FailCraft

Ezekiel Iferia
  • 5.0 (38)
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FailCraft is a podcast about the messy, real side of success. Host Ezekiel Iferia dives into the stories of creators, founders, and everyday people who turned setbacks into stepping stones. From failed ideas to reborn dreams, each episode uncovers how failure shapes mastery — and why learning to fall is part of learning to fly.

  1. 6H AGO

    From Reckless Living to Global Impact: Rebuilding on a Strong Foundation - CJ Moneyway

    What do you do when your greatest triumph—publishing your first book—is followed exactly seven days later by your greatest tragedy? Corwin "CJ Moneyway" Johnson is a globally recognized podcast host and author who has built a massive platform on the foundation of resilience. But before he was the voice of inspiration, he was living "with both eyes shut"—navigating a reckless life of gambling and addiction. It took a move from Gary, Indiana, to Detroit and the profound loss of his father to finally wake him up to his true potential. In this episode of FailCraft, CJ joins Ezekiel to discuss the raw reality of turning grief into fuel. He breaks down why success isn't about the thousands of dollars or the likes on social media, but about the "seeds" you plant in others. Whether you are building a podcast in your garage or fighting to climb out of a spiritual valley, CJ’s message is clear: **Check yourself in the mirror before you check the world.** In this episode, you’ll discover: * The 7-Day Window: The emotional whiplash of losing his father one week after publishing his first book. * Both Eyes Shut: The reality of living a reckless life and the moment the "seeds" planted in childhood finally began to grow. * Tuesday Morning Faith: Why faith isn't a routine or a feeling, but a foundation you stand on when everything goes wrong. * The Harvest Delay: How to stay patient when you’re doing the work but not seeing the results immediately. * The Talent Trap: Why many of us fail because we have "buried our talents in the earth" instead of multiplying them. * The "One Mic" Mentality: Why you should start exactly where you are—even if it's a garage—and stop trying to build above your means. This episode is for anyone currently in a "dry house" season, those navigating loss, or creators who feel discouraged by their current numbers. Connect With CJ Moneyway: * Website: https://cjmoneyway.com/ * Podcast: [The CJ Moneyway Show] ttps://pod.link/1707761906 * Book: Both Eyes Open and Both Eyes Shut Support the Show: * Subscribe and leave a review! Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft? * Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft Chapters: 01:08 Introduction: CJ Moneyway & Turning Pain into Purpose 01:51 The Loss of a Father and the Birth of a Mission 03:44 Living With "Both Eyes Shut": Reckless Years & Waking Up 05:36 What Faith Looks Like on a Tuesday Morning 07:22 Planting Seeds: Why You Must Play Your Part Without Seeing the Harvest 10:22 The Story of Faith: From Living in a Car to Successful Business 12:25 Climbing Out of the Deepest Valley: Spiritual Growth 14:51 The First Seed of Hope: Look at Yourself in the Mirror 17:27 Success Defined: Humility, Impact, and the "Garage Studio" 20:50 How to Connect with the Moneyway Movement

