Builders of Authority

Hosted by Adam McChesney

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

233

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Builders of Authority is the go-to podcast for entrepreneurs looking to level up their game in all facets. With a focus on personal branding and growing your business, host Adam McChesney, brings on high level entrepreneurs who have experience growing companies through branding. You will learn tactics and strategies, not theories, from guests on the podcast while understanding what you need to do in order to reach new levels of success.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 20, 202638 min

Fear or Fire? The Mental Game of High Performance with Dr. Erin Shannon

Here’s the YouTube description adapted to the same structure: What separates high performers who thrive under pressure from those who become overwhelmed by it? In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Dr. Erin Shannon, a doctor of clinical psychology who has spent more than 15 years working with elite athletes, Olympians, CEOs, veterans, and other high performers. Growing up in a family of professional athletes gave Dr. Shannon a natural understanding of the pressure that comes with performing at the highest level. She shares how an unexpected opportunity to help a professional baseball pitcher in 2011 led her into the world of sports psychology and performance coaching. In this conversation, Adam and Dr. Shannon discuss: • The mental and emotional pressure behind high performance • Why every game is ultimately a mental game • The difference between making decisions from fear or fire • How fear limits creativity, confidence, and vision • Turning pressure into energy, focus, and a flow state • Why entrepreneurs and athletes face similar psychological challenges • Breaking the stigma around therapy and performance coaching • Using mental health support proactively instead of waiting for a crisis • Simple nervous system regulation techniques, including EFT tapping • The benefits of vagus nerve regulation and morning sunlight • Dr. Shannon’s work with athletes, CEOs, veterans, and prison rehabilitation programs Dr. Shannon also explains why mental health professionals should be viewed like family doctors: trusted resources for regular check-ins, personal development, and long-term performance rather than people you only contact when something is wrong. This episode offers practical insights for entrepreneurs, athletes, and leaders who want to manage pressure, strengthen their mindset, and perform at a higher level without sacrificing their mental and emotional well-being. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq 🔗 CONNECT WITH Dr ERIN SHANNON: Facebook https://bit.ly/4fPqv7h LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4w5qimq Instagram https://bit.ly/4x9Y7Uu ✉️ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable. Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking. #BuildersOfAuthority #DrErinShannon #HighPerformance #MentalPerformance #SportsPsychology #EntrepreneurMindset #PerformanceCoaching #MentalHealth #LeadershipMindset #FearToFire

August 13, 202656 min

Adam McChesney’s Full Entrepreneurial Journey

What does it really take to rebuild your business, reputation, and confidence after losing almost everything? In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, the tables are turned as Adam McChesney steps away from the host’s chair and is interviewed by Builders of Authority COO Alejandra during her visit to the St. Louis office. Adam shares the complete story behind his entrepreneurial journey, from working in corporate medical device sales and learning digital marketing through an online course to building his first performance-based marketing website and eventually launching an agency. He also opens up about one of the most difficult periods of his life: the collapse of a previous business partnership in early 2024. Adam discusses the legal and financial consequences, the mental burden of feeling like a failure, and the decision to start over when quitting would have been easier. In this conversation, Adam and Alejandra discuss: • Transitioning from corporate medical device sales into entrepreneurship • Learning digital marketing and building his first website • Navigating the legal and financial impact of a failed business partnership • Overcoming the mental burden and identity crisis caused by professional failure • Rebuilding Builders of Authority from a small team into an agency of approximately 50 employees • Scaling a company rapidly without following a traditional agency growth model • Prioritizing committed, high-quality people instead of replacing teams with AI tools • Creating long-term client relationships by deeply serving the people who trust you • The pressure entrepreneurship can place on marriage, family, and personal health • Evolving individual skills and leadership abilities at the same rate the company grows Adam also speaks candidly about the personal cost of rebuilding a business. He reflects on struggling to remain mentally present at home, the pressure placed on his wife, Delaney, and the responsibility he feels as a father to his son, Murphy. He closes the conversation with a direct message for entrepreneurs experiencing failure and advice for his internal team on what it takes to grow alongside a rapidly scaling company. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq ✉️ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable. Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking. #BuildersOfAuthority #Entrepreneurship #AgencyGrowth #BusinessLeadership #DigitalMarketing #AdamMcChesney

August 6, 20261 hr 0 min

Comeback Story: How Matt Kresko Built a Personal Brand That Creates Opportunities

