When Kevin Palmieri joined me on the show, I had no idea it would be one of the most insightful, personal, and downright fun conversations I've ever had. He opened by casually referencing my a cappella background—something no other guest has ever brought up. That immediately told me he’d done his homework, and he later revealed his “hack”: listening to two minutes of five podcast episodes to quickly understand someone’s energy and style. Simple, but effective.

From there, we dove into a rich back-and-forth about everything from podcasting and coaching to masculinity, marriage, and identity. Kevin shared how he structures his workweek, balancing public-facing days with behind-the-scenes focus. I chimed in with how Fridays in internet marketing feel like pseudo-Saturdays—and how I’ve struggled with feeling “productive enough” even when I’ve technically earned the right to relax.

One of the most meaningful parts of our chat was about growing up, value systems, and leadership. I opened up about my upbringing as the oldest of eight, being homeschooled, and developing a deep-rooted need to contribute in order to feel valuable. Kevin resonated, sharing his identity as a nurturer and protector—and how he’s learned to be a guide instead of a hero when helping others.

We got into speaking careers, the illusion of success in that world, and how most people never see the unpaid grind behind a speaker’s fame. Kevin offered grounded advice about building an audience and focusing on real value before chasing paid gigs.

We even nerded out on the dynamics of male friendships, Nashville, domain flipping, and the book Who Not How—a concept I champion in nearly every episode. Kevin’s openness about his journey from low self-worth to coaching others through identity and boundary-setting was incredibly refreshing.

I ended the show by reflecting on my faith, purpose, and the belief that we’re all here for a reason. Kevin responded with his own grounded wisdom: self-worth starts with keeping promises to yourself and slowly building confidence from the inside out.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating entrepreneurship, personal development, or simply trying to connect more deeply—with themselves and others. Kevin was more than a guest. He was a mirror, a coach, and a kindred spirit. Go visit his site.

In this episode of Vision with Execution, I had the privilege of speaking with David McKee—a multifaceted coach who blends business, psychology, and spirituality into a refreshingly human-centered approach. Right off the bat, I could tell this wasn’t going to be a typical coaching interview.

David shared that he started in the music industry, driven by a deep personal connection with his mother, who had taught him music before she passed away. After avoiding music for years due to the emotional weight, he came back to it through therapy—and now he uses it as a healing and creative force, helping underappreciated artists find their voice.

But what struck me most wasn’t just his music background or even the fact that he's consulted for names like Atlantic and Universal Records. It was how methodically he approaches growth. David journals every single night. And not in some fluffy, self-help way—he literally asks himself, “What did I do today to move toward where I want to be in 10 years?” That daily accountability practice is what helps him stay focused and honest, even when things go sideways.

I resonated deeply with his focus on self-love, especially since we both opened up about our struggles. I shared how my own journey to self-love began after a family crisis that forced me to confront addiction, and how that moment became a turning point in how I saw myself. David affirmed that true love—whether romantic or for others—can only grow from authenticity. And as he put it, authenticity is even more powerful than love.

He also emphasized the “who, not how” approach—that great progress comes not from doing everything yourself, but from aligning with the right people. He’s got a coach, and recommends every entrepreneur or high performer get one too.

Before we wrapped, David gave a preview of his upcoming book, Navigate the Noise, which dives into the psychological damage of social media and how to master mindset in the age of constant digital distraction. It’s aimed at readers from 7th grade to adulthood—because as David said, it’s never too early (or too late) to learn how powerful our thoughts really are.

It was a raw, honest, and energizing episode. I left this conversation more convinced than ever that vision with execution is reality. David's Site

n this episode of The Vision with Execution Show, I had the pleasure of sitting down with entrepreneur and business coach Jake Smolarek. From the moment we started chatting, Jake’s bookshelf-lined background hinted at what was to come—a conversation packed with insight, experience, and actionable advice for anyone serious about turning their vision into reality.

Jake shared how he’s been a business coach for over two decades, helping entrepreneurs not only launch and scale their ventures but also regain control of their time. As someone who’s been in the trenches myself, I know how easy it is to let your business run you instead of the other way around. That’s where Jake’s powerful Vision GPS framework comes in.

“GPS” stands for Goals, Planning Process, and Systems—three components Jake believes are essential for navigating toward any big vision. He explained how having a vision is like setting a destination in your car’s GPS. Without it, you drift. With it—and with solid goals, a flexible planning mindset, and systems in place—you accelerate progress and avoid getting stuck.

