Thrive & Achieve with Dr. Matt Markel
Professionals helping Professionals Thrive in their Career and
Achieve Financial Success
Episode Summaries
About the Podcast
Imagine a workplace where professionals feel valued, careers keep moving forward, and financial confidence replaces worry.
That’s the vision behind Thrive & Achieve—a podcast dedicated to W2 and 1099 professionals: make our workplace better and our workforce stronger. We are professionals helping professionals succeed at work and build a more secure financial future.
Every week, host Dr. Matt Markel sits down with experts, leaders, and practitioners to explore how professionals can unlock their full potential.
Together, we’ll tackle the two biggest challenges facing today’s workforce:
1. Career stagnation – feeling stuck, overlooked, or unsure how to reach the next level.
2. Financial anxiety – the worry that retirement, savings, and wealth-building are always just out of reach.
About the Host
Dr. Matt Markel is an engineer turned executive with 35 years of experience spanning defense, autonomy, and high-tech industries. He has served as CEO, CTO, and President of nine- and ten-figure companies, but began his career as an entry-level engineer.
Along the way, he has seen firsthand both the challenges and the possibilities professionals face at every level of the workplace.
Dr. Markel created Thrive & Achieve to shine a light on the 93 million professionals, practitioners, and experts who are the true backbone of our society.
This podcast is about celebrating them—and giving them the tools to thrive at work and achieve financial success without sacrificing the careers they’ve worked so hard to build.
Link to Podcast:
Date
Guest
Episode Title
Details
December 1, 2025
Wade Reed
The Money Mistake Keeping W-2 Professionals from Achieving Financial Success
Date: February 12, 2026
Guest: Anna Jacobi
Topic: Alignment Without Disagreement Is a Red Flag
Details: View
Date: January 19, 2026
Guest: Michael Davis
Topic: The Simple Story Framework That Makes People Listen
Details: View
Date: January 5, 2026
Guest: Boris Blum
Topic: Pt. 2 - The Hidden Risks Lurking in Your 401(k)
Details: View
Date: January 5, 2026
Guest: Boris Blum
Topic: Pt. 1 - The Discipline Behind Elite Execution
Details: View
Date: December 14, 2025
Guest: Susan Filan
Topic: Redefining Success After Everything Changes
Details: View
Date: December 7, 2025
Guest: Jesseca Lane
Topic: How to Design a Career You Actually Want
Details: View
Date: December 1, 2025
Guest: Wade Reed
Topic: The Money Mistake Keeping W-2 Professionals from Achieving Financial Success
Details: View
Date: November 20, 2025
Guest: Travis Griffith
Topic: How to Thrive in the Gen Z, Hybrid, Post-COVID Workplace
Details: View
Date: November 2, 2025
Guest: David Ellis
Topic: Helping outsourced employees and city businesses thrive
Details: View
Date: November 2, 2025
Guest: Robert Brown
Topic: Shoe salesman to successful executive in autonomy
Details: View
Date: October 17, 2025
Guest: Carl Pearson
Topic: Financial advise for near-retirement professionals
Details: View
Anna Jacobi brings expansive leadership experience across mission-critical engineering, semiconductors, large-scale platforms, startups, and international NGO work. She applies product and systems thinking to complex environments where reliability, accountability, and long-term impact are essential.
She has served as a Chief Product Officer and fractional CPO, helping organizations move from zero-to-one and one-to-many by building systems that are durable, governable, and accountable at scale.
Her current work focuses on AI infrastructure, governance, and sustainability—particularly the layers above models that ensure trustworthy judgment, including observability, identity, custody, and decision integrity. Anna is known for bridging technical reality, executive decision-making, and long-term consequences in complex systems.
Key Takeaways
Strength Comes From Exposing and Fixing System Weaknesses Early
(00:00–00:54; 12:05–12:56; 07:58–09:58)
High-performing teams and products are built by openly surfacing failure points, strengthening weak links, and designing governance and security into the system from the start.Modern Leadership Requires Systems Thinking Under Uncertainty
(02:24–03:55; 07:58–10:35; 14:37–17:30; 19:58–23:07)
Effective leaders translate complexity into clear decisions, account for downstream consequences, and manage probabilistic systems—especially in AI-driven environments.Durability, Not Visibility, Defines Long-Term Success
(04:28–05:55; 29:25–30:15; 33:47–34:18)
Sustainable careers and products prioritize resilience, clear thinking, and risk diversification so impact endures beyond titles, hype, or short-term performance.
