Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast 2.0

Hosted by Richard Kaufman

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407

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Interviewing high performers and people that have struggled through difficulties and still came out on top.. These people will inspire you to hit all your goals and live the life you desire. Definitely needed for those interested in self help like myself. Please listen,subscribe,share and leave a comment thank you 🙏

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November 11, 202642 min

Dre Baldwin: Stop Making Excuses & Execute Your Plan

STOP TALKING ABOUT YOUR DREAMS. START EXECUTING YOUR PLAN! EVERYBODY WANTS TO WIN. BUT NOT EVERYBODY IS WILLING TO DO WHAT IT TAKES. What separates the people who talk about success from the people who actually achieve it? ONE WORD: EXECUTION. On this powerful episode of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, I sit down with former professional basketball player, entrepreneur, author, and creator of the Work On Your Game philosophy, Dre Baldwin, to discuss what it REALLY takes to turn your goals into results. Dre didn’t build his success by waiting for someone to give him an opportunity. He created his own. And that’s a lesson every entrepreneur, veteran, leader, and person fighting to make a comeback needs to hear. We dive deep into: DISCIPLINE OVER MOTIVATION Why showing up when you don’t feel like it separates winners from everyone else. 🔥EXECUTION OVER EXCUSES Why your goals mean absolutely nothing without consistent action. MENTAL TOUGHNESS How to develop the mindset to keep moving when life knocks you down. CONFIDENCE THROUGH ACTION Why believing in yourself starts with keeping promises to yourself. THE WINNING MINDSET How to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start creating opportunities. Here’s something I’ve learned after serving 23 years in the military, battling addiction, overcoming homelessness, and rebuilding my life: YOUR PAST DOESN’T DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE. YOUR DAILY DECISIONS DO. You can have the greatest plan in the world, but if you never execute it, it’s nothing more than a dream. And dreams without action don’t change lives. This conversation with Dre Baldwin is a reminder that success isn’t reserved for the most talented, the luckiest, or the most connected. It’s built by people willing to do the work when nobody is watching. STOP WAITING FOR PERMISSION. STOP MAKING EXCUSES. START EXECUTING. 🎧 Listen to this episode of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast and discover how to develop the discipline, confidence, and mindset to take your life and business to the next level. 👉 WATCH. LISTEN. SUBSCRIBE. SHARE. And if you know someone who’s been talking about changing their life but hasn’t taken that first step, SEND THEM THIS EPISODE. It might be exactly what they need to hear today. Because your story isn’t over yet. To Get In Touch With Dre http://www.WorkOnYourGameUniversity.com/apply TODAY I DECIDE. ☕ Proudly Sponsored by Bilge Brew Coffee Co.! 🇺🇸 Veteran-owned. Mission-driven. Fueled by purpose. Bilge Brew Coffee isn’t just about great coffee. It’s about supporting those who served and the communities they continue to inspire. 🇺🇸 Use code VERTICAL10 to save 10% on your order! Great coffee. Great mission. FUEL YOUR COMEBACK! ☕ #DreBaldwin #SelfDiscipline #WinningMindset

October 30, 202629 min

The Mission Doesn’t End: Team RWB Founder LTC Mike Erwin

THE WAR MAY BE OVER… BUT FOR MANY VETERANS, THE HARDEST BATTLE IS JUST BEGINNING. What happens when you take off the uniform, lose your tribe, and suddenly feel like you’ve lost your purpose? For many veterans, coming home isn’t the end of the battle. It’s the beginning of an entirely different one. On this powerful episode of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, I sit down with Lieutenant Colonel Mike Erwin, West Point graduate, three-tour combat veteran, bestselling co-author of Lead Yourself First , and founder of Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB). After serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mike recognized something that too many veterans understand firsthand. You can leave the military, but you never stop needing a mission, a team, and a reason to get up every morning. In 2010, he founded Team RWB to help veterans rebuild those connections through physical fitness, community, and shared purpose. What started as a vision to bring veterans together has grown into a nationwide movement reaching hundreds of thousands of veterans, service members, families, and supporters. And this mission is personal to me. After 23 years of military service, I’ve experienced my own battles with PTSD, losing my eyesight, addiction, and moments when I didn’t want to live another day. That’s why I believe so strongly in what Mike has built. BROTHERHOOD DOESN’T END WHEN THE UNIFORM COMES OFF. This conversation explores veteran mental health, military transition, leadership, resilience, physical wellness, the power of human connection, and why finding your next mission can change your life. Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for a struggling veteran isn’t give them another speech. It’s invite them to belong to something again. If you’re a veteran feeling disconnected, a military spouse supporting someone you love, or a civilian who wants to make a difference, THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU. 🎧 LISTEN. SUBSCRIBE. SHARE. Send this episode to ONE veteran who needs to hear that they’re not forgotten, they’re not alone, and their best days can still be ahead of them. Learn more about Team RWB and find your community at www.teamrwb.org I’m Richard Kaufman, The Comeback Coach, and my mission is to remind every veteran of one simple truth: YOUR SERVICE MAY HAVE ENDED. BUT YOUR PURPOSE HASN’T. YOUR STORY ISN’T OVER. AND YOUR NEXT MISSION IS WAITING. TODAY I DECIDE. #TeamRWB #VeteranMentalHealth #MilitaryTransition

