260: The Compass Within: How Core Values Shape Leadership, Culture & Investment Decisions with Robert Glazer

When your values aren’t clear, it’s easy to chase the wrong deals, hire the wrong people, and build a life and business that drains you.Today, I sit down with Robert Glazer—entrepreneur, bestselling author, and founder of Acceleration Partners—to explore how defining your personal core values can transform the way you lead, invest, and live.Robert built a $35M global company serving brands like Airbnb, Uber, and Adidas, but his greatest success came from understanding what he valued most, and aligning every decision around it.In his new book, The Compass Within, Robert reveals how your personal core values act as a decision-making compass for both business and life. We unpack how to use that same framework to hire the right people, choose the right investors, and build a life of freedom that truly aligns with who you are.In this episode, you’ll learn: 1.) Why really company culture starts with core values — and how defining what you stand for (and what you don’t) helps you attract the right people and repel the wrong ones.2.) What Robert learned from his own private-equity exit—how he structured the deal, picked the right partner, and avoided the mistakes most founders make.3.) How your personal values can help you invest smarter—filtering founders, partners, and deals that align with your principles, not just your profit goals.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/260Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For most entrepreneurs, consuming alcohol is a normalized social ritual. From networking, entertaining clients, and celebrating successes to relaxing with our friends and family. But as you’ll hear from today’s guest, alcohol is really just “attractively packaged poison” for our bodies. Even one or two drinks a night can slowly erode productivity, focus, and decision-making, costing millions of dollars over an entrepreneur's lifetime.James Swanwick knows this firsthand. A former ESPN SportsCenter anchor, James walked away from alcohol in 2010 and saw instant improvements that transformed his life, health, and career trajectory.Today, he’s the founder of Project 90, a neuroscience-based coaching program with a 98% success rate in helping executives, entrepreneurs, and investors reduce or eliminate drinking in just 90 days. He’s also the author of Clear, a practical guide to quitting alcohol without AA, rehab, or willpower.In this episode, you’ll hear the shocking financial and personal costs of drinking—even in moderation—and why going alcohol-free gives high performers and entrepreneurs an ‘unfair’ competitive advantage. James also shares the science behind alcohol’s impact on the brain and body, and how eliminating or significantly reducing alcohol from your life can multiply your clarity, relationships, and wealth.In this episode, you’ll learn: 1.) Why having just one drink a day can quietly destroy your health, relationships, and wealth.2.) The neuroscience-backed framework with a staggering 98% success rate that James uses in Project 90 to help entrepreneurs and executives eliminate alcohol and unlock peak performance.3.) What James calls the “Lost Revenue Calculator” to demonstrate how much an entrepreneur who generates millions in revenue each year could benefit from an alcohol-free lifestyle.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/259Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Too many professionals pursue prestige and big paydays, only to feel trapped in exhausting, unfulfilling careers. Nowhere is that more obvious than in Big Law, where young attorneys trade passion for paychecks—often at the cost of burnout, depression, and a life they never wanted.Bill Reid broke that mold. As a nationally recognized trial lawyer and co-founder of Reid Collins, he’s spent decades taking on corporate giants—banks, accounting firms, and institutions most people thought were untouchable. In his new book, Fighting Bullies: The Case for a Career in Plaintiffs’ Law, he reveals the truth behind Big Law’s broken model and shows why pursuing passion and purpose leads not only to success, but to freedom.What makes Bill’s story resonate far beyond the legal world is the life he’s designed along the way—one of wealth, health, impact, and experiences that his peers envy. His journey is proof that you don’t have to sacrifice your freedom to build real prosperity.In this episode, you’ll learn: 1.) Why Big Law traps so many young attorneys—and how to avoid falling into the same paycheck-driven path.2.) How AI is disrupting industries like law—automating tasks like document review and contracts, and forcing efficiency over billable hours.3.) Bill’s blueprint for an “epic life”—balancing high-stakes work, entrepreneurship, health, and unforgettable experiences with friends and family.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/258Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

