Burning The Ships

The Boat Crew
  • 4.8 (19)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Burning the Ships is more than just a podcast—it’s a battle cry for those who refuse to settle. Brought to you by 608B Capital hosted by Jason Seward, we dive deep into the journeys of relentless entrepreneurs, high-performers, and risk-takers who have gone all in—leaving behind safety nets, doubts, and excuses to forge their own path. Each episode unpacks the mindset, strategies, and raw determination it takes to break free from the ordinary and build something extraordinary. Whether it’s leaving a comfortable career, pushing physical and mental limits, or overcoming impossible odds, our guests prove that greatness comes to those who commit fully. If you’re ready to burn the ships and bet on yourself, you’re in the right place. Let’s get after it.

  1. Brian Hall: Why Scaling Down Your Business Might Be the Right Move

    4D AGO

    Brian Hall: Why Scaling Down Your Business Might Be the Right Move

    In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with Brian Hall — a Richmond real estate broker, investor, and property management company owner who has seen just about every cycle this business can throw at you. Brian shares the honest version of what a real estate career can look like: early curiosity about investing, success selling real estate, a massive crash tied to a development deal in Costa Rica, and the long road back after losing nearly everything in the mid-2000s. Instead of declaring bankruptcy, Brian rebuilt from the ground up, paid back every dollar he owed, and slowly re-established himself in the market. We also dive into the burnout that can come from rapid growth, why he intentionally downsized his business after scaling hard for several years, and how he’s now focusing on building a simpler, more intentional life through property management and long-term single-family rentals. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to constantly scale, this conversation is a reminder that success doesn’t always mean doing more — sometimes it means doing less, but doing it better. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 Introduction and Brian’s philosophy on honesty in real estate 03:00 Why leading with the negatives builds trust with clients and investors 06:45 Growing up in Virginia and discovering a passion for real estate early 07:35 Losing his father at 25 and the life reset that followed 09:20 Buying his first house at auction and losing money — but gaining experience 11:00 The Costa Rica development deal that changed everything 12:00 Losing everything financially before the 2008 crash even started 13:30 Refusing bankruptcy and paying back every dollar he owed 18:00 Getting back into investing in 2019 after more than a decade away 21:00 The power of getting into the right rooms and finding your tribe 26:00 Burnout after scaling aggressively for several years 28:30 Transitioning focus into building a property management business 30:20 The difference between transactional income and recurring revenue 35:00 The growing legal complexity of property management and landlord laws 46:00 Why Brian believes single-family rentals are the safest long-term investment 49:00 Downsizing life and business to focus on what truly matters 51:00 Surrounding yourself with good people and positive energy Quotables “Lead with the negatives. People appreciate honesty more than a sales pitch.” “I lost everything before the 2008 crash even started.” “I paid back every dollar I owed. It took years, but it mattered to me.” “Sometimes success isn’t scaling up — it’s scaling back.” “Small is okay. You don’t have to build something massive to build something meaningful.” “Surround yourself with good people and good energy.” Links 608B Capital https://608bcapital.com

