Authority in the Wild

Gabe Marusca
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Oct 21, 2025 • 49min

#133 - Product-Market Fit Is Dead (Here's What Replaced It) w/ Allyson Letteri

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Allyson Letteri, a marketing exec turned startup advisor and author of The Standout Startup.Allyson explains how speed to market with AI changes everything, yet core marketing fundamentals remain constant. With experience scaling teams at Thumbtack and Handshake from Series C to unicorn status, she shares frameworks founders can use immediately. We discuss the three Ps of messaging, why startups build products before finding buyers, and how to create social proof without customers.We also cover when to hire your first marketer, how to fire fast, and why founder personality must align with brand identity.Join us as we break down practical steps to stand out, gain traction, and stop wasting time on wrong strategies.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Intro(01:08) Startups and AI(03:42) Messaging and Positioning(06:56) How to Stand Out(15:06) Building Social Proof(18:19) Go-To-Market Strategies(25:29) Founder-Led Brand Building(37:05) Hiring and Team Building in Startups(43:40) Connect with Allyson🟪 Connect with Allyson LetteriWebsite: https://allysonletteri.comBook: https://allysonletteri.com/bookLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allysonletteri/🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!
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Oct 14, 2025 • 43min

#132 - Build Self-Belief Through Minimum Viable Actions w/ Alan Lazaros

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Alan Lazaros, who turned personal tragedy into a mission for self-improvement and helping others. Alan shares his journey from a difficult childhood and a near-fatal car accident at 26, which led to a profound reevaluation of his life.Now the CEO of Next Level University, a global top 100 podcast, Alan discusses the fundamentals of goal-setting, the importance of self-belief, and the daily pursuit of meaningful achievements.Tune in to learn about the principles he applies in his coaching methods and the challenges of growing a personal development company.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introducing Alan Lazaros(01:53) Alan's Early Life and Challenges(05:46) The Challenges with Personal Development(10:33) Facing Fears and Insecurities(17:19) Principles of Coaching and Fulfillment(23:10) Turning Passion into Purpose and Profit(25:11) Goals vs. Dreams(29:23) The Success Loop and Minimum Viable Actions(37:49)The Importance of Social Circles(39:33) Connect with Alan Lazaros🟪 Connect with Alan LazarosPodcast: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-university-podcast/Website: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/business-consulting/🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!
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Oct 7, 2025 • 46min

#131 - How to Build Wealth Without Burning Out w/ Camille Diaz

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Camille Diaz, a wealth strategist and optimization coach dedicated to helping 'zombie-preneurs'—entrepreneurs on the brink of burnout—revitalize their businesses and build sustainable, enjoyable wealth.Camille shares key strategies to avoid the zombie-preneur trap, including establishing priorities, effective scheduling, and maintaining accountability without judgment.She highlights the importance of having an emergency fund and discusses debt repayment while emphasizing the need to save for future retirement.Camille also dives into how entrepreneurs can set achievable goals and ensure they reward themselves to sustain motivation.She ends with practical insights on how to enjoy the entrepreneurial journey and not hesitate to seek help and ask questions.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Full Episode(01:06) Understanding the Zombie-preneur Phenomenon(03:00) Productivity PSA, The P(06:35) The S from PSA Framework(17:04) The A from the PSA Framework(19:31) Balancing Work and Family(23:21) Building Wealth as an Entrepreneur(28:42) The Importance of a Safety Net(34:54) Rewarding Yourself(38:33) Planning for Retirement(41:06) Final Thoughts and Resources🟪 Connect with Camille DiazInstagram: https://www.linkedin.com/CamUnfilteredLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camillediazWatch Camille's Free Masterclass: Get More Done and Make More Money WITHOUT Working More Hours at https://camilldiaz.com/masterclassDownload Your Free PDF: 6 Millionaire Habits Anyone Can Copy at https://camillediaz.com/habits🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!
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Sep 30, 2025 • 49min

#130 - Work Life Balance Doesn't Exist, Here's Why w/ Peter Sorgenfrei

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Peter Sorgenfrei, a founder and CEO coach who created six companies across three countries.Peter explains how chasing status and external validation nearly destroyed his health and forced his body to shut down completely.With clients in 13 countries, he shares his Whole Human Approach that helps leaders stay true to themselves both at work and home.We discuss removing toxic relationships, setting boundaries with family members, and why most people live their entire careers on autopilot.We also explore the communication strategies that save founder relationships and the principles Peter uses to reject lucrative opportunities that don't align with his values. Join us as we talk through practical steps to stop chasing other people's definitions of success and build a life that actually serves you.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introducing Peter Sorgenfrei(01:24) The Trap of Labels and Titles(04:47) Recognizing Autopilot and Stress(06:36) Improving Sleep and Daily Routines(10:16) Aligning Actions with Values(13:38) Navigating Family and Friend Relationships(25:41) Effective Communication Strategies(27:29) Understanding the Whole Human Concept(31:18) Finding Time for Self-Reflection(35:06) The Power of the Subconscious Mind(38:44) Living by Personal Principles(45:08) Connect with Peter Sorgenfrei🟪 Connect with Peter SorgenfreiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sorgenfreiWebsite: https://www.petersorgenfrei.com🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!
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Sep 23, 2025 • 42min

#129 - Sports Don't Teach Competition - They Teach This… w/ Alison Tetrick

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode of 'Authority in the Wild,' I interviewed Alison Tetrick, a professional cyclist, entrepreneur, and biochemist.Alison shares her unique path from growing up on a ranch in California to becoming a three-time gravel world champion and a survivor of a traumatic brain injury.The discussion explores the parallels between sports and entrepreneurship, highlighting resilience, adaptability, and the importance of community.Alison highlights her passion for creating opportunities for women in sports through scholarships and community engagement, and how her experiences in cycling have shaped her leadership and advocacy roles.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introducing Alison Tetrick(02:02) Alison's Early Life and Diverse Career Path(05:42) The Power of Sports and Resilience(11:57) Overcoming Traumatic Brain Injury(19:30) Recovery in Sports and Life(24:58) The Link between Sports and Entrepreneurship(28:54) Encouraging Women in Sports(35:18) Balancing Purpose and Impact(39:40) Connect with Alison Tetrick🟪 Connect with Alison TetrickWebsite: https://www.alisontetrick.comShop: https://saga-ventures.myshopify.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amtetrick/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amtetrick/🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!
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Sep 16, 2025 • 43min

#128 - AI Expert: AI will Reach 1500 IQ by End of Year - Are You Ready? w/ Manuj Aggarwal

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Manuj Aggarwal, founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Tetra Noodle Technologies.With 4 AI patents to his name, Manuj is the perfect mentor to guide you through the transformative potential of AI and its benefits for businesses. That's why I invited him in this episode.Join us and discover the limitless possibilities of AI under the guidance of this visionary industry influencer.🟪 Timestamps00:00 Introducing Manuj Aggarwal02:07 Manuj's Humble Beginnings06:27 Social Media, AI, and Human Connection08:23 Understanding and Leveraging the Subconscious Mind10:44 Creating a Super Intelligent Digital Twin24:46 Human Mindset and Purpose30:00 The Role of Pain in Growth37:20 Experimentation & Continuous Improvement🟪 Connect with Manuj AggarwalLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manujaggarwal/Website: https://manujaggarwal.com🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!
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Sep 8, 2025 • 53min

#127 - Pitching & Funding Techniques Shared by a 4x Founder w/ Emma Rees

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Emma Rees, a 4x founder across B2C, B2B and Enterprise SaaS, chairwoman at Deployed, and angel investor.Starting at 15, when she quit school and walked door-to-door with her CV, she shares practical insights on customer discovery and investor conversations.We discuss the critical difference between prevention and promotion questions that create bias in funding decisions for female founders.Emma breaks down her systematic LinkedIn approach for reaching corporate decision makers and building relationships with potential customers.We also explore why only 3% of funding goes to all-female founder teams and how unconscious bias affects investment patterns.Join us as we talk through practical frameworks for validation, networking strategies that actually work, and preparing for high-stakes investor meetings.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introducing Emma Rees(01:06) An Unexpected Career Journey(03:49) Body Language and Networking(06:23) Engaging with Investors and Founders(11:23) Traits of Successful Founders(13:43) Validating Your Business Idea(25:02) Building Relationships on LinkedIn(29:34) The Power of Giving Before Asking(35:46) Challenges for Female Founders(40:29) Addressing Bias in Investment(44:50) Preparing for Investor Q&A🟪 Connect with Emma ReesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarees01Website: https://www.gambit.ac🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemaruscaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemaruscaX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!
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Sep 2, 2025 • 46min