Gary Leeman is an engineer and operator at heart with deep experience helping leadership teams build strong, scalable organizations. He is a master of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a proven set of concepts and tools that helps entrepreneurs become better leaders and run more effective companies.
As a Professional EOS Implementer, Gary helps growth-minded leadership teams stop chasing problems and start running a business that runs itself.
Before becoming a full-time coach, he served as a Chief Operating Officer, where he implemented EOS in 2017, built a successful company, and exited in 2021. He began full-time EOS implementation in 2022, bringing real-world operating experience to every engagement.
Key Takeaways
Relentless Focus Is the Foundation of Execution
(20:46–23:19; 23:42–25:05; 37:00–37:46)
Organizations make real progress by narrowing priorities, eliminating multitasking, and choosing simple approaches that teams can sustain under pressure.Solve Root Problems With Systems, Not Temporary Fixes
(26:02–30:10; 26:57–29:39; 44:52–47:24)
Lasting results come from identifying true constraints, designing mechanisms that prevent recurrence, and building systems that consistently convert goals into outcomes.Translate Vision and Ownership Into Disciplined Action
(14:53–16:13; 39:43–42:56; 37:00–38:10)
High-performing organizations connect long-term vision to near-term priorities and use shared ownership to deepen commitment, align careers, and sustain growth.
Frank Agin is the founder of AmSpirit Business Connections and a lifelong student and mentor of professional relationships and networking. He has built a career around helping professionals and business owners cultivate meaningful connections that drive opportunity and long-term success.
Frank brings practical insight for everyone from professionals attending conferences to business owners participating in networking events. Through both virtual and in-person communities, he teaches that strategic relationship-building is not accidental—it is intentional, disciplined, and foundational to sustainable growth.
Key Takeaways
Service-First Networking Reframes Fear Into Power
(00:00–00:26; 15:38–17:43)
Approach every interaction with the intent to help, not extract; when you enter as a contributor, anxiety diminishes and trust becomes easier to build.Trust Is the Currency—Small Talk Is the Entry Point
(23:29–25:20; 28:18–29:58)
Light conversation and genuine curiosity are not trivial—they accelerate trust, which is the prerequisite for referrals, influence, and long-term opportunity.Relationships Compound When You Show Up and Follow Up
(32:10–33:14; 33:26–35:16; 46:03–46:41)
Meet a few people well, track and nurture those relationships consistently, and create ongoing touchpoints; disciplined follow-through turns casual encounters into durable professional leverage.
Michael Davis empowers speakers, leaders, and professionals to enhance their influence through impactful presentations and storytelling. He is a highly respected speaker, trainer, and coach who has helped professionals across five continents develop presentations viewed more than five million times.
Michael is the founder of Speaking CPR and the author of seven books, bringing practical insight and proven frameworks to help communicators connect, persuade, and lead with clarity and confidence.
Key Takeaways
Story Is Structure, Not Talent
(12:38–16:58)
Impactful communication follows a repeatable pattern—And, But, So—where context is brief, conflict creates attention, and resolution delivers transformation; professionals who master structure consistently outperform those who rely on information alone.Influence Comes From Clarity and Restraint
(22:37–25:22)
Lead with the decision you want, support it with a focused narrative, and stop answering unasked questions; overloading with data signals insecurity, while disciplined simplicity earns trust and action.Your Internal Story Determines Your External Results
(30:50–33:44)
Preparation improves delivery, but long-term performance is shaped by the story you tell yourself; unresolved limiting beliefs quietly cap careers until they are identified, reframed, and replaced with deliberate proof.
Boris Blum brings together deep business and investment experience developed over more than 25 years working with successful entrepreneurs, ultra-high-net-worth families, and high-performing leadership teams.
He is an entrepreneur, turnaround expert, and investor with extensive in-the-trenches experience in wealth management and asset protection, business management, and succession planning.
Boris also specializes in personal performance optimization for high achievers, helping leaders align financial strategy, operational discipline, and long-term resilience to sustain success across generations.
