The Greatness Machine 370 | Scott Donnell | The Hidden Cost of Hustle Culture and How to Build a Family That Lasts
What if the hustle isn’t the way forward, but the thing holding you back?
In this powerful episode of The Greatness Machine, Scott Donnell, founder of Fig & Eagle, shares his transformation from a high-achieving, hustle-driven entrepreneur to a fully surrendered husband, father, and leader. He and Darius unpack the deeper meaning of faith, family, and legacy, exploring what happens when you stop chasing success and start living with intention. Scott opens up about breaking free from the grip of “mammon”—money, status, and performance—and how that shift has changed everything. This conversation is a call to rethink what truly matters and how we lead the people who matter most.
In this episode, Darius and Scott will discuss:
(00:00) Introduction to Scott Donnell
(02:54) The Importance of Family Time
(05:41) Defining Legacy Beyond Wealth
(08:47) The Role of Heritage in Family Success
(11:26) Understanding the Concept of Legacy
(14:12) Building Strong Family Connections
(17:28) The Impact of Overachieving on Family Dynamics
(20:19) Healing Childhood Wounds and Their Effects
(23:13) Spiritual Insights on Wealth and Control
(30:44) The Power of Surrender
(33:09) Living as a Steward
(37:38) Transformative Experiences of Surrender
(43:22) Raising Families with Purpose
(48:56) Prioritizing Life and Work
(54:07) The Legacy We Leave Behind
Scott Donnell is a serial entrepreneur and passionate advocate for youth development. He’s the founder of Apex Leadership Co, Hapbee Technologies, and the GravyStack™ banking app, tools that have empowered over 6 million kids nationwide with leadership, fitness, and financial skills. Based in Phoenix with his wife Amy and their four “value creators,” Scott is also the co-author of “Value Creation Kid” and co-host of the Smart Money Parenting podcast.
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Connect with Scott:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnell-scott
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imscottdonnell/
Twitter: https://x.com/imscottdonnell
Connect with Darius:
Website: https://therealdarius.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine
Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708
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