The Intense Life Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-intense-life What does it mean to live fully? On The Intense Life, John Mashni sits down with leaders, creators, and everyday people to explore stories of courage, creativity, and purpose. Honest conversations. Surprising insights. A reminder that life is too short to live half-awake. © 2026 John Mashni c96a049e-a3c1-5036-85b2-97427eac38bd yes en Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:08:42 -0400 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:09:18 -0400 https://img.transistorcdn.com/cLPefXzWGqa72MOB4Y8kArXhmMtHX1b-KhQU1VHpgig/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lODYy/MTZlOWU1MDVkODVi/MDI1ZGZjY2VhYTk4/YzZjMS5wbmc.jpg The Intense Life episodic John Mashni What does it mean to live fully? On The Intense Life, John Mashni sits down with leaders, creators, and everyday people to explore stories of courage, creativity, and purpose. Honest conversations. Surprising insights. A reminder that life is too short to live half-awake. What does it mean to live fully. entrepreneurship. inspirational, motivational, personal growth, leadership, servant leadership, John Mashni No No Ep. 10: The Hardest Mountain to Climb is the One Inside You 10 10 Ep. 10: The Hardest Mountain to Climb is the One Inside You full 823c2a8c-6ea9-4911-9766-a0816de4c682 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ce0606d3
In this episode of The Intense Life, John Mashni sits down with explorer, filmmaker, storyteller, and Grace Explorations founder Kevin DeVries for a conversation that goes far beyond adventure. 


Kevin has spent years doing extraordinary things in the physical world, from searching for Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat to climbing mountains, making documentaries, and leading men through honest conversations about pain, trauma, healing, and identity. But this episode is not just about the places he has gone. It is about what those journeys have revealed. 


Together, John and Kevin explore what trauma does to a person’s story, why so many men keep performing while quietly hurting, and how unprocessed pain often gets externalized in destructive ways. Kevin shares what he has learned about redemptive storytelling, brotherhood, purpose, and why healing is rarely about a formula. More often, it is about staying in the story long enough to let God do something with it. 


The conversation also touches on Kevin’s upcoming creative work around Shackleton, survival, the “third man factor,” and the haunting idea that in our darkest moments, we may not be as alone as we think. 


One of the most powerful parts of the episode comes when Kevin shares his near-death experience. He recounts collapsing on a run, what happened while others fought to save his life, and how that moment reshaped the way he thinks about mission, identity, mortality, and the presence of God. 


For anyone who has wrestled with trauma, shame, loneliness, purpose, masculinity, faith, or the longing to make sense of life’s deeper story, this conversation will resonate. It is about mountains, yes, but even more than that, it is about the mountain within. 

Learn more about Kevin DeVries: 

https://www.truesummit.llc/about-kevin 

 

Explore Kevin’s work: 

https://www.truesummit.llc 

 

Grace Explorations: 

https://www.graceexplorations.com/ 

 

Base Camp Nation / Base Camp: 

https://www.graceexplorations.com/base-camp 

 

The True Summit film: 

https://www.graceexplorations.com/download/p/the-true-summit-4k-download 

For updates on Kevin’s upcoming project, visit True Summit or contact Kevin through his site. 

]]>
In this episode of The Intense Life, John Mashni sits down with explorer, filmmaker, storyteller, and Grace Explorations founder Kevin DeVries for a conversation that goes far beyond adventure. 


Kevin has spent years doing extraordinary things in the physical world, from searching for Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat to climbing mountains, making documentaries, and leading men through honest conversations about pain, trauma, healing, and identity. But this episode is not just about the places he has gone. It is about what those journeys have revealed. 


Together, John and Kevin explore what trauma does to a person’s story, why so many men keep performing while quietly hurting, and how unprocessed pain often gets externalized in destructive ways. Kevin shares what he has learned about redemptive storytelling, brotherhood, purpose, and why healing is rarely about a formula. More often, it is about staying in the story long enough to let God do something with it. 


The conversation also touches on Kevin’s upcoming creative work around Shackleton, survival, the “third man factor,” and the haunting idea that in our darkest moments, we may not be as alone as we think. 


One of the most powerful parts of the episode comes when Kevin shares his near-death experience. He recounts collapsing on a run, what happened while others fought to save his life, and how that moment reshaped the way he thinks about mission, identity, mortality, and the presence of God. 


For anyone who has wrestled with trauma, shame, loneliness, purpose, masculinity, faith, or the longing to make sense of life’s deeper story, this conversation will resonate. It is about mountains, yes, but even more than that, it is about the mountain within. 

Learn more about Kevin DeVries: 

https://www.truesummit.llc/about-kevin 

 

Explore Kevin’s work: 

https://www.truesummit.llc 

 

Grace Explorations: 

https://www.graceexplorations.com/ 

 

Base Camp Nation / Base Camp: 

https://www.graceexplorations.com/base-camp 

 

The True Summit film: 

https://www.graceexplorations.com/download/p/the-true-summit-4k-download 

For updates on Kevin’s upcoming project, visit True Summit or contact Kevin through his site. 

]]> Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:06:52 -0400 John Mashni John Mashni 4535
In this episode of The Intense Life, John Mashni sits down with explorer, filmmaker, storyteller, and Grace Explorations founder Kevin DeVries for a conversation that goes far beyond adventure. 


Kevin has spent years doing extraordinary things in the physical world, from searching for Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat to climbing mountains, making documentaries, and leading men through honest conversations about pain, trauma, healing, and identity. But this episode is not just about the places he has gone. It is about what those journeys have revealed. 


Together, John and Kevin explore what trauma does to a person’s story, why so many men keep performing while quietly hurting, and how unprocessed pain often gets externalized in destructive ways. Kevin shares what he has learned about redemptive storytelling, brotherhood, purpose, and why healing is rarely about a formula. More often, it is about staying in the story long enough to let God do something with it. 


