The Story Engine Podcast

What if you could get clarity on life’s biggest decisions—not by overthinking, but by listening? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Ed Rush, former fighter pilot, serial entrepreneur, and bestselling author. Ed shares powerful stories from his time in the cockpit and the boardroom, and reveals the unique process he uses to talk to God and receive insights that guide his most important life and business choices. Whether or not you consider yourself spiritual, Ed’s approach offers practical tools for gaining clarity, tuning into intuition, and taking bold action. Packed with unforgettable fighter pilot stories and real-world business lessons, this episode will inspire you to trust your inner compass and navigate life with confidence. ⏱ Episode Highlights with Timestamps [02:07] – How Ed’s fighter pilot background shaped his ability to make high-stakes decisions [05:22] – The process Ed uses to talk to God and why it’s accessible to anyone [08:40] – Why you don’t need to be religious to benefit from listening for guidance [11:15] – Ed shares a story of receiving a clear insight that shifted his business path [14:29] – How to distinguish between fear, ego, and true divine direction [18:06] – Kyle and Ed explore the overlap between faith, intuition, and entrepreneurship [21:48] – Fighter pilot lessons applied to business: making quick, decisive choices under pressure [25:12] – The surprising connection between silence, stillness, and breakthrough ideas [29:33] – Closing thoughts: why trusting guidance can unlock opportunities you never imagined

What if the key to winning over investors wasn’t just in your numbers—but in the story you tell? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Ben Wiener, author of Fever Pitch, a fictional story crafted to teach startup founders how to captivate investors. Ben shares why so many pitches fail, how storytelling bridges the gap between vision and funding, and why a well-told narrative often matters as much as your deck or financials. We dive into the storytelling formula behind Fever Pitch, why founders struggle to get their message across, and how investors can use this book to better understand the entrepreneur’s journey. Whether you’re preparing your first pitch or looking to refine your message, this episode will help you turn your startup story into a funding advantage. ⏱ On This Episode [02:18] – Why most startup founders struggle to get their pitches across effectively [04:46] – How fiction can teach real-world lessons about storytelling and persuasion [07:12] – The unique formula Fever Pitch uses to engage readers while teaching founders [10:05] – Why investors benefit from reading stories like Fever Pitch to understand founder psychology [13:21] – The common mistakes founders make when presenting their ideas to investors [16:08] – How storytelling builds trust and emotional resonance in a pitch [19:33] – Ben’s advice for founders preparing to pitch: how to stand out beyond the slide deck [23:10] – Kyle and Ben discuss why blending creativity and business is a founder’s superpower [27:41] – Closing thoughts: why every founder needs to see their pitch as a story

How do you go from writing hit jingles for major brands to helping people design lives filled with purpose and creativity? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Paul Hoffman, a master creator who transformed his career in music into a mission to guide others in sculpting their lives. Paul shares how his early days as a musician and jingle-writer taught him the power of storytelling, rhythm, and discipline—skills he now uses to help people consciously create their daily habits, shape their mindset, and design an “epic life.” We dive into the art of living with intention, the importance of crafting small daily rituals, and the mindset shifts that allow you to move from being reactive to becoming the true author of your story. If you’ve ever felt like life is happening to you instead of through you, this episode will inspire you to start sculpting with purpose. ⏱ On This Episode [02:11] – Paul shares his early career creating jingles and what it taught him about influence and creativity [05:36] – The turning point: how Paul shifted from music into personal development and leadership [08:52] – Why sculpting your life starts with small daily rituals and consistent habits [12:07] – The difference between living reactively vs. consciously designing your life [15:22] – How mindset patterns can either build or break your ability to create an epic life [18:39] – Paul’s framework for “sculpting” life one decision and detail at a time [22:05] – Kyle and Paul discuss how creativity in music translates into creativity in life design [25:47] – A story of transformation: how one of Paul’s clients rewrote their life narrative through this process [29:18] – Closing thoughts on how to begin sculpting your epic life today  