Jake’s own 2025 vision? Appear on 60 podcasts this year to sharpen his message, grow his personal brand, and test-drive his ideas in front of new audiences. As of our chat, he’d already completed 18, which is impressive considering he’s also juggling three businesses. He emphasized that consistent, measurable action is the key to momentum—even if you’re not seeing massive results every day.

What really stood out to me was Jake’s view on progress. He dismantled the myth of linear success, pointing out how growth often looks more like a wave than a straight line. His reminder to measure success over longer timelines—and not just in daily wins—resonated with me deeply.

We also bonded over SEO, discussed distractions, and even debated the role of education in modern success. Jake’s parting message? Progress equals happiness. And with a clear vision and a working GPS, you can unlock the next level of your life—whether in business, relationships, or personal growth.

This conversation lit a fire under me. Can’t wait for our follow-up chat.

This episode with Tim Stout blew me away. I knew he had a fighter’s background, but I didn’t expect how well that mindset would translate into business. From the moment we started chatting, I could tell Tim was the kind of guy who takes full ownership—of his past, his mistakes, and especially his successes.

We talked about his journey from growing up in a small, poor town in East Tennessee to becoming a professional MMA and Muay Thai fighter for over a decade. That alone could be a movie. But what impressed me even more is what he’s done since hanging up the gloves. He’s scaled multiple real estate businesses, including brokerages, mortgage companies, and even a property management firm—all while coaching and teaching law enforcement.

His vision for 2025? Build a real estate investing arm and close 50 off-market deals. And he’s already deep into execution with a team of acquisitions specialists and admin support, all running under a system he’s built. The guy eats systems and mindset for breakfast. Seriously.

What stuck with me most was how much Tim emphasized extreme ownership. There are no excuses in his world. If you fail, it’s on you. If you win, it’s on you. That kind of thinking is rare. And as a coach, he doesn’t sugarcoat anything—he strips away excuses and builds real accountability with his clients.

We also talked about failures. I shared my “MBA” story about buying a hair salon and selling it for a dollar—yeah, that happened. Tim got it instantly. He’d been there. He even said failure was a blessing, and I couldn’t agree more.

We wrapped things up by talking about his new book, Fortune Fire: 50 Fight-to-Win Tactics, which hit #1 on Amazon. It’s packed with lessons from his fighting career and business life, and I’ll be linking to it in the show notes.

This episode was powerful, honest, and motivating. Tim’s the real deal—and I’m honored to have had him on Vision with Execution. Here's his book: https://www.amazon.com/Forged-Fire-Fight-Win-Business-ebook/dp/B0DV3SGHGW/

Today’s conversation with Ash Shukla honestly blew my mind. We kicked things off lightheartedly, with Ash suggesting I should try wearing a kurta—might need to give that a shot! But then we quickly dove into some seriously deep territory. Ash shared his journey into mindset coaching, and it became clear right away that his approach goes far beyond surface-level advice. He emphasizes the need to understand your internal self first before you even think about crafting a bigger vision for your life or business.

One of the standout moments for me was learning how Ash integrates the concept of chakras—not just in a spiritual sense, but as practical tools for personal and professional growth. He really broke it down in a way that made sense, explaining how our energy centers influence everything from decision-making to leadership presence. I found myself genuinely curious to explore this more, especially since it connects so directly to managing anxiety and turning that energy into purposeful action.

Ash also highlighted the importance of not just gaining knowledge but turning it into wisdom. That distinction really hit home for me. It’s one thing to know something in theory, but applying it consistently and effectively is where the real transformation happens. He’s big on creating actual breakthroughs during his events, ensuring that the learning sticks long after the session ends.

We also talked about energy and frequency—how tuning into the right vibe can massively impact your personal transformation. Ash even offers a 14-day trial for his daily wealth manifestation program, which he mentioned during our chat. I love that his teachings are designed to be sustainable, not just feel-good moments that fade.

What I appreciated most is how Ash’s enthusiasm is completely infectious. He genuinely wants people to succeed and isn’t afraid to tackle topics like financial chakras, which I hadn’t even heard of before this episode. It’s clear he’s all about helping people align their internal energy to drive external success.

Definitely an eye-opening episode for me—and trust me, you’re going to want to take notes!

I’ll be honest, when I hit record for this conversation with Bubba Page, I had no idea we’d go as deep as we did. What started as a casual catch-up turned into one of the most honest discussions I’ve had about life, faith, coaching, and becoming our best selves. Bubba is not only a wildly successful entrepreneur and investor, he’s also a dad to 8 amazing kids and a man who unapologetically leads with faith in every part of his life.