    1h 1m
  2. Lisa Ferris: Funding Real Estate Without Your Own Cash

    MAR 1

    Lisa Ferris: Funding Real Estate Without Your Own Cash

    In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with Lisa Ferris — investor, private money expert, Deal Maker Central Texas leader, and author of How to Find and Fund Any Real Estate Deal Without Cash or Credit. Lisa’s story is one of the most relatable we’ve had on the show. She was a stay-at-home mom for 18 years. No Wall Street background. No big pile of capital. No “perfect” timing. Just a mindset shift, a willingness to ask, and the courage to figure it out in real time. What started with one uncomfortable offer on a house she didn’t want to list turned into a full-blown investing business built entirely on private money — without using her own cash or credit. We talk about imposter syndrome, asking for money without feeling like you’re begging, why good deals always find funding, and how introverts can still win big in networking rooms. Lisa opens up about writing her first book, stepping into leadership with Deal Maker, and why she’ll never retire — because she genuinely loves the game. If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have the money,” or “I’m not that person,” this episode will challenge that narrative. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 “I’ll never retire — this is just a passion.” 01:12 Introducing Lisa Ferris and Deal Maker Central Texas 02:13 JJ’s Joke of the Week 03:12 From stay-at-home mom to licensed Realtor 03:37 The first deal: making an offer with no money 04:14 Asking the seller to take payments — and wholesaling the deal 04:36 McDonald’s meeting that launched her private money journey 05:23 Writing her book: How to Find and Fund Any Real Estate Deal Without Cash or Credit 06:33 “I don’t want to be 70 years old opening doors.” 07:43 Ready, fire, aim — learning on the fly 09:20 Why good deals always get funded 10:12 When lenders say no, it might not be a deal 11:28 Understanding you’re offering opportunity — not begging for money 13:39 Thinking outside the box as her superpower 14:22 “Everything is figureoutable.” 15:10 Shifting from introvert wallflower to intentional networker 17:52 Writing the book despite being a “starter, not a finisher” 21:24 Overcoming imposter syndrome 22:58 “Just ask. The worst they can say is no.” 24:32 Showing up on social media despite fear and insecurity 31:37 Being visible creates opportunity 35:39 Loving the journey more than the destination 37:33 Why integrity drew her to Deal Maker 41:19 Struggling to balance work and life in a retirement community 43:40 Core principles from her book 44:00 Relationship-based investing 44:30 You are offering an opportunity, not asking for a favor 46:55 Presenting professional reports to lenders (Rehab Valuator) 48:08 Find a mentor and split your first deal 52:07 Introvert strategy: identify three people to meet at every event 55:26 Pull new attendees into conversations to break their comfort zone Quotables “What’s the worst that can happen? They say no.” “If it’s a good deal, the funding is the easy part.” “You’re not begging for money. You’re offering an opportunity.” “Everything is figureoutable.” “I’ve always been scared to ask — I just do it anyway.” “The rooms you put yourself in matter.” Links Lisa Ferris – Instagram @lisajferrisinvests Deal Maker Central Texas (Find on Facebook) 608B Capital https://608bcapital.com

    59 min
  3. Sharon Lechter: The Mindset That Built a Global Financial Literacy Empire

    FEB 22

    Sharon Lechter: The Mindset That Built a Global Financial Literacy Empire

    In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with someone whose work has impacted not just my life, but the lives of millions around the world — Sharon Lechter, co-author of Rich Dad Poor Dad and a global pioneer in financial literacy. This conversation is personal for me. Back in 2016, while I was still in my W-2 career, a single book lit a fire that eventually led to me burning the ships on corporate America. Since launching this podcast, more than half of my guests have referenced that same book as a pivotal moment in their journey. So getting the chance to sit down with Sharon — the powerhouse behind that movement — was something special. We go far beyond Rich Dad Poor Dad. Sharon shares stories about growing up in a family that talked about assets at the dinner table, becoming one of the first women in public accounting in the 1970s, burning the ships on her own career, building the Rich Dad brand globally, serving on presidential advisory councils, partnering with the Napoleon Hill Foundation, and continuing to “refire” instead of retire at 72. We also talk about marriage, adversity, losing a child, faith over fear, mentorship, legacy, and what true wealth really means. If you’ve ever felt called to something bigger, questioned retirement as the ultimate destination, or wondered what lasting impact really looks like — this episode is for you. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 “I’m not retiring — I’m refiring.” 01:06 The book that changed my life and so many of my guests’ lives 03:50 How David Richter connected me with Sharon 05:00 Growing up discussing assets, liabilities, and cash flow at the dinner table 07:30 Becoming one of the first women in public accounting in the 1970s 08:33 The “Why not?” philosophy that shaped her career 09:56 Leaving a secure W-2 to become an entrepreneur 11:02 A failed business decision that led to meeting her husband of 46 years 12:23 Building a global children’s publishing company through Disney licensing 14:17 Dedicating her life to financial literacy after her son’s college debt wake-up call 16:21 Meeting Robert Kiyosaki and turning a board game into Rich Dad Poor Dad 18:57 Realizing the book had taken on a life of its own 22:52 The power of association and building authority 24:36 Sharon’s personal success equation (Passion + Talent × Association × Action + Faith) 29:15 “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” 31:13 Why she chooses to refire instead of retire 33:17 Introducing her new book: Old Wealth, New Wealth, True Wealth 36:49 Losing her son in 2012 and choosing to move forward 39:16 Turning fear into faith and purpose 41:00 Marriage advice after 46 years together 44:12 Why the journey is the destination Quotables “Why not? Why not take the road less traveled?” “We can control three things: our thoughts, our words, and our actions.” “True wealth is not what you accumulate — it’s who you become along the way.” “I’m not going to retire. I’m going to refire.” “Respect your spouse even more than you love them.” “Turn fear into focus, and focus into fuel.” Links Sharon Lechter https://sharonlechter.com Old Wealth, New Wealth, True Wealth Available wherever books are sold 608B Capital https://608bcapital.com

