PodCrash with Matt Ebert

Cameo Founder: $0 to $100M in 4 Years With ZERO Marketing Spend

Steven Galanis had the idea for Cameo at his grandmother's funeral. Four years later the company had gone from roughly $300,000 to $100 million in revenue with no marketing spend, was the fastest-growing consumer marketplace in the world, and hit a $1 billion valuation. Then the vaccines came out, demand dropped 60% almost overnight, and a banker sat him down in Miami with a binder he called "the sea of red." In this conversation he walks through all of it without spin: the launch night where nobody bought anything and his only investor quit, the board member who told him to cut half the company and was right when he only cut 25%, what $165 million of preferred stock does to your employees' equity when the valuation collapses, and what it actually takes to recapitalize and get profitable again. Plus why the internet created a generation of people more famous than rich, why 15 minutes of fame now lasts 15 years, and the line from a board member that changed how he ran the company: "You've been Michael Jordan. It's time to be Phil Jackson." Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

The Man Behind Tony Robbins' Business Empire | How To Grow

Jay Abraham has consulted in over 1,000 industries and 7,124 niches, almost all of it on the front lines rather than from a stage. He got married at 18, had two kids at 20, had no education, and nobody in his family had ever made more than $25,000 a year — so the only people who'd hire him were entrepreneurs who paid on results. That's where he found the thing that made him: nobody in any industry has a clue how any other industry actually works. In this conversation he walks through how that one realization grew Icy Hot 21,000% in a year, pulled $9 million out of Entrepreneur magazine's dead archive, and quintupled a PVC pipe company's sales by giving salespeople 100% of the first sale. He explains the 30 leverage points hiding in a business you already own, why a bottom-line 10X should always come before a top-line one, and why he thinks almost every company is using zero of the 125 referral systems that exist. Then at 68:49 the interview flips, and Jay spends the second half interviewing Matt — the wrecked car at seventeen, the $100,000 in credit card cash advances that went into four Subway franchises, and what actually happened in the room when he stopped looking for debt and started talking to private equity.

• Transcript

"Boredom Is A Lie!" Navy SEAL Psychologist On Why You Sabotage Yourself

Dr. Doug Brackmann is a psychologist who works with Navy SEALs, PGA pros and founders — and he teaches meditation by putting a rifle in your hands and asking you to hit a target a mile away. He was a high school dropout living in a car. Now he's the guy those people call when the money arrives and the emptiness doesn't go away. In this conversation he explains the genetics behind the entrepreneurial brain, why 87% of lottery winners are bankrupt within five years, why hunting organizations physically cannot scale, and what happens to a founder's identity the day the phone stops ringing after an exit. Matt gets into his own version of it — what he's watched happen to sellers through the Crash Champions acquisitions, and why the check was never the hard part. Find Dr. Brackmann and take the driven assessment at iamdriven.com. Books: Driven and Sheep and Wolves. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ 00:00 INTRO 01:50 Why entrepreneurs are unemployable 04:43 High school dropout who lived in a car 07:48 The alcoholism gene and the genetics of "driven" 11:05 Inside the driven brain: 9 to 13 thoughts at once 15:12 Hunters vs. farmers, and why school was built for farmers 18:54 The boredom gene and reward deficiency 21:46 What happens when you ask a driven person who they are 24:51 Why you can only scale a farm, never a hunt 28:21 Hiring farmers around you, and talking to your CFO 31:38 The wolf pack, the herd, and why drivens end up alone 35:32 Self-sabotage: 87% of lottery winners go bankrupt 38:37 Losing your identity after you sell the company 41:30 Trauma, somatic healing, and what the body records 45:36 Boredom is a lie 48:04 Sleep, willpower, and what meditation actually is 51:09 Energy, intuition, and the spidey sense 54:02 The shadow, Carl Jung, and the midlife turn inward 56:42 Where to find Dr. Brackmann and the driven assessment 58:33 Closing: the person he'd champion

