EP927 - Jordan Truster and Jillian Reece on the value of hobbies for entrepreneurs

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to Rob René.  Rob talks to us about how Your Body Is Your Business Plan — And Why I Built an AI Chief of Staff to Protect It. Rob René is the founder of Exodus Strong, the world's first faith-based wellness company integrating red light technology, biblical botanicals, and AI-powered business infrastructure. After surviving five near-death experiences — including stage 3 Malignant Melanoma that stopped his heart on an operating table at age 50 — Rob walked away from a 25-year Fortune 500 sales career to build the wellness products he couldn't find anywhere else. What started as a personal protocol became Exodus Strong: a business serving entrepreneurs, founders, and faith-driven families across the country. Rob is the creator of the Light Code System, a 4-pillar wellness framework (Light, Frequencies, Fuel, Faith) and the host of the BiohackingVille podcast. But Rob's most original contribution may be on the operations side. He built an AI Chief of Staff named Solomon — coordinating a team of 24 AI agents he calls the Twelve Tribes, each with biblical names, scripture references, and specific operational responsibilities. The framework has reduced Rob's working hours from 70 per week to under 25, while growing the business at a faster rate than ever. Rob has appeared on Entrepreneurs On Fire with John Lee Dumas, The Steve Gruber Show (5M+ weekly listeners), His Glory with Pastor Dave Scarlett, and dozens of other faith-based, wellness, and entrepreneurship platforms. He is the author of the upcoming book "Light Code: The 4-Pillar System for Total Body Healing." His mission is to help entrepreneurs reclaim both their bodies and their time — using AI as the mechanism, but with mission-driven business as the purpose. He calls the founders he works with "Change Agents for Good" — entrepreneurs whose businesses make the world meaningfully better when they grow. Rob lives in Texas with his partner Laura. He's healthier at 58 than he was at 44. You can connect with Rob here: Website: https://exodusstrong.com Offers: https://exodusstrong.com/insights LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/robrene/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/rob.rene Instagram: https://instagram.com/therobrene

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to Marc Fey.  Marc talks to us about generosity as business differentiator. Marc Fey is the Founder and owner of MKF Strategic Marketing where he leverages his wide experience in non-profit and for-profit organizations to help his clients build relationships that improve the lives of their clients/customers while growing the bottom line. He is a StoryBrand Certified Guide and Business Made Simple Certified Coach. Marc Fey received a bachelor's degree in English and Psychology from the University of California, Davis. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in Education from Claremont Graduate University and an MBA from the Jack Welch Management Institute. He is the author of The 2:10 Project as well as numerous articles on management, leadership, education and worldview. You can connect with Marc here: Website: https://marcfey.com/

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to Chad T. Jenkins.  Chad talks to us about Why Competition Is Dead (And What Replaces It). Chad T. Jenkins serves as a leverage partner for entrepreneurs worldwide, helping them bring their big vision to reality by identifying and combining the assets they already possess — their Vision, Capability, and Reach. Where others see isolated businesses, Chad sees what he calls the "exploded parts view" — like the inside cover of an IKEA instruction manual — every entrepreneur broken down into powerful, usable components ready to be strategically combined. Having launched more than 50 businesses, Chad realized his greatest advantage wasn't building alone — it was multiplying outcomes through collaboration. Through the CoLAB platform and his VCR framework, he helps founders move beyond friction and turn it into fuel, unlocking exponential growth by leveraging who they are, what they know, and who they can reach. His mission is simple: stop competing, start combining — and create more than you ever thought possible with what you already have. You can connect with Chad here: Website: https://chadtjenkins.com SeedSpark: https://seedspark.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadtjenkins/

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to Rachel Smith.  Rachel talks to us about what Community Cards are and why they work so well for local businesses. Rachel Smith is a Community Card business owner and entrepreneur who is passionate about helping local businesses grow while bringing communities together in meaningful ways. Alongside her husband, Rachel made the decision to step away from the traditional career path in search of greater freedom, purpose, and control over their future. That decision marked the beginning of a journey that would completely transform their lives. What started as a desire to build something of their own soon evolved into their Community Card venture. Rachel recognised the opportunity to create a model that not only supports local businesses, but also strengthens the connections within communities. Since then, she has been committed to showing others what is possible with a simple idea, strong relationships, and consistent action. For Rachel, the Community Card business is more than just a business model. It represents creativity, connection, and the ability to design a life on her own terms. Through the ups and downs of building a business, Rachel has learned that success is not about having everything figured out from the start. It is about taking action, staying consistent, and learning as you go. Her journey has been filled with growth, challenges, and rewarding wins, which she is passionate about sharing with others who are seeking a different path. Today, Rachel is proud to be building a business with her husband, serving local communities, and inspiring others to create something bigger for themselves and their families. You can connect with Rachel here: Website: https://communitycardplaybook.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bigskyautomation

