The Long Burn

Jonathan Wade & Joel Malin
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship

The Long Burn is a strategy-driven podcast for real estate investors, entrepreneurs, and high performers who want to achieve Financial Independence without burning out their health, relationships, or purpose along the way. Hosted by two entrepreneurs within the medical and wellness space, the show sits at the intersection of money, health, performance, and intentional living—breaking down how to build wealth, design leverage, stabilize mental and physical health, and ultimately live life on your own terms. Each episode delivers practical frameworks, candid conversations, and real-world playbooks around investing, healthcare optimization, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. The mission is simple: eliminate blind spots that quietly derail FIRE journeys and give listeners the tools to build sustainable wealth, resilient health, and long-term freedom.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 28 - January Starts Today!

    Send us Fan Mail Podcast Episode Summary: The Long Burn PodcastEpisode Title: January Starts Today Hosts: Dr. Jonathan Wade & Joel Malin, LPC / LMHC  Topic: Pre-Planning for 2027: Shifting from Delayed Resolutions to a Preseason Mindset  Executive Overview In this episode, Dr. Jonathan Wade and Joel Malin tackle the tendency to postpone personal, health, and business goals until January 1st. With approximately 49 days remaining in 2026, they argue that January 1st is simply a date on the calendar, not an executable strategy. Using the analogy of athletic training, they explore how the final six to eight weeks of the year function as a crucial "preseason" to establish lead measures, test assumptions through a pre-mortem, build family alignment, and log real repetitions before the new year arrives.  Key Discussion Points: 1. The Trap of Temporal Avoidance vs. The "Preseason" January 1st is Not a Strategy: Setting grand resolutions for New Year's Day often serves as a defense mechanism to delay uncomfortable work. By mid-January, most gym-goers drop out because they relied on a date rather than building habits beforehand. The Sports Analogy: Athletic teams do not start their training when the regular season begins; they use the preseason to warm up, adjust systems, and get reps in. The final weeks of Q4 are the preseason for 2027. The "Fresh Start Effect": Dr. Wade notes Katy Milkman’s 2014 Wharton research on temporal landmarks (new weeks, months, or years). While temporal landmarks naturally propel people into action, they cannot sustain momentum on their own. The "Miracle Question" & Identity: Joel references Steve de Shazer’s solution-focused "Miracle Question" (If you woke up tomorrow and everything was fixed, what would be different?) to point out that waiting for a future date assumes a magically different version of yourself will appear. Real change requires adopting the identity of that person today. 2. Focus on Controllable Lead Measures Lead vs. Lag Measures: Instead of fixating on distant outcomes (lag measures), focus on direct inputs (lead measures) you fully control—such as scheduling two walks a week, tracking expenses, or making outreach calls. Make It Too Small to Fail: Goals should be calibrated low enough to achieve even on a difficult week (e.g., walking twice a week instead of aiming for an unrealistic seven-day workout schedule). "What Is in Your Hand?": Joel shares the biblical analogy of Moses' staff to emphasize using the resources immediately available. Rather than halting progress when ideal conditions aren't present (e.g., waiting for baby nap times to do loud renovations), pivot to quiet prep tasks like making cut lists or organizing tools. 3. Running a December "Pre-Mortem" Looking Backward from 2027: To safeguard a goal, project forward to this time next year, assume the plan failed, and diagnose the breakdown in advance. Three Diagnostic Questions:What is the most likely reason I miss my one big goal? What did I ignore that I already knew was a problem (habits, tendencies, environment)?What is one system or safeguard I can install right now so failure can't easily happen? Accepting Variables: Acknowledge that external variables can disrupt plans. Preparing for roadblocks ahead of time builds emotional resilience and prevents quitting when setbacks occur. 4. Family Alignment & Year-End Administrative Moves Family Goal Setting & Committee Meetings: Hold intentional planning meetings before the busy holiday season blurs the schedule. Involve children so they learn budgeting, delayed gratification, and the value of hard work. The "State of the Union": Dr. Wade outlines his goal to run weekly family "State of the Union" check-ins on Sunday evenings to review the past week and align on finances, work, and personal schedules. Proactive Professional Outreach: Don't wait until tax season in April or post-holiday January to meet with CPAs and financial planners. Joel highlights meeting with his advisor ahead of time to lock in plans before end-of-year deadlines hit. Practical Takeaways & Episode Resources Target a Quick Win: Structure an achievable milestone that yields visible results within the first two weeks of January to keep initial motivation alive. "January Starts Today" One-Pager: The hosts created a companion one-page implementation worksheet outlining the three preseason planning steps. Listeners can receive it by leaving a comment on the podcast episode. Newsletter Mention: Listeners can also connect via the show's companion newsletter, The Hedge, for ongoing resources and show notes.

