Revenue Mind

From the highs of vibe-coding to the reality of bugs, burnout, and hype, writer/AI consultant Ben shares how to use AI as leverage without losing yourself. His mantra: slow is fast—own the work, calibrate risk, and double down on the only durable moat in an automated future: real human connection. Key Takeaways • Use AI for leverage, not identity—watch the “God complex.” • Learn it before you delegate it; verify and own the code. • Abstraction creates cognitive debt—stay close to high-stakes work. • Entrepreneurship ≠ morality; luck and timing matter—set your risk bar. • Protect non-performative spaces; social + AI can distort self-worth. • Relationships outlast tools—connection drives health and resilience. Timestamps 00:00 Intro / “What makes you you?” 02:47 Vibe-coding highs → bugs, burnout, humility 07:05 Learning to program; owning security and outcomes 15:16 AI’s limits: the “eager amnesiac intern” & “slow is fast” 24:28 Pulling back from the praise-glaze / God complex 30:38 Social media parallels; incentives & guardrails 36:29 Mental health: delusions, boundaries, real-world checks 49:43 Human connection as the future-proof moat 53:28 Where to find Ben Links Learn more about Ben Wise Learn more about Jolie Shapiro Learn more about Revenue Mind

Former D‑1 sprinter turned growth leader, Natalie Marcotullio, knows that winning starts with knowing when to rest. She joins Jolie to riff on boundaries, bad first drafts, and why your Minimum Viable Product should come with a Maximum Viable Pause. If your Slack pings feel louder than your heartbeat, hit play.  Key Takeaways • Athletic mindset = built‑in grit—but recovery is the power move • Saying no is a growth strategy; focus > FOMO • Fail fast, learn faster: your worst MVP is better than a perfect idea on ice • Data drives decisions, but self‑care drives you • Introversion can be a sales superpower • Autonomy > luxury lifestyle • Turn work into play Timestamps 00:00 Identity check: family roots & the runner’s edge 02:57 Using an athletic mindset to outpace revenue fires 05:57 Why the biggest lessons hide inside the losses 09:03 The radical art of saying “no” 12:01 Drawing lines so burnout can’t cross them 15:12 Therapy, walks, and other legit leadership tools 25:12 Level‑up season: taking on new challenges 30:52 MVPs that keep the team (and budget) intact 36:44 Decode team motivations, unlock collaboration 38:37 Spotting burnout before it banners your calendar 42:46 Creativity pops when you step away 44:51 Building a culture where mental health is KPI #1 Links Learn more about Natalie Marcotullio Learn more about Jolie Shapiro Learn more about Revenue Mind

From grappling with childhood trauma and even a near-fatal health scare to closing eight-figure deals and choosing freedom over a seven-figure paycheck, revenue leader Brandon Fluharty unpacks the intentional routines, personal frameworks, and mindset shifts that transformed an insecure overachiever into a fulfilled high-performer living life on his own terms. Key Takeaways • Lead with intention, not autopilots • Your voice > outside noise. • Your number isn’t your worth. • Routines and systems beat burnout. • Introversion can be a sales superpower. • Autonomy > luxury lifestyle. • Turn work into play. Timestamps 00:00  Intro / “what makes you you?” 05:34  Systems → flow; invite the muse. 08:23  Intentionality from childhood—going against the grain. 10:58  Burnout: when outside voices drown your inner one. 13:22  Skip $250K starters → pitch $25M problems. 17:55  Introversion as a strategic superpower. 24:42  “Insecure overachiever” & coping tools. 33:15  High performance + a good life. 36:47  Fork in the road—mini‑stroke & lifestyle choice. 45:22  WORK → PLAY framework (Ponder, Leverage, Act, Yield). 52:29  Perfect day → act & yield.  Links Learn more about Brandon Fluharty Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

