The Playbook With David Meltzer

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dylan Smith, a keynote speaker, educator, and entrepreneur whose journey through adoption, misdiagnosis, and dyslexia shaped his mission to serve others. Dylan shares how overcoming the odds taught him that humility is not a weakness but a strength, especially when building real connections. We talk about the difference between what people do and who they truly are, and how Dylan’s setbacks became the foundation for his leadership and impact. From teaching kids across the country to writing his first book, Dylan shows that persistence, perspective, and service can transform challenges into purpose.

In today’s episode, I share why purpose-driven leadership goes far beyond titles or strategies. It’s about creating cultures built on humility, clarity, and daily renewal. I talk about how transformation comes not from pressure or ego but from recalibrating your energy and leading through service. You’ll hear how gratitude, forgiveness, and joy can fuel long-term resilience, and why comparison is one of the greatest threats to your calling. From overcoming burnout to blessing your critics, I explore how to stay focused on what you’re given instead of reacting to what’s missing. Great leadership isn’t about being impressive. It’s about being impactful even when no one is watching.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by James Maslow and NFL veteran T.Y. McGill Jr., a defensive tackle with a decade-long career and a foundation focused on empowering youth through education and exposure. We talk about the pivotal moment at age eight that shaped his values, his decision to give back through annual camps and charitable work, and how he’s preparing for life after football. T.Y. shares what it means to live with purpose, even in uncertain times, and why staying ready physically, mentally, and spiritually is key. This is about building something lasting, turning pain into direction, and leading with intention every step of the way.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Andrea Marcellus, founder of AND/life and a leader in the world of integrated wellbeing. We talk about why lasting health starts in the brain and how most people approach wellness in disconnected pieces. Andrea explains the problem with chasing goals without clarity, how burnout stems from low energy, and why mindset is more powerful than any meal plan. She shares a practical way to calm stress in just 60 seconds using breath, balance, and movement. We also touch on the link between cortisol and self-image, and how simple shifts in thought can change everything.

In this episode, I shared some my top takeaways from the month of April. From starting your day with the right mindset to turning tough moments into empowering stories, and embracing gratitude as a daily anchor, these habits aren’t just easy to do, they’re easy to skip. But those small, consistent choices move us forward the fastest. When we lean into the basics, we build momentum toward the life we want. Keep it simple. Do it every day. And let that be enough to change everything. To join my next free Friday Training sessions, email me at david@dmeltzer.com

In today’s episode, I sit down with Wolfgang Puck, a culinary icon whose restaurants have shaped fine dining around the world. We talk about what it takes to create not just a great meal but an unforgettable experience, from hand-selecting ingredients at the farmer’s market to making every guest feel like the most important person in the room. Wolfgang shares how his mother’s encouragement and his stepfather’s harshness pushed him toward excellence, and why discipline, humility, and consistency matter in both life and business. He also explains the simple rule that has guided his success for decades: spend less than you make.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Alexis Belton, a World Long Drive competitor and former D1 athlete who’s reshaping the intersection of sports, purpose, and business. Alexis shares how a bet on herself led to a third place world finish, a tour victory, and a new outlook on using golf as a platform for change. We talk mindset, monetization, and what it means to keep going when success alone isn’t satisfying. From building distance through efficiency to teaching golf in the slums of Kenya, Alexis has turned a personal challenge into a mission rooted in service, connection, and growth.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Jon Gordon, best known for The Energy Bus and his work with some of the world’s top athletes, coaches, and business leaders. We talk about what it really means to live your purpose, not just speak it. Jon opens up about the discipline behind a positive mindset, the faith that grounds his work, and how prayer, humility, and selflessness keep him aligned. He also shares how purpose fuels performance, and why understanding mindset at its deepest levels is the key to building stronger, more connected teams. This is a conversation about walking the path—not just writing the map.

In today’s episode, I unpack how Napoleon Hill’s timeless principles can guide a modern career path rooted in clarity, confidence, and purpose. I break down Hill’s 12 career pillars, from definiteness of purpose to accurate thinking, and explain how they align with vibrational awareness instead of rigid timelines. You’ll hear why imagination matters more than intensity, why motivation gets you started but inspiration keeps you going, and how your frequency shows up in what you believe, feel, and do every day. This is a framework for success that doesn’t chase outcomes. It attracts them by staying aligned, consistent, and centered in purpose.

In today’s episode, I sit down with James Maslow and Owen Hanson, a former USC walk-on who once brushed shoulders with Heisman winners and ended up running a multimillion-dollar black-market empire. Owen shares how ambition and access turned him from sports agent to international drug trafficker, and how a stint in federal prison sparked a new kind of hustle. From mop-bucket ice cream experiments to launching the first 20g protein ice cream bar from a halfway house, his story is as surreal as it is instructive. What started as a bet for fast cash became a lesson in patience, reinvention and the real cost of unchecked ambition.