  2. Nov 5

    Episode 27 - Breaking the Routine, Stoic Disciplines, and Rediscovering Awe

    Send us Fan Mail The Long Burn — Episode 27: Breaking the Routine, Stoic Disciplines, and Rediscovering Awe  Overview Recording early on the Monday morning following the end of Daylight Saving Time, hosts Joel Malin and Dr. Jonathan Wade tackle a listener prompt from Joel’s brother, Steven: How do you maintain a sense of awe, wonder, and genuine gratitude in the midst of daily routine and life’s demands, rather than taking the positive things for granted?  Using principles from Stoic philosophy and psychology, Joel and Jonathan break down how modern comforts and rigid routines numb our perception—and explore actionable practices to intentionally regain perspective.  Key Discussion Points Hedonic Adaptation & Lifestyle Creep:When positive changes or milestones become familiar, they drift into the background and become the new baseline—a phenomenon known as hedonic adaptation. Similar to financial "lifestyle creep" (where higher income immediately leads to higher expenses), humans naturally shift goalposts on satisfaction, turning ordinary blessings into unnoticed white noise. Practicing "Micro-Gratitudes" & Recognizing Invisible Complexity:Vague gratitude entries (e.g., "I'm grateful to wake up") lack emotional resonance. Instead, the hosts advocate focusing on hyper-specific items and tools—such as being grateful for a toothbrush and toothpaste in the morning. A powerful path to wonder is appreciating the "invisible complexity" behind everyday items: tracing a single two-by-four at a hardware store back through the forestry, milling, treating, and supply chain logistics required to produce it. The Mechanism of Awe & Finding Significance in the Insignificant:Awe requires encountering something vast—spatially, conceptually, or temporally (such as studying nature, observing complex architecture, or paddling miles off the coast into open water). The hosts discuss the Stoic concept of sympathia—the mutual interdependence of all parts of the cosmos. While recognizing how tiny we are in the universe can induce existential dread, Joel reframes it: “I am small and insignificant, AND this matters deeply to me.” Deliberately Interrupting Routines (Askesis & Voluntary Subtraction):Routine and hyper-predictability provide comfort and safety, but they can numb awareness and suppress novelty. Askesis (Voluntary Discomfort): Intentionally creating friction—such as camping, taking a break from same-day deliveries, or strictly budgeting—reminds us that our well-being is not dependent on instant gratification and consumer conveniences. Modern convenience culture (e.g., instant streaming, 1-hour package delivery) eliminates the gap between desire and fulfillment, robbing us of anticipation and true satisfaction. Impermanence, the "George Bailey Effect," & Premeditatio Malorum:The George Bailey Effect: Imagining the complete absence of a person, convenience, or capability in your life to reignite gratitude for their presence. Premeditatio Malorum & Memento Mori: Deliberately contemplating loss, aging, and mortality before it occurs, ensuring that we appreciate temporary moments (such as holding a young child before they grow too old to be picked up) rather than dreading the passage of time. Amor Fati: Loving one’s fate and embracing things as they unfold, rather than demanding they align perfectly with predetermined expectations. "Blissful Dissatisfaction":Jonathan shares the concept of being "blissfully dissatisfied"—maintaining deep gratitude for present achievements while continuing to chase ambitious, challenging goals without falling into complacency. Practical Exercises & Takeaways Specific Gratitude Journaling: List 2–3 non-repeating, granular items weekly (focus on specific moments, tools, or interactions rather than broad abstractions). Conduct a Monthly Convenience Reset: Take a temporary fast from immediate conveniences (e.g., pause non-essential online shopping, live below your baseline budget for a few weeks) to reset your hedonic baseline. Engage with Nature and Small Scale: Step outside, observe seasonal shifts (like falling leaves), and take time to inspect intricate details in daily life. Reminisce to Reset: When relationship or work strain feels heavy, intentionally recall where you started (e.g., asking couples "How did you first meet?") to bring warmth back into focus.

