The Disruptive Capitalists

Sam Sells
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The Disruptive Capitalists – Where real estate meets innovation. Hosted by Sam Sells, impact investor and retired Air Force officer. We break down capital-raising, AI-driven investing, affordable housing solutions, and disruptive strategies to build wealth and impact. Featuring conversations with top investors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders in commercial real estate, multifamily investing, impact investing, and financial technology. New episodes weekly. Subscribe for real strategies — not theory.

  1. 3D AGO

    AI Is Bigger Than the Internet. A Top VC Explains Why. | Mike Collins

    Mike Collins founded Alumni Ventures at 49. People called him crazy. Now it manages $1.5 billion in assets, has invested in 1,500+ companies including 31 unicorns and 14 IPOs, and is one of the most active VC firms on the planet. In this episode, Mike joins Sam Sells for a deep dive into the venture capital model he built to democratize access for individual investors, why AI represents a super cycle bigger than the internet, and why the Innovator's Dilemma guarantees that small, agile teams with AI will outpace giant incumbents at every inflection point. Mike also delivers sharp fundraising advice: secure a lead investor first, demonstrate real customer traction, and prove your product can't be swallowed by platform giants like OpenAI or Google. Sam adds his own perspective as a founder building AI tools for government grants, where hallucination filters aren't a feature — they're a regulatory requirement. In this episode, you'll hear: → How Mike built Alumni Ventures from a $1.5M Dartmouth alumni fund to a $1.5B unicorn → The co-investing model that gets AV into the best deals without leading rounds → Why AI is a super cycle with cross-industry impact bigger than the internet → The Innovator's Dilemma and why big companies lose at inflection points → Why durable advantage comes from staying on the leading capability curve → Moats AI can't break: live sports, human experiences, entrenched SaaS → Tactical fundraising advice for founders raising in 2026 → Why your startup feature must survive platform risk → Sam's hallucination filter for high-stakes government grant AI 🔗 Connect with Mike Collins: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-collins-362100/ Alumni Ventures: https://www.av.vc Twitter/X: @MikeCollinsAV 🔗 Connect with Sam Sells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelsells/ https://www.facebook.com/impactsamuel ⁠facebook.com/sam.sells.16⁠ ⁠instagram.com/thedisruptivecapitalists https://grantauthority.org 🔗 Follow The Disruptive Capitalists: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/id1644437927 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1I5tdqJNcxCB2Qiu1lfZyJ?si=4a4cf07923394bb9 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@disruptivecapitalists/podcasts Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW71563?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PZGDSPN2ASGH1HR8PADY Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/PC:1001025132 ⭐ Love the show? Leave a rating & review — it helps more people find us! Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests. The content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners should seek legal or professional advice before making any decisions based on the discussions in this podcast.

    29 min

  2. 5D AGO

    He Donates a Portion of Every Deal He Closes. They Called Him Crazy. | Dru Wischhover

    Dru Wischhover, founder of Inspired Title Group, Inspired Development Group, and Winspire LLC — donates a portion of every single closing his companies do to community causes. His underwriters called him crazy. His colleagues said it wouldn't work. Twenty years later, that "crazy" decision is the foundation of everything he's built. In this deeply personal conversation with Sam Sells, Dru shares his journey from finance and SEC arbitration to title insurance and real estate development, his plan to build homes for people in need funded entirely by his companies, and the family legacy he's creating with all three of his kids working alongside him. He's also launching Heroes Helping Heroes, a nonprofit serving veterans, nurses, doctors, and frontline workers struggling with mental health. Dru and Sam go deep on the ROI obsession that's destroying generosity, the nonprofit transparency crisis, and why giving without expectation is the most powerful business strategy nobody teaches. Dru also shares the unforgettable story of his wealthy uncle who reuses bathwater and is the most miserable person he's ever met, proof that money alone doesn't create happiness. In this episode, you'll hear: → Why Dru donates from every closing, and how it became his competitive advantage → Heroes Helping Heroes: a new nonprofit for veterans and frontline workers → The dream of building homes for those in need, funded by his businesses → The rich uncle story that proves money doesn't equal happiness → Why the ROI obsession is killing generosity in business → Sam's USAID experience and the nonprofit transparency problem → AI tools cutting grant writing from 200 hours to 30 minutes → Why most people can give 10% and never feel it → The MRI machine story: good intentions aren't enough without listening 🔗 Connect with Dru Wischhover: Website: inspired-title.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dru-wischhover/ 🔗 Connect with Sam Sells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelsells/ https://www.facebook.com/impactsamuel ⁠facebook.com/sam.sells.16⁠ ⁠instagram.com/thedisruptivecapitalists https://grantauthority.org 🔗 Follow The Disruptive Capitalists: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/id1644437927 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1I5tdqJNcxCB2Qiu1lfZyJ?si=4a4cf07923394bb9 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@disruptivecapitalists/podcasts Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW71563?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PZGDSPN2ASGH1HR8PADY Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/PC:1001025132 ⭐ Love the show? Leave a rating & review — it helps more people find us! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests. The content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners should seek legal or professional advice before making any decisions based on the discussions in this podcast.

