Keep Hustling

Hosted by Aaron Gordon

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Aug 2026

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Keep Hustling with Aaron Gordon (aka @nyriskadvisor) inspires listeners to keep hustling everyday. Guests are pushed to get past their WHY to the HOW. Episodes focus on the personal and professional challenges and successes of guests and the importance of embracing the hustle to overcoming challenges.

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August 27, 2026Episode 14828 min

Hustle with Intention with Mark Lewis

In this episode of Keep Hustling, Aaron Gordon welcomes Mark Lewis, author of Give a Damn: The Ticket to Cultural Change . They discuss the importance of serving others, the impact of small positive actions, and how empathy and intentional engagement can transform both professional and personal lives. Mark Lewis shares insights from his experience running CEO roundtables, his book's core principles, and how technology is eroding face-to-face interactions. They highlight the value of fostering meaningful connections whether at work, in families, or through community and religion, and address barriers to cultural change including negativity and ego. The episode closes with Mark Lewis's motivational quote: "Individually, you make a difference. Collectively, we change the world." Get To Know Mark S. Lewis Mark S. Lewis is CEO of Evolve Media AI, a professional speaker, leadership coach, CEO Roundtable facilitator, and best-selling author of Give A Damn! The Ticket to Cultural Change. He is a senior executive with a proven track record of building, leading, and guiding organizations, teams, and executives through growth, acquisition, and turnaround. Mark co-founded the first locally owned Internet services company in New Orleans and grew its revenue from zero to nearly $4 million in less than three years. He established three remote branch offices, forged strategic partnerships with local exchange carriers, and helped negotiate the company's sale to a Fortune 1000 firm. He later merged three start-ups into a single entity, driving a 30% revenue increase in just two months, then negotiated the multi-million-dollar sale of that combined company to a wireless Internet provider. His experience spans leadership coaching, sales and marketing, new business development, strategic planning, finance, and operations across both start-ups and established companies. He has led IBM agent firms in developing sales and marketing plans that improved profitability and designed a successful turnaround strategy that rescued a nonprofit organization from bankruptcy. Since 2014 he has implemented and moderated more than 25 CEO Roundtables. Mark's contributions have been widely recognized. He was named Technology Leader of the Year in Louisiana by the Governor's Office, selected as the Marshall Klein Entrepreneur of the Year by the Entrepreneurial Organization of Louisiana, and honored as Rising Tide Small Business of the Year in Technology by the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce. In 2023 he was recognized nationally as a Leadership Coach by the Coach Foundation. Results-oriented and focused on accelerating both growth and fulfillment, Mark continues to help businesses and individuals stay on a clear path to success. Website LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-s-lewis-053477/ Facebook Instagram Buy Mark's Book 3 Key Listener Takeaways 1. Serve Others to Serve Yourself Mark Lewis shows that lasting success grows from putting the needs of others first instead of chasing personal gain. A mindset of service and empathy leads to deeper personal fulfillment and stronger internal well-being in both business and life. 2. Small Gestures Create Culture Throughout the conversation Mark demonstrates how simple, thoughtful actions such as saying "please" and "thank you" or holding a door open can lift organizational and personal cultures. These everyday behaviors create a powerful ripple effect that improves relationships, positivity, and even health and happiness. 3. Make Connection a Priority The episode underscores the cost of letting technology crowd out real interaction. Aaron and Mark both stress the importance of protecting time for authentic, in-person communication through family meals, community involvement, or workplace collaboration so people can build deeper connections and a more balanced life. Show Overview 00:00 Discovering connected family ties of guest and host in Syracuse 04:31 Improving interpersonal skills 09:13 Thoughtful company culture strategies 12:50 Discussing the importance of the Sabbath 14:58 Link between religion and longevity 17:25 Importance of Religious Legacy 20:19 Justifying wrong actions 24:37 Examining obstacles to happiness 27:35 Podcast sign-off and contact info