  3. Oct 29

    Episode 26 - Navigating Hardships, Expectations, and the "Milieu"

    Send us Fan Mail The Long Burn — Episode 26: Navigating Hardships, Expectations, and the "Milieu"  Overview In this early-morning catch-up episode, hosts Joel Malin and Dr. Jonathan Wade reconnect after a brief hiatus caused by recent personal and professional disruptions. Rather than focusing on a single planned clinical or technical topic, Joel and Jonathan use their real-world setbacks over the preceding month to explore expectations, stress responses, stoicism, and how to stay grounded when plans fall apart.  Key Discussion Points Success at the Feeding America Conference (Kansas City):Dr. Wade recaps his and Candace's trip to the annual Feeding America HR and finance conference. Representing Orchard Health, they presented on how their Direct Primary Care (DPC) model partners with Second Harvest of South Georgia to offer accessible healthcare options, decrease employee absenteeism, and expand care to food bank staff who typically lack affordable benefit plans. Their panel received top presentation marks and attendee interest. Joel’s Move to Nashville & Living Displaced:Joel shares the nightmare move-in experience he, his wife Christy, and their infant son Gideon faced when an AC condensation line backed up and flooded their new home right before closing. The family spent a month displaced—living out of the unfinished clinic office upstairs and later an unfinished sunroom while the damaged floors were stripped to bare concrete. Joel highlights the emotional toll of transitioning into a single-income household, the mental taxation of caregiving with an infant, and the challenge of supporting his wife as she settles into a new community. The Silver Lining: Despite the headache, the necessary renovations generated an estimated $50,000 in equity, cut their monthly mortgage by $1,200, doubled their living space, and drastically reduced Joel's daily commute. The Greenville Airbnb Renovation Snags:Jonathan recounts traveling to Greenville to prep a third short-term rental property ahead of a November 1 target listing date, only to find the backyard undone and the primary bathroom renovation untouched. Issues with Duke Energy’s power line easement threatened a newly poured concrete pad intended for a pickleball court. The hosts discuss contractor dependency: relying too heavily on a single point of failure (one handyman/contractor) rather than building a flexible bench of Plan B, C, and D providers. Control, Urgency, and the "Hamster Wheel":When plans slip out of our hands, the natural tendency is to compensate with frantic action. The hosts laugh over Jonathan’s stress-driven attempts to make progress—such as aggressively crushing cardboard boxes, accidentally ordering the wrong 30-inch fireplace insert without measuring, and throwing out a TV remote in a rush to clean up. They reflect on how performing unrelated tasks often provides an illusion of control and personal stability during chaotic periods, even if it doesn't move the actual roadblock forward. Sitting in the "Milieu" & Practicing Stoicism:Joel and Jonathan discuss the tension period—the "milieu"—between discovering a crisis and reaching its resolution. Channeling Epictetus and Stoic philosophy, they emphasize that stress comes from our response to circumstances rather than the circumstances themselves. True resilience is learning how to sit with unfinished problems, practicing contentment with what is available, and refusing to adopt a helpless victim mentality. Notable Takeaways & Quotes On Expectation vs. Reality: "Character comes in the conflict. And the conflict is not the issue; it's our response to the conflict." On Contentment: Contentment isn’t having everything you want; it is deciding that what you currently have is enough for today. On Project Execution: If a task relies entirely on you, focus on Plan A; if it relies on outside contractors and external schedules, prepare plans A through D. Show Notes & Housekeeping Guest Policy: The hosts welcome guest inquiries but note that interviews must accommodate their early/after-hours recording schedule around their primary clinical practices and businesses. Connect: Listeners can submit topic suggestions or questions by contacting Orchard Health or Fire Health via social media or email.

