The Playbook With David Meltzer

In today’s episode, I join Chad Sanschagrin, founder of Cannonball Moments, during his Keep Telling Yourself webinar series. We discuss the transformative power of shifting your narrative, building faith, and embracing gratitude as a daily practice. Chad shares his unique insights on leadership, growth, and his journey from top-performing sales professional to sought-after speaker and coach. I reflect on the lessons I’ve learned from losing $100 million and how I’ve used that experience to create a life of abundance and purpose. Together, we explore the importance of declaring your worth, surrounding yourself with the right community, and finding strength through faith to make a greater impact.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Shawn Dill and Lacey Book, two incredible entrepreneurs and business coaches, as we dive into the challenges and rewards of building a team that grows with your business. I share my own strategies for evaluating team performance and managing the emotional expense of hiring and firing, while Shawn and Lacey discuss their innovative approach to employee development, including an annual exercise where team members present their roles, responsibilities, and goals. We explore how to align individual and company growth, why titles should be fluid, and how fostering collaboration over competition creates lasting success for everyone involved.

In today’s episode, I connect with Larry “Duce” Raymond, a barbecue pioneer whose path mirrors my own in unexpected ways. From losing everything to rebuilding stronger, we share how the toughest setbacks can become the foundation for incredible growth. Duce opens up about navigating the near-collapse of his catering business, while I reflect on the lessons learned from losing $100 million and finding a better version of myself. Together, we discuss the importance of mindset, self-image, and faith in overcoming challenges, as well as the value of surrounding yourself with the right people to unlock your full potential.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Karen Hall, host of The Hero Within Podcast, to share my journey from a life driven by financial success to one filled with gratitude, forgiveness, and purpose. I open up about how growing up in scarcity pushed me to chase wealth, only to discover that money couldn’t buy happiness. Despite reaching unimaginable financial heights, I lost everything—and hit rock bottom. My wife’s unwavering belief in me became the turning point, inspiring me to take stock of who I truly wanted to be. Now, I focus on empowering others with the lessons I learned, hoping to help others find fulfillment, healing, and happiness beyond material success.

In today’s episode, I join Shawn Lynch and Jenry Kelley from The Success Formula Podcast to share the pivotal experiences that reshaped my understanding of wealth, purpose, and resilience. I discuss my journey from immense financial success to devastating bankruptcy, revealing how losing everything became the greatest turning point in my life. We cover the early days of my career, the drive for success, and the relentless ambition that ultimately led to my downfall. Through that hard-earned lesson, I came to understand the true meaning of fulfillment, fueled by faith, gratitude, and the strength to rebuild from zero.

In today's episode, I’m joined by master mentalist Oz Pearlman, who brings his powerful blend of charisma, perception, and mind-reading to the table. We talk about how Oz’s background in magic shaped his unique skill set, helping him captivate audiences and build deep connections without relying on props. I share some of my own experiences with using perception in public speaking, and Oz and I explore how his techniques aren’t just about entertainment; they create lasting moments that translate into value for leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams alike. From reading minds to reading rooms, this conversation shows how perception can be a powerful business tool.

In today’s episode, I explore the power of adaptability and the importance of aligning intentions with actions. I share my approach to overcoming challenges by reframing feelings of being "stuck" as opportunities for growth and learning. From using a flexible framework for decision-making to navigating life's uncertainties, I emphasize how consistent behaviors—not outcomes—create progress. I discuss the role of gratitude, forgiveness, accountability, and effective communication in managing relationships and expanding our capacity for success. Whether addressing the discomfort of tough questions or embracing the lessons in setbacks, I offer insights into creating alignment with the infinite possibilities that lie ahead.To join future Free Friday Training sessions, register at:https://free.dmeltzer.com/friday-training-1

In today’s episode, I sit down with Chris Nichols of The Nichols and Dimez Show, where he uncovers the unique intersections of tech, sports, and business. We talk about the strategic role of venture capital and the importance of building quantitative value into every pitch, a skill that became my cornerstone as I transitioned from tech to CEO of a global sports agency. Chris and I also explore the differences between being a founder and a CEO, the unexpected lessons from past mentors, and the power of leveraging relationships. From sports to startups, we dive into the mindset that creates lasting impact and growth.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by real estate entrepreneur Ryan Pineda, who has invested over $100 million and built seven successful businesses. We explore the challenges of building a community in today’s competitive landscape and how leveraging existing brands can elevate your business. Ryan shares insights on his experiences creating Wealthy University and I discuss my decision to license the legacy of Napoleon Hill to build a new, powerful community. We dive into the financial and personal struggles that come with entrepreneurship and how to find opportunities, even in difficult times. Together, we discuss the mindset required to build long-lasting success and resilience.

In today’s episode, I sit down with John Assaraf to talk about the hard-earned lessons I learned from building, losing, and rebuilding a $100 million empire. I open up about the realities of overcoming setbacks, the shift in values that shaped my journey forward, and how gratitude and resilience became the foundation of a truly fulfilling life. We get into the daily habits that keep us moving forward, the mindset needed to bounce back from failure, and the importance of defining success on your own terms—creating a path that brings genuine purpose and clarity in the face of life’s biggest challenges.