Scales Of Success Podcast

Marcus Arredondo

If you've ever encountered anxiety, imposter syndrome, or burnout, you're not alone. Two years ago, becoming a dad flipped my world upside down.No matter how much I prepared, nothing could brace me for the chaos that followed, both at home and in my career. But in the struggle, I found a new obsession, leveraging every minute, every ounce of energy to achieve more with less. Who better to gain perspective and insight from than those who are doing it themselves? In the episodes to follow, I'll share conversations I've had with entrepreneurs, artists, founders, and other action takers who emerged from the battlefield with scars produced from lessons learned.These strivers share with specificity the hurdles they've overcome, the systems they've used to protect their confidence, reinforce their resilience, and scale their achievements. You'll hear real life examples, including the challenges of building a team from five people to 800, the insights gleaned from over 40,000 coaching calls with Fortune 500 executives and professional athletes, how to transform public perception through leveraging existing client loyalty among countless others. In these episodes, you'll hear concrete examples and leave with concise takeaways to improve your systems with outsized results.Scales of success is all signal without the noise. I offer these conversations to serve as one of the levers in scaling your own success. If any of this speaks to you, you're joining the right tribe.If you're interested in following this journey, sign up to receive our newsletter at scalesofsuccesspodcast.com. Also, if you have ideas, suggestions, or constructive feedback from the episodes, please share them with me. This show will practice what it learns. Let's build something meaningful starting now.

  1. 6D AGO

    #40 - Leading with Heart, Building with Grit with Manny Alvarez

    In today’s heartfelt episode of Scales of Success, host Marcus Arredondo connects with Manny Alvarez, who shares lessons from his time in government, his leadership at Affirm, and the emotional truths he uncovered through writing and fatherhood. From navigating political pressure and tech disruption to helping his son feel safe enough to love the color pink, Manny opens up about masculinity, resilience, and the courage to build something meaningful, both in business and at home. If you're leading, parenting, or creating in any way, this episode will remind you that your softness can be your strength. Manny Alvarez is the Co-Founder and President of Manifest Financial, a business banking platform built for the creator economy. A former fintech exec at Affirm and California’s chief banking regulator, he’s spent his career at the intersection of finance, law, and public service. Manny also writes about fatherhood, identity, and leadership, blending policy expertise with personal insight. He lives in Sacramento with his wife and two boys, where he fixes cars for fun and believes in building with heart. Connect with Manny Alvarez: Website: https://www.manifestfinancial.com/ Episode highlights: (2:45) ICE raids and immigration reality (6:23) Losing faith in government systems (11:52) Teaching advocacy through fatherhood (21:48) Becoming California’s banking commissioner (32:35) Burnout and resigning during COVID (37:55) Where banking is headed next (40:28) Leadership lessons from Max Levchin (52:36) Writing as healing and self-discovery (1:03:48) Redefining masculinity as a father (1:10:34) Outro Connect with Marcus Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-arredondo/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/cus Scales of Success Website: scalesofsuccesspodcast.com X (Twitter): https://x.com/scalesofsuccess Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalesofsuccesspod/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scalesofsuccess Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalesofSuccess —-- Leave a Review If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we’d love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scales-of-success-podcast/id1773864140 Get in Touch You can also Tweet @cus with any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you’ve learnt from the episodes and we can thank you personally for tuning in.

    1h 11m
  2. JUL 16

    #39 - What Makes It Worth It with Ty Lifeset

    What drives you to keep going when the outcome is unclear? In this powerful episode, Marcus chats with Ty Lifeset to talk about risk, reinvention, and why chasing what energizes you might be the smartest move of all. It’s a conversation about creative grit, letting go, and finding joy in the work itself. Whether you’re an aspiring creator or seasoned founder, this episode will remind you that the journey is the reward. Ty Lifeset is a seasoned creative, entrepreneur, and founder known for building standout brands and bold ideas. With a background in advertising, screenwriting, and podcasting, he blends strategic thinking with genuine storytelling to bring fresh ideas to life. Learn more about Ty Lifeset: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylifeset/ Pyramid the Podcast X: https://x.com/pyramidthepod1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DAtD0Ub6n1VS5U8ASHICk?si=c52e2921474541f0 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pyramid-the-podcast/id1701838206 Episode highlights: (2:36) Defining what’s worth pursuing (6:59) Business with friends: Risk or reward? (11:44) Lessons from a failed startup (13:34) The importance of diverse teams (19:48) Conviction, perseverance, and blind faith (25:49) From screenwriting to CAA (30:46) Scaling an agency through relationships (34:36) Launching a decentralized consultancy (40:50) Creating "Pyramid the Podcast" (46:36) Unexpected joy and audience impact (50:35) Pressure, passion, and living fully (53:48) Outro Connect with Marcus Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-arredondo/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/cus Scales of Success Website: scalesofsuccesspodcast.com X (Twitter): https://x.com/scalesofsuccess Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalesofsuccesspod/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scalesofsuccess Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalesofSuccess —-- Leave a Review If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we’d love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scales-of-success-podcast/id1773864140 Get in Touch You can also Tweet @cus with any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you’ve learnt from the episodes and we can thank you personally for tuning in.