The conversation also touches on Kevin’s upcoming creative work around Shackleton, survival, the “third man factor,” and the haunting idea that in our darkest moments, we may not be as alone as we think. 


One of the most powerful parts of the episode comes when Kevin shares his near-death experience. He recounts collapsing on a run, what happened while others fought to save his life, and how that moment reshaped the way he thinks about mission, identity, mortality, and the presence of God. 


For anyone who has wrestled with trauma, shame, loneliness, purpose, masculinity, faith, or the longing to make sense of life’s deeper story, this conversation will resonate. It is about mountains, yes, but even more than that, it is about the mountain within. 

Learn more about Kevin DeVries: 

https://www.truesummit.llc/about-kevin 

 

Explore Kevin’s work: 

https://www.truesummit.llc 

 

Grace Explorations: 

https://www.graceexplorations.com/ 

 

Base Camp Nation / Base Camp: 

https://www.graceexplorations.com/base-camp 

 

The True Summit film: 

https://www.graceexplorations.com/download/p/the-true-summit-4k-download 

For updates on Kevin’s upcoming project, visit True Summit or contact Kevin through his site. 

]]> Kevin DeVries, John Mashni, The Intense Life, Grace Explorations, Base Camp Nation, men’s ministry, Christian men, masculinity, men and trauma, trauma healing, PTSD, redemptive storytelling, storytelling and healing, pain and purpose, identity in Christ, brotherhood, not alone, finding home, near death experience, Christian testimony, guardian angels, third man factor, Shackleton, Ernest Shackleton, South Georgia Island, Mount Everest, Mount Ararat, Noah’s Ark documentary, The True Summit, Finding Noah, Christian podcast, faith and healing, purpose through pain, men’s mental health, spiritual healing, adventure documentary, exploration and faith, hope after trauma No Ep. 9: How Young Founders Built a Brand Before They Had a Budget 9 9 Ep. 9: How Young Founders Built a Brand Before They Had a Budget full 5d48bbdb-181a-4470-9d14-8669eaa60158 https://share.transistor.fm/s/7fea5c19
In this episode of The Intense Life, John Mashni sits down with Tanvi Gadamsetti and Madhav Aggarwal, the co-founders of BRCE, a company they started while still in college. What makes their story so compelling is not just how young they are. It is how willing they were to start, how quickly they learned, and how seriously they took the opportunity in front of them. 


They talk about how BRCE began with a simple idea: colorful shoelaces for sneakerheads. But this conversation quickly becomes about much more than shoelaces. Tanvi and Madhav share how a last-minute opportunity at a Michigan State pitch competition led to their first $500 win, how they turned that momentum into real-world sales at Sneaker Con Detroit, and how those early steps helped them realize they were building toward something much bigger. 


John also talks with them about the shift from computer science into material science, and how trying to solve a real everyday problem led them into deeper innovation. What started as a simple product became the beginning of BRCE’s grip-based lace technology, with real potential in athletic safety, stability, and performance. 


They also speak honestly about what it has looked like to build so young. From Techstars to hard lessons about listening, relationships, and learning from people further ahead, Tanvi and Madhav share a perspective that feels grounded, thoughtful, and real. They talk about the loneliness that can come with building fast, the importance of community, and the kind of conviction it takes to stay with something long enough to see what it can become. 


And because BRCE is about more than just the product, John spends time with them talking about brand, media, and attention too. They share how they started building interest before they had much of a budget, why storytelling matters earlier than most people think, and how they have worked to create something people can connect with long before they ever buy. 


If you are a founder, student, builder, athlete, or someone sitting on an idea and waiting for the right time, this episode is a reminder that momentum often belongs to the people willing to begin before everything feels certain. 


 
https://www.brce.shop/blogs/news/from-college-apartment-to-abcs-shark-tank-two-seniors-pitch-patented-material-innovation 

https://www.sharktankcompanies.com/products/brce 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanvi-gadamsetti/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhav-aggarwal-/ 

]]>
In this episode of The Intense Life, John Mashni sits down with Tanvi Gadamsetti and Madhav Aggarwal, the co-founders of BRCE, a company they started while still in college. What makes their story so compelling is not just how young they are. It is how willing they were to start, how quickly they learned, and how seriously they took the opportunity in front of them. 


They talk about how BRCE began with a simple idea: colorful shoelaces for sneakerheads. But this conversation quickly becomes about much more than shoelaces. Tanvi and Madhav share how a last-minute opportunity at a Michigan State pitch competition led to their first $500 win, how they turned that momentum into real-world sales at Sneaker Con Detroit, and how those early steps helped them realize they were building toward something much bigger. 


John also talks with them about the shift from computer science into material science, and how trying to solve a real everyday problem led them into deeper innovation. What started as a simple product became the beginning of BRCE’s grip-based lace technology, with real potential in athletic safety, stability, and performance. 


They also speak honestly about what it has looked like to build so young. From Techstars to hard lessons about listening, relationships, and learning from people further ahead, Tanvi and Madhav share a perspective that feels grounded, thoughtful, and real. They talk about the loneliness that can come with building fast, the importance of community, and the kind of conviction it takes to stay with something long enough to see what it can become. 


And because BRCE is about more than just the product, John spends time with them talking about brand, media, and attention too. They share how they started building interest before they had much of a budget, why storytelling matters earlier than most people think, and how they have worked to create something people can connect with long before they ever buy. 


If you are a founder, student, builder, athlete, or someone sitting on an idea and waiting for the right time, this episode is a reminder that momentum often belongs to the people willing to begin before everything feels certain. 


 
https://www.brce.shop/blogs/news/from-college-apartment-to-abcs-shark-tank-two-seniors-pitch-patented-material-innovation 

https://www.sharktankcompanies.com/products/brce 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanvi-gadamsetti/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhav-aggarwal-/ 

]]> Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:43:43 -0400 John Mashni John Mashni 3086
In this episode of The Intense Life, John Mashni sits down with Tanvi Gadamsetti and Madhav Aggarwal, the co-founders of BRCE, a company they started while still in college. What makes their story so compelling is not just how young they are. It is how willing they were to start, how quickly they learned, and how seriously they took the opportunity in front of them. 


