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What happens when the life you've worked hard to build starts feeling too busy? In this episode, Lori and I open up about realizing we had too many moving parts in our lives and wanted more peace, space, creativity, and more time for friends and family. We share the unexpected encounter with a neighbor who gave us a book that seemed to speak directly to what we had been asking for, prompting us to rethink our priorities. I also break down an exercise that helps you calculate what your ideal life costs and identify what might need to change in your spending, business, or priorities to support it. Get ready to discover what enough looks like for you and make room for more of what matters most.   HIGHLIGHTS Why Lori and I realized our busy lives were costing us the peace we wanted. The unexpected book our neighbor gave us when we were asking for more peace and simplicity. What helped us rethink our priorities and find more peace. How to use the Dream Life Budget to identify what you want more of and what you can let go of. Why earning more money doesn't always mean you're living your dream life. The "Goldilocks Budget" and finding the sweet spot between too much and too little.   RESOURCES Learn how to turn podcast guesting into massive sales, ⁠⁠save your spot for the free live training HERE⁠⁠! Learn about the Dream Life Budget by messaging Chris on Instagram: @chriswharder Want help growing your Instagram without having to figure out what to post or find time to post it? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BRAND LAB HERE! Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind! Make More Sales in the next 90 days - GET THE BLUEPRINT HERE! Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Lori: @loriharder Frello: @frello_app

What if the opportunity you've been waiting for isn't something you can buy your way into? In this episode, I break down the single best investment I've ever made - and it isn't the startup round that's now worth 21 times what I put in. I share how a $2,000 dinner in Los Angeles in 2011, back when I didn't know anybody, turned into the network that still brings me every deal worth having. Tune in to hear why proximity is the asset you can't replace, and what to do about it if you're the smallest fish in the room right now. In this Episode, You Will Learn - The investor-call slide that made me stop and reread it. - Why a 21X valuation still isn't the best investment I've ever made. - How I went from knowing nobody in Los Angeles to filling rooms with the people I wanted to meet. - The $2,000 dinner bill that quietly started all of it. - Why startup investing is one of the worst bets you'll ever make - and why I keep making it. - The friends-and-family round I'd have never been invited into without one dinner. - What to build, or buy into, if you want the same kind of deal flow.   01:25 The investor call that reset the math 02:46 The slide I couldn't believe 03:11 Why 21X is not my best investment 03:32 2011: a fish out of water in Los Angeles 04:15 Why I started buying dinner for strangers 05:08 The $2,000 bill that started everything 07:28 The dinner where I met the founder 08:42 The text that opened the round 10:11 Why startup investing is usually a losing bet 10:45 Deal flow comes from proximity, not luck 12:49 The network I still call on today 14:09 Build the room, the table, or the stage   RESOURCES Join us on our next Found Trip: Comment "FOUND" on any of my Instagram posts to receive the link for the announcement of his next four-day FOUND trip. Want help growing your Instagram without having to figure out what to post or find time to post it? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BRAND LAB HERE!   Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind! Make More Sales in the next 90 days - GET THE BLUEPRINT HERE!   Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Frello: @frello_app

When you're so caught up in the daily grind that you lose sight of what you're working toward, even success can start to feel like a chore. In this throwback episode, Lori and I are asking each other some of the questions that have helped us stay connected to our dreams, navigate challenging seasons in business, and find more happiness along the way. We're sharing how we keep our biggest goals front and center, the simple habits that help us turn tough days around, and why stepping away from work might actually be the fastest way to your next breakthrough. Plus, we get personal about what we're most proud of right now, what we wish we made more time for, and the mindset shift that helps us find wins even when everything seems to be going wrong. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, unmotivated, or disconnected from the bigger picture, this conversation will help you get back to what makes all your hard work worth it.   HIGHLIGHTS The one business responsibility Lori would keep if she had to delegate everything else. How to turn challenging setbacks into opportunities for personal growth. Why making more time for creativity and play can lead to bigger business breakthroughs. The simple way we keep our biggest dreams alive when the daily grind takes over. How to use what I call "positive propaganda" to stay motivated and believe in what's possible. Lori's go-to strategies for navigating stressful days without letting them derail her. The mindset shift that helps us find something to celebrate, even on our toughest days.   RESOURCES Want help growing your Instagram without having to figure out what to post or find time to post it? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BRAND LAB HERE! Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Lori: @loriharder Frello: @frello_app

