The Bigger Life Podcast

In this episode we sit down with Ken to unpack the real journey of becoming an entrepreneur — from college lessons that don't pay off, to partnerships that implode, to finding smarter, low-risk ways to build a thriving business.   You'll hear Ken's unfiltered take on:   Why grades and degrees don't guarantee success in the real world The hidden danger of 50/50 partnerships (and what to do instead) How to start lean, lower risk, and still aim for huge upside Finding the right people to work with and protecting your equity the smart way Balancing family, life and entrepreneurship without losing yourself Lessons learned from early failures and what Ken would do differently now     If you're a founder, future entrepreneur, or someone dreaming of leaving the 9-to-5, this conversation is full of insights that could save you years of trial and error.   🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on building a business, taking smart risks, and designing a life you actually want.

Born in New Zealand, raised in Tonga, and recruited off a rugby pitch—Steven "Venny" Pāea fought his way from being a sixth-string JUCO walk-on to becoming a second-round NFL Draft pick for the Chicago Bears.   In this episode of the Bigger Life Podcast, Venny shares the raw truth behind his journey:   Leaving rugby behind and stepping into American football at 15 Culture shock, learning English, and gaining 65 lbs to earn a shot How "burn the ships" became his mantra at Snow College Breaking the NFL Combine bench press record with 49 reps of 225 lbs Draft day nerves, playing alongside legends like Brian Urlacher, Julius Peppers, and Devin Hester Why faith and family—not football—are his true peak His mission now: mentoring youth, guiding athletes, and building a life of impact after the league     This is a story of grit, humility, and perspective—from small islands to the biggest stage in sports.   Watch, listen, and be inspired to chase your bigger life.

On today's episode of the Bigger Life Podcast, Ben sits down with Justin Manning — entrepreneur, creator, and CEO of Empire Strategies.   Justin opens up about his path from wedding videography to running multiple ventures, the viral Instagram video he made with his dad that racked up over 12 million views, and the hard lessons he learned about trying too many businesses at once. He shares the turning point that came through an intense breathwork experience, how it reshaped his faith and clarity, and why building a focused "true north" has transformed his life.   We dive into:   The $60k risk Justin's dad took that changed his family forever What going viral taught him about content and creative strategy Why juggling too many businesses almost held him back The importance of focus, faith, and family in entrepreneurship How Empire Strategies blends creative and ads to deliver real results     This conversation is packed with laughs, stories, and powerful takeaways on living a bigger life with clarity, faith, and focus.

Alex Mashburn went from knocking doors in summer sales to owning multiple real estate investments and building a wedding venue empire. In this episode, Alex shares how childhood moments sparked his drive for financial freedom, why most "passive" income isn't really passive, and how wedding venues tap into emotional money—making them both recession-resistant and highly profitable. We break down: • The two types of summer sales reps—and which one actually wins long term • Why every real estate deal is really a business • How to spot and scale overlooked, high-margin opportunities • The power of niching down in commercial real estate Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or just curious about turning big ideas into bigger lives, this episode will give you the mindset and strategies to get there.

In this episode of the Bigger Life Podcast, Ben sits down with Landon Moore—real estate investor, creative finance expert, and passionate family man. Landon shares his journey from shattering his ankle and losing his golf scholarship to building a thriving real estate business with over 100 creative deals closed.   You'll learn:   How Landon started with a W2 engineering job and scaled into full-time investing His early struggles, biggest mindset shifts, and gratitude-based habits Creative finance breakdowns (Subto, seller finance, novations) How he's automating, delegating, and scaling his team What sober living and self-storage have to do with his next big moves     Whether you're stuck in a 9–5 or closing your fifth deal, this is a masterclass in becoming who you're meant to be—while serving others along the way.   🔗 Follow Landon on Instagram: @moor_deals 🎧 Listen to the Bigger Life Podcast on all platforms 📺 Subscribe for more interviews with entrepreneurs and creators living bigger lives.

In this episode of the Bigger Life Podcast, Ben sits down with powerhouse entrepreneur Daniella Divine. From growing up in her dad's small flooring shop to buying it back decades later on a 1x multiple, Daniella shares the real, unfiltered story of building wealth through blue-collar business. They dive deep into: ✅ Buying a family business without overpaying — and why low multiples are a goldmine ✅ Hiring the RIGHT GM to run operations so you can keep your freedom ✅ Using cash-flowing businesses to fund bigger plays in commercial real estate like strip malls, car washes, and self-storage ✅ Why "you can get in without money, but you can't HOLD without money" ✅ The raw truth about balancing motherhood, business, and long-term wealth building Daniela also drops game-changing wisdom on creative finance, scaling operations, and structuring partnerships — plus how she's setting up her team for no ceilings on their income. If you want a roadmap to build active income first, then turn it into lasting passive wealth, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Bigger Life Podcast, we sit down with Shane and Andrea Wilde — a powerhouse couple building business and legacy in lockstep. Andrea, founder of The Live Big Collective, helps wives of Utah entrepreneurs find meaning, connection, and personal power. Shane made the leap from golden-handcuff W-2 life into the world of luxury real estate — all while raising two daughters and learning how to navigate entrepreneurship as a couple.   We talk about the calculated (or "educatedly calculated") risks they took, what it really means to live big, and how riding rebar in the cold or missing your kid's milestones can spark total life change. From near-burnout to breakthroughs, this conversation is full of laughter, honesty, and tactical wisdom for couples chasing more.   If you've ever felt the tension between playing it safe and betting on yourself — this one's for you.

From swinging hammers at 15 to building some of the most jaw-dropping homes in southern Utah, Tanner Garfield's journey is anything but ordinary. As the founder of Strata Homes, Tanner opens up about what it really takes to build a thriving design and construction company — the long nights, the high expectations, and the loneliness that can come with leadership.   We dive into:   How he built Strata Homes from the ground up What to do when your team makes mistakes Lessons on leadership, ownership, and resilience How entrepreneurship affects marriage, fatherhood, and friendships The Parade of Homes success story — and what's coming in 2025  

A lot has happened, and a lot more to come! We are excited to announce our long awaited return to the Bigger Life Podcast. Stay tuned for our exciting episode coming Tuesday, May 27!

In this episode, Ben Gottfredson sits down with real estate pro and longtime friend Nick Rastopchin to unpack the real behind-the-scenes of balancing a thriving business with family life. Nick opens up about the real estate market shifts, how AI could reshape the industry, and why he believes the key to long-term success is consistency over shortcuts.   They dive into the do's and don'ts of content creation, the truth about scaling a small business, how to keep your priorities straight, and why chasing meaning matters more than just chasing money. Whether you're in real estate, an entrepreneur, or just trying to live more intentionally, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.