Speaking Podcast

In this episode, Roy sits down with Mike Swigunski, entrepreneur, investor, and #1 bestselling author on a mission to help millions of people Earn From Anywhere. Mike traces his path from a small Missouri suburb where he didn't take his first flight until 18, through running a university study-abroad program at 20, to a devastating turning point at 22 — losing his mother to breast cancer just a month before graduation — that pushed him to book a one-way flight to Europe rather than take a safe corporate job. He shares how he became employee #4 at Empire Flippers, helping scale it into a 100-person remote team and the world's largest curated marketplace for online businesses, and the "POWER" framework he built from watching thousands of acquisitions to identify what actually makes a business valuable. They dig into the platform risks of Amazon FBA and affiliate businesses, the coming shift toward advertising inside AI chat tools, the real craft behind his TEDx talk and the hero's journey structure behind it, his NOMAD framework for choosing where to live abroad, and his new venture, Dividends — a platform letting everyday investors put as little as $100 into fractional ownership of cash-flowing online businesses.

Timestamps

0:02 – Introducing Mike Swigunski
1:12 – Getting the pronunciation of "Swigunski" right
1:40 – From small-town Missouri to catching the travel bug at 19
2:01 – Running the University of Missouri's Prague study-abroad program at 20
6:49 – Losing his mother at 22, and the one-way flight to Europe that followed
7:00 – Becoming employee #4 at Empire Flippers
9:42 – The POWER framework: what actually separates successful businesses from the rest
13:24 – The platform risk of Amazon FBA, fake reviews, and hijacked seller accounts
15:14 – Ads coming to AI chat tools, and why the subscription model can't sustain the infrastructure cost
18:20 – His book, Global Career: How to Work Anywhere and Travel Forever
20:08 – Preparing for his TEDx talk, and the public speaking course that built his foundation
24:55 – Roy's own travel experiences, and where to go for energy and safety
25:27 – The NOMAD framework for choosing where to live abroad
29:14 – Comparing Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and Bangkok
30:40 – Introducing Dividends: fractional ownership of cash-flowing online businesses
32:45 – Average returns investors can expect, and the 1.75x return structure
33:44 – The $100 minimum investment and why he chose that entry point
34:56 – Why Dividends isn't built on blockchain or crypto
36:06 – SEC filing, KYC, and the onboarding process through WeFunder
37:44 – Why Reg CF crowdfunding was chosen over Reg D
41:49 – The long-term vision for Dividends
42:03 – What else Mike is working on, including business acquisition consulting
43:21 – The middle path: buying a business and running it part-time with a small team
45:10 – Where to find Mike and his work

About Mike Swigunski

Mike Swigunski is an entrepreneur, investor, and #1 bestselling author on a mission to help millions of people Earn From Anywhere by building location-independent careers, online businesses, and scalable income streams. As employee #4 at Empire Flippers, he helped scale the company into a 100-person remote team and the world's largest curated marketplace for buying and selling online businesses, playing a key role in facilitating more than $120 million in acquisitions. He is the founder of Global Career and Dividends and has built multiple six-, seven-, and eight-figure remote companies while traveling to more than 100 countries. Mike is also a TEDx speaker and a recognized voice in remote work, online business, entrepreneurship, and modern investing.

Connect with Mike:
🌐 Website: https://globalcareerbook.com
💰 Dividends: https://dividendscapital.com
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeswigunski
📺 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/MikeSwigunski
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikeswigunski
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeSwigunski

 

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#RemoteWork #DigitalNomad #OnlineBusiness #Investing #Entrepreneurship #TEDx #SpeakingPodcast #PassiveIncome #BusinessAcquisitions #LocationIndependence #GlobalCareer #Dividends

In this episode, Roy sits down with Brian D. Ridgway, "The Spellbreaker" and founder of Level 5 Mentoring, alongside Abigail Morgan, CEO of Level 5 Mentoring and a 27-year veteran of the coaching world. Brian shares the extraordinary story of January 3rd, 2011 — the day he hit total rock bottom, about to be homeless with his pregnant wife and two kids, and experienced an awakening that instantly transformed his life. He unpacks where the "Spellbreaker" name actually came from, walks through his Five Paradigms that he says govern how every person on the planet experiences life, and lays out his "Five Spells from Hell" framework in detail. Abigail shares her own turning point — 27 years deep in the coaching industry, including 8 years running Martha Beck's practitioner training program, and how a decades-long physical pain vanished in a single 10-minute session with Brian after nothing else had touched it. They also get into applying this work to parenting and even to trauma in animals, and close out with where people can start if a four-day trip to Hawaii isn't in the cards.