College tuition is one of the biggest financial burdens families face. Sticker prices are outrageous, financial aid feels confusing, and many parents resign themselves to paying full price—or worse, watching their kids drown in student debt.What if you could legally and strategically cut tens of thousands of dollars off your child’s tuition bill every single year?That’s exactly what Seth Greene helps parents do. Seth is the founder of one of the first and top college financial aid negotiation firms in the U.S., a financial strategist, and co-host of the SharkPreneur podcast. His firm helps families save an average of $37,000–$70,000 per year per child on college education.In this episode, Seth breaks down the “gameable” formula that determines how much the government thinks you can afford, the biggest mistakes families make when applying for aid, and the powerful negotiation strategies that colleges don’t want you to know.By the end, you’ll walk away with actionable insights that could save you six figures per child—freeing up money to invest, grow, and build the lifestyle you really want.In this episode, you’ll learn: 1.) The single most important number in college financial aid—and how to legally “game” it to qualify for more free money.2.) The costly mistakes parents make when applying for aid (like misreporting assets or overvaluing a business)—and how to avoid them.3.) Why private schools can often be cheaper than state schools, and how to use multiple offers as leverage to negotiate more aid.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/257Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Entrepreneurs are often caught in a nonstop race—chasing revenue, scaling businesses, and pushing harder every year. The result? Burnout, strained relationships, and the feeling that freedom is always out of reach.Pete Vargas knows that cycle firsthand. He’s built multiple 7- and 8-figure companies, filled arenas with his “stages” model, and partnered with names like Grant Cardone and Tony Robbins. But the constant hustle left him unhealthy and searching for a better way.In this episode, Pete shares the turning points that shaped his journey—from growing a youth group from 3 to 800 kids, to helping speakers land 25,000+ stages, to creating Wellspring, a mastermind for entrepreneurs who want to win in every area of life. And now, why he’s stepping away for a 90-day sabbatical to reset his faith, health, relationships, wealth, and business.In this episode, you’ll learn: 1.) The life-changing power of one message. Pete shares how a single talk moved his estranged father to seek reconciliation after years of abuse—and how it inspired his mission to help others use stages to impact millions.2.) How to turn crisis into record-breaking success. When COVID canceled his $5M live event, Pete pivoted to virtual and generated over $12M—setting the model leaders like Tony Robbins and Grant Cardone still use today.3.) Why slowing down is your greatest edge. After building multiple 7- and 8-figure companies, Pete is taking a 90-day sabbatical to reset his faith, health, and family—and shows how pressing pause can unlock your best ideas.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/256Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, I’m joined by Chris Van Dusen—serial entrepreneur turned Senior Equity Partner at SoCo Capital. Chris built and sold multiple companies, including one of the world’s largest CBD brands, before stepping into the world of private equity and alternative investments.We break down the critical differences between building businesses and investing in them, why luck and timing matter more than people are willing to admit, and how successful family offices and billionaires are acquiring and allocating their wealth.Chris also shares insider lessons on venture capital, private equity, private credit, and even pro sports investing—and how entrepreneurs can apply the same playbook to build generational wealth and financial freedom.In this episode, you’ll learn: 1.) Why most entrepreneurs struggle as investors—and the mindset shift you must make to avoid costly mistakes.2.) The real wealth allocation strategies of billionaires and family offices—and how you can use the same playbook.3.) How to evaluate opportunities across venture, private equity, private credit, and alternative assets to build lasting financial freedom.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/255Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every entrepreneur dreams of the big exit, yet for many, the American Dream can quickly turn into the American Nightmare.Within five years, Alex Bean went from startup founder to selling Divvy for $2.5 billion to Bill.com—making enough money to never work another day in his life.But instead of fulfillment, he was blindsided by loneliness, loss of identity, strained relationships, and new family challenges money couldn’t fix. He realized what many successful entrepreneurs eventually face: wealth can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how you handle it.Out of this season came Alex’s mission-driven venture, Factory for Good—a company designed to help entrepreneurs and families use money as a force for good, protect their most important relationships, and build lasting wealth that doesn’t destroy the next generation.In this episode, you’ll learn: 1.) Why financial freedom without purpose often leads to loneliness, loss of identity, and broken relationships—and how to avoid it.2.) The Factory for Good framework for turning money, time, and energy into a legacy of impact rather than destruction.3.) Practical strategies Alex uses with his own family—like the “Happiness Audit,” the “Bank of Mom & Dad,” and relationship frameworks—that will change the way you think about wealth, parenting, and purpose.