Inside the Speakeasy Podcast - Your Key to Hidden Strategies & Success Stories from Top Entrepreneurs

Speakeasy Mastermind
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Welcome to Inside the Speakeasy—the entrepreneur podcast that hands you the keys to rooms most never get access to. Hosted by Eric Berman, this show is for founders, startup builders, marketers, and empire-minded creators who are done with surface-level noise and ready to unlock the hidden strategies, pivotal success stories, and raw truths behind elite business growth. This is your key to the real game—the unfiltered conversations happening behind closed doors, at mastermind retreats, in late-night deal rooms, and during the “what the hell do I do now?” breakdowns that never make it to LinkedIn. You’ll hear from the scrappiest, boldest, most unreasonably driven entrepreneurs in the U.S.—the ones who are scaling to 7–8 figures, failing forward, innovating under pressure, and rewriting the rules of success while no one’s watching.No recycled advice. No fake “10X hacks.” Just what’s actually working right now—from people actually doing it. Because let’s be honest: You’re doing well. You’re sharp. But deep down… you know you’re still playing small. So stop chasing comfort. You’re not here for safe. You’re here to evolve. This is Inside the Speakeasy. And once you’re in… You don’t go back.

  1. LinkedIn Leverage: From Invisible to Irresistible in 30 Minutes a Day

    4D AGO

    LinkedIn Leverage: From Invisible to Irresistible in 30 Minutes a Day

    Most entrepreneurs treat LinkedIn like a digital business card they never update. Meanwhile, there's a 70% chance your LinkedIn profile shows up on the first page when someone Googles your name. The disconnect between what people find and what you actually do could be costing you serious business. Rhonda Sher, a LinkedIn strategist, speaker, and creator of The Sher Method™️, has cracked the code on turning LinkedIn connections into calendar appointments without the sleazy sales tactics. Her method generates 10-12 qualified meetings per week for her clients, and she's about to reveal the exact system that makes it work. Plus, she's unveiling a cutting-edge project that reads facial features to predict how prospects process information, giving you an unfair advantage before you even speak. And because conversations like this are about building smarter systems, and not just better profiles, Inside the Speakeasy Podcast is powered by Go High Level, the AI-driven business operating system trusted by over 2 million businesses to automate, scale, and create real leverage. If you're ready to streamline everything, amplify your reach, and build a business that truly works for you, visit https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo to claim your exclusive 30-day trial as a listener. Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction [00:01:36] LinkedIn strategy for business growth. [00:03:12] The importance of LinkedIn profiles. [00:06:31] Powerful LinkedIn headlines matter. [00:09:43] LinkedIn profile optimization strategies. [00:12:59] Law of reciprocity in networking. [00:17:32] Connection request strategies. [00:21:00] LinkedIn profile engagement strategies. [00:22:54] Video outreach on LinkedIn. [00:27:46] Referral partnerships and community growth. [00:29:22] AI tools for LinkedIn success. [00:33:21] Know Your Prospect program. [00:37:09] Facial features and personality traits. [00:42:06] Dating app development. Memorable Quotes: "You want to be able to let people know who's the client, what's the result that you get, in a way that it's not confusing, because confused buying never makes a decision." [00:06:53] – Rhonda Sher "People who pay, pay attention." [00:28:16] – Rhonda Sher Links Mentioned: Go High Level: https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo Connect with Rhonda Sher: Website: https://www.theshermethod.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhonda.sher/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondalsher Connect with Eric Berman: Website: https://www.speakeasymastermind.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakeasymastermind/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakeasymastermind/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericberman/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: https://www.evolvedpodcasting.com Support the show

    43 min
  2. Learn The System That's Making Entrepreneurs Rich Without the Burnout

    FEB 17

    Learn The System That's Making Entrepreneurs Rich Without the Burnout

    Joy Houston was helping million-dollar wellness brands scale when she hit a wall that changed everything. The endless grind of trading time for money wasn't just burning out her clients, but it was also making them hypocrites to their own health advice.  In this conversation, Joy reveals the counterintuitive strategy that's helping practitioners escape the one-on-one trap without building massive teams. She breaks down why the algorithms are working against your free content, the three low-ticket offers that actually convert, and the lab test funnel that's generating cash-pay clients on autopilot. Plus, the "Thrive Week" system that keeps her passionate about her business while taking two weeks off every month. Many founders who are serious about scaling their businesses use Go High Level, an AI-driven business operating system trusted by over 2 million businesses to automate, scale, and create real leverage. If you’re ready to streamline your business, amplify your reach, and build a business that works for you, visit https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo for an exclusive 30-day trial as a listener of the Inside the Speakeasy podcast. Key Timestamps [00:00:00] Introduction [00:03:25] An overview of Heal at Scale [00:12:30] Pricing & imposter syndrome [00:14:53] Joy’s burnout story [00:20:06] The great leap from 1:1 to 1:Many [00:22:56] Replicate systems for delegation [00:26:28] Creating playbooks  [00:31:50] Audience & algorithm issues [00:34:11] From free to low-ticket [00:36:11] Fast buyers & binge content [00:37:52] DM funnels & chat sales [00:41:35] Paid entry offers [00:44:24] 3 low-ticket transitions [00:49:19] Book-to-buyer blueprint [00:51:32] “Thrive” Week Memorable Quotes: "I want you to take on your next client. I want you to, in your own mind, and if you have a team, have your team do it too. This person is not one person. This person is 250 people in my group program." [00:20:53] – Joy Houston "If we spend money trying to attract audiences who will opt in for free stuff, then what you are doing is growing an audience of downloaders of freebie seekers, and not necessarily downloading an audience of people who are buyers." [00:34:15] – Joy Houston Links Mentioned: Go High Level: https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo Connect with Joy Houston: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realjoyhouston/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyhouston/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyhouston/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healatscale Connect with Eric Berman: Website: https://speakeasymastermind.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakeasymastermind/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakeasymastermind/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericberman/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: https://www.evolvedpodcasting.com Support the show

    57 min
  3. Stop Guessing What Customers in Amazon Want: The Data-Driven Approach That Generated $2 Billion

    FEB 3

    Stop Guessing What Customers in Amazon Want: The Data-Driven Approach That Generated $2 Billion

    What if everything you think you know about selling on Amazon is wrong? Izabella Hamilton arrived in America at 20 with $100 and no English. Today, her agency RankBell has generated nearly $2 billion in organic Amazon sales without paid ads. The secret isn't what most brands think. While everyone else throws money at sponsored ads and copies competitors, Izabella built something different: a network of thousands of real shoppers who reveal exactly what customers actually want. Her approach flips the script on traditional e-commerce, focusing on human psychology over algorithms. But this conversation goes deeper than business tactics. Izabella shares how she rebuilt her relationship with wealth, shed the identity layers that hold us back, and why the most magnetic people are those who show up authentically as themselves. This episode of Inside the Speakeasy Podcast is brought to you by Go High Level, the AI-driven business operating system trusted by over 2 million businesses to automate, scale, and create real leverage. Grab your exclusive 30-day listener trial at https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo. Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:02:51] The journey behind RankBell [00:07:05] Understanding how Amazon shoppers think [00:12:25] The power of real customer feedback [00:20:58] Expanding strategies beyond Amazon [00:25:22] Rebuilding your relationship with money  [00:28:22] Learning and adapting in a new country [00:30:52] Breaking barriers and expanding mindset [00:35:05] Self-discipline, identity, and confidence Memorable Quotes: "We are so brainwashed by the culture that we live in right now where everything is about ads. Everything is about how do we do more and is barely ever about, can we step back and actually understand what humans actually want?" [00:03:13] – Izabella Hamilton "Customers, they just want to be aligned with your vision and they want to feel seen and they want to feel listened to, just like you and I do." [00:22:56] – Izabella Hamilton Links Mentioned: Go High Level: https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo Connect with Izabella Hamilton: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bela.iza.bela Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IzabellaLoveee/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/izabela-hamilton Twitter/X: https://x.com/Izabelaluv YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IzabelaHamilton Connect with Eric Berman: Website: https://speakeasymastermind.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakeasymastermind/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakeasymastermind/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericberman/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting:https://www.evolvedpodcasting.com Support the show

    44 min
  4. How Founders Can Smartly Shift from Managing Chaos to Leading with Clarity