They talk about how BRCE began with a simple idea: colorful shoelaces for sneakerheads. But this conversation quickly becomes about much more than shoelaces. Tanvi and Madhav share how a last-minute opportunity at a Michigan State pitch competition led to their first $500 win, how they turned that momentum into real-world sales at Sneaker Con Detroit, and how those early steps helped them realize they were building toward something much bigger. 


John also talks with them about the shift from computer science into material science, and how trying to solve a real everyday problem led them into deeper innovation. What started as a simple product became the beginning of BRCE’s grip-based lace technology, with real potential in athletic safety, stability, and performance. 


They also speak honestly about what it has looked like to build so young. From Techstars to hard lessons about listening, relationships, and learning from people further ahead, Tanvi and Madhav share a perspective that feels grounded, thoughtful, and real. They talk about the loneliness that can come with building fast, the importance of community, and the kind of conviction it takes to stay with something long enough to see what it can become. 


And because BRCE is about more than just the product, John spends time with them talking about brand, media, and attention too. They share how they started building interest before they had much of a budget, why storytelling matters earlier than most people think, and how they have worked to create something people can connect with long before they ever buy. 


If you are a founder, student, builder, athlete, or someone sitting on an idea and waiting for the right time, this episode is a reminder that momentum often belongs to the people willing to begin before everything feels certain. 


 
https://www.brce.shop/blogs/news/from-college-apartment-to-abcs-shark-tank-two-seniors-pitch-patented-material-innovation 

https://www.sharktankcompanies.com/products/brce 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanvi-gadamsetti/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhav-aggarwal-/ 

]]> Tanvi Gadamsetti, Madhav Aggarwal, BRCE, BRCE Laces, BRCE shoelaces, The Intense Life podcast, John Mashni, Shark Tank, Shark Tank founders, college entrepreneurs, college startup, student startup, Michigan State startup, young founders, Gen Z founders, startup story, founder journey, entrepreneurship, startup growth, startup branding, startup marketing, media company, brand storytelling, product storytelling, material science startup, engineering entrepreneurship, student founders, shoelaces that do not untie, athletic safety, ankle stability, performance gear, sports innovation, innovation startup, Techstars, Techstars founder, pitch competition, Sneaker Con Detroit, startup iteration, startup advice, startup resilience, startup community, founder confidence, startup lessons, give first, conviction over quality, build before you are ready, start before you are ready, direct to consumer brand, consumer product startup, athletic recovery, safety gear, Michigan founders No Ep. 8 Build a Business That Grows Beyond You 8 8 Ep. 8 Build a Business That Grows Beyond You full 3f26158f-5392-4bc8-9fff-a4c692beed42 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6e236ee0
In this episode of The Intense Life, John sits down with entrepreneur Kyle Mealy for a conversation about confidence, growth, and what it really means to build a life around the next level. Kyle shares how martial arts shaped him from a young age, how stepping away cost him confidence, and how returning helped him reconnect with who he was and the kind of path he truly wanted.  


John and Kyle discuss Kyle’s winding road from college martial arts instructor to wastewater lab manager, to running and scaling a karate school. Along the way, he discovered something that would keep showing up in every season of his career: if you measure what matters, understand the patterns, and keep improving, growth becomes a lot less mysterious. That mindset helped him build a million-dollar martial arts business, predict revenue with stunning accuracy, and realize he was never really wired for the safe, predictable path.  


From there, Kyle shares how he moved into the world of digital marketing, the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), fractional leadership, and how his ability to build teams, spot bottlenecks, and help founders grow eventually became the foundation for Next Level Revenue, one of his current businesses. But this conversation is about more than business strategy. It is also about identity, the power of the right “who,” and the lesson so many entrepreneurs learn the hard way: you cannot build something meaningful alone.  


John and Kyle also dive into the bigger mission behind ENRG and EMC, two ventures that reflect Kyle’s deep belief in help-first community, entrepreneurial growth, and sharing the kind of wisdom that changes lives. Kyle talks about creating spaces where entrepreneurs, integrators, and thoughtful leaders can find each other, grow together, and make a bigger impact on their businesses, families, and communities.  


If you are an entrepreneur, operator, founder, or growth-minded leader trying to find the right people, build with more clarity, and keep becoming who you are meant to be, this episode will give you both practical insight and a real shot of encouragement.
 
Connect with ENRG, learn more, or start a chapter here: https://enrg.life/about-enrg/
Connect with Kyle Mealy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-mealy 

]]>
In this episode of The Intense Life, John sits down with entrepreneur Kyle Mealy for a conversation about confidence, growth, and what it really means to build a life around the next level. Kyle shares how martial arts shaped him from a young age, how stepping away cost him confidence, and how returning helped him reconnect with who he was and the kind of path he truly wanted.  


John and Kyle discuss Kyle’s winding road from college martial arts instructor to wastewater lab manager, to running and scaling a karate school. Along the way, he discovered something that would keep showing up in every season of his career: if you measure what matters, understand the patterns, and keep improving, growth becomes a lot less mysterious. That mindset helped him build a million-dollar martial arts business, predict revenue with stunning accuracy, and realize he was never really wired for the safe, predictable path.  


From there, Kyle shares how he moved into the world of digital marketing, the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), fractional leadership, and how his ability to build teams, spot bottlenecks, and help founders grow eventually became the foundation for Next Level Revenue, one of his current businesses. But this conversation is about more than business strategy. It is also about identity, the power of the right “who,” and the lesson so many entrepreneurs learn the hard way: you cannot build something meaningful alone.  