August 20, 2026Episode 14733 min

Shut Up and Hustle with Paul Mikel

In this episode of Keep Hustling, host Aaron Gordon sits down with entrepreneur and author Paul Mikel to explore how generosity and relationship-building can become powerful advantages in business and life. Paul shares his journey from waiting tables in Texas to building multimillion-dollar businesses, highlighting moments when simple acts of kindness like tipping well or remembering personal details opened unexpected doors. The conversation digs into the value of giving without expecting anything in return, the "Shut Up and Tip" mindset, and the importance of staying humble and grateful as success arrives. Paul emphasizes that true wealth is measured by the richness of relationships, not just financial rewards. The episode closes with his favorite quote: "Never forget where you came from or you're probably on your way back there," a clear reminder to stay grounded in your roots. Get To Know Paul Mikel Paul Mikel is an entrepreneur, business strategist, speaker, and the author of Shut Up & Tip, a book that challenges people to rethink what exceptional service, leadership, and human connection really look like. For more than 35 years, Paul has built businesses, led sales organizations, developed marketing strategies, and trained thousands of people across multiple industries. His career has centered around one simple philosophy: success isn't created by luck. it comes from serving people at a level most are unwilling to reach. Throughout his career, Paul has worked with startups, Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, and sales professionals, helping them increase revenue, improve customer experience, and build businesses that create lasting impact. His passion for self-development, leadership, communication, and personal growth has made him a sought-after speaker who believes that every interaction is an opportunity to leave someone's day better than you found it. Today, Paul is involved in multiple ventures spanning technology, media, entrepreneurship, and business development while also producing podcasts and creating content focused on helping people think bigger, serve better, and live with greater purpose. His latest book, Shut Up & Tip , is much more than a book about tipping. It's a blueprint for building stronger relationships, creating unforgettable experiences, increasing influence, and discovering that generosity is one of the most overlooked competitive advantages in business and in life. Whether he's discussing entrepreneurship, customer experience, leadership, sales psychology, personal development, or the future of business, Paul's message remains consistent: Success follows those who make other people's lives better first. Instagram Buy Paul's Book 3 Key Listener Takeaways 1. Generosity as a Hidden Advantage: Practicing genuine generosity builds trust and relationships that often pay unexpected dividends. Paul Mikel shares how consistent acts of kindness, like tipping well or building real connections, opened doors and fueled major business opportunities. 2. Invest in Relationships, Not Just Transactions: Your network grows through authentic interactions. Aaron Gordon and Paul Mikel emphasize that remembering small details about people, from valets to business partners, can pave the way for lasting friendships and crucial business introductions. 3. Keep Hustling and Stay Humble: Never forget where you started. Both Aaron Gordon and Paul Mikel stress that ongoing hustle, gratitude, and remembering past struggles keep you grounded while building the resilience to tackle new challenges and seize future wins. Show Overview 00:00 Growing up with a giving mindset 04:05 Discussing generosity in business 08:50 Discussing tipping and restaurant wages 11:19 Building relationships for business success 14:11 Building connections through introductions 16:46 Son's car accident help 22:49 Reflecting on personal growth and gratitude 25:01 Reflecting on personal growth 29:01 Talking with Post Malone's manager 32:50 Asking for reviews and feedback

