PODCAST · business
Smashing Brands
by Alec Mountain
Smashing Brands is a community and blog based around building both a personal & business brand. On the podcast, we interview successful brand builders to better understand how they've created what they have today.
Episodes
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Power Without Pressure: What Happens When You Finally Align With Olga Pérez
After years of doing all the “right” things — building the brand, scaling the business, chasing the vision — Olga found herself feeling out of alignment, unfulfilled, and disconnected from her truth. In this powerful conversation, she opens up about the identity shift that changed everything:...
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The Pivot You Didn’t Plan For: Faith, Fear, and Finding What’s Next With Jimmy Hays Nelson
After suddenly losing the business he spent years building, Coach Jimmy Nelson found himself back at square one—navigating fear, uncertainty, and the pressure to rebuild in a completely new way. In this conversation, he opens up about the emotional and spiritual journey of starting over in his…
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The Entrepreneur’s Grind, Gratitude & Greatness – A Real Talk with Larry Vivola
Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart—and Larry Vivola proves it. On this episode, Alec dives into Larry’s story of building a successful pasta business, losing nearly everything, and rising up to coach hundreds of business owners across the country. They talk comeback stories, coaching...
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From Grief to Grace: Reinventing Life, Faith & Purpose with Melani Sessa
In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Alec sits down with faith-filled entrepreneur and coach Melani Sessa for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, purpose, and reinvention.Melani opens up about her spiritual journey, the deeply personal loss of her son, and how that tragedy put a...
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Invisible Barriers, Unshakable Vision: Monica Vallero on Becoming the Brand
What happens when you land in a new country with $1,100, no connections, and barely any English? If you’re Monica Vallero—you build a legacy.In this episode, Alec sits down with transformational coach, clinical hypnotherapist, and former actress Monica Vallero for a deep conversation on identity,...
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Second Chances & Lasting Impact: The Assist-Driven Life of Coach Greg Hess
In this episode, Alec sits down with Coach Greg Hess—former executive, lifelong basketball coach, pancreatic cancer survivor, and business strategist on a mission. After a shocking diagnosis flipped his life upside down, Greg walked out of the hospital with a new purpose: to coach others into...
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From Stroke to Stage: Reinventing Success with Dena Patton
What do you do when the business you built nearly kills you? In this raw and empowering episode, Alec sits down with veteran coach and speaker Dena Patton to unpack her powerful comeback story—from experiencing a stroke after selling her first business, to rebuilding her life, voice, and brand…
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The Story That Wins: Kat Weaver on Clarity, Confidence, and Raising Capital
In this episode, Alec sits down with Kat Weaver — founder, pitch queen, and startup strategist — to unpack how she won 22 pitch competitions, raised six figures in non-dilutive funding, and built a company from her dorm room that she later exited. Kat shares how she turned chaos into clarity, and...
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From Burnout to Breakthrough: How Irina Alexander Rewired Her Life Through NLP
In this episode, Irina Alexander shares how hitting rock bottom with burnout led her to transform her life from selling her HVAC business, diving into NLP, and building a neuroscience-based training company that now works with first responders, government leaders, and high-stress professionals.…
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Success by Design: Creating a Life and Business on Your Terms with Sandra Glandt
In this powerful conversation, Alec sits down with Sandra Glandt — high-performance business coach, fitness competitor, mom of two, and founder of The High Performance Accelerator Academy. Sandra opens up about her journey from pageants and parenting to scaling impactful businesses while staying...
