

Grow Your Video Business with Ryan Koral
Ryan Koral
đŹ The podcast for ambitious filmmakers who want to build a thriving businessâwithout burning out.
Hosted by Ryan Koral, a 20+ year video production vet and coach, this weekly show is your behind-the-scenes pass to what actually works in the world of commercial video.
Every episode is packed with real talk, tactical strategies, and candid conversations to help you:
+ Book better clients (at better rates)
+ Build systems that donât rely 100% on you
+ Charge what you're worthâwith confidence
+ Create videos that make an impact and grow your bottom line
If you're ready to stop winging it and start running your business like a proâyouâre in the right place.
đď¸ New episodes drop every week.
đ Learn more at https://studiosherpas.com
Hosted by Ryan Koral, a 20+ year video production vet and coach, this weekly show is your behind-the-scenes pass to what actually works in the world of commercial video.
Every episode is packed with real talk, tactical strategies, and candid conversations to help you:
+ Book better clients (at better rates)
+ Build systems that donât rely 100% on you
+ Charge what you're worthâwith confidence
+ Create videos that make an impact and grow your bottom line
If you're ready to stop winging it and start running your business like a proâyouâre in the right place.
đď¸ New episodes drop every week.
đ Learn more at https://studiosherpas.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 13, 2025 ⢠47min
459. Escape the Financial Hamster Wheel with Deb Meyer
CPA and financial planner Deb Meyer breaks down why most video business owners struggle financially and stay stuck on what she calls "the hamster wheel." She explains the crucial difference between revenue and profit, why separate bank accounts can save your business, and how to avoid nasty tax surprises that can cripple your cash flow. Key Takeaways Set up separate bank accounts for taxes, contractor expenses, and operating costs to avoid accidentally spending money that's already allocated Focus on profit margins (aim for at least 30%) rather than just top-line revenue numbers Get proactive tax planning to avoid surprise billsâa good CPA should give you quarterly projections, not April surprises Before buying any equipment or hiring staff, ask yourself if it will actually make you money or save you time that translates to revenue About Deb Meyer Deb Meyer, CFPÂŽ, CPA, and CEPA, is the award-winning author of Redefining Family Wealth, host of the Beyond BudgetsÂŽ podcast, and founder of WorthyNestÂŽ, a fee-only, fiduciary wealth management firm that guides parents through important financial decisions using a values-based approach. Deb has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CNN Business and is a contributor to Kiplinger. She is a 2019 CPA Practice Advisor â40 Under 40 Honoreeâ in Accounting and received the 2018 AICPA Standing Ovation Award. Deb lives in Missouri with her husband Bryan and three sons. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:51] Meet Deb Meyer [06:34] Have a Trusted Financial Advisor [07:29] Cash Cushion for Your Business [10:12] Discerning Needs From Wants [22:18] Revenue and Profit [32:01] Tax Planning [45:07] Connect with Deb [46:29] Outro Quotes "You just bought yourself another job, really. I mean, you're not truly an entrepreneur if you're always beholden to the, hey, this is the mass I can get as my salary." - Deb Meyer "Revenue, great. It's a fun vanity metric, but it doesn't really matter that much in the grand scheme of things." - Deb Meyer "I look back and I'm like, what the heck was I thinking? Because it just felt like that's how I was making decisions like, man, yeah, if we had somebody doing that, that would feel pretty good." - Ryan "When COVID happened, we shrunk to four people. And we figured out how to run this company, the same company with four people... we're like so much more profitable these days." - Ryan "They should never have just surprised you with a $28,000 federal tax bill. That is really unfortunate." - Deb Meyer Guest Links Find Deb Meyer online Connect with Deb Meyer on LinkedIn Get Debâs free Starter Guide on 10 family finance myths Follow WorthyNest on Facebook Subscribe to WorthyNest on YouTube Listen to the Beyond Budgets podcast Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Oct 6, 2025 ⢠45min
458. The AI Video Gold Rush Every Filmmaker Should Know with PJ Accetturo
PJ Accetturo went from traditional filmmaker to running a seven-figure AI video agency, creating viral content that's been viewed millions of times. He breaks down exactly how filmmakers can adapt to AI tools without losing their creative edge. This episode covers the specific workflow, tools, and mindset shifts needed to capitalize on what PJ calls "the biggest gold rush of all time." Key Takeaways AI tools like VO3 and ChatGPT can be learned in days, but filmmakers have a huge advantage because they already understand story, pacing, and what makes content compelling The opportunity is massive right nowâPJ says it's "very easy to build a seven-figure agency" because brands need AI content but most agencies haven't adapted yet You don't need to abandon traditional filmmaking; many successful approaches involve pairing experienced directors with AI specialists to create hybrid workflows The key to viral AI content is being funny, self-aware about using AI, and creating content that surprises and delights audiences rather than boring them About PJ Accetturo PJ is a seasoned innovator in the TV and advertising space, having served as CEO for multiple media companies and bringing over 15 years of industry experience. He first gained recognition at 18 when National Geographic showcased his work, setting the stage for a career creating content for global powerhouses like Toyota, Red Bull, The Atlanta Braves, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As a commercial director, he spent over a decade working with some of the worldâs biggest brands. In 2019, PJ demonstrated his knack for audience engagement by growing a YouTube channel from zero to one million subscribers in six months. He then turned his sights to long-form storytelling, raising millions to produce his original animated series, Ghosts of Ruin, where he served as writer and Executive Producer. That project saw him collaborating daily with an Oscar-nominated director, a two-time Emmy-winning showrunner, Hans Zimmerâs music team, and an A-list voice cast featuring Rosario Dawson, Justin Long, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Tony Revolori. Motivated to shorten production timelines and reduce costs, PJ is spearheading new processes with generative AI. With a commitment to ethical data training, he is now working to create world-class media with AI-powered workflows. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:31] Meet PJ Ace [06:04] Adapting to Change with AI [10:27] Ad Creation with Veo 3 [17:50] The Future of Generated Video [24:56] How to Start AI Content [29:46] Tools for Creating AI Videos [42:37] Connect with PJ [43:52] Outro Quotes âIf this is a tsunami heading towards Hollywood and advertising, I'm trying to hand out surfboards." - PJ Accetturo "It's very easy to build a seven-figure agency right now. Very easy, very quickly." - PJ Accetturo "Winners only... to anyone who's not wanting to adapt quickly, like displacement's coming." - PJ Accetturo "Your greatest skill is that we know how to get exposure on a camera and frame a good shot, like that's going to be tough to build a business off of. But if you can know more strategy and understand story structure... that's our unique advantage." â Ryan Koral "Everyone in the AI industry that has attention right now, most of them are not traditionally filmmakers... but the opportunity here, if everyone doesn't know is like whether you yourself are a traditional filmmaker for 10, 15 years, you can learn the tools in a few days, two weeks max." - PJ Accetturo Guest Links Find PJ Accetturo online Follow PJ Accetturo on Instagram | X Check out PJ's newsletter - AI Filmmaking Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Sep 29, 2025 ⢠56min
457. Your Stories Are Worth More Than You Think with Karen Anderson
Karen Anderson, strategic book coach and associate publisher, explains why video producers have a unique advantage when it comes to writing business books. She breaks down how books can serve as powerful lead generation tools and authority builders, sharing insights from her experience helping authors reach global audiences. Karen reveals the counterintuitive approach of interviewing others for your book content and explains why vulnerability trumps success stories when connecting with readers. Key Takeaways Books create authority and positioning that can lead to speaking opportunities, higher-value clients, and expanded business reach You don't need to write everything yourself - interviewing others for their expertise and stories can create more compelling content The best business books balance information with inspiration, using stories to help readers feel connected and motivated to take action Start with the end in mind - know what you want your book to accomplish for your business before you begin writing About Karen Anderson Karen Anderson is a Strategic Book Coach and Associate Publisher with Morgan James Publishing. She is a ghostwriter, editor, publisher, and co-author of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling book, The Bezos Letters: 14 Principles to Grow Your Business Like Amazon. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [07:29] Meet Karen Anderson [08:58] Knowing Your Why [15:05] Information and Inspiration [18:25] Using Books as Lead Generation [28:35] The Importance of Principles [36:36] Knowing the Result You Want [46:52] Steps to Publishing Your Book [52:31] Connect with Karen [55:16] Outro Quotes "You don't write books to groups, you don't write books to institutions, you write books to one person." - Karen Anderson "People relate a whole lot more to vulnerability than they do to success." - Karen Anderson "The reality is, the best books in the world were somebody's first book and they probably had the same feelings." - Karen Anderson "You're coming in as Yoda. You're coming in as going, I've lived through this, I've learned this, I'm imparting wisdom." - Karen Anderson "It's so easy to talk about the things that I've messed up in this business... that's wisdom." - Ryan Guest Links Find Karen Anderson online Email Karen for the "Get the Book Done" template: admin@karenanderson.co Follow Karen Anderson on Instagram Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Sep 22, 2025 ⢠48min
456. The EOS Framework That Scales Even Solopreneurs with Jamie Munoz
Jamie Munoz, founder of Catalyst Integrators, shares how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) helped her scale a printing business from $2 million to $15 million in revenue and how it can work for video business owners of any size. She breaks down why so many entrepreneurs get trapped in the operator seat doing work that drains their soul, and provides a clear roadmap for getting out of operations and into the visionary role. Jamie also shares practical advice on hiring virtual assistants and the mindset shifts needed to stop being the bottleneck in your own business. Key Takeaways Core values are your hiring and firing framework - When employees don't align with your company's core values (like being "hungry"), you have a clear framework for making personnel decisions rather than relying on gut feelings The accountability chart shows your scaling path - Instead of traditional org charts, EOS uses accountability charts that show people in multiple seats, making it clear where to hire next as the business grows Start with 20% time savings - Hire help for just 20% of your weekly tasks (about 8 hours) to free up a full day for revenue-generating activities that can pay for the help and then some Perfect is the enemy of profitable - Learning to let go of "10 out of 10" creative standards and accepting that "7 or 8 out of 10" often exceeds client expectations while maintaining profitability About Jamie Munoz Jamie Munoz is a rescue dog mom, who lives in Cave Creek, Arizona. She is the founder of Catalyst Integrators⢠a fractional COO firm, winners of the SBA 2022, 2023 and 2024 Best Business Coaches award and ranked #640 on the 2024 INC5000 awards. They provide fractional COO Leadership for companies running on the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOSÂŽ) from the book âTractionâ by Gino Wickman. By teaming up with the CEO and the Leadership team, Jamie and her team of COOâs help crystallize and execute on the vision for the companies they serve. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:03] Meet Jamie Munoz [06:02] Entrepreneurial Operating System [14:23] Vision Traction Organizer [25:18] When Can You Use EOS? [33:24] Getting Your Time Back [40:39] Who Not How [45:24] Connect with Jamie [46:52] Outro Quotes "Your people are free to be excellent elsewhere." - Jamie Munoz "No one will care about your business as much as you do. And no one will do things as good as you, right? Or as right as you would, or the same way you would." - Jamie Munoz "Being wanted, not needed is a nice seat to be in on the chart." - Jamie Munoz "Protecting your time as an entrepreneur is the number one thing." - Jamie Munoz "We are people who entrepreneurs want to figure it out themselves... But like over time, that only works so much." - Jamie Munoz Guest Links Find Jamie Munoz online Connect with Catalyst Integrators on LinkedIn Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Sep 15, 2025 ⢠49min
455. From 2K to 2.5M Followers Using One Simple Format with Brendan Kane
Brendan Kane, founder of Hook Point and author of the bestselling book by the same name, shares his proven frameworks for breaking through the noise on social media and attracting dream clients. He reveals why the biggest mistake video business owners make is selling the service instead of the solution, and how finding strategic partnerships can scale your business faster than chasing individual clients. Brendan also breaks down his unique approach to "storytelling formats" - repeatable structures that consistently drive engagement and results across any industry. Key Takeaways Solve pain points, don't sell services - Focus on the core problems that keep your ideal customers awake at night and position your video skills as the solution to those specific issues Partner with connectors, not just customers - Find the people who already serve your ideal clients at scale rather than trying to reach each customer individually - one partnership could lead to hundreds of projects Use proven storytelling formats - Success comes from finding repeatable content structures (like "Man on the Street" or "Is It Worth It") that match your personality and expertise Measure meaningful metrics - Focus on consistent breakthrough content that demonstrates you're connecting with audiences in your area of expertise, not just vanity metrics like follower count About Brendan Kane Brendan Kane is a digital strategist with two decades of experience helping entrepreneurs, brands, and influencers connect with global audiences. He founded Hook Point in 2018, where he has generated over $1 billion in client revenue and 60 billion views through innovative digital strategies. Brendan has worked with major companies like MTV, Paramount Pictures, IKEA, and Skechers, as well as celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Rihanna. He started in filmmaking, overseeing digital strategies for Paramount Pictures and Lakeshore Entertainment, and pioneered influencer campaigns. Brendan is also the author of three best-selling books: One Million Followers, Hook Point: How to Stand Out in a 3-Second World, and The Guide to Going Viral. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:02] Meet Brendan Kane [07:05] Helping Clients Biggest Pain Point [10:18] Strategic Marketing [19:41] Standing Out [22:42] How Hook Point Helps People [32:11] Demonstrate the Power of Video [33:20] Using AI for Video [37:30] Organic Marketing [46:46] Connect with Brendan [48:10] Outro Quotes "You think about the core customer that you're trying to reach and what is their biggest pain point? What is the thing that actually wakes them up in the middle of the night? And how can you help with your skillset solve that problem." - Brendan Kane "Don't necessarily go direct to the customer but who already reaches your customers at scale and how can you create you know value exchange or a partnership in that direction." - Brendan Kane "If I had to create a video agency today, I would create AI video soup to nuts and I would just find a way... I would just be creating models where I can create AI videos and just start sending it to businesses." - Brendan Kane "I never work with people and our company never works with people to go viral for the sake of going viral, to get views for the sake of going views. It always has to tie into their expertise, their zone of genius." - Brendan Kane "The ROI is as big as your vision... I know people with millions of followers, millions of subscribers that are making six figures a year... But I know people, you know, that have had millions of followers and built billion dollar companies." - Brendan Kane Guest Links Find Brendan Kane online and download his books for free Follow Brendan Kane on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Connect with Brendan Kane on LinkedIn Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Sep 8, 2025 ⢠41min
454. The Video Testimonial Strategy That Works 99% of the Time with Ben Albert
Ben Albert, founder of Balbert Marketing and host of Real Business Connections podcast, shares his belief that there's no single key to success - instead, every business has its own unique combination lock. He reveals his nearly 100% effective strategy for getting video testimonials by asking during emotional high moments, and explains how childhood experiences between ages 8-13 often shape the core values that drive our businesses. Ben also shares practical exercises for identifying what makes you "better versus bitter" and how to shift your time and energy accordingly. Key Takeaways Success is a unique combination, not a universal key - Every business has different skills, clients, locations, and team members, requiring their own specific combination of strategies and approaches Ask for testimonials during emotional highs - The best time to request video testimonials is when clients are already feeling positive and engaged, not during random outreach Use the Better vs. Bitter exercise - Draw a line on paper and list what makes you better versus what makes you bitter, then systematically shift time from the bitter column to the better column Your origin story shapes your business values - The experiences and relationships from ages 8-13 often determine the core values and mission that drive your entrepreneurial journey About Ben Albert When Covid hit, Ben was furloughed and feeling lost. He hesitantly opened his MacBook, began reaching out to strangers on LinkedIn, and that one step launched his entrepreneurial journey. Today, Ben hosts the internationally recognized podcast Real Business Connections, runs the thriving firm Balbert Marketing, and in just over a year, replaced his previous incomeâall while keeping it real and authentic. Ben has collaborated with industry giants like Chris Do, James Altucher, and Jordan Harbinger. Through demand from his network, Real Business Connections has expanded to offer podcast production and growth services for top thought leaders. Once an underdog himself, Ben founded GrowGetters ONLY Collective, a community for growth-minded leaders to access mentorship, accountability, and meaningful connections. Heâs on a mission to impact one million lives, one conversation at a time. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:08] Meet Ben Albert [07:27] Growgetters Only [09:44] Success Is A Combination Lock [18:30] Better And Bitter [20:22] Delegation [25:29] Video Testimonials Timing [39:30] Connect with Ben [40:12] Outro Quotes "There is no key to success. There is no one magic pill to solve everyone's problems. There is no key to success, resilience, success in your video business. It's a combination lock." - Ben Albert "When's the best time to ask for a review or a video testimonial? It's during that emotional high." - Ben Albert "I felt disconnected. So I didn't realize this. I was developing a deep, almost necessity for connection." - Ben Albert "All you got to do is take something from the bitter column, do a little bit less of that, and then take the same amount of time in the better column and allocate that time to the better column." - Ben Albert "Each business, each person has their own little combination. So part one, I find, is find someone who's already done what you tried, wanted, want to do, because they've built a playbook." - Ben Albert Guest Links Join Ben's free community Listen to the Real Business Connections Podcast Complementary Consultation / Meet and Greet with Ben Connect with Ben Albert on LinkedIn Follow Real Business Connections on Facebook | YouTube Follow Balbert Marketing on Facebook Follow Ben Albert on Instagram Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Sep 1, 2025 ⢠51min
453. How to Get Into Any Room Using Your Video Skills with Justin Schenck
Justin Schenck, founder of Growth Now and host of the Growth Now Movement podcast, shares how curiosity became his business superpower and why podcasting is the ultimate networking tool. He breaks down the harsh realities of podcasting (78% of shows quit after 7 episodes) while revealing how to use video skills as a "golden ticket" into high-value networking rooms. Justin emphasizes building genuine relationships over transactional networking, showing how simple curiosity-driven questions can lead to meaningful business connections. Key Takeaways Podcasting is the ultimate networking tool - It gives you permission to reach out to anyone and have meaningful 45-minute conversations that build real relationships Use your video skills as access - Offer to create testimonials or recap videos for events you want to attend but can't afford, turning your craft into networking currency Curiosity beats hard selling every time - Simply asking "Have you ever thought about..." is more powerful than any sales pitch or business card exchange Local podcasts have massive monetization potential - Niche, local shows are easier to sponsor and can generate six-figure advertising revenue with smaller audiences About Justin Schenck Justin Schenck is an entrepreneur, speaker and the host of the top rated podcast the Growth Now Movement. He has been named a Top 8 Podcaster to follow by INC Magazine, featured in Thrive Global and chosen as an âIcon of Influenceâ in the new media space. Justinâs podcast has grown to become a podcast that is currently getting played in over 100 countries every single week and he has gone on to help countless people grow their brands and business with his company PodBrand.io He is also the host and creator of one of the go to events for entrepreneurs and forward thinkers; Growth Now Summit LIVE! In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [06:26] Meet Justin Schenck [12:59] Networking [20:23] What's Your Vehicle? [22:14] Should You Start A Podcast? [29:26] Working With The Right Clients [37:17] Society for Human Resource Management [49:13] Connect with Justin [50:16] Outro Quotes "Curiosity is a superpower." - Justin Schenck "The greatest thing about podcasting is anybody can have a podcast. And the worst thing about podcasting is anybody can have a podcast." - Justin Schenck "78% of shows don't make it past their first seven episodes. It's called Podfade." - Justin Schenck "You have this superpower as filmmakers to get into almost any room with the thing that you can do." - Ryan Koral "The people who are worried about your price point are the worst people to work with." - Justin Schenck Guest Links Find Justin Schenck at the Growth Now Summit Follow Justin Schenck on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Listen to the Growth Now Movement podcast Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Aug 25, 2025 ⢠43min
452. Why Your To-Do List Is Sabotaging Your Success with Michael King
Executive coach Michael King breaks down why being talented at your craft doesn't automatically make you good at running a business. He shares his framework for moving from reactive daily tasks to intentional vision-building, emphasizing that most creatives are thinking way too small about what they're building. Michael challenges listeners to create a "to-be list" focused on identity and impact rather than just grinding through endless to-dos. Key Takeaways Talent vs. Leadership are different skills - You can be amazing at video production but terrible at running a video business, and both require intentional development Start with identity, then vision, then structure - Before diving into tactics, get clear on who you are, what you want to build, and who you need on your team Create bandwidth for future thinking - You have to intentionally make time to work ON your business, not just IN it, even when you're swamped with client work Embrace being "good and different" - Stop comparing yourself to others and own what makes you uniquely valuable in the marketplace About Michael King Michael King is not just a coach â he's a builder of people, companies, and creative movements. With over a decade of executive insight, creative thinking, and relentless execution, King has launched full-scale leadership systems and founded anti-agencies that prioritize genuine service over industry norms. At the center of King's approach is a fundamental belief that strategy, simplicity, and systems unlock the best in people. This philosophy drives his work across multiple domains: coaching Fortune 500 executives, building platforms for founders, and speaking to teams and leaders around the globe. King is the creator of innovative frameworks like TEAMS and leads transformative experiences through Accelerator, an immersive strategic coaching experience designed to drive meaningful change. His reputation is built on delivering insight without fluff, transformation without ego, and strategic thinking that helps leaders grow what matters most. Whether working with C-suite executives or emerging entrepreneurs, King brings the same commitment to practical wisdom and results-driven strategies that have made him a sought-after voice in leadership development and organizational transformation. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:19] Meet Michael King [13:51] Recognizing Your Talent [18:42] Learning to Run a Business [26:33] Future Thinking [32:37] Staying Focused On Your Calling [36:23] Good And Different [41:33] Connect with Michael [42:31] Outro Quotes "There's a huge difference between talent and leadership." - Michael King "The reason why you're not moving the needle is because the tactics and the strategies... [are] not connected to the vision." - Michael King "There's always room for good and different." - Michael King (quoting a club manager's advice to comedian Yakov Smirnoff) "You're leaving too much on the table. It's not big enough. It's not impactful enough. You have more in you." - Michael King "The people that you surround yourself by will determine the future of your business." - Michael King Guest Links Find Michael King online Connect with Michael King on LinkedIn Follow Michael King on Instagram | Twitter Follow Teams Coach on Instagram | Facebook Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Aug 18, 2025 ⢠41min
451. Growth Lives Outside Your Comfort Zone (Lessons from a Coach, Author, and Storyteller) with Dan Clouser
Dan Clouser, author and podcast host, shares his journey from running a youth sports organization for 30 years to full-time RV life while hosting "The Journey of My Mother's Son" podcast. He emphasizes that growth only happens outside your comfort zone and reveals how years of coaching taught him that life, like baseball, is a game where you're either winning or learning. Dan discusses the power of authentic storytelling, the importance of listening without judgment, and how genuine conversations reveal that people have far more in common than they realize. Key Takeaways Growth requires discomfort - You can only grow outside your comfort zone, whether that's being pushed or making a conscious decision to step into uncomfortable territory You're either winning or learning - Failure is only truly failure if you don't learn something from it; every loss contains a lesson that can prevent future defeats Authentic connection beats perfect branding - Being willing to show your face, share your story, and be vulnerable creates deeper connections than hiding behind logos or polished facades Listen to understand, not to respond - Real conversations happen when you listen to understand someone's perspective rather than just waiting for your turn to speak About Dan Clouser Dan Clouser is an author, blogger, podcast host, speaker, and consultant who founded and operated the Berkshire Baseball & Softball Club (later the BIG Vision Foundation) for 30 years. The organization ran youth sports teams, tournaments, and a 130-acre sports complex, where he dedicated his career to teaching leadership and life lessons to young people. In 2019, he and his wife Sandy answered what they felt was a calling to leave their comfort zone and embark on a cross-country RV journey. Inspired by his late mother Loretta Magaryâa free spirit who took her own transformative travels in the 1980sâthey sold most of their possessions and hit the road with their golden retriever, Youkilis, to continue her legacy of giving back through volunteering and storytelling. Through speaking engagements, writing, and podcasting, he shares the stories of the "many little people in many little places doing many little things" who are making a difference in the world. His mission is to inspire others to take their own steps toward positive change, honoring the belief that collective small actions can transform the world. Following Youkilis's passing in April 2024, he and Sandy continue their journey together, documenting the remarkable people they meet along the way. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [04:38] Meet Dan Clouser [05:51] Comfort Zones [11:37] A Game of Failure [16:42] Journey of My Mother's Son [21:54] Creating Personal Connection [29:08] Understanding Someone's Why [34:14] "A Good Boy's Journey" [37:11] Connect With Dan [40:04] Outro Quotes "Growth only happens when you're uncomfortable. You can't grow any other way." - Dan Clouser "You're either winning or learning. It's only a failure if you don't learn something from that failure." - Dan Clouser "All of us as human beings have a lot more in common than what we don't. We're a lot more alike than we are different." - Dan Clouser "Understanding is not necessarily agreeing." - Dan Clouser "This is the first shot that we've all had at this life. We're all going through this the first time with no experience of what's coming next." - Dan Clouser Guest Links Find Dan Clouser online Follow Dan Clouser on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Check out Dan's latest book: A Good Boy's Journey Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Aug 11, 2025 ⢠48min
450. The R3 Framework that Changes Everything with Terry Rice
Terry Rice, a former Facebook executive turned keynote speaker and performance coach, shares his powerful transformation story from corporate alcoholic to successful entrepreneur after losing everything. He reveals his R3 framework (Reclaim, Realign, Rebuild) for personal and business transformation while emphasizing the importance of authentic personal branding over perfectionism. Terry demonstrates how being vulnerable about his struggles - including addiction, job loss, and family tragedies - has actually opened doors to bigger opportunities, including speaking at Google and having a documentary made about his life. Key Takeaways Character branding beats personal branding - Show your real self, including failures and struggles, rather than a polished façade that people can't relate to Own your flaws as fuel - Use your mistakes, challenges, and pain as branding material rather than trying to hide them - it creates deeper connections with your audience Authenticity opens unexpected doors - Being vulnerable about personal struggles can lead to major opportunities, as Terry's experience shows from one LinkedIn comment to a documentary deal Identity-first transformation works - Get crystal clear on who you are and what you represent before focusing on tactics, systems, or external business elements About Terry Rice Terry Rice is a keynote speaker, performance coach, and author who helps professionals align who they are with where theyâre goingâthen act accordingly. Known for his bold, story-driven approach, Terry teaches leaders how to live and tell better stories that build trust, drive impact, and unlock exponential growth. Whether on stage or in a coaching session, he blends lived experience with actionable strategies to help high performers shed limiting identities, ignite their vision, and build rituals that deliver lasting results. Before launching his coaching and speaking business, Terry held consulting roles at Meta and Adobeâgiving him a firsthand view into high-performance business environments. His insights have been featured by Good Morning America, Fast Company, and The Wall Street Journal, and heâs spoken for top organizations including Amazon, Google, and Berkshire Hathaway. Terry also teaches entrepreneurship at General Assembly and contributes regularly to Entrepreneur.com. Based in Brooklyn, heâs a proud husband and father of five and a relentless advocate for mental and physical fitness as the foundation of long-term success. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:54] Meet Terry Rice [14:13] Character Brand [19:07] Own Your Flaws [25:07] Being Authentic [36:32] Intentionally Reflecting [41:29] Follow The Plan [45:26] Connect with Terry [47:19] Outro Quotes "If I look at your brand and think to myself, I would not hang out with you on purpose. Why would I want to work with you? Because that's me hanging out with you on purpose, right?" - Terry Rice "The more you can own your edge and use that as fuel, use that as branding, the faster you'll grow and you'll remove some of that guilt, that regret, that shame that you might have as well." - Terry Rice "There's two types of pain, right? There's the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The challenge is the pain of discipline weighs ounces, whereas regret weighs tons." - Terry Rice "I don't care about your editing tools. I don't care if you're using Adobe. I want to know about your soul. Because if our souls are aligned with a message that I want to spread, then cool, we're good." - Terry Rice "We can't go back and create a new beginning, but we can start from now and create a new ending." - Terry Rice Guest Links Find Terry Rice online Follow Terry Rice on Instagram | Threads| Twitter | YouTube Connect with Terry Rice on LinkedIn Check out more resources from Terry Rice Links FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes