The Story Engine Podcast

Most entrepreneurs prepare for growth, partnership, and success—but few prepare for what happens when a business partnership ends. In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, attorney Margeaux Thomas pulls back the curtain on one of the most emotionally charged and financially high-stakes challenges a founder can face: the business divorce. Margeaux specializes in helping founders, partners, and executives untangle their companies, their identities, and their futures when a partnership breaks apart. She shares the unseen emotional toll, the common patterns she witnesses in conflict, and the transformational process she uses to guide both parties toward resolution, clarity, and a more abundant life beyond the breakup. Whether you're in a partnership now, considering one, or navigating a separation of your own, this conversation offers powerful insights into conflict, communication, and reclaiming your future. In This Episode 00:45 — What Is a Business Divorce? Margeaux describes how business breakups mirror personal divorces—emotionally, psychologically, and financially. 01:10 — The Hidden Stress Behind Business Breakups How years of investment, employees' livelihoods, and identity all amplify the tension. 01:35 — The Emotional Patterns Margeaux Sees Every Time Fear of loss, betrayal, resentment, and the stories partners create about each other. 01:58 — Moving From Conflict to Clarity Margeaux's process for helping partners express their truth, identify what they really want, and de-escalate hostility. 02:22 — Accessing Abundance After the Breakup How partners evolve, rediscover purpose, and build better lives once the conflict is settled. 02:40 — Why Most Founders Don't Prepare for This The false belief that partnership problems "won't happen to us" and why this mindset is costly. 03:05 — The Power of Neutral Facilitation Why outside support isn't optional—it's essential when emotions distort reality. 03:30 — Final Thoughts & Where to Learn More Margeaux shares her closing insights and resources.

For over four decades, Ravi Sawhney has shaped the world through human-centered innovation—from the first touchscreen experiences at Xerox PARC to iconic products and services that have improved millions of lives. In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Ravi shares the timeless principles behind his psychoesthetic methodology: a design philosophy rooted in emotion, memory, and how an experience makes us feel about ourselves. We explore why modern technology often feels synthetic, how great design creates meaning rather than aesthetics, and why the most successful products, services, and even political messages connect to our deepest human needs. Ravi reveals the emotional tests every person unconsciously runs—Is it like me? Does it like me? Can it make me more?—and demonstrates how companies can use these insights to create solutions that resonate, inspire, and elevate. This is an insightful journey through innovation, anthropology, storytelling, and the universal longing for affirmation. On This Episode 00:25 — Ravi's Origin Story: From Xerox PARC to Founding RKS Design Ravi recounts his early work on the first touchscreen graphical interfaces and the leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship. 01:50 — The Core Principle: Human-Centered Innovation "It's not how you feel about the design—it's how the design makes you feel about yourself." 02:36 — The Problem with AI-Driven, Algorithm-Centered Design Why modern technology often feels synthetic and emotionally flat. 04:57 — The Human Emotional Litmus Test "Is it like me? Does it like me? Can it make me more?" Ravi explains the universal psychological process humans use to evaluate meaning. 06:20 — Maya Angelou Meets Design Why emotion—not logic—is the heart of unforgettable experiences. 07:12 — Why Organizations Seek Human-Centered Innovation The two sides of motivation: fear avoidance and aspiration. 10:14 — How the Hero's Journey Is Actually a Design Process Ravi breaks down attract → engage → adopt → affirm. 12:15 — What Makes Psychoesthetics Unique Discovering deeper meaning and triggering positive memories through design. 17:01 — The Teddy Ruxpin Story: Bringing a Toy to Life How Ravi turned an ugly, mechanical bear into a cultural phenomenon. 19:19 — Designing Guitars Played by the Rolling Stones How sustainable materials and emotional resonance changed music hardware forever. 24:27 — Human-Centered Design for Social Impact How Ravi redesigned access to home-buying programs for first-time buyers. 26:14 — Where to Learn More Ravi shares resources, books, the methodology, and where to find more of his work.

