#720 I didn't want to, but people I trust made me do something I otherwise would have never done. I won't keep you guessing—this is all about watching an anime. Specifically, One Piece. The show has over one thousand episodes ! That's insane, but I was assured the story would be worth it. These are the kinds of things we're willing to take a chance on when we trust someone. So, what do I get out of this experience? As I've often said on the show, storytelling is vital for business success. In fa...
Sep 29, 2023•11 min•Ep. 720
#719 Today's guest is one of the first bloggers I followed when I started my online business journey. His content has been absolutely instrumental for me. Now, he's diving into podcasting and has created one of the few shows I subscribe to! Leo Babauta of Zen Habits is here to tell us why starting a podcast in 2023 is still a great idea. He also shares the mindset that has enabled him to stand out in a new medium right from the beginning. This is an inspiring conversation about minimalism and mi...
Sep 27, 2023•38 min•Ep. 719
#718 The strategy I share today will help you at any level, no matter what niche you're in. There's another bonus—this tactic also makes the world a better place. So what is it? Tune in because we explore the benefits of forming relationships with the up-and-comers in your space. I've been doing this with Deep Pocket Monster, my Pokémon YouTube channel, and the results have been amazing! Some of the smaller creators I've helped get a leg up are now on an incredible trajectory. While it might see...
Sep 22, 2023•8 min•Ep. 718
#717 You can't know which of your ideas will take off before you try some of them. That's why taking asymmetrical risks, where the potential upside is much greater than your investment, is essential to get ahead today. But how do you apply this on your path to success, and what are the outdated rules you should break along the way? In this episode, Chris Guillebeau of The Art of Non-Conformity shares an inside look at his new book, Gonzo Capitalism: How to Make Money in An Economy That Hates You...
Sep 20, 2023•38 min•Ep. 717
#716 I bought the equipment to start a podcast in 2008—but I was scared. In fact, putting my voice out there was so frightening that I didn't publish anything until 2010. But it wasn't long before I realized this show would become something special. Today, I want to take you back to that life-changing moment. Tune in because this session highlights why now is still a great time to create a new show around your brand! And with YouTube becoming a big player in the space, podcast discovery is about...
Sep 15, 2023•12 min•Ep. 716
#715 Confidence is the action you take in the face of fear and uncertainty. If you're building a business, playing it safe can only get you so far. Instead, you need to build up the courage to swing for the fences! In this episode, Julie DeLucca-Collins of Go Confidently Coaching shares her expertise to help you find and achieve your version of success. She and I will walk you through the mindset and behaviors to help you check off your biggest goals! Julie also shares news of her upcoming TEDx ...
Sep 13, 2023•41 min•Ep. 715
#714 I'm very disappointed in myself. You see, these last few years, I've achieved a lot with SPI and Deep Pocket Monster, my Pokémon YouTube channel. But at what cost? Here's the thing—I've been neglecting my health for too long. Eating well and exercising have slipped through the cracks, and I've just received some scary test results to reflect that. This is a different kind of episode, but listen in because my personal update might be the wake-up call you need to get your priorities in order....
Sep 08, 2023•14 min•Ep. 714
#713 Hustle culture has tricked many of us into sacrificing our personal lives for financial success. But does building a brand have to be difficult? Instead, what would our journey look like if it were easy? Today's conversation with Deanna Cooper Gillingham will blow your mind! She helps case managers in the healthcare industry grow in their profession through education and training. Her trajectory actually mirrors my own Green Exam Academy story. In fact, the book she self-published to help p...
Sep 06, 2023•40 min•Ep. 713
#712 Many of the highest performers, the people we often try to emulate, are actually miserable. You see, there are trade-offs in chasing extraordinary success that may not appeal to us once we understand what they are. So where's the sweet spot? How do we build a business we're proud of without sacrificing everything else in the process? Here's the thing—most people find incredible fulfillment in operating at a level of mastery in a small niche. This creator economy middle class is the topic of...
Sep 01, 2023•53 min•Ep. 712
#711 Running a service-based business is something we don't often talk about here. Our focus is usually on passive income streams that can scale and create more free time for us. But is there a way to apply our mindset to services and unlock a hidden revenue source? You bet, and that's exactly what we talk about in today's game-changing episode! My expert guest, Chase Buckner, will absolutely blow your mind! He is the Director of Marketing at HighLevel, a suite of incredibly powerful white-label...