    30 min

  3. APR 27

    Design That Builds Community: Multifamily Housing with Marcy Sagel

    Marcy Sagel, founder of MSA Interiors and one of the leading commercial interior designers in multifamily housing with over 30 years of experience, joins Sam Sells for a conversation that goes far beyond aesthetics. Marcy shares how working directly with residents before picking up a pencil changes the outcome of a project. When designers listen first, the result is spaces that actually serve the people living in them, and that connection pays off for developers too. Thoughtful, community-informed design increases property value, reduces turnover, and builds the kind of atmosphere that keeps residents in place for years. For developers and investors, that translates directly to stronger returns. Sam adds perspective on how community engagement creates real financial returns and shares his own transition from real estate to building technology that streamlines grant writing for underserved communities. In this episode, you'll hear: → Why collaborating with residents before designing changes everything → The financial case for community-informed interior design → Designing for senior living without sacrificing beauty → How good design strengthens the relationship between residents and their community → Bridging the gap between developers and the people they build for → Sam's grant-writing technology and the transition from real estate to tech 🔗 Connect with Marcy Sagel: Website: https://msainteriors.com/cleanmoney/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcysagel/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/msa-interiors/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msainteriors/ 🔗 Connect with Sam Sells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelsells/ https://www.facebook.com/impactsamuel ⁠facebook.com/sam.sells.16⁠ ⁠instagram.com/thedisruptivecapitalists https://grantauthority.org 🔗 Follow The Disruptive Capitalists: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/id1644437927 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1I5tdqJNcxCB2Qiu1lfZyJ?si=4a4cf07923394bb9 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@disruptivecapitalists/podcasts Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW71563?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PZGDSPN2ASGH1HR8PADY Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/PC:1001025132 ⭐ Love the show? Leave a rating & review — it helps more people find us! Disclaimer:    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests. The content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners should seek legal or professional advice before making any decisions based on the discussions in this podcast.

    24 min

  4. APR 24

    Your 401(k) Is a Trap — And Nobody's Telling You | Joey Mure

    Joey Mure, co-founder of Wealth Without Wall Street and author of "Wealth Without Wall Street: 3 Steps to Freedom Through Passive Income" — joins Sam Sells for a conversation that challenges everything you've been told about retirement and financial security. Joey makes a bold case: the 401(k) was never designed to make you wealthy. It was designed to shift retirement risk from corporations to you. Instead, Joey advocates for a radically different formula — passive income greater than monthly expenses equals financial freedom. It's the same formula that helped him build over $50,000/month in passive income. Sam adds his own perspective, sharing how growing up in poverty shaped his understanding of money and why trading time for money is a dead end. Together, they discuss the importance of financial education, why younger generations are rejecting traditional work models, and how AI-driven tools can help people access grants and government resources they didn't know existed. In this episode, you'll hear: → Why the 401(k) is failing workers by design → The passive income formula that changed Joey's life → Why more income doesn't equal financial freedom → Sam's journey from poverty to understanding passive income → Why Gen Z and millennials are done with the traditional system → AI-driven tools for accessing grants and government contracts → How to build structured financial systems for independence 🔗 Connect with Joey Mure: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-mure-b376824/ https://www.facebook.com/wealthwithoutwallstreet https://www.instagram.com/wealthwithoutwallst https://go.wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/disruptive-capitalist 🔗 Connect with Sam Sells https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelsells/ https://www.facebook.com/impactsamuel ⁠facebook.com/sam.sells.16⁠ ⁠instagram.com/thedisruptivecapitalists https://grantauthority.org 🔗 Follow The Disruptive Capitalists: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/id1644437927 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1I5tdqJNcxCB2Qiu1lfZyJ?si=4a4cf07923394bb9 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@disruptivecapitalists/podcasts Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW71563?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PZGDSPN2ASGH1HR8PADY Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/PC:1001025132 ⭐ Love the show? Leave a rating & review — it helps more people find us! Disclaimer:    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests. The content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners should seek legal or professional advice before making any decisions based on the discussions in this podcast.