What if the stress, chaos, and hidden workload of managing your property while living abroad could be replaced with clarity, control, and peace of mind? In this episode, I sit down with Oscar Rubio, founder and CEO of Lodgering, a SaaS platform designed to solve one of the most emotionally taxing problems in real estate and mobility: managing a home from thousands of miles away. Oscar shares the deeply personal journey that led him from overworked "one-man orchestra" to leading a scalable, global platform used by institutions, homeowners, and relocated professionals. We explore the messy realities of mobility—overbookings, lost bookings, endless emails, operational burnout, and stressful overseas incidents—and how Oscar transformed years of painful, unscalable work into a streamlined, AI-powered ecosystem designed to give every user what they truly want: safety, clarity, and peace of mind. This is a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and building a business that supports your life—not the other way around. On This Episode 01:10 — The early days: visiting properties in person, doing everything manually, and learning relocation from the ground up 01:50 — Building multiple companies in Madrid… until COVID nearly shut everything down 02:23 — The turning point: digitizing every process into a scalable ecosystem—Lodgering 02:49 — Kyle introduces the idea of a multi-sided marketplace and asks Oscar how Lodgering works 03:14 — Oscar explains why Lodgering is a SaaS, not a marketplace—and why connecting platforms multiplies value 03:39 — Kyle frames Oscar's entrepreneurial journey as a story of scaling through repeated reinvention 04:11 — Oscar explains why experience is both "your enemy and your ally" when building a company 04:36 — Why resilience and learning from mistakes define long-term entrepreneurial growth 05:02 — Kyle asks about the real problems faced by Oscar's ideal clients 05:33 — Oscar describes hearing from CEOs: "you digitalized all our pains" 05:59 — Where the chaos really begins: managing 6+ booking platforms with no centralization 06:10 — The consequences: overbookings, underbookings, lost revenue, missed emails, and zero visibility 06:45 — Kyle presses for more specifics—and Oscar breaks down the true operational pain points 07:00 — Tenant issues, contracts, payments, incidents, and too many tools stitched together 08:00 — Why moving abroad is inherently stressful—and how Lodgering reduces that emotional load 08:41 — Kyle reflects on the "part-time job" hidden inside what should be passive income 09:07 — Oscar reveals the burnout facing operational teams and why they often quit 09:59 — The chaos spiral: missed calls, unanswered emails, confusion between owners, tenants, and institutions 10:11 — Kyle clarifies the definition of "relocated"—midterm stays of 1–11 months 11:06 — The mid-term rental boom: engineers, students, and global project workers 11:25 — The hidden burden for international offices and HR teams 12:00 — Kyle asks what makes Lodgering truly different 12:20 — Oscar reveals Phase 2: integrating AI to anticipate needs, automate proposals, and match services 13:13 — Kyle explores the benefits: saving time, saving money, protecting reputation 13:49 — Oscar describes how incident data helps predict, prevent, and budget issues 14:45 — Lodgering as a system for increasing occupancy, reducing operations costs, and improving decisions 15:00 — Kyle summarizes what users want: safety, clarity, peace of mind 15:21 — Oscar shares Lodgering's internal philosophy: "We Do Care," emphasizing empathy, not just technology 16:15 — Kyle begins the emotional story-mining process—inviting Oscar to recall core moments 17:08 — Oscar's breakthrough realization: booking emails in spam, endless paperwork, and unscalable chaos 18:32 — Kyle asks what Oscar's life looked like during this period 18:45 — Oscar shares honest details: 13–14 hour days, weekends preparing agendas, work as a "hobby" 19:25 — Golf: the only thing that finally pulled him out of work mode 20:10 — Kyle connects his experience to the emotional journey of Oscar's clients 20:36 — Oscar discusses ambition, effort, and the endless drive to improve 21:14 — Kyle asks for the contrasting future moment—when things finally aligned 21:50 — Oscar shares his dream: entrepreneur support, family time, and golf 22:30 — What has already changed: hiring an executive team, stepping into strategic leadership 22:55 — Leaving behind the "one-man orchestra" 23:09 — Kyle retells Oscar's story live—emotional, vivid, narrative form 26:43 — Oscar reacts: "You crossed my mind… that's exactly my story." 27:14 — Oscar reflects on the interview experience—"different in the best way" 27:28 — Where to find Oscar and learn more about Lodgering 27:55 — Closing the episode