Aug 30, 2023•41 min•Ep. 711
#710 Hot take—the true mark of creators with a serve-first mindset is the excitement they feel when someone they've helped gets a win! If we're not jazzed when somebody in our community hits a milestone, what are we working toward? Are we even in it for the right reasons? Celebrating wins is a huge part of SPI Pro, and we often have our incredible members showcase their expertise by hosting Teaching Friday episodes of this podcast. For instance, our recent sessions with Gillian Tietz and Benjami...
Aug 25, 2023•11 min•Ep. 710
#709 The power of in-person events is like nothing else we can offer an audience. So why do we often let fear and doubt stop us from bringing our people together? Here's the easy way to overcome uncertainty—if you've never hosted anything, just start small! In this episode, I'm excited to have Dan Franks share his expertise and help us foster real-life connections through incredible events at any point in our journey. He is the co-founder of Podcast Movement, the world's largest conference for p...
Aug 23, 2023•47 min•Ep. 709
#708 I'm challenging you with a simple but very important question—do you know what's happening? When people are on your landing page or going through your sales process, do you understand why you're getting fewer conversions than expected? Are you offering an optimal experience, or are you still winging it? For many years, I didn't know what was happening. Sure, SPI was growing, but where our sales were coming from exactly was a mystery. That's all changing as the team and I now obsess over eve...
Aug 18, 2023•11 min•Ep. 708
#707 Starting a niche website is one of the best ways to generate income online. That said, it can often take months or years to get the results you want. But what if you could skip that part and jump in when your brand is already established and bringing in profit? That's the strategy I explore in today's incredible chat with Jared Bauman of 201 Creative and Weekend Growth. Jared is an expert at buying and flipping websites, and the insights he shares here make this tactic accessible to everyon...
Aug 16, 2023•40 min•Ep. 707
#706 I'm calling you out—I bet you're so focused on your own journey that you haven't bothered to notice the small players in your niche doing amazing things. But what would happen if you stepped up to give them the recognition they deserve? How would fostering these relationships help everyone grow? While others chase inaccessible industry leaders, joining forces with lesser-known creators in your space can propel you to the top. In this episode, I share my experience using this strategy for my...
Aug 11, 2023•11 min•Ep. 706
#705 Too often, creators focus on profit instead of the value they provide. So what is the first step toward building a successful business? It's making sure your products actually work and proving it! My returning guest, Mark Wills, is a perfect example of applying a serve-first mindset to entrepreneurship. He and his business partner Roman run Loan Signing System, the largest notary coaching business in the US. In episode 303, we heard how they used strategies from my book Will It Fly to build...
Aug 09, 2023•41 min•Ep. 705
#704 Live streaming is one of the best ways to connect with your audience. It's also probably the fastest route to growing as a communicator. So how do you step out of your comfort zone and start doing it? Wednesday's episode with Emily D. Baker reminded me just how powerful this tool can be. You might also remember that I went live on YouTube every day for a whole year during the pandemic. I'm so grateful I committed to that because the lessons learned have influenced everything I've done since...
Aug 04, 2023•17 min•Ep. 704
#703 Claiming fair use is not a magic wand you can wave to stop people from suing you. In fact, even if you're in the right, you can still get dragged into legal procedures that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, how do you use copyrighted material in your content without getting in trouble? That's what we cover in this chat with the internet's favorite legal analyst, Emily D. Baker. Tune in because she helps us understand the fair use system and work within it to put ourselves in the sa...
Aug 02, 2023•53 min•Ep. 703
#702 Being a creator of any kind can be frustrating. We work hard on something, put it out there, and then… radio silence . The project we've poured our time and money into falls flat, and we never find out why. That's because we can't read the label when we're inside the bottle! This is something I say all the time because it's such an essential part of success. So how do you get eyeballs on your content early and collect information to make it better? In this episode, I share a sneak peek at t...
Jul 28, 2023•10 min•Ep. 702
#701 Entrepreneurs without programming knowledge tend to dismiss software-based businesses as too complex. Courses and other digital products are often seen as more accessible. But here's the thing—creating digital tools to serve your audience is easier than you think! Spencer Haws, today's returning guest, hasn't been on the show since episode 066. That was over ten years ago! He still runs an incredible blog at NichePursuits.com and has built and sold several thriving software businesses with ...