October 21, 202641 min

How To Build An Unbreakable Mindset With Croix Sather

THEY SAID HE MIGHT NEVER WALK AGAIN. HE WENT ON TO RUN ACROSS AMERICA! WHAT IF THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN YOU AND GREATNESS IS YOUR MINDSET? At just 14 years old, Croix Sather was nearly killed by a drunk driver. Years later, he ran 100 marathons in 100 days and conquered Death Valley! In this powerful episode of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, I sit down with world-record-setting endurance athlete, TEDx speaker, and author Croix Sather to explore how to develop a winning mindset, build unbreakable mental toughness, overcome adversity, and turn seemingly impossible dreams into reality. YOUR PAST DOESN’T DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE. YOUR DECISIONS DO! Listen now, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to believe in themselves again. TODAY I DECIDE! To Get In Touch With Croix https://www.croixsather.com/unstoppable_morning_5_day_challenge ☕️ WINNING MINDSETS START WITH GREAT COFFEE! Today’s episode is fueled by Bilge Brew Coffee, proudly veteran-owned and Navy veteran-founded! Whether you’re conquering the battlefield, the boardroom, or your morning routine, fuel your mission with coffee that works as hard as you do! Visit www.BilgeBrew.com and use my code VERTICAL10 to save 10% on your order! BILGE BREW COFFEE — FUEL YOUR MISSION! #WinningMindset #MentalToughness #Resilience

October 15, 202634 min

AI Is Changing Business FOREVER! Are You Ready? With Jeffrey Ross

AI IS CHANGING EVERYTHING. WILL YOU ADAPT OR GET LEFT BEHIND? The future of entrepreneurship is being rewritten by Artificial Intelligence. The question is, are you ready? On this game-changing episode of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, host Richard Kaufman sits down with Jeffrey Ross, entrepreneur, speaker, AI mastery coach, and the man behind The Laptop Lifestyle Dad , for a powerful conversation about the future of artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and building a business in a rapidly changing world. Jeffrey has built his reputation helping entrepreneurs embrace technology, master social selling, strengthen their personal brands, and create businesses that provide more freedom, impact, and opportunity. IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE: ✅ How artificial intelligence is transforming entrepreneurship and business. ✅ Why entrepreneurs who refuse to adapt risk falling behind. ✅ How to leverage AI to work smarter, increase productivity, and create opportunities. ✅ The importance of personal branding and authentic relationships in an AI-driven world. ✅ How social selling and emerging technology are changing the way entrepreneurs connect with customers. ✅ Why the human element will always matter, no matter how advanced technology becomes. HERE’S THE BOTTOM LINE: AI isn’t here to replace your purpose, passion, or creativity. It’s a tool that can help you amplify them. But technology alone won’t build your business. Your mindset, leadership, relationships, and willingness to take action still determine your direction. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, veteran transitioning into business, content creator, or leader looking to stay ahead of the curve, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what’s possible. DON’T JUST WATCH THE FUTURE HAPPEN. BE PART OF BUILDING IT! Subscribe to the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast. Share this episode with an entrepreneur who needs to hear this message. Visit VerticalMomentumPodcast.com for more powerful conversations about resilience, leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast Because Comeback Stories Are Contagious! To Get In Touch With Jeffrey https://www.facebook.com/share/1Gt7jXcodd/?mibextid=wwXIfr ☕🇺🇸 TODAY’S EPISODE IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY BILGE BREW COFFEE CO! Veteran-owned. Mission-driven. Built for those who never quit! Founded by U.S. Navy veteran Nathan Janusz, Bilge Brew delivers premium coffee for those who bring their A-game from the battlefield to the boardroom! 🔥 Fuel your mission with coffee that works as hard as you do! 👉 Visit BilgeBrew.com and use code VERTICAL10 to save 10% on your order! 🇺🇸 Support veteran-owned businesses. Drink with purpose! #ArtificialIntelligence #Entrepreneurship

