How To Ride A Roller Coaster

David Ezell
  • 5.0 (9)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

How To Ride A Roller Coaster is the official podcast of Clutch City. Each episode brings you honest, tactical conversations with founders navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship - from wild pivots to clutch wins.

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode #88: Matthew Krayton, Founder of Publitics

    What if the smartest business move you ever make… is not to scale? In this episode of How To Ride A Roller Coaster, host David Ezell sits down with Matt Krayton, Founding Principal of Publitics, a communications and political strategy firm that helps leaders, organizations, and public figures navigate high-stakes challenges, shape public opinion, and build trust in an age of polarization. Matt shares his unconventional path—from a laid-off history teacher to launching his own political consulting firm during the 2008 recession—and how choosing to stay small became his biggest competitive advantage. Together, David and Matt unpack the tension between growth and purpose, what it really means to be nimble in business, and how founders can build lasting success without losing their freedom or values. They dig into: The real story behind founding Publitics and breaking into political consulting Why staying small and agile beats scaling for scale’s sake How taking investor money can change your mission overnight The “SWAT team” approach to problem-solving in high-pressure industries How to craft messages that resonate across fragmented media platforms Why attention is the new currency—and how to earn it authentically What entrepreneurs can learn from political campaigns about narrative, focus, and resilience This episode is a masterclass in intentional growth, narrative strategy, and the power of staying true to your mission—even when everyone else is telling you to go bigger, faster, and louder. If you’ve ever wondered whether more is really better, this conversation will give you the clarity to redefine success on your own terms. Show links: Matthew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkrayton/ Publitics: https://www.publitics.com/ M2Aspire: https://www.m2aspire.com/ Substack: https://m2aspire.substack.com/

    52 min

  2. OCT 29

    Episode #87: Dr. Eugene Choi, Mindset Coach

    What if the key to higher performance wasn’t working harder — but understanding your brain? In this episode of How To Ride A Roller Coaster, host David Ezell talks with Dr. Eugene Choi, a neuroscience-based executive coach and former LA County health system leader who managed operations for six major hospitals and over 250 clinics. After witnessing burnout and pressure derail even the most talented teams, Eugene set out to uncover why — and discovered how our brains can be retrained to operate in peak performance mode. Together, David and Eugene explore: 🧠 The neuroscience behind leadership burnout (and how to fix it) ⚡ How to trigger “flow state” on demand — even under pressure 👥 How high-performing teams can unlock clarity, creativity, and engagement 🔄 Practical brain-based tools entrepreneurs can use to perform better without burning out If you’ve ever hit a wall in your business, this conversation will help you understand what’s happening under the hood — and how to rewire it. Website → https://eugenekchoi.com/LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenekchoi/ Connect with David: Website → https://realdavidezell.comListen to past episodes, discover upcoming guests, and get resources for founders and creators navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

    39 min

  3. OCT 21

    Episode #86: Christian "Boo" Boucousis, CEO of Afterburner

    Leading Under Pressure with Fighter Pilot Precision — Christian “Boo” Boucousis, CEO of Afterburner In this episode of How To Ride A Roller Coaster, David Ezell is joined by Christian “Boo” Boucousis, CEO of Afterburner and author of the Amazon best-seller The Afterburner Advantage. Boo and his team have spent 30 years bringing the mindset and precision of fighter pilots into business — helping over 3,500 organizations and 2 million leaders execute with clarity, speed, and confidence under pressure. From the cockpit to the boardroom, Boo shares how leaders can turn overwhelm into focused execution, build alignment in high-speed environments, and create consistent performance without burnout through his Flawless Leadership framework. In this conversation, you’ll learn:• How to apply the fighter pilot model — Plan, Brief, Execute, Debrief — to your business and life• Why high-performing leaders rely on iteration over instinct• The difference between motivation and mission clarity• How to lead with intention and adaptability in fast-changing environments Whether you’re leading a team, growing a company, or simply trying to perform better under pressure, Boo’s frameworks will give you the tools to thrive in complexity and move with purpose. Learn more about Boo: 🔗 Website📘 The Afterburner Advantage🤖 Ask Boo’s AI Agent

    49 min

  4. OCT 7

    Episode #85: Jake Isham, CEO of Creative MIND Studios

    In this episode, David Ezell sits down with Jake Isham, filmmaker-turned-brand strategist and creative director behind Creative MIND Studios, who’s helped founders and entrepreneurs turn their stories into empires. With over 1 billion views across the content he’s created for names like Grant Cardone, Callaway, 5.11 Tactical, and Travis Mathew, Jake has mastered the art of blending storytelling with strategy. He shares how to build authority online, what most people get wrong about content, and how to create digital shows that make you unforgettable. Whether you’re an entrepreneur building your personal brand or a leader trying to connect through storytelling, this conversation will reshape how you think about content, trust, and visibility in 2025. We talk about: How to turn your story into authority What it takes to stand out online in 2025 Behind the scenes of creating content for billion-view brands Why every founder should think like a filmmaker Follow Jake on LinkedIn Follow Creative MIND 👉 Go to www.realdavidezell.com → for speaking, podcast links, Clutch City.