Pt. 2 - Key Takeaways
Financial Independence Requires Clear Targets and Diversified Income
(00:43–02:40; 02:40–03:31; 18:30–21:23)
Most people confuse “generational wealth” with basic security—true independence starts with clarity of purpose, multiple non-work income streams, and sufficient liquidity to preserve flexibility.
Wealth Is Built Through Ongoing Discipline, Not Static Plans
(03:39–05:15; 07:08–08:43; 10:44–12:04; 12:42–15:18)
Sustainable financial success depends on continuous learning, unbiased planning, and adaptive asset allocation that reflects changing market realities rather than outdated assumptions.
Protecting the Downside Is the Foundation of Long-Term Compounding
(16:46–18:30; 23:09–28:11; 40:11–42:09)
Durable wealth comes from structuring money by purpose, managing systemic risk, and prioritizing downside protection so growth can compound without catastrophic setbacks.
Boris Blum brings together deep business and investment experience developed over more than 25 years working with successful entrepreneurs, ultra-high-net-worth families, and high-performing leadership teams.
He is an entrepreneur, turnaround expert, and investor with extensive in-the-trenches experience in wealth management and asset protection, business management, and succession planning.
Boris also specializes in personal performance optimization for high achievers, helping leaders align financial strategy, operational discipline, and long-term resilience to sustain success across generations.
Pt. 1 - Key Takeaways
Sustained Success Comes From Discipline-Driven Execution
(00:00–00:45; 09:06–12:02; 12:58–16:20; 20:00–22:45)
High performers and leaders win through consistent discipline, clear principles, and practical execution systems that turn decisions into reliable results.
Align Your Career With Meaningful Problem-Solving, Not Incentives
(01:45–06:12; 06:32–08:04)
Long-term fulfillment and impact come from choosing roles that prioritize real value creation and knowing when to exit environments that undermine purpose and effectiveness.
Focus and Measurement Determine Whether Growth Compounds or Stalls
(17:43–19:59; 23:25–27:23)
Progress accelerates when priorities are clearly defined and supported by strong metrics and frameworks that filter noise, guide action, and sustain momentum.
Susan Filan is a former prosecutor and the Senior Legal Analyst for MSNBC. She has prosecuted cold-case murders, defended a client on death row, and challenged powerful interests when the stakes were highest. Her career reflects a deep commitment to justice, resilience, and ethical leadership.
After a near-fatal accident became a profound turning point in her life, Susan experienced a powerful personal and professional transformation.
Today, she blends legal grit, neuroscience, and spiritual insight as an inspiring keynote speaker and life strategist, helping others find purpose, strength, and connection through adversity.
Key Takeaways
True Success Is Inner Alignment, Not External Achievement
(00:00–01:32; 06:27–12:37; 42:45–43:04)
Identity and fulfillment come from relationships, peace, and meaning rather than titles, money, or accomplishments.
Emotional Awareness and Daily Practices Shape Life Experience
(14:18–18:07; 33:41–35:31; 35:46–37:15)
The internal state you repeatedly choose becomes your lived reality; breath, intuition, and courage in the face of fear guide alignment and growth.
Sustainable Performance Requires Integration, Not Self-Abandonment
(23:39–26:38; 38:34–41:02)
Burnout often signals misalignment rather than lack of effort—lasting success comes from integrating purpose, intuition, and contribution without sacrificing yourself.
Jesseca Lane is an award-winning marketing and leadership executive with more than 20 years of experience building and scaling global lifestyle, finance, and technology brands.
Her work includes leadership roles with Fortune 500 companies such as Porsche, Visa, MillerCoors, and Anheuser-Busch, as well as high-growth startups, guiding organizations to IPO exits and unicorn status.
She has coached and consulted across multiple industries, with a consistent focus on aligning strategy with purpose, people, and performance. With psychology as a core element of her leadership approach, Jesseca returned to school in 2024 to pursue a Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University.
She is the founder of The Full Cup Co., launched to advance her mission of making work happier, healthier, and more purpose-driven for individuals and organizations alike.
Key Takeaways
Design Your Career Around Learning, Not Labels
(13:36–15:10; 21:23–25:05; 25:05–26:39)
Long-term advantage comes from prioritizing real experience over status, questioning inherited career rules, and acting without being constrained by fear of judgment.
