FailCraft

Ezekiel Iferia
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FailCraft is a podcast about the messy, real side of success. Host Ezekiel Iferia dives into the stories of creators, founders, and everyday people who turned setbacks into stepping stones. From failed ideas to reborn dreams, each episode uncovers how failure shapes mastery — and why learning to fall is part of learning to fly.

  1. 5 HR AGO

    Engineer Tries to Fix Politics: Oligarchs, Factory Farms, & Losing Elections - Dan Schaefer

    What happens when an engineer tries to apply logic to the most broken, irrational system in America: politics? Dan Schaefer, an engineer and progressive candidate, ran for the Missouri House of Representatives in a deep-red district. He lost the election, but he didn't lose his resolve. Dan joins the show to discuss why the real failure isn't losing a vote—it's refusing to enter the arena because you are afraid of the outcome. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of finding joy in the grueling process of a losing battle. Dan breaks down why people seemingly vote against their own best interests, the environmental nightmare of deregulated CAFOs (factory farms) , and a shocking Princeton study that proves average citizens have almost zero statistical impact on public policy compared to the ultra-rich . In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * The Engineer's Mindset: How to separate the failure of the results from the success of the effort. * Why politicians use "Culture War" single-issues to pass terrible economic policies. * The CAFO Crisis: How factory farm deregulation is allowing toxic waste to be dumped 50 feet from residential areas. * The Dignity Delusion: The math behind why oligarchs get 70% of what they want, while average voters get 30%. * "Freedom Dies in Silence": The real cost of staying quiet when the government overreaches. * Dan's strategy shift for 2026: Why "Kitchen Table" issues beat cultural debates. * How to get involved locally without running for office (and why you should talk to your opponents). * Dan's definition of true success: The "Softball" analogy for life and politics. This episode is for anyone feeling politically exhausted, listeners wanting to understand the hidden mechanics of state politics, or anyone who needs the courage to speak up in a hostile environment. Connect With Dan Schaefer: * Campaign Website: https://www.dan4mo.com/ * Newsletter: Frontline Progressive Chapters: 00:00 Hook: The 30% Rule of American Politics 01:26 Introduction: Dan Schaefer's Political Journey 02:04 The Engineer's Approach to Losing an Election 05:00 Why Do People Vote Against Their Best Interests? 07:04 The Factory Farm Crisis (CAFOs) & Deregulation 08:39 The Princeton Oligarchy Study & The Dignity Delusion 11:12 "Freedom Dies in Silence": The Cost of Not Speaking Up 14:04 Pivot for 2026: Kitchen Table Issues over Culture Wars 16:45 How to Actually Get Involved (Without Running for Office) 20:53 Redefining Success: The Softball Analogy 23:13 How to Connect with Dan

    26 min

  2. 1 DAY AGO

    When Your Thoughts Make You Sick: The Painful Art of Unbecoming - K.K. Biernath

    What happens when you build the "perfect" life—the house, the career, the family—but your body literally breaks down to stop you from living it? Karina, who writes under the pen name K.K. Biernath, shares her powerful story of immigrating from Poland to the US, checking every box of societal success, and running herself into the ground. She opens up about the physical toll of perfectionism and guilt, revealing how a cascade of illnesses forced her to finally stop performing and start listening to her soul. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of shedding false identities. Karina introduces the difficult concept of "Unbecoming"—the painful process of unlearning who you were told to be so you can discover who you actually are. Discover how she walked away from a corporate career to care for her twins, how to rewire a 40-year-old thought pattern, and why true freedom is an inside job. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * Karina's "Rock Bottom": A terrifying cascade of physical illnesses fueled by stress. * The Immigrant Hustle: The intense pressure to be the "perfect" girl who never complains. * The Art of "Unbecoming": Why stopping what you are doing is harder than starting something new. * The Guilt Trap: How neglecting yourself to please others makes you physically sick. * Leaving Corporate: Navigating the identity shift of becoming a full-time caregiver. * How to rewire decades of negative thought patterns through daily awareness. * The First Step to Healing: Why you must accept your current pain before you can fix it. * Karina's definition of true success: Having the courage to be yourself without fearing judgment. This episode is for anyone battling chronic stress, recovering perfectionists, or listeners looking for the courage to walk away from a life that looks good on the outside but feels empty on the inside. Connect With Karina (K.K. Biernath): * Website: https://kkbiernath.com/ * Book: Karina: One Woman's Journey from Fear to Freedom (Available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble) * Instagram/LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/kkbiernath/?hl=en Chapters: 00:00 Hook: When Your Body Screams "Stop" 01:32 Introduction: Karina's Journey to the US 02:11 The Physical Breakdown: The Mind-Body Connection 03:23 The Heavy Pressure of Perfectionism 04:53 The Hardest Work: The Path of "Unbecoming" 06:56 Leaving Corporate to Care for Her Twins 08:16 How to Rewire a 40-Year Thought Pattern 09:15 Writing *Karina: One Woman's Journey from Fear to Freedom* 11:23 Redefining Freedom as an Inside Job 12:36 The First Step to Change: Accept What You Feel 13:31 Karina's Definition of True Success 14:26 How to Connect with Karina

    16 min

  3. 2 DAYS AGO

    Faking Death to Save My Baby: The Making of a Psychic Detective - Nancy Orlen Weber

    What happens when a near-death experience violently forces your mind and soul wide open? Nancy Orlen Weber, a former registered nurse, survived a horrifying domestic attack while five months pregnant by pretending to be dead. That profound trauma became the unexpected doorway to a life-altering awakening. For the last 40 years, Nancy has used her resulting intuitive gifts as a psychic detective—helping law enforcement solve homicides, cold cases, and missing persons investigations. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of turning the darkest traumas into transformative power. Nancy shares the chilling story of her survival, how she initially used her gifts in an acute psychiatric unit in the South Bronx, and the coping mechanisms she learned to manage the emotional weight of working fresh crime scenes. Discover why she believes everyone is "wireless" and connected, and how to rewrite your own belief systems to overcome the fear of the unknown. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * The Traumatic Catalyst: Surviving strangulation while pregnant by faking death. * The Medical Turning Point: How a near-fatal hospital error sparked "righteous anger" to live. * Trusting the Gift: Using intuition to heal a patient locked in a psychiatric ward for 20 years. * The Life of a Psychic Detective: Walking fresh crime scenes and managing the emotional toll. * How Nancy dealt with skeptics and a childhood of being dismissed. * Practical Advice: Why "belly breathing" and creating a new belief system are the first steps to healing. * Nancy's definition of true success: Radical self-acceptance and refusing to sell your soul. This episode is for anyone fascinated by the unexplained, survivors of trauma looking to reclaim their power, and listeners seeking to unlock their own deep intuition. Connect With Nancy Orlen Weber: * Website: https://nancyorlenweber.com/ * Books: he Life of a Psychic Detective, Nature Speaks, Soul Detective (Available on Amazon) Chapters: 00:00 Hook: "I Pretended I Had Already Died" 01:12 Introduction: Nancy Orlen Weber 01:48 The Attack: Surviving Domestic Violence While Pregnant 04:12 The Hospital Negligence & Choosing to Live 06:56 From RN to Psychiatric Unit: Trusting the Intuition 08:24 The Schizophrenia Case: Healing Florence 10:45 Becoming a Psychic Detective & Managing Crime Scene Trauma 13:49 Overcoming Childhood Dismissal & Building Resilience 17:01 Advice for the Broken: Belly Breathing & Rewiring Beliefs 19:32 Nancy's Definition of True Success 21:12 How to Connect with Nancy

    23 min

  4. 3 DAYS AGO

    Successful But Empty: How Psychedelics Cured My Flat Life - Laura Watson

    What do you do when you are a highly successful business coach with 30 years of experience, a stable marriage, and all the personal development tools in the world—yet you feel completely flat and resigned inside? Laura Watson, founder of Venture Coaching International, shares her vulnerable journey of hitting a mid-life wall. Despite knowing all the coaching frameworks, she found herself secretly battling imposter syndrome, just "going through the motions" of a successful life. That all changed when she turned to a radical new tool: guided psychedelics. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of breaking out of the boxes we build for ourselves. Laura explains how psychedelic medicine helped her bypass traditional "limiting beliefs" to heal deep, subconscious holding patterns. Discover the difference between a "Reactive Leader" and a "Conscious Leader", why you need to escape your "feedback vacuum," and how to finally stop holding your true self back. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * Laura's "Quiet Rock Bottom": Why a perfectly good life felt so empty. * The Imposter Syndrome of being a life coach who feels stuck. * The Psychedelic Breakthrough: Uncovering the subconscious layers traditional therapy missed. * Heidegger’s Philosophy: Redefining your "existential assessment of possibility and agency." * Reactive vs. Conscious Leadership: Are you leading on autopilot?. * The "Feedback Vacuum": Why you can't see the box when you are inside the box. * How to use 360 Leadership Assessments to find your blind spots. * Laura's definition of true success: Full, unapologetic self-expression. This episode is for high-achievers who feel hollow despite their accolades, leaders struggling with burnout, or anyone curious about the intersection of business strategy and deep inner healing. Connect With Laura Watson: * Free Business Building Toolkit: [https://venturecoaching.ca/toolkit.html](https://venturecoaching.ca/toolkit.html) * Website: [https://venturecoaching.ca/](https://venturecoaching.ca/) * LinkedIn: Laura Watson Chapters: 00:00 Hook: The Coach with Imposter Syndrome 00:57 Introduction: Laura Watson's 30-Year Career 01:25 The "Flat" Life: Going Through the Motions of Success 03:39 The Breaking Point: Having the Tools but Feeling Stuck 05:05 The Psychedelic Breakthrough: Healing the Subconscious 08:05 Reactive vs. Conscious Leadership Explained 10:26 Waking Up: How to Escape the "Feedback Vacuum" 12:25 Laura's Definition of True Success 14:09 Free Resources & How to Connect

    15 min

  5. 4 DAYS AGO

    Amputation, Bungee Jumps, & Cancer Scares: Build Your Financial Safety Net - Bart Merrell

    What happens when your spouse calls you with a cancer diagnosis, and your terrifying second thought is, "We can't afford to fight this"? Bart Merrell, a serial entrepreneur and amputee, shares his wild and inspiring journey of surviving life's hardest curveballs. From taking the first commercial bungee jump to Japan (and jumping while holding the cord with his bare hands), to losing his leg in 2024, Bart knows what it means when life punches you in the face. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of building resilience before the disaster hits. Bart explains his philosophy of preparing for "what happens when what happens happens." Discover how he monetized everything from training his unruly Rottweiler to his own 50-pound weight loss journey, and how you can find your ideal side hustle using the things you are already doing. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * The Wake-Up Call: The terrifying cancer scare that forced Bart to build multiple income streams. * Losing a Leg: Why having a side hustle relieved the pressure of an amputation. * The Bungee Story: Why Bart jumped off an 8-story tower holding the cord with his hands. * **The Side Hustle Test: 3 questions to find an income stream that won't burn you out. * **The Dog Training Hustle: How adopting an unruly dog turned into a high-paying business. * Monetizing Your Needs: How Bart bought a domain name and got paid to lose 50 lbs. * Why "Christmas" and "Weddings" can be just as financially disruptive as emergencies. * Bart's definition of true success: Sleeping better at night. This episode is for anyone living paycheck to paycheck, looking to start a side hustle without burning out, or needing the motivation to build a financial safety net before the unexpected happens. Connect With Bart Merrell: * Website & $1K Blind Spot Assessment: https://ai.bartmerrell.com/blindspot * Workshops: http://sidehustledojo.com/ * Book: Monetize Your Mindset (Available on Amazon) * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-merrell-2440148/ Support the Show: * Fuel the FailCraft Mission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme * Subscribe and leave a review! * Share this episode if it resonated! Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft? * Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch * PodMatch Host Profile: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft Chapters: 00:00 Hook: The Terrifying Thought 01:21 Introduction: Bart Merrell's Story 02:01 The Wake-Up Call: "We Can't Afford This" 04:06 Losing a Leg & The Power of Income Streams 05:59 The Bare-Handed Bungee Jump in Japan 10:51 The Rottweiler: Building a Business by Accident 15:42 Why You Must Pick the Right Side Hustle 17:35 How to Prepare for the Unexpected 19:06 3 Questions to Find Your Ideal Side Hustle 24:27 Bart's Definition of True Success 26:32 How to Connect & Take the Assessment

    28 min

  6. 19 FEB

    Hit With a Stapler: How a Toxic Boss Fueled My Leadership Mission - Dr. Andy Neillie

    Have you ever worked for a boss so toxic that it completely changed the trajectory of your life? Dr. Andy Neillie, a leadership expert and bestselling author, shares the shocking story of working under an abusive, anger-prone manager who once physically attacked him in a truck. Instead of letting that toxic environment break him, Andy used it as the ultimate "Anti-Mentor" experience—fueling a 25-year career dedicated to turning bad managers into high-performing, servant leaders. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of transforming workplace adversity into purpose. Dr. Andy discusses the hardest transitions a manager must make, his own honest struggles with the "Four Leadership Compromises", and how rescuing an abused Golden Retriever taught him more about building trust than his doctoral dissertation ever did. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * The Anti-Mentor: How a violent boss on a construction site taught Andy how *not* to lead. * The morale-killing impact of a boss who steals all the credit. * The 4 Leadership Compromises: Why even experts struggle with delegation and conviction. * The Golden Principles: How a rescued dog named Redford taught him that "a tender yes gets better behavior than a harsh no". * The biggest failure managers make when trying to transition into true leaders. * Survival Guide: What to do right now if you are trapped under a toxic boss. * Dr. Andy's definition of true success: Using influence to serve others. This episode is for anyone currently enduring a bad boss, managers looking to become true leaders, or anyone who wants to learn how to build trust from the ground up. Connect With Dr. Andy Neillie: * Website: https://neillieleadershipgroup.com/ * Book: The Golden Principles: Life and Leadership Lessons from a Rescued Dog * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyneillie/ Support the Show: * Fuel the FailCraft Mission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme * Subscribe and leave a review! * Share this episode if it resonated! Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft? * Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch * PodMatch Host Profile: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft Chapters: 00:00 Hook: The Stapler Incident 00:59 Introduction: Dr. Andy Neillie 01:40 The Toxic Boss: Anger Management on the Job Site 04:40 The Credit-Stealing Consulting Boss 06:36 Andy's Honest Confession: The 4 Leadership Compromises 08:16 The Golden Principles: Leadership Lessons from a Rescued Dog 10:35 The Biggest Mistake Managers Make When Trying to Lead 11:59 Survival Guide: What to Do If You Have a Bad Boss Right Now 13:18 Dr. Andy's Definition of True Success 14:30 How to Connect with Neillie Leadership

    15 min

  7. 18 FEB

    Success at Any Cost: The Tragic Wake-Up Call - Garrett Wood

    We are often told that "success requires sacrifice." But what happens when the sacrifice is your life? Garrett Wood, a clinical hypnotherapist and executive functioning specialist, shares the tragic turning point that shattered his illusion of success. He recounts working in a high-pressure environment where a mentor—a model of dedication for 20 years—took his own life two weeks after being let go, simply because he had no identity left outside of work. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of Nervous System Regulation as the foundation of success. Garrett explains why IQ, EQ, and grit all fail when you don't feel safe. He introduces his A³ Framework (Assess, Accommodate, Align) to help high achievers stop the "boom and bust" cycle of burnout. Discover why achievement is often just a way to soothe childhood insecurity, how to identify if you are "masking" your way to burnout, and why sustainable success must be built through your well-being, not at its expense. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * The Tragic Wake-Up Call: How a mentor's suicide forced Garrett to rethink his path. * The "Success at Any Cost" Trap: Why loving what you do can be dangerous. * Subconscious Beliefs: Using achievement to prove "I am enough". * Nervous System 101: Why you can't logic your way out of a conflict when unregulated. * The A³ Framework: How to Assess, Accommodate, and Align your life. * The 7 Drivers of Performance: From executive functioning to sensory needs. * The "Sommelier of Emotions": Developing the discernment to know what you are actually feeling. * Garrett's definition of true success: Pursuit without sacrifice. This episode is for high-achieving founders, leaders feeling the weight of the "hedonic treadmill," or anyone who feels like they are drowning in a job they supposedly love. Connect With Garrett Wood: * Burnout Assessment: https://gnosistherapy.scoreapp.com/ * Website: https://www.gnosistherapy.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gnosistherapy/ Support the Show: * Fuel the FailCraft Mission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme * Subscribe and leave a review! * Share this episode if it resonated! Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft? * Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch * PodMatch Host Profile: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft Chapters: 00:00 Hook: The High Cost of Success 01:18 Introduction: Garrett Wood & Gnosis Therapy 01:49 The Turning Point: A Mentor's Suicide 04:48 Rethinking Sacrifice: The Marathon Analogy 06:37 The "Arms Race" of Achievement & Insecurity 08:55 Why Logic Fails Without Nervous System Safety 12:31 The A³ Framework: Assess, Accommodate, Align 14:15 Understanding Your "Bio-Budget" & Sensory Needs 16:35 Garrett's Definition of True Success 18:01 How to Take the Burnout Assessment

