Best A friend of Workweek Podcasts (2025)

1
Redefining Wealth-Building in Latin America with Carlos Díaz of RUUT 25:32

3d ago25:32

25:32

In this in-person episode of Humans of Fintech, host Nicole Casperson sits down with Carlos Díaz, Co-Founder of RUUT, Mexico’s largest Registered Investment Advisor, for a candid conversation about access, inclusion, and reimagining investing for a new generation. RUUT serves many first-time investors, with an average user age of just 24. The platf…

1
Closing the Financial Gender Gap with Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen of Female Invest 32:45

18d ago32:45

32:45

In this episode of Humans of Fintech, host Nicole Casperson sits down with Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen, Co-Founder of Female Invest, for an inspiring conversation about financial empowerment, global community-building, and what it takes to challenge a male-dominated industry from the ground up. What began as a frustration with the lack of women in finan…

1
Financial Literacy for the 99%: Empowering Communities with Ashley Fox 31:45

28d ago31:45

31:45

In this episode of Humans of Fintech, host Nicole Casperson sits down with Ashley Fox, Founder and CEO of Empify, for a powerful conversation on financial literacy, community empowerment, and what it means to challenge Wall Street’s status quo. Ashley shares how her experiences as a former Wall Street analyst led her to launch Empify—a platform com…

1
Building Fintech Together: Storytelling, Partnerships & Innovation 25:44

1M ago25:44

25:44

Live from Fintech Meetup, this episode of Humans of Fintech explores the power of storytelling, community-building, and the dynamics of working alongside a partner in the fintech space. Host Nicole Casper is joined by her life and business partner, Anton Briones (Co-Founder and CEO & Creative Director), along with Dan and Sarah Roselli from Rev Tec…

1
NY Fintech Week & The Future of Fintech with Jon Zanoff 42:36

2M ago42:36

42:36

In this episode of Humans of Fintech, host Nicole Casperson sits down with Jon Zanoff, the Founder of Empire Startups—better known as the "Mayor of Fintech" in NYC. For over 15 years, Jon has been at the forefront of the fintech community, bringing together founders, investors, and banking leaders through the country’s largest fintech meetup and th…

1
The Crossroads of Identity and Innovation: Solving Fraud in the Digital Age with Frances Zelazny 39:00

5M ago39:00

39:00

In this episode, we sit down with Frances Zelazny, a trailblazer in the biometrics and fraud prevention space. Frances shares insights into her unique journey, shaped by her mixed cultural background, and how it led her to create innovative solutions for one of the world’s biggest challenges: fraud. From her early career in foreign policy to discov…

1
Flipping the Script: A Live Celebration of Fintech Feminists with Amy Nauiokas. 39:36

5M ago39:36

39:36

In this very special episode of Humans of Fintech, we’re taking you live to an unforgettable evening: the book launch party for FinTech Feminist in New York City. With 100 of the most dynamic leaders in fintech gathered to celebrate, the energy was electric. But here’s the twist—this time, the mic wasn’t in my hands. Our guest interviewer? The one …

1
Tori Dunlap: Financial Literacy, Female Leadership, and the Fight for Financial Equity. 41:53

6M ago41:53

41:53

In this episode, we're bringing the heat with Tori Dunlap, powerhouse founder of Her First $100K and advocate for women's financial independence. Tori’s on a mission to smash the glass ceiling of money myths and help women claim their financial power. She gets real about her journey, her upbringing, and her path from breaking into the financial wor…

1
Sallie Krawcheck: Money Moves, Power Plays, & Redefining Entrepreneurship 55:12

7M ago55:12

55:12

In this episode, we’re bringing some serious fire with none other than Sallie Krawcheck—the OG queen of fintech and Founder & CEO of Ellevest. She’s out here breaking down barriers, building empires, and proving that women can—and will—run the financial world. We get real about money, leadership, and what it really takes to flip the script in an in…

1
S10 E6: From 0 to 350: The Rapid, Explosive Growth of Koala Insulation 31:12

8M ago31:12

31:12

Ever wonder how a franchise can keep growing without a ceiling in sight? Cory Lyons, the CEO of Koala Insulation and a 20-year veteran in the franchise world, will give us his insights. In this episode, Cory reveals what drew him to Koala Insulation, how they’ve managed explosive growth since franchising in 2020, and why they’re only scratching the…