    JAN 27

    How Founders Can Smartly Shift from Managing Chaos to Leading with Clarity

    Building a business usually starts with excitement and momentum, then suddenly you’re the one holding everything together and reacting to fires all day. That tension between vision and overload is exactly where this conversation begins. We talk honestly about the entrepreneurial journey, leadership growth, and what happens when personal development becomes non-negotiable for scaling a company. Alex Snider joins us from Playa del Carmen, Mexico, bringing nearly 20 years of experience as an ex-consultant, startup operator, and growth architect who’s built high-performance teams across four continents and led a successful pandemic pivot and exit. She shares what it really takes to move out of manager mode and into true leadership, especially when delegation feels uncomfortable. You’ll hear practical insights on breaking big goals into clear actions, creating team ownership, and building systems that don’t rely on your constant involvement. Alex also opens up about redefining success, trusting your team, and designing a business that supports your energy instead of draining it. If you’re feeling stuck in the day-to-day or wondering how to scale without burning out, this episode will hit close to home. Inside the Speakeasy is brought to you by Go High Level, the AI-driven business operating system trusted by over 2 million businesses—visit https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo to grab an exclusive 30-day trial just for listeners. Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:02:55] Cross-border professional experiences. [00:07:09] Growing an organization and the spiral of life.  [00:09:19] Transition from manager to leader. [00:13:35] Breaking things down to the smallest unit.  [00:15:09] Building a sales team. [00:19:22] Priority rollover and team motivation. [00:23:53] Fear of loss in entrepreneurship. [00:24:27] Fear of letting go of control. [00:27:02] A universal truth about people and performance. [00:34:28] Delegation versus abdication. [00:37:06] Wealthy leadership and success. Memorable Quotes: "If they feel seen and heard, that is worth its weight in gold." [00:27:58] – Alex Snider "Abdication is not delegation. Just giving someone a task and or a responsibility or whatever and then setting them free isn't delegation." [00:34:42] – Alex Snider Links Mentioned: Go High Level: https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo Connect with Alex Snider: Website: https://leaderswhobuild.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leaderswhobuild/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/snideralex/ Connect with Eric Berman: Website: https://speakeasymastermind.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakeasymastermind/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakeasymastermind/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericberman/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: https://www.evolvedpodcasting.com Support the show

    44 min
  5. How Certification, Licensing, & Recurring Revenue Can Transform Your Business

    JAN 20

    How Certification, Licensing, & Recurring Revenue Can Transform Your Business

    Most founders are chasing new revenue while overlooking the value baked into what they already know how to do. This conversation starts with a simple question: what if your experience, systems, or process could generate recurring income without another exhausting launch? That’s where certification, licensing, and smart SaaS thinking come into play. We sit down with Mitch Russo to discuss how real businesses turn expertise into scalable revenue streams that actually last. Mitch breaks down why most certification programs fail, how culture quietly determines success, and how licensing opportunities often hide right under your nose. The stories are practical, honest, and pulled straight from decades of building, breaking, and rebuilding businesses. Mitch Russo started a software company in his garage, sold it for eight figures, then went on to help build a $25M+ company alongside Tony Robbins and Chet Holmes. He’s a two-time Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year nominee, author of Power Tribes, and creator of ClientFol.io, software designed to help coaches drive accountability and real results. If you’ve been looking for smarter ways to grow without burning yourself out, this episode will shift how you see your business. This episode of Inside the Speakeasy Podcast is brought to you by Go High Level, the AI-powered business operating system trusted by over 2 million businesses to automate, scale, and create real leverage. Visit https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo to unlock an exclusive 30-day trial. Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:02:00] The $10 million dollar company sale [00:05:07] Getting into business with Tony Robbins & Chet Holmes  [00:09:45] Getting started in the certifications business [00:11:00] Where most certifications go wrong [00:13:00] Turning certification into recurring revenue [00:15:00] Who should build a certification [00:19:00] Licensing ideas hiding in plain sight [00:26:00] Why ClickCoach.io was built [00:28:00] Accountability, results, and retention Memorable Quotes: "What I wanted to do is create recurring revenue, multiple streams of recurring revenue from my certification program." [00:12:43] – Mitch Russo "What certification does is it evens out that cash flow." [00:17:50] – Mitch Russo Links Mentioned: Go High Level: https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo Connect with Mitch Russo: Website: https://mitchRusso.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialmitchrusso Facebook: https://facebook.com/mitchrusso Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mitchrusso LinkedIn: https://linkedIn.com/in/mitchrusso Connect with Eric Berman: Website: https://speakeasymastermind.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakeasymastermind/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakeasymastermind/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericberman/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: https:// www.evolvedpodcasting.com Support the show