What if you could create, launch, and optimize full-scale marketing campaigns in minutes—without needing a big team or weeks of effort? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Mike Filsaime, legendary software creator and founder of some of the most powerful tools for online entrepreneurs. Mike introduces Click Campaigns, his newest platform that puts the power of AI under one roof to simplify and accelerate everything from copywriting to campaign execution. We dive into why this tool is a game-changer for business owners, how AI is transforming the way entrepreneurs work, and what the future of digital marketing looks like when speed and precision are finally on your side. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by how long it takes to execute a marketing idea, this episode will show you how that bottleneck is about to disappear. ⏱ In This Episode [01:22] – Why entrepreneurs struggle with execution and how AI is closing the gap [03:48] – What makes Click Campaigns different from other marketing tools [06:15] – How AI can take tasks that once needed a full team and complete them in minutes [09:02] – Real-world example: turning a 30-day campaign build into a 30-minute process [12:10] – The shift from formulas to frameworks in AI-powered marketing [15:27] – Mike’s take on where digital entrepreneurship is headed in the next 5 years [19:44] – How to balance automation with authentic connection in your messaging [23:08] – Closing thoughts: why entrepreneurs who embrace AI now will have the edge tomorrow

High-achieving women often face invisible roadblocks—patterns of thought, deep-seated beliefs, and subconscious habits that keep them from truly thriving. But what if you could move past those obstacles without years of rehashing the same painful memories in talk therapy? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Alexus Rae Lopez, a master NLP practitioner who specializes in helping ambitious women break free from their own mental and emotional barriers. Alexus shares the common patterns she sees in high achievers, why these roadblocks appear in the first place, and how to dismantle them through powerful NLP techniques that create lasting change. If you’ve ever felt like you’re the biggest thing standing in your own way, this conversation will help you understand why—and give you tools to finally step forward with confidence and clarity. ⏱ On This Episode [01:14] – Why traditional talk therapy often keeps people stuck in the same cycles [03:22] – The types of roadblocks high achievers face and how they show up in everyday life [06:05] – How NLP works to reframe limiting beliefs at the subconscious level [08:41] – Alexus shares a client story where a single shift created a breakthrough after years of frustration [11:27] – The connection between unresolved emotional experiences and self-sabotage [14:10] – Practical strategies for spotting and dismantling your own roadblocks [17:36] – Why high achievers often attach their value to output—and how to break that pattern [20:18] – Kyle and Alexus explore the importance of integrating change into your identity, not just your habits [24:03] – Closing insights: stepping into possibility and freedom beyond your limitations

What if you could distill the who you serve and the why you do it into just six to ten powerful words—and use it to unlock a whole new level of success? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Mitchell Levy, an expert executive coach and master at creating what he calls executive abundance. We explore how one concise, well-crafted phrase can become the guiding compass for your career, business, and personal life—helping you attract opportunities, clarify your brand, and communicate your value instantly. Mitchell walks us through his simple but transformational process, shares stories from executives he’s coached, and even creates a compelling phrase live on the show. If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you do in a way that clicks with people, this episode is your roadmap. ⏱ Episode Highlights with Timestamps [01:12] – Mitchell explains why most leaders struggle to clearly articulate their who and why [03:05] – The six-to-ten word framework that can transform how you present yourself [05:40] – Why brevity builds trust and credibility in high-level business conversations [08:15] – Live example: crafting an executive abundance statement in real time [12:02] – How this short phrase can open doors to unexpected opportunities [14:48] – Real-world case study: an executive’s business growth after implementing their phrase [18:10] – The link between clarity of message and abundance in decision-making [21:33] – Common pitfalls to avoid when defining your who and why [25:56] – Kyle’s reflection on how this process applies to storytelling and personal branding [28:40] – Closing thoughts from Mitchell on building your legacy through clarity