    55 min
  3. JUL 9

    #38 - The Hidden Heartbreak Behind Homelessness with Alan Graham

    In today’s moving episode of Scales of Success, host Marcus Arredondo speaks with Alan Graham, founder of Community First! Village. Alan shares how his faith, real estate background, and personal hardships led him to build a 51-acre community for over 500 formerly homeless residents. Discover the real causes of homelessness and how purpose and belonging can change lives. Alan Graham is the founder of Mobile Loaves & Fishes and a visionary behind Community First! Village. A former real estate developer turned social entrepreneur, his work combines faith, dignity, and innovation to serve those coming out of chronic homelessness. Find out more about Alan Graham: Website: https://mlf.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlfnow/ Episode highlights: (2:15) What does home really mean? (5:22) The root cause of homelessness (10:08) Lessons from a mentally ill mother (15:46) A life-changing spiritual retreat (22:12) How the food truck idea started (25:18) Living on the streets with intention (33:00) From RV park to healing village (38:46) Community opposition and redirection (43:03) A place of permanent belonging (45:58) How it’s being replicated nationally (49:09) Redefining success and fatherhood (52:13) Outro Connect with Marcus Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-arredondo/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/cus Scales of Success Website: scalesofsuccesspodcast.com X (Twitter): https://x.com/scalesofsuccess Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalesofsuccesspod/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scalesofsuccess Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalesofSuccess —-- Leave a Review If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we’d love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scales-of-success-podcast/id1773864140 Get in Touch You can also Tweet @cus with any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you’ve learnt from the episodes and we can thank you personally for tuning in.

    53 min
  4. JUL 2

    #37 - Scars Over Stats with Robert Paylor

    What if your greatest success came after your worst moment? In this unforgettable episode of Scales of Success, Marcus welcomes Robert Paylor, who was paralyzed during a rugby match, and chose to rise. From ICU to walking at graduation, Robert shares the mindset, faith, and purpose that redefined his life. Whether you’re facing a setback or searching for meaning, this episode is packed with the kind of clarity and courage that can reframe your life. Robert Paylor is a sought-after speaker and author who helps audiences unlock resilience through the power of mindset. Once told he'd never walk again, Robert has turned that prognosis into a platform, showing others how to transform limitation into leadership. His work challenges teams and individuals to rise above setbacks with courage, clarity, and conviction. His debut book, Paralyzed to Powerful, shares the mental tools that helped him rebuild not just his body, but his life. Connect with Robert Paylor: Website: https://www.robertpaylor.com/ Book: https://a.co/d/0GzcLpL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rob.paylor/ X: https://twitter.com/RobertPaylor5 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertpaylor5 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-paylor/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.paylor Episode highlights: (1:59) Who is Robert Paylor? (8:10) The moment everything changed (14:03) Choosing a mindset in the chaos (21:05) Walking again, against all odds (26:42) The role of family and faith (32:23) Redefining identity after trauma (40:03) Turning pain into purpose (44:10) How to find your team (50:58) The power of sharing your story (54:41) The Order of Malta (59:16) The Lourdes pilgrimage (1:06:07) Forgiveness and letting go (1:10:50) What does true success really mean? (1:12:53) Outro Connect with Marcus Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-arredondo/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/cus Scales of Success Website: scalesofsuccesspodcast.com X (Twitter): https://x.com/scalesofsuccess Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalesofsuccesspod/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scalesofsuccess Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalesofSuccess —-- Leave a Review If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we’d love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scales-of-success-podcast/id1773864140 Get in Touch You can also Tweet @cus with any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you’ve learnt from the episodes and we can thank you personally for tuning in.