What does it take to leave a stable career, build a real estate portfolio, and create a personal brand that generates consistent opportunities? In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Matt Kresko to discuss his journey from recruiting and talent acquisition to becoming a full-time real estate investor and capital raiser. Matt shares how he started with house hacking, grew to 25 rental units, managed multiple flips, and navigated seven months without a paycheck after interest rates shifted and a business partnership ended. In this conversation, Adam and Matt discuss: • Transitioning from a W2 career into real estate • Building relationships without immediately pitching • Using consistent content to generate referrals and partnerships • Growing a rental portfolio and managing flips • Creating authentic content from real experiences • Partnering with contractors to avoid construction bottlenecks • Matt’s goal of completing more than 100 deals per year 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq 🔗 CONNECT WITH MATT: Instagram https://bit.ly/4hEkiNZ Facebook https://bit.ly/44WbR9o LinkedIn http://bit.ly/4hyIAcc ✉️ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable. Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking. #BuildersOfAuthority #MattKresko #RealEstateInvesting #RealEstateInvestor #PersonalBranding #CapitalRaising #HouseHacking #RentalProperties #RealEstateNetworking #ContentMarketing #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth

July 30, 202640 min

What It Really Takes to Scale a General Contracting Company with Bryson Kinkade

What does it really take to scale a general contracting business from a solo operation into a full-service machine that dominates the market? In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Bryson Kinkade, owner of Kinler Services, to unpack his journey from Army infantryman to leading a growing, full-service restoration company. Bryson shares how Kinler Services helps property owners recover from storm, fire, wind, and hail damage while handling everything from concrete and roofing to complete restoration projects. Bryson shares how he transitioned from doing it all himself to building the team and systems needed for sustainable growth. In this conversation, Adam and Bryson discuss: • Mastering the insurance landscape as a market differentiator • Navigating insurance claims to better serve clients • Transitioning from solo operator to team-led scaling • Managing remote partnerships and production teams • Key lessons from five years of business growth • Acting as a liaison for homeowners vs. adjusters • Strategies for expansion and hiring in-house crews • The resilient mindset needed to never give up Bryson also opens up about the challenges he faced while building his company and explains how mastering the nuances of insurance claims transformed his service model, creating trust and authority in a competitive field. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq 🔗 CONNECT WITH BRYSON: Website https://bit.ly/4vEpuoC Facebook https://bit.ly/4w9DmZ3 LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4fgCx9u ✉️ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable. Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking. #BuildersOfAuthority #ContractorMarketing #HomeServiceBusiness #brandbuilding #BrysonKinKade #KinlerServices

July 23, 202652 min

Be Your Brand: The Authenticity Strategy for Contractors with Travis Collins

What does it really take to turn years of hands-on experience into a content brand with nearly two million followers? In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Travis Collins, better known online as Tools by Design, to discuss his journey from finish carpenter and custom automotive shop manager to full-time content creator. Travis shares how Tools by Design started with content about renovating a 1941 home and eventually grew into a trusted source for tool news, reviews, remodeling projects, and practical advice. In this conversation, Adam and Travis discuss: • Why authenticity matters more than perfectly polished content • How consistency helped Travis build a loyal online audience • The personal investment and risk required to grow a content brand • How he chooses brand partnerships without losing credibility • The pressure of balancing contracts, creativity, and audience trust • Why imperfections and personality stand out in an AI-driven world • How delegation can help entrepreneurs focus on their highest-value work • Why creators and business owners need to stop overthinking and start publishing Travis also opens up about the criticism he faced when professionals did not initially take content creation seriously and explains how playing the long game ultimately created opportunities with some of the biggest brands in the tool industry. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq 🔗 CONNECT WITH TRAVIS: Facebook https://bit.ly/4w3k5s6 Instagram https://bit.ly/4pAYCVb Youtube https://bit.ly/4gvO07r TikTok https://bit.ly/4gSGCTV ✉️ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable. Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking. #BuildersOfAuthority #ContractorMarketing #HomeServiceBusiness #brandbuilding

