From Hustle to Stewardship: When Money Stops Being the Goal

He went from bankruptcy to building a $1B company. The secret wasn't strategy. David Meltzer is a world-renowned entrepreneur, bestselling author, and one of the most sought-after business coaches on the planet. As the former CEO of the most notable sports agency in the world, he's advised athletes, executives, and founders, and rebuilt his entire life after losing everything. Now he teaches others how to lead from the inside out. In this conversation with host Stephen Scoggins, David gets unfiltered about identity collapse, the trap of hustle culture, and why the leaders who last are the ones who become whole. What you'll learn: - Why hustle culture burns you out, and what actually replaces it - How to stop tying your worth to money, status, or validation - The difference between discipline and devotion - How truth becomes your best filter for partnerships and relationships - The mindset shift that creates clarity, confidence, and real alignment SUBSCRIBE:  @LionLambWithStephen   @Stephen_Scoggins  Pre-order David Meltzer's "Don't Do Business with Dicks" → https://dontdobusinesswithdicks.com Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/one-part-lion-one-part-lamb-with-stephen-scoggins/id1557786484?i=1000756001949 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2noJpTtGaahMunejIYxIXq?si=1d5572a0fa284a8c 🎙️ Follow Stephen Scoggins: Website → https://stephenscoggins.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/stephen_scoggins TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@stephen_scoggins Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/stephenscoggins LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenscoggins 📲 Connect with David Meltzer: Website → https://dmeltzer.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/davidmeltzer TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmeltzer Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/davidmeltzer11 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmeltzer2 X/Twitter → https://www.twitter.com/davidmeltzer 02:40 – Why Telling the Truth Sets You Free (and Filters Your Circle) 05:23 – Authenticity vs Essence 06:25 – Turning criticism into attraction and momentum. 08:50 – The Identity Shift: "I AM" vs External Validation 11:42 – Hustle Culture vs Alignment Culture 14:01 – Discipline vs Devotion 18:40 - Trust Everyone… But Vet Them 24:47 – Foolproof template to make millions of dollars 💬 If this episode resonates with you, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE it with someone who's building something big but knows something deeper is missing.  

Most entrepreneurs say they want to sell their company someday. But very few are actually preparing for that moment.   In this raw and insightful conversation, Stephen sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and founder advisor Troy Hoffman to unpack the realities behind scaling a business, preparing for an exit, and becoming the kind of leader who can actually sustain success.   Troy shares lessons from years of helping burned-out founders reposition their companies for massive exits, while also revealing the painful truths that most entrepreneurs learn too late. Along with Stephen, he also dive into why success can create blind spots, why most entrepreneurs resist learning what they don't know, and how surrounding yourself with powerful mentors and masterminds can radically accelerate your growth.   If you're building a company, dreaming of an exit, or trying to lead with both impact and integrity, this episode delivers hard-earned wisdom that every founder needs to hear.   "High-level people don't come with questions. They come with the attitude: Show me what I don't know."   Discussed on this episode: 2:07 — Ego-driven vs heart-led entrepreneurs 6:20 — "Is this mine to carry?" 10:14 — The five constraints that hold entrepreneurs back 20:30 — Building a scalable system for entrepreneurs 26:35 — Three lessons every entrepreneur should learn early   If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, rate, and share it with another entrepreneur who needs to hear these lessons. Connect with Troy Hoffman   Learn more about Troy's work helping founders scale and exit:   Instagram: @hoffmantroy   Website: https://fndrs.io/

One Part Lion, One Part Lamb with Stephen Scoggins Guest: Jake Hamilton   Everything is on the table in this unfiltered, live conversation from Create Conference 2026. In this episode, Stephen Scoggins sits down with men's mentor Jake Hamilton for one of the rawest, confronting, and hope-filled conversations we've ever released.   This isn't hype. This isn't "5 steps to a better marriage." This is a wake-up call.   Discussed on this episode: 5:17 – Jake shares his journey and reveals the why behind the work he is doing 15:52 – Are you going to be present to this moment of your life? 18:24 – From drift to authenticity 23:52 – We need external validation because we do not have internal identity 27:00 – What most men get wrong about their marriage 38:22 – Authenticity leads to authority 40:27 – Marriage is the greatest image bearer of God on Earth 46:00 – Just be honest and pay the cost: Honesty destroys ego.    Is there something in the timestamp that is causing you to pause? Then start there. Share this with someone you think needs to hear it.    Get in touch with Jake Hamilton on socials @thejakehamilton