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to Wes Towers.  Wes talks to us about Humanising AI with Search Everywhere Optimisation. Wes Towers is the founder of Uplift 360, a Geelong-based digital agency that helps businesses turn clarity and trust into measurable growth. A few years ago, during a challenging season, a valuer told Wes his business was not worth much because AI would replace what he did. Rather than walk away, he rebuilt by leaning into AI while doubling down on what cannot be automated: story, empathy, and genuine connection. That journey led to his framework, Search Everywhere Optimisation, a practical approach that combines human-centred messaging with AI amplification to build visibility and credibility online. Wes and his team primarily serve construction and trades, but his methods apply to any founder who wants to make a difference without falling into pushy marketing tactics. Wes shares candid lessons, many learned the hard way, practical ways to create "information gain" (content that is genuinely useful), and how values-driven brands can show up consistently without burning out. His style is approachable, transparent, and focused on quick wins that build lasting results. Today, Uplift 360 partners with purpose-driven leaders to refine their message, elevate their online presence, and build the kind of trust that converts without the hard sell. You can connect with Wes here: Book a strategy call: https://uplift360.com.au/

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to Daniel Rubenstein.  Daniel talks to us about the fortune is in the follow up. Daniel Rubenstein is the founder of ALL in Entry – a business that helps companies convert any of those loose sales leads into loadable lists for faster follow-up … or lovingly helping them get their sheet together! • He is an outspoken, innovative, business development professional with a diverse career spanning more than 25 years and is actually quite funny. • He has an entrepreneurial spirit with a keen ability to identify opportunities and envision profitable possibilities based on data analysis and intuition. • His passionate drive to achieve goals and generate unprecedented results allows him to passionately advocate for his clients and their databases. You can connect with Daniel here: Website: https://www.allinentry.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drubenstein/

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to Dan Mintz.  Dan talks to us about the 12 week year. Dan Mintz is a productivity strategist and creator of the 12-Week Breakthrough system, a performance framework designed to help ambitious professionals achieve in 12 weeks what most accomplish in a year. Over the past fifteen years, Dan has worked with founders, executives, and high-performing professionals to improve how they set goals, prioritize work, and maintain consistent progress on the initiatives that matter most. His approach emphasizes clarity, structured planning, and disciplined execution rather than productivity hacks or short-term motivation. This work led him to develop the 12-Week Breakthrough system, an execution framework built around focused twelve-week cycles (and The 12-Week Year) designed to help professionals concentrate on a small number of high-impact goals and systematically turn long-term ambitions into measurable progress. You can connect with Dan here: Website: https://12week-breakthrough.com/

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to Doug Fleener.  Doug talks to us about Using What If questions. Doug Fleener is a coach, speaker, and author who helps entrepreneurs and leaders create better perspectives and options as they navigate decisions, change, and everyday complexity. His work is grounded in a simple belief: one well-asked question can shift how you see a situation and what you do next. Doug's journey to this work was shaped by real turning points. He moved from addiction and business failure to becoming Director of Retail for Bose Corporation, where he led teams and learned what actually drives sustainable growth. Those experiences taught him that clarity often comes through action, not endless analysis. He is the author of Start With What If: Weekly Questions to Spark Immediate Change and Growth, which introduces The What If Rule: Pause. Question. Go. The framework helps entrepreneurs interrupt default thinking, simplify decisions, and move forward with intention. Doug works with business owners and leaders who want practical tools that fit real life, not abstract theory. His style is direct, human, and grounded in lived experience, shaped by decades of leadership, recovery, and coaching. He believes meaningful change starts with asking a better question and being willing to take the next step. You can connect with Doug here: Website: https://dougfleener.com

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to twin sisters Jordan Truster and Jillian Reece.  Jordan and Jillian talk to us about the value of hobbies for entrepreneurs. Jordan Truster and Jillian Reece are twin sisters who have been teaching calligraphy online since 2017 with more than 65,000 students across 150 countries. What began as simple tutorials has grown into a full creative platform with courses, workshops, and their new membership community: Calligraphy Together. Calligraphy isn't just for "artsy" people. Jordan comes from an engineering background and Jillian from data analytics, and they teach with a clear, step-by-step approach. Their methods help beginners build skills, confidence, and most importantly, a creative habit they can stick with. The warm community they've built keeps people supported, motivated, and encouraged along the way. For many members, calligraphy becomes the thing they didn't realize they needed. It's a reason to slow down, relax, and make something beautiful with their hands. What are your topic ideas?: We would love to discuss calligraphy and its adjacent topics (creating with your hands, the value of hobbies, mental health), and business (online education, building community). You can connect with Jordan and Jillian here: Website: https://loveleighloops.com Calligraphy Together: https://calligraphytogether.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/loveleighloops

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to Shad Tidler.  Shad talks to us about the 4 key items to structure your business for consistent growth. Shad Tidler is a seasoned member of the Lushin sales team since 2014, combines his extensive global business expertise with the disciplined mindset of an Ironman triathlete. Specializing as a leading sales transformation consultant, he is known for crafting scalable strategies and processes tailored for client success. Shad's structured approach instills a sense of calm in clients, guiding them past immediate challenges and toward their goals. You can connect with Shad here: Website: https://www.lushin.com Linkledin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadtidler