

The Playbook With David Meltzer
David Meltzer, Entrepreneur.com
Welcome to The Playbook, hosted by entrepreneur, CEO, author and keynote speaker David Meltzer. On the podcast you’ll find a mix of interviews, Q&A, fireside chats, keynotes, and exclusive conversations with the most influential CEO’s, sports icons, and successful entrepreneurs who share their personal and professional play-by-play of the “what”, “why”, and “how” to achieve anything you set your mind to.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 3, 2025 • 28min
Why Great Leaders Sound Repetitive
In today’s episode, I sit down with brand architect Jim Wagner to break down the connection between championship coaches and business leaders. We talk about what it really means to lead high-performing teams, why repetition builds trust, and how asking the right questions creates confidence in first-time managers. I share my framework for intentional decision-making, the role humility plays in leadership, and why emotional clarity is essential when priorities shift. Jim also opens up about his MBA students and how he’s helping them transition from strong performers into strong leaders. Together, we explore how values, communication, and consistency drive both personal and team success.

Aug 2, 2025 • 30min
The Power of Alignment in Every Area of Life
In today’s episode, I break down how identity and purpose work together to shape everything from our mindset to our results. I share how asking “Who am I? Where am I? When am I? Why am I?” can remove resistance and create alignment in every area of life. You’ll hear why most people stay stuck chasing validation, how to define your non-negotiables, and what it really means to trust divine timing. When identity, environment, timing, and purpose harmonize, clarity replaces chaos, and fulfillment replaces burnout. This is about creating flow, not forcing outcomes, so you can pursue your potential with confidence and purpose.

Aug 1, 2025 • 19min
Why Female Founders Face Bigger Challenges in Business
In today’s episode, I sit down with Carrie Trabue, a former litigator turned entrepreneur who’s redefining the legal industry. After 25 years helping lawyers navigate their careers, she founded LawSphere, an online community designed to bring lawyers and legal vendors together in meaningful ways. Carrie shares how her desire for long-term relationships over transactional ones inspired her platform’s unique focus on mental health, mentorship, and holistic support for legal professionals. We also talk about the uphill battle female founders face in raising capital, the role of purpose in midlife reinvention, and why building community is the key to a thriving legal career.

Jul 31, 2025 • 13min
Why Tough Love Creates Real Change
In today’s episode, I sit down with Craig Siegel, a coach, entrepreneur, and speaker whose mission is to help people break free from self-imposed limits and step fully into their purpose. We talk about the power of humility, the challenge of releasing defensiveness, and the importance of aligning with something bigger than yourself. Craig shares how studying Kabbalah and A Course in Miracles transformed his mindset and helped him operate from a higher level of consciousness. Together, we explore how faith, awareness, and tough love can unlock lasting personal growth and create a ripple effect that inspires others to do the same.

Jul 30, 2025 • 21min
Breaking Free From Outcomes That Define You
In today’s episode, I sit down with Raul Villacis, the founder of The Next Level Experience, to talk about how high-performing men can regain purpose and avoid drifting through life. Raul shares how he rebuilt his identity after losing hundreds of millions of dollars and why vulnerability, discipline, and faith are essential for lasting success. We unpack the habits that drive consistent growth, the dangers of attaching self-worth to outcomes, and how his EDGE App helps men track their progress and stay accountable. This conversation explores what it takes to reinvent yourself, lead with purpose, and build a life aligned with your highest potential.

Jul 29, 2025 • 21min
What It Takes to Rebuild Lives in a War Zone
In today’s episode, I sit down with Yuriy Boyechko, founder of Hope for Ukraine, to talk about the ongoing war and the staggering challenges Ukrainians face daily. Yuriy shares how his organization delivers food, medical care, and emotional support to families living through constant drone strikes and sleepless nights in shelters. We explore the growing number of amputees in Ukraine and how an amputee soccer league is helping veterans rebuild their sense of purpose. Yuriy explains why hope and resilience are keeping the country alive in the face of relentless attacks and what it means to support Ukraine in practical and meaningful ways.

Jul 28, 2025 • 48min
Stop Overthinking, Start Doing: Move From Thought to Action
In this episode, I discuss one of the biggest obstacles to progress—overthinking. Too often, we confuse preparation with hesitation and let fear wear the mask of productivity. I break down why overthinking is just procrastination in disguise, and how time-based tools can help you make better decisions faster. I also explain how to measure the real cost of inaction and why worry usually signals a step we haven’t taken yet. The goal isn’t to be perfect—it’s to move, adjust, and keep going because the only way to turn dreams into results is to start.
To join my next free Friday Training sessions, email me at david@dmeltzer.com

Jul 27, 2025 • 23min
Escaping the Trap of Shallow Success
In today’s episode, I sit down with Genea Barnes, host of the Be the Wolf podcast, where she empowers leaders, creatives, and change-makers to align with their true identity. I share how my early hunger for money led to a shallow world of scarcity, trading, and chasing status, until personal and financial collapse forced me to face the real source of my unhappiness. We explore the gap between who we are and who we pretend to be, and why true abundance comes from living in the world of more than enough. I break down how gratitude, accountability, and understanding interference unlock both success and fulfillment.

Jul 26, 2025 • 24min
The Secret to Healing Chronic Pain and Trauma
In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. David Pascal of Pascal Health Institute, known as the Miracle Doctor for his work with Olympic athletes and patients suffering from chronic conditions no one else could resolve. He shares how his unique approach identifies the root cause of pain, combining detailed listening, thorough exams, and treatments that restore the body’s natural vibrations. We explore how trauma gets stored in the body, why traditional medicine often falls short, and how he’s helped people worldwide find relief when they thought it was impossible. His clinic in North Carolina has become a destination for hope and healing.

Jul 25, 2025 • 19min
The Science of Moving Better and Living Stronger
In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Jeremy James, founder of GolfForever, to talk about how his work helping professional athletes and chronic pain sufferers evolved into a revolutionary golf training program. We explore the connection between biomechanics, longevity, and performance, and how GolfForever pairs movement education with a swing trainer to keep players strong, healthy, and improving at any age. Dr. James shares how partnerships with PGA stars like Scottie Scheffler and Justin Leonard helped scale his vision and why the program’s benefits extend far beyond golf. From back pain relief to added distance off the tee, the results speak for themselves.