  4. Oct 22

    Episode 25 - Is Your Success a Coping Mechanism?

    Send us Fan Mail Podcast Episode Summary: The Long Burn PodcastHost: Joel Malin, LPC / LMHC (Solo Episode)  Topic: Success as a Coping Mechanism: ACEs, Overcompensation, and Entrepreneurial Drive  Executive Overview In this solo episode, host Joel Malin explores the psychological underpinnings of high achievement, leadership, and business drive. He introduces the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study to examine how childhood trauma, instability, and hyper-functional coping mechanisms can manifest as executive strengths—such as hyper-vigilance, fierce independence, and perfectionism—while simultaneously creating hidden risks like burnout, micromanagement, and emotional isolation.  Key Discussion Points 1. Wins, Challenges, and Personal Updates House Closing: Joel shares a personal win of closing on his family's new home, making it a safe space for his son, Gideon, and building stability despite lingering moving delays. Sleep & Stress: He reflects on the challenge of staying asleep when his mind is running quickly, noting how life transitions impact physical recovery. Community Connection: Attended the Harvest Day Festival and tractor parade in Nashville, Georgia. 2. The Science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Background: Developed in the mid-1990s by Dr. Vincent Felitti (Kaiser Permanente) and Dr. Robert Anda (CDC), surveying 17,000 adults across 10 categories (Abuse, Neglect, Household Dysfunction). Prevalence: Approximately 60%–64% of adults have experienced at least 1 ACE. About 1 in 6 adults (16%–17%) score a "high" score of 4 or more. Health & Behavioral Risks: A score of 4+ correlates with a 4.6\times increased risk of clinical depression, 12\times risk of attempted suicide, 7\times risk of alcoholism, 4-10\times risk of illegal drug use, and double-to-triple the risk for heart disease, COPD, and autoimmune issues. 3. Trauma Traits Masked as Business Superpowers Joel maps childhood adaptive behaviors to executive leadership patterns:  Hyper-vigilance or Market Foresight: An overactive amygdala scanning for danger can look like high risk-management skills, but can devolve into paranoia. Fierce Independence or Work Ethic: The belief that "no one is coming to save me" builds extreme self-reliance, but prevents delegation and creates single-point-of-failure bottlenecks. Control as Safety: Controlling behavior isn't always about dominating others; it is often a deeply rooted quest for predictable safety. Entrepreneurship as a Hiding Place: Business ownership offers full environment control, but can reinforce trauma by keeping the individual in a constant high-pressure, high-stress cycle. 4. Leadership Blind Spots & The "Firefighting" Trap Crisis Addiction: Leaders with trauma backgrounds often struggle with quiet stability, unconsciously triggering chaos, new projects, or unnecessary pivots just to feel the familiar rush of surviving a crisis. The Goalpost Dilemma: Hitting major business milestones brings only fleeting satisfaction before immediately hunting for the next goal, treating self-worth as a moving target. Projecting Standards: Expecting employees to maintain an unsustainable, survival-driven pace leads to team burnout because healthy employees haven't built trauma-response endurance. 5. Shifting from Survival-Driven to Values-Driven Leadership Motivation Audits: Ask if you are building a business to create true value/legacy or as a defense mechanism to prove your worth. Decoupling Identity from Output: Recognize that revenue, productivity, and business events do not define your core value as a human. Transitioning to Presence: Moving from fear of scarcity (financial, time, or resources) to intentional vision and purpose. Practical Checks: Use Somatic regulation (breathwork, exercise, sleep), honest conversations with peers, and therapy to integrate past experiences. The 10 ACE Test Screening Questions Joel reads through the 10 diagnostic categories (events occurring before age 18):  Verbal abuse / humiliation by an adult in the home Physical abuse / severe physical punishment Sexual abuse Emotional neglect / feeling unloved or unsupported Physical neglect / lack of basic food, clean clothes, or medical care Parental separation or divorce Domestic violence against a mother/stepmother Household substance abuse (alcoholism or drug use) Household mental illness or suicide attempt Incarcerated household member Practical Takeaways The Suitcase Analogy: Everyone brings a "suitcase" of past stresses and experiences to work; understanding your ACE score helps audit what is inside your suitcase. Audit Your Motives: Evaluate whether your business goals are filling a bottomless pit of past insecurity or driving genuine personal fulfillment.