    52 min

  5. SEP 24

    Episode #84: Doug C. Brown, Founder of CEO Sales Strategies

    In this episode of How To Ride A Roller Coaster, David Ezell sits down with Doug C. Smith of ceosalesstrategies.com, a globally recognized Sales Revenue and Profit Growth Expert. Doug has helped companies like Intuit, CBS, and Procter & Gamble generate nearly a billion dollars in revenue through his proven Double Your Sales Methodology. David and Doug dive into the heart of sales — relationships. They explore why putting the customer first is the key to long-term success, how to sell with integrity even before your product or service is fully built, and why trust and connection always outperform slick tactics. Doug also shares insights from his time leading sales training with Tony Robbins and Chet Holmes, building over 35 businesses, and creating Vibitno, a powerful sales automation platform designed to help sellers capture lost opportunities and double their sales. If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or independent seller who wants to grow revenue while building lasting relationships with your customers, this episode is packed with strategies you can put into action right away.

    57 min

  6. SEP 17

    Episode #83: Anders Hansen, Founder of Real Magic LLC

    Mindset vs Metrics — How Anders Hansen Turned Inner Game Into $12M in Revenue Join me for a powerful conversation with Anders Hansen, founder of Real Magic LLC, who has built a business generating over $12 million in revenue in just 7 years, including multiple $1 million+ months. But what really sets Anders apart isn’t just the numbers—it’s how he thinks. In this episode, we dig into: Mindset over Method — Why your inner beliefs and self-image often determine what’s possible in your business more than marketing, systems, or strategy. The Proctor Legacy — How working with the legendary Bob Proctor shaped Anders’ approach to transformation, leadership, and scaling. Turning Points & Breakthroughs — The pivotal mindset shifts that allowed Anders to leap past “ceiling thinking” and plateauing, and how you can apply them too. Practical Tools for Mental Mastery — Actionable habits, rituals, and frameworks that Anders uses to stay grounded, ambitious, and focused—even under pressure. From Mindset to Million-Dollar Months — The bridge between mindset work and measurable revenue growth—and why many entrepreneurs get stuck trying to scale without first upgrading how they think. Whether you’re a founder, business leader, or entrepreneur hungry for growth (financial, personal, or both), this episode will challenge you to examine the beliefs that are helping—and holding you back. Anders shows that the difference between where you are and where you want to be may not be a better plan, but a bolder mindset. Follow Anders here: https://www.andershansen.com/en/ Anders on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/theandershansen

    37 min

  7. AUG 24

    Episode #82: Michael Jacobson, CEO of French Florist

    In this episode of How To Ride A Roller Coaster, David sits down with Michael Jacobson, CEO of French Florist, to dive into his incredible journey from buying the company from his uncle to transforming it into one of the most recognized names in the floral industry. Michael shares how he jumpstarted growth by tackling the “low-hanging fruit” first—stopping the bleeding, fixing operational inefficiencies, and implementing policies that set the foundation for long-term success. He also reveals how French Florist stands out in a crowded market by obsessing over the customer experience and embracing a European-inspired approach to flowers: they shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions—they’re for everyday moments. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creative, or someone passionate about building standout brands, this episode is packed with insights on leadership, scaling, and redefining industry norms.

    39 min

  8. AUG 19

    Episode #81: Adrienne Wilkerson, CEO of Beacon Media + Marketing

    In this episode, I'm joined by Adrienne Wilkerson—co-founder and CEO of Beacon Media + Marketing—to unpack how she transformed a humble graphic design startup into an award-winning, Inc. 5000-recognized digital marketing agency. From realizing early on that she’d make a better boss than an employee to pioneering digital marketing services in Alaska and beyond, Adrienne shares the mindset, grit, and strategic pivots that shaped Beacon’s journey. Beacon Media + MarketingDigital Web Solutions We dive deep into: Finding and owning your niche: Why Adrienne focused on serving healthcare professionals and how that clarity has driven Beacon’s success Beacon Media + Marketing. Building a purpose-driven brand: How staying “people-first” grounded Beacon’s culture and fueled its growth—from flexible work practices to “whole person” support systems that have redefined workplace culture in a meaningful way Digital Web Solutions. Embracing adaptability: How being early adopters of social media and digital marketing shaped the agency—and why the willingness to pivot remains Beacon’s superpower Digital Web Solutions. Turning AI into an ally: Adrienne’s framework for leveraging AI as a “copilot”—enhancing, not replacing, human creativity and strategy Digital Web Solutions. If you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or brand-builder navigating growth, leadership, or the evolving digital landscape, this episode is packed with real talk, actionable insights, and a side of inspiration.

    40 min
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How To Ride A Roller Coaster is the official podcast of Clutch City. Each episode brings you honest, tactical conversations with founders navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship - from wild pivots to clutch wins.

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