John and Kyle also dive into the bigger mission behind ENRG and EMC, two ventures that reflect Kyle’s deep belief in help-first community, entrepreneurial growth, and sharing the kind of wisdom that changes lives. Kyle talks about creating spaces where entrepreneurs, integrators, and thoughtful leaders can find each other, grow together, and make a bigger impact on their businesses, families, and communities.  


If you are an entrepreneur, operator, founder, or growth-minded leader trying to find the right people, build with more clarity, and keep becoming who you are meant to be, this episode will give you both practical insight and a real shot of encouragement.
 
Connect with ENRG, learn more, or start a chapter here: https://enrg.life/about-enrg/
Connect with Kyle Mealy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-mealy 

]]> Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:27:11 -0400 John Mashni John Mashni 2935
In this episode of The Intense Life, John sits down with entrepreneur Kyle Mealy for a conversation about confidence, growth, and what it really means to build a life around the next level. Kyle shares how martial arts shaped him from a young age, how stepping away cost him confidence, and how returning helped him reconnect with who he was and the kind of path he truly wanted.  


John and Kyle discuss Kyle’s winding road from college martial arts instructor to wastewater lab manager, to running and scaling a karate school. Along the way, he discovered something that would keep showing up in every season of his career: if you measure what matters, understand the patterns, and keep improving, growth becomes a lot less mysterious. That mindset helped him build a million-dollar martial arts business, predict revenue with stunning accuracy, and realize he was never really wired for the safe, predictable path.  


From there, Kyle shares how he moved into the world of digital marketing, the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), fractional leadership, and how his ability to build teams, spot bottlenecks, and help founders grow eventually became the foundation for Next Level Revenue, one of his current businesses. But this conversation is about more than business strategy. It is also about identity, the power of the right “who,” and the lesson so many entrepreneurs learn the hard way: you cannot build something meaningful alone.  


John and Kyle also dive into the bigger mission behind ENRG and EMC, two ventures that reflect Kyle’s deep belief in help-first community, entrepreneurial growth, and sharing the kind of wisdom that changes lives. Kyle talks about creating spaces where entrepreneurs, integrators, and thoughtful leaders can find each other, grow together, and make a bigger impact on their businesses, families, and communities.  


If you are an entrepreneur, operator, founder, or growth-minded leader trying to find the right people, build with more clarity, and keep becoming who you are meant to be, this episode will give you both practical insight and a real shot of encouragement.
 
Connect with ENRG, learn more, or start a chapter here: https://enrg.life/about-enrg/
Connect with Kyle Mealy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-mealy 

]]> Kyle Mealy, entrepreneurship, business growth, leadership, confidence, growth mindset, personal growth, martial arts, karate, karate school, martial arts mindset, entrepreneur journey, small business growth, scaling a business, business systems, business process, revenue growth, predictable revenue, team building, fractional leadership, fractional integrator, EOS, Entrepreneurial Operating System, visionary and integrator, Next Level, ENRG community, entrepreneur community, help first leadership, business coaching, founder growth, identity and purpose, discipline and leadership, community driven business, leadership development, how to grow a business No Friction is Killing Your Business 7 7 Friction is Killing Your Business full ba4efd3b-2f8f-4bae-b394-1f86b0aefddd https://share.transistor.fm/s/19a585ae In this episode of The Intense Life, I sit down with my friend Blake Grewal, a business innovator who learns fast, thinks deeply, and brings something new to every room he’s in. I’ve genuinely enjoyed getting to know Blake professionally, and I’ve already started implementing some of the customer experience thinking he’s shared with me.

We kick things off with our mutual love for Middle Eastern food and a very opinionated shawarma conversation, then we get into what Blake does best: helping businesses build smarter, simpler customer journeys. Blake talks about the strategies he’s implemented in his own work, and the systems he’s helped me think through at my firm, especially around onboarding and follow up.

We dig into what it means to be a tech enabled service business without turning everything into cold automation. Blake makes a strong case for a human powered, tech assisted approach, where technology supports the relationship instead of replacing it. We also talk about the idea of “moments of insight,” meaning small, clear interactions that give people immediate value and make the next step obvious.

We spend real time on two areas that get neglected all the time: onboarding and payment. If onboarding is where momentum dies, payment is where cashflow gets delayed for no good reason. We talk about why long emails get ignored, why clarity wins, and how simplifying touchpoints can improve outcomes for everyone.

Blake also shares his background, what shaped his love of building businesses, and why he’s currently focused on working with economic development groups through his company, Customer IQ. If you want to improve your business engagement journey, integrate tech in a way that still feels human, and reduce self-inflicted operational pain, this episode is packed with practical insights you can use right away.

A quick heads-up: there’s a technical glitch affecting video quality for the last 15 minutes. We were so excited to share this conversation that we decided it was still worth putting out, and I think you’ll be glad we did.

Learn more about Blake and his work here:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakegrewal

]]> In this episode of The Intense Life, I sit down with my friend Blake Grewal, a business innovator who learns fast, thinks deeply, and brings something new to every room he’s in. I’ve genuinely enjoyed getting to know Blake professionally, and I’ve already started implementing some of the customer experience thinking he’s shared with me.

We kick things off with our mutual love for Middle Eastern food and a very opinionated shawarma conversation, then we get into what Blake does best: helping businesses build smarter, simpler customer journeys. Blake talks about the strategies he’s implemented in his own work, and the systems he’s helped me think through at my firm, especially around onboarding and follow up.

We dig into what it means to be a tech enabled service business without turning everything into cold automation. Blake makes a strong case for a human powered, tech assisted approach, where technology supports the relationship instead of replacing it. We also talk about the idea of “moments of insight,” meaning small, clear interactions that give people immediate value and make the next step obvious.

We spend real time on two areas that get neglected all the time: onboarding and payment. If onboarding is where momentum dies, payment is where cashflow gets delayed for no good reason. We talk about why long emails get ignored, why clarity wins, and how simplifying touchpoints can improve outcomes for everyone.

Blake also shares his background, what shaped his love of building businesses, and why he’s currently focused on working with economic development groups through his company, Customer IQ. If you want to improve your business engagement journey, integrate tech in a way that still feels human, and reduce self-inflicted operational pain, this episode is packed with practical insights you can use right away.

A quick heads-up: there’s a technical glitch affecting video quality for the last 15 minutes. We were so excited to share this conversation that we decided it was still worth putting out, and I think you’ll be glad we did.

Learn more about Blake and his work here:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakegrewal

]]> Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:51:39 -0400 John Mashni John Mashni 2896 In this episode of The Intense Life, I sit down with my friend Blake Grewal, a business innovator who learns fast, thinks deeply, and brings something new to every room he’s in. I’ve genuinely enjoyed getting to know Blake professionally, and I’ve already started implementing some of the customer experience thinking he’s shared with me.

We kick things off with our mutual love for Middle Eastern food and a very opinionated shawarma conversation, then we get into what Blake does best: helping businesses build smarter, simpler customer journeys. Blake talks about the strategies he’s implemented in his own work, and the systems he’s helped me think through at my firm, especially around onboarding and follow up.

We dig into what it means to be a tech enabled service business without turning everything into cold automation. Blake makes a strong case for a human powered, tech assisted approach, where technology supports the relationship instead of replacing it. We also talk about the idea of “moments of insight,” meaning small, clear interactions that give people immediate value and make the next step obvious.

We spend real time on two areas that get neglected all the time: onboarding and payment. If onboarding is where momentum dies, payment is where cashflow gets delayed for no good reason. We talk about why long emails get ignored, why clarity wins, and how simplifying touchpoints can improve outcomes for everyone.

Blake also shares his background, what shaped his love of building businesses, and why he’s currently focused on working with economic development groups through his company, Customer IQ. If you want to improve your business engagement journey, integrate tech in a way that still feels human, and reduce self-inflicted operational pain, this episode is packed with practical insights you can use right away.

A quick heads-up: there’s a technical glitch affecting video quality for the last 15 minutes. We were so excited to share this conversation that we decided it was still worth putting out, and I think you’ll be glad we did.

Learn more about Blake and his work here:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakegrewal

]]> customer experience, client experience, onboarding, frictionless onboarding, service business, tech enabled service business, automation, AI tools for business, moments of insight, customer journey, customer engagement, follow up systems, payment process, cashflow, reduce overhead, do more with less, small business growth, human touch, personalization, operations, process improvement, client onboarding systems, Customer IQ, economic development organizations, business engagement, entrepreneurship, founder mindset, growth at all costs, quick wins, Amazon customer experience, TikTok attention economy, shawarma debate No Ep. 6 The Journey of Reinvention 6 6 Ep. 6 The Journey of Reinvention full c2300271-9292-41ea-b5c8-1301db17b7d3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a16431e6
In this episode of The Intense Life, I sit down with entrepreneur and EOS Implementer Ryan Henry to talk about reinvention, clarity, and what it really takes to build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it. 


Ryan shares his path from growing up around entrepreneurship and taking early risks, to serving in the Marine Corps, to working in construction and business ownership, and eventually into the work he does today helping leadership teams as an EOS Implementer. Along the way, we unpack the moments that force reinvention, the cost of staying in the wrong situation too long, and how to take the next step without burning your life down in the process. 


We go deep on the practical side of entrepreneurship: partnership alignment, trust, values, strengths, structure, and the difference between having a big vision and actually executing it. Ryan explains why opportunity without structure turns into chaos, why “vision without traction” is just a hallucination, and how to build an operating rhythm that helps leaders move from overwhelmed to in control. 


If you’re an entrepreneur (or becoming one) and you’re sensing a pivot, wrestling with alignment, or trying to bring real traction to your vision, this episode will give you language and frameworks you can actually use. 


Get to know Ryan:
https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/ryan-henry/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhenry
https://e-leap.com/unleashing-your-inner-entrepreneur-with-e-leap-visionary-ryan-henry/

Learn more about E-Leap:
https://e-leap.com/ 
 

]]>
In this episode of The Intense Life, I sit down with entrepreneur and EOS Implementer Ryan Henry to talk about reinvention, clarity, and what it really takes to build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it. 


Ryan shares his path from growing up around entrepreneurship and taking early risks, to serving in the Marine Corps, to working in construction and business ownership, and eventually into the work he does today helping leadership teams as an EOS Implementer. Along the way, we unpack the moments that force reinvention, the cost of staying in the wrong situation too long, and how to take the next step without burning your life down in the process. 


We go deep on the practical side of entrepreneurship: partnership alignment, trust, values, strengths, structure, and the difference between having a big vision and actually executing it. Ryan explains why opportunity without structure turns into chaos, why “vision without traction” is just a hallucination, and how to build an operating rhythm that helps leaders move from overwhelmed to in control. 


If you’re an entrepreneur (or becoming one) and you’re sensing a pivot, wrestling with alignment, or trying to bring real traction to your vision, this episode will give you language and frameworks you can actually use. 


Get to know Ryan:
https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/ryan-henry/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhenry
https://e-leap.com/unleashing-your-inner-entrepreneur-with-e-leap-visionary-ryan-henry/

Learn more about E-Leap:
https://e-leap.com/ 
 

]]> Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:53:59 -0500 John Mashni John Mashni 3196
In this episode of The Intense Life, I sit down with entrepreneur and EOS Implementer Ryan Henry to talk about reinvention, clarity, and what it really takes to build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it. 