August 13, 2026Episode 14628 min

The Heart-Centered Hustle with Jessi Hartnett

In this episode of Keep Hustling, Aaron Gordon welcomes Jessi Hartnett , author of "Honor Your Heart: A Soulful Guide to Quitting Smoking" and host of the You Can Quit Smoking podcast, to discuss the emotional and spiritual aspects of overcoming smoking addiction. Jessi Hartnett shares insights about how most people start smoking out of a desire for belonging or as a way to cope with grief and emotional pain, emphasizing that addiction often fills a void created by self-worth issues or unmet emotional needs. The conversation explores the importance of understanding these underlying motivations and replacing the habit with healthier ways to meet those needs, highlighting that long-term change relies on personal transformation, self-compassion, and reconnecting with one's intuition. Both speakers agree that quitting is often rooted in emotion rather than logic, and that unlocking a sense of self-worth and personal growth is crucial to overcoming addiction. Jessi Hartnett encourages people to focus on themselves, fill their own cups, and find peace within, quoting Rumi's "A wound is the place where the light enters you" as a reminder that healing and transformation often come from our deepest struggles. Get To Know Jessi Hartnett Jessi Hartnett is the author of Honor Your Heart: A Soulful Guide to Quitting Smoking and host of the You Can Quit Smoking podcast. A former heavy smoker who struggled with addiction for 15 years, she now helps others break free by addressing the emotional and spiritual roots of the habit rather than relying on willpower alone. Jessi teaches that smoking often fills voids created by a need for belonging, grief, low self-worth, or unmet emotional needs. Her approach centers on self-compassion, reconnecting with intuition, and replacing the habit with healthier ways to meet those deeper needs. She believes lasting change comes from personal transformation and learning to "fill your own cup." Through her book, podcast, and coaching, she shares a heart-centered path to quitting that prioritizes healing and growth over shame or rigid formulas. Website Tik Tok Youtube Instagram Buy Jessi's Book 3 Key Listener Takeaways 1. Understand the Emotional Roots of Addiction: The conversation focused on how addiction, particularly smoking, often stems from emotional needs such as belonging, initiation, or coping with grief. Recognizing that addiction is not purely about chemical dependency, but often about addressing deeper emotional voids, can be the first step towards meaningful change. 2. Replace Habits by Meeting Core Needs: One concept discussed was the importance of identifying the true needs that a habit like smoking fulfills—whether it's comfort, self-care, or a sense of rebellion. Approaching transformation means finding healthier ways to meet those needs, using creativity and persistence, rather than simply relying on willpower or logic. 3.Self-Worth Fuels Sustainable Growth: A key theme that emerged was how issues of self-worth and authenticity can act as barriers to breaking unhealthy patterns. The discussion explored how prioritizing self-care and fostering a genuine connection with oneself can empower individuals to achieve peace, drive personal change, and ultimately "keep hustling" towards a more fulfilling life. Show Overview 00:00 Guest sourcing and discovery challenges 04:57 Cultural reasons behind smoking 08:42 Struggling with smoking addiction 10:52 Teenage rebellion and smoking 15:03 Understanding needs and addiction 18:02 Finding personal motivation 21:50 Starting conversations with curiosity 24:21 Breaking free from harmful habits 27:47 Podcast reviews and social media

August 6, 2026Episode 14528 min

Take Ownership, Embrace Hustle with J Reed Durand

In this episode of Keep Hustling, host Aaron Gordon sits down with J Reed Durand, a highly accomplished Army veteran and leadership expert. Drawing on 40 years of military and professional experience, they dig into the realities of leadership, personal growth, and change management. J Reed shares hard-won lessons from his journey, including the shift from being led to leading, the power of owning your own development, and his practical Three C's framework: confidence, capabilities, and capacity. The conversation explores the challenges and rewards of adapting to change, the role of discipline, and the courage it takes to step into leadership. Through stories of multiple relocations and varied career assignments, he offers clear, usable advice for anyone who wants to grow and help others grow. Lasting change, he stresses, starts with ownership and consistent training. The episode closes with a favorite motivational line that captures the heart of the discussion: "We don't rise to the level of our aspirations, we fall to the level of our training." Listeners walk away with actionable insights on leadership, self-improvement, and preparing for change, all in the spirit of Keep Hustling Get To Know J Reed Durand J. Reed Durand rose from Private to Chief Information Officer through four decades of frontline leadership in one of the world's largest and most complex institutions, the U.S. Army. Across dual military and civilian careers he guided personal, team, and enterprise level transformations while refining practical, field tested approaches to change in high stakes environments. After retiring twice he stepped back to examine the patterns behind successful continuous change. From that reflection came the Train to Change series, which blends leadership, psychology, philosophy, and organizational behavior into grounded, immediately usable strategies for personal and professional growth. His first book, Train to Change Phase One Self Mastery, is available worldwide. The follow on eBook, Train to Change Realism, advances the series into Phase Two. Reed's work bridges theory and lived experience. It offers audiences a disciplined yet deeply human approach to self mastery. His core belief is straightforward: lasting transformation begins with taking ownership of your own development. He helps others understand change, prepare for it, and turn it into a catalyst for growth in an increasingly complex world. As a change practitioner, years spent in varied roles and locations around the globe, paired with related education and training, gave him a practical understanding of self improvement, goal setting and achievement, continuous process improvement, and leadership. Along the way he developed and refined a repeatable methodology that he consistently applied to his own growth and career. He also used this hybrid approach to initiate, plan, organize, direct, and sustain large scale organizational changes that affected hundreds of thousands of Soldiers, employees, and leaders across the Army. After his second retirement he distilled those lessons into a self improvement series published with the freedom of an independent author. The insights apply to anyone managing change, regardless of background, location, or destination. In short, this approach works. Website Buy Reed's Books 3 Key Listener Takeaways 1. Stepping Into Leadership: The conversation centers on the pivotal moment when someone moves from being led to leading others. Drawing from military experience, J Reed explains that real leadership means accepting accountability, embracing influence, and owning team outcomes. Even small leadership opportunities can open the door to growth and new possibilities. 2. The Three C's of Sustainable Growth: One of the strongest ideas shared is the framework of confidence, capabilities, and capacity. Building self-awareness, pursuing deliberate training, and developing the ability to perform consistently form a practical blueprint for effective leadership and continuous improvement in any environment. 3. Adaptability Over Comfort: A recurring theme is the necessity of change and the danger of getting too comfortable. Embracing constant learning and adaptation, whether driven by technology or life shifts, keeps you relevant and successful. Accepting the flow of life and training for change becomes a clear roadmap for maintaining momentum and thriving in uncertainty. Show Overview 00:00 Gratitude to a veteran 03:44 Promotion to Sergeant 07:58 Reflecting on a 40-year Army career 11:36 Balancing Confidence, Capability, and Capacity 14:30 Building Confidence for New Routines 17:10 Adapting to tech changes 22:05 Inspiring next-gen leadership 23:32 Assessing Your Current Situation 26:48 Training for Personal Change