Use Transitions and Setbacks to Compound, Not Reset, Your Value
(18:11–20:42)
Career pivots are most powerful when they build on past capabilities—treating change as additive ensures hard-earned skills remain the foundation for future growth.
Healthy Leadership Systems Matter More Than Individual Resilience
(27:21–31:04; 28:41–31:04; 31:14–32:35)
Performance and well-being depend heavily on manager quality and workplace design; burnout is often a systems problem that requires structural, not just personal, solutions.
Wade Reed helps people build true wealth. With more than 20 years of experience, he coaches families and small business owners across the country to clean up and elevate their personal and business finances.
His work creates financial clarity, confidence, and peace of mind—often saving clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process.
Over the past two decades, Wade has worked with more than 1,000 clients, helping them free up a combined total of more than $8.3 million per year in cash flow. Known for his sharp insight and genuine desire to help others, he focuses on building practical systems that create long-term financial strength.
Key Takeaways
Control Cash Flow First—Wealth Is Built Through Systems, Not Willpower
(00:00–00:59; 23:54–24:49; 26:06–29:29; 31:09–32:03)
Financial progress begins by restructuring the order of operations—capturing income into savings first, holding lifestyle steady, and creating clarity so behavior aligns automatically with long-term goals.
Optimize for Cash Flow, Liquidity, and Emotional Stability
(34:00–36:11; 36:11–37:29; 38:05–48:51)
True financial strength comes from freeing monthly capacity, protecting control and liquidity, and converting surplus into a disciplined compounding base rather than chasing returns reactively.
Define Wealth Beyond Money and Align It With Purpose
(19:26–20:33; 20:33–22:19)
Income and net worth are receipts for value created, not the destination—financial systems should reinforce physical, mental, spiritual, and relational well-being to create “true wealth.”
Travis Griffith is an absolute rock star in the people and human resources profession. He has held leadership positions at Viacom, Turner Broadcasting System, and Azubu, a pioneer in the game streaming industry.
He previously served as Vice President of People and Operations at Spartan Radar.
Travis truly understands people, culture, and the tricky business of human resources. He brings creativity, compassion, and an incredible ability to get things done, offering a refreshing, people-centered approach beyond traditional compliance-driven HR.
Key Takeaways
Career Growth Comes From Choosing Discomfort and High-Impact Exposure
(05:35–09:13; 10:18–11:36; 12:39–13:09; 22:10–27:08)
Long-term career acceleration is driven by intentionally taking on challenging roles, learning from difficult experiences, and seeking visibility through meaningful projects rather than staying comfortable.Modern Work Requires Intentional Design and Human-Centered Leadership
(13:41–16:11; 19:16–20:16; 22:10–27:08; 32:23–35:37)
Effective organizations balance remote and in-person work, prioritize mentorship and feedback, and build cultures of shared accountability and transparent growth pathways.Employee Stability and Development Drive Performance and Retention
(37:56–40:58; 41:04–47:29)
Sustainable workplace success depends on fair compensation, personalized development, and financial education that reduces stress and enables employees to perform at their best.
David Ellis has a broad background in economic development, business development, marketing, and sales in both the public and private sectors. He is a certified economic developer with more than 20 years of experience.
He has served as Executive Director of Economic Development for the City of Van Alstyne, Assistant Director at Allen Economic Development, and Director at Plano Economic Development, where he focused on the recruitment of corporate offices and technology manufacturers.
He has also worked in economic development consulting in Austin and with the Site Selection Group in Dallas.
Earlier in his career, David worked in outplacement consulting, helping displaced employees across multiple states transition to new careers. He is a graduate of Trinity University in San Antonio and holds an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona.
Originally from Oklahoma City, David now lives in Plano with his wife and two children and is currently developing his family farm in Oklahoma.
Key Takeaways
Build Your Career on Self-Awareness and Authentic Strengths
(~06:30–09:00; ~26:00–28:30; ~27:30–29:30; ~50:19–50:55)
Long-term success starts with understanding your unique value, learning to communicate your impact, and aligning career choices with your true priorities rather than external expectations.Use Relationships and Storytelling to Access Better Opportunities
(~23:00–24:30; ~31:00–32:30; ~38:30–39:40; ~42:25–46:45)
The most effective job searches and career moves are driven by authentic relationships and clear accomplishment stories, not by automated applications or superficial tactics.Treat Setbacks and Transitions as Strategic Turning Points
(~14:30–18:20; ~48:36–49:20; ~50:40–51:30; ~51:00–51:50; ~46:45–47:45)
Career disruptions, interviews, and major decisions should be approached intentionally—using reflection, service to others, and lifestyle design to create resilient, meaningful success.
