The Culture Matters Podcast

"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.

"Unless you have 100% customer satisfaction, you must improve." - Horst SchulzeOn a very special episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, Tony Capullo, the founder of South Fork Business Ventures is back for the fifth part in his series where he turns the microphone on Jay Doran and asks him the questions about culture.  During today's discussion, Jay his sharing his thoughts on an employee's willingness to recommend the company they work for, how the behavior of the people in charge can and will directly affect the people working for them, and Tony shares a story about what true customer service looks like.  We're talking nothing but culture today, so please enjoy this discussion with Tony Capullo and Jay Doran.

"What good are you as a business or a business leader if you don't care about your people?" - Adam ContosMarine veteran, former CEO of the International ReMax, co-founder of Area 15 Ventures, author, and the host of the "Start With a Win" podcast Adam Contos joins the show today and what a show it is!  We're getting into the importance of the people at the top making time for the people in the trenches of their business, the importance and value of content creation, and we even get to hear Adam give Jay some step by step instructions on ways to aesthetically improve The Culture Matters Podcast.  And as if that wasn't enough, Adam gives some information on what franchising a business looks like and how it can lead to more revenue.  We're so happy to have Adam back on the show and we hope you are too!

 “Leadership is about recognizing that there is a greatness in everyone and your job is creating an environment where that greatness can emerge.” - Bill CampellClement Pepe is a mentor, coach, and advisor for over three decades in the insurance space and he is going Jay on the show today to discuss tapping into your inner power.  From starting in sales with Prudential Insurance in 1970 and helping take them to number one in sales over the next 20 years, there isn't much Clement doesn't know about this business.  We're unpacking Clement's journey from the Navy into insurance sales, his views on relating to the things happening in the world, and being proactive instead of reactionary in the landscape of insurance sales.  Clement has lived a fascinating life and has achieved success seemingly in every space he's touched.  With that in mind, please enjoy this conversation with Clement Pepe. 

"The adage is 'love your enemies', not, 'trust your enemies'.  Love means forgiveness after being let down and open to try again.  Love means burdening truth, living in truth, and being in the conflicts of interaction.  There are personal revealings of potential in the actions of love.  We trust too soon, ask too few questions, omit too much, and forgive too little.  Love people.  Believe and verify and trust actions.  Give people chances to redeem themselves and you will be better for it."The founder of Duffin Media and the man with the golden voice John Duffin is back on the show today and we are so happy to have him back!  After Jay and John work out a quick friend or enemy debate, we're getting into why it is so important to listen fully when others speak, the value of change in yourself when change is called for, and John even gives us a firsthand account of the best presentation he has ever been apart of.  With a voice like John's, it shouldn't be too hard to pay attention to what this man has to say, but make sure you really listen because he has a lot of knowledge to spread around!