The Playbook With David Meltzer

In this episode, I explain why your inner circle is one of the greatest indicators of where you’re headed. I talk about how leading with gratitude, empathy, accountability, and effective communication attracts the people who support your vision. I share simple ways to set boundaries, protect your energy, and stay aligned with the relationships that move you forward. I also highlight how the right mentors help you accelerate your progress and avoid unnecessary detours. This episode is a reminder that when you surround yourself with people who elevate your standards, you expand your capacity — and your results. To join my next free Friday Training sessions, email me at david@dmeltzer.com

In today’s episode, I speak to a room of young entrepreneurs about why definiteness of purpose matters more than raw talent, and how to use it to pitch with integrity. I share the five dollar for twenty dollar lesson, the five elements of every great pitch, and why saying “I don’t know” builds more trust than any slick deck. I explain my thousand step philosophy of success, the three no rule for protecting your time, and the real role of AI as a servant, not a threat. Along the way, I connect it all back to freedom, faith, and becoming who you must be.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Embarc Wines co-founders Adam Lovingood and Richard Garcia to unpack how they built a self-serve wine experience that feels both innovative and familiar. We get into the early days of their partnership, the years of planning that shaped their model, and the moment they realized this concept could scale far beyond a single location. They walk me through the balance of full-time careers and late-night building, the relationships that fuel their wine program, and why creating a warm social environment matters as much as the technology behind it. Their vision for expansion shows just how far this idea can go.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Sande Golgart, a global executive known for his people-first leadership and commitment to building high-performing cultures. We talk about fear as a constant companion in the human experience and how recognizing the instant, ego-driven reactions it creates can open the door to better choices. I share how simple tools like stop, drop, and roll guide me back toward my potential, and how non-negotiable habits keep me grounded when circumstances shift. Sande and I explore the impact of mission-driven living, the freedom that comes from removing resistance, and the role faith plays in expanding what’s possible.

In today’s episode, I break down how daily practice shapes long-term success and why consistent behavior outperforms occasional pushes. I explain the human experience through time, intention, and the lessons our bodies are built to teach us. I share how separating each day into non-negotiable and circumstantial behavior helps me stay aligned with my goals, reduce resistance, and avoid doubling down on the habits that hold me back. I talk about using uncertainty as fuel, managing ego-driven reactions, and building a life rooted in recovery, health, family, faith, and purposeful action. It’s a simple framework that turns small commitments into exponential results.

In today’s episode, I sit down with James Maslow and UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin, a former Light Heavyweight Champion whose career helped bring the sport into the mainstream. We cover the grind behind his rise, the standards he now upholds as the UFC’s Vice President of Athlete Development, and why winning still hits harder than any paycheck. Forrest opens up about work identity, product integrity, and the value of surrounding yourself with people who stay steady when things get chaotic. James and I also break down leadership, teachability, and the pressure that comes with building teams that can thrive under real responsibility.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Kaye Doran, a women’s leadership coach, shamanic healer, and creator of Inner Expressions, whose work centers on helping women rise from within. We explore the moments that pushed me toward a spiritual shift long before I lost everything, including the warning signs I ignored, the night my wife confronted me, and the painful honesty that forced me to rebuild my life with new values and daily practices. Kaye brings her own perspective on energy and inner guidance, setting the stage for a conversation about what happens when you stop interfering with who you already are and choose to live in alignment.

In this episode, I explain why presence is one of the greatest skills we can build — not just to lead, but to serve. Drawing on the wisdom of Think and Grow Rich, I share how our mindset and energy shape a room before we ever speak. I cover the simple practices that help us guide any environment: leading with intention, winning the first moments, asking meaningful questions, staying centered through breath, and communicating with clarity. Most of all, I highlight that leadership isn’t about control — it’s about creating the right setting for others to succeed. When we show up with certainty, kindness, and alignment, we raise the room, and with it, the opportunities available to everyone. To join my next free Friday Training sessions, email me at david@dmeltzer.com

In today’s episode, I talk about why most entrepreneurs already have their why but lose progress by interfering with it. I walk through the beliefs and habits that kept me grounded as a kid in Akron, the painful moment I lost everything including my mom’s house, and how that experience reshaped the meaning I gave to my past. I break down the five daily practices that fuel passion, purpose, and profitability, from applying your why to managing fear with a simple stop, breathe, and reset approach. This conversation is about using consistency, intention, and self-honesty to shorten the distance between who you are and who you want to become.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Luba Patlakh-Kaplun, the founder of Kidology, a mom of three, speech language pathologist, and dedicated advocate for families navigating IEPs. We talk about the loss that shaped both of us, the waves of grief, and the quiet moments where our parents still feel close. We get into mindset as the bridge between the human and the infinite, why asking for help is an act of faith, and how small, consistent actions create lasting change. Luba shares how she built her business, raised young kids, and learned to trust her own direction while stepping into her next chapter with purpose.