Timestamps

0:02 – Introducing Brian D. Ridgway and Abigail Morgan
2:38 – Abigail's story: decades of chronic physical pain and the session that changed everything in 10 minutes
5:09 – What actually happened on January 3rd, 2011
9:07 – Brian's childhood gift, and how his parents tried to suppress it
12:17 – Where the name "Spellbreaker" came from
15:19 – Do spell breaks last, or can people fall back into old patterns?
19:51 – How Brian, Abigail, and business partner Keith found each other
20:22 – Is a four-day trip to Hawaii the only way in? Books, courses, and other entry points
23:56 – Applying this work to parenting and children
28:21 – Applying this work to trauma in animals — Brian's own rescue dog
29:47 – Testimonials, including Dr. Erica Yates' story
33:00 – How it feels for Brian to witness a life-changing transformation
39:23 – The Five Paradigms that Brian says govern everyone on the planet
40:09 – The Five Spells from Hell, explained in full
54:16 – On self-help, therapy, and why Brian doesn't regret the $300,000 he spent finding this
57:11 – The advantage of Brian's own hard journey in connecting with clients
57:21 – The crystals in Brian's office
57:48 – Where to find the book and get started

About Brian D. Ridgway

Brian D. Ridgway, known as "The Spellbreaker," is the founder of Level 5 Mentoring and author of the #1 international bestseller Break Your Self-Help Addiction. After 17 years of childhood abuse and decades of financial disaster, relationship trauma, and a suicide attempt, Brian experienced a life-changing awakening on January 3rd, 2011. Since then, his method — called Spellbreaking — has helped over 265,000 people across 84 countries.

About Abigail Morgan

Abigail Morgan is CEO of Level 5 Mentoring and a 27-year veteran of the self-help and coaching world. After investing over $750,000 in her own healing journey, training extensively under Martha Beck (Oprah's coach), and running Martha Beck's practitioner training program for over 8 years, Abigail found that even the most advanced coaching modalities left her deepest issues untouched. She discovered Brian's work a year and a half ago, closed her own company to take over Level 5's practitioner program, and became CEO nine months ago.

Connect with Brian, Abigail & Level 5 Mentoring:
🌐 Website: https://yournewbeginningbook.com/

 

🔗 About Your Host (Roy Coughlan)
🎙️ Explore more podcasts: Find all podcasts at the PodFather Network
🌐 Website: https://roycoughlan.com/
🤝 Need help running your business? If you are looking for a Virtual Assistant and get reliable support for your daily operations.
👥 Virtual Assistants: https://va.world/
🧠 Brain Upgrade: https://brainupgrade.org/
🌟 Private Members Group: The Authority Alliance — A Foundation of Experts for entrepreneurs, coaches, and thought leaders: https://theauthorityalliance.com/
🤝 Connected Leaders Academy: A Private Networking Group in 50 US States & 47+ Countries with 700+ Members: https://connectedleaders.academy

#SpellBreaking #SelfHelp #PersonalTransformation #Trauma #Healing #Consciousness #Awakening #SpeakingPodcast #Coaching #Liberation #InnerWork #Mindset

In this episode, Roy sits down with award-winning actor, writer, and producer Niki J. Borger, creator and star of the upcoming sitcom NFTease. Niki traces her path from growing up in Germany with only 10% depth perception, to becoming a musical theatre performer, to transitioning into Hollywood film and eventually producing her own work — including a five-minute short film shot for $367 on two iPhones that went on to earn 20 festival selections, 7 nominations, and 4 awards. As a performer who's worked everything from musical theatre stages to documentary theatre in active conflict zones, Niki speaks candidly about the craft behind holding an audience, adapting to wildly different performance environments, and turning setbacks into her strongest material. They dig into NFTease itself: the premise of three insecure NFT-startup founders forced to partner with a group of "influencers" who turn out to be something else entirely, and the investor structure behind it. Niki also opens up about the realities of the acting industry — vanishing residuals, non-union commercial rates, and her strong stance on AI, consent, and protecting an artist's likeness — before closing with a full cast rundown for the show's eight core characters.