July 30, 2026Episode 14433 min

The Half Full Hustle with Whitney O'Halek

Travel writer Whitney O'Halek joins Aaron Gordon on Keep Hustling to share her inspiring journey from growing up in rural Tennessee to exploring the world and overcoming unimaginable tragedy. Whitney recounts how her passion for travel, sparked early by a desire to experience global cultures, became the foundation of her life and marriage. The episode turns deeply personal when Whitney describes losing her husband to choking on a flight home from Egypt, and how that moment catalyzed her mission to help single parents travel. She discusses resilience, the power of purposeful action amid grief, and her decision to continue traveling solo with her young daughter. Whitney delivers practical travel tips, reflects on adaptability, and advocates for anti-choking devices on flights. The episode is packed with motivation on facing adversity, redefining hustle, and finding fulfillment even when life feels half empty. Get To Know Whitney O'Halek Whitney O'Halek is a travel writer and storyteller who has spent two decades exploring the world and writing about it. Her journeys began solo, grew with her husband, and later continued as a family. Travel has always been how she processes life, builds connections, and tells honest stories. In January 2025 her healthy husband passed away mid-flight. In that moment she became a solo parent traveler with an infant, stepping into a life she never planned. Grief changed everything, yet it did not erase her pull toward the world or her determination to show their daughter the places they had dreamed of seeing together. Today she channels that resolve into Half Full Passport, a resource for single parents, the grieving, and travelers everywhere. She chooses to see the passport as half full rather than life as half empty. Her writing blends practical travel insight with candid storytelling, capturing destinations, everyday moments, and the quiet resilience that surfaces when plans unravel. With nearly twenty years of experience across blogs, books, and media, Whitney is the author of the Lost and Found series of travel novellas. She has partnered with tourism boards and brands and appeared on podcasts including The RV Destinations Podcast, The Israel Travel Podcast, and The Egypt Travel Podcast. Through it all she continues documenting the reality of moving through the world after loss, inviting others to keep going with open eyes and a full heart. Website Instagram Buy Whitney's Books Show Overview 00:00 Introduction to Keep Hustling Podcast 04:56 Small town vs. big city perspectives 08:54 Travel mishaps and lost car seat 12:12 Focusing on solo parent travel 15:03 Balancing family with travel goals 17:57 Special time with my daughter 22:27 Finding positivity in challenges 25:15 Finding fulfillment in purpose 28:13 Missing a flight with young kids 30:55 Promoting LifeVac in public spaces