• Transcript

The Founder Who Sold His Company for $17M: Make the Wrong Decision

Mick Hunt - USA Today bestselling author, host of Mick Unplugged, and founder who sold his first insurance agency for $17 million three years after starting it from scratch - sits down to talk about where emotional intelligence actually comes from. For him it wasn't a leadership seminar; it was being ten years old and learning to read his father's moods to protect his mother and sister. He makes the case that your "why" is meaningless until you find your "because," that composure is a trainable skill rather than a personality trait, and that the whole cult of the difficult journey is a trap - if there's an elevator, take it. Plus: how he landed Damon John, Chris Voss and Robert Irvine as mentors by simply asking, why he'll never use AI to replace a person but will replace the parts of their job they refuse to automate, the interview question that reveals who someone really is, and why he'd rather you tell him no fast than yes slowly. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

"Don't Follow Your Passion!" VC Investor Jack Raines on Getting Rich in Your 20s

Jack Raines - writer, Slow Ventures investor, and author of the new book Young Money - built his career by going viral making fun of LinkedIn, then turned it into a job helping invest over a billion dollars in startups and creators. In this episode he makes the case against "follow your passion," explains why he backpacked the world at 24 on purpose (with an exit ramp built in), and lays out why creators with engaged audiences are the next generation of startup founders. He also tells the story of the satirical post - claiming he ate free at 527 Manhattan hotels - that got him tagged to the NYPD and summoned to his business-school dean's office. Part career playbook, part comedy, part contrarian investing thesis on where money and media are headed. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

"My Heart Wasn't In It" - Ralph Barbosa on Hosting His Own Show

Netflix comedian Ralph Barbosa sits down for one of his most honest interviews yet. He gets into his blue-collar roots learning auto body in his dad's Dallas shop, how wrecking his own cars pushed him into the trade, and knocking out every comedy goal he ever set. Now he's chasing something completely different - cars, his YouTube channel Formula Bean, and starting his career over on his own terms. It's a candid conversation about ambition, knowing when you've "made it," and why the grind everyone glorifies isn't always worth chasing. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

The Voice Mistakes Holding You Back with Vocal Coach Roger Love

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with legendary voice coach Roger Love for a conversation about speaking, confidence, leadership, and why your voice may be shaping your life more than you realize. Roger shares how he became a voice coach as a teenager, what he learned working with some of the biggest singers and speakers in the world, and how he helped people like Tony Robbins, Tom Brady, and Famous Dave’s founder Dave Anderson build voices that could carry their message. He explains why the human voice is an instrument, why most people were never taught how to use it, and why sounding clear, confident, and emotionally connected can change the way people respond to you. Matt and Roger also get into practical voice tips, including why breathing through your nose matters, how vocal fry can damage your voice, why most people are not actually tone deaf, how stuttering can be helped through airflow, and why people remember how your voice made them feel more than the exact words you said. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Harbinger on the Secret to 20 Years of Podcasting

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with Jordan Harbinger, host of The Jordan Harbinger Show, for a conversation about podcasting, marketing, trust, relationships, and what it takes to build something that lasts. Jordan looks back on nearly 20 years in podcasting and explains why giving away real value helped him stand out long before the medium became mainstream. He talks about why creators and business owners should “move the free line,” why authenticity matters more than playing a character, and how trust can become a long-term advantage with an audience, customers, sponsors, and partners. Matt and Jordan also get into relationship building, networking, introversion, sales, and why “it’s all about who you know” should be treated as a strategy, not an excuse. It’s a conversation for anyone trying to build a reputation, grow an audience, or create relationships that compound over time. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most Employees Aren’t Lazy, They’re Unstructured

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with entrepreneur and performance coach Matt Granados for a practical conversation about people problems, leadership, burnout, and the systems that help teams perform. Granados explains why people are often not the real problem inside a business. Instead, people have problems, and leaders need systems that help employees recognize those problems, bridge the gap, and sustain better habits. He shares how he built a multimillion-dollar sales organization by finding overlooked talent, giving people structure, and helping them turn work ethic into real performance. Matt and Matt also discuss why “time management” is the wrong way to think about productivity, how teams can recover hours of lost capacity each week, why burnout has to be prevented before it happens, and how leaders can motivate people through truth, structure, and personal value instead of fear. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