From transforming childhood insecurities into million‑dollar storytelling skills to setting hard “one‑more‑thing” boundaries after missing his daughter’s first roll‑over, revenue leader Devin Reed unpacks the mindsets, warning flags, and daily resets that keep him centered while scaling side gigs and SaaS rocket ships. Key Takeaways • Lead with story, not specs • Treat blue‑bird wins with gratitude—stay ready for swings • Dad duty > Slack after 4 pm • Create for joy, not just pay • Daily self‑compassion beats the inner critic • Friday pool‑and‑poker nights keep the tank full Timestamps 00:00  – Intro / “what makes you you?” 02:20  – Hoops chat 03:32  – Storytelling vs. imposter syndrome 09:48  – $1M rookie year, gratitude breath 11:37  – Clari hyper‑growth; new dad 14:45 – Missed roll‑over → “one‑more‑thing” boundary 19:00  – The Reeder scales to six figures 22:57  – Keep creativity over cash 29:00  – Friday pool‑&‑poker ritual 30:21 – Learning self‑compassion 37:19  – Pep talk: trust yourself  Links Learn more about Devin Reed Learn more about Jolie Shapiro Learn more about Revenue Mind

From wedding‑venue discovery calls to six‑a‑side soccer tactics, agency founder Sam Dunning unpacks the mindsets, warning signals, and daily resets that keep him centred while scaling Breaking B2B. He and Jolie explore why a fat pipeline beats hard‑sell pressure, how styes shout “slow down,” and what two kids and one loyal pup can teach a revenue leader about presence. Key Takeaways • A full pipeline sets you free because it lets you show up calm and human • Discovery is a two-way conversation built on mutual respect • Burnout speaks through your body long before your mind catches up • Kids and dogs are everyday teachers in presence and leadership • Movement clears the fog when your brain feels overworked • Creating daily routines builds leverage and protects your energy Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: chip‑on‑shoulder & “the game” mindset 03:59 – Laid‑back sales posture & pipeline philosophy 05:22 – Discovery call before demo (wedding‑venue example) 06:35 – Detaching from outcome & filling the funnel 09:11 – Sales‑call framework & mutual respect red flags 11:01 – Freight‑train insight: Greece holiday panic & lost house key 15:06 – Burnout’s voice: styes, stress and agency exit 21:06 – Invisible hustle costs: late‑night U.S. calls 24:33 – Delegating to protect mental health 30:22 – Leadership lessons from a 5‑year‑old & 7‑month‑old 34:06 – Pup‑powered intuition & match‑making story 39:57 – Reset ritual: gym, football, walks 43:16 – Where to find Sam 44:14 – Closing thoughts Links Learn more about Sam Dunning Learn more about Jolie Shapiro Learn more about Revenue Mind

From doom-scrolling to micro-wins, content creator Jamal Hamilton shares the inner work that helped him face one of the hardest weeks of his life—and still show up with purpose. He and Jolie unpack emotional escapism, what it means when “old Jamal” resurfaces, and why making your bed really is a mental health strategy. Key Takeaways • “Action alleviates anxiety”—clarity comes from movement, not rumination • Vulnerability isn’t risky—it’s how we find our people • Escapism hides in plain sight: phones, hustle, even over-exercising • Micro-wins matter—stacking small victories builds momentum • Prompts and partners help when you don’t have the words • Helping one person is enough. Metrics don’t measure impact Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: layoffs, illness & emotional overload 05:33 – A week from hell—and how he got through it 10:38 – LinkedIn as therapy 12:52 – Sharing the hard stuff builds community 17:34 – Escape artist tendencies & naming the avoidance 22:28 – “Action alleviates anxiety”—the quote that changed everything 25:45 – When the next step feels overwhelming 31:58 – Relationship tools: prompts for emotional clarity 35:49 – Victory lists, daily reflection & redefining progress 39:16 – Being human is hard—grace over grit 40:43 – Where to find Jamal 43:46 – Closing thoughts Links Learn more about Jamal Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