#126 - This One Belief is Destroying Your Life w/ Alexander Plank

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I sit down with Alexander Plank, an international certified mindset coach who helps business owners break free from limiting beliefs.We discuss the power limiting beliefs have over us, the most common one, and how to rewrite it and much more, like: practical boundary setting, the danger of money-focused vision, and why curiosity is the key to lifelong growth.Join us for actionable tools to rewrite your limiting beliefs and create authentic success from the inside out.🟪 Connect with Alexander PlankLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-plank-coaching/7 Days to Real Productivity: https://theangelonyourshoulderacademy.kit.com/7daystorealproductivity🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Website: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemarusca🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introduction Alexander Plank(01:07) Understanding Mindset(05:31) Common Limiting Beliefs(09:17) Overcoming Limiting Beliefs(16:24) Alex's Inspiring Journey(24:02) Practical Tips for Self-Improvement(35:15) Preparing Kids for the Future(43:26) Connect with Alexander PlankUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!
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Aug 26, 2025 • 43min

#125 - Why AI Will Never Replace This One Thing w/ Cari Kaufman

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Cari Kaufman, founder of Storyteller Wordsmith and brand strategist who helps founders find their authentic voice.With a background in military and theater, she brings clarity to brand messaging that cuts through the noise generated by AI.We discuss the StoryBrand framework, positioning clients as heroes rather than brands, and mining personal experiences to find your authentic voice. Cari shares practical tools for finding your unique stories, including her one-dollar notebook challenge.We explore how authentic storytelling creates magnetic brands that attract ideal clients naturally. Join us as we break down why your personal experiences are your greatest competitive advantage.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introducing Cari Kaufman(05:02) The Power of Mentorship and Vision(07:10) Navigating the Challenges of AI in Marketing(11:48) Finding Your Unique Brand Voice(16:11) How to Create a Business That Solves Real Problems(23:15) Building a Compelling Brand Story(26:35) Identify your Existing Unique Story(32:01) The StoryBrand Framework(40:31) Practical Steps to Uncover Your Stories🟪 Connect with Cari KaufmanWebsite: https://storytellerwordsmith.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carikaufman🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!
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Aug 19, 2025 • 49min

#124 - Your Buyers Know More Than You Think w/ Andy Halko

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Andy Halko, founder of Insivia and Buyer Twin, and author of "The Omniscient Buyer."Andy explains why traditional personas are dead and how AI twins are changing customer research forever.With over 200 founder interviews under his belt, he shares the stark difference between successful entrepreneurs who listen to customers and those who let ego drive decisions.We discuss the trust recession affecting all industries and why radical transparency is becoming the only way to build real customer relationships.Andy reveals how AI is creating omniscient buyers who will know everything about your business before they ever contact you.We explore practical steps to prepare for AI agents that will soon handle entire buying processes without human involvement.Join us as we break down the new rules for marketing and sales in an AI-driven world where consistency beats creativity.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introducing Andy Halko(02:24) Overcoming Challenges as an Entrepreneur(06:19) The Power of Customer Feedback(10:23) The Evolution of Human Personas(17:41) Identifying Your Target Audience(24:23) Building Trust in the Age of AI(33:29) Preparing for the AI-Driven Future(37:04) The Challenges of Being Authentic(41:37) How to Prepare for the New Reality in the Age of AI🟪 Connect with Andy HalkoThe Omniscient Buyer Book: https://a.co/d/9VMSW6zPersonal Website: https://andyhalko.com/Buyer Twin Website: https://buyertwin.comInsivia Website: https://insivia.com🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!

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