Ryan shares his path from growing up around entrepreneurship and taking early risks, to serving in the Marine Corps, to working in construction and business ownership, and eventually into the work he does today helping leadership teams as an EOS Implementer. Along the way, we unpack the moments that force reinvention, the cost of staying in the wrong situation too long, and how to take the next step without burning your life down in the process. 


We go deep on the practical side of entrepreneurship: partnership alignment, trust, values, strengths, structure, and the difference between having a big vision and actually executing it. Ryan explains why opportunity without structure turns into chaos, why “vision without traction” is just a hallucination, and how to build an operating rhythm that helps leaders move from overwhelmed to in control. 


If you’re an entrepreneur (or becoming one) and you’re sensing a pivot, wrestling with alignment, or trying to bring real traction to your vision, this episode will give you language and frameworks you can actually use. 


Get to know Ryan:
https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/ryan-henry/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhenry
https://e-leap.com/unleashing-your-inner-entrepreneur-with-e-leap-visionary-ryan-henry/

Learn more about E-Leap:
https://e-leap.com/ 
 

]]> entrepreneurship. inspirational, motivational, personal growth, leadership, servant leadership, No Ep. 5 The Movie That Ruins Other Movies 5 5 Ep. 5 The Movie That Ruins Other Movies full 18dad9bf-e1d9-437e-8b43-ed2d66aa5b6b https://share.transistor.fm/s/b702f054
RRR is one of those rare movies that doesn’t just entertain you, it grabs you and refuses to let go. There is more movie in this movie than any other movie in the history of movies. 


In this spoiler-free episode, John Mashni sits down with his longtime friend Alpesh Shah to talk about the Indian epic RRR and why it became the movie they can’t stop recommending. Their conversation has been years in the making, because they’ve essentially been having the same “you have to watch this” discussion with friends over and over again. This time, they finally recorded it. 


They talk about how easy it is to underestimate this film at first glance, and how quickly it proves it’s operating on a completely different level. They unpack why the pacing works, why the emotional pull hits so early, how the music and sound design elevate the experience, and why RRR rewards repeat viewings. 


If you have not seen RRR yet, this episode is designed to get you excited without spoiling the plot. If you have seen it, you’ll probably find yourself nodding along and wanting to rewatch it immediately. 

]]>
RRR is one of those rare movies that doesn’t just entertain you, it grabs you and refuses to let go. There is more movie in this movie than any other movie in the history of movies. 


In this spoiler-free episode, John Mashni sits down with his longtime friend Alpesh Shah to talk about the Indian epic RRR and why it became the movie they can’t stop recommending. Their conversation has been years in the making, because they’ve essentially been having the same “you have to watch this” discussion with friends over and over again. This time, they finally recorded it. 


They talk about how easy it is to underestimate this film at first glance, and how quickly it proves it’s operating on a completely different level. They unpack why the pacing works, why the emotional pull hits so early, how the music and sound design elevate the experience, and why RRR rewards repeat viewings. 


If you have not seen RRR yet, this episode is designed to get you excited without spoiling the plot. If you have seen it, you’ll probably find yourself nodding along and wanting to rewatch it immediately. 

]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:18:10 -0500 John Mashni John Mashni 2169
RRR is one of those rare movies that doesn’t just entertain you, it grabs you and refuses to let go. There is more movie in this movie than any other movie in the history of movies. 


In this spoiler-free episode, John Mashni sits down with his longtime friend Alpesh Shah to talk about the Indian epic RRR and why it became the movie they can’t stop recommending. Their conversation has been years in the making, because they’ve essentially been having the same “you have to watch this” discussion with friends over and over again. This time, they finally recorded it. 


They talk about how easy it is to underestimate this film at first glance, and how quickly it proves it’s operating on a completely different level. They unpack why the pacing works, why the emotional pull hits so early, how the music and sound design elevate the experience, and why RRR rewards repeat viewings. 


If you have not seen RRR yet, this episode is designed to get you excited without spoiling the plot. If you have seen it, you’ll probably find yourself nodding along and wanting to rewatch it immediately. 

]]> epic movies, movie recommendations, cinematic masterpiece, friendship in film, heroism in film, storytelling, movie podcast, film podcast, RRR, RRR Movie, RRR spoiler free, RRR review, RRR movie review, RRR discussion, RRR Netflix, Indian cinema, Tollywood, No Ep. 4 So Good They Can't Ignore You: Mastery and Mentorship 4 4 Ep. 4 So Good They Can't Ignore You: Mastery and Mentorship full a940cfb4-cbc2-4063-aaa2-e1e5ba00a8d2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f1c2a54e John Mashni talks with EOS Implementer and former owner and president of an IT services company, Mike Maddox. John and Mike discuss leadership, growth, and the surprising freedom that comes from building structure. After running a fast-growing tech company for more than 20 years, Mike discovered EOS and transformed his business — and eventually his entire career. 

John and Mike discuss how companies get stuck, why clarity is the antidote to chaos, and how leaders can “delegate to elevate” by putting the right people in the right seats. Mike also shares the story behind his transition from founder to coach, and why mastering a craft leads to real passion, not the other way around. 

John and Mike also dive into Cal Newport’s book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, skill-building, and the power of deliberate practice — especially for young people and early career professionals. 

If you’re a leader, founder, or someone who wants more control of your business and your life, this episode is packed with wisdom, honesty, and practical tools.

Mike Maddox EOS Profile: https://www.eosworldwide.com/mike-maddox 

Email: mike.maddox@eosworldwide.com 

EOS Worldwide: https://www.eosworldwide.com 

Check out the book that started the conversation here: https://www.johnmashni.com/blog/i-initially-hated-this-book-but-now-i-tell-pretty-much-everyone-to-read-it-asap

]]> John Mashni talks with EOS Implementer and former owner and president of an IT services company, Mike Maddox. John and Mike discuss leadership, growth, and the surprising freedom that comes from building structure. After running a fast-growing tech company for more than 20 years, Mike discovered EOS and transformed his business — and eventually his entire career. 