In this episode, we opened up about the toll that chasing big dreams can take on your body and soul (spoiler: driving an RV across the country wasn’t the relaxing family trip I thought it would be!). More importantly, we unpacked why admitting we need help — through mentors, coaches, or community — isn’t a sign of weakness, but a critical step toward growth. I shared my journey through addiction recovery and the clarity that’s come from embracing vulnerability, while Bubba offered wisdom on spiritual creation, yearly goal setting, and how to heal from unseen wounds.

If you’re looking for raw, honest insights on entrepreneurship, faith, personal growth, and the power of connection, this conversation is it. Tune in, and let’s build a vision with execution — together. Visit bubbapage.com or connect with Bubba on Linkedin.

Welcome back to The Vision with Execution Show! I’m Adam Torkildson, and today’s episode is packed with inspiration, strategy, and a little bit of surprise. My guest, Brittany Hansen, is a powerhouse—balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She’s on a mission to change the way businesses communicate and is taking big steps toward a TED Talk stage in 2025.

We dive into her journey—how she went from devoting over a decade to raising twice-exceptional children to co-founding a company that’s transforming business-consumer interactions. We also discuss how jiu-jitsu has shaped her problem-solving mindset, the power of AI in modern marketing, and why global trade missions are an untapped opportunity for entrepreneurs.

This episode is all about vision and execution—Brittany’s bold goal to improve communication worldwide, and the practical steps she’s taking to make it happen. If you’ve ever wondered how to translate your big ideas into action, this one’s for you. Connect with her on Linkedin

Adam:
Hey everyone, welcome back. I have to be honest—this is one of the most important conversations I’ve ever had, and I want to take you inside the experience as it unfolded. Because what started as a simple check-in turned into a deep confrontation with fear, love, and personal transformation.

A week ago, I found myself in a place I hadn’t been in years—rock bottom emotionally. I felt completely unmoored, like I was losing everything, and I had no idea how to break out of that mindset. That’s when David stepped in. Whether he was the “perfect guy” for this or not, I can’t say, but in that moment, he was the right person.

David:
And I’m honored to hold that space with you, Adam. I think we all hit those moments where we feel like we’re losing control, and often, that’s the signal—it’s time for the next evolution. Today, we’re going to dive into what that next version of Adam looks like.

Adam:
The thing is, this wasn’t a one-time feeling. I’ve realized that for years, I’ve carried a deep fear: the fear that everything I have—my family, my success, my security—will disappear in an instant. And that fear has driven me. It’s motivated me to build, to provide, to create systems that keep everything in place. But what I wasn’t seeing was how much it was costing me—time, connection, joy, and even self-love.

David:
And that’s where we started peeling back the layers. You mentioned something that really stood out: “I don’t think I can keep the belief and vision of success in my mind as much as I can keep the belief that I’ll lose everything.” That’s a heavy statement.

Adam:
Yeah. And I had to admit—I had no real evidence that this doom was coming. It was just… there. Always there. The way I was raised, the strict consequences, the fear of punishment—it created this deep-rooted belief that I’m only valuable when I’m providing, when I’m serving. And if I stop, I’m nothing.

David:
But here’s the real question: What if that belief isn’t true? What if you are inherently valuable, lovable, and worthy, regardless of what you do?

Adam:
That hit me hard. Because when you said, “What if everything you’re trying to prove has already been true all along?”—it stopped me in my tracks. And you know what? That’s where the real work started.

David:
We went deep into a practice called the Heart Coherence Technique—learning how to step out of your head and into your heart, not just intellectually, but emotionally. And that’s when something really powerful happened.

Adam:
Yeah. I imagined my wife and kids looking at me, the way I look at them, with pure love. And then I flipped it. I tried to see myself through their eyes. That was… intense. Because I suddenly realized—I am loved. And I don’t have to prove anything.

David:
That’s the shift. Instead of fear driving your actions, love can. And when you’re operating from love, the entire game changes.

Adam:
And that’s where I set my new commitments:

To practice this heart coherence technique every single day.

To ask for help—twice a day, every day. That one scares me, but I know it’s necessary.

David:
Because asking for help is also an act of connection, trust, and growth. And I can’t wait to check in and see how this journey unfolds for you.

Adam:
Neither can I. And for everyone listening—if you’ve ever felt like you’re trapped in a cycle of fear, if you’re afraid to ask for help, or if you feel like your worth is tied to what you do, I hope this conversation helps you as much as it helped me.