The Persistent Entrepreneur

In this episode of the Persistent Entrepreneur Podcast, host David Hill sits down with Erik Huberman — founder and CEO of Hawke Media and marketing expert who has helped scale over 5,000 brands including Red Bull, Verizon, and Crocs. Erik shares his unfiltered perspective on what it takes to survive (and thrive) as an entrepreneur after six years of unprecedented volatility. From navigating inflation and geopolitical instability to leveraging AI without falling for the hype, Erik breaks down the mindset and strategies that separate the businesses that endure from those that fold. Key Takeaways: Businesses only fail for two reasons: getting underwater financially or leadership giving up The entrepreneurs who've survived the past six years built a "figuring it out" muscle AI should be used to do more with the same, not more with less — cutting costs is a race to the bottom Don't get shiny object syndrome with AI; just staying on top of it puts you ahead of most competitors Content flooding (10-12 posts/day per channel) is being rewarded right now, but authenticity still matters Using generative AI to replace real marketing breaks trust — it looks fake and sets the wrong tone The Hawke Method's three pillars: Awareness, Nurturing, and Trust Build a business you love to run — that's the real key to persistence. Hawke Media — hawkemedia.com The Hawke Method (book) — Available on Amazon & Barnes and Noble Hawke Fest — October 1st, Santa Monica Pier Erik Huberman on social: @ErikHuberman www.davidihill.com Get 14 Day Free GHL Trial https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=david-i-hill-training25 SOCIALS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidihill/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach TicTok: www.tiktok.com/@davidihill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill X: https://twitter.com/davidihill RING LEADER AI DEMO CALL 617-882-7788 www.davidihill.com/crm PODCAST SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895 EntrepreneurMindset #ThrivingInUncertainty #AIForBusiness #MarketingStrategy #PersistentEntrepreneur

In this episode, David Hill sits down with Ephraim Alexander Ebstein to explore the intersection of AI and cybersecurity in modern business. They discuss practical AI implementation strategies, common pitfalls, the reality of AI's limitations, and the growing threat landscape in cybersecurity. Ephraim shares insights from years of deploying AI solutions and protecting businesses from cyber threats, offering actionable advice for entrepreneurs looking to leverage AI while staying secure. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ephraim-ebstein-5a2a1a10/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill PODCAST SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895 #AI #Cybersecurity #Entrepreneur #BusinessOwner #ArtificialIntelligence #AIThreat #CyberThreat #BusinessSecurity #AIBusiness #DigitalSecurity #Podcast #BusinessPodcast #EntrepreneurPodcast #AITools #TechForBusiness #SmallBusiness #OnlineBusiness #BusinessGrowth #FutureOfBusiness #AIAutomation

Join us for an incredible conversation with Brad Beeler, retired Secret Service agent with 25 years of experience. Brad shares powerful insights on detecting deception, mastering difficult conversations, and performing under pressure—skills every entrepreneur and business leader needs. What You'll Learn: How to detect when someone is lying (and why humans are naturally bad at it) The psychology behind effective communication and building trust Why AI is making us worse at reading people Techniques used by the Secret Service to get confessions How to perform under pressure in high-stakes situations The art of asking the right questions in sales and business About Brad Beeler: Brad Beeler spent 25 years with the U.S. Secret Service, conducting more criminal polygraphs than anyone in the agency's history. He protected President George H.W. Bush and worked major investigations in Chicago, St. Louis, and South Carolina. His new book "Tell Me Everything" reveals the communication secrets that work in interrogation rooms, boardrooms, and everyday conversations. Connect with Brad: bradleybeeler.com LinkedIn & Instagram: @bradbeeler1865 LINKS: www.davidihill.com SOCIALS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidihill/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach Youtube: ringleader-ai-crm TicTok: www.tiktok.com/@davidihill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill X: https://twitter.com/davidihill RING LEADER AI DEMO CALL 617-882-7788 www.davidihill.com/crm PODCAST SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895

Turn Your Knowledge Into Profit With The Right Social Media Strategy Join David Hill as he sits down with AJ Kumar, founder of The Limitless Company and social media strategist for industry leaders like Neil Patel, to discuss how to transform your expertise into a profitable personal brand through strategic content creation. In this episode, AJ breaks down the evolving landscape of social media, why follower count doesn't matter anymore, and how to stand out in the crowded digital space. Whether you're a founder, CEO, or entrepreneur, this conversation will help you understand how to leverage social media to build authority, trust, and ultimately drive business results. Guest Social Media Links: https://www.instagram.com/ajthedigitalmaestro https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajkumar24/ https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalmaestro Connect with David LINKS: www.davidhill.link Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidihill/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach Youtube: ringleader-ai-crm TicTok: www.tiktok.com/@davidihill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill X: https://twitter.com/davidihill RING LEADER AI DEMO CALL 617-882-7788 www.davidihill.com/crm PODCAST SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895