Timestamps

0:02 – Introducing Niki J. Borger and NFTease
0:47 – From Germany to Hollywood: growing up with 10% depth perception and finding dance
5:35 – The $367 short film shot on two iPhones that won 20 selections and 4 awards
7:54 – How film festivals actually work — selections, nominations, and a virtual award from Malaysia's Crown Prince
13:34 – Into NFTease: the premise, the plan to shoot the full series (not just a pilot)
16:09 – The investor structure: 120% return before profits split between cast, crew, and investors
17:26 – Minimum investment levels and ways to get involved beyond investing
17:59 – Smart contracts, blockchain, and why the show kept the name NFTease
19:26 – Creating actual NFTs for the show and building in royalties
20:56 – Casting 6,000 applicants down to a core cast
24:29 – Life on a film set: the machinery of production and what a delay actually costs
27:54 – The reality of life as a touring performer, including a documentary theatre project in Russia and Ukraine
29:59 – Green screens, motion capture, and a long, candid take on AI, consent, and protecting a performer's likeness
40:27 – Full character and cast rundown for NFTease
44:21 – Where to find Niki and NFTease online

About Niki J. Borger

Niki J. Borger is an award-winning actor, writer, and producer, known for her original performances in the Extravaganza One Act Fest in Los Angeles, her award-winning short films "Because I Could" and "A Portrayal of a Subtle Suicide," and her collection of original one-act plays "In-Between: Eight Gender-Neutral One-Act Plays Between Life and Death." Her work has been screened around the world, and she has performed in Europe, Russia, North America, and South America. Niki is fluent in four languages and currently travels the world before returning to her base in California to film NFTease — her upcoming sitcom series.

Connect with Niki & NFTease:
🌐 Website: https://firewolfent.com/nftease/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nftease_
🎵 TikTok: @nftease

🔗 About Your Host (Roy Coughlan)
🎙️ Explore more podcasts: Find all podcasts at the PodFather Network
🌐 Website: https://roycoughlan.com/
🤝 Need help running your business? If you are looking for a Virtual Assistant and get reliable support for your daily operations.
👥 Virtual Assistants: https://va.world/
🧠 Brain Upgrade: https://brainupgrade.org/
🌟 Private Members Group: The Authority Alliance — A Foundation of Experts for entrepreneurs, coaches, and thought leaders: https://theauthorityalliance.com/
🤝 Connected Leaders Academy: A Private Networking Group in 50 US States & 47+ Countries with 700+ Members: https://connectedleaders.academy

#PublicSpeaking #Storytelling #Acting #IndieFilm #Filmmaking #NFTease #Resilience #CreativeIndustry #Hollywood #ArtistRights #SpeakingPodcast #PerformanceCraft

Today's guest is Gene King, an Access Architect and founder of Atlas Strategic Access, based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. With over 50 years in business, Gene has founded, scaled, and successfully exited 10 companies and currently operates six active businesses, including Sequence Real Estate, Invest America (an EB-5 immigration investment firm), and Twist Elbow. Roy and Gene, friends of over 12 years since meeting at a Darren Hardy event, dig into the origin story of Gene's very first business at military school, the lesson that reshaped how he handles bullies and pressure for the rest of his life, and why being diagnosed with ADHD at 65 explained a career pattern of exiting companies too early. Gene shares his philosophy on partnerships, why he's never had a verbal argument with a business partner in 22 companies, how he handles conflict at home versus in business, and the mentor's advice that shaped his obsession with knowing his cash position at all times. The conversation closes with the role Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich has played in Gene's life since his early twenties, and his belief that the universe, not active pursuit, brings him his best opportunities.

 

⏱️ TIMESTAMP

0:02 - Welcome to the Speaking Podcast, intro to Gene King
0:48 - Gene's background: 10 exits, six active companies, and 12+ years of friendship with Roy
1:31 - Gene's first business: protecting freshmen from hazing at The Citadel
3:50 - The lesson that changed everything: "you can't kill me, sir"
5:14 - Navigating good and bad business partners over 22 companies
5:57 - Discovering ADHD at 65 and why he exited companies too early
7:14 - How Gene structures his day across five to six companies
9:38 - Expanding Invest America's EB-5 program into Canada and Nigeria
11:11 - Why tracking everything matters, and the wealth found in awkward conversations
13:22 - How Gene handles conflict with business partners
16:59 - "Money solves all problems" and a mentor's advice on what really matters
18:10 - Terminating partners and employees with humanity and honesty
19:36 - The five P's: people, process, planning, prayer, passion
20:50 - Balancing patience and persistence as an entrepreneur
21:37 - Resolving disagreements in 50/50 and unequal partnerships
23:34 - Why "cash is king" became Gene's guiding financial principle
25:33 - How Gene decides which businesses to pursue next
27:12 - Discovering Think and Grow Rich in his early twenties
29:34 - Napoleon Hill's mastermind principle and never asking for something for nothing
31:13 - Where to find Gene King and his companies

 

About Gene King

Gene King is an Access Architect, founder of Atlas Strategic Access, and founder of Sequence Holdings, based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. With over 50 years in business, Gene has founded, scaled, and successfully exited 10 companies and currently operates six active businesses, including Sequence Real Estate, Invest America (an EB-5 immigration investment firm), and Twist Elbow. He specializes in engineering access, positioning companies into enterprise, government, and investor opportunities they couldn't reach on their own. Gene is also an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Harbor Entrepreneur Center in Mount Pleasant, home to over 100 early-stage businesses, and has extensive experience training sales teams and CPAs on structured deals.

