The Matthews Mentality Podcast

Hosted by Kyle Matthews

Business EntrepreneurshipInterviews guests

Website RSS feed LinkedIn Facebook Instagram YouTube

Episodes

123

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

A podcast dedicated to exploring the mindsets, mentality, and motivation of the world's top experts. From athletes and entrepreneurs to CEOs and business moguls, learn what it takes to find success and build a deeper understanding of the mentality required.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

July 7, 20261 hr 32 min

Why Smart People Keep Losing Negotiations

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Dr. Abbie Marono, behavioral scientist, author, and international expert on trust, influence, body language, and human behavior.Dr. Marono has trained the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and numerous federal agencies on behavioral analysis, interviewing, and nonverbal communication. In this conversation, she explains how to better understand people, build trust faster, communicate more effectively, and become a stronger leader by learning the science behind human behavior.Beyond the research, Abbie shares her incredible personal journey through addiction, homelessness, trauma, and rebuilding her life into one dedicated to helping others better understand themselves and the people around them.Topics covered in this episode:How to read body language without falling for common mythsWhy body language often reveals more than wordsThe science behind trust, influence, and first impressionsFight-or-flight responses and what they reveal about behaviorSelf-soothing behaviors, confidence, and anxiety cuesWhy context and cue clusters matter more than individual gesturesThe psychology of negotiation and influenceEmotional regulation and the hidden side of leadershipHow curiosity creates stronger conversations and better outcomesDr. Marono's journey from addiction and homelessness to becoming a leading behavioral scientistHealing from trauma and rebuilding self-agencyTraining the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and federal agenciesWhy the best negotiators stop trying to "win"Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, salesperson, negotiator, or simply someone who wants to better understand people, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately in both business and everyday life.Follow Dr. Abbie Marono:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbiemarono LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbiemarono Website: https://www.abbiemarono.comFollow Kyle Matthews:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylematthewsceo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kylematthewsceo X: https://x.com/kylematthewsceo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylematthewsceo00:00 Listen to Understand 00:45 Meet Dr. Abbie Marono 02:47 Why Body Language Matters 04:33 Fight or Flight Signals 06:29 Confidence and Self-Soothing 08:39 Reading Proximity Cues 12:11 Smiles and Building Trust 14:52 Influence vs. Manipulation 16:03 Addiction, Homelessness & Recovery 22:15 The Turning Point 23:14 Rebuilding After Trauma 27:56 Back to School & Finding Mentors 32:48 Research, Joe Navarro & Behavioral Science 41:48 Reading Context, Not Just Cues 43:57 Trauma and Mental Contamination 48:52 Intuition vs. Trauma 49:26 A Relationship Turns Dark 50:48 Betrayal and Assault 51:36 Feeling Trapped 53:14 Family, Healing & Recovery 54:29 The Science of Emotional Shutdown 56:23 Healing Through Safe Relationships 59:03 The Hidden Half of Leadership 01:01:39 Joe Navarro's Influence 01:06:10 Training Federal Agents 01:08:54 Building Trust Under Stress 01:12:08 Executive Blind Spots 01:19:50 Why Personal Becomes Professional 01:21:31 Self-Reflection and Shame 01:23:41 Rapid Fire: Body Language 01:28:54 Negotiation: Drop the Goal 01:31:42 Closing Thoughts

June 30, 202658 min

The First Thing Chobani's Founder Told Me

Kyle Matthews sits down with Ricky Silver, CEO of Daily Harvest, to discuss how one of America's fastest-growing healthy food companies is changing the way people eat.Ricky shares his unconventional journey from studying chemistry at Skidmore College and pursuing a PhD at NYU to becoming a personal chef, working in PepsiCo's research and development division, leading innovation at Vita Coco, and ultimately becoming CEO of Daily Harvest following its acquisition by Chobani.The conversation explores what it takes to build a mission-driven food company, why healthier eating has become unnecessarily complicated, how Daily Harvest sources ingredients from around the world, and the leadership lessons Ricky has learned while scaling a rapidly growing business.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why Daily Harvest believes healthy eating should be simple • How Ricky transitioned from chemistry into the food industry • What he learned during his years at PepsiCo and Vita Coco • Why Daily Harvest chose to expand beyond smoothies • The surprising story behind rescuing "imperfect" bananas from Ecuador • Why food safety is the foundation of Chobani's culture • How Ricky became CEO and helped lead Daily Harvest through its acquisition by Chobani • Leadership lessons from competitive sports • Why the best managers are "kind, not nice" • The importance of curiosity, accountability, and building high-performing teams

