The Builders

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.

In this episode of The Builders, Matt sits down with legendary marketer and webinar strategist Jason Fladlien to discuss the mindset, methods, and AI-fueled magic behind his latest venture — Project Mona Lisa.From waiting years to adopt AI until it finally delivered real advantage, to architecting offers so good they sell themselves, Jason reveals the first principles behind how he builds. You’ll hear how he’s combining decades of proprietary knowledge with the power of AI to make webinar creation faster, smarter, and more accessible than ever.Whether you're building digital products, launching a SaaS, or leveling up your marketing game — this episode is a blueprint for playing to win.🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why Jason waited years to touch AI — and what finally changed his mindThe origin story of Project Mona Lisa and how it uses AI + proprietary knowledge to deliver advantageHow Jason builds for demand first before creating supplyThe mindset of only playing games you can win — and how that shapes every decisionWhy A- execution at scale beats A+ perfection when building softwareReal strategies to seed virality, test with live users, and generate proof before a full launchThe deeper why behind Jason’s drive — and how adversity turned into fuel

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, I sit down with Danielle Hutchinson, Chief Creative Officer at Authors on Mission, to explore how ghostwriting—what she calls angel writing—can help entrepreneurs and business leaders build their authority and brand identity through authorship.We dig into the practical and personal sides of writing a book when you're a busy professional. From capturing your authentic voice to turning your ideas into a tangible asset that opens doors (think: TED Talks, podcasts, client trust), Danielle shares how partnering with the right team can make the impossible... doable.She also opens up about her own leap from teaching to ghostwriting, and how freelancing helped her build a successful creative career—tripling her income and working with clients around the world.Whether you've dreamed of writing a book or just want to amplify your message and credibility, this episode is packed with stories, strategies, and actionable inspiration.Key TakeawaysBooks build credibility. A book isn’t just a story—it's a business card, a calling card, and a trust-builder.Don’t go it alone. Angel writers (ghostwriters) help bring your voice to life while handling the heavy lifting.Start small, grow smart. Danielle’s path from Upwork to global clients proves that quality work and relationships go a long way.Storytelling is strategy. Your brand's values and message become the backbone of a compelling narrative.A book is just the beginning. Leverage it across platforms—YouTube, podcasts, speaking engagements—to keep building momentum.Real voice > AI fluff. The best writing is human, intentional, and deeply aligned with your mission.Support systems matter. You can’t build something great without the right people in your corner.

In this solo episode, Matt takes you behind the scenes of his entrepreneurial journey—from artist to affiliate marketer to agency founder. Through real stories and personal reflections, he breaks down how experimentation and taking action have shaped every phase of his growth. From launching websites in the early 2000s to dealing with modern shifts like AI replacing client work, this episode delivers a candid look at what it really takes to build and evolve over decades.Key Takeaways:Success rarely comes from a grand vision—it emerges from action, iteration, and feedback.Every stage of your business (and life) can be improved through experimentation, whether that’s launching a product or tweaking your website’s design.Matt shares how a single guide created for a niche PPC forum led to a full-fledged online business, highlighting the power of relevance and community.He reflects on the evolution of his web agency and product brand, Unified, built step-by-step through testing and refinement.AI isn’t just a threat—it’s an opportunity. Matt talks about how he’s embracing AI internally, and how it’s shaping his future services and consulting plans.Growth is not static—it’s built through continual learning, adapting, and taking small but meaningful actions.

In this solo episode of The Builders, Matt gets real about a turbulent start to 2025 — including client losses, tough contracts, and moments where he seriously considered shutting everything down.But instead of walking away, he doubled down on what he truly loves: building. Fueled by a renewed passion and a surprising creative partner in Claude AI, Matt shares how he’s finding momentum again — through code, plugins, and clarity of purpose.Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:Claude AI as a coding partner: How Matt’s integrating Claude directly into his development process inside VS Code, transforming the way he works on plugins.Unified Plugins reboot: Why he’s prioritizing product development again, starting with Unified Leads and moving toward an AI-powered plugin suite.Rediscovering focus and passion: What stepping away from chaos and returning to the craft taught him about staying grounded.Diversifying and retooling the business: Lessons learned from recent client changes and how product development fits into long-term sustainability.Serving and reconnecting with clients: Renewing energy toward outreach and nurturing existing relationships for more stable growth.Whether you're a developer, agency owner, or entrepreneur weathering your own storms, this episode is a powerful reminder that sometimes the best move isn’t quitting — it’s building something new.

In this inspiring episode of The Builders Podcast, I sit down with George McGillivray, a true embodiment of lifelong learning and growth. At 78 years old, George has authored two books, proving that it’s never too late to build something meaningful, share your story, and give back to others. George takes us through his incredible journey — from working at a petrol station, to mastering sales, to becoming a seasoned marketing professional, and eventually, a published author later in life. Along the way, he shares lessons about perseverance, staying curious, and using your experiences to create impact.Key Takeaways:Lifelong learning is essential: No matter your age, you can always learn, grow, and build something new.Sales and service skills translate: Building trust, communicating effectively, and serving others are timeless tools for success.Writing builds legacy: Capturing and sharing your life experiences helps others and leaves a meaningful footprint.Never undermine yourself: Age should never be a barrier to embracing new challenges or pursuing dreams.Give back through knowledge: Whether it’s writing, mentoring, or sharing insights, giving back enhances your legacy and impact. Join us as George shares his heartfelt story and powerful advice for builders, creators, and lifelong learners everywhere. Stay positive, folks, and remember — it’s never too late to start building!