  5. Oct 15

    Episode 24 - Recognizing the Power of "And"

    Send us Fan Mail Podcast Episode Summary: The Long Burn PodcastHosts: Dr. Jonathan Wade & Joel Malin  Topic: The "Both/And" Mindset, Confronting Brutal Truths, and Overcoming Binary Thinking  Executive Overview In this episode, Dr. Jonathan Wade and Joel Malin record together in person after a brief hiatus due to Joel’s relocation and joining Orchard Health as a counselor. They explore the concept of "Both/And" thinking (dialectical thinking) versus rigid "Either/Or" perspectives. Grounding their discussion in the Stockdale Paradox, they examine how accepting competing truths can help entrepreneurs and individuals navigate life's setbacks, manage expectations, and maintain sustainable long-term success.  Key Discussion Points 1. Life Updates & Transition Co-Location: Joel has relocated from Jacksonville, Florida, to join Dr. Wade directly at Orchard Health in Georgia as a therapist. Multifaceted Roles: Beyond providing clinical counseling, Joel is involved in building out their studio space and assisting with various practice initiatives. 2. The Stockdale Paradox & "Both/And" Thinking The Stockdale Paradox: Inspired by Admiral James Stockdale's experience as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, Jonathan shares how Stockdale survived by confronting the brutal reality of his situation while maintaining total faith that he would ultimately prevail—without attaching false timelines. The Danger of Deferred Hope: Joel highlights how setting rigid expectations (e.g., "we'll be out by Christmas") leads to repeated disappointment, causing psychological helplessness. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Joel connects this concept to DBT, a therapeutic modality that helps individuals tolerate competing truths simultaneously rather than falling into black-and-white or dualistic thinking. 3. Reframing Business and Personal Setbacks Diversification at Orchard Health: Rather than treating Orchard Health as just a traditional medical clinic, Jonathan expanded it into a comprehensive wellness practice offering counseling, aesthetics, IV wellness, and an in-house pharmacy. Handling Business Losses: Jonathan reflects on receiving news that Orchard Health's largest employer client would not renew in 2027 following a corporate buyout. Unlike past setbacks that caused months of self-blame, embracing a resilient mindset allowed him to process the hit quickly and focus on solutions with his team. Fear and Courage: The hosts note that courage is not the absence of fear, but taking action alongside fear. Entrepreneurs must accept both the possibility of difficulty and the commitment to persevere. 4. Vocabulary Reframing & Balance Replacing "But" with "And": Joel emphasizes how substituting "and" for "but" preserves the validity of both sides of a statement. For example, instead of "I want to set a boundary, but I don't want to hurt her feelings," reframe to "I want to set a boundary, AND I plan to be gentle with her feelings." Rest is Productive: Taking a rest day is not "being lazy"—it is an intentional investment in long-term health and personal relationships. Marathon vs. Sprint: Building a sustainable business and family life requires pacing over a marathon rather than running endless short sprints to burnout. Key Takeaways Avoid "Ricky Bobby" thinking ("If you ain't first, you're last"). Life and business rarely fit into absolute binaries. You can experience extreme stress or uncertainty in one area of life and still maintain health, purpose, and progress overall. True long-term success means showing up on "boring Tuesdays" and balancing ambitious career goals with intentional family presence.

