The Builders

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen converses with Carol Tice, a digital nomad and expert in developing thriving online communities. Delving into the intricacies of starting and growing paid communities, Carol shares her journey from freelance writer to the founder of a successful online business. She highlights the pivotal moments that led to her success, the innovative strategies she used to boost membership, and her transition towards guiding others in creating impactful online spaces.The conversation pivots around the evolving landscape of online communities, emphasizing their importance in today's business world. Carol discusses the benefits of paid communities, including creating stable income streams and engaging in meaningful work without an overemphasis on marketing. Driven by real experiences and examples, Carol explains the critical steps in building a community: from initial idea validation and audience building to leveraging existing networks and affiliate marketing. Her insights underscore the vitality of nurturing a community where passion translates into prolonged success.Key Takeaways:Simplicity in Tools: The choice of community platforms like Skool, which integrates essential functionalities seamlessly, can simplify the complexities associated with running an online community.Passion-Driven Engagement: Building a community around what you love creates sustainable growth and genuine engagement.Affiliate and Legacy Memberships: Leveraging affiliate programs and offering legacy low-cost memberships can drive retention and steady expansion.Diverse Community Ideas: Your community doesn’t have to match your day job—it can stem from personal interests or complementary passions.Transitioning Leadership: Structuring your community to eventually operate without you sets it up as a sellable, standalone business.

In this solo episode of The Builders, Matt Levenhagen reflects on a pivotal moment in his business journey—one that many founders, creatives, and agency owners will relate to.After years of scaling a successful agency and managing a distributed team, Matt finds himself craving the simplicity and satisfaction of doing the work again—of coding, building, and being the craftsman. In a world that glorifies growth at all costs, this episode unpacks a dilemma many builders face: Do you keep scaling big, or do you get back to the craft that started it all?He shares what he’s rediscovered, how AI tools like Cursor have amplified his creative flow, and why being in the work can be the very thing that sets you apart. It’s raw, honest, and a powerful reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to building.💡 Key Takeaways:Scaling isn’t the only measure of success—joy and fulfillment matter.Sometimes stepping back into the work is the best way forward.AI can enhance craftsmanship, not replace it.Being a builder again can be your differentiator in a crowded market.Growth is personal. The right path is the one that aligns with what lights you up.

In this episode of The Builders, Matt talks with Matthew White, CEO of PlatypusOS—a new kind of browser designed for the AI-powered future of work.Matthew shares how a simple frustration with too many tabs sparked the idea to build a smarter, more structured browser—one that integrates seamlessly with your tools and acts like an assistant, not just a gateway to the web.From the foundation of PlatypusOS to the rise of AI agents and cloud-based automation, Matthew outlines a bold vision: a world where AI becomes the operating system that runs your digital life.Whether you're building SaaS, streamlining your business, or just drowning in browser tabs, this episode is full of insights on how the way we work online is rapidly evolving.💡 Key Takeaways:PlatypusOS replaces browser chaos with structure. Built on Chromium, it integrates your most-used apps directly into a sidebar—no more tab overwhelm.AI is embedded, not bolted on. The browser acts like an assistant, helping users access and use tools without deep technical knowledge.Agents are the future. These no-code workflows allow automation across apps, replacing repetitive tasks and reducing the need for traditional SaaS.Headless, cloud-based browsing is coming. Faster performance, better sync, and added security will soon define the next-gen browser experience.Small businesses need AI they can trust. PlatypusOS prioritizes accessibility, data control, and real use cases over hype.AI isn’t just a tool—it’s your new team member. Matthew frames AI not as a replacement, but as a partner that can work alongside you.

In this episode, Matthew Stafford shares his evolution from physical labor to digital growth—unpacking how he built an agency that helps e-commerce brands grow by focusing on revenue per visitor, not just flashy CRO tactics. He breaks down what “revenue optimization” really means, why traffic alone isn’t the answer, and how AI is giving builders a superpowered edge.This is a must-listen for anyone serious about scaling an online business, building smarter systems, or turning browsers into buyers.🔑 Key TakeawaysStart with the Customer Journey: Revenue optimization begins the moment a visitor lands on your site. Every step—from homepage to checkout—should have one clear purpose.It’s Not About More Traffic: Stafford emphasizes that most e-commerce sites are leaking money due to poor UX and unclear messaging. Fixing that beats buying more visitors.Hierarchy of Focus Wins: Understanding the primary action on each page (e.g. filter, narrow, add to cart) is essential to guiding users toward conversion.Data + AI = Scalable Insights: Stafford shares how his team uses AI to analyze reviews, behavioral data, and analytics at scale—unlocking insights no human could spot manually.You Don’t Need Perfection to Start: Stafford reminds builders that action beats over-planning. Test. Learn. Improve. That’s how scalable systems are built.The Right Clients Make the Difference: BGS looks for businesses doing $100–200k/month who are ready to invest in growth—not beginners or discount hunters.