July 23, 2026Episode 14328 min

Outwork, Outlearn and Outhustle with Tyler Woodall

In this episode of Keep Hustling, Aaron Gordon sits down with insurance entrepreneur Tyler Woodall to explore how unconventional hustle and genuine connections can shake up even the most traditional industries. Tyler shares his journey from fresh college graduate to successful agency owner. He explains how doubling down on effort, personalizing client relationships, and embracing technology, such as virtual assistants and AI, fueled his growth. The conversation covers breaking industry stereotypes, the power of deep product knowledge, balancing risk, and finding opportunity in adversity. Tyler closes with a powerful quote: "Don't tiptoe through life to arrive safely at death." It is a challenge to listeners to take calculated risks and carve their own path. This episode offers strong motivation for anyone looking to innovate and redefine hustle in any field. Get To Know Tyler Woodall Tyler Woodall, CLCS, is the founder of ScaleOps and AgencyAid. He helps independent insurance agency owners break through operational ceilings and scale profitably without adding in house staff or burning out. Tyler knows the challenges of running an insurance agency firsthand. He built The WIN Agency from the ground up, navigating every pain point: hiring struggles, backend chaos, piles of quotes, delayed service requests, missed renewals, and nonstop ringing phones. After growing and successfully exiting that agency, he refined the systems and strategies that worked and created solutions to help others overcome the same obstacles. Through AgencyAid, Tyler provides fully trained, insurance specific virtual assistants who integrate seamlessly into agency workflows. These professionals handle quoting and service support, billing follow up, renewals, client communication, and essential admin work. This gives owners reliable bandwidth without the overhead of traditional hiring. Through ScaleOps, he deploys smart AI solutions such as Ava, a 24/7 virtual receptionist that answers calls, captures leads, and routes them instantly. The combination of real people and intelligent automation eliminates missed calls, speeds up response times, lowers operating costs, and elevates the client experience. The results speak for themselves. Agency owners reclaim more than 20 hours per week, reduce overhead, and accelerate growth. Tyler and his teams have helped over 500 agencies across the country streamline operations, boost revenue, and reclaim their time. His approach is simple yet powerful: real people plus smart AI equals unstoppable growth. A designated Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS), Tyler brings deep industry expertise to every engagement. His mission is clear: fix the broken backends that hold agencies back by providing the people, processes, and tools they need to escape the daily grind and focus on what matters most, building thriving, sustainable businesses. Website LinkedIn 3 Key Listener Takeaways 1. Differentiate by Being Yourself: Tyler shows that bringing your unique personality and authentic approach to a traditional industry can be a game changer. By connecting with clients through shared interests, creative interactions, and genuine relationship building, he stands out in a field often known for suits and ties. His energy and individuality prove that being yourself can drive real business success. 2. Outwork and Outlearn the Competition: Success is not just about hustle; it is about technical mastery. Tyler dove deep into industry manuals and policies, doubling down on training and preparation. His story makes it clear that mastering your craft and being willing to do twice what others are willing to do is often the winning formula for building trust and outperforming competitors. 3. Take Calculated Risks and Pivot: Both Aaron and Tyler highlight the importance of chasing new opportunities, whether launching a scratch agency or building a VA staffing business. By hedging downside, preparing for worst case scenarios, and viewing setbacks as catalysts, they demonstrate how calculated risk taking and smart pivots can open exponential avenues for growth and reinvention. Show Overview 00:00 Catching up with insurance industry friends 06:14 Starting out in insurance sales 08:34 Building relationships with contractors 09:56 Fashion shift in medical industry 13:42 Building rapport in service business 17:30 Building relationships with small gestures 22:11 Personal challenges and life changes 24:35 Exploring new revenue streams 27:51 Encouraging listener engagement