1
S10 E5: How F45 Training's Unique Fitness Concept Became a Global Phenomenon 29:29

9M ago29:29

29:29

Ever wondered what it takes to stand out in a saturated niche like health and fitness? Tune in as The Wolf chats with Tom Dowd and Janina Czado, the dynamic duo behind F45 Training's exciting transformation and the birth of their new brands, FS8 and VAURA. They're shaking up the fitness world with a clever hub and spoke model but not without the hi…

1
S10 E4: Watch Out Crumbl— Because THIS is Dessert’s Next Big Franchise 17:16

9M ago17:16

17:16

The Wolf’s bringing it back to another solo episode, and this time he’s got all of Twitter wondering why he’s been MIA for so long. He explains where he’s been all this time, and how his game-changing franchising platform, Krokit has been keeping him busy these past few months. Plus, remember how the Wolf called out Nothing Bundt Cakes as an import…

1
How DoStuff Media Solved the "What to Do" Dilemma 25:38

9M ago25:38

25:38

What are you doing tonight? Say hello to the company that made the line, “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” fall out of fashion. Adam talks to Scott Owens, Founder and CEO of DoStuff Media, about the art of creating an event media empire. Scott explains how DoStuff Media started in Austin and expanded to over 22 cities, tackling local events a…

1
S10 E3: Beyond the Headset: The Sandbox VR Journey 28:03

9M ago28:03

28:03

Who’s the brains behind one of the world’s most cutting-edge VR franchises? Step into the immersive world of Sandbox VR with The Wolf and its Founder/CEO, Steve Zhao. Steve explains how Sandbox VR revolutionized the entertainment industry by combining technology, community, and an incredible VR experience. From their state-of-the-art AI and compute…

1
S10 E2: The 3 Most Interesting Franchises of 2024 21:32

9M ago21:32

21:32

The Wolf’s reaching into the listener mailbag and answering some of your most pressing franchise questions for this special edition episode. What are the top three franchises he’s keeping his eye on this year? NGL but… the answers might shock you (no hype cycle or fad brands in this list)! And speaking of hype cycles, what are some major red flags …

1
S10 E1: Navigating Motherhood: How New Mom School Prepares Moms for Postpartum Life, with Alexandra Spitz 40:36

10M ago40:36

40:36

Nothing will change after the baby comes… right? Err— not exactly, folks. But what if there was a class out there that could explain everything new moms should expect after the expecting period ends? From teething to nursing to working remotely and everything in between (why do baby heads always smell so good anyway?), discover how New Mom School h…

1
Tips from the Top: Expert Franchise Insights 10:42

10M ago10:42

10:42

Why take advice from just anyone when you can hear it from the best in the biz? From the master of locations, Dinesh Goswami, to the mad genius behind the cult sensation, Dave’s Hot Chicken, we’ve had so many master-level franchisors on the podcast this year, that I just had to share some of their hottest insights. So, I compiled the best advice an…

1
Tips from the Top: Franchising’s Best Advice 10:39

10M ago10:39

10:39

It seems like anyone and their mom is ready to give you advice about franchising. But why not take advice from franchising’s greatest who successfully scaled from the bottom to the top of the industry? This week, we’re mixing it up and compiling some of the best bits of advice and wisdom from franchising’s finest minds. I’ve hand-picked some of my …

1
S9 E10: How Slick City Became an Adventure Park on Steroids 36:05

10M ago36:05

36:05

Join The Wolf as he sits down with Bron Launsby, the mastermind behind Slick City, a thriving franchise in the recreation center space. Learn the secrets behind their success, from innovative performance slides to exceptional customer experiences. Bron shares ambitious expansion plans, aiming to open up to 40 new locations by 2025, with a vision of…

1
S9 E9: 130 Units in 60 Months: Inside Soccer Stars’ Booming Franchise Model 44:02

11M ago44:02

44:02

Who can forget being shuffled around to soccer games in the back seat of mom’s minivan, eagerly waiting to find out what post-game snacks awaited you at the end of your little league matchup? What if there was a franchise that could capture that same magic? The Wolf talks to Adam Geisler and John Erlandson, the co-founders of Youth Athletes United,…