October 8, 202650 min

What Is REAL Leadership? Lessons From A 3 Star General

RANK DOESN’T MAKE YOU A LEADER. CHARACTER DOES! What does TRUE leadership look like when lives are on the line? Is leadership about the rank on your chest, the title on your business card, or the number of people who report to you? Or is it about something much deeper? 🎙️ On this powerful episode of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, I sit down with retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, a combat-tested leader who spent 38 years serving our nation. From commanding the legendary 1st Armored Division during the Iraq War to leading U.S. Army forces across Europe, General Hertling knows what it means to make difficult decisions, develop leaders, and carry the responsibility of command. But here’s what makes his story even more powerful. After leaving the battlefield, he took those hard-earned leadership lessons into hospitals, boardrooms, and classrooms, proving that TRUE LEADERSHIP ISN’T ABOUT POWER. IT’S ABOUT PEOPLE. We explore the meaning of authentic leadership, character, accountability, resilience, mentorship, and why earning trust matters more than demanding respect. Whether you’re a veteran, entrepreneur, business owner, first responder, or someone simply trying to become a better leader for your family, this conversation is for YOU. You don’t need three stars on your shoulders to make a difference in someone’s life. You just need the courage to lead by example. YOUR MISSION: Listen to this episode, subscribe to the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, and share it with one person who needs to hear what true leadership really means. 🌐 VerticalMomentumPodcast.com Because Comeback Stories Are Contagious! To Get Mark’s New Book 📖 https://www.amazon.com/If-Dont-Return-Fathers-Wartime/dp/B0GRWSFPRD/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=157002325182&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cWf06defxJS3tqY-oUBOnfJZB8QGQ89Od_jJMkM45cX3XMs8Id_d5ow7ygXgCKGzlS3obQ1ZWA0LQRDf56hwSg.eQGj17_Z4FpA06qUiTLuEYq-WF37ehoEISvRU7QupK0&dib_tag=se&hvadid=713606170037&hvdev=m&hvexpln=68&hvlocphy=9003489&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=4167120253935470041--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4167120253935470041&hvtargid=kwd-2188882931943&hydadcr=15176_13754956&keywords=mark+hertling+book&mcid=4bb581eef05d3734b726a6b0a193ac9c&qid=1791488748&sr=8-1 ☕ GREAT LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH GREAT COFFEE! This episode of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast is proudly sponsored by Bilge Brew Coffee Co., a veteran-owned company that knows the mission doesn’t end when the uniform comes off! 🇺🇸 Support those who served while fueling YOUR next mission! 🔥 Use code VERTICAL10 for 10% OFF your order at www.BilgeBrew.com. Bilge Brew Coffee — Fueling the Mission, One Cup at a Time! #Leadership #MilitaryLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment

October 1, 202657 min

AI Can Copy Your Content, But It Can’t Copy YOU With Henry Sims

AI CAN COPY YOUR CONTENT… BUT IT CAN’T COPY YOUR IDENTITY. Artificial intelligence is changing business faster than most people can keep up with, but what happens to YOUR brand when everyone has access to the same AI tools? On this episode of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, I sit down with Henry Sims, “The Identity Engineer,” to break down the future of personal branding, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and building real authority in an AI-driven world. We talk about why your story and authentic voice matter more than ever, the difference between branding and marketing, and how entrepreneurs can use AI as a tool, not a replacement for who they are. AI can help you create faster. 🔥 AI can help you market smarter. 🔥 But YOU still have to give people a reason to trust you. If you’re an entrepreneur, creator, speaker, coach, or business owner trying to build a brand that actually stands out, DO NOT MISS THIS CONVERSATION. 🎧 Listen now. Subscribe to Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast. 🔁 Share this episode with someone building their brand in the age of AI. 🌐 http://VerticalMomentumPodcast.com Because Comeback Stories Are Contagious ☕ Fueled by Bilge Brew Coffee Co. , veteran-owned coffee built for those who still have a mission to accomplish. 🇺🇸 Grab your coffee and use code VERTICAL10 to save 10%. https://bilgebrew.com/?srsltid=AU7gw4WA3tpofrRA7h8FWQxAvYW9mNHJpWrqNXnW9HPvC5rfM-WPS_Z_ Drink better coffee. Support veterans. Keep moving forward. To get in touch with Henry https://henrysims.com #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Branding