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The Entrepreneurial Anointing: Tracey Armstrong on Vision, Values, and Legacy
In this episode, Alec sits down with Tracey Armstrong—pastor, high-performance coach, and visionary entrepreneur—for a wide-ranging conversation on legacy, leadership, and living a purpose-driven life. Tracey unpacks what it means to truly build a tribe, how faith intersects with…
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Rewiring Success: How to Ride Life’s Waves Without Burning Out with Ana Melikian
n this episode, Alec sits down with Ana Melikian — psychologist, speaker, and host of The Mindset Zone to explore how we can rewire our thinking, redefine success, and ride the massive wave of AI disruption without losing ourselves in the process. Ana shares her journey from clinical psychology…
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Launch with Purpose: Nicholas Marque on Turning Struggle into Strategy
What do you do when life hits hard, money’s low, and the tow truck is literally outside? If you’re Nicholas Marque, you build a six-figure business anyway and help others do the same.In this powerful episode, Alec sits down with Nicholas Marque, a business coach and launch strategist, to unpack…
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How Shaan Rais Rebuilt His Identity and Turned Personal Branding Into a Life-Changing Legacy
In this raw, powerful, and wisdom-packed episode, Alec sits down with transformational coach, leadership expert, and personal branding powerhouse Shaan Rais — a man whose journey from the streets of old Harlem to multi-million dollar impact is as gripping as it is inspiring.Shaan opens up about…
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From Chaos to Clarity — Building a Life of Vitality with Jennifer Masley
In this expansive and energizing episode, Alec sits down with entrepreneur, executive coach, and vitality expert Jennifer Masley, whose journey from triathlons and beach bootcamps to owning seven restaurants and running a transformative cleanse business is nothing short of wild — and deeply...
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The Integrated Entrepreneur: Success, Spirituality & Self-Transcendence with Raeanne Lacatena
In this deep and nourishing episode, Alec sits down with Raeanne Lacatena — therapist, Reiki master, author of The Integrated Entrepreneur, and a powerhouse spiritual teacher disguised as a business coach.Together, they unpack the real path to sustainable success — not through hacks or hustle…
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Fill Your Present Place: How Inner Conflicts Shape (and Sabotage) Success with Albert Pellissier
In this deep and soul-stirring episode, Alec sits down with longtime friend and mentor Albert Pellissier — a serial entrepreneur, coach, and author of What’s On Your Back Burner?Albert opens up about the moment he realized that despite having everything society says should make you happy — the...
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Reinvention, Worthiness, and Building a Life You Actually Want with Sari Kimble
In this episode, Alec sits down with Sari Kimble — reinvention coach, author, and entrepreneur helping people design lives they actually want to live. Sari shares her bold journey from walking away from a 10-year marriage, losing her job, and turning 40 in the same year… to rebuilding her…
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The Inner Work of a Life Well Lived: Wisdom, Coaching & Letting Go with David Wetmore
In this episode of the Smashing Brands Podcast, Alec sits down with David Wetmore, a retired life coach and former business owner with over 15 years of coaching experience and a lifetime of wisdom. From building and selling his environmental consulting business to guiding others through powerful...
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From Oil Tycoon to Capital Coach: Brad Blazar on Raising $2B and Living Life on Your Terms
In this episode of The Smashing Brands Podcast, Alec sits down with Brad Blazar — former oil and gas entrepreneur turned globally recognized capital-raising coach. Brad shares his wild journey from launching an oil company at 23 to raising over $2 billion in capital across various industries. He...
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Marketing with Soul, Scaling with Tech: Rose Salem-Tilford's Formula for Entrepreneurial Success
In this episode of The Smashing Brands Podcast, Alec sits down with Rose—entrepreneur, coach, AI enthusiast, and radio personality—to explore what it really takes to build a successful, sustainable business in today’s rapidly evolving digital world.Rose shares her journey from one-on-one coaching...
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Inside the Mind of a Leadership Culture Architect: A Chat with Aleta Maxwell
In this episode of The Smashing Brands Podcast, Alec sits down with Aleta, leadership coach and founder of Uplifting Leadership, to explore the crossover between high-performance sports culture and professional leadership. A former competitive swimmer and lifelong student of coaching greats like...
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Rewiring Performance Without Burnout: A Conversation with Jamie Toyne
In this episode of The Smashing Brands Podcast, Alec sits down with Jamie, founder of Flojo, to explore his mission to help people unlock their natural flow state without relying on discipline, willpower, or constant motivation. Jamie opens up about his 3-hour wind-down process, the supplements…
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Your Voice Matters: Growing a Soul-Aligned Business with Beth Weinstein
In this episode of The Smashing Brands Podcast, Alec sits down with Beth Weinstein—spiritual business coach, entrepreneur, and host of Medicine for These Times—to talk about the power of authenticity, honoring your voice, and building a business rooted in embodied experience.Beth shares how her...