He Built PAW Patrol at His Company’s Lowest Point

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with Spin Master co-founder Ronnen Harary, whose company is behind PAW Patrol, Bakugan, Air Hogs, and some of the biggest toy and entertainment brands of the past three decades. Ronnen shares how he started the business at 23 with a strange grass-growing toy, turned a small experiment into orders for hundreds of thousands of units, and helped build Spin Master into one of the world’s largest toy companies. He also gets honest about the company’s toughest stretch, when rapid growth and overconfidence took the business from $450 million to $1 billion in sales, then back down to $450 million. Matt and Ronnen discuss why it can be riskier not to start, how failure generates useful momentum, why passion can reduce risk, and what makes a business partnership last. They also explore the ideas behind Ronnen’s book No Experience Necessary and why young people may have more time, energy, and creative advantage than they realize. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

Why Most People Never Take the Leap with Jen Sincero

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with Jen Sincero, bestselling author of You Are a Badass, for a conversation about fear, money, identity, habits, and what it really takes to change your life. Jen explains why so many people stay stuck by doing the same things harder, how old thought patterns quietly shape your results, and why changing your identity matters just as much as changing your behavior. She also talks about money mindset, the fear of outgrowing people around you, and why taking action that scares you can be one of the clearest signs that you are moving in the right direction. Matt and Jen also get into the story behind You Are a Badass, the rejections she faced before the book broke through, and why persistence, energy, and belief matter when you are trying to build something bigger than your current circumstances. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

How Business Owners Should Use AI First with AI Advisor Sam Woods

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with AI advisor Sam Woods for a practical conversation about how businesses should actually use AI right now. Sam explains why the gap between flashy AI demos and real business value is still huge, and why companies should start with the boring but useful stuff first: admin work, repetitive tasks, documentation, spreadsheets, and processes that already slow teams down. He also breaks down how AI agents work, why humans still need to stay in the loop, and why the best AI strategy starts with understanding your existing workflows before chasing every new tool. Matt and Sam also talk about AI’s impact on jobs, whether companies should replace people or empower them, how kids should use AI as a tutor instead of a shortcut, and why distribution, speed, and execution may matter more than “secret” company knowledge in the AI era. It’s a grounded conversation for business owners, operators, and leaders trying to figure out how to use AI without getting buried in the hype. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

How Shirin Behzadi Turned Adversity Into a Billion-Dollar Career

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with Shirin Behzadi, author of The Unexpected CEO, for a conversation about adversity, belief, leadership, and building a future before anyone else can see it.Shirin shares how leaving Iran at 17, starting over in the United States, and working as a cashier in a bulletproof gas station booth shaped the conviction that she would one day lead a major company. Long before it happened, she printed business cards for the future she believed she was building, then followed that North Star through accounting, operations, entrepreneurship, private equity, and eventually leading a company through major growth and a successful exit. Matt and Shirin also talk about why adversity can become a superpower, how surviving a brain tumor changed the way she led, and why great leaders have to learn when to say no. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

How to Make People Care About What You’re Building with Jason Feifer

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with Jason Feifer, editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine, for a conversation about storytelling, change, personal branding, and how builders can make people care about what they are creating. Jason breaks down why every audience, customer, or listener is really asking the same question: “Is this for me?” He explains why great storytelling is not about showing off what you made, but about clearly communicating the problem you solve and the benefit people get from it. Matt and Jason also talk about why entrepreneurs think vertically, how failure can become useful data, and why treating new ideas like experiments can make it easier to adapt and move forward. They also get into Jason’s lessons from interviewing leaders like Ryan Reynolds, The Rock, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Megan Thee Stallion, plus why building a personal brand can make you less replaceable and more valuable. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