This episode is a powerful compilation of conversations exploring one central question: What happens when AI becomes the gatekeeper of opportunity?   The marketplace is changing faster than most people are willing to admit. Consumers aren't just Googling anymore, they're asking AI. And if AI becomes the gatekeeper of recommendations, then your personal brand isn't optional… it's survival.   This compilation episode doesn't just discuss branding strategies. It challenges you to consider: Who are you becoming in the process of building? Are you grounded enough to lead in volatility? Will AI reflect your values — or someone else's?   The AI wave is here. Will it amplify you — or replace you?   Get to know Stephen Scoggins more: https://stephenscoggins.com/   If you want to see the full episodes of the clips shown here, click the links below:   👉 The Personal Branding AI Blueprint No One's Talking About with Joseph Shalaby - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dScRuYrT1oA&t=6s 👉 Where Emotional Intelligence meets Artificial Intelligence with Penny Zenker - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb85CsoNKIA&t=89s 👉 What You Need to Know Now About Presence & AI with Casanova Brooks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKnv1Rhbxkk  

In this powerful compilation episode, we pull together some of the most honest, thought-provoking moments from multiple conversations. It weaves together clips from different seasons, revealing one unifying truth: the same refinement that shapes our spirit must also shape our body, our relationships, and the way we show up in the world. Faith, health, relationships, emotional regulation, and purpose are not isolated lanes—they intersect constantly. When we surrender fully, steward wisely, and heal intentionally, we don't just survive seasons of sacrifice—we emerge aligned, grounded, and unshakeable.   Get to know Stephen Scoggins more: https://stephenscoggins.com/   Refinement isn't punishment. Presence isn't ego. And peace isn't passive—it's learned.   🎧 Press play and discover why the work you've been avoiding may be the breakthrough you've been praying for.   If you want to see the full episodes of the clips shown here, click the links below:   👉 Conquer Your Adversity And Build a Life Worth Living with Setema Gali - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAOsQHYGMlM 👉  From Just Getting by to Peak Health Performance with Sara Estes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cC4-734jbY 👉  Health Hacks from an Elite Entrepreneur and Celebrity with Lorayne Michaels - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hisWdAv2Ixw  

This episode brings together some of the most honest moments across multiple conversations about leadership, money, faith, and personal growth. From struggling with scarcity even after financial wins, to realizing that businesses only grow as healthy as their leaders, this conversation goes deeper than tactics—it gets real.   You'll hear raw reflections on leadership mistakes, why humor builds trust, and how abundance is something you learn, not something you earn. The episode also breaks down a powerful framework for wealth—from making money, to managing it, to multiplying it, and finally using it for impact.   This isn't about hustle. It's about stewardship.   Get to know Stephen Scoggins more: https://stephenscoggins.com/   Take one question from this conversation into your week: What am I building—and what is it building in me?   Want to hear the full episodes? Catch them here: Here is How to Align to Your True Path to Success with Brian Covey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKfl8Ap2IJM The Laughter Factor - Supercharge Your Success | Adam Christing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj5hJyhiv0Q   Invest Like a 9 Figure Founder | Justin Donald - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZI29MHO0C4