July 16, 202626 min

One Week Away Exposed the Biggest Problem in My Business

Is your business actually growing if you can’t step away from it? In this episode, I’m getting real about the "Entrepreneurial Paradox": we build businesses for freedom, yet most of us struggle to truly disconnect and enjoy that freedom when it counts. I share the unfiltered story of a recent family trip to Disney that turned into a work nightmare, contrasted with how a subsequent trip to Mexico became a genuine turning point. If you’re constantly checking Slack, drowning in emails, or feeling like the only person who can solve your business's problems, this is for you. We break down how to stop creating self-imposed chaos, why entrepreneur burnout prevention isn’t a luxury but a requirement, and the tactical steps you need to take to finally master the art of stepping away. In this video, you'll learn: - The "Vacation Trap": How your own habits and lack of planning keep you tethered to work during your time off. - Delegation Secrets: How to stop being a "solopreneur" and start acting like a CEO by empowering your team. - Strategic Boundaries: Practical ways to set expectations with your team and clients so your vacation remains a vacation. - The Science of Recovery: Why taking time away is actually the fastest way to accelerate your work-life balance for entrepreneurs and long-term performance. If you are ready to reclaim your time, build a system that runs without you, and avoid the burnout cycle, this conversation is your roadmap. ✉️ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable. Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking. #BuildersOfAuthority #ContractorMarketing #HomeServiceBusiness #brandbuilding #CEOlifestyle

July 9, 202649 min

Scaling Your Family Business: A Foundation for Growth with Mark Steiniger

Mark Steiniger, CFO and partner at Keil Excavating, discusses his transition from public accounting to leading his family's heavy civil contracting business. He provides insights into the complexities of inter-family business transitions, the strategic reasoning behind diversifying into commercial plumbing to derisk from earthwork volatility, and the importance of earning respect from long-term employees. T his episode serves as a practical guide for business owners considering succession planning and those looking to grow through acquisition rather than starting from scratch. 🔗 CONNECT WITH MARK: Facebook https://bit.ly/3QVtuCK Instagram https://bit.ly/4vNnmeY LinkedIn https://bit.ly/448xDGw Website https://bit.ly/4xZZGFx

July 2, 202638 min

Building a Legacy: Kira Andersen’s $3M Mission Against Pancreatic Cancer

Kira Andersen’s life took a drastic turn when her husband, Kyle, was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer shortly after the birth of their third child. Refusing to accept a grim prognosis, Kira leveraged her background in medical and pharmaceutical sales to advocate for experimental treatments, securing "compassionate use" for a promising inhibitor. This intervention, now known as the "Kyle Anderson Regimen," granted their family an extra year of life together and is now saving other stage four patients. Today, Kira honors his memory by hosting the "Yes We Can" podcast and continuing a relentless mission to raise the final $1 million of a $3 million goal for targeted research at Siteman Cancer Center. 🔗 CONNECT KIRA: DONATE: https://bit.ly/4oXPARL Facebook: https://bit.ly/4eTfwcj Instagram: https://bit.ly/4vJ7fPq LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4eZzT7T Website: https://bit.ly/4xZRKnX Youtube: https://bit.ly/4wlog22

June 25, 202637 min

From Army Ranger to 120 Houses: The Real Cost of Scaling Fast with Jimmy Vreeland

Jimmy Vreeland is a West Point graduate, former Army Ranger, and full time real estate investor with a portfolio built through discipline, private money, and some hard lessons learned the expensive way. In this episode Jimmy walks through his journey from buying his first houses while deployed overseas to scaling to 120 properties and hitting a wall that forced him to rethink everything. He covers the four pillars of real estate wealth, who the ideal investor profile actually looks like, and why personal transformation is always at the center of business growth. Whether you're just getting into real estate or already scaling and feeling the cracks, Jimmy's story will give you both perspective and a practical framework to keep moving forward. 🔗 Connect with Jimmy: https://ibuystl.com/ Facebook: https://bit.ly/4oNeRh6 Instagram: https://bit.ly/43ZX2SC LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4g19o4b

June 18, 202633 min

You're Not Starting Over. You're Starting From Experience

Ashley Burkeen is a serial entrepreneur with 12 years in general contracting, a regional Master Networks franchise, short-term rentals, a holistic skincare line, and a book to her name. In this episode she gets real about what it actually takes to build across multiple industries without losing yourself in the process. From networking and personal branding to failure, delegation, and self-awareness, Ashley brings a refreshingly honest perspective on entrepreneurship that goes way beyond hustle culture. If you're building something and feeling like you have to fit a mold that was never made for you, this one's worth your full attention. 🔗 Connect with Ashleah: Facebook: https://bit.ly/4uTYZuM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abauthentically/ Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@authenticallyab