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. Tom Dunkel: Building Your Life Plan Before You Build Your Business Plan

    4D AGO

    Tom Dunkel: Building Your Life Plan Before You Build Your Business Plan

    In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with Tom Dunkel — managing principal of Eagle Capital Investments, co-founder of U.S. Mortgage Resolution, self-storage investor, and a guy who spent ten years in corporate mergers and acquisitions before getting fired in 2006 and never looking back. Tom walks us through a career that started with aerospace deals and Harvard MBAs in DC, ran through a firing that turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him, and evolved into a 20-year entrepreneurial journey that has generated close to $70 million in revenue. From wholesaling to distressed mortgage debt to a $55 million self-storage portfolio, Tom and his business partner Joe have built and rebuilt multiple times — and learned hard lessons each time about niching down, building teams, and creating a business that works without you. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 Why niching down is the difference between businesses that succeed and ones that fail 01:41 Tom's background — William and Mary, corporate M&A, and the aerospace industry 03:21 Building financial models and raising capital alongside Harvard and Wharton MBAs 04:27 Getting fired in 2006 and why his ships were probably burned before that anyway 05:07 Having a wife and two young kids at home when the decision was made for him 05:53 Getting his face bashed in through the Great Recession as a brand new entrepreneur 06:20 Building U.S. Mortgage Resolution into a business that generated nearly $70 million 13:22 Walking out of a dream job interview because a voice in his head said don't do it 23:42 Discovering discounted mortgage notes and how his finance background made it click 34:37 Discovering self-storage through Scott Myers and doing the work before buying anything 35:52 Buying their first storage facility in 2020 and scaling to 18 or 19 facilities 36:37 Syndicating nearly all of the storage deals and raising about $20 million from investors 38:16 Building the business intentionally so it never became a full-time job for either of them 39:33 The mindset of running everything from an iPad on the beach — even back when iPads were new 44:38 Reading The E-Myth and why Darren Hardy's advice to build your life plan first changed everything 45:47 The early days of late night phone calls and grinding before the systems were in place 49:08 Advice on raising kids while building a business — prioritize, plan, and show up 50:13 A holistic view of education — scouting, music, and sports alongside the classroom 52:12 Eagle Capital Investments and how Tom helps investors transition into passive wealth Quotables "The riches are in the niches." "I got my face bashed in during the Great Recession trying to learn how to be an entrepreneur." "There's no such thing as corporate job security. I can go figure it out on my own." "I heard this little voice in my head saying don't do it. So I pulled my name from consideration." "Build your life plan first. Then build your business plan to fit inside of it." "If you're not careful, you don't build a business — you just build a job for yourself." "Go look at your calendar and your bank statements. That's what you're really focused on." "You've got to find the niche and go deep in it." Links 608B Capital https://608bcapital.com Eagle Capital Investments https://investwitheagle.com The Wealth Builders Playbook by Tom Dunkel Available at investwitheagle.com

    58 min
  2. Julian Rivera: Likability Is a The Most Underrated Superpower in Business

    APR 5

    Julian Rivera: Likability Is a The Most Underrated Superpower in Business

    In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with Julian Rivera — Virginia Beach-based DJ, realtor, and co-owner of Iron Valley Real Estate. Julian has never waited for permission to get in the room. He has just kept showing up, adding value, and letting the opportunities find him. Julian walks us through one of the most layered career journeys we have had on this show — from managing retail stores at 20, to driving comedians like Kevin Hart and Chelsea Handler around Hampton Roads, to burning the boats on corporate radio in January 2020, just one month before COVID shut everything down. Through all of it, one thing has stayed constant — his likability, his consistency, and his refusal to stop evolving. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 How Jason and Julian met at the TRIG ambassador summit 00:41 You are the brand — whether W-2 or full-time entrepreneur 04:15 Growing up in Virginia Beach and going all in without a plan 05:49 Turning down a Jimmy Choo opportunity in New York to stay local 06:37 DJ'ing since high school and building it into a real business 07:08 Working every role at the Funny Bone Comedy Club and what it taught him 07:51 Driving Kevin Hart, Chelsea Handler, and Tom Segura on press runs before they were famous 10:16 Winning Commercial of the Year for Virginia and going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 14:31 Burning the boats on January 30th, 2020 — and COVID hitting one month later 15:07 Pivoting to real estate during COVID with zero distractions and total focus 17:13 Rookie of the Year in 2021 and Diamond Awards back to back ever since 19:30 The leadership lesson that changed everything — stop fixing weaknesses, build on strengths 28:11 The go-giver approach that opened every door in his career 29:43 Why you never know who is watching and why showing up is half the battle 32:04 What comedians grinding the circuit taught him about consistency 36:00 Why likability and relatability have been his biggest superpower in real estate 44:38 Announcing his upcoming book — The Road 46:08 Family as his north star and the legacy he is building Quotables "Likability is a superpower. If I don't have haters, I'm not doing something right." "You are the brand. It doesn't matter if you're W-2 or independent." "There's never a right time to do anything. You just have to go." "Showing up is always half the battle. Always." "Stop trying to fix weaknesses. Build the strengths and delegate the rest." "I want to be the painting of Grandpa Julian on the wall that every generation sees." "Little did I know that everything I did in entertainment is pretty much the same thing you do in real estate." Links 608B Capital https://608bcapital.com Your Peak Life Podcast Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Julian Rivera Instagram & Facebook: @julianrivera | djjulianrivera.com

