FailCraft

Ezekiel Iferia
  • 5.0 (17)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED DAILY

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. 14H 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

  2. 3D AGO

    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

  3. 4D AGO

    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

  4. 5D AGO

    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

  5. 6D AGO

    The Prison of Burnout: Why Women Over 40 Collapse - Dr. Elizabeth Sherrell-Davis

    Dr. Elizabeth Sherrell-Davis (Dr. E) knows two types of prisons very well. She spent years teaching incarcerated men inside a California State Prison, helping them find second chances. But she also lived in a prison of her own making: the prison of high-functioning burnout. In this episode, Dr. E shares her harrowing journey of working 18-hour days like a "robot"—balancing a corporate career, a presidency, and prison teaching—until her health completely collapsed. She explains why high-achieving women, particularly those over 40, often drift into a state of confinement defined by schedules, obligations, and lost identity. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of breaking free from the expectations that hold us hostage. Dr. E contrasts the resilience she witnessed behind bars with the silent struggle of women drowning in responsibility. Discover why the decade of your 40s is often the breaking point, practical steps to "outsource" your life to regain freedom, and why boundaries are the only key to the cell. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * The Two Prisons: Comparing incarceration with the trap of corporate burnout. * Lessons from Behind Bars: What Dr. E learned about resilience from incarcerated men. * The "Robot" Phase: Dr. E's personal story of waking up at 4 AM for 5 years until she crashed. * The 40s Crisis: Why this specific decade breaks so many women. * Breaking the Cycle: How to move from "doing it all" to outsourcing and asking for help. * Practical Tools: Journaling and community trade-offs to reclaim your time. * Dr. E's definition of true success: witnessing the "Aha!" moment. This episode is for high-achieving women feeling trapped by their own success, anyone approaching burnout, or listeners interested in the transformative power of second chances. Connect With Dr. E: * Website: [https://signatureofexcellencelifecoach.com/](https://signatureofexcellencelifecoach.com/) * Email: signatureofexcellencelifecoach@gmail.com **Support the Show:** * Fuel the FailCraft Mission: [https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme](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](https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft) Chapters: 00:00 Hook: "I Was a Robot" 01:18 Introduction: Dr. E's Tale of Two Prisons 02:09 Is Burnout a Form of Incarceration? 05:05 Lessons on Resilience from Prison Inmates 08:27 Why Women Over 40 Hit a Wall 10:40 Dr. E's Rock Bottom: The Health Collapse 13:30 The Turnaround: Therapy & Coaching 15:17 Practical Steps: Journaling & Outsourcing 17:32 Dr. E's Definition of True Success 19:19 How to Connect with Dr. E

    20 min

  6. FEB 15

    Fired at 42 to Unemployed Stock Genius - Steve Farrington

    What happens when a tenured finance professor gets fired at age 42, trades the classroom for a newsletter, and starts calling himself an "Unemployed Value Degen"? Steve Farrington, a former financial advisor turned small-cap analyst, shares his wild journey from the safety of academia to the high-risk trenches of value investing. He opens up about the shock of being fired after a lifetime of stability and how he turned a resume gap into a newsletter read by 100,000 people. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of risk and autonomy. Steve explains his contrarian investment philosophy, why he bets on "boring" industries like steam boilers and workforce housing during the AI boom, and the psychology required to buy when everyone else is selling. Discover the "Dividend Ping" hack to rewire your brain for wealth and why Steve believes true success is reaching a point where you "can't be fired." In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * Steve's "Rock Bottom": Being fired at 42 after a perfect career run. * The "Unemployed Value Degen": Embracing a title others fear. * Contrarian Investing: Why Steve bet on oil when everyone hyped EVs. * How to handle the psychology of a stock price dropping 50%. * The "AI Loophole": Investing in workforce housing instead of chips. * Gambling vs. Investing: The difference between a degenerate and a researcher. * **The "Dividend Ping" Strategy:** A practical hack to cure financial anxiety. * Steve's definition of true success: "I can't be fired twice". This episode is for anyone interested in stock market psychology, looking to pivot from a corporate job to self-employment, or wanting to learn how to find value where others see trash. Connect With Steve Farrington: * Newsletter: https://unemployedvaluedegen.substack.com/ * Twitter/X: https://x.com/SFarringtonBKC 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 "Dividend Ping" Hack 01:17 Introduction: The "Unemployed Value Degen" 01:46 The Shock of Being Fired at 42 04:59 Ego Death & Contrarian Thinking (The Oil Bet) 08:08 Handling the Psychology of Market Red Days 12:27 The "AI Loophole": Workforce Housing 15:03 Investing vs. Gambling 18:35 Practical Advice: Rewire Your Brain with Dividends 22:28 Steve's Definition of Success: "Can't Be Fired" 24:07 How to Connect with Steve