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, Matt sits down with Gerry Hayes — founder of Dorio and the creator of Venture Staking, a bold new model that reimagines how people invest in startups.Gerry shares his journey from the world of law and government to entrepreneurship, and how his early frustration with the gatekeeping of traditional venture capital led him to build a more inclusive system — one designed not just for the wealthy elite, but for everyday people eager to learn and grow alongside real founders.Through the lens of education, Gerry walks us through the concept of Venture Staking: how individuals can buy low-cost “stakes” to follow a startup’s journey, learn from real entrepreneurs, and eventually earn the right to invest. It’s a system built on shared learning, shared risk, and shared opportunity — flipping the script on everything we’ve been told about startup investing.Key Takeaways:Traditional Venture Capital Is Built for the Elite: The Accredited Investor Rule, rooted in 1930s-era thinking, excludes everyday people from participating in high-upside investment opportunities — and it’s long overdue for disruption.Venture Staking = Education + Access: Gerry’s model isn’t about selling equity upfront — it’s about letting people learn the game of entrepreneurship by riding along with founders through their early journey."Buy a Ticket to the Journey": For as little as $10, you can become a venture staker — gaining access to behind-the-scenes updates, insights, and potentially future investment opportunities as the startup grows.Training Founders from the Ground Up: Dorio screens entrepreneurs not by their pedigree, but by their passion, preparation, and potential. Venture stakers are encouraged to back builders who are just getting started — but ready to go the distance.Global Momentum Is Growing: While the U.S. hesitates, international markets are embracing the idea of democratized venture funding. The future of retail VC might emerge outside Silicon Valley entirely.Entrepreneurship Starts from the Inside Out: Gerry emphasizes that building something meaningful starts with deep intention, not external validation — and that focus, clarity, and mission are the foundation of lasting impact.

In this episode of The Builders, Matt sits down with James Elliman — a cybersecurity-focused IT expert who’s built a thriving managed services company by eliminating complexity and frustration for small businesses. James shares how his journey began with tearing apart computers at age six, progressed through corporate IT burnout, and ultimately led to creating all-in-one tech solutions that puts the customer experience first.💡 Key Takeaways:Corporate inefficiencies sparked innovation. James left the world of meetings and semicolon debates to build something faster, leaner, and more personal.He built a business by eliminating vendor finger-pointing. Clients don’t get bounced around — James and his team handle everything, from licensing and routers to security and support.Simplicity is the innovation. James transformed tech chaos into clarity with a standardized flat-fee model and clean, easy-to-understand service packages.Life experience matters. Bartending helped James develop top-tier communication and sales skills — key to his growth and client trust.Networking over ads. His business scaled through genuine relationships, referrals, and word of mouth, not just pay-per-click.AI is powerful — but not a silver bullet. In cybersecurity, pattern recognition is valuable, but human intuition and service still lead.Ongoing innovation with a human touch. James is doubling down on scalable systems while hiring sales help, staying true to his vision of service-led tech. Whether you’re scaling an IT business, building customer-first systems, or wondering how to balance AI and service, this episode offers grounded, story-driven insights for builders.

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen sits down with Yaakov Sash, founder and CEO of Novospir, to explore how game currency, social interactivity, and AI are coming together to reshape the gaming landscape. With roots in Wall Street and a deep background in digital asset technology, Yaakov shares his unique journey — from building trading systems at major financial institutions to launching massively multiplayer puzzle games that foster real community engagement.Discover how Yaakov is reimagining monetization through portable game currencies, designing digital playgrounds for brands and nonprofits, and using AI to build in public. Whether you’re a gamer, a tech builder, or just curious about what’s next in digital experience design, this episode delivers powerful insights into the future of interactive systems.💡 Key Takeaways:Game Currency as a Foundation: Yaakov shares how Novospir is reinventing in-game currencies to unlock new design possibilities and create economic value for both developers and players.Building Social-Driven Games: Multiplayer games can act as collaborative digital spaces—more like community playgrounds than solo challenges.Portable, Regulated Currencies: Novospir’s model allows players to move value across games without cashing out, creating continuity without complexity.Stack the Pixels & Brand Experiences: Learn how Yaakov’s platform allows communities to build digital tapestries together—unlocking trailers, prizes, or even brand-based virtual theme parks.AI-Powered Development: Hear how Yaakov is using AI tools to speed up development, reduce barriers for indie creators, and usher in a “rebirth” of what it means to be a developer.Wall Street Meets Gaming: Yaakov draws from his experience in fintech to explore how regulated digital currencies might scale beyond games—potentially reshaping how digital value moves across industries.