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Raising Capital, Staying Local, and Playing the Long Game with Malcolm Peace
In this episode, Alec sits down with Malcolm Peace, founder of Tsetserra Growth Partners, to discuss his transition from college tennis coach to acquiring and scaling blue-collar businesses in Texas. Malcolm shares how his time in private equity shaped his investment strategy, why he focuses on...
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The Pitchmaster's Playbook: How Lindsey Hughes Helps Creators Tell Stories That Stick
In this episode, Alec sits down with story coach and former Hollywood development executive Lindsey Hughes to talk about the power of storytelling in business, pitching, and personal branding. Lindsey shares her 30-year journey in the entertainment industry, how she became an expert in helping...
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Trust God, Own Your Value, and Sell with Purpose — Althea McIntyre’s Path to Sales Mastery
In this episode, Alec sits down with business coach and sales expert Althea McIntyre to discuss her journey from corporate CPA to high-ticket sales mentor for Christian female entrepreneurs. Althea shares how she transitioned out of the corporate world, the seven-year struggle that delayed her...
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Scaling with Systems and Selling with Soul: Tayde Aburto's Business Playbook
In this episode, Alec sits down with entrepreneur and business consultant Tayde Aburto discuss his journey from Mexico to San Diego, his passion for helping business owners scale, and the legacy he’s building for future generations. Tadeo shares how he went from barely speaking English to…
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Empathy Over Ego: Jevon Wooden’s Path from Trauma to Transformation
In this episode, Alec sits down with coach, speaker, and author Jevon Wooden to discuss leadership, emotional intelligence, and the power of empathy in business. Javon shares his incredible journey from facing seven years in prison at 17 to serving in the military, overcoming PTSD, and building a...
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Let Go of Control, Step Into Vision: Eric Goldman's Entrepreneurial Wisdom
In this episode, Alec sits down with business coach and consultant Eric Goldman to explore the keys to growing and scaling small businesses. Eric shares his journey from launching major brands at Levi’s, Disney, and ESPN to building his own successful coaching practice. They discuss the…
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David Meltzer on Creating Miracles, Mastering Energy, and Living in Truth
On this episode, Alec interviews David Meltzer.
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From One Co-Working Space to a Global Empire — Justin Stewart on Building Industrious
In this episode, Alec dives deep into the world of co-working spaces with Justin Stewart, co-founder of Industrious. From his early challenges finding a professional space that matched the seriousness of his business ventures to pioneering a national change in how workspaces operate, Justin…
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From Self-Destruction to Self-Mastery: David Shay on Discipline, Leadership & Redemption
Join us for this exciting episode of the Smashing Brands podcast as we sit down with David Shay, a man whose life story encapsulates the essence of transformation and perseverance. David opens up about his journey from battling obesity and personal dissatisfaction to embracing a life of health,...
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Episode #24 - Pouya Hashemi, Serial Entrepreneur and Instagram Comedian
In this episode, we have an enlightening conversation with Instagram star, stand-up comedian and serial entrepreneur, Pouya Hashemi. We trace his journey from building successful businesses to his unexpected shift into the world of comedy, and even his aspiration to delve into acting. Pouya gives...
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Episode #23 - Darwin Liu, Founder of X Agency
In this episode of the Smashing Brands podcast, host Alec interviews entrepreneur and founder of X Agency, Darwin Liu. Darwin shares his journey, starting in online marketing after graduation, ending up in debt, and then being employed at an agency before starting his own. Despite experiencing...
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Episode #22 - John Gumas, Founder of Gumas
In this episode of the Smashing Brands podcast, host Alec interviews guest John Gumas, the founder and CEO of strategic branding and advertising agency, Gumas. They discuss John's personal and professional journey, from starting his business around 40 years ago to appreciating his work, and...
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Episode #21 - David Reske, Founder of Nowspeed
In the episode of Smashing Brands podcast, Alec interviews David Reske, CEO of digital agency, Nowspeed. David shares his journey from starting his first company in 1999, and his current role at NowSpeed. He highlights the continual evolutions in digital marketing and the importance of adapting…
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Episode #20 - Ted Schlueter, CEO of The Grist
In this episode of the Smashing Brands podcast, Ted Schlueter discusses his experience building and selling businesses and how this led to his current focus on 'branding for buyout'. He explains that most brand building tends to be consumer-oriented, whereas his approach is unique in focusing on...