    25 min

  7. FEB 5

    The "Defer, Defer, Defer" Trap: Why Your 401k is a Time Bomb - Lance Mays

    We’ve been told for decades to "defer" our taxes and put money into 401ks and IRAs. But what if that advice is actually setting you up for a financial crisis in retirement? Lance Mays, financial strategist and author of Zero is Your Hero, joins the show to expose "The Reckoning"—the moment retirees realize the government is coming for a massive chunk of their savings. He explains why the mantra of "you'll be in a lower tax bracket when you retire" is often a myth and why following the herd could cost you your financial freedom. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of challenging broken systems. Lance breaks down the "Three Lost Deductions" that blindside retirees (Mortgage, Kids, Charity) and shares his strategy for achieving a retirement with Zero Taxes, Zero Risk, and Zero Losses. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * The Reckoning: Why deferring taxes is a ticking time bomb for your nest egg. * Why 90% of financial advisors might be giving you bad advice. * The "Three Lost Deductions" in retirement: Home Interest, Children, and Charity. * How to take control back from the "Government Plan" regarding your money. * The critical importance of planning for long-term healthcare costs. * Why "Education" is the first step to stopping the financial bleeding. * Lance's definition of true success: Peace of mind regarding future bills. This episode is for anyone worried about outliving their savings, looking to minimize taxes legally, or questioning if traditional retirement advice is actually working. Connect With Lance Mays: * Book: Zero is Your Hero (Amazon, Barnes & Noble) * Website: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/zero-is-your-hero-lance-a-mays/1148602309 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 "Defer, Defer" Trap 01:05 Introduction: Lance Mays & The Reckoning 02:33 What is "The Reckoning"? 04:00 The 401k & IRA Tax Reality 06:05 The 3 Lost Deductions: Mortgage, Kids, Charity 08:00 Why Taxes Might Go Up, Not Down 11:07 Taking Control Back from the Government 13:20 The Threat of Healthcare Costs 14:35 The First Step: Education & "Knowing the Time" 16:37 Lance's Definition of True Success 18:39 How to Get the Book

    21 min

  8. FEB 4

    Hit by a Car at 55mph: The Champion's Mindset - JC Chamberlain

    How does a man survive being hit broadside by a car traveling at 55 mph while riding his bicycle, then defy surgeons who told him he'd never ride again? JC Chamberlain, a national cycling champion and serial entrepreneur, shares his harrowing story of survival and recovery. He reveals how a skill he learned at age six—reframing obstacles into opportunities—saved his life when he woke up in trauma care. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of building resilience before the crisis hits. JC explains his concept of "Emotional Wealth" bank accounts and how he drew upon them during his darkest days. Discover why his mother told him "Nothing is going to be okay" to prepare him for life, how he handled the loss of his "Champion Persona", and the practical steps to rebuild your life when everything is shattered. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * JC's "Rock Bottom": The 55mph crash that nearly ended his life. * The "Reframing" Skill: Learned at age 6 when diagnosed with rheumatic fever. * Why surgeons walked out of the room when he promised to ride again. * The concept of "Emotional Wealth" bank accounts (and how to deposit daily). * The devastating moment his brother told him his "Champion Persona" might be gone forever. * How to use "Big Dreams" and "Small Work" to recover from total loss. * Why JC believes you must come to life "Over-Prepared." * His definition of true success: Happiness in the process. This episode is for anyone recovering from a physical trauma, entrepreneurs facing a business collapse, or listeners who want to build a reserve of resilience for the future. Connect With JC Chamberlain: * Book: Antidote (Amazon) * Website: https://antidotethebook.com/ 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: "You'll Never Ride Again" 01:13 Introduction: JC Chamberlain's Story 01:53 The Crash & The History of Reframing Obstacles 04:24 The Emotional Wealth Bank Account Concept 07:05 Losing the "Champion Persona" 08:37 Leading in Business After Near-Death 10:26 Creating Community in Vulnerability 12:08 Advice for the Broken: Dream Big, Work Small 14:03 JC's Definition of True Success 15:32 How to Connect & Get the Book

    17 min
See All (53)

Trailer

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

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
    53
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ezekiel Iferia
  • Show Website
    FailCraft