In this enlightening episode of the Eternal Optimist, Matt Drinkhahn sits down with Thomas Power, a visionary thinker in the realm of AI and community building. They delve into the transformative power of AI, the emergence of intimate community groups, and the potential business models that can sustain these groups. They also explore the intersection of big corporate transactions and intimate connections, offering a glimpse into the future of human-machine integration. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Discu...
Jul 08, 2025•44 min•Ep. 256
Justin Williams — founder of Millionaire University — reveals what really happens when you “make it.” From quitting college with one semester left to racking up $120,000 of debt and raising a baby who slept in a closet, Justin’s path to flipping hundreds of homes and building multiple seven-figure businesses wasn’t overnight. But the hardest season? It came after the big payday — when he realized money means nothing without vision and family. Together with Matt, Justin unpacks what it really tak...
Jul 01, 2025•32 min•Ep. 255
What happens when you abandon the pitch, lead with vulnerability, and treat sales as a sacred conversation? In this powerful crosspost episode from I Made A Podcast , Matt Drinkhahn—host of The Eternal Optimist —flips the script on traditional business-building. He shares how one emotional moment in a sales meeting (yes, he cried) unlocked a radically honest and high-performing coaching practice. From cold calls and high-pressure quotas to $1M+ in revenue with zero paid ads, Matt dives into the ...
Jun 24, 2025•50 min•Ep. 254
Matt Drinkhahn sits down with Dr. Michael Brabant—transformational psychologist, spiritual guide, and Co-Founder of Candor & Coherence—for a deep dive into what it truly means to lead with clarity, coherence, and heart. Drawing from his journey through trauma healing, academia, and integrative spiritual practice, Michael reveals why traditional leadership tactics often fall short—and how cultivating psychological safety, embodied presence, and radical honesty can unlock authentic transformat...
Jun 17, 2025•47 min•Ep. 253
What happens when your lifelong dream shatters at 22—and you’ve got no Plan B? In this raw and real conversation, Matt sits down with Damon Lembi, former pro baseball player turned CEO of Learnit, to explore how identity, leadership, and imposter syndrome collide in high-stakes moments. Damon unpacks the four-step framework he built to overcome self-doubt—Label Your Fear, Work Hard, Practice Deliberately, Learn and Let Go—and shares how it’s helped him evolve from hitting home runs in the Colleg...
Jun 10, 2025•44 min•Ep. 252
Matt sits down with endurance athlete, Harvard-trained lawyer, and father of six, Shawn Hoyt—a man who’s not just defying age, but redefining it. From sitting the bench in soccer to completing an Ironman and running a marathon at age 55, Shawn shares how hitting personal and professional rock bottom—divorce, job loss, and doubt—became the unexpected catalyst for a profound reinvention. This conversation dives deep into mental toughness, physical transformation, and the power of showing up with i...
Jun 03, 2025•48 min•Ep. 251
Mitch Weisburgh shares how “mindshifting” isn't just a catchy term—it's a critical life skill that helps us reclaim our thoughts, reshape our reactions, and rewire our brains for lasting success. Mitch walks us through deeply personal stories—from family betrayals and business breakdowns to breakthroughs in classrooms from New York to Niger. He reveals how emotional triggers hijack our minds and how we can use self-awareness, internal dialogue, and mindful distraction to shift from reactivity to...
May 20, 2025•39 min•Ep. 250
What if the next global breakthrough in fighting poverty wasn’t a new policy or billion-dollar aid program—but a shift in energy and intention? In this heart-expanding episode, Matt sits down with Aidan Uttinger, the visionary CEO of The World’s Greatest Experiment, to explore how humanity’s most abundant and underestimated resource—love—can transform lives. Aidan unpacks how \$100/month can sponsor someone to meditate full-time, directing love back to donors and their own communities. From ener...
May 13, 2025•42 min•Ep. 249
Matt sits down with Brian “Big Country” Cornwell—a decorated veteran, para-athlete, and father of six—who shares his journey from the military to battling depression and PTSD to becoming a national champion in adaptive sports. Brian opens up about how youth coaching, nutrition, and purpose-driven work at Veterans Battle Grounds helped him reclaim his life and mission. This episode will leave you inspired to turn your struggles into strength. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome to a Story of Grit and Go...
May 06, 2025•29 min•Ep. 248
Matt sits down with the remarkable Rukshana Triem, founder of Firmina Foundation and Women’s Lifestyle Coaching. Born amidst the chaos of war in Mozambique, Rukshana’s powerful story of survival, displacement, and resilience will leave you deeply inspired. She shares how her early experiences living in refugee camps shaped her unwavering commitment to give back to the communities that raised her. Together, Matt and Rukshana dive into the real meaning of service, leadership born through adversity...
Apr 29, 2025•37 min•Ep. 247
What happens when you’re given an 8% chance to live? In this powerful episode, Jen Broxterman, RD shares how a stage 3 ovarian cancer diagnosis changed her forever—and how it sparked a mission to make nutrition coaching more compassionate and accessible. A former nutritionist to NHL and Olympic athletes, Jen made a bold shift to focus on real people—moms, dads, and everyday folks—who just want to feel better and live longer without being trapped in diet culture. She also created a second busines...
Apr 22, 2025•37 min•Ep. 246
Matt Drinkhahn welcomes Matt Scoletti—a man whose story proves that rock bottom can become your greatest launchpad. From struggling with alcohol addiction to earning titles like Mr. Pittsburgh and completing 21 marathons in 21 days, Matt shares the raw, unfiltered truth behind his transformation. Learn how a simple but powerful morning ritual ( The First 15 ), a total mindset reset, and relentless personal accountability helped Matt reclaim his health, career, and purpose. This episode is packed...
Apr 15, 2025•46 min•Ep. 245
Matt sits down with powerhouse entrepreneur, bestselling author, and keynote speaker Toyin Crandell. From being homeless and overwhelmed to building 11 income streams and becoming a transformational coach for thousands globally—this episode dives into Toyin’s game-changing mindset principles, her journey of radical obedience, and the faith-fueled strategy that helped her build a business and life of freedom. She shares how to rewire identity, eliminate limiting beliefs, and lead with purpose, no...
Apr 08, 2025•50 min•Ep. 244
Matt sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and award-winning employee benefits consultant Christopher Hillier. Broadcasting from Denver, Colorado, Chris opens up about navigating the beautiful chaos of raising five kids, building businesses, and staying anchored in gratitude—even when life feels messy. With a background in employee benefits and risk management, Chris shares lessons from starting and acquiring multiple businesses, why he’s always had the entrepreneurial bug, and how he uses opti...
Apr 01, 2025•45 min•Ep. 243
Matt sits down with storyteller, sales leader, and comedian Nema Semnani for a raw conversation about resilience, identity, and finding humor in hardship. Born amid political turmoil in Iran and raised without a father, Nema shares his deeply personal story of loss and survival, and how those early challenges forged his unique perspective on life. With a blend of authenticity, dark humor, and insight, Nema reflects on how he uses his voice to help others connect, lead, and grow. Whether you’re a...
Mar 25, 2025•46 min•Ep. 242
Scott Krusemark joins The Eternal Optimist to share his journey from IT consultant to real estate investor, coach, and hard money lender with over 30 years of experience. Matt and Scott get into the lessons learned from more than 150 real estate transactions, including the early mistakes that led to a 10-unit property dragging him into bankruptcy. Scott breaks down the four key equations every investor needs to know, the discipline required to avoid bad deals, and why real estate can be a strong...
Mar 18, 2025•52 min•Ep. 241
John Mitchell shares the missing piece of Think and Grow Rich and how, at age 50, he realized he wasn’t living up to his full potential—despite being a successful entrepreneur. Determined to change his trajectory, he spent months decoding Think and Grow Rich and developed a 12-minute-a-day technique to reprogram his subconscious mind. The results? A 25X increase in income, greater control over his life, and a method that has now helped elite athletes, entrepreneurs, and high achievers unlock the...
Mar 11, 2025•59 min•Ep. 240
Roy Dekel’s story is one for the books—Israeli Navy SEAL training, a leap into entrepreneurship with zero connections, and a relentless climb to building and selling multi-million-dollar businesses. In this episode, Matt talks with Roy about the trials and tribulations of scaling, making high-stakes decisions, and why most founders get caught up in the wrong metrics. Roy shares wild stories—from selling $2,000 vacuums door-to-door to navigating venture investing and why trust, not talent, is the...
Mar 04, 2025•53 min•Ep. 239
On this episode of the Eternal Optimist, Matt chats with systems and efficiency expert Ernesto Mandowsky to unpack the game-changing strategies behind building a Million-Dollar Machine. Ernesto explains the five key recipes that separate thriving businesses from those stuck in the weeds—transformation, connection, communication, organization, and actualization. They dig into why most entrepreneurs get buried in busy work, how to create a world-class client experience, and the mindset shift requi...
Feb 25, 2025•42 min•Ep. 238
Matt sits down with the one and only Hal Elrod—a man who has literally died, come back, and turned every challenge into fuel for something bigger. From a head-on collision that left him clinically dead for six minutes to beating a rare, aggressive cancer against the odds, Hal shares the mindset shifts and daily habits that helped him not just survive, but thrive. They break down the power of The Miracle Morning , the truth about affirmations (and why most people do them wrong), and how small, in...
Feb 18, 2025•43 min•Ep. 237
Caitlin MacGregor is a gap closer, a game-changer, and a leader on a mission to revolutionize hiring. As the CEO of Plum, she’s tearing down outdated hiring practices and showing companies how to spot hidden talent using science, not guesswork. In this episode, Caitlin opens up about how she grinded herself into absolute burnout to turning into a leader who puts relationships first and drives results at the same time. She breaks down why resumes lie, how AI is shifting the hiring game, and what ...
Feb 11, 2025•45 min•Ep. 236
Brett Baker, co-founder and visionary of VAUSA®, brings raw energy, unshakable faith, and mission-driven leadership to this episode. A former Army Ranger, combat veteran, and unapologetic straight-shooter, Brett gives us a look at his journey—from the battlefield to building VAUSA®, a company creating meaningful jobs for military spouses. He shares his knowledge about leadership, the power of faith in business, and why his family remains his top priority. Get ready for an intense, no-BS conversa...
Feb 04, 2025•46 min•Ep. 235
Matt reconnects with Nathan Wray, a high school acquaintance he hasn’t seen in 29 years. Once admired as the "cool kid," Nathan opens up about the hidden struggles he faced behind the facade, revealing a journey of self-discovery, grace, and finding inner worth. They discuss vulnerability, how surface success can mask deep pain, and the lessons we can all learn about giving others—and ourselves—grace. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Reunited After 29 Years 00:00:26 - The "Cool Kid" Truth 00:01:22 - High Sc...
Jan 28, 2025•52 min•Ep. 234
Megghan Thompson, a licensed clinical professional counselor and parent coach, joins Matt to share her expertise in helping parents break free from the cycle of meltdowns and shutdowns with their highly sensitive kids. With over 15 years of experience and a track record of transforming the lives of 800+ families, Megghan reveals eye-opening truths about parenting sensitive children, the myths of gentle parenting, and why resilience starts with the parents themselves. Her journey—from battling in...
Jan 21, 2025•58 min•Ep. 233
Matt sits down with Aaron Hageman, a lifelong entrepreneur and visionary leader who scaled his business from $27 million to an astonishing $2 billion. Aaron shares his story of overcoming personal and professional challenges and developing the 75X strategy that redefines business scaling. You’re sure to gain lessons on resilience, strategic planning, and leadership as Aaron takes us into the art of punching through goals and building systems that work for massive growth. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Mee...
Jan 17, 2025•44 min•Ep. 232
Matt has a very inspiring talk with Sue Saller, a multi-faceted author, coach, and podcaster who opens up about her bold decision to uproot her life, move across the country, and face the challenges of change head-on. She goes into overcoming fear, embracing growth, and finding authenticity in her path. Sue explains how small steps can lead to big wins in life. Are YOU ready to redefine YOUR story? Chapters: 00:00:00 - A New Year, A Bold Start 00:00:25 - Snowy Days and Deep Connections 00:02:09 ...
Jan 14, 2025•41 min•Ep. 231
Matt welcomes Amy Chambers, a leader, marathon runner, and advocate for personal growth and transformation. Amy shares her story of overcoming a traumatic breakup that became the catalyst for deep self-reflection, growth, and ultimately a shift in mindset. She and Matt discuss accountability, the role of emotional anchors, and the mindset shifts required to face life’s hardest challenges. Amy opens up about her leadership philosophy, the importance of gratitude, and the lessons learned from runn...
Jan 10, 2025•43 min•Ep. 230
In this deeply moving episode of The Eternal Optimist Podcast, Lydia Knight shares her extraordinary story of surviving a cult upbringing, an abusive marriage, and a life-threatening eating disorder. Through raw vulnerability and unflinching honesty, Lydia takes us on her journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation. From confronting generational trauma to creating pathways for others to heal, Lydia’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and hope. Her insights into deprogram...
Jan 07, 2025•49 min•Ep. 229
Matt sits down with Matt Dawson, a world-record-setting extreme adventurer, speaker, and founder of Dawson’s Peak Foundation. They discuss how Dawson went from a successful yet unfulfilled investment banker to a purpose-driven explorer pushing human limits for a cause bigger than himself. Dawson shares his life-altering moments on Everest, rowing the Atlantic, and crossing the Mojave Desert—stories of resilience, purpose, and finding strength through surrender. Matt explores how Dawson’s lessons...
Dec 27, 2024•45 min•Ep. 228
Matt Drinkhahn sits down with Ellen Petry Leanse for a thoughtful and impactful conversation about the power of curiosity, slowing down, and embracing life’s natural seasons. Ellen shares insights from her deep experience in neuroscience, coaching, and personal reflection, offering practical tools like the ABC method (Aware, Breathe, Curiosity) and the power of open-ended questions to navigate challenges and foster connection. Together, Matt and Ellen explore the idea of the “midlife chrysalis” ...
Dec 24, 2024•46 min•Ep. 227
