E-Forge With Cory Long

Cory Long

E-forge with Cory Long is for faith-driven entrepreneurs who know they’re called to more; but feel stuck in the daily grind. This show is about helping you rise; from overwhelmed operator to empowered leader. Cory brings real strategies on business structure, systems, marketing, AI, and mindset to help you build a business that gives you back your time, multiplies your impact, and aligns with your purpose. If you’re ready to unlock freedom, lead with excellence, and use your business to serve others at the highest level, this podcast is your next step.

  1. 1D AGO

    Did You Build a Business… or Just Buy Yourself a Job?

    Most business owners want to grow, scale, and eventually have more freedom, but what if the business you built can’t run without you? In this episode of the E-Forts Podcast, Cory Long sits down with Kellen Ketcho of STAG Business Coaching to talk about how to build a business that has real value, not just revenue. If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, founder, or local service business leader who wants to create systems, build a stronger team, improve operations, prepare for an exit, or simply stop feeling trapped inside your own company, this conversation is for you.  Kellen shares how owners can move from operator to true owner, why systems and documented processes increase business valuation, how to de-risk a sale, and why your team may be the most important asset in your company. You’ll also hear practical insight on exit planning, mastermind groups, profitability audits, AI-powered operations tools, team assessments, business coaching, faith-driven leadership, and the question every entrepreneur eventually has to ask: when is enough enough? You’ll learn: → How to identify whether your business depends too much on you → Why buyers care about systems and transferable value → How business owners can use coaching and masterminds to make better decisions → Why building with purpose, faith, family, and long-term freedom in mind changes the way you lead Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below. Ai Authority Engine https://invisibletoinvinciblechallenge.com/aiengine YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@therealcorylong Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-forge-with-cory-long/id1823417933 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4aZD9YaIr5OttNLce5iGOm?si=7149ceb9ed9c4819 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/therealcorylong/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/therealcorylongEforge/ Disclaimer -  This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.

    42 min
  2. APR 23

    I Lost $70,000 and a $45K/Month Client... Here’s What I Learned

    Building a business is not just about winning. It is about what you do when the client leaves, the marketing fails, the money disappears, and you still have to lead anyway. In this episode, Cory Long breaks down the real pressure of entrepreneurship, from losing a $45,000 per month client to wasting $70,000 on marketing that did not produce results, to facing the stress of making payroll when everything feels uncertain.  This is for entrepreneurs, business owners, Christian entrepreneurs, agency owners, and leaders who feel the weight of hard business decisions, financial pressure, team responsibility, and the fear of making the wrong move. If you are trying to grow your business, recover from setbacks, rebuild your confidence, generate more leads, increase sales, and lead your company through uncertainty, this episode will hit home.  Cory shares what business losses really feel like, why most entrepreneurs freeze when action is required, and how to move forward with conviction, clarity, and faith when business gets hard. You’ll learn: → Why business losses hurt more than just your bank account → How bad decisions can destroy confidence if you let them stack up → Why real business growth still comes through conversations and relationship → How one clear offer plus daily reach-outs can restart momentum in your business  → The difference between learning and executing → Why many entrepreneurs bury opportunity under fear and overthinking → How to become the kind of leader who multiplies what they have been given Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below. Ai Authority Engine https://invisibletoinvinciblechallenge.com/aiengine YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@therealcorylong Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-forge-with-cory-long/id1823417933 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4aZD9YaIr5OttNLce5iGOm?si=7149ceb9ed9c4819 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/therealcorylong/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/therealcorylongEforge/ Disclaimer -  This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.