    22 min

  5. APR 22

    The 2008 Crash Almost Ended Him. Here's What He Does Differently Now | Ken Gee

    Ken Gee brings 26 years of real estate banking and private equity experience to one of the most insightful conversations we've had on The Disruptive Capitalists. Ken shares his journey from commercial lender to private equity investor, the lessons that saved him during the 2008 financial crisis, and why fixed-rate debt and disciplined strategy are the only things standing between you and disaster in this market. Ken and Sam break down current conditions in Florida where they're acquiring high-quality assets at favorable prices, while addressing the temporary headwinds hitting C-class properties due to immigration fears. They also get real about the emotional toll of real estate losses, why newcomers need mentorship over capital, and how AI and innovative technology are becoming essential for raising capital in today's environment. In this episode, you'll hear: → The 2008 lesson every investor needs to learn before the next downturn → Why 2021 acquisitions are still performing in a high-rate environment → Current strategy for acquiring assets in Florida → Why C-class property occupancy dips are temporary → Mentorship and partnership advice for commercial real estate newcomers → How AI is changing capital raising and government assistance access 🔗 Connect with Ken Gee: Website: kripartners.com  Email: kgee@kripartners.com  Instagram: kengee_kri Facebook: Ken Gee KRI LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/geekennetha 🔗 Connect with Sam Sells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelsells/ https://www.facebook.com/impactsamuel ⁠facebook.com/sam.sells.16⁠ ⁠instagram.com/thedisruptivecapitalists https://grantauthority.org https://brightstead.com 🔗 Follow The Disruptive Capitalists: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/id1644437927 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1I5tdqJNcxCB2Qiu1lfZyJ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@disruptivecapitalists Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW71563?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PZGDSPN2ASGH1HR8PADY Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/PC:1001025132 ⭐ Love the show? Leave a rating & review — it helps more people find us! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests. The content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners should seek legal or professional advice before making any decisions based on the discussions in this podcast.

    41 min

  6. APR 14

    He's Raising $115M to Fix America's Broken Rehab System | Jay Tobey

    48 million Americans had a substance use disorder last year. Most never received care. The waitlists are months long and people are dying before they get a bed. Jay Tobey, founder of North Star Recovery & Wellness, is raising approximately $115 million to acquire behavioral health facilities and add 500 beds to meet this overwhelming demand. His approach: acquire facilities offering detox, residential, and outpatient services, retrofit existing buildings instead of building new, and prove that a capitalistic model is the only sustainable way to solve the behavioral health crisis at scale. In this episode, Jay and Sam Sells dive deep into the operational realities of addiction treatment, the failures of government-run facilities, the shifting stigma around mental health, and untapped funding opportunities in HUD and suicide prevention that could be redirected to support sober living. In this episode, you'll hear: → Jay's plan to deploy $80M by year end and add 500 beds → Why the full continuum of care — detox, residential, outpatient — is non-negotiable → Why retrofitting existing buildings is smarter than new construction → The government facility placement crisis most people don't know about → How capitalism is the only scalable solution to the behavioral health crisis → HUD funding inefficiencies and how to redirect them to sober living → Suicide prevention funding opportunities for behavioral health projects → Collaboration on building new facilities with innovative technology 🔗 Connect with Jay Tobey: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-tobey-114a16155/ Insta @ jaytobey18 🔗 Connect with Sam Sells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelsells/ https://www.facebook.com/impactsamuel ⁠facebook.com/sam.sells.16⁠ ⁠instagram.com/thedisruptivecapitalists https://grantauthority.org https://brightstead.com 🔗 Follow The Disruptive Capitalists: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/id1644437927 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1I5tdqJNcxCB2Qiu1lfZyJ?si=4a4cf07923394bb9 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@disruptivecapitalists/podcasts Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW71563?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PZGDSPN2ASGH1HR8PADY Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/PC:1001025132 ⭐ Love the show? Leave a rating & review — it helps more people find us! Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests. The content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners should seek legal or professional advice before making any decisions based on the discussions in this podcast.