How to Prevent Burnout with Psychologist Guy Winch

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with psychologist and bestselling author Guy Winch to talk about burnout, stress, and why working harder is not always the answer. Guy explains how overwork can quietly hurt your performance, your health, and your relationships, even when it feels like you are doing what success demands. He shares why stress follows people home, why rumination is not the same as problem-solving, and why rest alone is not enough if you are not actually recovering. They also get into the hidden signs of burnout, the difference between rest and recharge, how leaders can better support stressed teams, and what high performers need to understand if work has started to take over their lives. It’s a practical conversation for anyone trying to build, lead, and perform at a high level without running themselves into the ground. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

Why Blue-Collar Work Is Becoming More Technical Than Ever with I-CAR CEO Kyle Thompson

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with Kyle Thompson, CEO of I-CAR, for a conversation about the future of collision repair, skilled trades, training, and why blue-collar work is becoming more technical than ever. Kyle shares his path from working around cars and running a collision repair shop to leading I-CAR, the industry organization focused on training and standards for collision repair professionals. He and Matt talk about how quickly vehicle technology has changed, why proper training is now directly tied to safety, and why the old model of having only one or two people in the shop who know the “hard stuff” no longer works. They also discuss the shortage of technicians, how the industry can do a better job attracting young people, why collision repair should be seen as a high-skill career, and how tools like virtual reality, mixed reality, and AI could help make training faster and more effective. It’s a conversation about the future of work, the value of skilled trades, and why the people who keep learning will have a major advantage. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

Why Success Still Feels Empty for So Many High Achievers with Dr. Sharon Spano

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with executive coach Dr. Sharon Spano for a deep conversation about leadership, self-awareness, trauma, and why success does not always lead to fulfillment. Dr. Spano explains why so many high achievers build successful careers, make money, and still end up feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsatisfied. She shares how early life experiences can shape ambition, how blind spots show up in leadership, and why self-awareness is one of the hardest but most important parts of personal and professional growth. They also talk about executive coaching, family systems, work-life integration, the emotional cost of achievement, and how leaders can stop repeating the same patterns at work and at home. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

Robinhood Co-Founder Baiju Bhatt on Building Big Ideas That Sound Crazy

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, to talk about entrepreneurship, big ideas, and what it really takes to build something ambitious. Baiju reflects on the early days of Robinhood, hearing “no” from countless investors, and why the best founders often have an irrational belief in themselves before anyone else does. He explains why easy ideas are not actually easier, why dreaming small usually leads to building small, and how founders have to keep iterating until they find what works. They also get into what Baiju is building now with Cowboy Space Corporation (formerly Aetherflux), a company focused on creating a power grid in space and using satellites to beam solar energy and eventually power AI infrastructure. He shares why space has been a lifelong interest, why he wanted to take on another huge challenge, and how he thinks about risk, innovation, and building for the future.Follow Baiju and his company Cowboy Space Corps here: https://www.instagram.com/realbaijubhatt/?hl=en#https://www.instagram.com/cowboyspacecorp/?hl=enhttps://x.com/BaijuBhatthttps://x.com/CowboySpaceCorp Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

How to Stop Making Bad Hires with Ryan Hogan

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with entrepreneur and Navy officer Ryan Hogan for a conversation about failure, leadership, hiring, and what it really takes to build something that works. Ryan shares how a rough start, a blown engine, and a push from his mom led him into the Navy, where he learned the discipline and focus that later shaped his career as an entrepreneur. He talks through the rise and fall of Run For Your Lives, what went wrong when the business took off too fast, and how those lessons helped him build Hunt A Killer into a $55 million company. They also get into product-market fit, why most companies misunderstand hiring, the value of peer groups and coaching, and why the right systems matter once a business starts to grow. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript

What 42 Years in Baseball Taught Him About Leadership

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with Don Logan, president of the Las Vegas Aviators, for a conversation about leadership, longevity, and what it takes to build something that lasts. After more than four decades in professional baseball, Don shares what he has learned about culture, competition, community, and why doing things the right way still matters. He talks about the long road to bringing a new ballpark to Las Vegas, what makes a team and an organization successful over time, and why great leaders focus on results without losing sight of people. They also get into Vegas as a sports market, the business of baseball, building trust inside an organization, and why consistency, toughness, and humility still separate people over the long run. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/

• Transcript