  6. Sep 17

    Episode 23 - Corey Golding - Part 2

    Send us Fan Mail The Long Burn - Episode 23: Part 2 Guest Speaker - Corey Golding - Greenville, SC 1. The Accidental Partnership & International Context The Greenville Connection: Jonathan bought a short-term rental in Greenville, SC, without realizing Corey was the former owner. When Jonathan needed local landscaping, he unknowingly reached out to Corey, launching both their project and their friendship. Business Environments (Australia vs. US): Having lived in Australia and South Africa before moving to the US, Corey compares the regulatory landscapes. He notes that while Australia features heavy government oversight and multi-year licensing barriers, the US offers unmatched speed, market opportunity, and scalability for energetic entrepreneurs. 2. Faith, Pivot, and the Weight of Loss From Youth Ministry to Landscaping: Struggling to support a growing family on a $29,000 youth ministry salary, Corey pivoted during the 2020 pandemic. He landed an initial $8,000 mulch job that served as the launchpad for Koala Care Services, which eventually grew into a multi-million dollar residential builder. Grief as a Catalyst for Courage: Corey and his wife, Morgan, experienced the devastating loss of their full-term daughter, Emmy, during childbirth. Grounded in their Christian faith, walking through that level of grief dismantled Corey's fear of failure, giving him the internal freedom and clarity to make bold, decisive business moves. 3. Scaling Pains, Health, and Delegation The Cost of Rapid Growth: Scaling revenue from $300,000 to over $1M+ within two years while managing up to five development properties simultaneously came at a heavy price. Physical and emotional burnout forced Corey to rethink his lifestyle, address chronic stress, and realign his work with long-term health and family. Shifting from Operator to Visionary: Corey realized that sustaining momentum meant abandoning the belief that "no one else can do it right." By hiring for character, empowering experts to lead specific operational areas, and focusing on long-term strategy, he shifted from working in a job to building an actual company. Notable Takeaways & Core Lessons Grief Resets Risk Perception: Deep personal trial can strip away the trivial fear of operational or financial risk, enabling a leader to act with greater decisiveness and conviction. Unchecked Growth is Toxic: Revenue velocity without operational capacity and healthy boundaries leads directly to physical burnout and personal strain. Character-First Hiring Enabler: True delegation requires releasing control to high-character individuals who possess skills the founder lacks. If you are in the Greenville area looking for a reputable company to help you with your property, please visit Corey's website at www.koalakareservices.com

  7. Sep 10

    Episode 22 - Corey Golding - Part 1

    Send us Fan Mail The Long Burn - Episode 22: Part 1 Guest Speaker - Corey Golding - Greenville, SC 1. The Accidental Partnership & International Context The Greenville Connection: Jonathan bought a short-term rental in Greenville, SC, without realizing Corey was the former owner. When Jonathan needed local landscaping, he unknowingly reached out to Corey, launching both their project and their friendship. Business Environments (Australia vs. US): Having lived in Australia and South Africa before moving to the US, Corey compares the regulatory landscapes. He notes that while Australia features heavy government oversight and multi-year licensing barriers, the US offers unmatched speed, market opportunity, and scalability for energetic entrepreneurs. 2. Faith, Pivot, and the Weight of Loss From Youth Ministry to Landscaping: Struggling to support a growing family on a $29,000 youth ministry salary, Corey pivoted during the 2020 pandemic. He landed an initial $8,000 mulch job that served as the launchpad for Koala Care Services, which eventually grew into a multi-million dollar residential builder. Grief as a Catalyst for Courage: Corey and his wife, Morgan, experienced the devastating loss of their full-term daughter, Emmy, during childbirth. Grounded in their Christian faith, walking through that level of grief dismantled Corey's fear of failure, giving him the internal freedom and clarity to make bold, decisive business moves. 3. Scaling Pains, Health, and Delegation The Cost of Rapid Growth: Scaling revenue from $300,000 to over $1M+ within two years while managing up to five development properties simultaneously came at a heavy price. Physical and emotional burnout forced Corey to rethink his lifestyle, address chronic stress, and realign his work with long-term health and family. Shifting from Operator to Visionary: Corey realized that sustaining momentum meant abandoning the belief that "no one else can do it right." By hiring for character, empowering experts to lead specific operational areas, and focusing on long-term strategy, he shifted from working in a job to building an actual company. Notable Takeaways & Core Lessons Grief Resets Risk Perception: Deep personal trial can strip away the trivial fear of operational or financial risk, enabling a leader to act with greater decisiveness and conviction. Unchecked Growth is Toxic: Revenue velocity without operational capacity and healthy boundaries leads directly to physical burnout and personal strain. Character-First Hiring Enabler: True delegation requires releasing control to high-character individuals who possess skills the founder lacks. If you are in the Greenville area looking for a reputable company to help you with your property, please visit Corey's website at www.koalakareservices.com