Jul 26, 2023•33 min•Ep. 701
#700 Wow, we're celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Smart Passive Income Podcast! That's absolutely ridonkulous! Whether this is the first episode you're tuning in for or the 700th, I appreciate you for being here! So what have I learned working on the show for so long? In this session, I share my most important mindset shift for fast growth. You see, a book I'm reading nowadays, 10x Is Easier Than 2x, has reminded me of a powerful story from my architecture days. This perfectly illustrates ...
Jul 21, 2023•13 min•Ep. 700
#699 When your business is optimized, you hit a button, and money happens. That said, many entrepreneurs make mistakes that stop them from reaching that level. I'm no different, and it really hurt when today's guest made me realize that. Matt Giovanisci is a classic example of finding riches in the niches with his work at Swim University and Money Lab. In this episode, he returns to the show for a powerful deep dive into the entrepreneurial mindset. You see, the knowledge he shares on Twitter re...
Jul 19, 2023•38 min•Ep. 699
#698 Card Party, my three-day live event in the Pokémon space, is over. With half a million dollars at stake, it's hard to believe the fear I felt is now behind me. I'm exhausted, but I couldn't be happier with how it all turned out! If you've been following my Deep Pocket Monster journey, you know how much I value the fantastic community we've built on YouTube. In previous episodes, I talked all about how we designed Card Party as a celebration of that. I'm now happy to share the lessons learne...
Jul 14, 2023•18 min•Ep. 698
#697 The transformational power of online communities is no joke. Still, many entrepreneurs overcomplicate things and drag their feet on launching a membership. What, then, is the easiest way to get started right now? Today's special guest, Heather Lynn Angel, is someone whose trajectory I highly encourage you to replicate. You see, the value she has provided as a member of our SPI Pro community is insane. We recognized that and couldn't pass on the opportunity to hire her! Heather and I discuss...
Jul 12, 2023•40 min•Ep. 697
#696 When you agree to disagree with someone, you're just avoiding the issue. But there's a better and more productive way to handle conflict. At SPI, we disagree and commit. My great friend and business partner, Matt Gartland, taught me this when we started working together. It's been an absolute game-changer ever since! In this episode, I explore the benefits of this powerful mindset and share the methods we use to implement it. That said, this approach felt counterintuitive at first. If you'r...
Jul 07, 2023•9 min•Ep. 696
#695 You go through a honeymoon phase with every person in your life. Business partners, co-workers, and clients are no exception. Of course, these connections are critical to your success as an entrepreneur! So what can you do to keep the spark alive in the boardroom and maintain the best possible version of your working relationships? Joining me today is Michael Bungay Stanier, bestselling author of The Coaching Habit . This favorite of mine has massively impacted how we do business at SPI. Hi...
Jul 05, 2023•39 min•Ep. 695
#694 What is the experience you create for your audience? How do you imagine people reacting to your products? What do your ideal reviews and testimonials sound like? Now more than ever, I'm obsessing over these questions because my first in-person event in the Pokémon space is just two weeks away. You see, even with ticket sales going very well and many sponsors supporting us, we might still lose a lot of money on this first event. But that's okay! My main goal with Card Party is to deliver unf...
Jun 30, 2023•15 min•Ep. 694
#693 How do you build a side hustle that can replace your job in under a year? How do you go from earning $300 to $12,000 per month online? How do you create a profitable passive income business designing, selling, and shipping physical products? Today, we get an inside look at a print-on-demand business that generates incredible revenue. But that's not all. The best part is that this online store runs on just six hours of work per week! Joining me for this chat is the wonderful Christina Umerez...
Jun 28, 2023•40 min•Ep. 693
#692 I always say the riches are in the niches, but that's not what this episode is about. You see, you can still make the mistake of growing too big too fast, even if you're operating in a super niched-down space. Why is that? It's because bigger truly isn't always better. When we start our entrepreneurial journey, many of us want to become as successful as possible and as rich as possible. But here's the thing. A small business can be optimized and refined to help us reach our exact economic g...
Jun 23, 2023•13 min•Ep. 692
#691 If your business doesn't bring in enough cash, you can't help anyone. So how do you reverse engineer a big economic objective and build a profitable company around it? I'm very excited because returning to the show today is none other than Donald Miller, bestselling author of Building a StoryBrand . His book is one of my favorites of all time and one I'm always recommending here on the podcast. Donald is back to introduce us to his new book, How to Grow Your Small Business , his six-part fr...
Jun 21, 2023•39 min•Ep. 691