In this episode of The Builders, I sit down with Andy Gersberg, co-founder of Bracket, to unpack how businesses can not only survive but thrive during massive tech shifts—like the one AI is bringing right now.We talk about what it means to adapt, drawing on Andy’s journey from building Flash websites to pioneering what he calls GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)—a next-gen evolution of SEO tailored for AI-first platforms like ChatGPT.Andy shares how his agency is helping clients get found by AI, not just traditional search engines. It’s a fascinating look at where digital strategy is headed and what builders like us can do to stay visible, nimble, and resilient. Key Takeaways:Adaptability is survival: Just like the Flash-to-HTML5 transition, businesses must shift fast to meet new demands.GEO is the new SEO: If your content isn’t being picked up by AI models, you’re missing the biggest search funnel of the future.Think like AI: Create content that answers specific questions—structured data and LLM-ready formats help AI find you.AI is a copilot, not a threat: Use AI to elevate your offerings and scale what your team can do.Build infrastructure for the future: From firewalls to content strategy, ensure your site is AI-accessible and ready for the next wave. Whether you’re building a solo business or scaling a full-blown agency, this episode is packed with insights on how to evolve before you’re forced to.So grab that coffee, and let’s dive into the nuts and bolts of future-proofing your business.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Builders Podcast, Matt welcomes back Joel Salomon, prosperity coach and mindful money expert, for his fifth appearance. Together, they dive deep into how your actions — or inactions — are often the biggest tells in your mindset story.Joel shares real client transformations, from undercharging spiritual entrepreneurs to overwhelmed yoga instructors and even a mindset coach who needed a mindset shift of her own. They unpack what it means to act as if, how affirmations actually work, and why tracking your money is less about math — and more about clarity, confidence, and courage.Whether you’re holding back on hiring, underpricing your services, or hesitating to invest in your own growth — this episode challenges you to ask: What’s my tell?Key TakeawaysAction Reflects Belief: Your actions often reveal your underlying beliefs about your abilities and the success of your business.Mindset Over Strategy: Before delving into business strategies, it's crucial to establish a positive mindset to support sustainable growth.Empower Your Pricing: Charging what you're worth is a mindset breakthrough that can transform a business’s revenue model.Visualization and Affirmations: Regularly affirming positive outcomes and visualizing business success helps align your actions with your business goals.Invest in Business Growth: Embracing risk to invest in marketing or team expansion is essential for momentous business breakthroughs.

In this episode, Matt shares the story behind a long-term client relationship that’s become a true partnership — one forged through fires, fixes, and four years of trust. What started as a quick WordPress rescue evolved into a deeply embedded role as the client's digital defense team, managing an e-commerce ecosystem that can’t afford to go down.Matt walks through the systems, processes, and real-world challenges that come with maintaining a multi-million-dollar online store. From recovering a site after another agency's misstep to setting up access controls, staging environments, and SOPs, this episode breaks down what it really takes to build a service relationship that lasts.If you’re an agency owner, freelancer, or service provider looking to create lasting value — this one’s for you.🔑 Key TakeawaysLong-term value is built, not pitched. Trust is earned over time by showing up, solving problems, and taking responsibility.Being a ‘defense team’ goes beyond code. True value lies in protecting a client’s digital infrastructure — even from their own rushed decisions.Processes protect revenue. Systems like staging, Git versioning, and role-based access aren’t nice-to-haves — they’re vital for uptime and growth.Sometimes the best work is invisible. Being the person who prevents problems is often more valuable than being the one who fixes them.Speed isn’t everything. Familiarity, strategy, and reliability often outperform quick turnaround promises from external teams.Trust makes you essential. When a client sees you as a guardian of their business, not just a vendor, you're no longer easily replaceable.

In this episode of The Builders, we dive headfirst into the evolving world of industrial 3D printing with Oscar Klassen, CEO of JawsTec. What started as a single SLS printer and a six-month experiment has grown into a full-blown manufacturing operation with 20 machines and a game-changing quoting engine.Oscar walks us through how JawsTec is lowering the barrier to entry for makers, entrepreneurs, and businesses to bring physical products to life—whether you’re printing a single prototype or scaling up to thousands. From unique materials like Nylon 12 and titanium to custom textures and rapid iteration, we explore what’s possible when technology, grit, and strategy collide.If you’ve ever wondered how products are actually built in the modern world—or how 3D printing is quietly reshaping the manufacturing landscape—this episode is for you.🔑 Key TakeawaysIteration Made Easy: 3D printing allows businesses to test and refine physical products quickly, without investing in expensive molds or tooling.From Prototype to Production: JawsTec supports everything from one-off prints to production runs, making it ideal for startups and established manufacturers alike.Scalable and Smart: Their proprietary quoting system and nesting software optimize every job for efficiency, packing parts like a 3D game of Tetris.Material Innovation: Learn about the performance potential of Nylon 12, TPU, and even titanium in industrial applications.Affordable Access to Big Tech: JawsTec opens doors for garage-based creators and global companies alike—no million-dollar budget required.Customization at Scale: With upcoming tech for adding textures directly to parts, the future of personalization is here.