Show Notes for Fleet Maull Podcast Episode Episode Overview Join host David Hill in conversation with Dr. Fleet Maull as they explore stress management, mindfulness practices, and radical responsibility for entrepreneurs. Learn practical strategies to optimize your nervous system, improve decision-making, and build sustainable business success. Fleet Maull helps overwhelmed founders and scaling entrepreneurs step out of survival mode and into CEO-level leadership. Drawing on 25+ years as a business strategist and founder of multiple mission-driven ventures, including an Inc. 5000 company, Fleet developed a high-impact MBA program specifically for bootstrapped entrepreneurs looking to break through 6- to 7- or 7- to 8-figure bottlenecks. Action Steps Establish a morning routine (even 5-10 minutes) Practice the "Stop, Feel, Breathe, Be" micro-practice throughout your day Learn breath regulation techniques at HeartMind.co Identify your top 5 daily priorities through journaling Implement the Pomodoro technique (45-minute focused work blocks) Delegate tasks that others can do 80% as well as you Practice mindful exercise with full presence TIME STAMPS 00:00 - 00:30 Introduction & Welcome 00:30 - 02:33 Understanding the Negativity Bias & Why Your Mind Wanders to Stress 02:33 - 10:41 The Two Branches of Your Nervous System Explained 10:41 - 14:30 Why Entrepreneurs Don't Do What They Know They Should (KEY INSIGHT) 14:30 - 20:25 The Power of Mindful Exercise & Morning Routines 20:25 - 24:27 From Operator to CEO: Building Systems & Delegating 28:48 The RISE Morning Routine Framework 34:26 - Stop, Feel, Breathe, Be: The One Micro- Practice to Start Today His immersive program isn't just business coaching—it's a complete recalibration of how leaders approach growth, delegation, and sustainability. Fleet's work combines proven operational strategies with mindset mastery, helping founders replace burnout with vision, build aligned teams, and unlock years of progress in a fraction of the time. https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleetmaull/ https://www.instagram.com/fleetmaull/ David Hill is a trailblazer in marketing, sales training and coaching, leveraging over 36 years of experience across multiple industries. He has worked with some of the top companies, including Success, Cardone 10X, and leading real estate brands. David founded Path to Sales Mastery, where he specializes in helping sales professionals and business owners overcome common sales challenges. Known for his ability to drive significant growth, he enables clients to boost their sales by up to 50% and more within 90 days or less. Through his proven strategies, personalized coaching, and practical solutions, David continues to inspire and empower teams to reach their full potential. David also hosts the Path to Sales Mastery podcast with over 400 episodes featuring guests Gary V, Mel Robbins, Grant Cardone, Brian Tracey, and many others. www.davidihill.com/podcast www.davidihill.com/online www.davidhill.link

In this episode of The Persistent Entrepreneur Podcast, David Hill interviews Lee Pepper, U.S. Army veteran and author of Never Outmatched, about the difference between marketing tactics and a real strategy. Lee shares military frameworks that translate directly into business growth, including Commander's Intent, the Anvil and Hammer approach, and how freedom of movement builds stronger teams and better execution. They also dig into why many founders get trapped by vanity metrics, how to pick KPIs that connect to revenue, and how to evaluate agencies using your business outcomes instead of their dashboards. The conversation also touches on AI's impact on search and buying behavior, and why business owners who ignore the shift risk waking up to a pipeline that quietly dried up. What you'll learn: How to separate tactics from strategy in marketing The Anvil and Hammer framework and how it applies to digital growth KPIs that matter more than likes, followers, and views How to stop letting other people's opinions derail your marketing plan How to evaluate agencies with outcome-based metrics Why AI is changing search and discovery faster than most founders realize Connect with Lee: neveroutmatchedbook.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/leepepper/ Instagram: @theLeePepper TikTok: Lee.Pepper Connect with David Hill: Website: https://www.davidhill.ai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidihill X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/davidihill Ring Leader AI Demo: Text or call 774-214-2076

2026 will not reward excuses. It will reward discipline, clarity, and execution. In this episode, I break down the 8 rules that decide whether you win or lose in 2026. These aren't motivational clichés—they're the fundamentals that determine results in business, health, and life. The 8 Rules: Show up The 100% philosophy — show up all in Adopt an attitude of service — give Focus on your goals and dreams Take care of your body, your energy, and your fuel Commit to personal growth Keep moving forward with daily consistency Play to win, not just to avoid losing Ignore these rules, and the year will pass you by. Apply them, and 2026 can be your strongest year yet. This is a must-watch if you're serious about results—not just intentions. SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/@davidihill Follow David: www.davidhill.link Grant Cardone #davidihill #ringleadercrm #successrules #2026goals #personaldevelopment #mindsetmatters #discipline #consistency #playtowin #leadership #growthmindset #highperformance #entrepreneurlife #businesssuccess #goalsetting #grantcardone