From redefining “lazy” to defending a four‑day workweek, sales‑leader‑turned‑author Leslie Venetz shares the inner work that let her trade burnout for balance. She and Jolie unpack toxic hustle culture, the power of saying “no,” and why deep journaling beats quick fixes when you’re rebuilding a healthier relationship with work and self. Key Takeaways • Rest ≠ laziness — recovery is a revenue strategy • Trust your team; micromanagement is a tax on growth • Boundaries create leverage; desperate yeses drain it • Community ends isolation (in sobriety, in sales, in life) • Deep‑dive journaling rewires limiting beliefs faster than surface habits • Build a career you never want to escape from Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: family health crises & off‑record vulnerability 02:00 – Writing a book while running a business—impostor syndrome & grit 05:42 – Who is Leslie? Joy, curiosity and petting every dog 10:38 – First sales job shock: from autonomy to bathroom‑break policing 14:53 – Toxic cultures & people‑pleasing in your 20s 19:05 – On an island: being the only woman in sales leadership 23:31 – Community & sobriety: why connection is the real higher power 25:38 – The strategic “no” and designing work you don’t need to escape 31:54 – Hustle myths, redefining “lazy,” and honoring rest 38:03 – Four‑day workweek: no justification needed 42:28 – Shadow‑work journaling, gratitude, and self‑paced healing 51:15 – Book launch, where to find Leslie, and closing thoughts Links Learn more about Leslie Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

From 90‑hour restaurant weeks to running a LinkedIn‑ads agency on his terms, Justin Rowe learned that the ultimate growth hack is guarding your calendar. He and Jolie trade stories on saying “no,” building in public without burning out, and why valuing yourself beyond a job title is the most underrated business strategy on the internet. Key Takeaways • Time is your scarcest currency—budget it like cash • Protected “offline” blocks fuel clearer thinking (and kinder leadership) • Saying no creates leverage; desperate yeses drain it • Lead with strengths, outsource the rest—startup superpower unlocked • Culture = integrity + flexibility; you can teach tactics, not character Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: burnout, boundaries & the invisible string theory 02:59 – From kitchen chaos to calendar control 06:02 – Time management tips when everything feels urgent 09:01 – High‑pressure roles & remembering “we’re not saving lives” 12:07 – Building in public: spotlight or stressor? 17:53 – Leverage 101: the art of a strategic “no” 29:09 – Hiring for integrity, training for skills 35:31 – Designing a workday that guards mental health 40:04 – Self‑worth > salary bands: redefining success 44:29 – Invisible strings, lucky breaks & networking serendipity Links Learn more about Justin Learn more about Jolie  Learn more about Revenue Mind

When Ché’s kids called out the calendar for stealing their dad, he hit pause and rewrote the script—one that puts family, mental health, and meaningful work on the same page. In this episode, Jolie and Ché riff on work‑life boundaries, AI as a creativity amplifier (not a crutch), and how inpatient care can be a springboard, not a setback. If your to‑do list is louder than your loved ones, this convo will realign your priorities. Key Takeaways • Vulnerability attracts connection—share the messy middle, not just the highlight reel • Quality time > quantity hustle: your presence is your superpower • AI should extend human creativity, not replace it • Not every ping is a fire drill • Celebrate small wins to build momentum (and protect mental health) Timestamps 00:00 – Personal connections & why stories stick 05:59 – Vulnerability at work: the trust accelerator 11:50 – Kids, calendars & the wake‑up call on balance 18:04 – Perspective check: most tasks aren’t ER‑level 23:59 – AI as a time‑saver and creativity spark 28:23 – Post‑break boundaries: making space to breathe 32:15 – Depression, inpatient care & the climb back up 37:27 – Community support and celebrating every inch forward 45:22 – Turning stress into growth habits Links Learn more about Ché Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