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/254Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Success in business and investing often gets framed as tactics, strategy, or sheer hustle. But according to David Bayer—renowned mindset and performance coach, transformational speaker, and founder of the Powerful Living Experience—the real driver isn’t what you do, it’s the state of mind you operate from.David has guided thousands of entrepreneurs and leaders through his coaching programs, live events, and his book A Changed Mind, helping them rewire limiting beliefs, heal past trauma, and unlock exponential growth. His work blends neuroscience, psychology, spirituality, and business strategy into practical tools that create real transformation.In this episode, he breaks down his framework for Mindset 2.0—a shift from simply recognizing limiting beliefs to actually rewiring them at the neurological level. He explains why your thoughts create the states you live in, how to move from “primal” states of stress into “powerful” states of clarity, and why the quality of your inner game determines the quality of your results. David also reveals his deceptively simple but life-changing formula: Desire + Non-Resistance = Desired Result. Instead of pushing harder or grinding longer, the path to wealth, peace, and fulfillment comes from removing the resistance built into your thinking.If you’ve been stuck in stress, chasing success but feeling misaligned, this conversation will show you how to rewire your beliefs, unlock energy, and create results that flow with far less effort. In this episode, you’ll learn:  1.) How to rewire limiting beliefs with Mindset 2.0 — and why shifting from “primal” states into “powerful” states changes the way you think, feel, and make decisions.2.) The simple formula to achieve anything in life — David’s proven framework for turning desire into results without relying on hustle or grind.3.) Why your reactions reveal your beliefs — and how frustration in business (or life) is never caused by the circumstance itself, but by what you believe underneath it.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/253Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Building and selling a company is hard—but managing wealth afterward is a completely different challenge.Jay Jacobs knows this firsthand. An OG member of The Lifestyle Investor Mastermind, and my very first Private Client, Jay founded RAPID Manufacturing in 2001 and grew it over 17 years into the world’s largest prototype sheet metal manufacturer and the second-largest prototype CNC machining business. RAPID’s success was fueled by leveraging modern technology—and after selling the company for 9-figures, Jay launched Paperless Parts to give other manufacturers access to the same kinds of tools. Today, Paperless Parts is the #1 quoting and estimating software in manufacturing, with $25M ARR.But even with all that success, Jay faced a new reality after his exit: the skills that made him a world-class entrepreneur weren’t the same ones he needed to protect and grow his wealth.As an entrepreneur, he was used to taking calculated risks, moving fast, and having full control over outcomes. As an investor, the rules were different—success meant slowing down, saying “no” more often than “yes,” and trusting others to be good stewards of his capital. The optimism and risk tolerance that served him in business could quickly become liabilities in investing.In this conversation, he shares how he made that transition—building a passive income stream to replace his paycheck, creating guardrails to avoid costly mistakes, and designing a life filled with impact, travel, and passion projects. You’ll hear the mindset changes that guide his decisions, the relationships that open up high-quality deal flow, and the lessons that can help you avoid the costly mistakes that wipe out fortunes.In this episode, you’ll learn: 1.) Why the skills that build a company aren’t the same ones that grow and protect wealth—and how to make the shift from entrepreneur to investor.2.) The strategy behind Jay’s leap from a 9-figure exit to building a $25M ARR industry leader in manufacturing software.3.) The lifestyle design strategies Jay uses to turn passions into profitable ventures and create unforgettable life experiences.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/252Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

He was dying. They thought he wouldn’t survive. So they stole his $1B company.Adel Sayegh built a billion-dollar business from nothing—pioneering security tag technology, facial recognition, and GPS tracking. But while he lay on his deathbed battling pancreatic cancer, the people he trusted most betrayed him.They drained his accounts, forged documents, and used his assets to rack up debt. The result? A complete collapse of the empire he spent decades building.In this raw, emotional episode, Adel shares the true story of how he lost everything—and why he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. From surviving terminal illness to finding unshakable peace through his faith, this is one of the most unbelievable stories ever told on the podcast.In this episode, you’ll learn: 1.) Why Adel chose forgiveness over prosecution—even after being betrayed by his most trusted team members.2.) The hard-earned lessons from bootstrapping a billion-dollar company from his garage—and why he wouldn’t take the same approach today.3.) How faith—and unexplainable miracles—helped Adel survive terminal cancer and discover a greater purpose.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/251Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.