

Success Story with Scott D. Clary
Success Story Media
Welcome to the Success Story Podcast, hosted by entrepreneur, business executive, author, educator & speaker, Scott D. Clary (@scottdclary). On this podcast, you'll find interviews, Q&A, keynote presentations & conversations on sales, marketing, business, startups and entrepreneurship. Scott will discuss some of the lessons he's learned over his own career, as well as have candid interviews with execs, celebrities, notable figures and politicians. All who have achieved success through both wins and losses, to learn more about their life, their ideas and insights. He sits down with leaders and mentors and unpacks their story to help pass those lessons onto others through both experiences and tactical strategy for business professionals, entrepreneurs and everyone in between. To get more of the Success Story podcast, go to www.successstorypodcast.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 25, 2026 • 1h 31min
Mark Manson - Author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck | Why the Self-Help Industry Doesn't Want You to Get Better
➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstoryMark 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 Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/markmanson/ https://x.com/Markmanson https://www.youtube.com/@IAmMarkManson ➡️ Podcast SponsorsHubspot - 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/claryFramer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory)LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/successWix - 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 Points00:00 – Intro01:24 – The “Self-Hating” Guru07:07 – Packaging That Works09:54 – Speaking to Real Problems12:14 – Self-Help: Help or Harm?13:24 – Can Self-Help Replace Religion?24:43 – Is Maslow Wrong?30:10 – Sponsor Break32:45 – A Generation Without Community?34:10 – Building a Life That Matters39:23 – Finding Your North Star47:33 – Reinventing Yourself Gracefully49:49 – What Makes Purpose AI Different56:34 – Sponsor Break58:23 – Close Your Open Loops1:03:49 – Why We Avoid Asking for Help1:05:56 – Creators Must Embrace AI1:10:51 – The Shift to Podcasts1:22:30 – The Danger of Parasocial Ties1:27:23 – Integrity in Self-Help1:30:16 – Mark’s Advice to Followers

Mar 23, 2026 • 11min
Lessons - How a Traffic Jam Became a $1.1B Company | Uri Levine - Waze Co-Founder (Sold to Google)
➡️ 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 Linkshttps://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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

Mar 23, 2026 • 13min
Lessons - 17 Years Undercover Then He Built a Business Empire | Mike Baker - Fmr CIA Officer & Portman Square Group CEO
➡️ 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 Linkshttps://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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

Mar 9, 2026 • 57min
Gary Vaynerchuk - Built $500M VaynerMedia | Stop Blaming Everyone Else for Your Failures
➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstoryGary 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 Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/garyvee/ https://x.com/garyvee/ https://www.youtube.com/garyvee ➡️ Podcast SponsorsHubspot - 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/claryFramer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory)LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/successWix - 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 Points00:00 – Intro01:23 – What Made Gary Vee02:12 – Understanding Fear09:30 – Fear vs Taking Action19:59 – Sponsor Break22:34 – Radical Self-Honesty27:38 – The 2026 Gary30:28 – Measuring Real Impact31:42 – Gary’s Current Focus34:49 – AI Influencers?40:50 – Sponsor Break42:43 – Mindset Over Tactics47:27 – Stop Seeking Validation56:02 – Is Social Media Good or Bad?

Mar 7, 2026 • 13min
Lessons - How to Dominate When Everyone Wants to Take You Down | Chris Pronger - NHL MVP & 2x Olympic Gold Medalist
➡️ 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 Linkshttps://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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

Mar 7, 2026 • 12min
Lessons - The Man Behind Rihanna, Kanye and Jay-Z's Biggest Hits | Benny Pough - Fmr Roc Nation President
➡️ 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 Linkshttps://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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

Mar 4, 2026 • 1h 43min
Peter Smith - Blockchain.com Co-Founder & CEO | What 13 Years in Crypto Taught Me About People
➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstoryPeter 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 Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/onemorepeter/https://x.com/OneMorePeter/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/1psmith/ ➡️ Podcast SponsorsHubspot - 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/claryFramer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory)LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/successWix - 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/scottGusto - https://gusto.com/successstory ➡️ Talking Points00:00 – Intro01:28 – The Blockchain Epiphany03:33 – First Taste of Crypto10:49 – Expectations: Gift or Burden?15:30 – Crypto & Mental Growth19:38 – Handling Crypto Stress26:39 – Vision vs. Investor Pressure33:45 – Sponsor Break36:21 – The Vision Behind Blockchain38:34 – Mission Over Money47:46 – Building Trust in Crypto50:45 – Crypto vs. DeFi55:55 – Reading the Market Cycles1:02:30 – Sponsor Break1:04:19 – Ethereum’s Biggest Challenges1:05:53 – Practical Crypto Advice1:09:25 – Spotting Winning Signals1:18:41 – Respect the Seasons1:20:22 – Redefining Success1:22:59 – Early Wins vs. Real Success1:29:44 – Blockchain.com Myths1:34:33 – The Personal Cost of Vision1:37:34 – A 20-Year Legacy1:40:54 – What He Wishes He Knew1:42:13 – Advice to His 20-Year-Old Self

Mar 2, 2026 • 15min
Lessons - The Silent Tech War You're Already Losing | Keith Krach - Fmr Under Secretary of State & DocuSign CEO
➡️ 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 Linkshttps://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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

Mar 2, 2026 • 15min
Lessons - Why the Best Products Are Built on Empathy Not Data | Mauro Porcini - First CDO of PepsiCo, 3M & Samsung
➡️ 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 Linkshttps://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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

Feb 27, 2026 • 1h 19min
Ben Reinberg - $500M+ Real Estate Empire | The "Smart" Decision That Keeps You Broke
➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstoryBen 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 Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/therealbenreinberg/ https://x.com/realbenreinberg https://www.linkedin.com/in/benreinberg ➡️ Podcast SponsorsHubspot - 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/claryFramer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory)LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/successWix - 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 Points00:00 – Intro01:30 – Finding His Path in Real Estate09:50 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome13:58 – The Communication Mistake Entrepreneurs Make21:48 – The Hardest Lesson He Learned24:56 – Sponsor Break27:30 – Where Beginners Should Invest37:56 – Mastering Emotional Control41:49 – Key CRE Insights to Know47:25 – The Most Painful Lesson55:48 – Sponsor Break57:38 – Reading the Economic Signals1:02:20 – The Belief That Changed Everything1:04:24 – What Not to Sacrifice for Success1:08:47 – Designing Life for Family1:17:51 – The Lesson He’d Pass to His Kids