What happens when unimaginable loss meets unwavering obedience?   In this unforgettable episode, your host, Stephen Scoggins, sits down with Dr. Iza Correll, founder of OVI Children's Hospital, for a conversation that is raw, sacred, and impossible to forget. This episode pulls back the curtain on the realities most people never see. Together, they discuss the hidden dangers facing orphaned and institutionalized children, even within systems that appear ethical and well-funded. Dr. Iza explains why OVI Children's Hospital exists not just to treat illness, but to protect dignity, restore trust, and become a refuge for children who have experienced unimaginable trauma.   Woven throughout the conversation is a powerful redefinition of family. Dr. Iza opens up about adoption, infertility, and motherhood—revealing a life built entirely on chosen love. Her story dismantles the myth that biology defines belonging and offers a breathtaking picture of what happens when love is intentional, fierce, and unwavering.   Impact isn't only about money—it's about visibility, trust, and courage. A shared post. A sent link. A small yes.   Where to Learn More & Get Involved 🌍 Website: https://ovichildrenshospital.org/ 📱 Social Platforms: OVI Children's Hospital 🎥 TEDx Talk: Search "Iza Correll – Why We Are Lonely" on YouTube   Don't just listen—participate. Share this episode. Start a conversation. Tell someone Ovi's name. Because sometimes the smallest act of obedience becomes the safest place a child has ever known.  

Human trafficking doesn't always look like chains and shadows. Sometimes it looks like a teenager sitting in class, a kid showing up at church, or a young person scrolling their phone at home. In this powerful and eye-opening episode, we sit down with Brittany Dunn, COO and co-founder of Safe House Project, to expose the realities of human trafficking hiding in plain sight and what it will actually take to stop it. This is not a conversation built on fear, but on clarity, courage, and responsibility. What you'll hear may challenge your assumptions, but it will also equip you with the knowledge and tools to make a real difference—starting right where you are. What did they talk about?   Trafficking Hides in Plain Sight Leadership Starts With Showing Up What to Look For: Signs That Should Raise Concern The Butterfly Effect: Small Actions, Massive Change   🚨 Take Action Today   If something feels off—report it. If you want to protect kids—get informed. If you want to help end trafficking—don't wait.   👉 Report suspected trafficking: SimplyReport.com (Available on iOS & Android)   👉 Learn more & support survivors: SafeHouseProject.org   👉 Stay connected: Follow Safe House Project on Instagram, Facebook, and X This isn't about fear. It's about responsibility. It's about love in action.   🎧 Listen now. Share this episode. Be the person who doesn't look away.  

Financial Freedom Isn't Just About Money — It's About Lifestyle and Impact   This episode dives deep into the intersection of financial freedom, stewardship, and living a life aligned with your values. Justin takes us through his journey, the lessons he's learned, and the practical strategies he uses to help others achieve financial independence without sacrificing fulfillment.   What did they talk about? 1. Financial freedom is only the beginning — true fulfillment comes from serving others 2. The dangers of the "guru mentality" and why experience matters more than followers 3. The four quadrants of wealth: making, managing, multiplying, and making money matter 4. How masterminds and peer groups accelerate learning and access to quality deals   "Lifestyle first. Invest with intention. Multiply your impact."   Know more about Justin Donald: Website: https://lifestyleinvestor.com   Social: @JustinDonald | @LifestyleInvestor  

We live in a world starving for attention—but what we're really craving is connection. In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Stephen sits down with Adam Christing to explore how humor, vulnerability, and presence shape the way we lead, relate, and live. This episode moves far beyond "being funny" and into something far more meaningful: how laughter becomes a bridge to trust, healing, and authenticity. From leadership and personal growth to faith, neuroscience, and lived experience, this conversation reveals why humor isn't a distraction, it's a discipline, a tool, and a language of connection. What did they talk about?   We feel before we think - connection is transferred, not explained Leaders must give themselves the same grace they give others Authentic presence matters more than polished performance Humor builds trust faster than perfection ever could   This episode isn't just for you. Think about the people in your life, your team, your family, your friends,who could benefit from this conversation. Chances are, three people came to mind immediately.   Be a blessing: Share this episode Subscribe and engage Leave a comment or review Pick up the book and take the quiz "Presence is magnetic. Performance is repellent." Know more about Adam Christing. Check his website: https://adamchristing.com/   Connect with Adam and follow: IG @adamchristing Rise. Lead. Last. We'll see you in the next episode.