    32 min
  6. How Podcasting Becomes a Powerful Lead Generation Tool (Even If You’re Just Starting Out)

    JAN 13

    How Podcasting Becomes a Powerful Lead Generation Tool (Even If You’re Just Starting Out)

    Podcasting has quietly become one of the most underrated ways to generate real leads, whether you’re brand new or already deep into building a business. This conversation gets honest about how a podcast can turn everyday conversations into genuine connections, and eventually, real opportunities. It’s about showing up with intention, building trust, and using your voice in a way that actually supports growth instead of adding more to your plate. Armando Leduc, a New Orleans–based Entrepreneur and Media Personality, shares how he built Leduc Entertainment, a personal branding and PR firm, along with Spaghetti on the Wall, a podcast ranked in the top 5% globally. He opens up about imposter syndrome, why getting “stage time” matters more than being perfect, and how podcasting creates relationships faster than most marketing tactics ever could.  You’ll leave with practical ideas for using a podcast to generate leads, build meaningful partnerships, and stand out without chasing downloads or vanity metrics. Armando also shares behind-the-scenes insights on creating engaging content and positioning yourself as a trusted voice in your space. Inside the Speakeasy is brought to you by Go High Level, the AI-powered business operating system trusted by over 2 million businesses. Visit https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo to grab your exclusive 30-day trial. Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:02:25] Imposter syndrome in podcasting. [00:07:55] Overcoming fear of failure. [00:11:32] The importance of the journey. [00:14:06] Podcasting for connections and opportunities. [0:15:57] Why should you start a podcast? [00:21:19] Building referral partnerships through podcasting. [00:27:01] Expanding podcast interview strategies. [00:29:50] Podcast interview framework for success. [00:35:06] Podcasting at conferences. [00:39:04] Community and collaboration in business. Memorable Quotes: "The point of the podcast is to connect with the people that you want to connect with." [00:16:40] – Armando Leduc "We're just so focused on ads and bringing in new business and bringing new business that we forget about actually creating relationships with people on a human level." [00:23:35] – Armando Leduc Links Mentioned: Go High Level: http://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo Connect with Armando Leduc: Website: https://www.leducentertainment.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armandoleduc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leducentertainment/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/Armandoleduc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/armando-leduc-16ba4940/ Connect with Eric Berman: Website: https://speakeasymastermind.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakeasymastermind/ Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/speakeasymastermind/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericberman/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com Support the show

    41 min
  7. Sam Wakefield on How Confidence in One’s Identity Drives Real Sales Conversions

    JAN 6

    Sam Wakefield on How Confidence in One’s Identity Drives Real Sales Conversions

    Selling gets a lot simpler when people feel like they’re choosing you, and not being sold to. In this conversation, we talk about how identity and authenticity quietly do the heavy lifting in sales, building trust before price ever comes up. It’s a real look at how you can close more deals without pressure, scripts, or that “salesy” feeling. Sam Wakefield, Sales Expert, International Bestselling Author, Speaker, and Host of the Close It Now Podcast, brings nearly two decades of hands-on experience from the home services world. He shares how he went from working in the field to growing businesses without spending money on traditional marketing, leaning instead on podcasting, community presence, and smart guerrilla marketing. The heart of his approach is simple: become someone worth buying from and let that do the work. We also get into Sam’s Wheel of Success, practical ways to get noticed locally without blowing your budget, and how he grew his podcast into the top 1.5% globally with consistency and clarity. If you want more natural sales conversations, stronger confidence, and better connections with customers, this episode delivers. Inside the Speakeasy Podcast is brought to you by Go High Level, the AI-powered business operating system trusted by over 2 million businesses to automate, scale, and create real leverage. Grab an exclusive 30-day trial at https://gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo. Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:02:32] Journey towards becoming a sales expert. [00:09:00] Are you worth buying from?  [00:12:39] The Wheel of Success. [00:21:11] Self-audit for personal improvement. [00:23:12] Lead generation strategy.  [00:25:30] Podcasting tips for beginners.  [00:30:54] Free guerrilla marketing guide.  [00:35:25] Personal growth drives business success. [00:36:39] Arch nemesis: best version of yourself. Memorable Quotes: "Work to become someone worth buying from." [00:09:01] – Sam Wakefield "Work harder on yourself than you do on your business. Your business will never grow beyond the level of your own growth." [00:35:31] – Sam Wakefield Links Mentioned: Go High Level: https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo Get your free copy of The DOOR2DOOR INSTITUTE Guerrilla Growth Playbook: https://door2doorinstitute.com/ Connect with Sam Wakefield: Website: https://closeitnow.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealcloseitnow/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuel.l.wakefield LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/closeitnow/ Connect with Eric Berman: Website: https://speakeasymastermind.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakeasymastermind/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakeasymastermind/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericberman/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: https://www.evolvedpodcasting.com Support the show