Landing‑page whisperer Tas Bober gets candid about postpartum burnout, therapy as mental hygiene, and why “I only work three days a week” is her richest flex yet. She and Jolie unpack the fear leaders feel around setting boundaries and how choosing a lifestyle business over a growth grind can be the ultimate power move.  Key Takeaways • Adaptability is a super‑skill, but unchecked can morph into over‑extension • Burnout hides in plain sight—until it bulldozes you • Therapy = dental floss for the brain: do it before there’s a cavity • Loud boundaries (“No, thanks—I log off at 3 PM”) protect both work and life • Success isn’t headcount or ARR; it’s time with the people who matter Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Tas & the mental health cost of high growth 02:49 – Cultural identity, adaptability, and feeling “everywhere & nowhere” 06:04 – Postpartum burnout: how it snuck in and blew up 11:45 – Therapy as weekly maintenance, not emergency surgery 17:02 – Boundary‑setting 101 (and why leaders fear it) 23:58 – Lifestyle biz vs. growth biz: choosing your lane 30:01 – Saying “no” as a privilege—and a prerequisite for sanity 35:53 – Work, family, and the moments money can’t buy Links Learn more about Tas Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

When a six‑week trip home turned into sudden grief, Dilara Cossette learned exactly how thin the line is between “crushing it” and being crushed. In this raw sit‑down with Jolie, the self‑described bridge‑builder between sales and marketing gets honest about toxic teams, performance anxiety, and why fractional doesn’t mean “always on.” If you’re leading while your heart hurts, this episode is the permission slip you need.  Key Takeaways • Vulnerability isn’t weak—it’s the shortcut to real trust • Fractional leaders must set loud boundaries or drown in Slack pings • Spot stress signals early; burnout is easier to avoid than to rehab • Hobbies and micro‑joys keep the empathy tank full • Celebrate the tiny wins; they compound into resilience Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Dilara & why empathy is a demand‑gen superpower 01:44 – Leading with vulnerability after personal loss 04:37 – Toxic cultures, unrealistic expectations & the exit plan 10:20 – Fractional leadership: value without 24/7 availability 15:56 – Layoffs & how to show up for colleagues in free fall 17:52 – Reading your own stress signals before they scream 22:30 – Hobbies, balance, and the “no vacation‑to‑vacation” life 33:00 – Grief in business: making space for the hard days 40:01 – Modeling vulnerability so teams feel safe to follow 47:02 – Burnout red flags & boundary resets 56:03 – Fractional doesn’t equal fractional human Links Learn more about Dilara Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

Jason Widup went from white‑knuckle anxiety to an eight‑hour‑sleep evangelist—and his team is better for it. In this episode, he and Jolie trade notes on self‑doubt, parenting curveballs, and why a morning workout beats doom‑scrolling every time. If you’re leading with an empty battery, press play before you press send.  Key Takeaways • Anxiety wears many masks—naming it is step one • Sleep, sweat, and salads: the simplest stack for mental clarity • Swap coping vices for habits that compound confidence • Leaders who model boundaries give teams permission to do the same • Tiny daily reflections = big, lasting growth Timestamps 00:00 – Anxiety, leadership & the moment Jason hit pause 02:10 – What anxiety really looks like in high achievers 06:31 – Trading unhealthy crutches for healthier rituals 11:16 – From late‑night beers to 6 AM burpees 19:28 – The trinity: sleep, exercise, nutrition 26:19 – Vision boards & micro‑habits 27:21 – Self‑compassion > self-criticism 32:06 – Quieting impostor syndrome with data and daylight 39:49 – Designing a culture that protects personal time 47:09 – Normalizing mental health talk at work Links Learn more about Jason Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

David Walsh went from pink‑slip panic to building a B2B influencer marketplace that’s turning heads. In this candid convo with Jolie, he unpacks the very real loneliness of the corner office, the ruthless side of corporate America, and why trusting your team is the only way to keep your sanity intact. If you’ve ever wondered whether the stress is worth the thrill—listen in.  Key Takeaways • Getting fired can be the nudge that unlocks resilience (and your next big idea) • Transparency > bravado: straight talk builds trust—and better teams • Startups demand full‑body commitment; protect your mental bandwidth • Leadership is lonely—build a peer network before you need it • Grit wins: break audacious goals into bite‑size moves, celebrate, repeat Timestamps 00:00 – Meet David Walsh & the “fired” origin story 02:40 – Stress signals and why CEOs must log off 05:18 – Lessons a layoff teaches in 48 hours 10:09 – Corporate America, unfiltered 12:25 – Choosing recovery over constant grind 19:35 – Hiring people who outshine you (on purpose) 22:20 – The myth—and math—of solo entrepreneurship 24:34 – Keeping friendships alive when work never sleeps 28:15 – Setting “impossible” goals the doable way 32:13 – Grit, grit, and a little more grit 35:23 – Stress‑management hacks that actually work 40:29 – A culture where failure fuels growth Links Learn more about David Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