June 23, 202658 min

How Manscaped Created A Billion-Dollar Category

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Paul Tran, founder and CEO of MANSCAPED, the company that transformed men’s grooming by creating an entirely new category and turning it into a global brand.Born in Vietnam and arriving in America as a first-generation immigrant with his family, Paul’s story is a true example of the American Dream. From growing up in poverty and putting himself through USC to launching multiple businesses and eventually building MANSCAPED into one of the most recognized names in consumer products, Paul shares the lessons, sacrifices, and mindset that fueled his entrepreneurial journey.Kyle and Paul discuss entrepreneurship, risk-taking, scaling a startup, leadership, work-life balance, AI, branding, family, philanthropy, and what it takes to build a category-defining company from scratch.Time Stamp:00:00 No Work Life Balance00:38 Meet Paul Tran01:51 Vietnam to America06:40 Early Hustle Mindset09:18 Turning Grades Around10:30 USC and First Ventures14:11 Manscaped Origin Story16:55 Validating Product Market Fit18:56 Bootstrapping and Iteration20:42 Humor Driven Marketing23:40 Startup Chaos Stories26:03 Motivation and Legacy27:58 Scaling Beyond Below Waist29:42 COVID Growth Challenges30:34 COVID Baby Boom31:02 Retail Wins Post COVID32:11 Omnichannel Conviction33:32 AI Changes Shopping36:58 Founder Health Reset41:13 Family While Scaling43:06 Immigrant Parent Pressure45:56 Buying Parents Homes47:03 Giving Back Vietnam53:05 Manscaped Picks Rapidfire57:38 Wrap Up ThanksPaul also shares touching stories about his family's journey from Vietnam, his commitment to helping orphaned children, and why creating opportunities for others has become his greatest motivation.Whether you're an entrepreneur, founder, executive, immigrant chasing the American Dream, or someone looking to build a meaningful business and life, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and powerful life lessons.Follow Paul Tran:LinkedIn: Paul TranInstagram: @paultranX: @paultranLearn More About MANSCAPED:https://www.manscaped.comFollow Kyle Matthews:Instagram: @KyleMatthewsCEOX: @KyleMatthewsCEOLinkedIn: Kyle MatthewsTikTok: @KyleMatthewsCEO#PaulTran #MANSCAPED #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #FounderStory #AmericanDream #StartupLife #Leadership #BrandBuilding #ConsumerProducts #Ecommerce #MensGrooming #AI #MatthewsMentality #KyleMatthewsCEO

June 17, 20261 hr 6 min

Why Physical Retail Isn't Going Away

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Jodie McLean, CEO of EDENS, one of the nation’s largest privately held owners, operators, and developers of open-air retail and mixed-use destinations.Jodie’s journey is anything but conventional. She joined EDENS as a financial analyst fresh out of college and spent more than three decades helping transform the company into a real estate powerhouse with a portfolio that serves millions of people every day. Along the way, she became one of the most respected leaders in commercial real estate, served as Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and helped redefine what retail real estate can be in a rapidly changing world.Kyle and Jodie discuss leadership, mentorship, career longevity, the future of retail, artificial intelligence, community building, and the lessons learned from leading through economic cycles, e-commerce disruption, and changing consumer behavior.In this episode, you'll learn:• How Jodie rose from analyst to CEO after 36 years at one company • Why loyalty, impact, and long-term thinking still matter in today's business world • The leadership lessons that shaped EDENS' culture and growth • How e-commerce transformed retail real estate—and why physical places matter more than ever • Why AI may increase demand for human connection, not decrease it • What makes great communities and thriving mixed-use developments • Her experience serving as Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond • The challenges and opportunities of being a female leader in commercial real estate • Why culture ultimately beats strategy in building great organizations • The importance of mentorship, curiosity, resilience, and taking calculated risksJodie also shares the story of nearly leaving EDENS, the mentor who changed her career trajectory, and the bold decisions that helped shape one of the most innovative retail real estate companies in America.Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, investor, commercial real estate professional, or someone looking to build a meaningful career, this conversation is packed with wisdom on leadership, purpose, and creating lasting impact.Follow Jodie McLean: LinkedIn: Jodie McLean Instagram: @jodiewmcleanLearn More About EDENS: https://www.edens.comFollow Kyle Matthews: Instagram: @KyleMatthewsCEO X: @KyleMatthewsCEO LinkedIn: Kyle Matthews TikTok: @KyleMatthewsCEO#JodieMcLean #EDENS #CommercialRealEstate #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #RetailRealEstate #BusinessPodcast #MatthewsMentality #CEO #WomenInBusiness #RealEstateDevelopment #CommunityBuilding #FederalReserve #BusinessLeadership #KyleMatthewsCEO

