School of Hard Knocks Podcast

Adley Kinsman is one of the most influential creators on the planet, generating over 1.3 billion views every month and proving that virality isn’t luck—it’s a formula. After going bankrupt and starting from scratch, she built an eight-figure media company and became the architect behind some of the internet’s most viral videos. In this episode, Adley reveals how she engineered her success, turned attention into millions, and built a system that any creator can use to win online.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this conversation, Greg Perlman, a real estate mogul with a $2.5 billion empire and founder of the Always Up Foundation, shares his journey from real estate investor to philanthropist. He discusses leveraging Section 8 housing and the importance of patience in investing. Greg reveals his decision to donate 75% of his wealth and emphasizes that true success lies in giving back. He also provides insights on risk management, building relationships, and finding fulfillment through altruism, urging others to embrace small acts of giving.

Thomas Healy, the youngest self-made billionaire and Carnegie Mellon dropout, shares his extraordinary journey from dorm-room startup to public company founder. He discusses raising $700M during the pandemic and the challenges of navigating market shifts. The bold pivot from EV trucks to distributed power generation showcases his adaptability. He offers insights on startup struggles, the power of mentorship, and the importance of bold decisions. Additionally, Healy emphasizes the need for founders to fully commit, aiming to change the future of electricity for decades.

John Morgan is one of America’s most feared lawyers—and for good reason. Founder of Morgan & Morgan, the largest personal injury firm in the U.S., he turned a family tragedy into a $2 billion empire. From taking down Disney after his brother’s accident to battling Coca-Cola, Big Pharma, and Fortune 500 giants, Morgan built a reputation as the lawyer corporations fear the most. In this episode, he shares how he scaled nationwide, spent $400 million a year on ads, created the “Google of law firms,” and turned pain into power. This is the raw story of a man who made billions fighting for the people—and made corporate America pay.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Brant is a ninth-grade dropout who went from sleeping in a garage and mowing lawns for $23 an hour to risking it all on oil wells, losing millions, getting sued, and still refusing to quit. That same obsession and grit turned his failures into fuel, and today he’s built multi-million-dollar companies in oil, real estate, and beyond, chasing a nine-figure future. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Brant reveals how he turned rock-bottom into an empire, why the fastest way to win is putting yourself in the right rooms, and how betting on yourself can change everything.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Abdulla Kudrath went from broke immigrant to empire builder through sheer discipline, radical self-responsibility, and an unshakable mindset. From poverty to launching 14 companies across multiple industries, Abdulla has become a doctor, actor, world traveler, and founder of his own medical facilities. In this episode, he reveals how extreme ownership transformed his life, why excuses are deadly, and the mindset shifts that turned struggle into unstoppable growth. If you’re ready to stop blaming and start building, this conversation will change how you see success.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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.