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Episode #19 - Christa Tuttle, Founder of Launch Marketing
Alec interviews Christa Tuttle, the founder and CEO of Launch Marketing, a company specialized in helping B2B tech businesses develop effective sales pipelines. Krista shares her journey from working with tech startups, to founding her own company, and to managing life as a mother and a…
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Episode #18 - Shawn Prez, Founder of Power Moves Inc.
On this episode of the Smashing Brands Podcast, I interview Shawn Prez, the founder of Power Moves Inc. Which is a very successful music & entertainment marketing agency working with notable figures such as Diddy and many others. Shawn's company has been a driving force behind the sale of over 50...
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Episode #17 - Bobby Steinbach, Co-Founder of MeanPug
On this episode of the Smashing Brands Podcast, I interview Bobby Steinbach who is the co-founder of Mean Pug. A successful advertising agency for lawyers.
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Episode #16 - William Leake, Apogee Results
On this episode of the Smashing Brands Podcast, I interview William Leake who is the founder of Apogee Results, a successful full service marketing agency based out of Austin.
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Episode #15 - Lashawn Merritt, Olympic Gold Medalist
On this episode of the podcast, I interview Lashawn Merritt, who's a 3x Olympic gold medal and 8x world champion in the 400m for track & field. We discuss his upbringing, the obstacles he's overcome, his best successes, and what he's learned throughout his journey!
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Episode #14 - Justis Earle, Founder of SNAP CLIP
On this episode of the Smashing Brands podcast, I interview Justis Earle, who is the founder of up-and-coming mobile phone accessory, SNAP CLIP. Since launching earlier this year, it's in over 500 Best Buy stores with many more major retailers to come. We talk about how he got started, his…
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Episode #13 - Alexandra Tonks, Founder of Clutch Nails
On this episode of the Smashing Brands podcast, I interview Alexandra Tonks, the founder and CEO of Clutch Nails. We discuss her journey of how she got started selling product out of her college sorority all the way to being in 500+ stores, her mindset as an entrepreneur, and so much more.
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Episode #12 - Gary Ritner
On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Gary Ritner. Gary is the founder of the Puget Sound Venture Club and Ritner & Company, an investment banking firm. He's a well-known figure in the Seattle investment/venture capital community and has seen more pitches than months you've been alive....
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Episode #11 - Alisha Valavanis, CEO of the Seattle Storm
On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Alisha Valavanis. Alisha is the CEO and general manager of the Seattle Storm who are reigning WNBA champs! She has been able to make her team a championship franchise both on and off the court both through winning at the sport and through business....
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Episode #10 - Frank Macri, Founder of Speak More, Make More
On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Frank Macri. Frank has built a successful career through professional speaking and his business is based on helping others do the same. This episode is packed with tons of great insights & actionable tips on how to create and grow your speaking...
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Episode #9 - Shannon Swift, Founder of Swift HR Solutions
On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Shannon Swift. As the founder of a very successful HR company and the Seattle chapter president of the Entrepreneur’s Organization, she’s very well-versed in what it takes to succeed in the business world. We talk about how she’s built her...
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Episode #8 - Justin Wu, Serial Entrepreneur
On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Justin Wu. Justin has built a substantial social media following, along with several successful businesses. Being the growth marketer that he is, he talks about the specific strategies he's used to grow his personal brand, how he built a million...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Smashing Brands is a community and blog based around building both a personal & business brand. On the podcast, we interview successful brand builders to better understand how they've created what they have today.
HOSTED BY
Alec Mountain
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Smashing Brands have?
Smashing Brands currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Smashing Brands about?
Smashing Brands is a community and blog based around building both a personal & business brand. On the podcast, we interview successful brand builders to better understand how they've created what they have today.
How often does Smashing Brands release new episodes?
Smashing Brands has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Smashing Brands?
You can listen to Smashing Brands on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Smashing Brands?
Smashing Brands is created and hosted by Alec Mountain.
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