June 9, 20261 hr 13 min

The Real Reason Some Careers Accelerate

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Brian Finnegan, President and CEO of Brixmor Property Group (NYSE: BRX), one of the largest open-air shopping center owners and operators in the United States.Brian’s story is a masterclass in leadership, patience, and long-term career growth. Starting as a leasing representative in 2004, he spent more than two decades working through nearly every operational role in the company before ultimately becoming CEO of a publicly traded real estate investment trust with 344 shopping centers, 62+ million square feet of retail space, and more than 900 million annual consumer visits.Time Stamps:00:00 Intro00:55 Welcome to the Show02:25 Understanding Brixmor Property Group05:10 Retail's Resurgence08:04 Supply and Demand Dynamics11:19 Same Store Growth12:51 How We Met15:13 Networking as a Young Professional16:49 Brixmor's Evolution and History20:41 Lessons from Being Young22:30 Philadelphia Roots24:29 Getting Into Real Estate26:49 Brokerage Lessons28:33 Cold Calling Stories30:56 Dealing with Rejection34:32 Time Blocking and Prospecting35:10 Maximizing Your Current Role38:01 Moving Across America39:37 Embracing New Cities40:54 National Portfolio Experience41:36 Market Expertise Matters43:14 Career Growth and Relocation45:20 Becoming CEO49:07 First Quarter Success51:59 CEO Responsibilities53:13 Redevelopment Strategy56:08 Work Life Balance01:00:13 Technology and AI01:05:07 Innovation and Young Talent01:07:50 Advice for Young Professionals01:10:01 Rapid Fire RoundIf you're interested in commercial real estate, investing, leadership, entrepreneurship, career growth, public companies, REITs, retail real estate, or business strategy, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experience.Follow Brian Finnegan:LinkedIn: Brian FinneganLearn More About Brixmor Property Group:Website: https://www.brixmor.com NYSE: BRXFollow Kyle Matthews:Instagram: @KyleMatthewsCEO TikTok: @KyleMatthewsCEO X: @KyleMatthewsCEO LinkedIn: Kyle MatthewsSubscribe for more interviews with CEOs, founders, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.#KyleMatthewsCEO #BrianFinnegan #Brixmor #BRX #CommercialRealEstate #RetailRealEstate #REIT #Investing #Leadership #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #RealEstateInvesting #CEO #Retail #ShoppingCenters #MatthewsMentality #BusinessGrowth #NYSE #CareerGrowth #CommercialProperty

June 2, 20261 hr 5 min

Why Turning Down Shark Tank Was the Best Decision They Made

Nick Friedman, co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, joins Kyle Matthews to share how a 2003 summer hustle with a beat-up cargo van grew into a national brand with roughly 200 franchise owners across 40+ states. They discuss the origin of the name and the HUNKS acronym (Honest, Uniformed, Nice, Knowledgeable Service), why customers pay for convenience and clutter relief, and how systems from The E-Myth helped them scale. Nick recounts appearing on Shark Tank’s first episode, dealing with Kevin O’Leary’s negativity, receiving an offer from Robert Herjavec, and turning it down. He explains franchising pros/cons, self-funding for 15 years, culture and accountability, lessons from Undercover Boss, industry headwinds tied to housing, and the company’s giving efforts including domestic violence survivor moves and Tampa hurricane relief.

May 27, 20261 hr 33 min

The Dark Side of Buy Now Pay Later

On the Matthews Mentality podcast, host Kyle Matthews interviews four-time founder and Kasheesh CEO Sam Miller, who dropped out of college, bootstrapped early companies, achieved three exits, and now leads a fintech platform that lets consumers split purchases across multiple cards with no loans, interest, or credit checks. Miller explains Kasheesh’s origin as a response to predatory buy-now-pay-later lending, its evolution from a browser extension to Apple Pay/Google Pay, and growth to 110,000+ users and $72M+ in transactions. They discuss fundraising challenges, differences between bootstrapping and venture-backed startups, lessons from working in VC, and how consumer usage shifted from discretionary spending to essentials like rent and utilities. The conversation also covers AI’s impact on work, economic warning signs, and Kasheesh roadmap features like Replay, group payments, and rent reporting to credit bureaus.