    51 min
  3. Jason Seward: Ten Traits That Separate the People Who Build From the People Who Stay Stuck

    MAR 29

    Jason Seward: Ten Traits That Separate the People Who Build From the People Who Stay Stuck

    In this episode of Burning the Ships, host Jason Seward flies solo to share something he has been thinking about for a while — the ten fundamental traits that he believes are the building blocks of success in life, relationships, and business. Jason opens up about where the podcast is headed, why he is refocusing Burning the Ships around mindset and storytelling, and how launching the Dealmaker podcast with his business partner Jim Ingersoll has freed him up to go deeper on the topics he cares about most. From there, he walks through his personal list of ten core character traits — not as a lecture, but as an honest reflection on what has shaped him, what he has had to build over time, and what he still works on every single day. This episode is equal parts personal and practical. Jason weaves in stories about his grandfather, his marriage, his workout streak, his business, and the lessons he has picked up from a decade of obsessive reading and listening. If you have ever wondered what separates people who consistently show up and build something meaningful from those who stay stuck, this episode lays out a clear and honest answer. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 Introduction and the mindset behind taking ownership of everything 00:47 Why Jason is going back to his roots with more solo episodes 01:08 Over 200 episodes in and never missing a week since launching 03:14 Launching the Dealmaker podcast with Jim Ingersoll to cover real estate tactics 09:04 The podcast that inspired this episode and the idea of fundamental character traits 14:45 In leadership, if your team fails, you failed them first 15:33 Trait two — Discipline: why motivation is temporary and discipline is permanent 16:31 The January gym analogy and what it reveals about most people's foundations 17:39 How discipline shows up in his marriage and why date nights are non-negotiable 24:17 Why reputation is your currency and how quickly it can be spent 27:22 Trait four — Resilience: adversity is not the exception, it is life 28:35 How to define resilience — taking a punch, adjusting, and moving forward without losing the vision 29:18 Trait five — Curiosity: the trait that has served him best and why it keeps him sharp 32:30 How curiosity feeds a willingness to challenge your own assumptions 33:26 Trait six — Decisiveness: why indecision kills momentum 40:19 Trait nine — Consistency: small actions repeated daily create massive results over time 43:18 Trait ten — Vision: without it, all the discipline and energy in the world becomes random effort 44:33 Using guardrails to channel energy toward something meaningful 45:16 Recap of all ten traits and an invitation to share yours Quotables "Motivation is temporary. Discipline is permanent." "Anybody can perform when things are easy. The real separator is your ability to show up when they're not." "Your reputation is your currency. You can spend it recklessly or spend it wisely." "Adversity is not the exception to the rule. Adversity is life." "Resilience is your ability to take a punch, adjust, and keep moving forward without losing focus on the vision." "If you believe you already have all the answers, you are not growing anymore." "I don't need perfect information to move forward. I just need enough to make a calculated decision and adjust if needed." "Without vision, all my discipline and energy just becomes random effort." "Consistency compounds. Small actions repeated daily create massive results over time." "Own everything. Figure out how you could have influenced any outcome to make it better." Links 608B Capital https://608bcapital.com

    47 min
  4. Martine Richardson: How a $35,000 House Quietly Became a $240,000 Asset