John and Mike discuss how companies get stuck, why clarity is the antidote to chaos, and how leaders can “delegate to elevate” by putting the right people in the right seats. Mike also shares the story behind his transition from founder to coach, and why mastering a craft leads to real passion, not the other way around. 

John and Mike also dive into Cal Newport’s book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, skill-building, and the power of deliberate practice — especially for young people and early career professionals. 

If you’re a leader, founder, or someone who wants more control of your business and your life, this episode is packed with wisdom, honesty, and practical tools.

Mike Maddox EOS Profile: https://www.eosworldwide.com/mike-maddox 

Email: mike.maddox@eosworldwide.com 

EOS Worldwide: https://www.eosworldwide.com 

Check out the book that started the conversation here: https://www.johnmashni.com/blog/i-initially-hated-this-book-but-now-i-tell-pretty-much-everyone-to-read-it-asap

]]> Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:35:46 -0500 John Mashni John Mashni 1853 John Mashni talks with EOS Implementer and former owner and president of an IT services company, Mike Maddox. John and Mike discuss leadership, growth, and the surprising freedom that comes from building structure. After running a fast-growing tech company for more than 20 years, Mike discovered EOS and transformed his business — and eventually his entire career. 

John and Mike discuss how companies get stuck, why clarity is the antidote to chaos, and how leaders can “delegate to elevate” by putting the right people in the right seats. Mike also shares the story behind his transition from founder to coach, and why mastering a craft leads to real passion, not the other way around. 

John and Mike also dive into Cal Newport’s book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, skill-building, and the power of deliberate practice — especially for young people and early career professionals. 

If you’re a leader, founder, or someone who wants more control of your business and your life, this episode is packed with wisdom, honesty, and practical tools.

Mike Maddox EOS Profile: https://www.eosworldwide.com/mike-maddox 

Email: mike.maddox@eosworldwide.com 

EOS Worldwide: https://www.eosworldwide.com 

Check out the book that started the conversation here: https://www.johnmashni.com/blog/i-initially-hated-this-book-but-now-i-tell-pretty-much-everyone-to-read-it-asap

]]> personal growth, success mindset, skill mastery, professional growth, EOS, business leadership, traction, Cal Newport, leadership development, business alignment, visionary leadership, leadership development program, personal growth podcast, success mindset motivation, motivational video, personal growth and development No Ep. 3 The Visionary Within: Owning Your Brilliance 3 3 Ep. 3 The Visionary Within: Owning Your Brilliance full 2bc12ce2-2d34-4f30-9dbc-497a48bb5b97 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0da2768a
John Mashni sits down with his longtime friend, coach, and fellow visionary Bob Shenefelt Bob is the founder of iMatter, The Visionary Forum, and The Visionary Summit. Bob has spent decades helping entrepreneurs, creators, and business owners understand who they really are and what their lives could look like if they stopped trying to be someone else. 


John and Bob talk about discovering when someone is a “visionary,” why structure actually unlocks creativity, and how community transforms your ability to lead, dream, and make an impact. 


If you've ever felt scattered, misunderstood, or out of place, or if you're learning how to own your gifts and live with intention, you'll love this conversation. 

Be sure to check out the sites to get to know more about Bob and iMatter:

https://iangarlic.com/2023/10/28/bob-shenefelt/

Book: Unscatter the Chatter: https://www.imatter.com/buyunscatterthechatter 
https://www.imatter.com

P.S. If you have any interest in attending a Visionary Summit, the next one is in New Orleans in February.  Learn more here: https://www.imatter.com/the-visionary-summit  
I hope to see you there!

You can also find Bob Shenefelt on Social Media!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-shenefelt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imatterrevolution/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iMatterRevolution

]]>
John Mashni sits down with his longtime friend, coach, and fellow visionary Bob Shenefelt Bob is the founder of iMatter, The Visionary Forum, and The Visionary Summit. Bob has spent decades helping entrepreneurs, creators, and business owners understand who they really are and what their lives could look like if they stopped trying to be someone else. 


John and Bob talk about discovering when someone is a “visionary,” why structure actually unlocks creativity, and how community transforms your ability to lead, dream, and make an impact. 


If you've ever felt scattered, misunderstood, or out of place, or if you're learning how to own your gifts and live with intention, you'll love this conversation. 

Be sure to check out the sites to get to know more about Bob and iMatter:

https://iangarlic.com/2023/10/28/bob-shenefelt/

Book: Unscatter the Chatter: https://www.imatter.com/buyunscatterthechatter 
https://www.imatter.com

P.S. If you have any interest in attending a Visionary Summit, the next one is in New Orleans in February.  Learn more here: https://www.imatter.com/the-visionary-summit  
I hope to see you there!

You can also find Bob Shenefelt on Social Media!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-shenefelt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imatterrevolution/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iMatterRevolution

]]> Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:22:07 -0500 John Mashni John Mashni 2755
John Mashni sits down with his longtime friend, coach, and fellow visionary Bob Shenefelt Bob is the founder of iMatter, The Visionary Forum, and The Visionary Summit. Bob has spent decades helping entrepreneurs, creators, and business owners understand who they really are and what their lives could look like if they stopped trying to be someone else. 


John and Bob talk about discovering when someone is a “visionary,” why structure actually unlocks creativity, and how community transforms your ability to lead, dream, and make an impact. 


If you've ever felt scattered, misunderstood, or out of place, or if you're learning how to own your gifts and live with intention, you'll love this conversation. 

Be sure to check out the sites to get to know more about Bob and iMatter:

https://iangarlic.com/2023/10/28/bob-shenefelt/

Book: Unscatter the Chatter: https://www.imatter.com/buyunscatterthechatter 
https://www.imatter.com

P.S. If you have any interest in attending a Visionary Summit, the next one is in New Orleans in February.  Learn more here: https://www.imatter.com/the-visionary-summit  
I hope to see you there!