July 16, 2026Episode 14226 min

Military Mindset and Jersey Grit with Joe Infante

In this episode of Keep Hustling, Aaron Gordon sits down with Joe Infante, former member of the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division and a seasoned business consultant. Joe shares how his early struggles and military service transformed his work ethic and outlook. He went from underachiever to Dean's List student and successful entrepreneur. The conversation explores lessons about resilience, the importance of serving others, and how any experience, no matter how tough, can teach valuable skills. Joe discusses leadership, team building, and why hiring complementary strengths is crucial for scaling businesses. He also highlights the evolving work ethic in younger generations and the value of outside mentorship. The episode wraps up with Joe Infante's favorite motivational quote: "The best thing you could do is the right thing. The next best thing you could do is the wrong thing. The worst thing you could do is nothing." Get To Know Joe Infante Joe Infante, CEO of Compass Left, is a strategic visionary and transformative business executive who aligns technology, people, processes, budgets, and timelines to drive growth and operational excellence. With a proven ability to identify and resolve organizational deficiencies, Joe builds high-performing teams, streamlines operations, and forges seamless alignment between IT and business units. A skilled leader with superior analytical, communication, and consensus-building talents, he excels at talent acquisition, strategic implementation, and fostering collaboration across cultures. His military foundation as a US Army 82nd Airborne Division Combat Engineer and Senior Drill Instructor in the 78th Infantry Division (R) reinforces his disciplined approach to leadership and execution. Joe delivers impact across key areas including M&A and acquisition integration, IT roadmaps, governance, vendor and risk management, business process optimization, strategic partnerships, and cloud/ERP initiatives. He helps organizations accelerate performance and achieve sustainable success. Website About LinkedIn 3 Key Listener Takeaways 1. The Power of Work Ethic: Joe Infante stresses that a strong work ethic and continual forward momentum are foundational to long-term success. Even when starting in hard, unenviable jobs or feeling lost, his story shows that perseverance and not letting others down ultimately build confidence, open doors, and develop a sense of purpose. 2. Embrace and Learn from Every Experience: Joe Infante illustrates how every job, no matter how menial, can teach patience, discipline, and valuable life lessons. By sharing his path from making cinder blocks to military service and business leadership, he encourages listeners to recognize and extract value from each life chapter. Growth often comes from unexpected places. 3. Build Teams for Strength, Not Similarity: Joe Infante highlights the danger of hiring in your own image and the importance of complementary partnerships. Drawing on examples from his businesses, he advocates for identifying your integrator or visionary counterpart to balance strengths, scale effectively, and sustain growth without creating dysfunction. Show Overview 00:00 Guest introduction and welcome 04:20 Joining the 82nd Airborne 06:35 Discussing the pressure of film sets 09:48 Volunteering with high school entrepreneurs 13:58 Young talent in consulting projects 16:05 Understanding business growth and leadership 22:14 Finding the right business partner 23:21 Learning to Step Back

July 9, 2026Episode 14126 min

Service Pros Hustler with Phil Risher

In this episode of Keep Hustling, Aaron Gordon sits down with Phil Risher to explore his journey from humble beginnings to scaling successful home service businesses. Drawing on his experience as a local DMV entrepreneur, Phil shares how community roots, strong systems, and the shift from hands-on hustler to strategic leader fueled his growth. The conversation dives into proven strategies for scaling, including buying back your time, leveraging data, strengthening your brand, and maximizing lifetime customer value. Phil also examines the growing impact of AI on the service industry and offers practical advice for building sustainable referral and partnership systems. The episode closes with Phil's favorite motivational quote: "If you want something bad enough, you'll find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse." Get To Know Phil Risher Phil Risher is the founder of Phlash Consulting, a specialized digital marketing consulting firm that helps $1M to $10M home service businesses (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, gutter cleaning, and similar companies) achieve consistent, measurable growth. With a hands-on, data driven approach, Phil and his team serve as a fractional CMO. They implement the proven Phlash Customer Journey framework. This system builds professional marketing operations that typically deliver 20 percent plus year over year revenue increases, higher lead volume, better conversion rates, and fuller technician schedules. Phil's expertise comes from real world experience. After succeeding at Enterprise Rent A Car, he joined a major air duct cleaning company as Director of Business Development. There, he helped scale the business from approximately $3M to over $5M in revenue with strong profit gains, contributing to its eventual sale to private equity. Frustrated with generic marketing agencies, he founded Phlash Consulting in 2019 to bridge the gap between digital marketing and actual business performance. Since then, Phlash has grown into a multimillion dollar firm with a remote team. It has helped clients add hundreds of thousands to millions in revenue through tailored strategies in SEO, automation, email nurturing, retargeting, reviews, and B2B partnerships. Phil's work has been featured in Forbes, CNBC, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, and leading industry podcasts. He lives in Maryland with his wife Ashley (the inspiration behind the Phlash name) and their daughter. Phil is known for his faith driven values, entrepreneurial journey, including a period living in a converted school bus, and commitment to helping owners build scalable, profitable businesses. Website About Instagram LinkedIn 3 Key Listener Takeaways 1. From Hustler to Leader: Phil Risher stresses that true growth in home service businesses happens when founders move beyond doing everything themselves to becoming leaders who build systems and develop other people. The "buy back your time" approach is essential for breaking through early-stage limitations. 2. Build Lifetime Value, Not Just Leads: Top performers don't rely solely on expensive ads. Instead, they focus on nurturing lasting relationships, cross-selling services, and consistent follow-up to turn one-time customers into recurring revenue sources. 3. Embrace Data and Proactive Systems: Success comes from more than grit: it's powered by dashboards, metrics, automation, and intentional outreach. Phil encourages owners to actively build referral pipelines rather than hoping for organic word-of-mouth results. Show Overview 00:00 Starting a Local Business Journey 03:09 Starting an AI-resistant service business 08:04 Reflecting on career and growth 12:01 Building a Strong Service Brand 15:09 The three-vendor trap explained 18:27 Preventing dryer lint fires 20:30 Word-of-mouth marketing strategy 22:40 AI in the Home Service Industry 25:51 Closing remarks and motivation

