builders podcast

Firestone Walker Co-Founder David Walker on Growing a Legendary Craft Brewing Brand

7.5K views · 6mo ago · 29:05

Guest: David Walker

On this episode of the builders Podcast, John Busby sits down with David Walker, co-founder of @FirestoneWalker, to talk about the 30+ year journey behind one of the defining brands in American craft beer. David shares how his background in wine, love of English ales, and belief in California’s craft brewing future helped shape Firestone Walker from the ground up.

Topics: How Firestone Walker started and why craft beer felt like the next wine movement · Bringing European beer culture into California craft brewing · How 805 beer became Firestone Walker’s flagship brand · The evolution of craft beer marketing and lifestyle branding · Scaling Firestone Walker while keeping up with demand · Growing without losing culture, quality, or authenticity

This Isn’t Working – Stress and Success in Corporate America with Meghan French Dunbar

3.6K views · 6mo ago · 30:18

Guest: Meghan French Dunbar

On this episode of the builders Podcast, John Busby sits down with @MeghanFrenchDunbar, former CEO and co-founder of Conscious Company Media and author of This Isn’t Working, to talk about the hidden cost of entrepreneurial success and how to build a thriving business without sacrificing your health.

Topics: Entrepreneurship & Mental Health: What This Video Covers · Entrepreneur Burnout Explained: Why Success Can Hurt Your Mental Health · Stress vs. Chronic Stress: How to Detect Burnout Warning Signs Early · Hustle Culture and Overwork: Why Glorifying Business Success Is Harmful · How Financial Security Impacts Employee Engagement and Performance · How to Build a Healthy Workplace Culture: Human-Centered Leadership Tips

Unleashed Brands CEO Michael Browning on Entrepreneurship, Growth & Helping Kids and Parents Thrive

6.9K views · 6mo ago · 28:33

Guest: Michael Browning

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Topics: The origin of Urban Air and spotting scalable ideas · Navigating risk and uncertainty as an entrepreneur · Discovering franchising and scaling beyond one market · Expanding into a multi-brand platform and acquiring Sylvan · The vision behind Unleashed Brands and youth enrichment · How parenting priorities are shifting toward character development

E-Commerce Month: Creator & Affiliate Space with Ikon Digital Founder Mike Barron

2.5K views · 6mo ago · 24:19

Guests: E-Commerce Month, Ikon Digital Founder Mike, Mike Barron

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Topics: Creator strategy 101 for brands entering the space · How editorial coverage influences LLM and AI visibility · Why diverse traffic sources matter in the customer journey · Mike’s decision to go from sales leader to founder · Why cold calling and early sales reps still matter

Focusing Your Brand and Organization with Allison Netzer of BrandThnk.co

3K views · 7mo ago · 30:19

Guest: Allison Netzer

On this episode of the builders podcast, John Busby sits down with Allison Netzer, Founder of and a branding expert known for her work with financial institutions, to explore how companies can stand out in increasingly commoditized markets. Allison shares insights from her updated book, Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank, including her Pain, Promise, Proof framework—a practical approach to building deeper, more meaningful connections with customers.

Topics: What “activity-based marketing” gets wrong · Where AI fits into branding, intuition, and taste · The Pain, Promise, Proof framework · From “north star” to “organizational constellation” · Why strong brands focus on what they won’t do · A key lesson from a fintech client about competition

Building a Successful Consulting Business with Amy Rasdal

3.7K views · 7mo ago · 33:39

Guest: Amy Rasdal

On this episode of the builders podcast, John Busby sits down with Amy Rasdal, founder of Billable at the Beach, to explore how professionals can launch a successful consulting business without getting stuck in endless planning, branding, or underpricing. Amy shares her journey from Silicon Valley executive to solopreneur, revealing why consulting gave her more freedom, more impact, and more income than the traditional corporate path.

Topics: Amy’s Silicon Valley background and why she left the CEO track · How consulting became a higher-income, higher-control alternative · How Billable on the Beach grew from advice for friends into a business · The first priority: land a client and get paid · Finding your “superpower” and shaping a marketable offer · Charging what you’re worth and avoiding the biggest pricing mistake

America's Nuclear Energy Opportunity with Kevin Kong, CEO of Everstar

3.6K views · 7mo ago · 25:00

Guest: Kevin Kong

On this episode of the builders podcast, John Busby sits down with Kevin Kong, CEO and founder of Everstar, to discuss the critical role nuclear energy plays in addressing the global energy crisis. As energy demand surges driven in part by AI and data center growth, Kevin explains why nuclear is becoming a key part of the clean energy equation and what must change for the U.S. to scale safely and efficiently.

Topics: The current energy crisis and nuclear’s role in meeting rising demand · Nuclear energy’s potential and global comparisons (U.S. vs. China) · Everstar’s mission to streamline nuclear project workflows · Kevin’s personal journey into the nuclear sector · How engineering skills translate into entrepreneurial success · Building culture while scaling an energy-focused startup

How Leaders Use AI Authentically - with Allison Shapira

3.2K views · 8mo ago · 29:11

Guest: Allison Shapira

On this episode of the builders podcast, John Busby sits down with Allison Shapira, Harvard lecturer, keynote speaker, and author of AI for the Authentic Leader, to explore how leaders can use AI without losing their voice. As generative AI becomes embedded in everyday communication, Allison explains why liberal arts skills like adaptability, curiosity, and critical thinking are more valuable than ever.