May 19, 20261 hr 6 min

He Quit Wall Street to Buy a Frozen Yogurt Shop

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews interviews Neil Hershman, CEO of 16 Handles, entrepreneur, franchise operator, Everest summiter, endurance athlete, and business owner.Neil shares how he left a hedge fund career at 23 years old, bought a single 16 Handles frozen yogurt franchise with an SBA loan, and scaled it into a rapidly growing national franchise brand with nearly 80 locations.This episode covers entrepreneurship, franchising, business growth, leadership, scaling a company, SBA loans, franchise ownership, investing, mental toughness, endurance training, and building a successful consumer brand.Topics covered in this episode:How Neil Hershman bought and scaled 16 HandlesGrowing a franchise business from 1 location to nearly 80 storesUsing SBA loans to buy a businessEntrepreneurship and startup lessonsScaling operations and franchise systemsLeadership lessons from business and endurance sportsClimbing Mount Everest and completing ultra-endurance racesBalancing business growth, family, and personal performanceThe future expansion of 16 Handles across the United StatesHow community-driven brands win in today’s marketIf you’re interested in entrepreneurship, franchising, startups, scaling a business, investing, business leadership, or founder stories, this episode is packed with insights and practical lessons.Follow 16 Handles: Instagram: @16handles Website: https://16handles.comFollow Kyle Matthews: Instagram: @KyleMatthewsCEO TikTok: @KyleMatthewsCEO X: @KyleMatthewsCEO LinkedIn: Kyle MatthewsSubscribe for more interviews with entrepreneurs, CEOs, investors, athletes, and high performers.

May 12, 20261 hr 18 min

The Sport America Is Sleeping On

Kyle Matthews interviews Marc Riccio, CEO of USA Lacrosse, about the sport’s growth, access challenges, and lacrosse’s return to the Olympics in LA 2028 as a medal sport for the first time since 1908. Riccio explains the sixes format (a faster, smaller-sided game akin to rugby sevens) and notes the U.S. women are ranked No. 1 while the U.S. men are No. 2 behind Canada. He discusses obstacles such as high school sanctioning (24 states still not sanctioned), pay-to-play infrastructure, and efforts like “Lacrosse in a Bag” to introduce the sport in schools. Riccio shares leadership lessons from 17 years with the New York Jets, his career path, and how team culture and vulnerability help build championship rosters.00:00 Move Early Mindset00:38 Meet Marc Riccio01:56 Lacrosse Growth Tailwinds02:37 Olympics Hype And Hockey Comp04:53 Participation Numbers And TAM08:02 High School Sanctioning Fight11:14 LA28 Sixes And Medal Odds12:07 Lacrosse Origin Story14:37 Traits Of Great Players16:54 Team Culture And Leadership19:41 From Kid Player To Scholarship22:45 College Grind And Pro Reality28:40 Breaking Into The Jets31:01 Parcells Lessons And Decisions37:04 Belichick Contrast And Media39:02 Post Jets Career And CEO Life41:24 Work Ethic And Choices42:06 Work and Family Balance42:49 Driven by Insecurity44:14 From Winning to Legacy45:33 Access to Lacrosse47:40 Explaining USA Lacrosse50:31 Pitch to Parents52:21 Multi Sport vs Specialize55:48 Toxic Parent Cultures01:01:39 Lacrosse Community Magic01:06:44 Olympics 2028 Journey01:10:43 Global Growth and Funding01:14:00 Final Wrap

May 5, 202650 min

HOTWORX Founder: A Casual Conversation Built An 800-Location Empire

Kyle Matthews interviews Stephen Smith, founder and CEO of HOTWORX, a 24-hour infrared fitness studio franchise that has grown to over 800 locations since opening its first studio in 2017 after a Jamaica conversation sparked the “yoga in a sauna” concept and a patented infrared fitness sauna. Smith explains HOTWORX's model—app-based access and booking, isometric sauna sessions (30 minutes) and HIIT sauna workouts (15 minutes) using cycling, a total body trainer, and a patented dual-tank rower—plus the claimed benefits of heat, infrared energy, and “3D training.” He shares his entrepreneurial path from opening Bodyplex at 22 to Planet Beach franchising, key franchising lessons, scaling practices like one coach per 50 locations, a “10/10 work ethic” hiring rule, and the launch of Diet Trax and AI-driven TrainingTRAX with Body Vision and 90-day challenges, while targeting 2,000 locations by 2030.00:00 Work Ethic Filter00:48 Meet Stephen Smith02:41 Scaling to 800 Studios04:13 What Is HOTWORX06:28 Infrared Training Science08:38 Jamaica Lightbulb Moment09:55 Early Entrepreneur Roots12:29 Bodyplex Leap of Faith15:52 Golds Gym Lessons17:30 Planet Beach Franchising18:51 Franchisor Playbook21:46 Work Life Balance Debate23:15 Motivation and Football Mindset26:30 From Fitness to Tanning27:25 Reinventing Planet Beach28:24 Naming HOTWORX29:11 Launching the First Studio29:46 Turning Customers into Franchisees31:23 Scaling with Coaches33:22 Ambition and Growth Mindset34:30 Diet Trax to TrainingTRAX36:44 Gamified 90 Day Challenges37:15 Body Vision and AI Coaching39:32 AI for Operations41:11 Exit Plans and IPO Talk41:57 Workations and Balance42:52 Advice for Younger Self45:30 Wild Entrepreneur Stories49:14 Wrap Up and Where to Find HOTWORX