In this solo episode of The Builders Podcast, Matt Levenhagen opens up about the state of his agency and how he's actively positioning for long-term success amidst a rapidly changing world.From economic pressures like tariffs to the accelerating rise of AI, Matt breaks down how these forces are impacting service businesses—and how he’s turning disruption into opportunity. Instead of reacting with fear, he shares a grounded, strategic framework for expanding offerings, introducing AI and automation, and deepening consulting capabilities—all while staying rooted in his core strengths.You’ll hear the nuts and bolts of how Matt built and launched new landing pages, repositioned service offerings, and even created a lead-gen funnel using tools like Canva, ChatGPT, Mailchimp, and WordPress—in a matter of hours. But more importantly, he reflects on the first principles behind why he’s doing it all.If you’re a founder, service provider, or agency owner navigating the same turbulent waters, this is your behind-the-scenes guide to building with intention.🔑 Key TakeawaysAI is here—and it’s not just a threat: It’s a powerful tool that agencies can embrace to add value, not replace it.Speed matters: When the ground shifts, the builders who move fast are the ones who stay standing.Your clients still need you: Business owners want human guidance. Many don’t have the time or skill to implement AI on their own.Don't burn it down—build on what works: Unified Web Design isn’t being replaced, it’s expanding with AI-led services and consulting.Marketing infrastructure is critical: Even a quick-and-dirty funnel (like the “Three Smart Moves” guide) can plant seeds for future opportunities.Community and outreach still win: Reconnecting with your network and engaging in communities is as essential as ever.

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen welcomes Eli Tansman, CEO and co-founder of Cygnostic. With deep expertise in cybersecurity and AI security, Eli shares his journey from military cyber operations to building a global company at the forefront of protecting modern development workflows.Eli’s story is one of rapid evolution and intentional pivots—shifting from cybersecurity services to product-driven solutions that address the urgent challenges of AI, application, and cloud security. This episode digs into the shift from reactive to proactive protection, emphasizing the importance of building security directly into the development process—before vulnerabilities ever make it to production.From real-time vulnerability detection to preventing prompt injection attacks on LLMs, Eli outlines how his team is redefining the security blueprint for a fast-moving digital world. He also shares how the reseller model enables startups to scale globally while maintaining localized security standards—without overextending their teams.Whether you're building with AI, deploying in the cloud, or launching new software features, this episode offers an insider’s look at how to secure it all—intentionally.🔑 Key Takeaways:Building Security Into Dev Workflows: They integrate integrate real-time vulnerability detection directly into the developer’s workflow—making R&D and security teams true collaborators (“BFFs”).AI Security Isn’t Optional: Eli explains how AI introduces new threat vectors—from prompt injections to LLM jailbreaks—and why catching these early is essential for both startups and enterprises.Proactive Cloud Security Is the New Standard: Instead of reacting to misconfigurations after deployment, their solutions stop them from ever hitting production—minimizing downtime and long-term risk.Specialization as a Competitive Edge: By narrowing focus to AI, application, and cloud security, they stand out in a crowded field—offering startup-friendly, deeply technical, and highly focused protection.Global Distribution Through Strategic Partnerships: Eli’s unique reseller model gives cutting-edge security startups global reach while keeping them focused on the U.S. market—bridging innovation with international demand.

Dan Bennett, founder of Hot Sauce Video, shares his creative journey from musician to video production expert. He discusses facing fears during the pandemic by leaning into service, showcasing authenticity in content creation. Dan emphasizes the importance of rebranding as a reflection of personal growth, as well as the need for strategic time management to nurture creativity. With a calming presence, he empowers clients to shine on camera, demonstrating that sometimes the greatest tools lie within our own narratives.