    25 min
  3. APR 16

    You Can’t Build a Great Business With a Broken Marriage

    If you’re building a business, chasing success, and trying to scale your life, but your marriage is struggling, you’re setting yourself up for failure. In this episode of the E Forge Podcast, Cory Long sits down with marriage coach Trey Hoffman to break down a truth most entrepreneurs ignore: your home life directly impacts your leadership, decision-making, and long-term success. You can grow revenue, build teams, and hit big milestones, but if your relationship at home is unstable, it will eventually show up in your business. This conversation is for entrepreneurs, business owners, and high performers who feel the tension between ambition and relationships. If you’ve ever struggled with work-life balance, felt disconnected from your spouse, or wondered how to succeed without sacrificing your family, this episode gives you the clarity you need. You’ll learn how to strengthen your marriage, avoid the most common blind spots leaders face, and build a life where your business and relationships actually support each other instead of competing. Because at the end of the day, success without strong relationships isn’t success at all. What You’ll Learn: → You’ll discover why so many successful entrepreneurs end up with broken marriages and how small daily habits, like broken promises and lack of presence, slowly erode trust. Trey shares practical strategies for maintaining connection, including the importance of consistent date nights, setting boundaries with technology, and protecting your relationship from outside influences. → The conversation dives into real-world examples of leaders who chased business success at the cost of their families, and what they wish they had done differently. You’ll also learn how communication, intentional time together, and shared values can transform both your marriage and your leadership. → Finally, you’ll walk away with a new perspective: your marriage isn’t separate from your business, it’s the foundation that supports everything you’re building. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:12 Why Marriage Impacts Leadership 05:33 Trey’s Journey Into Marriage Coaching 12:40 The Entrepreneur’s Biggest Relationship Mistake 18:20 Why “I’ll Fix It Later” Never Works 24:10 Blind Spots That Destroy Marriages 31:45 Practical Habits for Strong Relationships 40:20 Boundaries That Protect Your Marriage 49:10 Balancing Business, Ministry & Family 58:30 Modern Stressors (Phones, Social Media, Time) 1:07:15 Why Intentional Time Matters Most 1:15:00 Final Takeaways for Entrepreneurs Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below. Ai Authority Engine https://invisibletoinvinciblechallenge.com/aiengine YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@therealcorylong Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-forge-with-cory-long/id1823417933 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4aZD9YaIr5OttNLce5iGOm?si=7149ceb9ed9c4819 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/therealcorylong/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/therealcorylongEforge/ Disclaimer -  This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.

    43 min
  4. APR 9

    How to Create an Experience People Never Forget

    Most business owners think growth comes down to better marketing, more leads, and stronger sales. But this conversation shows there is another layer that matters just as much: attention, experience, and the way your audience feels after they interact with you.  In this episode of the E Forge Podcast, Cory Long sits down with David and Kylie Knight, founders of Knight Illusions, to break down how they built a high-impact illusion and entertainment company that serves churches, nonprofits, fundraisers, student events, and live audiences across the country.  What makes this conversation powerful is that it is not really about magic. It is about audience psychology, brand positioning, memorable experiences, live event strategy, family engagement, ministry impact, and how to create something people talk about long after the event is over. If you are a business owner, entrepreneur, church leader, nonprofit organizer, or event planner trying to stand out in a crowded market, this episode will help you think differently about customer experience, emotional connection, and what it really takes to leave a lasting impression.  David and Kylie also share how they turned an artistic calling into a real business system with excellence, follow-up, and a mission bigger than themselves. You’ll Learn: → How Knight Illusions built a business around live entertainment, ministry, and audience engagement without losing quality or purpose.  → How they use systems, follow-up, and customized event strategy to help churches, nonprofits, and organizations create stronger outreach events and fundraisers.  → About audience psychology, why people remember how you made them feel, and how business owners can apply those same principles to branding, marketing, leadership, and customer experience.  → You will also hear powerful stories from the road, lessons from performing for families and students, and how their mission connects to ministry work like Uganda Shoe Trees. Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below. Ai Authority Engine https://invisibletoinvinciblechallenge.com/aiengine YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@therealcorylong Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-forge-with-cory-long/id1823417933 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4aZD9YaIr5OttNLce5iGOm?si=7149ceb9ed9c4819 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/therealcorylong/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/therealcorylongEforge/ Disclaimer -  This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.

    31 min
  5. APR 2

    How to Take Action When Everyone Else Hesitates

    Most entrepreneurs do not fail because they lack ideas. They fail because they wait too long to act.  In this episode of the E Forge Podcast, Cory Long sits down with entrepreneur Charlie Cook to talk about business growth, taking action, and building momentum when everyone else is stuck overthinking. Charlie owns multiple businesses, including Mountain Land Virginia and Crop Processors, and his story is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, leadership, execution, and legacy building. From developing a mountain property in Fancy Gap, Virginia, to growing a CBD business from the ground up, Charlie shares how real progress happens when you stop waiting for the perfect plan and start moving.  This conversation is for business owners, entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders who feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or stuck in analysis paralysis. If you have been putting off the sales call, delaying the next move, or waiting for clarity before taking action, this episode will challenge you to think differently. You will hear real stories about cold calls, land investing, family business, resilience through hard times, and why momentum in business comes from doing, not just thinking. You’ll Hear: → How Charlie and his family built a lasting entrepreneurial legacy through land development, hydro projects, and new business ventures.  → Why taking action creates clarity and how momentum is built through simple execution.  → What makes land investing such a powerful long-term wealth strategy.  → How entrepreneurs can push through recessions, setbacks, and uncertainty without giving up. Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below. Ai Authority Engine YouTube Apple Spotify Instagram Facebook Disclaimer -  This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation

    53 min
  6. MAR 27

    The $10K Conversation You’re Avoiding Right Now

    Most business owners don’t have a strategy problem, they have an execution problem. If you’ve been stuck overthinking, consuming more content, or waiting for the “perfect plan,” this episode will challenge everything you think you need to grow your business. In this episode of the E Forge Podcast, Cory Long breaks down how a group of entrepreneurs generated nearly $900,000 in quotes in just two days, without new funnels, ads, or complicated tactics. No hacks. No secrets. Just execution. You’ll discover why conversations, not content, drive revenue, how accountability and environment can multiply your results, and why speed is the ultimate advantage in today’s AI-driven world. If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or sales professional who wants more income, more momentum, and more clarity, this episode will show you what’s actually missing. This is for anyone tired of learning and ready to start closing. Highlights: → You’ll learn why having more information isn’t the answer and how execution is the real bottleneck holding your business back.  → Cory breaks down the exact math behind turning conversations into revenue, showing how 81 real conversations led to massive opportunities and closed deals.  → You’ll also discover the power of environment and accountability, and how being in the right room can instantly elevate your performance. This episode dives into daily non-negotiables that drive consistent growth, including how to create momentum through simple habits like reach-outs, follow-ups, and clear offers. You’ll also hear a powerful challenge about identifying your next $10K conversation, and why avoiding it is costing you more than you think. Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below. Ai Authority Engine https://invisibletoinvinciblechallenge.com/aiengine YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@therealcorylong Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-forge-with-cory-long/id1823417933 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4aZD9YaIr5OttNLce5iGOm?si=7149ceb9ed9c4819 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/therealcorylong/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/therealcorylongEforge/

    24 min
  7. MAR 19

    How to Get Your Business Recommended by AI Instead of Ignored

    Search is changing faster than most business owners realize.  On this episode of the E Forge Podcast, host Cory Long breaks down why traditional SEO is no longer enough and what it really takes to get found in the new era of AI search. Tools like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, Claude, Grok, and voice search are no longer just showing a list of links. They are choosing which businesses, professionals, and experts to recommend directly. That means your business can still rank on Google and yet lose leads if AI does not recognize your authority. In this episode, Cory explains how AI SEO, digital authority, entity foundation, and authority signals are becoming the new rules of visibility online. This is especially important for realtors, local businesses, service businesses, entrepreneurs, agencies, and anyone who depends on online discovery to generate clients. If you want to understand the future of SEO, how AI search works, and what you need to do now to stay visible, this episode will help you get ahead before the rest of your market catches up. You’ll Learn: → Why AI search is changing how buyers and customers find businesses online. → How your digital identity affects whether AI understands who you are. → Why authority signals from third-party sources matter more than ever. → How answer-focused content is replacing old SEO habits that no longer work. Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below. Ai Authority Engine https://invisibletoinvinciblechallenge.com/aiengine YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@therealcorylong Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-forge-with-cory-long/id1823417933 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4aZD9YaIr5OttNLce5iGOm?si=7149ceb9ed9c4819 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/therealcorylong/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/therealcorylongEforge/ Disclaimer -  This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.

    25 min
  8. MAR 12

    He Went to Bed a Salesman and Woke Up a Business Owner

    Steven Ragsdale didn’t just start a roofing company. He made the leap from top-producing salesman to co-owner of a respected business built on trust, systems, relationships, and long-term thinking.  In this episode of the E Forge Podcast, Cory Long sits down with Steven of Blacksmith Roofing and Construction in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to talk about what really happens when you go from closing deals for someone else to carrying the weight of ownership yourself. This conversation is for entrepreneurs, operators, sales professionals, and anyone who wants to build a business without losing their family, values, or reputation in the process.  If you’ve ever wondered how to move from employee to owner, how to grow a company the right way, or how to build a strong business culture in a competitive industry, this episode is packed with practical wisdom. They cover roofing sales, entrepreneurship, leadership, hiring, company culture, customer trust, referral marketing, ownership mindset, and the long game of building a business that lasts. You’ll Hear: → How Steven and his business partner built Blacksmith Roofing from the ground up after years in roofing sales, what surprised them most about becoming owners, and why going slow is often the smartest way to grow.  → How to hire the right people, why loyalty still matters in business, how to avoid growing too fast, and what makes a partnership actually work.  → Why relationships still beat shortcuts in a world obsessed with automation and AI.  → Lessons on leadership, referrals, client trust, company systems, team retention, and what it means to build a respected brand instead of chasing quick wins. Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below. Ai Authority Engine YouTube Apple Spotify Instagram Facebook Disclaimer -  This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.

    49 min
5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

E-forge with Cory Long is for faith-driven entrepreneurs who know they’re called to more; but feel stuck in the daily grind. This show is about helping you rise; from overwhelmed operator to empowered leader. Cory brings real strategies on business structure, systems, marketing, AI, and mindset to help you build a business that gives you back your time, multiplies your impact, and aligns with your purpose. If you’re ready to unlock freedom, lead with excellence, and use your business to serve others at the highest level, this podcast is your next step.

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