1
S9 E8: Unpacking beem Light Sauna’s Formula to Success 43:19

11M ago43:19

43:19

How does the co-founder of beem Light Sauna think about scaling a thriving health and wellness franchise? The Wolf talks with Cynthia May, CEO and Co-Founder of beem Light Sauna, to discover her secret to scaling from 0 to 65 locations in a little over four years. Cynthia reveals her biggest challenges and successes in scaling a franchise brand, un…

1
S9 E7: How Checkers & Dave’s Hot Chicken Became a National Cult Obsession 32:21

11M ago32:21

32:21

Before it became a media franchise sensation, Dave’s Hot Chicken was a pop-up shop in East Los Angeles creating a line as long as the eye could see. Now it has a national cult following with investors like Drake and Usher invested in the Nashville-style chicken chain. The Wolf sits down to chat with founding franchisees, Andrew Feghali and Lawrence…

1
S9 E6: How Dinesh Goswami Acquired 125+ Pizza Huts, Popeye’s, and Taco Bells 42:39

11M ago42:39

42:39

Did you know when it comes to where your franchise is situated, there’s a breakfast side and a dinner side of the street? Dinesh Goswami certainly does, and with 125+ franchise locations open, including Pizza Hut, Popeye’s, , Taco Bell, and Checker’s, he knows why understanding your location is the #1 thing you can do to ensure the longevity of you…

1
S9 E5: Mobile Station Mogul: Gas Biz Guy on the Future of the Gas Industry 31:42

12M ago31:42

31:42

What’s the latest Twitter beef with an army of minions going to war for Gas Biz Guy? Is it a joke or is there legitimate beef behind the brawl? Join The Wolf as he sits down with viral Twitter personality Gas Biz Guy (aka Chris Hellgeth), a self-made entrepreneur who turned a ten-cent cigarette sale into a $100 million-a-year gas distribution busin…

1
S9 E4: The Visionary Leader Behind Pearle Vision's Eyewear Empire, with Bill Noble 43:50

12M ago43:50

43:50

How did a West Point flight school graduate become the founder of 79 optical stores across the US? Bill Noble, Pearle Vision’s largest multi-unit franchise owner, joins the pod to chat with the Wolf about his fascinating journey from sitting in the cockpit to building a nationwide franchise empire. From his early days at Harrah's Entertainment to h…

1
S9 E3: Deb Merrill’s Jimmy Johns Journey 34:52

12M ago34:52

34:52

Deb Merrill had no idea she was destined for franchise management until her brother-in-law asked if she’d be interested in running a Jimmy John’s. Realizing that stage management wasn’t the dream job she had hoped it would be, Deb left her theater career behind for the food service industry. In this candid conversation with the Wolf, Deb opens up a…

1
Crypto Expert Jarrod Dicker on the Future of Subscription-Based Media 35:29

1y ago35:29

35:29

NFTs, blockchain, and web3, oh my! If money never sleeps—then crypto has so much caffeine coursing through its veins, that it literally couldn't sleep even if it tried. But you still have to. So as a media company, how can you keep up with the rollercoaster ride that is crypto? Meet crypto expert Jarrod Dicker, lead partner and creator of TCG Crypt…

1
S9 E2: The King of Chicken and Beef: How Drew Gressett Opened 80+ Zaxby’s and Hat Creek Locations 36:56

1y ago36:56

36:56

Drew Gressett’s sitting down with the Wolf to discuss his personal journey in the restaurant industry—from his journey founding Hat Creek Burger Company to owning 60+ Zaxby’s. Hear Hat Creek Burger Company’s humble origin story—from starting as a food truck in 2008 to now having 26 brick-and-mortar locations, Drew shares the challenges and triumphs…

1
Car Dealership Guy Steps Out of Anonymity and Into a New Era 43:42

1y ago43:42

43:42

Meet the anonymous man behind the revolutionary Twitter account that’s making the automotive industry more transparent than ever before. That's right—Yossi Levi’s finally stepping out of the shadows of anonymity and sitting down with Adam to share his personal experience and insights into the automotive industry. From starting an anonymous account …

1
S9 E1: How Adam Saxton Turned McAlister’s Deli Into an Unstoppable Franchise Beast 38:18

1y ago38:18

38:18

You’ll never be able to operate 90+ franchises if your first franchise isn’t golden to begin with. Take it from Adam Saxton, operator of over 90+ McAlister’s Delis and co-CEO/Owner of the Saxton Group. With territories in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, Adam chats with the Wolf about his unusual philosophy for franchise expansion, including a unique o…