    50 min
  4. Chris Lloyd: Why Agents Who Work With Investors Win Faster

    FEB 15

    Chris Lloyd: Why Agents Who Work With Investors Win Faster

    In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with Chris Lloyd — a young but incredibly sharp real estate investor and broker who built serious momentum in a very short period of time. From selling sunglasses out of his lunchbox in high school to running a high-volume real estate team and leading a Coast-to-Coast brokerage in Virginia, Chris’s story is all about action. We talk about what it really looks like to leave a “safe” W2 job, grind through six months of zero results, reinvest your first commission instead of upgrading your lifestyle, and build a real estate business around investors instead of retail buyers. Chris breaks down why working with investors supercharges an agent’s career, how to build systems instead of burnout, and why most people fail simply because they won’t take consistent action. If you’re an agent, investor, or entrepreneur stuck in analysis paralysis — this episode is your reminder that the only difference between where you are and where you want to be… is action. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 Why working with investors supercharges a real estate career 01:03 Introducing Chris Lloyd and his background 02:00 JJ’s Joke of the Week 04:00 Selling sunglasses in high school and building a “mini CRM” in a lunchbox 05:50 Learning high-ticket sales at a bicycle shop 07:20 Taking the “safe” job at Newport News Shipyard 08:11 Realizing performance doesn’t equal promotion in corporate America 09:40 Reading Rich Dad Poor Dad and the lightbulb moment 11:00 Buying a duplex, house hacking, and living for free 13:00 The $6,000 sewer repair as “cost of tuition” 15:00 Taking action when others don’t 17:59 Why courses don’t matter if you won’t act 21:00 Accountability vs. lone wolf entrepreneurship 29:22 Getting his license and grinding six months with zero results 31:00 Reinvesting his first commission instead of upgrading lifestyle 32:00 Quitting his W2 job after proving the math 34:00 Time blocking, discipline, and earning his spouse’s support 44:00 Burnout from doing everything alone — and building a team 47:00 Connecting with David Greene through Instagram Live 49:00 Raising your hand when opportunity appears 53:00 Why most agents avoid investors (and why that’s a mistake) 54:00 Building recurring business through investor clients 57:00 Telling clients NOT to buy bad deals 58:00 Playing the long game with investor relationships Quotables “Information means nothing unless you take action.” “My $6,000 sewer bill was cheaper than my college tuition — and way more valuable.” “I wasn’t happy being restricted by tenure instead of performance.” “You don’t need more clients — you need better ones.” “Choose the work you want to do. Real estate is going to be work either way.” Links Coast to Coast Brokerage (David Greene) https://coasttocoastbrokerage.com 608B Capital https://608bcapital.com

    1h 6m
  5. Ray Burkhalter: Building a Lending Business That Survives Crashes, COVID, and Life

    FEB 8

    Ray Burkhalter: Building a Lending Business That Survives Crashes, COVID, and Life