    40 min
  8. Why Hustle Culture Is Breaking Your Body & How Time-Bending Restores Focus & Energy

    12/30/2025

    Why Hustle Culture Is Breaking Your Body & How Time-Bending Restores Focus & Energy

    What if time feels rushed, not because you’re doing too much, but because your body is stuck in overdrive? This episode opens with a real conversation about time-bending, how high-achieving founders and leaders can actually slow their internal pace and still create more impact. We talk honestly about what grinding costs us when success keeps coming, but energy, health, and relationships quietly slip.  You’ll hear how regulating your nervous system and biology can change the way you work, think, and lead. Dr. Traci Potterf, PhD, Founder of Inner Genius Health, Anxiety and Mystery Illness Detective, breaks down why hustle culture keeps smart people stuck. She shares her Time-Bending Secret and how working with your biology instead of against it creates focus, clarity, and momentum. This episode is especially relevant if you’ve ever felt like your ambition and your health are pulling you in opposite directions. Inside the Speakeasy Podcast is brought to you by Go High Level, the AI-driven business operating system trusted by over 2 million businesses to automate, scale, and build real leverage. Visit gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo for an exclusive 30-day trial just for listeners. Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:02:15] Dr. Traci Potterf’s shares her background and journey.  [00:08:43] Pharmaceutical industry manipulation. [00:10:28] Cuban healthcare system insights. [00:12:28] Modern world vs. traditional health. [00:15:36] Indigenous people's health struggles. [00:19:18] Immune system modulation and healing. [00:22:58] Upgrading your brain states.  [00:25:19] Healthy hedonism concept. [00:31:20] Time-bending and nervous system. [00:34:17] Time optimization and creativity. [00:38:24] Building systems for your health. [00:40:56] Magic brain trick meditation. [00:45:17] Body's superpowers and self-awareness. [00:47:16] Food as molecular data. [00:50:38] Connection culture vs. hustle culture. Memorable Quotes: "We have immense potential as humans that we are barely tapping the surface of what we're capable of." [00:17:04] – Dr. Traci Potterf "There's an intrinsic pleasure to giving your body what it needs. It feels like being at home in your soul." [00:25:48] – Dr. Traci Potterf Links Mentioned: Go High Level: https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo Connect with Dr. Traci Potterf: Website: https://innergeniushealth.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtracipotterfphd Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/innergeniushealth/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traci-potterf-phd/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/InnerGeniusHealth  Connect with Eric Berman: Website: https://speakeasymastermind.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakeasymastermind/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakeasymastermind/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericberman/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: https://www.evolvedpodcasting Support the show

    53 min
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About

Welcome to Inside the Speakeasy—the entrepreneur podcast that hands you the keys to rooms most never get access to. Hosted by Eric Berman, this show is for founders, startup builders, marketers, and empire-minded creators who are done with surface-level noise and ready to unlock the hidden strategies, pivotal success stories, and raw truths behind elite business growth. This is your key to the real game—the unfiltered conversations happening behind closed doors, at mastermind retreats, in late-night deal rooms, and during the “what the hell do I do now?” breakdowns that never make it to LinkedIn. You’ll hear from the scrappiest, boldest, most unreasonably driven entrepreneurs in the U.S.—the ones who are scaling to 7–8 figures, failing forward, innovating under pressure, and rewriting the rules of success while no one’s watching.No recycled advice. No fake “10X hacks.” Just what’s actually working right now—from people actually doing it. Because let’s be honest: You’re doing well. You’re sharp. But deep down… you know you’re still playing small. So stop chasing comfort. You’re not here for safe. You’re here to evolve. This is Inside the Speakeasy. And once you’re in… You don’t go back.

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