School of Hard Knocks Podcast

Joshua Crisp went from sleeping on an air mattress in his family’s one-bedroom apartment, working for $7.25 an hour, and eating ramen every day to making $11.3 million in a single day. With only a 9th grade education, no degree, no connections, he refused to settle for mediocrity. Through sacrifice, obsession, and an all‑in mindset, he turned bath bombs into a best‑selling product, built a digital marketing empire, and became a sought‑after mentor and speaker. In this episode, Joshua shares how he turned rock bottom into rocket fuel and the strategies that took him from broke felon to multi‑millionaire.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Anne Mahlum risked it all. Her last $175,000, no investors, no backup plan, just pure belief. Before Solidcore, she was broke, alone, and leading a nonprofit for the homeless, fueled by the trauma of growing up with an addicted father. But she turned pain into purpose, and that purpose into a $90 million empire. Today, with a net worth of $110 million, Anne is living proof that excuses don’t build legacies, courage does. In this episode, she opens up about betting on herself, building from zero, and the mindset it takes to win big.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

John Devaney, a bond trader turned film producer, shares his incredible journey. After losing $200 million in the 2008 crisis, he rebuilt his fortune and launched a $200 million fund with remarkable returns. He emphasizes the resilience needed to recover from financial loss while balancing family values. Devaney also discusses his transition to filmmaking, highlighting projects like 'City of Dreams' that tackle social issues, and 'The Prince,' which explores personal redemption. His commitment to authenticity and mentoring the next generation shines through.

Alli Webb is one of the most unexpected and badass entrepreneurs in the beauty world. What started as a side hustle blowdrying hair for cheap quickly turned into a nationwide movement. With zero outside funding and a deep desire to feel alive again, she launched Drybar—a blowout-only salon that exploded across the U.S. and eventually sold for $255 million. In this raw and powerful episode, Alli opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of building a brand with her ex-husband and brother, what it took to scale Drybar into a household name, and how entrepreneurship helped her find herself again. She also shares the vision behind her new venture, Messy, a product line that embraces imperfection and empowers women to own their real, unfiltered beauty. This is a story of reinvention, resilience, and building something that actually matters.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Eric Adams was beaten by police as a child so badly he peed blood for days. He grew up in fear of eviction, struggled with dyslexia, and felt invisible in a broken system. But instead of running from it, he joined the NYPD to change it from within. Today, he runs America’s largest city. In this raw conversation, Eric shares how trauma shaped his purpose, why he chose discipline over anger, and what it really takes to lead when the odds are stacked against you.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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Khalil Rafati is one of the most brutally honest and spiritually grounded entrepreneurs you’ll ever hear from. After surviving heroin addiction, homelessness, and years of childhood abuse, he made a pact with God to become rich and honor his dying mother. Through relentless work and spiritual transformation, he built SunLife Organics into a $34 million smoothie empire rooted in healing and purpose. In this podcast, Khalil opens up about his darkest moments, the faith that kept him going, and how he turned pain into a mission far greater than himself.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Edward Connors is one of the most powerful and unpredictable figures the fitness world has ever seen. Before reshaping the industry, he fought in the Vietnam War, where he claims to have killed over 600 enemy soldiers. It’s a dark chapter he rarely speaks about, but it forged the fearless mentality that would later redefine bodybuilding forever.After the war, Ed joined a raw, underground gym in Venice Beach—Gold’s Gym—and turned it into a global empire with over 500 franchises. He revolutionized fitness marketing, brought celebrity culture into the weight room, and made muscle mainstream.But Ed didn’t stop at business. He discovered and mentored future icons like John Cena, Randy Orton, and Jay Cutler, recognizing their greatness before anyone else. In this episode, we explore the wild story of a man shaped by war, driven by vision, and obsessed with building giants.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Karlton Dennis is one of the most strategic and unconventional entrepreneurs you’ll ever hear about. After walking away from a future in professional sports, he found himself broke, working odd jobs as a personal trainer and wine salesman. But everything changed when he discovered the world of tax strategy, and realized that the fastest way to build wealth isn’t just making money, it’s learning how to keep it. Today, Karlton runs one of the top tax firms in the country and legally pays zero dollars in taxes. He’s now a powerhouse CEO, mentor, and educator teaching people how to escape the tax trap and take control of their financial future. In this podcast, Karlton breaks down how he went from struggling to secure rent to building a multi-million dollar empire, and shares the exact systems that helped him, and can help you, win the money game for good.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Edwin Arroyave is one of the most inspiring and resilient entrepreneurs you’ll ever hear about. Growing up in extreme poverty, Edwin slept in a windowless room infested with cockroaches and often went without food at the end of the month. By age 15, he became the head of his household, taking on adult responsibilities far beyond his years. Against all odds, Edwin built a massively successful business, reaching $40 million in revenue in a single year. Today, he’s a thriving CEO, mentor, and speaker who shares powerful lessons on perseverance, mindset, and scaling with purpose. In this podcast, Edwin opens up about the painful sacrifices he made to survive, the turning points that changed his life forever, and the strategies that helped him turn hardship into a multi-million dollar empire. His story is a powerful reminder that no matter how bad it gets, your past does not define your future.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.