    1h 14m
  5. JUN 25

    #36 - The Dark Economy Behind Tween Influencers with Jennifer Valentino-DeVries

    What happens when algorithms shape how young girls see themselves and who’s watching? In today’s episode, Marcus Arredondo sits down with Jennifer Valentino-DeVries to share the story behind her powerful investigation into the world of child influencers. They explore the hidden economies of social media, the role of data in uncovering systemic issues, and why transparency in tech matters more than ever. With warmth and clarity, Jennifer also reflects on her path into journalism, the writing process, and what keeps her pursuing the truth. Jennifer Valentino-DeVries is an investigative reporter at The New York Times, where she uses novel datasets to uncover and explain complex issues, often focusing on the wide-reaching effects of technology on society. In 2022, she was part of the team awarded the Pulitzer Prize in National Reporting for exposing systemic failures in American policing that led to preventable deaths. Before joining The Times, she spent over a decade at The Wall Street Journal as an interactive producer, reporter, and member of the investigative team. Learn more about Jennifer Valentino-DeVries: Website: https://www.nytimes.com/by/jennifer-valentino-devries X: https://x.com/jenvalentino LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifervalentinodevries/ Episode highlights: (5:30) Tech, behavior, and addiction feedback loops (6:57) Should social media be regulated? (10:03) Lawsuits and liability in big tech (13:21) Why Congress struggles with tech policy (16:20) Advice for parents navigating tech (18:58) Jennifer’s path into journalism (28:47) Interviewing people with complexity (35:33) Using data in investigative reporting (42:29) Collaborative work (47:27) The collapse of local journalism (51:15) Winning a Pulitzer and what it means (56:51) Her writing process and creative rhythm (58:08) Outro Connect with Marcus Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-arredondo/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/cus Scales of Success Website: scalesofsuccesspodcast.com X (Twitter): https://x.com/scalesofsuccess Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalesofsuccesspod/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scalesofsuccess Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalesofSuccess —-- Leave a Review If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we’d love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scales-of-success-podcast/id1773864140 Get in Touch You can also Tweet @cus with any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you’ve learnt from the episodes and we can thank you personally for tuning in.

    59 min
  6. JUN 18

    #35 - The Spiral, the Comeback, and the Truth About Wealth with Mark Kenney

    In this raw and revealing episode of Scales of Success, Marcus connects with Mark Kenney, who opens up about scaling fast, losing big, and the emotional toll that nearly broke him. He shares unfiltered insights on battling depression, rebuilding identity, and finding peace through faith, family, and fitness. From navigating failed deals to redefining success, Mark offers hard-won wisdom for anyone walking through a storm. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or simply human, this episode is a powerful reminder that your worth isn't defined by your wins  and that healing often begins with the simplest things. Mark Kenney is a numbers-driven real estate investor with a heart for people and a mission to help others build lasting wealth. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Think Multifamily, he has syndicated over 120 multifamily transactions spanning 18,000+ units and more than $1 billion in value. Mark works with both accredited and non-accredited investors, offering ethical, well-vetted opportunities rooted in deep experience, data, and diligence. Get in touch with Mark Kenney: Website: https://thinkmultifamily.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kenney-566065142/ Episode highlights: (1:48) Seeing life differently after loss (4:17) Redefining what really matters (8:04) Family, faith, and the turning point (12:10) Facing depression  (15:39) Getting unstuck: Steps that helped (20:44) Lessons from failing 20 deals (26:11) Protecting yourself in partnerships (34:31) Fatherhood, guilt, and redemption (39:50) Rethinking wealth and peace of mind (43:09) How to scale? (46:57) Fitness, food, and mental resilience (53:34) Simple habits that save your sanity (54:22) Outro Connect with Marcus Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-arredondo/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/cus Scales of Success Website: scalesofsuccesspodcast.com X (Twitter): https://x.com/scalesofsuccess Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalesofsuccesspod/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scalesofsuccess Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalesofSuccess —-- Leave a Review If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we’d love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scales-of-success-podcast/id1773864140 Get in Touch You can also Tweet @cus with any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you’ve learnt from the episodes and we can thank you personally for tuning in.