Robert Brown is at the center of autonomous trucking and currently serves as Vice President of Business Development and Partnerships at Bot Auto, where he manages partnerships with customers, OEMs, and Tier 1 suppliers.
He also serves as Chairman of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association – Advanced Technology Council.
Previously, Robert held multiple C-suite roles at Spartan Radar, where he focused on increasing autonomy and safety for commercial vehicles across construction, agriculture, mining, and forestry. His work advances autonomous safety standards while helping reduce trucking costs through innovation and strategic collaboration.
Key Takeaways
Take Ownership of Your Career Through Proactive Action
(00:00–01:00; 21:50–24:00; 31:21–32:40; 33:22–34:10)
Career growth requires clearly stating your goals, embracing responsibility, and consistently backing ambition with strong execution and accountability.Adaptability and Continuous Learning Create Long-Term Advantage
(02:26–05:30; 07:02–11:00; 07:40–08:50; 46:39–49:40; 46:39–51:30)
Nonlinear career paths, ongoing skill development, and the smart use of AI help professionals remain confident, relevant, and competitive in changing industries.Relationships and Financial Discipline Sustain Career Success
(11:59–15:40; 27:59–30:20; 38:08–45:30; 54:52–56:00)
Strong professional networks, leadership beyond titles, and sound financial habits provide stability and leverage throughout high-risk, high-growth careers.
Carl Pearson has spent more than 25 years helping people live better—first as a chiropractor working with athletes at the highest levels, including the UFC and the Olympics, and now as a retirement planner at Iron Plan Solutions Group.
His financial journey began by fixing his family’s finances and deepened through extensive research in economics, markets, and risk management.
Carl specializes in turning confusion into clarity, helping individuals and families better plan for financial success and retirement.
Key Takeaways
Retirement Success Requires Strategy, Not Just Saving
(00:00–00:28; 21:12–21:44; 32:23–32:51)
Simply contributing to a 401(k) is not enough—effective retirement planning starts with financial clarity and a comprehensive, intentional strategy.Shift From Growth to Reliable Income Over Time
(06:00–08:27; 06:00–06:43; 08:35–09:00; 25:40–26:08)
As retirement approaches, investors must reduce risk and focus on dependable income by using structured “income buckets” and prioritizing capital preservation.Optimize Taxes and Investments Through Proactive Planning
(09:30–10:12; 13:32–14:35; 14:58–15:55; 19:22–20:17; 32:51–33:10)
Long-term retirement security depends on systematic investment evaluation, tax-efficient strategies, smart use of career transitions, and acting before financial problems arise.
Mike Clark is a seasoned industry leader, investor, and financial advisor with a strong track record of success.
He has earned recognition for his leadership at companies such as Johnson & Johnson and has demonstrated exceptional expertise in capital raising, securing more than $42 million in funding.
Today, Mike works as a financial advisor for high net-worth individuals, where he applies his innovative “digital family office” concept to integrate wealth preservation, wealth growth, tax optimization, and estate planning. He is known for his deep industry knowledge and strategic approach to long-term financial success.
Key Takeaways
Wealth Is Built Through Intentional Asset Management
(00:00–00:41; 11:05–13:12; 21:29–23:16; 32:22–33:09)
True financial growth comes from prioritizing income-producing assets over liabilities, understanding cash flow, and managing debt, taxes, and expenses strategically rather than emotionally.Clarity and Coordination Drive Financial Success
(03:47–04:35; 05:33–06:07; 12:19–13:12; 23:57–24:33; 28:29–29:28)
Using financial tracking tools and working collaboratively with advisors (CPAs, attorneys, and planners) creates visibility, reduces costly blind spots, and leads to better long-term decisions.Financial Planning Must Align With Personal Purpose
(24:43–26:01; 38:51–39:03; 41:56–42:33; 43:38–45:55)
Sustainable wealth isn’t just about net worth—it starts with defining what “wealth” means personally and making data-driven choices that support long-term security, values, and lifestyle goals.