wasting it.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode of the School of Hard Knocks, we sit down with Robert Kiyosaki, legendary author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad and real estate investor with over 15,000 rental properties. He shares how he went from Marine helicopter pilot and failed employee to building massive tax-free cash flow and global financial influence.Robert breaks down why he rejects traditional education, why “your house is not an asset,” and how smart debt, cash flow, and the right teachers changed his life. We also explore his lowest moments: homelessness, business failures, betrayal, and the $30M lesson that reshaped his strategy and his circle.This conversation is a masterclass in money psychology, resilience, masculine responsibility, and playing the game of wealth on your own terms.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Tommy Mello, founder of A1 Garage Door, scaled his home-service company to more than $300M in annual revenue and over 1,100 employees. His journey spans two decades of failures, rebuilding, systemizing, and mastering leadership. In this episode, he breaks down talent acquisition, firing top performers, building an owner-mindset workforce, and the philosophy that helped him 10x EBITDA in under two years.A grounded, tactical conversation on scaling, discipline, mentorship, and the mindset required to build a dominant organization.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode of the School of Hard Knocks Podcast, we sit down with Ken McEelroy, a real estate investor who manages over $2 billion in assets and runs a 300-person company in just 90 minutes a week. He shares how he went from property manager to owner, using distressed properties, billboards, and smart debt to build a massive portfolio. Ken breaks down tax strategies, passive income, hiring challenges, and why most investors misunderstand risk. We also dive into his views on family, legacy, and what real success looks like after the money is made. This is a raw, practical masterclass in real estate, time freedom, and long-term wealth.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Butch Hartman — creator of The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, and more — reveals how he turned rejection into one of the most successful runs in Nickelodeon history. From his early days as an animator to running his own studio, Hartman shares the formula behind hit shows, building creative teams, learning business in Hollywood, and how faith shaped his success. A masterclass in creativity, persistence, and purpose.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Neil Patel became a millionaire at 17, lost it all by 20, and came back to build a 9-figure global marketing company. In this episode, he reveals the hard truths about fame, money, and the business of content — why followers don’t pay the bills, how AI will redefine marketing, and what it really takes to build lasting success in the new digital era.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Tony Cuccio is a true American entrepreneur — a kid from Brooklyn who started with just $200 selling beauty products on Venice Beach and built a global empire worth over $2 billion in sales across 90 countries. Known as the man who revolutionized the nail industry, Tony invented gel nails and turned a small street business into one of the most recognizable beauty brands in the world. In this episode, he shares how he failed twice before striking gold, why he never took investor money, and how grit, discipline, and vision built his $2B legacy.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Kendra Scott is a single mom and college dropout who built a billion-dollar brand from her bedroom. With only $500 and a dream, she turned handmade jewelry into one of the most successful fashion empires in America. In this episode, she shares how she went from failure and near bankruptcy to building a company rooted in family, fashion, and philanthropy. From shipping Nordstrom orders out of her kitchen to teaching entrepreneurship at the University of Texas, Kendra reveals how grit, purpose, and authenticity can build an empire from nothing.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Adley Kinsman is one of the most influential creators on the planet, generating over 1.3 billion views every month and proving that virality isn’t luck—it’s a formula. After going bankrupt and starting from scratch, she built an eight-figure media company and became the architect behind some of the internet’s most viral videos. In this episode, Adley reveals how she engineered her success, turned attention into millions, and built a system that any creator can use to win online.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Greg Perlman is one of America’s most successful and generous real estate investors. Founder of multiple ventures and one of the largest affordable housing portfolios in the U.S., he built a $2.5 billion empire with over 25,000 apartments nationwide. After decades of building wealth through Section 8 housing, he made a rare decision — to give away 75% of his fortune. In this episode, Greg shares how he turned government programs into billion-dollar opportunities, stayed grounded while making billions, and why he believes true success isn’t about how much you make, but how much you give.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Tom Healy is the world’s youngest self-made billionaire — a Carnegie Mellon dropout who raised $700M, took his company public at 28, and even dethroned Kylie Jenner. From building startups in his dorm room to ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, his story is a masterclass in vision, risk-taking, and resilience. In this episode, Tom shares the wild swings of watching his net worth rise and fall by $200M in a single day, the bold pivot that saved his company when the EV market collapsed, and the billion-dollar lessons that shaped his empire before 30.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
John Morgan is one of America’s most feared lawyers—and for good reason. Founder of Morgan & Morgan, the largest personal injury firm in the U.S., he turned a family tragedy into a $2 billion empire. From taking down Disney after his brother’s accident to battling Coca-Cola, Big Pharma, and Fortune 500 giants, Morgan built a reputation as the lawyer corporations fear the most. In this episode, he shares how he scaled nationwide, spent $400 million a year on ads, created the “Google of law firms,” and turned pain into power. This is the raw story of a man who made billions fighting for the people—and made corporate America pay.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Brant is a ninth-grade dropout who went from sleeping in a garage and mowing lawns for $23 an hour to risking it all on oil wells, losing millions, getting sued, and still refusing to quit. That same obsession and grit turned his failures into fuel, and today he’s built multi-million-dollar companies in oil, real estate, and beyond, chasing a nine-figure future. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Brant reveals how he turned rock-bottom into an empire, why the fastest way to win is putting yourself in the right rooms, and how betting on yourself can change everything.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.





Amazing content
incredibly insightful and all very much to the point, thank you.