Are you sitting on the sidelines waiting for a "better time" to start, pivot, or rebuild from scratch? Starting over in business might be the best thing that ever happens to you, especially right now. Whether you're launching your first business, pivoting from something that isn't working, or ready to build your next big thing, I'm breaking down three reasons there's NEVER been a better time to start from scratch. Between AI making it possible to build with fewer resources, massive changes creating brand-new problems people will pay to solve, and the cost of launching a business dropping dramatically, the opportunities in front of you are bigger than you might realize. I'll share real examples of entrepreneurs doing more with smaller teams, how to use AI to test and launch your next idea, and how to position yourself as the expert people need in a rapidly changing market. If you've been waiting for the right time to take your next big swing, this episode is your sign to stop waiting. In this Episode, You Will Learn The 3 major shifts making NOW the best time to start, restart, or pivot your business. How entrepreneurs are building bigger businesses with smaller teams and dramatically fewer resources. How to use AI to validate your next business idea and launch without spending a fortune. Where to find brand-new business opportunities hiding inside today's biggest disruptions. How to turn your existing skills and experience into expertise people will pay for. Why starting a product-based business no longer requires the massive upfront investment it once did. How to take advantage of this unique window of opportunity before you miss your chance.   Join us on our next Found Trip: Comment "FOUND" on any of my Instagram posts to receive the link for the announcement of his next four-day FOUND trip. Want help growing your Instagram without having to figure out what to post or find time to post it? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BRAND LAB HERE!   Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind! Make More Sales in the next 90 days - GET THE BLUEPRINT HERE!   Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day. FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Frello: @frello_app

Want to become the person people remember, follow, and ultimately buy from? In this episode, Lori and I are breaking down one of the most valuable skills you can develop in business: storytelling. You don't need a wildly successful exit or some unbelievable life experience to have stories worth telling. In fact, some of the stories that connect and convert the most are hiding in the ordinary moments you're already living. Listen in to learn how becoming a better storyteller can help you build a stronger personal brand, create deeper connections with your audience, become more memorable on podcasts and social media, and ultimately turn more of the attention you're getting into customers and sales.   In this Episode, You Will Learn Why storytelling can be the difference between being forgotten and becoming someone people want to follow and buy from. The type of stories that can create the strongest connection with your audience and convert into customers. How to find compelling stories in the everyday moments you're probably overlooking. Why having an interesting experience isn't enough to make it a story people will remember. How better storytelling can make your podcast interviews, social content, and personal brand more valuable. Why practicing your stories before you need them can help you turn future opportunities into more visibility and sales. How some of the best storytellers Lori has interviewed have turned a single podcast appearance into tens of thousands of dollars or more in sales.   RESOURCES Want help growing your Instagram without having to figure out what to post or find time to post it? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BRAND LAB HERE! Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind! Make More Sales in the next 90 days - GET THE BLUEPRINT HERE! Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Lori: @loriharder Frello: @frello_app

Do you ever feel like every text, email, or notification needs your attention right now? I took a group of entrepreneurs on the first Found trip, and for one day I asked them to leave their phones behind and rediscover what it feels like to simply be present. I'll take you along, from the nerves before we unplugged to a day of unexpected experiences in Santa Barbara, and share why this experiment became one of the most memorable parts of the trip. What happened when nobody could reach us in the usual way surprised me, and it may change how you think about your own phone!   HIGHLIGHTS What is the Found trip for entrepreneurs, and what happens during the four-day experience? What really goes on at the magic castle? The biggest lessons Rob Dyrdek shared with entrepreneurs during the Found trip. How to hold a '90s day, and why you should! What did winery founder Matt McKinney share about building and selling his business? What was it like to try Santa Barbara's long, high-speed zip lines as a group? How did the entrepreneurs spend time together after the day's activities? What did the group do on the final day to set goals and plan for the year ahead?   RESOURCES The current Found Trip is sold out, but another intimate four-day experience for high-performing entrepreneurs is coming soon. Shoot me DM on Instagram letting me know you're interested in the next Found trip for more info.   Want help growing your Instagram without having to figure out what to post or find time to post it? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BRAND LAB HERE!   Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind!   Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Frello: @frello_app

Are you spending more time preparing your idea than actually putting it into the world? In this episode, Lori and I talk about why you don't need a perfect product, massive launch, or elaborate plan to find out if something will work. We break down what happened when we launched Found Trip and Million Dollar Guest, what we learned about product-market fit, and why continuing to market matters when a few emails or posts don't immediately produce results. Get ready to stop waiting for everything to be perfect, get your idea out there, and use your first launch as the starting point for what's next.   HIGHLIGHTS What I learned from launching Found Trip before everything was perfect. How Lori pushed through doubt while building Million Dollar Guest. Why a few bad days don't mean your idea isn't working. How we sold the last Found Trip spot by turning up the marketing. Why your first launch is really a test for product-market fit and feedback. Lori's reminder to stop getting ready and just get it out there.   RESOURCES Want help growing your Instagram without having to figure out what to post or find time to post it? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BRAND LAB HERE! Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind! Make More Sales in the next 90 days - GET THE BLUEPRINT HERE! Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Lori: @loriharder Frello: @frello_app