    MAR 22

    Martine Richardson: How a $35,000 House Quietly Became a $240,000 Asset

    In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with Martine Richardson — a Richmond-based real estate investor, rental property coach, and community builder who went full time in real estate ten years ago not by choice, but by force. Martine shares the honest version of how her journey started — getting fired from her job because real estate had already become her priority, and deciding in that moment to go all in rather than look for another paycheck. She opens up about the early hustle of wholesaling to stay afloat, how she accidentally stumbled into her first rental property through seller financing, and why she has been ten toes down on buy-and-hold investing ever since. We also dive into the freedom that rental properties have quietly built for her family, how growing up with financial hardship shaped her drive, and why she now coaches others to buy their first rental using little to none of their own money. Martine's energy and positivity are contagious throughout this conversation, and it's clear that her purpose goes far beyond building a portfolio — it's about showing others that the path to freedom is more accessible than they think. If you've ever talked yourself out of taking the next step, this episode will make you rethink that decision. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 Introduction and Martine's philosophy on letting assets do the work 00:46 Getting into real estate 12 years ago and going full time ten years ago 01:44 Getting fired from her job — and why it was the push she needed 03:00 The early hustle of wholesaling to create active income after losing her W-2 03:47 Accidentally landing her first rental through seller financing 04:28 Why buy-and-hold rentals are the foundation every investor needs 07:37 House hacking a six bedroom home and eliminating her own living expenses 08:42 How quietly accumulating rentals created a freedom she couldn't get any other way 09:46 The power of principal paydown and pulling equity tax-free through refinancing 10:03 Buying a house for $35,000 that is now worth $240,000 — and never selling it 14:15 Growing up in financial hardship and how that shaped everything she has built 15:07 Teaching her daughter affirmations at age three and instilling a do-your-best mindset 20:26 Launching her coaching community "The Fam" and what makes it different 21:22 Where her natural positivity comes from and why it makes her a great coach 23:44 Working as a financial analyst and hating every minute — the moment she knew she had to leave 25:31 A client who went from skeptic to closing $1.2 million in rentals with none of his own money 28:30 How to find Martine and get into her free Facebook community 30:06 Parting advice — make a decision and push through until it starts working Quotables "I realized real estate was going to give me my freedom more than my job ever could." "It was time to sink or swim. I chose to swim." "I bought a six bedroom house and rented out the rooms. I was living for free." "The assets quietly make you wealthy while you're just carrying on doing more." "I don't have to work anymore. I get to work now." "I'm always finding the positive in anything that I'm doing." "Make a decision that you are going to continue to do this until it starts working for you." "The path will be revealed as you start the journey." Links 608B Capital https://608bcapital.com The Fam — Martine's Free Facebook Community (search "Free to Make" on Facebook or reach out to Martine directly)

    35 min
  5. Carrie Copenhaver : Building Real Wealth Without Losing Your Mind or Yourself

    MAR 15

    Carrie Copenhaver : Building Real Wealth Without Losing Your Mind or Yourself

    In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with Carrie Copenhaver — a Virginia Beach-based real estate agent, investor, and longtime member and former president of TRIG (Tidewater Real Estate Investors Group) who has spent nearly two decades building a portfolio on her own terms. Carrie shares how she went from forensic chemist — working in a government lab where mediocrity was the expectation — to becoming a full-time real estate investor and agent alongside her husband Mike. She opens up about the unconventional path that got her here: a brief detour into gym ownership, years of studying real estate before pulling the trigger, and the mindset shift that changed everything. We also dive into how Carrie has intentionally avoided the "scale at all costs" trap, building a lean, flexible business focused on creative financing, short-term rentals, multifamily, and now commercial real estate. She talks about the joy she gets from pouring into other investors, why she believes real purpose comes from service to others, and how she and Mike have built not just a strong business partnership, but a genuinely strong marriage. If you've ever felt like you don't fit the mold of a corporate job, this episode is proof that betting on yourself — even slowly and methodically — can pay off in ways that go far beyond the bank account. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 Introduction and Carrie's philosophy on real estate and relationships 01:06 Carrie's background — real estate agent and investor since 2006 04:53 The gym ownership detour with her husband before jumping into real estate full time 06:38 Why leveraging your W-2 as long as possible is a superpower in real estate 08:02 Studying real estate for years before pulling the trigger — the importance of foundation 14:12 Raising two sons as entrepreneurs and teaching them how to hustle 17:04 Both sons now involved in real estate — project management, flipping, and rentals 21:24 Building a portfolio intentionally — flipping, multifamily, short-term rentals, and creative deals 27:05 Why she'll never fully retire — the mental gymnastics and relationships keep her going 31:21 Her life purpose: pouring into people and changing lives through real estate 35:58 Advice for investors stuck in the learning phase who aren't taking action yet 37:20 How to find a mentor — and what you should bring to that relationship 39:17 Go-give mentality: showing up to add value, not extract it 48:01 Using persuasive language skills in marriage and parenting — not just in business 52:04 TRIG — what it is, when they meet, and why it's been a game changer for her business 54:39 Still active as a real estate agent and wholesaling with a business partner Quotables "I had that epiphany — am I really going to trade my life for mediocrity?" "You can tell yourself you can or you can't. You're right either way." "I've learned how to live comfortably uncomfortable." "Go in with how you can provide value — not how you can extract it." "There are two banks: your money bank and your karma bank. I'm not leaving here with money, but I will leave here with the karma." "Whose life can I change today? That gives me the highest level of satisfaction of anything I do." "There's enough sunshine for all of us." "This is not a dress rehearsal. We're one and done." Links 608B Capital https://608bcapital.comTRIG — Tidewater Real Estate Investors Group (meets the third Tuesday of every month at the Holiday Inn on Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach)

    59 min
  6. Brian Hall: Why Scaling Down Your Business Might Be the Right Move

    MAR 8

    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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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4.8
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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
    217
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 608b Capital Funding LLC
  • Show Website
    Burning The Ships

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