July 2, 2026Episode 14028 min

Hustle Boom Zeal with Phil Depaul

In this episode of Keep Hustling, Aaron Gordon sits down with Phil DePaul to discuss the journey from backyard wrestling in Staten Island to building successful home service businesses. Phil DePaul shares insights on embracing your uniqueness, staying authentic, and channeling relentless drive, what he calls "Boom Zeal." The conversation covers the challenges and rewards of the home services industry, the importance of building a strong reputation, and why finding your tribe leads to deeper satisfaction and financial success. Phil DePaul also reflects on working alongside his father, the enduring value of skilled trades, and the significance of long-term relationships in business. The episode closes with Phil DePaul's motivational mantra: "The work works on you more than you work on it." Stay tuned for a blend of humor, real talk, and practical wisdom about hustle and authenticity. Get To Know Phil Depaul Phil DePaul, known as The BoomZeal Guy, is a visionary entrepreneur, speaker, and leadership mentor based on Long Island. As the founder and CEO of BoomZeal Enterprises, he is driven by a mission to raise standards in both business and life while protecting what matters most to people. Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Phil showed an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. In high school he founded and televised a backyard wrestling federation and later built a successful wrestling themed e-commerce business. He earned a bachelors degree in computer science from Wagner College with minors in mathematics and economics. His professional career began with a part time data entry role at Coastal Plumbing Supply. Over 14 years he advanced steadily and played a key role in growing the company from two to five locations before helping rebrand it as Coastal Supply Group and serving as vice president of strategic development. He then joined The LiRo Group as deputy program manager of construction for the New York State Governors Office of Storm Recovery where he led and motivated large teams through complex projects until 2019. Fueled by a desire to forge his own path Phil entered full time entrepreneurship in 2019 as the ninth franchisee of United Water Restoration Group. He has since expanded his portfolio by launching the Long Island franchise of 1-Tom-Plumber and building complementary service businesses focused on plumbing, water damage restoration and related solutions. Through these companies he helps Long Island homeowners and commercial property managers protect their properties from water damage and plumbing emergencies while delivering exceptional service. At the heart of everything Phil does is the SCARD leadership framework: Solution-Oriented, Collaborative, Accountable, Resilient, and Dynamic. He believes good enough is never enough and that true protection of homes families businesses and futures begins from within. Phil continues to share real-time lessons from his journey inside the BoomZeal Labs community on Skool where he equips leaders and entrepreneurs with the tools and mindset needed to safeguard their time money and purpose. Website About Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Facebook 3 Key Listener Takeaways 1. Own Your Authenticity: Phil DePaul champions embracing your true personality in business. By unapologetically leading with "boom zeal," he's built a brand and community that rewards energy and authenticity rather than playing to the middle. This is proof that genuine self-expression attracts stronger relationships and greater fulfillment. 2. The Right Kind of Crazy Wins: Success in home services and in hustle-heavy careers favors those willing to run toward challenges. Phil DePaul's journey from backyard wrestling to entrepreneurship celebrates "the right amount of crazy," showing that passion and drive are competitive advantages in any high-pressure field. 3. Legacy Outlasts Quick Gains: Both Phil DePaul and Aaron Gordon underscore the importance of reputation, consistent service, and delayed gratification. Building a durable, respected business comes from over-delivering, resisting shortcuts, and steadily raising the bar for yourself and your team because, ultimately, your work works on you more than you work on it. Show Overview 00:00 Embracing the Buffalo Spirit 03:28 Finding self-awareness through reading 08:13 Being driven and authentic 12:52 Building a values-based community 14:22 Finding success by being authentic 19:49 Building a Sustainable Service Business 23:36 Building Reputation and Brand Equity 27:56 Encouraging listener feedback 28:28 Podcast closing remarks