Have you ever felt like the moment your business starts gaining momentum, something always comes along to knock you off course? I want to challenge that story and explore why setbacks can feel bigger when you're moving faster. In this episode, I share a different way to think about business challenges, and why the meaning you give them can shape how you respond. I use a simple analogy to show how the same headwind can feel very different depending on your speed. When you stop treating every setback as proof that you're unlucky or not cut out for success, you can protect your momentum and keep moving forward!  HIGHLIGHTS Why setbacks can feel more significant as your business gains momentum. How the story you tell yourself about a challenge can influence your actions and results. How to avoid catastrophizing when something goes wrong. Ways to stay steady through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. RESOURCES The current Found Trip is sold out, but another intimate four-day experience for high-performing entrepreneurs is coming soon. Shoot me DM on Instagram letting me know you're interested in the next Found trip for more info. Want help growing your Instagram without having to figure out what to post or find time to post it? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BRAND LAB HERE! Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind!   Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Frello: @frello_app

Have you lost a habit that used to make you feel more energized, creative, or like yourself? In this episode, Lori and I talk about the habits and routines that once gave us energy, clarity, creativity, and a mental reset, and how easy it is to let those things disappear when life gets busy.  We share what happened when we started running again after years away, how it helped us reset and generate new ideas, and how revisiting an old habit can spark new ideas and shift the way you feel. Get ready to look at what used to work for you, dust off something you've been missing, and find a way to bring it back into your life.   HIGHLIGHTS How getting back to running brought back our energy and ideas. The things that used to work for you that may be worth revisiting. A question to help you choose the option with an upside. The habits that can quietly disappear when life gets busy. You may not have lost yourself, you may have just lost a habit. Dusting off an old habit without going back to your old routine.   RESOURCES Want help growing your Instagram without having to figure out what to post or find time to post it? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BRAND LAB HERE! Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind! Make More Sales in the next 90 days - GET THE BLUEPRINT HERE! Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Lori: @loriharder Frello: @frello_app

Are you so focused on building a successful life that you're forgetting to actually live it? After spending a few days in Italy with some of my most successful and wise friends, I came home with three wake-up calls I couldn't stop thinking about. In this episode, I'm sharing the perspective shifts that will help you slow down enough to create better ideas, stronger relationships, and richer experiences without giving up your ambition. Plus, I share an important reminder about knowing when enough is enough and staying humble enough to question the things you're absolutely certain about. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN How to create more space for the relationships, experiences, and moments that make success worth having The shift that can lead to better ideas and breakthroughs without working more How to recognize when your drive for success is beginning to cost you more than it's giving you What high achievers need to consider before reaching the point where more money and success still don't feel like enough How to build a version of success where you can actually enjoy the fruits of everything you've worked for The mindset that can protect your relationships, opportunities, and reputation when you're convinced you're right How to pursue massive goals without missing the "good stuff" along the way   RESOURCES The current Found Trip is sold out, but another intimate four-day experience for high-performing entrepreneurs is coming soon. Shoot me DM on Instagram letting me know you're interested in the next Found trip for more info. Want help growing your Instagram without having to figure out what to post or find time to post it? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BRAND LAB HERE!   Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind!   Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Frello: @frello_app

Are you making decisions to save money that are costing you far more in time, energy, and earning potential? In this episode, Lori and I break down why your relationship with time and your relationship with money are more closely connected than you realize, and how scarcity around one can create scarcity around the other. We share examples of buying back our time, from hiring cleaners while we were rebuilding financially to outsourcing everyday tasks and knowing when to delegate, trade, or hire something out. Get ready to rethink the way you value your time and make smarter decisions with your money.   HIGHLIGHTS How glōci boosts your gut-health to heal your skin. The $93-a-week decision that helped us buy back our time. How improving your relationship with time can increase your income. The calculation to figure out what your time is worth. How to support your partner when you're in different financial seasons.   RESOURCES Want help growing your Instagram without having to figure out what to post or find time to post it? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BRAND LAB HERE! Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind! Make More Sales in the next 90 days - GET THE BLUEPRINT HERE! Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Lori: @loriharder Frello: @frello_app

What if I told you there is a way to get your dream opportunities to come to you? In this episode, I share the four things I've intentionally built over the years that are now creating opportunities I never could have predicted or bought. If you want more access, stronger connections, bigger opportunities, and more abundance in your life and business, this episode will show you what to start doing today so you can create the results you want years from now.   HIGHLIGHTS The shift to make when you catch yourself wondering, "Why them and not me?" How to plant more "seeds of opportunity" without keeping score or expecting an immediate return The simple way generosity can create opportunities you could never predict How the reputation you're building today can open doors years from now The networking habit that makes you a valuable person people want in the room How to train yourself to spot opportunities other people completely overlook Why patience is one of the most important ingredients for creating long-term success How solving problems and connecting the right people can multiply your future opportunities RESOURCES Grow your Instagram with The Brand Lab. They helped me gain 10,000 followers in 90 days and took posting off my plate. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BRAND LAB HERE!   Join the Found Trip - there is ONE spot left! DM or text me "Chris, I want to go on that Found Trip."   Have an audio only podcast? Check out Casthouse.ai    Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Frello: @frello_app