    In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with Ray Burkhalter from Tuscaloosa, Alabama—founder of RBI Funding Partners and a seasoned private lender who’s been through multiple market cycles, business models, and personal growth seasons. Ray’s journey spans nearly two decades, from engineering and real estate rehabs to private lending, coaching, and now building a scalable lending business with legacy in mind. We talk about what it really looks like to leave a stable career, navigate the 2008 crash while holding private money, manage stress inside a marriage when you’re building together, and eventually shift from “doing deals” to running a true business. Ray shares powerful lessons on discipline, faith, savings, tone in relationships, and why most people underestimate the importance of systems until it’s too late. This episode is equal parts business strategy and life wisdom. If you’re in real estate, lending, entrepreneurship—or you’re considering burning the ships on a career path—Ray’s story offers clarity, caution, and encouragement all at once. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 “Your network is your net worth” and the Deal Maker creed 00:28 Welcoming Ray Burkhalter from Tuscaloosa, Alabama 01:09 How we met at a hard money lending mastermind 02:14 Ray’s background: mechanical engineering and international travel 04:12 Discovering Rich Dad Poor Dad and a new way of thinking 07:17 Learning business the hard way in early real estate years 08:17 The ripple effect of Rich Dad Poor Dad across entrepreneurs 10:09 Leaving a W2 without fully replaced income—but with runway 11:29 The role of faith, saving, and discipline in risk-taking 18:37 Getting stuck with a dozen rehabs when lending froze 19:28 Creative exits: lease options, rentals, and survival mode 20:17 Working full-time with a spouse and managing stress 22:08 Introvert vs. extrovert energy—and building around it 23:36 How Ray and his wife’s personalities complemented each other 25:07 Trusting intuition in borrower selection 26:29 The reality of working with your spouse—and learning respect 28:16 How tone matters more than words in marriage and business 34:10 Learning finance, capital stacks, and public speaking 36:22 Discovering EOS and turning lending into a real business 37:12 Making the first hire during COVID 41:46 Tripling investor capital through compounding relationships 42:08 Deal-by-deal lending vs. fund model challenges 47:08 Shifting from founder vision to shared leadership 49:46 Launching a local Deal Maker meetup 50:39 The power of curating rooms and facilitating relationships 52:14 Networking as the source of deals, hires, and growth 53:54 Legacy isn’t deals—it’s people succeeding because you built the room 55:45 Final advice: think like a business owner, not just an investor Quotables “Your network is your net worth—but only if you actually invest in it.” “Savings don’t eliminate risk, but they buy you time to think clearly.” “Sacrifice the business before you sacrifice the marriage.” “Tone matters more than words—especially with the people you love.” “The biggest shift is when you stop thinking like an investor and start thinking like a business owner.” Links RBI Funding Partners https://rbifundingpartners.com 608B Capital https://608bcapital.com

    1 hr
  6. David Richter: Why More Deals Don’t Mean More Freedom (And What Actually Does)

    FEB 1

    David Richter: Why More Deals Don’t Mean More Freedom (And What Actually Does)

