The Culture Matters Podcast

"He who risks and fails can be forgiven.  He who never risks and never fails is a failure in his whole being." - Paul TillichPhilosopher and artisan contractor with Vision Stone and Tile Nathan Merrill is back on the program today and we are going deep.  We're starting off discussing Nathan's experiences on podcasts and exactly what he does with his work with tile and some of its practical applications.  After that, we're getting into materialism vs. idealism, the idea of "worshipping" your process, and even dipping our toes into the pool of existential angst.  We're running the gambit of topics today and we hope you enjoy this conversation with Nathan Merrill.

"We now accept the fact that learning is a life-long process of keep abreast of change and the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn." - Peter DruckerConsultant, advisor, and the founder of Social CSM Carl Eppolito is back on the show today and we running through a bunch of different topics, so hang onto your seats!  Carl and Jay are digging into success on social media, the idea of leveraging a podcast as a means to an end, and Jay even asks Carl for some advice on how to improve his social media presence.  We're spending the back half of this conversation on the role of faith in Carl's life and how finding his faith has helped make him a more successful businessman and father.  There may even be a little talk on what kind of host or guest Jesus would have been on a podcast.  We're unpacking a lot today and we're glad to have you along for this conversation with Carl Eppolito.

"The first duty of love is to listen." - Paul TillichAndrew Berman is an advisor, mentor, and the Head of Engagement and Outreach at American Business Media and he is back today so that we can lean on his expertise in the mortgage and insurance spaces.  Are those industries in trouble in this topsy-turvy economic climate?  The short answer is yes, but Andrew is here to shed a little light on what could be conceived as a dark situation.  Andrew and Jay are discussing the benefits of focusing on one thing instead of trying be amazing at 50 things, becoming a legit "grown-up", and the value and responsibility that come with owning your home.  It's always a treat to have Andrew on the show so we hope you enjoy this discussion on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast!

"The only cure for vanity is laughter and the only fault that is laughable is vanity." - Henri BergsonGreat friend to the show and the founder of South Fork Business Ventures Tony Capullo is back today and is taking a break from his series of episodes interviewing Jay and Jay is back to asking the questions!  Today's conversation dives deep into value over vanity, what a "dabbler" is and how they can affect your business, and why setting your ego aside will only serve to make you better in business and in life no matter what rung of that ladder you are standing on.  Not only is Tony a top notch interviewer, but he is a wealth of knowledge in so many areas and we're over the moon to have him back on the show!

"If you want something done, ask a busy person."Real estate advisor and good friend of the Culture Matters family Sam Akif is on the show today and we are excited for him to drop some knowledge on our listeners today!  In a world of instant gratification, Sam is here to tell you that truly great things take time to develop and you need to be willing to give that time.  We're unpacking the world of commercial real estate, different types of investors, why it is important to maintain your properties if real estate investment is on your horizon.  This episode is chock full of useful real estate tips and strategies so please enjoy this chat with Sam Akif!

"Sometimes people don't want to hear the truth because they don't want their illusions destroyed." - Friedrich NietzscheDr. David Yerkes, managing partner with Lion Oakes Healthcare Consulting, is back on the program and today we are talking about stress.  Dr. David and Jay discuss stress management in depth and how people tend to deal with that stress.  Some people avoid stressful situations altogether if they can, some people avoid the stress of bad news by not seeking help, and others know to de-program for a while and recharge.  Dr. Dave talks about his own physical manifestation of stress while in residency and we even dip our toes into the stress that come to employees when a culture in a company is off balance.  If you are feeling stressed and not sure quite how to handle it, Dr. David Yerkes has got you covered.

"It is clearly absurd to limit the term 'education' to a person's formal schooling." - Murray RothbardThe founder and CEO of Integrated Financing Jonathan Fodera is back on the show to day and he is here to talk finance.  Jay and Jonathan are unpacking the issues facing personal finance, the real estate market, and what financial problems entrepreneurs are facing in this tough economic climate.  Jonathan is a staunch proponent of going back to and stick to sound principles in the financial space and making sure that people are investing in hard assets and cultivating and maintaining your source of income.  This man has forgotten more about finance than most of us will ever know, so make sure you listen carefully to this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"I am a forrest and a night of dark trees.  But he who is not afraid of my darkness will find banks full of roses under my cypresses." - Friedrich NietzscheChristine Beckwith is the founder of 20/20 Vision for Success and the author of Finding Honor: The Journey to Truth and she is back on the show today to discuss chapter three of her book titled "Salvation".  This is a very personal episode and chapter as Christine discusses her sister's passing and the effect that had on her and her work on this book.  Christine shares some stories about her interactions with her sister in her final days, her sister's journey to self-improvement and forgiveness, and the emotional toll such a life-changing experience had on Christine.  While the circumstances are extremely sad, the insights into redemption and self-reflection are inspiring so please enjoy part three of our series with Christine Beckwith.

"Necessity is the mother of invention." - PlatoWell, folks, we made it!  Today is the 300th episode of The Culture Matters Podcast and we couldn't think of a better person to share this monumental occasion with than the founder of The Pavement Group, Top Contractor School, and the host of "The Brian Hess Show" podcast...the one and only Brian Hess!  In today's conversation, Jay and Brian talk about what drove Brian to take The Pavement Group beyond asphalt, the inspiration behind the advances in technology TPG has pioneered, and how a CEO's responsibility extends into continually finding new opportunities for the company.  It's been quite a ride to get to 300 and we're looking forward to 300 more!

"It is easier to find men who are willing to die than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience." - Julius CaesarEddy Perez, the founder of EPM, is back with us today and today we're talking about how culture impacts organizations such as fraternities.  After discussing how Chick-fil-A turned Eddy from a "you're welcome" guy to a "my pleasure" guy and how that little bit of extra respect can go a long way, we're getting into Tony's time as a fraternity brother in college.  Eddy talks about fund-raising being one of the most difficult things you will ever do, how reaching vice-president of his fraternity helped shape the man he became, and what lessons about the importance of culture his fraternity bestowed on him.  Eddy's perspective on fraternity life and about some of the cultural things that go on behind the scenes are a unique first-hand account of his experiences and go a long way is showing that culture can and does exist everywhere.