If you’re a speaker, coach, or expert looking to get on more aligned, high-impact stages—this episode is your roadmap. On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with James Feldman—master speaker, serial entrepreneur, and AI innovator—to discuss one of the most powerful new tools available to speakers today. James shares how his platform helps thought leaders discover curated, strategic speaking opportunities perfectly matched to their message and audience. Whether you're trying to grow your authority, generate leads, or book more paid gigs, this conversation dives deep into the systems and insights that make scaling your speaking career predictable and profitable. 🎯 Get ready to turn “How do I find more stages?” into “Here’s where I’m speaking next. 🎧 Episode Highlights: (03:12) – The biggest roadblocks speakers face when looking for stages (07:08) – How James’s AI-powered platform solves this problem (10:45) – Criteria for choosing ideal speaking opportunities (14:22) – How to position your message for curated events (18:03) – The future of speaking in a tech-enhanced world (22:40) – James’s favorite client wins and success stories (27:16) – How to take the first step to get booked more

On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, we sit down with Dharma Funder , a coach who works with high-achieving leaders and entrepreneurs on the nervous system level to unlock lasting growth and clarity. Rather than chasing more productivity hacks or external solutions, Dharma helps clients regulate their internal state to create success from the inside out. This conversation explores how calming the nervous system transforms leadership, enhances decision-making, and clears the way for creativity and powerful performance. If you’re building something big—and feeling the pressure—this episode will help you reconnect to your body, your breath, and your best self. 🎯 Episode Highlights: (03:18) – Why traditional therapy & coaching often fall short (07:40) – Signs your nervous system is stuck in “survival mode” (12:22) – Practical tools for nervous system regulation (16:55) – The unexpected ROI of internal calm (21:30) – Stories from leaders who unlocked growth by going inward (27:10) – Dharma’s daily practice for clarity and grounded action

What if your story could be your biggest growth engine? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, we are talking with Tamara Thompson, founder of Broadcast Your Authority, whose work has helped experts turn their brilliance into repeatable content systems that drive massive visibility—and real revenue. Drawing on her background in documentary filmmaking, Tamara shares how she designs experiences (not just content), builds trust across platforms like YouTube and podcasts, and helps clients generate millions of dollars in ROI through authentic storytelling. Whether you're a business owner, coach, or creative, this conversation is packed with powerful lessons on building brand equity by showing up with clarity and confidence. 🎧 Episode Highlights: (00:01) – Meet Tamara Thompson: From filmmaker to founder (02:47) – Why most experts struggle to share their brilliance (06:32) – Tamara’s framework for building authority at scale (11:08) – The design thinking behind trust-building content (16:45) – Real client success stories: From invisible to impactful (21:13) – The secret ingredient: Creating “experiences,” not just clips (26:39) – Tamara’s biggest lesson from the filmmaking world (30:12) – How to align your content with high-converting outcomes

On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with functional health expert and gut health specialist Josh Dech, who opens up about his harrowing journey through chronic illness, misdiagnoses, and suicidal ideation—and how it ultimately led him to a life of purpose, healing, and service. We go deep into the hidden impact of gut dysfunction on mental health, how trauma and toxic beliefs can silently sabotage your body, and Josh’s signature 5R framework for healing chronic gut issues at the root. If you’ve been told “it’s all in your head,” or “this is just your genetics,” this conversation will change everything. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, fatigue, joint pain, or feel like something’s just off—this episode is a must-listen. In This Episode [00:00] – Josh’s raw and powerful introduction: from 15 bowel movements a day to suicidal thoughts [03:20] – The shocking stat: over 60–72% of Americans have gut issues (and most don’t know it) [05:13] – Kyle’s story: How jaw pain, not diarrhea, was the first gut health red flag [08:21] – Josh’s own health crash began as a teenage wrestler with “nervous belly” [11:40] – Why diagnoses like IBS and colitis aren’t the end—they’re just paper labels [13:57] – What’s keeping people sick? The biggest lies and limiting beliefs we’re told [14:30] – Josh’s 5R Framework for healing gut issues at the root (Remove, Replenish, Rebuild, Repair, Rejuvenate) [21:03] – A milestone moment: Josh’s wife says for the first time, “Your back is clear” [23:33] – Josh shares the darkest moment: planning his own suicide in a Home Depot [25:48] – What kept him alive: the flicker of faith, fear of failure, and a future worth fighting for [29:03] – Kyle reflects Josh’s story back to him—powerful storytelling you don’t want to miss [38:00] – Final takeaway: Why your diagnosis is not your destiny—and healing is possible