    In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with David Richter—real estate investor, founder of Simple CFO Solutions, and author of Profit First for Real Estate Investing. This conversation goes deep into a problem I see constantly in our industry: people who look wildly successful on the outside but feel stressed, broke, and out of control behind the scenes. David shares his journey from cutting his teeth inside a high-volume real estate operation doing 25 deals a month, to realizing they were spending more than they were making—and that deal count means nothing without financial clarity. We unpack why so many entrepreneurs are incredible at generating revenue but terrible at keeping it, how shame and avoidance keep people stuck, and why most investors are unknowingly playing the wrong game with money. This episode is tactical, psychological, and honest. We break down the Profit First framework in a way that’s approachable for non–numbers people, talk about slowing down to build real foundations, and connect money systems back to what actually matters—family, time, peace of mind, and freedom. If you’re building a business that looks good on paper but doesn’t feel good to live in, this episode is for you. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 Why many entrepreneurs are great at making money—but terrible at keeping it 01:13 Introducing David Richter and why this episode gets more tactical 02:01 JJ’s Joke of the Week 02:53 David’s early real estate career and learning every seat in the business 04:31 Doing 25 deals a month while spending 26 worth of revenue 05:24 The illusion that deal volume equals success 06:38 Discovering that numbers tell the real story of a business 12:23 The impact of Rich Dad Poor Dad and early money mindset shifts 14:17 Why thinking through problems is an entrepreneur’s real superpower 16:21 Moving to Richmond and helping an investor clean up chaotic books 17:53 The moment clarity changed everything for that investor 18:57 The lightbulb moment that led to Simple CFO Solutions 26:19 Why more deals don’t equal financial freedom 27:56 Shame, fear, and avoidance around finances 29:05 The emotional cost of 20 years stuck in the rat race 30:48 Using income growth to avoid financial discipline 38:26 The envelope system and separating bank accounts 39:30 The three most important accounts every investor should have 41:13 Starting small—even with 1%—to build healthy habits 44:21 Does Profit First slow growth—and why that can be a good thing 45:39 The story of doing fewer deals and making more money 46:29 Scaling from reserves instead of revenue 47:48 Recognizing when growth outpaces infrastructure 49:56 Healthy paranoia and disciplined growth 51:08 Defining success beyond money 52:00 Why time with family is the real currency Quotables “Deal count doesn’t matter if you don’t know where the money is going.” “Most entrepreneurs are playing defense with money instead of offense.” “You don’t fix money problems by making more money—you fix habits.” “Profit shouldn’t be an event. It should be a habit.” “A business should fund your life, not consume it.” Links Simple CFO Solutions https://simplecfosolutions.com Profit First for Real Estate Investing Available wherever books are sold 608B Capital https://608bcapital.com

    1h 6m
  7. Daniil Kleyman: Why Experience Matters More Than Capital in Real Estate

    JAN 25

    Daniil Kleyman: Why Experience Matters More Than Capital in Real Estate

    In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with Daniil Kleyman—one of the most respected real estate developers and educators in the Richmond market and someone whose name has come up repeatedly on this podcast over the years. This was our very first conversation, and it did not disappoint. Daniil shares his powerful journey from growing up in the Soviet Union, standing in line for hours at government-run grocery stores, to immigrating to the U.S. at 12 years old and eventually building a multi–eight-figure real estate portfolio. We talk about adversity, immigration, resilience, getting fired from Wall Street, moving back into his parents’ spare bedroom at 28, and deliberately burning the ships to build something meaningful. This conversation goes far beyond real estate. It’s about discomfort, ethics in capital raising, why experience matters before scale, how development actually works, and the tension parents feel when trying to raise resilient kids in a comfortable life. If you’ve ever questioned your career path, struggled with playing it safe, or wondered whether hardship is a prerequisite for growth, this episode will hit home. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 Why you can’t be afraid to fail—especially in real estate development 01:19 Introducing Daniil Kleyman and why his name kept coming up on the podcast 02:50 Daniil’s childhood in the Soviet Union and living through real scarcity 05:21 Standing in line for hours for bread and milk at government grocery store 11:02 Why his family immigrated to the U.S. as Jewish refugees 12:50 Watching his parents rebuild their careers from scratch in America 20:09 Fighting, adversity, and character formation in middle school 22:24 Academics, discipline, and immigrant expectations around education 23:47 Choosing UVA over NYU for value, focus, and survival 25:58 Studying finance for the wrong reason: chasing money over meaning 32:11 Why “financial engineering” felt meaningless 33:28 The danger of waiting “one more bonus” before chasing your dream 34:54 Getting fired—and why it was the best thing that happened 39:10 Burning the ships and refusing to apply for another job 40:27 Moving into his parents’ spare bedroom at 28 41:58 Cutting expenses to zero to think long-term 43:22 Why financial pressure kills good decision-making 51:25 Managing ~$70M in assets without syndication hype 52:46 His frustration with misleading “unit count” claims 55:05 Responsible vs. irresponsible syndication 56:36 Creating Rehab Valuator out of personal necessity 59:01 Helping investors analyze deals and raise capital ethically 1:00:15 Coaching, Inner Circle, and building real community 1:02:13 Launching Cash Flow Developer Academy 1:03:13 Parenting, privilege, and the fear of raising soft kids 1:04:19 The shared struggle of successful parents everywhere Quotables “You can’t be afraid to fail. Especially if you want to build something meaningful.” “I wasn’t building anything on Wall Street—I was just moving money around.” “It’s very easy to postpone your dreams for one more bonus.” “Raising money without experience is incredibly dangerous.” “To build something long-term, you have to cut your expenses so you can think long-term.” Links Rehab Valuator https://rehabvaluator.com 608B Capital https://608bcapital.com

