The Playbook With David Meltzer

In today’s episode, I’m joined by James Maslow and professional skateboarder turned entrepreneur Greg Lutzka. Greg shares how chasing his dream meant leaving home, facing burnout, and rebuilding his love for the sport that defined his life. From the highs of becoming a two-time X Games champion to the lows of homesickness and self-doubt, he explains how consistency, mentorship, and staying open to new opportunities shaped both his career and his mindset. We also talk about turning passion into business, the importance of financial literacy, and what it really means to learn to love what you don’t like.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Tamara Lucas, the founder and CEO of My PANDA, short for Personal Assistant Next Door App. As a single mom, Tamara turned her own need for support into a nationwide solution that connects people with trusted, local help for everyday tasks. From folding laundry to handling online scheduling, My Panda has grown into both a hyperlocal and virtual village built on community trust. Tamara shares how her team carefully vets service providers, how she’s scaling through business partnerships, and why building human connection remains at the heart of her mission.

Romont Thomas, CEO of Want Italy Pasta & Go, is reshaping fast-casual dining with his innovative approach to authentic pasta. He reveals how his four-minute fresh pasta delivery model maintains premium flavor without compromising speed. Romont discusses the advantages of electric-only kitchens, which reduce buildout costs significantly, and his extensive sourcing experience in Italy that enriches the brand’s quality. He emphasizes the growth potential of delivery channels and outlines strategic investment needs for scaling up his unique concept.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Ray Hespen, CEO and co-founder of Property Meld, to talk about how technology is transforming property management. Ray shares how community has become a driving force for growth, creating an environment where operators and residents benefit from shared energy and ease. We explore how preventative systems are replacing reactive maintenance, and how stable data and AI are reshaping the industry by turning complexity into clear, actionable insights. Ray also explains why trades remain vital, what homes might look like when they begin to “fix themselves,” and how the future of property management is moving toward ease, stability, and smarter outcomes.

In today’s episode, James Maslow and I sit down with NFL Hall of Fame kicker Nick Lowery for a conversation about resilience, preparation, and purpose. Nick shares how he balanced raw emotion with nerves of steel during high-pressure moments in front of 80,000 fans, and how consistency fueled his success across 18 years in the league. He opens up about a recent near-death experience during surgery that reshaped his perspective on gratitude and love, as well as the powerful mentors and moments that guided his journey. Together we explore how intention, preparation, and values create lasting impact both on and off the field.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Kien Vuu, a physician and longevity expert who once chased external validation through academic achievement and medical success before realizing it was costing him his health. We talk about the lessons he had to unlearn, from the myth that worthiness comes from achievement to the belief that medicine exists only outside of ourselves. He shares how choosing intentional energy, gratitude, and connection can transform health at the cellular level and unlock human potential. We also explore the emotional expense of unaligned priorities and why community may be the most powerful medicine of all.

In this week’s training, I shared the parenting advice I wish I had received earlier in life—10 lessons that can change the way we raise our children. I talked about why presence matters more than presents, why love can’t be outsourced, and why patience is the true superpower of parenting. I also shared how appreciating each child’s uniqueness, asking the right daily questions, and preparing them with values over control can create a launchpad for their future. Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about being purposeful, consistent, and present so our kids grow into confident, resilient leaders of their own lives. To join my next free Friday Training sessions, email me at david@dmeltzer.com

In today’s episode, I sit down with Metta World Peace, an NBA Champion who has reinvented himself as a tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist. We talk about his decision to walk away from easy opportunities like reality TV and instead immerse himself in coding, digital marketing, and the fundamentals of building businesses. Metta shares how curiosity drove him from the court to classrooms, coffee shops, and coding sessions, where persistence and humility became his playbook. He opens up about mental health, the importance of language in shaping how we approach it, and why reinvention requires sacrifice, focus, and a willingness to start over.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Martha Montoya, the CEO and Founder of AgTools, a platform transforming the way agribusinesses manage supply chains. Martha shares how her grandmother’s entrepreneurial influence, her background in competitive tennis, and her relentless drive shaped her path. She explains how AgTools uses real-time global data to help farmers, distributors, and analysts make critical decisions in an industry defined by uncertainty. From building resilience during COVID to staying true to her mission of protecting farmers, Martha reveals how she creates certainty where others see chaos and why she believes every success begins with service to the grower.

In today’s episode, I sit down with my close friend Bucky O’Neill, an entrepreneur who mentors experts to design transformational events, retreats, and coaching programs that create real impact. We talk about the firewalk experience and how it strips away interference between who we are and who we can become. Bucky shares how these visceral challenges reveal our potential in ways that books or seminars alone cannot. We also explore the balance between teaching and practicing, the role of faith in daily life, and the ways spirituality connects us all. It’s a conversation about growth, alignment, and authentic expression.