The Break Free Podcast

100 Rejections to Statewide Impact: The Power of Persistent Leadership

852 views · 4d ago · 36:27

Guest: Vanessa Volz

How do you grow an 11-person grassroots agency into a $12M statewide organization providing lifesaving supportive housing and victim services? In this inspiring episode of the Break Free Podcast, host David Mansilla sits down with Vanessa Volz, J.D., President and CEO of Sojourner House. Together, they explore the intersection of business discipline, empathy, servant leadership, and social justice.

Topics: Developing Permanent Supportive Housing & Property Rehab · Vanessa’s Journey: From Law Practice to Nonprofit CEO · Transitioning to Leadership: Listening & Team Building First · The Mindset of Servant Leadership in Business & Nonprofits · Navigating Organizational Turmoil & Establishing a Solid Foundation · Rapid Growth & Pivoting During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Why 90% of Business Owners Reinvest Wrong (And How to Protect Your Peace)

2.8K views · 3w ago · 43:09

What does it really take to walk away from a safe career path, face down startup debt, and build a business that gives you total freedom over your time? In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, David Mansilla interviews Michael Garry, owner of Yardley Wealth Management. Michael shares his powerful journey from working as an attorney to stepping out on his own as a fee-only financial advisor and estate planning lawyer.

How to Become Your Own Bank (And Keep Your Money Growing Forever)

18K views · 1mo ago · 42:46

Guest: Gary Pinkerton

Welcome back to the Break Free Podcast! In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, host David Mansilla sits down with Gary Pinkerton, former US Naval Academy graduate, nuclear submarine officer, and seasoned entrepreneur, to dive deep into financial agency, business leadership, and wealth protection. After losing half his net worth in the Great Recession by trusting traditional financial institutions, Gary made a massive pivot.

What 30 Years Under the Ocean Taught Me About Business & Purpose

4.7K views · 1mo ago · 42:55

Guest: Gary Pinkerton

What drives someone to walk away from nearly three decades of high-stakes military leadership to step into the world of business ownership and equity strategy? In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, host David Mansilla welcomes Gary Pinkerton—a US Navy veteran who spent close to 30 years on nuclear submarines, culminating in commanding a submarine in Pearl Harbor.

How Alignment with Core Values magnetizes Your Ideal Clients and Talent

2.8K views · 2mo ago · 53:00

Guest: Core Values

Why does achieving business success often bring more chaos instead of freedom? In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, host David Mansilla interviews Courtney De Ronde—a veteran CPA, Managing Partner, and business consultant who created the Simple ScaleUp System. Courtney shares her journey of building scalable frameworks that simplify operations, boost retention, and drive long-term profitability without extreme burnout.

How to Turn Frustrated Customers into Brand Advocates

124 views · 2mo ago · 39:55

In this special episode, Steve Livingstone joins David Mansilla for a compelling conversation on the powerful life lessons learned from taking the leap into entrepreneurship—and how he set out to completely disrupt a traditionally frustrating industry.

From Immigrant Roots to a $40 Million Empire: The Playbook Most CEOs Ignore

213 views · 2mo ago · 39:04

Guest: Juan Valerio

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Break Free Podcast! Host David Mansilla sits down with Juan Valerio, CFO-turned-CEO, to dive deep into the real-world realities of executive leadership, business strategy, and legacy building.

Why "Getting Rich Fast" Is Ruining Your Future (And What Works Instead)

90 views · 2mo ago · 46:58

Guest: Jeff Panik

In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, host David Mansilla welcomes Jeff Panik, founder of Balance Wealth Partners, CFP®, author, and U.S. Army veteran. With over 26 years of experience in the financial services industry, Jeff shares his battle-tested strategies for overcoming debt, mastering compound growth, and building a business that aligns with personal happiness and long-term peace.

Is the Financial Industry Broken? How Katie Ridland is Rewriting the Rules

2.6K views · 3mo ago · 45:58

Guest: Katie Ridland

What happens when you challenge the age-old, rigid hierarchies of the business world? In this episode, we sit down with Katie Ridland—a financial advisor and "unofficial counselor" who is breathing new life into a traditionally stuffy industry. Tune in to discover how questioning the status quo can open massive new avenues for innovation, growth, and deeper human connection.

Corporate Exodus to Business Acquisition: Overcoming Failure with Jason Umidi

223 views · 3mo ago · 35:09

Guest: Jason Umidi

Jason opens up about his dramatic transition at age 57 from corporate security to small business ownership. He shares the raw realities of his entrepreneurial journey, including losing everything in the 2008 housing market crash, surviving foreclosure and bankruptcy, fighting severe chronic pain after 5 spinal surgeries, and ultimately finding the life-changing sobriety that reshaped his entire perspective on leadership.

How to Survive the Leadership Traps and Financial Realities of Growth

516 views · 4mo ago · 48:41

Guest: Natalia Zacharin

Welcome to another high-impact episode of the Break Free Podcast! In this episode, host David Mansilla is joined by Natalia Zacharin, the founder and CEO of Zacharin Consulting, a nationwide firm specializing in bookkeeping, payroll, and elite fractional CFO services.

Podcasting Since 2004: His Ultimate "Cheat Code" To a #1 Show

2.4K views · 4mo ago · 45:51

Are you tired of making critical mistakes with your podcast setup, growth, or launch strategy? If you want to build a podcast system that expands your reach and revenue with reduced stress and zero drama, stop guessing and hit play to learn from an industry legend.

You Think You’re Just Stressed From Work, But Is It Actually Hidden PTSD Driving Your Burnout?

198 views · 4mo ago · 1:09:20

Guest: Robert Greene

What is the true cost of success? In this deeply moving and transparent episode of the Break Free Podcast, host David Mansilla sits down with Robert Greene, a holistic trauma counselor based in Bali, Indonesia. Together, they pull back the curtain on a silent crisis affecting countless entrepreneurs, veterans, and high-stress professionals: unhealed psychological trauma.

From Rock Bottom to 25k Patients a Month: Scaling Urgent Mental Health with Dr. Tamir Aldad

518 views · 5mo ago · 38:58

Guest: Dr. Tamir Aldad

Welcome to another powerful episode of the Break Free Podcast with your host, David Mansilla! Today, we are shining a light on a visionary leader who is radically disrupting the mental health system. Dr. Tamir Aldad is a trained addiction psychiatrist who chose to step away from a comfortable one-on-one private practice, head to business school at the University of Chicago, and build a massive, data-driven solution to the mental health crisis.

I Sabotaged My Medical Career to Build a Global Business That Actually Matters

410 views · 5mo ago · 49:30

Welcome to the Break Free Podcast! In this deep dive, host David Mansilla interviews Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, the President and CEO of the International Food Information Council (IFIC). Wendy’s journey is a masterclass in long-term career architecture—starting as an intern, leaving to gain "street cred" in the corporate world, and returning to lead the organization at the highest level.