    1h 13m
  8. Jason Seward: Why Introverts Win at Networking (If They Ask One Question)

    JAN 18

    Jason Seward: Why Introverts Win at Networking (If They Ask One Question)

    In this solo episode of Burning the Ships, I’m breaking down one of the most powerful forces behind everything I’ve built in business and life: networking. This conversation was recorded the morning after hosting our very first Deal Maker Hampton Roads event, and it gave me a fresh perspective on just how differently people experience rooms full of strangers. I share why networking has always been my biggest strength, how it’s shaped my career, and why being “resourceful” often just means knowing who to call. But more importantly, I talk about introverts—the anxiety they feel walking into events, the courage it takes just to show up, and a simple question that can completely change the experience. If you’ve ever avoided networking because it feels uncomfortable, intimidating, or draining, this episode is for you. This isn’t about collecting business cards or forcing sales conversations. It’s about creating environments, building real relationships, extracting value, and giving value—no matter your personality type. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 Why networking events don’t have to be big or expensive 01:15 Why this is a solo episode after hosting our first Deal Maker event 02:03 JJ’s Joke of the Week 02:54 Why networking has been my biggest professional advantage 04:16 How networking both energizes and drains me 05:13 Being resourceful by knowing who to call—not how to do everything 06:08 Building trust by doing what you say you’ll do 07:18 The power of long-term relationship building 08:16 Why curating environments brings me the most joy 12:08 Hosting events—from backyard cookouts to 60-person meetups 13:53 The introvert moment that changed my perspective 14:27 Half the room identifying as introverts 15:15 Understanding anxiety through someone else’s lens 16:41 Vulnerability required just to show up 17:11 The simple question that breaks the ice: “Where are you from originally?” 23:59 Extracting value without chasing money 25:25 Why avoiding networking limits opportunity 26:14 Bill Phillips as the introvert example—and why it still works 27:26 Joining our first mastermind and jumping into the deep end 33:10 How Amanda Holbrook became our financial strategist 34:15 Building our brand through relationships, not transactions 35:45 How every major piece of our business came from networking 36:48 Two mindsets to bring into every event: give value + extract value 38:08 The junk removal example—and why showing up matters 39:35 Why free local events can change everything 40:39 How real conversations actually build trust 41:21 The joy of watching connections happen 42:47 Why facilitating relationships is the real reward 44:12 Why impact matters more than direct profit 46:16 Gratitude after seeing it all come together 47:04 The (true) mom story and empty brewery joke 51:35 Final encouragement to get in the room—even if it’s uncomfortable 52:38 Closing thoughts on networking, perspective, and growth Quotables “Networking isn’t about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about knowing who to call.” “Half the room is uncomfortable, even if it doesn’t look that way.” “If you’re an introvert, ask one question and let curiosity do the rest.” “Go to events with the intent to give value and extract value.” “The best opportunities in my life came from rooms I almost didn’t walk into.” Links 608B Capital https://608bcapital.com

    55 min
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4.8
out of 5
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About

Burning the Ships is more than just a podcast—it’s a battle cry for those who refuse to settle. Brought to you by 608B Capital hosted by Jason Seward, we dive deep into the journeys of relentless entrepreneurs, high-performers, and risk-takers who have gone all in—leaving behind safety nets, doubts, and excuses to forge their own path. Each episode unpacks the mindset, strategies, and raw determination it takes to break free from the ordinary and build something extraordinary. Whether it’s leaving a comfortable career, pushing physical and mental limits, or overcoming impossible odds, our guests prove that greatness comes to those who commit fully. If you’re ready to burn the ships and bet on yourself, you’re in the right place. Let’s get after it.

Information

  • Creator
    The Boat Crew
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    212
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 608b Capital Funding LLC
  • Show Website
    Burning The Ships

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