Connect with Gene King
🌐 atlasstrategicaccess.com
🌐 sequenceholdings.com
💼 LinkedIn: Gene King3
📧 gene@asaccess.com

 

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Roy
Website: https://roycoughlan.com/
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#SpeakingPodcast #GeneKing #AccessArchitect #AtlasStrategicAccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPartnerships #ThinkAndGrowRich #NapoleonHill #EB5Investment #GovernmentContracting #ExitStrategy #ScalingBusiness #SerialEntrepreneur #BusinessMindset #CashIsKing #PatiencePersistence #MastermindPrinciple #RoyCoughlan #PodcastInterview #LeadershipLessons #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #SpeakingPodcastCommunity

Being a great podcast guest is a unique skill that can dramatically boost your career—or erode your professional image if done poorly. In the final part of our series, David Goldberg, founder of Edge Studio, shares a masterclass on how to be a standout guest. We explore the importance of prosody, vocal etiquette, and virtual presence, ensuring you show up prepared, confident, and memorable. David and Roy discuss practical tips for handling technical glitches with grace, the power of a 10-second elevator pitch, and why you should never "wing it" when it comes to your audio quality. Whether you're looking to share your passion or boost your resume, these final lessons will ensure you're the guest every host wants to invite back.

 

 

⏱️ Accurate YouTube Chapters & Timestamps

0:00 Welcome & Introduction to David Goldberg
 
1:11 Why Be a Guest? Fun, passion, and career boosting
 
1:41 The Risk of Poor Guesting: How it can erode your professional image
 
2:23 Preparation: Why looking at notes is better than forgetting points
 
3:41 Banter and Connection: The importance of host-guest chemistry
 
4:33 Prosody for Guests: Staying in your natural pitch and tailoring your tone
 
6:56 International Audiences: Cleaning up enunciation and avoiding local slang
 
7:00 Volume and Headphones: Why you should never scream at your audience
 
7:50 Pacing and Spacing: Lessening your words and leaving room for the listener
 
26:00 Handling Glitches: Staying calm and reacting without panic
 
28:00 Vocal Etiquette: Giving the host space and avoiding interruptions
 
29:00 The 10-Second Elevator Pitch: Being prepared to explain who you are
 
31:00 Listening to Previous Episodes: Researching the host's style and theme
 
32:00 Slowing Down Keywords: Ensuring your name and business are heard
 
33:00 Admitting You Don't Know: Admitting it with confidence vs. waffling
 
35:00 Virtual Presence: Testing quality a week before and an hour before
 
37:00 The 25% Credibility Hit: Why audio quality is non-negotiable
 
39:00 Acoustic Treatment: The 80% rule and practical "pillow fort" tips
 
41:00 Microphone Choice: Investing in a decent USB mic for professional sound
 
64:00 Avoiding Filler Words: Cutting out "um," "ah," "you know," and "like"
 
65:00 Responding with "So": Why you should avoid starting answers with "so"
 
66:00 Positive Reaffirmation: Avoiding annoying "yeah, yeah, yeah" interruptions
 
67:36 Where to Find David: Edge Studio and final contact details
 
68:25 Outro: RoyCoughlan.com and the PodFather Network
 
68:42 End of Episode

 

 

🔗 Where to Find David Goldberg

•Email: david@edgestudio.com
 

•Website: EdgeStudio.com
 

•Services: Voiceover recording, directing, and communication coaching.

🔗 About Your Host (Roy Coughlan)

•Listen to this episode on Podbean: https://awakeningpodcasts.podbean.com/
 

•Explore more podcasts: Find all podcasts at the PodFather Network
 

•Website: RoyCoughlan.com
 
 

•Need help running your business? If you are looking for a Virtual Assistant and get reliable support for your daily operations.

•Virtual Assistants: VA.world

 

•Private Networking Group: Learn about a Private Networking Group in 50 US States & 39 Countries with 640+ Members https://connectedleaders.academy/
 

•Brain Upgrade: BrainUpgrade.org

 

 

#DavidGoldberg #PodFather #PodcastGuest #GuestingTips #ProfessionalPresence #VocalEtiquette #PublicSpeaking #CareerBoost #AudioQuality #ElevatorPitch #EdgeStudio #RoyCoughlan #PodcastSuccess #CommunicationSkills #StandoutGuest