Topics: How AI can erode trust if leaders overuse it · Generic AI communication vs. unique human voice · Public speaking lessons from opera training · Universal truths about human connection across cultures · How to ask for feedback and continuously improve as a speaker · Why humor matters in leadership communication

Upgrading your AirBnB with Jordan McDonough of Somerled Designs

2.9K views · 8mo ago · 28:50

Guest: Jordan McDonough

Thanks for listening, and if you liked this episode, be sure to share it with someone you want to see leveled-up with you. Explore more of Somerland Designs: Somerled Designs - Specializing in Vacation Rentals Join +

Topics: Designing for differentiation in a crowded market · The origin story of Somerled Designs · The process of working with STR clients · Scaling a service-based business · Building and maintaining a remote work culture

The Importance of Delegation in Scaling Businesses - with Atiba de Souza

2.5K views · 9mo ago · 36:34

Guest: Atiba de Souza

On this episode of the builders podcast, John Busby sits down with Atiba de Souza, entrepreneur, marketing expert, and author of The Delegation Trap, to talk about what matters most in marketing in 2026 and beyond. Atiba explains how moments of truth in the buyer journey have changed, why human connection and community are winning in B2B, and why video is now central to search and engagement.

Topics: Atiba’s background and focus on modern marketing · Moments of truth and the role of community in B2B · The rise of video marketing and video search · Atiba’s journey from search engines to video strategy · The Delegation Trap and the CASE method · Living and working in the Philippines

Do You Have A Good 401(k) Plan? With 401(k) Forensic Consultant Paul Sippil

2.3K views · 9mo ago · 33:55

Guest: Paul Sippil

On this episode of the builders podcast, John Busby sits down with Paul Sippil, a registered investment advisor and 401(k) forensic consultant, to unpack how retirement plans really work, and why most employees and employers are paying more than they should. Paul explains what a 401(k) actually is, how fees quietly erode long-term savings, and why transparency in plan design and advisor compensation matters more than most people realize.

Topics: What a 401(k) really is (and how it differs from an IRA) · How to tell if you have a good or bad 401(k) plan · Advisors, administrators, and where hidden fees come from · Paul’s path to becoming a 401(k) forensic consultant · Best practices for early-career investors · Paul’s community dining initiative and food system transparency

The Uncertainty Advantage with Scott Stirrett, Founder of Venture for Canada

5.3K views · 10mo ago · 29:32

Guest: Scott Stirrett

On this episode of the builders podcast, John Busby sits down with Scott Stirrett, founder of Venture for Canada and author of The Uncertainty Advantage, to talk about what it really takes to build a meaningful career in an era defined by rapid change. Scott breaks down why young professionals must learn to embrace uncertainty, take smart risks, and focus on developing adaptable, useful skills rather than chasing rigid career plans.

Topics: Navigating uncertainty in today’s job market · The importance of taking smart risks early in your career · Building adaptability in a rapidly changing world · Cultural experiences and how they shape professional growth · The power of openness in discussing mental health · Transitioning leadership at Venture for Canada & what’s next

📖 Mentioned book: Uncertainty Advantage Launching Career Change

📰 Mentioned news: Article on substack.com

Scaling Brands with Jason Weinberger, Co-Founder of Mother Bear Agency

4.3K views · 11mo ago · 26:56

Guest: Jason Weinberger

On this episode of the builders podcast, John Busby sits down with Jason Weinberger, Co-Founder & CRO of Mother Bear Agency, to talk about what it really takes to scale a brand in 2025. Jason breaks down why an integrated, holistic approach to marketing outperforms one-off tactics. He also shares his journey from copywriter to leading major campaigns, the lessons he’s carried into building Mother Bear, and how AI is transforming the way modern marketing teams operate.

Topics: The Three C’s: Clarity, Conversion, Credibility · Specificity vs. generic messaging (and why it matters) · Where AI accelerates agency work and where humans are still essential · Performance marketing challenges in 2025 · Jason’s path from big agencies to co-founding Mother Bear · Building integrated, cross-functional creative teams

Cybersecurity – Protecting your Business and Yourself with Paul Laudanski of Onapsis

5.6K views · 12mo ago · 33:28

Guest: Paul Laudanski

On this episode of the builders podcast, John Busby sits down with Paul Laudanski, Director of Security Research at Onapsis and a leading cybersecurity expert, to explore the evolving world of digital security, from zero day vulnerabilities and ERP attacks to the growing impact of AI and offensive research.

Topics: Understanding Zero Day Vulnerabilities · The State of Cybersecurity Attacks · The Role of AI in Cybersecurity · Investing in Cybersecurity for ROI · Personal Cybersecurity Tips for 2025 · How Threat Actors Exploit Multi-Factor Authentication

Getting Your Career in Shape with Dr. Candace Steele Flippin

8.6K views · 1y ago · 39:08

Guest: Dr. Candace Steele Flippin

On this episode of the builders podcast, John Busby sits down with Dr. Candace Steele Flippin, author, researcher, and corporate leader, to talk about leadership, generational change, and the evolving workplace. Dr. Flippin shares her journey from studying art history to leading in marketing and communications, and how intentionality, networking, and adaptability have shaped her career.

Topics: Dr. Flippin’s career transition and serendipity · Keys to career advancement · The relationship between financial foundations and a strong career · The importance of negotiation skills · General misconceptions about Gen Z workers · Leadership and empathy in the workplace