June 25, 2026Episode 13925 min

Hustle Like A Warrior with Chris Harris

In this episode, host Aaron Gordon sits down with US Martial Arts Hall of Famer Chris Harris to explore the mindset and discipline required for real personal and professional success. Chris shares his remarkable journey from a tough childhood in Dayton, Ohio, to becoming an elite trainer for Special Forces. He stresses that mental toughness matters far more than physical ability. Chris explains how mastering the space between stimulus and response, what he calls true mindset, unlocks growth, resilience, and high performance. The conversation covers reprogramming the subconscious, embracing discomfort, and the power of consistency and ownership. He also shares practical strategies like using "medicues" to break out of autopilot thinking. Throughout the episode, Chris drives home that success comes from self awareness and a willingness to embrace the grind instead of chasing comfort. Packed with personal stories and actionable advice, this conversation delivers powerful lessons on hustle, focus, and turning passion into purpose. It closes with Chris's favorite motivational quote from Alan Watts. Get To Know Chris Harris As an international keynote speaker, Chris Harris has inspired leaders and sales professionals from hundreds of companies across more than 60 countries. He teaches audiences how to shatter their limits in sales, leadership, and life by building mental toughness and learning to motivate themselves from within. Known as The Warrior Maker, Chris is a mindset and performance expert who has given over 100 media interviews. His expertise in mental toughness was forged during a 25 year career as a private contractor training military and elite special forces in close quarters combat and relative superiority. A former all star sales performer and leader in the competitive tech industry, Chris authored Phase Selling. As a keynote speaker and executive coach, he has taught his methodology to thousands of B2B sellers and executives worldwide, helping them exceed quotas and lead more effectively by adopting a warrior's mindset. Chris has authored 14 books, including The Complete Idiot's Guide to Self Defense, which was licensed by one of the world's largest publishers. In I Go Thru, he draws on real life examples from his challenging childhood to show others how to overcome adversity using the tools they already have. He is also the founder of Roku Jutsu, an elite close quarters combat system he created in 1993. After training warfighters as a private contractor for 25 years, Chris was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame and holds the rank of Grand Master. He is a member of the Forbes Council and Business Executives for National Security (BENS). Website About Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Buy His Books 3 Key Listener Takeaways 1. Growth Lies in Discomfort Chris Harris reminds us that true development and transformation only happen when we are willing to step into discomfort. Whether pursuing personal growth, building new habits, or chasing excellence, real progress comes from embracing the suck and finding value in the struggle itself, not just the end result. 2. Master Your Mindset The key to success starts with mastering the space between stimulus and response. Chris explains that developing metacognition, being aware of your thoughts in every moment, and intentionally disrupting automatic behaviors is essential for lasting change. Simple tools like medicues (mental checkpoints) can help you stay focused and build resilience. 3. Own Your Journey Success requires brutal self awareness, acceptance, and full ownership. Before you can build consistency and results, you must first understand where you are, accept your current reality, and take responsibility for how you got there. Only then can you chart a better course, face your inner battles, and keep hustling through distractions and doubts. Show Overview 00:00 Martial arts lessons at local church 05:36 The mental side of martial arts 07:47 Understanding basic self-defense moves 12:37 Striving for Excellence in Business 14:22 Facing Internal Doubts for Success 16:59 Understanding Metacognition and Change 19:25 Importance of mindfulness and purpose 23:17 Advice from a billionaire mentor