1
How 6AM City Became the Nation’s Fastest-Growing Newsletter-First Local Media Company 27:47

1y ago27:47

27:47

How does the co-founder of the nation’s fastest-growing newsletter-first media company think about scaling, investing, and running a local media company? Adam sits down with Ryan Heafy, the CEO of 6AM City, to discuss the ins and outs of local media and the challenges and opportunities it presents. Ryan shares how his passion for the local economic…

1
S8 E10: Listener Mailbag: Negotiating Franchise Agreements, Back Office Solutions, & the Nashville Chicken Wars 17:13

1y ago17:13

17:13

Buckle up because the Wolf is taking another stab at your best Twitter questions in this solo question-and-answer pod. Should you be able to negotiate a franchise agreement? If so, how much of an agreement is negotiable, or are most franchise agreements a take-it-or-leave-it proposition? Then the Wolf uncovers his #1 recommendation for back-office …

1
Pandemic Is Over, but South Korea's Medical Crisis Has Just Begun 11:53

1y ago11:53

11:53

In this episode, I talk about why South Korea is having a medical crisis that we didn't have even during the pandemic. Also, you'll learn Korean vocabulary about counting days. If you liked my podcast, ⁠⁠⁠buy me a coffee⁠⁠⁠ to support my work! It'll help me keep talking and be very much appreciated :D This podcast is an audio version of my weekly n…

1
How to Build a $300 Million SaaS Company, with Craig Fuller, CEO of FreightWaves 41:20

1y ago41:20

41:20

Discover the fascinating story behind FreightWaves and its founder, Craig Fuller, who scaled the niche media company into one of the most authoritative voices in the supply chain industry. Craig shares insights into the challenges of running a founder-driven business and the importance of building relationships with direct revenue. What was the pro…

1
S8 E9: How Lucas Mitchell Bought 20 Five Guy’s With Just $700k 47:45

1y ago47:45

47:45

The Wolf chats with french fry master, Lucas Mitchell, a successful entrepreneur and franchisee of Five Guys, to discuss the ins and outs of scaling a franchise business. From building strong relationships with franchisees to managing shiny object syndrome, Lucas shares valuable insights and lessons learned along his journey. How did Lucas go from …

1
How to Make Korean Friends Easily 12:34

1y ago12:34

12:34

In this episode, I talk about the most important Korean table manner and how to make friends easily. Also, you'll learn how to curse idiots in Korean. If you liked my podcast, ⁠⁠buy me a coffee⁠⁠ to support my work! It'll help me keep talking and be very much appreciated :D This podcast is an audio version of my weekly newsletter. ⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ to …

1
A Candid Conversation with One of Sports’ Fastest-Growing Media Companies, with Adam White of Front Office Sports 20:57

1y ago20:57

20:57

Think sports media is mainstream? Meet the company that believes sports media isn’t nearly mainstream enough. It’s Adam v. Adam as Adam White, CEO and founder of Front Office Sports drops by the pod to discuss the future of sports media and reveal how FSO is creating a unique and engaging media experience by merging the brand with the power of its …

1
S8 E8: Stretching the Limits: The Rise of StretchLab, with Steve Hitzemann 46:27

1y ago46:27

46:27

Loosen up. Literally. StretchLab is the Austin-based company helping others to increase performance and decrease joint pain. The Wolf chats with owner Steve Hitzemann about the fast-growing franchise’s rapid ascent to success. How did Steve dare to dream of a business model based on nothing more than stretching? Hear how Steve made the impossible p…

1
Can Exorcism Be a Party? (Yes, It Can in Korea) 17:24

1y ago17:24

17:24

Annyeong, my dear listeners! I finally came back after a long break. I didn't know it took a whole year. Time really flies. I hope you missed me :D In this episode, I talk about the difference between Korean exorcism and Western exorcism and a mystery thriller movie that is outperforming Dune: Part 2. Also, you'll learn some grave-related vocabular…

1
The YouTuber Who Scaled Epic Gardening into a $27 Million Empire 38:00

1y ago38:00

38:00

How did the internet’s most successful gardening content creator go from homesteading in his backyard to garnering a multi-million dollar investment deal? Kevin Espiritu, founder of Epic Gardening, chats with Adam about building an ecosystem of content and finding ways to focus on the core pillars of your business that matter most. Learn how Kevin’…

1
S8 E7: A Bundt Cake Franchise With ~$300k In Profits?! 15:31

1y ago15:31

15:31

The Wolf’s taking a break from his normal podcasting format to break down the latest in franchising news this week. Is Orange Theory’s acquisition by Self Esteem Brands a good thing or a sign of impending doom? With Orange Theory’s numbers diminishing since the initial insanity of their boom, could this spell disaster or is it a shrewd business mov…

1
The Secret Formula to Building an Authentic, Niche Media Empire, with Michael Bosstick 48:29

1y ago48:29

48:29

Discover the secrets to building a successful media network and one of the largest female marketplaces in audio with Michael Bosstick, CEO of Dear Media. In this episode, Michael shares his insights on managing hybrid environments, the importance of authenticity in media, and the value of niche content. Learn how Dear Media has navigated the changi…

1
Print Media Isn’t Dead, with Community Impact CEO John Garrett 34:15

1y ago34:15

34:15

Discover the story behind Community Impact, a hyperlocal news source distributing information by print and email to millions of local residents in the Austin area. John Garrett, the founder of Community Impact, chats with Adam about his entrepreneurial journey and the critical moments that shaped the business. John shares why risk-taking is essenti…

1
S8 E5: Listener Mailbag: Your Hottest Franchising Questions Answered 32:41

1y ago32:41

32:41

The Wolf is breaking it down solo for this special Q&A session, where he’s answering your most burning questions about the world of franchising. What are the different strategies and considerations involved in owning one to two locations versus four to five locations? Are home services and non-brick-and-mortar franchises the place to hedge your fra…

1
The Power of Podcasting: How Wildcatters is Building the Next Generation of Energy Professionals, with Collin Mclelland 39:37

1y ago39:37

39:37

Meet the man responsible for giving the oil and gas industry a much-needed reboot. Collin Mclellan drops by the pod to chat with Adam about how he’s changing the way the world thinks about energy, starting with his company, Digital Wildcatters, a community-based organization dedicated to connecting energy workers to other professionals. Collin shar…

1
S8 E4: The Hand and Stone Massage Franchise Who Has Built a $80m/year Empire 47:38

1y ago47:38

47:38

Eric Danver is the man who’s owned 100+ franchise locations over the course of his impressive career, including 58 Hand and Stone locations and 53 Philadelphia-based Papa John’s. He chats with the Wolf about his storied franchise career and the new challenges and opportunities the business presents in an ever-changing landscape. From his humble beg…

1
Building a Newsletter Business for the Godfather of Fantasy Sports, with Eliot Crist 29:40

1y ago29:40

29:40

How do you build one of the most successful fantasy football newsletters around? According to Eliot Crist, CEO of Matthew Berry’s Fantasy Life Newsletter, it’s all about recognizing strengths within each individual and understanding your growth goals. Eliot sits down with Adam to share his insights on maintaining engagement with your audience, leve…

1
S8 E3: When a Fad Turns into Failure: How to Defeat the Franchise Hype Cycle, with Dru Capenito 47:39

1y ago47:39

47:39

Everyone wants to be the next Crumbl. But let’s face it—not every new and hot franchise can be the next Crumbl. Fads aren't always bad. But sometimes they can spell failure. So how can you protect yourself against becoming the next franchise fad failure? The Wolf chats with friend of the podcast and franchise consultant, Dru Carpenito about the fra…

1
Keeping It Weird with SXSW Co-President & CPO Hugh Forrest 30:18

1+ y ago30:18

30:18

SXSW is quintessential Austin. So how did this main staple of Austin culture grow to its astounding 36 years of festival success since its initial conception in 1987? Join Adam Ryan as he interviews Hugh Forrest, Co-President & Chief Programming Officer at SXSW, to learn how the organization thinks about creating lasting, impactful cultural moments…

1
S8 E2: AMA with The Wolf of Franchises 21:38

1+ y ago21:38

21:38

It’s time for the listeners to “Ask Me Anything”! When does a franchise restaurant become a viable investment? The answer may vary depending on factors such as the number of units and states involved, as well as an individual's risk appetite. Discover the key considerations that can help determine the right time to invest in a franchise. In this ep…

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