Most entrepreneurs dream of selling their business someday—but few understand what truly makes a company sellable… or why so many founders end up blindsided and disappointed when they finally sit down with buyers. In this episode, Russell "The Marketect" Lundstrom—serial entrepreneur, advisor to thousands of founders, and creator of the Marketect methodology—reveals why most businesses fail to get the exit they expect, what buyers actually value, and how to architect a business today that will command a higher multiple tomorrow. You'll hear the behind-the-scenes story of the humbling moment that reshaped Russell's entire philosophy, the system he spent years refining, and real-world examples of how tiny strategic shifts helped companies 10x their valuation. If you want a business that grows smoothly, sells profitably, and rewards everything you've poured into it, this conversation is essential. On This Episode 00:15 — Russell's background: 35+ businesses, 1,000+ founders, and the journey that shaped "The Marketect" 01:30 — Why marketing fails for so many entrepreneurs (and why Russell created the Marketect role) 02:20 — Pre-internet marketing stories, direct mail, MLM, and Mr. Mom years 03:40 — "I spent $50k on marketing that did nothing" — the recurring founder complaint that bothered Russell 04:40 — The Architect Analogy: Why businesses need a marketing architect before hiring agencies 06:35 — Why companies waste millions hiring "plumbers to build the house" 07:30 — The vision problem: how unclear direction creates broken marketing 08:40 — Why your vision should be 30–40 pages, not a tagline 09:48 — Kyle ties the vision gap to leadership, identity, and imposter syndrome 10:20 — What really creates business value: cashflow, IP, systems, and unique value drivers 11:20 — The Zappos example: Why Amazon paid a premium for customer service, not shoes 13:40 — Most founders don't know the true value of their business—and why it costs them millions 15:48 — Systems: the overlooked multiplier that increases valuations dramatically 16:24 — Why sellers mistakenly let buyers determine the value 17:52 — "Going to market" explained: the difference between selling products vs. selling your business 18:27 — The $100M roadshow: what it looks like and why value drivers matter 18:55 — When founders decide it's time to sell—and why they usually decide too late 20:35 — The real role of a pre-exit marketing plan 21:07 — Russell's personal story: the frustrating, lowball Agora acquisition attempt 22:52 — Inside the Agora boardroom: the deflating moment that changed everything 24:53 — Ego, disappointment, and the harsh reality of what buyers value 26:39 — A success story: How a logistics company got a dramatically higher multiple with one strategic shift 28:50 — The retirement, the buyer relationship, and the importance of legacy 31:00 — Kyle tells Russell's story back to him—live—and Russell responds 37:11 — Russell's closing thoughts and where to find him online 38:35 — Episode wrap-up

What if "celebrity" wasn't something you waited to be granted—but something you could engineer? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Clint Arthur, an artist and engineer in the craft of celebrity. Clint has built an entire methodology around creating, manufacturing, and leveraging celebrity so entrepreneurs can amplify their message, rise above the noise, and become the leading voice in their industry. We explore the psychology behind celebrity, why it remains one of the most powerful tools for authority and influence, and how everyday experts can use it to transform their brand, business, and opportunities. If you want to stand out in a crowded market—or understand why some people explode in visibility while others stay hidden—this conversation is a must-listen. ⏱ On This Episode [02:19] – What celebrity really means—and why it's the ultimate business asset [04:58] – Clint's journey into the celebrity space and what sparked his methodology [07:42] – The difference between manufactured celebrity and authentic influence [10:26] – Why celebrity creates instant trust (and how to ethically use it) [13:18] – Kyle and Clint discuss the psychology behind fame and authority [16:54] – Practical ways experts can start building their own celebrity today [19:37] – How to leverage media, stages, and positioning to amplify your reach [22:48] – Case studies of entrepreneurs who transformed their business through manufactured celebrity [26:11] – Closing insights: why creating your own celebrity is no longer optional in today's market

Selling high-ticket transformational services isn't just a skill—it's a personal evolution. In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Brook Bishop, an expert in high-ticket transformational sales. Together, we explore why selling deep, meaningful transformation requires you to embody that transformation yourself. Brook shares her philosophy on selling with confidence, integrity, and self-worth—and how the sales process becomes a mirror that reflects your own growth, visibility, and value. If you've ever struggled to charge what your work is worth, felt resistance around sales, or wanted to elevate the impact of your transformational offerings, this conversation will shift the way you see sales forever. ⏱ On This Episode [02:14] – Why selling transformation is transformational [04:56] – Brook explains how self-worth shapes your pricing and your presence [07:33] – The emotional journey behind selling deep, life-changing work [10:02] – Why many transformational entrepreneurs undercharge—and how to break the cycle [12:45] – Kyle and Brook discuss visibility, vulnerability, and being seen [15:27] – How to bring more confidence into every sales conversation [18:11] – A story of a client who unlocked new levels of clarity and value through Brook's process [21:38] – Brook's framework for selling without pressure or pushiness [24:20] – Closing reflections on the inner evolution required to sell transformation powerfully