September 23, 202637 min

How To Start Over And Win With Max Konan

HOW TO START OVER AND WIN 🏆 | MAX KONAN What do you do when life takes away the plan you thought you were supposed to follow? You start over. On this powerful episode of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, I sit down with author, entrepreneur, speaker, and CEO Max Konan, a man whose life is living proof that where you start does NOT have to determine where you finish. Born in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa, Max survived a traumatic childhood accident that changed the course of his life. He faced physical challenges, hearing loss, grief, scarcity, cultural barriers, and eventually the challenge of coming to America and rebuilding his life again. But Max refused to allow what he lacked to determine what he could become. From working late-night jobs cleaning clubs and washing dishes to becoming a special-education teacher, entrepreneur, CEO, and author of Start Over to Win, Max learned something that every person facing adversity needs to hear: Sometimes starting over isn’t losing. It’s your opportunity to rebuild differently. In this conversation, Max shares the principles behind his B.R.A.V.E. Framework, how to turn scarcity into strategy, overcome setbacks, stop waiting for perfect conditions, find opportunity in what you already have, and take action when life forces you to hit RESET. We also talk about resilience, leadership, purpose, overcoming the odds, and why your greatest setback may become the foundation for your greatest comeback. If you’re rebuilding after failure… Starting a new career… Recovering from loss… Building a business with limited resources… Or simply wondering, “Is it too late for me to start again?” You need to hear this conversation. Your circumstances don’t get the final word. Your setbacks don’t get the final word. And your story isn’t over. 🎙️ Listen to How to Start Over and Win with Max Konan on the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast. ➡️ Subscribe. Share this episode with somebody who needs a comeback. And visit http://VerticalMomentumPodcast.com for more conversations about resilience, purpose, leadership, and overcoming adversity. Because Comeback Stories Are Contagious To Get Max’s New Book Click Here https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FZWRQSM7?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback ☕ THIS EPISODE IS FUELED BY BILGE BREW COFFEE Great conversations deserve great coffee. Support a veteran-owned coffee company and grab your next bag of Bilge Brew Coffee. Use code VERTICAL10 at checkout to save 10% on your order. Drink great coffee. Support veterans. Keep moving forward. #StartOverToWin #Resilience #ComebackStory

September 17, 202635 min

Is Franchising Right For You With Jeff Shafritz

IS FRANCHISING RIGHT FOR YOU? What if the fastest path to business ownership isn’t starting from scratch? On this episode of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, host Richard Kaufman sits down with franchise expert and Franchise Guidance founder Jeff Shafritz to answer a question thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs wrestle with: Is franchising right for you? Jeff has spent decades in the franchise industry and has experienced franchising from nearly every angle, from franchise development and helping grow brands to owning and operating a franchise himself and ultimately helping hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs explore business ownership. But here’s what makes this conversation different: Franchising isn’t simply about finding a successful brand. It’s about finding the right business for YOU. Your goals. Your finances. Your strengths. Your lifestyle. And the life you’re actually trying to build. Richard and Jeff break down what prospective franchise owners should understand before investing, the misconceptions surrounding franchise ownership, how to evaluate opportunities, why due diligence matters, and the questions you need to ask BEFORE putting your money on the line. You’ll discover why buying a franchise isn’t necessarily about buying yourself another job, and why the right systems, support, business model, and personal fit can make all the difference. Whether you’re a veteran transitioning into civilian life, a corporate professional considering your next chapter, an entrepreneur looking to diversify your income, or someone who’s simply tired of building someone else’s dream, this episode will give you a clearer understanding of the franchise ownership journey. Before you quit your job… Before you invest your savings… Before you buy a franchise… 🎧 Listen to this conversation. The question isn’t just: “Is this a good franchise?” The better question is: “Is franchising, and this particular business, the right fit for the life I want to build?” ➡️ Subscribe to the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast ➡️ Share this episode with someone considering business ownership ➡️ Visit http://VerticalMomentumPodcast.com Because Comeback Stories Are Contagious. To get in touch with Jeff http://www.franchiseguidance.com Thank You To Our Sponsors Bilge Brew Coffee The Best Single Source Coffee ☕️ In The World 🌎 Get Yours Here And Use Code VERTICAL10 At Checkout For 10 Percent Off And FREE SHIPPING. #Franchising #FranchiseOwnership #business

September 10, 20261 hr 7 min

How To Buy Back Your Time With George Rivera

WHAT IF THE BUSINESS YOU BUILT TO GIVE YOU FREEDOM… IS ACTUALLY STEALING YOUR LIFE? On this powerful episode of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, I sit down with entrepreneur, author, and creator of the Buy Back Time Formula, George Rivera, to talk about something every entrepreneur, leader, and high achiever needs to hear. George spent nearly 30 years building businesses, including multiple eight-figure companies and a supplement business that generated more than $250 MILLION. But success came with a price. Long hours. Stress. Exhaustion. And precious moments with his family he could never get back. Then his father gave him a message that changed everything: “Don’t miss Leo’s games.” That wake-up call forced George to redefine what SUCCESS really means. Today, he teaches entrepreneurs how to stop being the bottleneck, eliminate low-value work, automate what they can, delegate outcomes instead of just tasks, and build systems that allow the business to grow WITHOUT sacrificing their health, family, or life. Because you can always make another dollar. You cannot make another minute. If your business owns YOU instead of you owning your business, this conversation could change the way you work, and the way you live. 🎙️ Listen now. Subscribe to the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, share this episode with an entrepreneur who needs it, and start BUYING BACK YOUR TIME. Your family doesn’t need more of your money. They need more of YOU. Thank You To Our Sponsors At Veteran Pride Woodworks Makers of The Best Honors Boxes #Business #Success #Family

September 3, 202645 min

How To Take Your Business To The Next Level With Chris Larsen

HOW DO YOU TAKE YOUR BUSINESS, INCOME, AND LIFE TO THE NEXT LEVEL? On this powerful episode of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, Richard Kaufman sits down with Chris Larsen, founder of Next-Level Income, to talk about what it really takes to stop thinking small, build wealth, create financial freedom, and take your business to the NEXT LEVEL. Chris isn’t teaching theory. He bought his first rental property at just 21 years old while attending Virginia Tech and has spent more than two decades investing in and managing real estate. Since 2016, he has been involved in over $1.5 BILLION in real-estate acquisitions, with experience spanning multifamily, self-storage, hotels, mobile-home parks, senior housing, private lending, distressed debt and more. Before going all-in on Next-Level Income, Chris spent 18 years in the medical-device industry. He holds a degree in Biomechanical Engineering and an MBA in Finance from Virginia Tech, and even competed as an All-American cyclist. But Chris’s story isn’t simply about making more money. It’s about creating FREEDOM. Chris achieved financial independence at a relatively young age and has made it his mission to help others understand how to make money, keep more of it, invest intelligently, and ultimately build a life where their money works for them instead of spending their entire lives working for money. In this episode, we dive into: • Taking your business to the next level Developing an entrepreneur’s mindset • Creating multiple streams of income • Building wealth through smart investing • Turning active income into long-term financial freedom • Scaling without sacrificing your entire life • Thinking bigger about your business, money, time, and future If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, veteran, leader, investor, or anyone who knows they’re capable of MORE, you need to hear this conversation. The question isn’t whether you can make more money. The question is: Can you build a business and financial life that gives you more FREEDOM? 🎧 Watch or listen now. 👉 Subscribe to the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast 👉 Share this episode with an entrepreneur who needs to hear it 👉 Follow Vertical Momentum for more conversations about resilience, entrepreneurship, leadership, wealth, and building your next chapter. Stop settling for the level you’re on. It’s time to go to the NEXT LEVEL. To Get In Touch With Chris http://www.nextlevelincome.com Thank You To Our Sponsors At Summit Plaza Gnc 370 West Pleasantview Ave Hackensack New Jersey 07031