Lessons - 17 Years Undercover Then He Built a Business Empire | Mike Baker - Fmr CIA Officer & Portman Square Group CEO

➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com ➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory Mark Manson is an American self-help author and blogger known for his refreshingly unfiltered approach to personal development. A three-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, his breakout work “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” became a global phenomenon, with his books collectively selling over 20 million copies, being translated into more than 65 languages, and reaching number one in over a dozen countries. Often described as "self-help for people who hate self-help," his writing blends no-nonsense life advice with sharp cultural commentary. He also collaborated with Will Smith on the actor's autobiography, and in 2023, a feature film inspired by his life and ideas was released worldwide by Universal Pictures. Beyond writing, Manson is the co-founder of Purpose AI and the host of the Solved podcast, where he continues to explore ideas around human psychology, meaning, and modern life. ➡️ Show Links https://www.instagram.com/markmanson/  https://x.com/Markmanson  https://www.youtube.com/@IAmMarkManson  ➡️ Podcast Sponsors Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/   Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott) The Demand Decoded Podcast - https://www.blendb2b.com/demand-decoded  NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/  Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary Framer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory) LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/success Wix - https://wix.com/  Priori - https://priori.life/  Notion - https://notion.com/story  Mars Men - https://mengotomars.com/  Granola - https://www.granola.ai/success  BELAY - https://belaysolutions.com/scott  Gusto - https://gusto.com/successstory  ➡️ Talking Points 00:00 – Intro 01:24 – The “Self-Hating” Guru 07:07 – Packaging That Works 09:54 – Speaking to Real Problems 12:14 – Self-Help: Help or Harm? 13:24 – Can Self-Help Replace Religion? 24:43 – Is Maslow Wrong? 30:10 – Sponsor Break 32:45 – A Generation Without Community? 34:10 – Building a Life That Matters 39:23 – Finding Your North Star 47:33 – Reinventing Yourself Gracefully 49:49 – What Makes Purpose AI Different 56:34 – Sponsor Break 58:23 – Close Your Open Loops 1:03:49 – Why We Avoid Asking for Help 1:05:56 – Creators Must Embrace AI 1:10:51 – The Shift to Podcasts 1:22:30 – The Danger of Parasocial Ties 1:27:23 – Integrity in Self-Help 1:30:16 – Mark’s Advice to Followers

➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory   In this "Lessons" episode, Mike Baker shares how unconventional thinking and strategic visibility can become powerful drivers of business growth. Drawing from his transition out of the CIA, he explains how leveraging media exposure can build credibility, scale a brand, and create opportunities that traditional marketing cannot. He also breaks down the importance of making fast decisions with imperfect information, highlighting how speed and adaptability create momentum in high-stakes environments. Additionally, he explores how defining risk appetite and understanding internal threats—like insider risks and cybersecurity vulnerabilities—are critical to protecting and sustaining long-term business success. ➡️ Show Links https://successstorypodcast.com   YouTube: https://youtu.be/RR8NyuOVSZM  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-baker-ex-cia-operative-chairman-ceo-at-portman/id1484783544  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/16FsH3uEqzm0UgUe9MgYEN  ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory   In this "Lessons" episode, Uri Levine, co-founder of Waze, shares how a simple frustration with traffic evolved into building a billion-dollar company. He explains why entrepreneurs should treat product development as a series of experiments, continuously testing and iterating until they find true product-market fit. Uri also breaks down the delicate balance between persistence and knowing when to walk away, highlighting that startups should only shut down when the problem disappears or the team is fundamentally misaligned. Above all, he emphasizes the importance of falling in love with the problem—not the solution—as a guiding principle for clarity, resilience, and long-term success. ➡️ Show Links https://successstorypodcast.com   YouTube: https://youtu.be/_RMdzU3Pm_c  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uri-levine-author-entrepreneur-and-disruptor-love/id1484783544  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2yMYi2mcf69tV7P9GAMXNj  ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com ➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory Gary Vaynerchuk is a serial entrepreneur and chairman of VaynerX, a communications holding company whose flagship agency, VaynerMedia, generates nearly $300 million in annual revenue serving Fortune 500 clients across offices in New York, LA, London, Singapore, and Mexico City. Gary's built his empire through a combination of agency equity, 90+ angel investments with 37 exits — including early bets on Facebook, Twitter, Uber, Venmo, Snapchat, and Coinbase — and ventures like Resy (sold to AmEx), Empathy Wines (sold to Constellation Brands), and VeeFriends. A five-time New York Times bestselling author, he remains one of the most recognizable voices in business media, producing daily content across every major platform to an audience of tens of millions. ➡️ Show Links https://www.instagram.com/garyvee/  https://x.com/garyvee/  https://www.youtube.com/garyvee  ➡️ Podcast Sponsors Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/   Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott) The Demand Decoded Podcast - https://www.blendb2b.com/demand-decoded  NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/  Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary Framer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory) LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/success Wix - https://wix.com/  Priori - https://priori.life/  Notion - https://notion.com/story  Mars Men - https://mengotomars.com/  Granola - https://www.granola.ai/success  BELAY - https://belaysolutions.com/scott  Gusto - https://gusto.com/successstory  ➡️ Talking Points 00:00 – Intro 01:23 – What Made Gary Vee 02:12 – Understanding Fear 09:30 – Fear vs Taking Action 19:59 – Sponsor Break 22:34 – Radical Self-Honesty 27:38 – The 2026 Gary 30:28 – Measuring Real Impact 31:42 – Gary’s Current Focus 34:49 – AI Influencers? 40:50 – Sponsor Break 42:43 – Mindset Over Tactics 47:27 – Stop Seeking Validation 56:02 – Is Social Media Good or Bad?

➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory   In this "Lessons" episode, Chris Pronger, NHL MVP and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, shares hard-earned lessons about wealth, identity, and decision-making after a career in professional sports. He explains why many athletes struggle financially after retirement, highlighting how sudden wealth, performance-driven identity, and constant comparison can push high earners toward unnecessary risks. Chris breaks down the importance of focusing on consistent “singles and doubles” in investing rather than chasing home runs, and how mistakes helped him develop a disciplined framework for evaluating opportunities. He also reveals why character, deal structure, and risk management are the most important factors when deciding where—and who—to invest with. ➡️ Show Links https://successstorypodcast.com   YouTube: https://youtu.be/fFghPKvKRcQ  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chris-pronger-hockey-hall-of-famer-entrepreneur-what/id1484783544  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/49MfakctmDuGs4uQEjPVTx  ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory   In this "Lessons" episode, Benny Pough, former President of Roc Nation and the executive behind major hits from artists like Rihanna, Kanye West, and Jay-Z, reflects on how adversity reshaped his outlook on leadership, purpose, and personal growth. He breaks down the six core pillars that guide his life—intuition, mastery, pivot, authenticity, connections, and teamwork—and explains how these principles helped him navigate pivotal moments in his career and life. Benny also shares why betting on yourself requires preparation, confidence, and the courage to take risks, while highlighting how vulnerability, self-reflection, and emotional honesty can help break generational cycles and build stronger leadership both at home and in business. ➡️ Show Links https://successstorypodcast.com   YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ku7juCuUaKs  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/benny-pough-music-executive-entrepreneur-author-leading/id1484783544  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ALLa98kK5sTVRkTsBJkYq  ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com ➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory Peter Smith is the CEO, co-founder, and Executive Chairman of Blockchain.com, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency platforms, which has served tens of millions of consumers and thousands of institutions since its founding in 2011. Having evolved from an early Bitcoin enthusiast to developer to CEO of a multinational company, Smith stepped into the chief executive role in 2014 and immediately raised $40 million — the largest venture capital round for any crypto company at the time. A recognized thought leader in the FinTech space and a Technology Pioneer at the World Economic Forum, Smith has been featured in outlets including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Bloomberg, cementing his reputation as one of the most influential figures in the global cryptocurrency industry. ➡️ Show Links https://www.instagram.com/onemorepeter/ https://x.com/OneMorePeter/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/1psmith/  ➡️ Podcast Sponsors Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/   Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott) The Demand Decoded Podcast - https://www.blendb2b.com/demand-decoded  NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/  Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary Framer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory) LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/success Wix - https://wix.com/  Priori - https://priori.life/  Notion - https://notion.com/story  Mars Men - https://mengotomars.com/  Granola - https://www.granola.ai/success  BELAY - https://belaysolutions.com/scott Gusto - https://gusto.com/successstory  ➡️ Talking Points 00:00 – Intro 01:28 – The Blockchain Epiphany 03:33 – First Taste of Crypto 10:49 – Expectations: Gift or Burden? 15:30 – Crypto & Mental Growth 19:38 – Handling Crypto Stress 26:39 – Vision vs. Investor Pressure 33:45 – Sponsor Break 36:21 – The Vision Behind Blockchain 38:34 – Mission Over Money 47:46 – Building Trust in Crypto 50:45 – Crypto vs. DeFi 55:55 – Reading the Market Cycles 1:02:30 – Sponsor Break 1:04:19 – Ethereum’s Biggest Challenges 1:05:53 – Practical Crypto Advice 1:09:25 – Spotting Winning Signals 1:18:41 – Respect the Seasons 1:20:22 – Redefining Success 1:22:59 – Early Wins vs. Real Success 1:29:44 – Blockchain.com Myths 1:34:33 – The Personal Cost of Vision 1:37:34 – A 20-Year Legacy 1:40:54 – What He Wishes He Knew 1:42:13 – Advice to His 20-Year-Old Self

➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory   In this "Lessons" episode, Keith Krach, former U.S. Under Secretary of State and former DocuSign CEO, explains how technology has become a central battlefield in global power and diplomacy. Drawing on his experience leading a global tech company and later shaping U.S. economic diplomacy, he introduces the concept of tech diplomacy and why innovation from the private sector is critical to national security. He also breaks down how authoritarian regimes use technology, economic leverage, and intellectual property theft to gain strategic advantage. Krach reveals why strengthening alliances, protecting democratic values, and mobilizing the tech industry are essential to winning the global race for technological leadership. ➡️ Show Links https://successstorypodcast.com   YouTube: https://youtu.be/k5FzvfSNhGU  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keith-krach-businessman-former-diplomat-and-nobel/id1484783544  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/160u15KhCA6Lcv9KpBpGl9  ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory   In this "Lessons" episode, Mauro Porcini, the first Chief Design Officer of PepsiCo and former design leader at 3M and Samsung, explains why the most successful innovations begin with people, not products. He shares how design thinking focuses on understanding human needs, frustrations, and aspirations to create solutions that deliver real value in people’s lives. Mauro also breaks down the three pillars of innovation—desirability, feasibility, and viability—and why balancing human insight, technology, and business strategy is essential for meaningful innovation. Along the way, he reflects on the power of curiosity, optimism, and kindness in building creative cultures that drive long-term impact. ➡️ Show Links https://successstorypodcast.com   YouTube: https://youtu.be/Pn4iNUeLLSM  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mauro-porcini-svp-chief-design-officer-at-pepsico-the/id1484783544  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1OHeiT7v9yn65f8XCLNu52  ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com ➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory Ben Reinberg is the founder and CEO of Alliance Consolidated Group of Companies, LLC, a commercial real estate investor, mentor, author, podcaster, and philanthropist. Starting his career as a principal owner at just 23 years old — bypassing the traditional broker route — Reinberg built his empire from the ground up with grit and determination. Over more than 30 years, he has grown Alliance into a $500 million portfolio spanning medical office, industrial, and multifamily properties, managing billions in transactions and achieving a historical 28% IRR for investors. Beyond real estate, Reinberg is the host of the I Own It podcast, where he shares insights on business, personal development, fitness, and mindset with entrepreneurs and investors around the world. ➡️ Show Links https://www.instagram.com/therealbenreinberg/  https://x.com/realbenreinberg  https://www.linkedin.com/in/benreinberg  ➡️ Podcast Sponsors Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/   Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott) The Demand Decoded Podcast - https://www.blendb2b.com/demand-decoded  NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/  Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary Framer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory) LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/success Wix - https://wix.com/  NorthWest Registered Agent - https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/paidsuccess  BELAY - https://belaysolutions.com (Text ‘scott’ at 55123) Gusto - https://gusto.com/successstory  Lennar - https://www.lennar.com/  ➡️ Talking Points 00:00 – Intro 01:30 – Finding His Path in Real Estate 09:50 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 13:58 – The Communication Mistake Entrepreneurs Make 21:48 – The Hardest Lesson He Learned 24:56 – Sponsor Break 27:30 – Where Beginners Should Invest 37:56 – Mastering Emotional Control 41:49 – Key CRE Insights to Know 47:25 – The Most Painful Lesson 55:48 – Sponsor Break 57:38 – Reading the Economic Signals 1:02:20 – The Belief That Changed Everything 1:04:24 – What Not to Sacrifice for Success 1:08:47 – Designing Life for Family 1:17:51 – The Lesson He’d Pass to His Kids