    22 min

  2. 6H AGO

    Why Your To-Do List is Making You Fail (The Agile Solution) - Helene Gidley

    Are you staring at a mile-long to-do list, feeling paralyzed, and blaming yourself for being lazy or undisciplined? Helene Gidley is an Agile coach and project manager with over 40 years of experience in the IT industry. Despite managing massive, complex corporate projects with ease, she found herself secretly struggling to get through her own personal to-do lists. She realized that traditional productivity methods were fundamentally broken—so she took the highly effective Agile frameworks used by software developers and adapted them to real life. In this episode of FailCraft, Helene joins Ezekiel to dismantle the shame surrounding our failure to "get things done." She explains how to use an Agile "Retrospective" to stop beating yourself up, how to cure procrastination by breaking tasks into 20-minute chunks, and the exact sticky-note system you can use to completely eliminate holiday gathering stress. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * The Productivity Failure: Why you need to stop blaming yourself when you don't finish your tasks (and blame your system instead). * The Agile Retrospective: The 3 simple questions you must ask yourself at the end of every day to optimize your time. * The Kanban Party Hack: How to use a "To-Do, Doing, Done" sticky-note board to effortlessly delegate tasks during stressful family holidays. * The 20-Minute Time Box: How to break the paralysis of overwhelming tasks (like "clean the garage" or "buy a present"). * The Backlog Strategy: Why keeping all your tasks on a single list is causing your burnout, and how planning day-by-day fixes it. * Helene’s definition of true success: Reclaiming enough time to be present with your family without constant underlying stress. This episode is for overwhelmed professionals, busy parents, and anyone looking to finally conquer their procrastination without the guilt. Connect With Helene Gidley: * Website & Tutorials: https://www.a2agile.com/agileliving * Book: The Art of Agile Living (Available on Amazon) * Company: A2Agile Inc. Spport the Show: Subscribe and leave a review! * Share this episode if it resonated! Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft? * Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft Chapters: 00:00 Hook: The Process is Failing You, Not You 00:53 Introduction: Helene Gidley & Agile Living 01:41 The Lightbulb Moment: When Traditional To-Do Lists Fail 04:41 The Agile Retrospective: Stop Beating Yourself Up 07:46 The Holiday Party Hack: Managing Events Without the Stress 09:35 The Kanban Board: To-Do, Doing, Done 13:32 Beating Procrastination: The 20-Minute Time Box Strategy 17:56 How to Stop Overwhelm: The "Backlog" Method 21:42 Helene's Definition of True Success 23:04 How to Connect & Get The Book

    24 min

  3. 7H AGO

    I Burned Down My Successful Agency to Save My Life - Dylan Bost

    What happens when you build a business that looks absolutely perfect on paper, but secretly drains the soul right out of you? Dylan Bost is the founder of SunnyHQ, a human-first WordPress hosting and support company. But before he built a business grounded in clarity and simplicity, he spent over a decade running a highly successful creative advertising agency. Despite having all the awards, hundreds of clients, and massive financial success, Dylan found himself caught in an exhausting cycle of reactive work. After hitting a breaking point of deep burnout, he made the terrifying decision to tear his agency down and start over. In this episode of FailCraft, Dylan joins Ezekiel to discuss the hidden danger of the "success trap." He explains why subjective creative work often leads to exhaustion, how to implement a Navy SEAL breathing technique to reclaim your sanity during a chaotic workday, and why giving yourself permission to *not* know everything is the ultimate leadership hack. In this episode, you’ll discover: * The Existential Office Moment: Why optimizing your day for maximum productivity does not equal actual happiness. * The Agency Trap: Why charging for "subjective" deliverables (like design) is a fast track to founder burnout. * Human-First Tech: How Dylan brought high-touch, concierge-level customer service into a cold, automated hosting industry. * Overcoming the "What If": How to navigate the terrifying fear of shutting down a profitable business to start a new one. * The Box Breath Hack: A simple 4-second breathing technique used by Navy SEALs that will instantly calm your nervous system. * Reaction vs. Response: Why your second thought is always better than your first, and how to stop making panicked business decisions. This episode is for agency owners, burnt-out founders, and anyone who feels like a slave to the very business they created. Connect With Dylan Bost: * Free 5-Minute WordPress Speed Audit: https://sunnyhq.io/podcast/ * Website: sunnyhq.io * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanbost/ Support the Show: * Subscribe and leave a review! * Share this episode if it resonated! Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft? * Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft Chapters: 01:06 Introduction: Dylan Bost & SunnyHQ 01:53 The Success Trap: When Your Dream Business Erodes Your Soul 05:36 Why Subjective Creative Work Leads to Burnout 08:37 Building a "Human-First" Tech Company 11:14 Overcoming the Fear of Pivoting Your Career 13:10 Why Great Leaders Admit Their Failures Openly 15:09 The Navy SEAL "Box Breath" Hack for Overwhelmed Founders 17:24 The Profound Difference Between Reacting and Responding 18:41 Dylan's Definition of True Success 20:04 How to Connect & Get Your Free Website Audit