    22 min

  7. MAR 23

    How Millionaires Give Away Money AND Get Richer | David Flores Wilson

    David Flores Wilson, former Olympic sprinter, Investopedia Top 100 Financial Advisor, and Managing Partner at Sincerus Advisory — joins Sam Sells to explore the powerful intersection of capitalism and philanthropy. David breaks down how the wealthy strategically give money away while paying less in taxes, introduces his concept of "charitable risk tolerance," and explains why most people are leaving thousands on the table by donating cash instead of appreciated securities. He also shares how philanthropic priorities naturally evolve through different life stages and why aligning your money with your values is the key to both wealth and fulfillment. Sam adds to the conversation by addressing the transparency crisis in nonprofit funding and announces the upcoming launch of BrightStead Technologies (GrantAuthority.org), an AI-powered platform designed to help underserved populations escape poverty through better access to grants and resources. In this episode, you'll hear:  → How to align financial goals with personal values through strategic giving  → The concept of "charitable risk tolerance" and why it matters  → Why donor advised funds are one of the smartest tax strategies available  → How donating appreciated securities maximizes your charitable deductions  → The nonprofit transparency problem and how to hold charities accountable  → BrightStead Technologies (grantauthority.org), AI tools for poverty alleviation ⭐ Love the show? Leave a rating & review — it helps more people find us! 🔗 Connect with David Flores Wilson: Email: DWilson@SincerusAdv.com Website: SincerusAdv.com LinkedIn: in/David-FLores-Wilson-CFP Blog: https://www.planningtowealth.com 🔗 Connect with Sam Sells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelsells/ https://www.facebook.com/impactsamuel⁠ facebook.com/sam.sells.16⁠ ⁠instagram.com/thedisruptivecapitalists https://grantauthority.org https://brightstead.com 🔗 Follow The Disruptive Capitalists: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/id1644437927 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1I5tdqJNcxCB2Qiu1lfZyJ?si=4a4cf07923394bb9 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@disruptivecapitalists/podcasts Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW71563?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PZGDSPN2ASGH1HR8PADY Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/PC:1001025132 Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests. The content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners should seek legal or professional advice before making any decisions based on the discussions in this podcast.

    24 min

  8. MAR 16

    Why Most Men Are Successful on the Outside and Empty on the Inside | Joshua Tomeoni

    Joshua Tomeoni joins Sam Sells for an unflinching conversation about what it really means to be a man after everything falls apart. After his divorce shattered his sense of self, Joshua embarked on a journey to rebuild his identity, and now he's helping other men do the same. Together, they challenge society's distorted view of masculinity, expose why the manosphere's definition of success leaves men feeling empty, and debate why coaching often delivers what traditional therapy can't. Joshua also introduces his workbook for men navigating major life transitions. The conversation expands into how language and historical narratives are manipulated to divide people, Sam's AI-powered grant access platform helping individuals escape poverty, and a potential collaboration on AI-driven financial planning tools. In this episode, you'll hear: → How to rebuild your identity after divorce or a major life shift → Why authenticity matters more than the manosphere's version of success → The case for coaching over traditional therapy for men in transition → How societal narratives are shaped by financial interests to create division → Sam's AI tool streamlining grant access for people in need → The future of AI-powered personal finance collaboration Connect with Joshua Tomeoni: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshTheDerelicthttps://www.instagram.com/joshthederelict/https://www.tiktok.com/@joshtomeonihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuatomeoni/ Connect with Sam Sells:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelsells/ https://www.facebook.com/impactsamuel ⁠facebook.com/sam.sells.16⁠ ⁠instagram.com/thedisruptivecapitalists https://grantauthority.org https://brightstead.com   Follow Us:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/id1644437927 Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1I5tdqJNcxCB2Qiu1lfZyJ?si=4a4cf07923394bb9 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@disruptivecapitalists/podcasts Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW71563?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PZGDSPN2ASGH1HR8PADY Pandora:  https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-disruptive-capitalists/PC:1001025132 ⭐ Love the show? Leave a rating & review — it helps more people find us! Disclaimer:    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests. The content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listeners should seek legal or professional advice before making any decisions based on the discussions in this podcast.

    32 min
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About

The Disruptive Capitalists – Where real estate meets innovation. Hosted by Sam Sells, impact investor and retired Air Force officer. We break down capital-raising, AI-driven investing, affordable housing solutions, and disruptive strategies to build wealth and impact. Featuring conversations with top investors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders in commercial real estate, multifamily investing, impact investing, and financial technology. New episodes weekly. Subscribe for real strategies — not theory.

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