You can also find Bob Shenefelt on Social Media!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-shenefelt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imatterrevolution/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iMatterRevolution

]]> visionary leadership, visionary entrepreneur, EOS visionary, iMatter, Visionary Forum, Visionary Summit, creative leadership, visionary coaching, visionary community No Ep. 2 Leading a Tribe of Artists 2 2 Ep. 2 Leading a Tribe of Artists full 8afd0136-d453-4b7b-a87f-fd8ce1107944 https://share.transistor.fm/s/7d85c447 John Mashni talks with filmmaker and Collective Development (CDI)  co-founder DJ Perry about making meaningful films with discipline and heart. DJ is an award-winning writer, film producer, and actor. John and DJ discuss numerous films, including the Biblical Quest Trilogy, Wild Faith, Silent Night in Algona, and DJ’s new prohibition-era story, Harsens Island Revenge, about WWI vets versus the Purple Gang. DJ shares how martial arts, soccer, and summer-camp leadership shape his sets, why he protects his creative control, and how to say no effectively in high-pressure situations. If you love storytelling, Michigan stories, or history on screen, you’ll enjoy this conversation. 

After the interview and right as this interview was published, the CDI team returned from the world’s largest western genre film festival, where the CDI team won seven major awards for the soon-to-be-released sequel to Wild Faith, Wild Faith Christmas. 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0675036/ 

https://cdiproductions.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/tribecdi 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/djperry/ 

https://www.johnmashni.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmashni/

]]> John Mashni talks with filmmaker and Collective Development (CDI)  co-founder DJ Perry about making meaningful films with discipline and heart. DJ is an award-winning writer, film producer, and actor. John and DJ discuss numerous films, including the Biblical Quest Trilogy, Wild Faith, Silent Night in Algona, and DJ’s new prohibition-era story, Harsens Island Revenge, about WWI vets versus the Purple Gang. DJ shares how martial arts, soccer, and summer-camp leadership shape his sets, why he protects his creative control, and how to say no effectively in high-pressure situations. If you love storytelling, Michigan stories, or history on screen, you’ll enjoy this conversation. 

After the interview and right as this interview was published, the CDI team returned from the world’s largest western genre film festival, where the CDI team won seven major awards for the soon-to-be-released sequel to Wild Faith, Wild Faith Christmas. 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0675036/ 

https://cdiproductions.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/tribecdi 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/djperry/ 

https://www.johnmashni.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmashni/

]]> Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:08:49 -0500 John Mashni John Mashni 2578 John Mashni talks with filmmaker and Collective Development (CDI)  co-founder DJ Perry about making meaningful films with discipline and heart. DJ is an award-winning writer, film producer, and actor. John and DJ discuss numerous films, including the Biblical Quest Trilogy, Wild Faith, Silent Night in Algona, and DJ’s new prohibition-era story, Harsens Island Revenge, about WWI vets versus the Purple Gang. DJ shares how martial arts, soccer, and summer-camp leadership shape his sets, why he protects his creative control, and how to say no effectively in high-pressure situations. If you love storytelling, Michigan stories, or history on screen, you’ll enjoy this conversation. 

After the interview and right as this interview was published, the CDI team returned from the world’s largest western genre film festival, where the CDI team won seven major awards for the soon-to-be-released sequel to Wild Faith, Wild Faith Christmas. 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0675036/ 

https://cdiproductions.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/tribecdi 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/djperry/ 

https://www.johnmashni.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmashni/

]]> DJ Perry, John Mashni, Collective Development Incorporated, CDI films, Harsens Island Revenge, Purple Gang, Prohibition Michigan, Wild Faith, 40 Nights, Chasing the Star, The Christ Slayer, Silent Night in Algona, independent filmmaking, Michigan filmmakers, historical fiction film No Ep. 1 The Secret to Servant Leadership 1 1 Ep. 1 The Secret to Servant Leadership full b4b72358-6273-4cf5-b23d-44e9e0d431e7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e1c723c0 Join John Mashni as he sits down with his longtime friend, Jerome Vierling — lead pastor, artist, and community leader — for an inspiring and authentic conversation about life, leadership, and making a difference.

https://www.jeromevierling.com/
https://www.johnmashni.com/
https://www.citylifelansing.com/

Connect with Jerome:
https://www.facebook.com/citylifelansing
https://www.facebook.com/jeromevierling2

Connect with John:
https://www.facebook.com/johnmashni

]]> Join John Mashni as he sits down with his longtime friend, Jerome Vierling — lead pastor, artist, and community leader — for an inspiring and authentic conversation about life, leadership, and making a difference.

https://www.jeromevierling.com/
https://www.johnmashni.com/
https://www.citylifelansing.com/

Connect with Jerome:
https://www.facebook.com/citylifelansing
https://www.facebook.com/jeromevierling2

Connect with John:
https://www.facebook.com/johnmashni

]]> Mon, 27 Oct 2025 05:01:00 -0400 John Mashni John Mashni 2857 Join John Mashni as he sits down with his longtime friend, Jerome Vierling — lead pastor, artist, and community leader — for an inspiring and authentic conversation about life, leadership, and making a difference.

https://www.jeromevierling.com/
https://www.johnmashni.com/
https://www.citylifelansing.com/

Connect with Jerome:
https://www.facebook.com/citylifelansing
https://www.facebook.com/jeromevierling2

Connect with John:
https://www.facebook.com/johnmashni

]]> Leadership, Faith, Authenticity, Integrity, Servant Leadership, Growth Mindset, Emotional Intelligence, Spiritual Formation, Christian Living, Mentorship, Purpose, Inspiration, Michigan Leaders, City Life Lansing, Personal Development No