What actually protects a business when markets shift, technology changes, and industries face disruption? In this episode, David Hill talks with Matt Miale, founder of one of Connecticut's top-producing real estate teams, about what it really takes to scale without losing control. Matt shares why size matters, how elite teams stay stable during industry change, and why relationships remain the most reliable advantage in business. Matt breaks down the difference between appearing successful online and actually building something sustainable. He also explains how AI should be used as a support tool — not a replacement for trust, experience, or human connection. Key Takeaways: Why scale protects businesses during industry shifts How AI increases opportunity instead of eliminating professionals Why most agents get distracted by social platforms How high-production teams build accountability and focus Why relationships remain the strongest business asset What leaders must do differently to grow past plateaus How to align business growth with personal life goals Guest Bio: Matt Miale is a real estate leader, entrepreneur, and founder of multiple training and leadership platforms including Agent Production Academy, MPower Events, and the Real Estate MD Podcast. With more than two decades in the industry, Matt leads a high-performance team closing over 600 transactions per year across multiple markets. Known for his disciplined leadership style, he helps agents and business owners strip away noise, master fundamentals, and scale with intention. Connect with Matt Miale: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Matthewmialeinct Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattmialeteam Connect with David Hill: Website: https://www.davidhill.ai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidihill X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/davidihill Listen on Apple & Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895

Do the rules define you — or do you define your path inside them? Today David Hill talks with Lauren Wittenberg Weiner, bestselling author of Unruly and former CEO of WWC Global, about how entrepreneurs, leaders, and creators can rethink expectations and operate with more freedom. Lauren built a $100M consulting company after being told she "wasn't allowed" to work at her level overseas. That early moment sparked a career shaped by resilience, values, and strategic rule-bending. In this episode, she explains how rule-followers can evolve, how rebels can stay grounded, and how anyone can find space to create something better. Takeaways: • Why so many people feel stuck inside expectations • How to interpret rules instead of being boxed in by them • The difference between challenging limits and crossing lines • How moral grounding changes the way you take risks • Why entrepreneurs must understand the system before bending it • How to use norms and guidelines to your advantage • Why authenticity matters more than approval Guest Bio: Lauren Wittenberg Weiner is a bestselling author, speaker, and one of today's leading voices on leadership, service, and integrity. As the founder and former CEO of WWC Global, she grew one of the nation's top woman-owned national security firms while learning how to question norms without compromising values. Her book, Unruly: Deconstruct the Rules, Defy the Norms, and Define Your Success, empowers people to rethink the way they work, lead, and move through the world. Connect with Lauren: Instagram: @laurenwittenbergweiner LinkedIn: Lauren Wittenberg Weiner Facebook: Lauren Wittenberg Weiner Connect with David Hill: Website: https://www.davidhill.ai Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidihill/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidihill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/davidihill Listen on Apple & Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895

This episode breaks down the real psychology behind winning and how everyday entrepreneurs can shift their mindset, discipline their actions, and rise into the small percentage of people who consistently achieve meaningful success. In this conversation, David Hill sits down with Larry Weidel, founder of the Big Hitters Podcast and a leader who built an organization of 500 offices and 15,000 agents while managing billions in assets. Larry shares clear and direct lessons on what separates consistent winners from those who struggle to stay on track. He explains why intent drives every result, why discipline is non-negotiable, and how many people fall short simply by underestimating the work required to reach their goals. Larry draws parallels between competition, business, and personal development, emphasizing that winning feeds confidence, momentum, and long-term stability. He also outlines how to eliminate excuses, take responsibility for outcomes, and avoid becoming your own biggest obstacle. From adopting a strong mindset to following through on action, Larry gives straightforward guidance for anyone looking to grow, improve, and win more consistently. This episode brings practical insights for entrepreneurs, creators, independent professionals, and anyone aiming for long-term achievement. Key Takeaways • How intent shapes results in business and life • The importance of discipline and self-management • Why most people underestimate the effort required to win • How to eliminate excuses and take ownership of outcomes • The difference between winning once and winning repeatedly • Why surrounding yourself with winners accelerates growth • The value of learning from losses without letting them define you About Larry Weidel Larry Weidel is the host of the Big Hitters Podcast and leader of the Big Hitters Community. He built a national financial services organization with 500 offices and more than 15,000 agents, overseeing $6.5 billion in assets. Larry focuses on helping people think bigger, aim higher, and build the mindset and work habits required to win consistently in business and life.' Connect with Larry Weidel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larryweidel/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larryweidel/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larry.weidel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bighitterscommunity Connect With David Hill Website: https://www.davidhill.ai YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidihill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill X: https://twitter.com/davidihill Listen on Apple & Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895 Subscribe, rate, and share the podcast if this episode helped you sharpen your mindset and elevate your approach to success.