Revenue leader, former Refine Labs exec, and dad to a snow-loving toddler, Sam Kuehnle unpacks burnout’s warning signs and the myth of the busy calendar. He and Jolie dive into self-imposed pressure, mental load in leadership, and why pushing pause might be the smartest move a high-performer can make. Key Takeaways • Being busy isn’t a badge of honor • Mental burnout shows up on your skin (literally eczema) long before it blows up • “Playbook thinking” fails when real life interrupts the plan. • Fix the human first (self-care, family, breaks), then worry about the leader role. • Model rest and boundaries—your team notices actions more than directives. Timestamps 00:06 — Intro & dog cameos 02:12 — What makes Sam, Sam 04:19 — Early burnout signals 07:14 — Health vs. deadlines 10:08 — Core motivators 11:26 — Leadership’s weight 14:16 — Advice to younger self 16:30 — Tailored communication 19:37 — Busy ≠ important 22:46 — Putting team health first 25:56 — Anti-playbook mindset 26:20 — Life vs. deliverables 31:49 — Human before leader 36:01 — Trust & resilience 38:07 — Modeling rest 41:49 — Lasting memories 42:14 — Where to find Sam Links Learn more about Sam Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

MBA student, Bogotá expat, and SaaS founder, Jonathan Bland lives for challenge—until his body calls timeout. He and Jolie explore stacking an MBA on a Colombian move, hitting burnout’s limit bar, and why listening to “early whispers” of fatigue saves careers. Key Takeaways • Stacking challenges is thrilling—until it isn’t. • Burnout whispers become screams if ignored. • Seasonal “push then plateau” cycles keep ambition healthy. • Listen to your body louder than your calendar. • Community wins multiply when ego exits the room. Timestamps 00:06 – Intro: constant‑challenge personality 05:28 – Colombia move & MBA juggle 10:52 – Finding burnout’s limit bar 15:59 – Early‑whisper body signals 21:42 – Redesigning pace post‑burnout 26:47 – Family priorities & boundaries 32:17 – Push‑plateau strategy for goals 37:19 – Community over ego lesson 42:51 – Listening before crashing 48:04 – Closing & LinkedIn tag Links Learn more about Jonathan Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

Paid‑search vet Evan Hughes calculates stress as “pipeline gap ÷ realistic capacity.” He shares the deep-work timer that tames Slack, the long runs that give birth to campaign ideas, and the lesson that a sustainable pace beats heroic spurts. Key Takeaways • Ask “At what cost?” before stretching goals. • Slack‑off blocks double deep‑work quality. • Running acts as brainstorming engine. • Leaders need private spaces to unload invisible stress. • Legacy > quarterly numbers—mentor, don’t martyr. Timestamps 00:01 – Intro: forever “why?” kid 04:27 – Busy vs. productive math 08:50 – Deep‑work timer breakdown 13:23 – Running‑powered ideation 18:31 – Public break‑blocking on calendars 22:02 – Quota vs. capacity reality check 26:00 – Coaching healthy work rhythms 30:10 – Fitness‑fueled creativity hacks 34:49 – Redefining success & legacy 39:42 – Outro & LinkedIn hook Links Learn more about Evan Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

Commsor founder Mac Reddin swears fun is a feature, not frosting. From the Lego‑Brontosaurus viral stunt to #DinoFacts swag, he shows how deliberate play powers remote teams, why “Zoom‑ifying the office” fails, and how pacing beats sprinting for marathon startups. Key Takeaways • Intentional remote > copy‑pasted office culture. • Fun embedded in work beats after‑hours “culture add‑ons.” • Sprint sparingly, pace always—marathon rules for startups. • Founder habits set the only culture that sticks. • Community flywheels outlast paid‑ad budgets. Timestamps 00:01 – Intro: Lego Bronto origin story 05:19 – Fun‑first operating principles 09:32 – Avoiding look‑good drift in Slack 13:28 – Healthy hustle vs. toxic grind 18:13 – Goal‑setting amid chaos 23:46 – Async rituals that bond teams 28:00 – Imposter‑syndrome antidotes 33:32 – Pacing, then sprinting 37:51 – Community‑driven growth loops 42:49 – Closing & #DinoFact offer Links Learn more about Mac Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

Competitive‑hockey grit and weekly therapy keep CMO Mark Huber sane inside VC‑paced growth. He and Jolie dive into blocking therapy like a board meeting, decoupling self-worth from the pipeline, and why voice-note walks beat Slack doom-scrolls. Key Takeaways • Therapy on the calendar is a power move, not weakness. • Outcome ≠ identity—effort is the real KPI. • Leaders destigmatize mental health by speaking first. • Voice‑note walks turn rumination into insight. • Humor keeps intensity sustainable in startups. Timestamps 00:01 – Intro: therapy as strategic asset 04:50 – ADHD superpower & pitfalls 08:43 – Blocking non‑negotiable care time 13:43 – Stigma vs. strength in leadership 17:07 – Detach quota from self‑esteem 21:55 – Voice‑note reflection workflow 25:51 – Culture of open calendars 30:31 – Nature breaks & perspective 35:12 – Making therapy normal company‑wide 39:18 – Outro & LinkedIn connect Links Learn more about Mark Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

Meme‑king Tim Davidson is an introvert who survives agency chaos with therapy, dad jokes, and ruthless stack audits. He explains how becoming a new father cut his workweek without cutting revenue—and why humor disarms buyers faster than any “value slide.” Key Takeaways • Therapy outperforms playbooks for clear communication. • One tool → one KPI; complexity taxes cognition. • Humor interrupts skepticism and speeds trust. • Async memes scale relationships while you sleep. • Four‑hour focused blocks beat eight‑hour context switches. Timestamps 00:01 – Intro: 47 SaaS log‑ins later 03:44 – Quarterly stack kill‑list 07:26 – Selling subtraction to execs 11:13 – Async meme enablement 15:12 – Humor as pattern interrupt 18:40 – “Minimum effective” tech stack 22:30 – New‑dad scheduling hacks 26:08 – User feedback video libraries 29:26 – Minimalist dashboards 33:34 – Wrap‑up & glasses joke Links Learn more about Tim Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind

From teen side‑hustles to a calm, one‑woman content agency, Lashay Lewis learned the hard way that entrepreneurial depression hides behind “I’m busy.” She and Jolie unpack guest‑podcasting as free therapy, pricing for peace of mind, and why success now equals quiet mornings, not headcount. Key Takeaways • Success = spacious mornings—calendar it first, build work around it. • Guest‑podcast tours grow reach and shrink on‑camera anxiety. • Deep‑dive, single offer > dabbling in ten side gigs. • Freedom pricing: raise rates until you can fire bad clients. • Rested founders make kinder (and smarter) decisions. Timestamps 00:01 – Intro & fractional content life 05:08 – Entrepreneurial depression origin story 09:50 – Podcast‑guest growth loop 14:24 – Building, then burning a personal brand 20:02 – Peace‑of‑mind pricing math 24:28 – Boundaries as leverage 29:15 – Client‑selection filters 34:02 – Designing a freedom schedule 39:21 – Freedom metrics that matter 43:49 – Close & LinkedIn invite Links Learn more about Lashay Learn more about Jolie Learn more about Revenue Mind