  8. Sep 3

    Episode 21 - Generalists, Specialists, and Burnout

    Send us Fan Mail People Management: Generalists, Specialists, and Avoiding Employee Burnout Episode Overview In this episode of The Long Burn, co-hosts Dr. Jonathan Wade and Joel Malin examine team dynamics and people management from both employee and employer perspectives. The discussion centers on the tension between "generalist" roles and "specialist" roles, how rigid corporate structures stifle employee creativity, and how business owners can leverage high-skill strengths ("force multipliers") to drive growth and prevent workforce burnout.  👥 Hosts Joel Malin: Co-host; bringing the employee, team lead, and clinician perspective. Dr. Jonathan Wade: Co-host and practice owner (Orchard Health); bringing the employer and founder perspective. 🧠 Core Themes & Key Takeaways 1. Generalists vs. Specialists in the Workplace The Generalist/Cog Mindset: Generalist positions establish a necessary operational foundation for any business. However, forcing innovative employees into indefinite generalist tasks creates a "cog in a wheel" dynamic that limits self-expression and leads to burnout. The Specialist as a Force Multiplier: Innovative employees thrive on specialization, new challenges, and applying unique skill sets (e.g., training, marketing, or event coordination). Empowering employees to specialize amplifies their overall productivity and business impact far beyond standard job descriptions. The "T-Shaped" Employee Model: Ideal team members maintain a broad operational base across essential generalist tasks (the horizontal bar) while diving deep into specific domains where they excel (the vertical bar). 2. People Management & Culture Building Retention and Friction: Dragging staff through tasks they dislike or lack interest in developing builds friction, which leads to frustration, burnout, and high turnover. Employees often leave organizations when they feel they have hit a ceiling on growth or specialization. Ownership over Process: Effective managers set clear goals and timeframes while granting employees the autonomy to figure out the execution process, driving buy-in and superior outcomes. Hiring for Cultural Fit: Founders must prioritize hiring candidates who fit the company's core culture and values, as technical processes and electronic medical record (EMR) systems can easily be taught later. 🛠️ Practical Frameworks & Actionable Advice Perform an Energy & Strengths Audit: Categorize employee tasks into four quadrants to align roles with intrinsic motivation: High Skill / High Energy (Superpower): Focus on and expand this area. High Skill / Low Energy: Delegate or reassign these draining tasks. Low Skill / High Energy: Invest in training to develop this growth opportunity. Low Skill / Low Energy (Burnout Zone): Eliminate, automate, or reassign immediately. Form Cross-Functional Pods: Group employees based on complementary strengths identified in energy audits to create supportive work units rather than isolated generalists. Bring Solutions, Not Just Problems: Encourage a team culture where employees actively propose solutions when identifying operational flaws. 📢 Promotional Plug Fire Health Launch: Dr. Wade highlights the launch of Fire Health, a direct primary care membership practice combining medical access with life coaching to help entrepreneurs maintain physical and mental health while building wealth. The practice is offering a "Founding 50" membership with lifetime locked-in pricing for early adopters at firehealth.co.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Long Burn is a strategy-driven podcast for real estate investors, entrepreneurs, and high performers who want to achieve Financial Independence without burning out their health, relationships, or purpose along the way. Hosted by two entrepreneurs within the medical and wellness space, the show sits at the intersection of money, health, performance, and intentional living—breaking down how to build wealth, design leverage, stabilize mental and physical health, and ultimately live life on your own terms. Each episode delivers practical frameworks, candid conversations, and real-world playbooks around investing, healthcare optimization, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. The mission is simple: eliminate blind spots that quietly derail FIRE journeys and give listeners the tools to build sustainable wealth, resilient health, and long-term freedom.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Wade & Joel Malin
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Long Burn
  • Show Website
    The Long Burn