    55 min
  7. JUN 11

    #34 - Mothers, Memory, and the Myths We Carry with Nicole Graev Lipson

    What stories are we told, and which ones do we choose to tell? In this powerful conversation, Marcus Arredondo chats with Nicole Graev Lipson to explore the evolving shape of womanhood, identity, and the courage to speak truth. From parenting a gender non-conforming child to reclaiming creativity after motherhood, Nicole shares what it means to live honestly in a world that often prefers silence. Whether you're a parent, a writer, or someone rethinking your place in the world, this episode will meet you where you are. Nicole Graev Lipson is the author of the memoir in essays, Mothers and Other Fictional Characters, a USA Today national bestseller. Her writing has appeared in The Sun, Virginia Quarterly Review, LA Review of Books, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and Marie Claire, among other venues. Her work has been awarded a Pushcart Prize, shortlisted for a National Magazine Award, and selected for The Best American Essays anthology. Originally from New York City, she lives outside of Boston with her husband and children. Explore Nicole’s Work & Book: Website: https://nicolegraevlipson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nglipson/?hl=en Episode highlights: (3:46) Teaching gender through Shakespeare (7:31) How identity evolves with time (14:58) Parenting without projecting (18:42) Labels, identity, and social comfort (22:39) Misconceptions around gender resistance (26:08) How motherhood reshaped her creativity (31:00) Writing with urgency and purpose (43:50) Why telling the truth is activism (59:07) Writing truthfully with kindness (53:48) The freedom that comes with honesty (56:52) Where feminism goes from here (1:01:55) Outro Connect with Marcus Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-arredondo/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/cus Scales of Success Website: scalesofsuccesspodcast.com X (Twitter): https://x.com/scalesofsuccess Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalesofsuccesspod/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scalesofsuccess Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalesofSuccess —-- Leave a Review If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we’d love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scales-of-success-podcast/id1773864140 Get in Touch You can also Tweet @cus with any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you’ve learnt from the episodes and we can thank you personally for tuning in.

    1h 3m
  8. JUN 4

    #33 - From PTSD to Purpose Through Psychedelics with Jesse Gould

    What if the very thing you feared could be the path to healing? In this powerful conversation, Marcus Arredondo sits down with Army Ranger-turned-psychedelic advocate Jesse Gould, who shares his raw and personal journey from Wall Street and war zones to rock bottom, and eventually to profound healing through ayahuasca. Together, they explore how psychedelics are changing the mental health landscape for veterans with PTSD and why the stigma needs to be reexamined. This is not a quick-fix solution, but a movement grounded in research, compassion, and real transformation. Jesse Gould is an Army Ranger veteran, ultra runner, and founder of Heroic Hearts Project. He’s led groundbreaking efforts connecting veterans to psychedelic therapy, partnering with top research institutions and global healing centers. Featured in outlets like 60 Minutes and Forbes, Jesse is a leading voice in reshaping how we treat trauma. 🔗 Episode references: 🌎 U.S. Vets with PTSD Take Psychedelic Journey - https://cbsn.ws/4kjOPiw 📺 60 Minutes: A Psychedelic Journey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zpe_G8_k1s Learn more about Jesse Gould: Website: https://heroicheartsproject.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicheartsproject/# Episode highlights: (3:04) Why psychedelics are misunderstood (9:41) Mental health crisis and stigma (11:17) Jesse’s PTSD and VA challenges (17:12) The warning signs of rock bottom (24:48) A breaking point in corporate life (27:19) Taking the leap to try ayahuasca (30:13) Healing, breakthroughs, and lasting change (38:17) Psychedelics as a reset button (44:11) Heroic Hearts Project and family healing (48:56) Bipartisan support and U.S. policy (52:41) The VA, funding, and future hope (57:21) Outro Connect with Marcus Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-arredondo/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/cus Scales of Success Website: scalesofsuccesspodcast.com X (Twitter): https://x.com/scalesofsuccess Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalesofsuccesspod/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scalesofsuccess Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalesofSuccess —-- Leave a Review If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we’d love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scales-of-success-podcast/id1773864140 Get in Touch You can also Tweet @cus with any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you’ve learnt from the episodes and we can thank you personally for tuning in.

    58 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

If you've ever encountered anxiety, imposter syndrome, or burnout, you're not alone. Two years ago, becoming a dad flipped my world upside down.No matter how much I prepared, nothing could brace me for the chaos that followed, both at home and in my career. But in the struggle, I found a new obsession, leveraging every minute, every ounce of energy to achieve more with less. Who better to gain perspective and insight from than those who are doing it themselves? In the episodes to follow, I'll share conversations I've had with entrepreneurs, artists, founders, and other action takers who emerged from the battlefield with scars produced from lessons learned.These strivers share with specificity the hurdles they've overcome, the systems they've used to protect their confidence, reinforce their resilience, and scale their achievements. You'll hear real life examples, including the challenges of building a team from five people to 800, the insights gleaned from over 40,000 coaching calls with Fortune 500 executives and professional athletes, how to transform public perception through leveraging existing client loyalty among countless others. In these episodes, you'll hear concrete examples and leave with concise takeaways to improve your systems with outsized results.Scales of success is all signal without the noise. I offer these conversations to serve as one of the levers in scaling your own success. If any of this speaks to you, you're joining the right tribe.If you're interested in following this journey, sign up to receive our newsletter at scalesofsuccesspodcast.com. Also, if you have ideas, suggestions, or constructive feedback from the episodes, please share them with me. This show will practice what it learns. Let's build something meaningful starting now.