Do you need to change where you are to get closer to the opportunities that could change your life? In this episode, Lori and I talk about the power of proximity and why being around the right people can create opportunities, relationships, and collaborations that are difficult to access from a distance. We share why living where opportunity is can accelerate your growth, but why it means nothing if you're not in an environment where you can thrive and be your best self. Get ready to rethink where you are, who you're around, and what it could take to reach your next level.   HIGHLIGHTS How proximity to the right people can accelerate your growth. Why living near opportunity creates access to unexpected collaborations. The balance between thriving where you live and being where opportunity is. Why Lori and I believe you have to put in your time to build a lifelong network. How to capture 80% of proximity through events and travel if relocating isn't an option. Why stepping into uncomfortable rooms changes your life faster than staying in your comfort zone.   RESOURCES Join my Found Trips: DM @chriswharder on Instagram to learn more and secure a spot. Want help growing your Instagram without having to figure out what to post or find time to post it? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BRAND LAB HERE! Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind! Make More Sales in the next 90 days - GET THE BLUEPRINT HERE! Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Lori: @loriharder Frello: @frello_app

Want to build a business that gives you the wealth and freedom you want? Today, we talk with Phil and Trish Calandra, CEO and Co-Founder of TruWealth Advisors, to break down the key to generate revenue, build long-term wealth, and become work optional. We dive into the "revenue trap," why having multiple financial experts doesn't always mean you have a unified strategy, and how entrepreneurs can create a clearer path toward their personal wealth freedom number. We also talk about the money stories that can shape your financial decisions, why women entrepreneurs can put their own wealth goals last, and what it means to become work optional.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Why making more money doesn't always mean building more wealth. 02:45 The lesson Phil learned from having just $0.08 in his business account. 06:00 The decision that pushed Trish to take a major career risk and move to Atlanta. 09:45 What is the "revenue trap" and why does it keep entrepreneurs stuck? 15:00 What is your "wealth freedom number"? 22:30 The financial savings that come from having a coordinated strategy. 24:00 Why women entrepreneurs often put their own wealth goals last. 25:30 How time makes compounding work in your favor. 28:15 How your money story influences your financial decisions. 35:00 What should parents teach their kids about money? 38:00 The lesson Phil learned from his grandfather about finding a financial advantage. 40:00 What does it really mean to be "work optional"? 42:45 What financial levers can help you move toward work-optional freedom? 45:15 How the Wealth Creation Scorecard can help you identify financial gaps. 49:30 Can your financial situation be fixed if you've made major money mistakes? 53:45 Why the best time to start building wealth is now.    RESOURCES Take the Wealth Creation Scorecard HERE! Find your Wealth Freedom Number HERE! Learn more about the Wealth Ascension System HERE! Use code CHRIS and save $1,000 on your custom social media strategy with The Brand LAB HERE!  Register for the FREE Million Dollar Guest Training HERE!  Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Lori: @loriharder Frello: @frello_app Follow Trish: @trishcalandra1 Follow Phil: @philcalandra1

What if your business doesn't need more offers, more content, or more complicated strategies to make more money? In this episode, Lori and I break down the 4 pillars we believe need to work together to build a million dollar offer. We talk about why trying to sell too many things creates confusion, how to make your messaging specific enough to stop the scroll, why visibility is about getting the right message in front of more people, and how knowing your numbers makes a million dollars feel much more achievable. Tune in to learn how to get these 4 pillars working together and build an offer that can produce a million dollars on your own timeline.   HIGHLIGHTS The major shift we're making from a generalized mastermind to the Million Dollar Offer. Why trying to solve too many problems makes your offer harder to sell. How to simplify your offer suite and focus your external messaging. Why trying to talk to everyone causes people to scroll right past you. The difference between messaging and visibility, and why you need both. What it really means to "go pro" with your visibility and content. The $1,000 from 1,000 people framework for building a million dollar offer. Why knowing exactly what you're launching and when is essential for predictable revenue.   RESOURCES Want to join me for four days up the Southern California coast? DM me on Instagram at @chriswharder Use code CHRIS and save $1,000 on your custom social media strategy with The Brand LAB HERE! Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet - the Mentor Collective Mastermind! Make More Sales in the next 90 days - GET THE BLUEPRINT HERE! Check out upcoming events + Masterminds: chrisharder.me Text DAILY to 310-421-0416 to get daily Money Mantras to boost your day.   FOLLOW Chris: @chriswharder Lori: @loriharder Frello: @frello_app