Everyone wants a more profitable business—but most entrepreneurs don't actually know what creates profit, let alone how to consistently increase it. Growing revenue is one thing. Taking home more money is another. In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Joe Abreu, an expert in helping business owners identify where profit is leaking, where opportunity is hiding, and how to build a business that rewards you financially—not just operationally. Joe breaks down the hidden drivers of profitability, the common mistakes entrepreneurs make when scaling, and the mindset shifts required to consistently take home more income. If you've ever looked at your revenue numbers and wondered why there's not more left over for you, this conversation will give you clarity, tools, and stories you can apply right away. ⏱ On This Episode [02:12] – Why revenue ≠ profit—and why entrepreneurs often confuse the two [04:47] – Joe shares the biggest profit leaks hidden inside most businesses [07:19] – The difference between scaling up and scaling smart [09:54] – Kyle and Joe discuss how small tweaks can dramatically improve profitability [12:38] – What most business owners misunderstand about expenses and margins [15:21] – A real-world example of a business owner who doubled take-home profit without growing revenue [18:03] – The mindset shift that transforms financial chaos into clarity [20:46] – Joe's simple framework for increasing profit starting this week [23:15] – Closing thoughts: how to build a business that pays you first

Writing a book isn't just about words on a page—it's about building authority and creating a strategic asset that moves your business forward. In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Bill Blankschaen, a master at helping experts turn their ideas into influential books that drive real business results. Bill shares his unique framework for authoring with purpose, why most experts approach book writing backwards, and how to craft a message that not only resonates with readers but attracts clients, opportunities, and credibility. If you've ever dreamed of writing a book—or want yours to make a bigger impact—this conversation will give you clarity, direction, and inspiration. ⏱ In This Episode [02:18] – Why writing a book is one of the most powerful ways to establish authority [04:57] – Bill explains why most authors start in the wrong place—and what to do instead [07:35] – The essentials of crafting a book that aligns with your business goals [10:22] – How to draw out the deeper message behind your expertise [13:41] – Kyle and Bill discuss using stories to elevate your credibility [16:54] – What differentiates a "calling card" book from a true authority-building book [19:29] – Common mistakes experts make when trying to write alone [22:46] – Bill's process for guiding authors from idea to published influence [25:31] – Closing thoughts: how to begin crafting a book that actually moves your mission forward

In a world dominated by clicks, funnels, and automation, is it possible we've lost the human touch? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Sam Wakefield, a sales expert and personal development leader who's on a mission to bring door-to-door sales back into industries that have become overly reliant on digital marketing. Sam shares why face-to-face conversations are still one of the most powerful ways to build trust, how he's reframing "old school" sales for modern markets, and why genuine human connection is a sales strategy that never goes out of style. If you've ever felt that your sales process has become too cold, too automated, or too disconnected, this episode will remind you of the timeless power of a real conversation. ⏱ Episode Highlights with Timestamps [02:31] – Why digital-only strategies can leave businesses missing real connection [05:12] – The psychology of face-to-face sales and why it still works today [08:44] – How Sam is helping companies reintroduce personal interaction into their sales process [12:09] – The hidden advantages of door-to-door over digital in certain markets [15:37] – Kyle and Sam discuss blending digital strategies with in-person engagement [19:03] – A story of how human connection transformed a sales conversation into lasting trust [22:18] – Why "old school" methods aren't outdated—they're a competitive advantage [25:41] – Closing thoughts: how to reconnect with customers in a more human way

The coaching world is booming—but most platforms only make the business side more complicated. What if you had a tool that didn't just organize your coaching practice, but actually made you a better coach? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Mitch Russo, serial entrepreneur and founder of multiple software and coaching companies. Mitch introduces Click Coach, a powerful new platform designed to streamline the coaching process while helping coaches consistently deliver on the results they promise. We explore the unique features that set Click Coach apart, the philosophy behind its creation, and what this means for the future of coaching. If you're a coach—or aspire to be one—this episode will show you how to simplify your systems, elevate your practice, and focus on what really matters: transforming your clients' lives. ⏱ Episode Highlights with Timestamps [02:34] – Why most coaching platforms fail to support what coaches actually need [05:12] – The origin story of Click Coach and how Mitch saw the gap in the market [08:01] – How Click Coach helps coaches deliver measurable results with less overwhelm [11:26] – The philosophy behind coaching with clarity, accountability, and results [14:58] – Real-world examples of coaches using Click Coach to transform their practice [18:15] – Kyle and Mitch discuss the future of coaching software and AI integration [21:39] – What sets Click Coach apart from generic business platforms [25:02] – Closing thoughts: how coaches can simplify their systems and amplify their impact