    19 min

  8. 17 FEB

    I Quit Being a Tech CEO at 40: The "Obituary Moment" - Ken Davenport

    What do you do when you are a successful Tech CEO in your 40s, checking every box of societal success, but you realize the story you are writing with your life isn't worth reading? Ken Davenport, author of *The Virtue Ethos* and co-founder of Mission Edge, calls this his "Obituary Moment." In this episode, he shares the courageous story of quitting his company to find a life of actual meaning through Stoic philosophy. He opens up about the ego death of leaving the C-suite and why his friends thought he needed a psychologist when he walked away from the money. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of rewriting your story before it’s too late. Ken explains how he used the ancient wisdom of Stoicism—specifically the "Dichotomy of Control"—to navigate the chaos of modern life. Discover why "we suffer more in imagination than in reality", how to shift from a for-profit mindset to a mission-driven life, and why true success has nothing to do with your bank account. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * The "Obituary Moment": Realizing your current life story isn't worth reading. * Ego vs. Purpose: Why financial success is often a hollow victory. * The Stoic Framework: Using the "Dichotomy of Control" to stop anxiety. * Why friends thought Ken was "crazy" for quitting his CEO role. * Seneca's Wisdom: Why we suffer more in our heads than in real life. * The transition from For-Profit CEO to Non-Profit Founder (Mission Edge). * The 4 Virtues: Wisdom, Courage, Discipline, Justice (and why Wisdom is the hardest). * Ken's definition of true success: Impact over Income. This episode is for anyone feeling stuck in a "successful" but unhappy life, entrepreneurs looking for a deeper purpose, or anyone interested in applying Stoic philosophy to the real world. Connect With Ken Davenport: * Website & Books:https://www.kendavenport.net/ * Nonprofit: https://missionedge.org/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kgdavenport/ Support the Show: * Fuel the FailCraft Mission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme * Subscribe and leave a review! * Share this episode if it resonated! Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft? * Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch * PodMatch Host Profile: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft Chapters: 00:00 Hook: The Nagging Feeling of an Empty Life 01:18 Introduction: Ken Davenport's Pivot 01:51 The "Obituary Moment": Facing an Existential Crisis 03:53 Letting Go of the CEO Ego & Identity 06:03 Stoicism 101: The Dichotomy of Control 08:52 Seneca's Rule: Surviving Your Own Imagination 10:50 Building Mission Edge: Purpose Over Profit 13:04 The 4 Virtues: Why Wisdom is the Hardest 16:54 Ken's Definition of True Success 18:27 How to Connect & Learn Stoicism

    20 min
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About

FailCraft is a podcast about the messy, real side of success. Host Ezekiel Iferia dives into the stories of creators, founders, and everyday people who turned setbacks into stepping stones. From failed ideas to reborn dreams, each episode uncovers how failure shapes mastery — and why learning to fall is part of learning to fly.

Information

  • Creator
    Ezekiel Iferia
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ezekiel Iferia
  • Show Website
    FailCraft