    21 min

  4. 7H AGO

    I Hid My Dream in a Drawer for 37 Years: It's Never Too Late - Rodney Phillips

    Rodney Phillips had a highly successful career in the pharmaceutical industry and spent over two decades coaching youth sports in Pittsburgh. But hidden inside his home office filing cabinet was a manuscript he started writing on index cards in a furniture store when he was just 19 years old. For 37 years, that story sat untouched. But at age 56, after becoming an empty nester, Rodney finally pulled it out, defeated his imposter syndrome, and published his debut crime thriller, Dissension. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of proving that a dream deferred is not a dream denied. Rodney shares the reality of picking up a story you abandoned decades ago, how the lack of communication destroys both fictional cartels and real-life teams, and the exact scheduling trick you need to stop procrastinating and finally finish your passion project. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * The Filing Cabinet Failure: What it feels like to leave a dream untouched for 37 years. * Two Authors, One Mind: The wild process of finishing a story you started as a teenager with the perspective of a 56-year-old man. * The Plot of Dissension: How a single lack of communication triggers an all-out turf war between rival cartels. * Overcoming Publisher Rejection: How Rodney battled massive imposter syndrome after getting rejected within 24 hours of his first pitch. * The 3 Rules of Success: The timeless advice Rodney taught youth athletes that perfectly applies to adult entrepreneurship. * Make an Appointment: The ultimate hack to prove yourself wrong and stop pushing your goals to "someday". This episode is for aspiring authors, late bloomers, or anyone with a business plan, script, or idea that has been collecting dust in a drawer for way too long. Connect With Rodney Phillips: * Website & Book Trailer: https://rodneyphillipsauthor.com/ * Book: Dissension (Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books) Support the Show: * Subscribe and leave a review! * Share this episode if it resonated! Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft? * Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft Chapters: 01:12 Introduction: Rodney Phillips & The 37-Year Manuscript 02:01 Writing on Stock Cards at 19 & The Filing Cabinet Years 04:42 Finishing a Book With Two Perspectives (Age 19 vs 56) 07:56 The Plot of Dissension: Cartels, Conflict, and Chaos 10:19 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Publisher Rejections 12:48 3 Life Lessons From 20 Years of Coaching Youth Sports 16:48 How to Stop Procrastinating and Prove Yourself Wrong 19:19 Rodney's Definition of True Success 21:13 How to Connect & Contact Rodney Directly

    23 min

  5. 7H AGO

    Why Imposter Syndrome is Proof You’re Leveling Up - Carly Pepin

    What if your biggest perceived flaws were actually your greatest leverage points for growth? Carly Pepin is a human behavior specialist and consultant who has spent over 15 years working behind the scenes with CEOs and founders. She helps high-level leaders scale their companies without losing their sense of self. Carly’s core philosophy is radical: burnout isn't just about having too many tasks—it's a symptom of being disconnected from your purpose and being owned by your own pride and shame. In this episode of FailCraft, Carly joins Ezekiel to dismantle the traditional narrative around imposter syndrome. She explains why the word "should" is a red flag for your mental health, how to balance the "drug" of pride with the weight of shame, and why the fastest way to become a leader is to stop over-preparing and start being authentic. In this episode, you’ll discover: * The "Joe Rogan" Trap: How even successful experts fall into the comparison game when entering new territories. * Decoding Your Language: Why words like "should," "must," and "have to" are signs of outside pressure rather than true desire. * Pride vs. Shame: Why being "puffed up" makes you just as reactive as being "shut down" by shame. * The Two Types of Burnout: Distinguishing between task-based exhaustion and internal purpose-disconnect. * The "Theft" Story: How a business crisis actually saved one CEO from the "dullness" of a retirement he didn't really want. * The Visibility of Flaws: Why trying to hide your imperfections as a leader actually gives others power over you. This episode is for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and any high-achiever who feels like a "fraud" internally despite projecting confidence on the outside. Connect With Carly Pepin: * Website: https://www.westcoastgrowthadvisors.com/ * Podcast: Built for This * Masterclass: [Overcoming Imposter Syndrome]https://www.westcoastgrowthadvisors.com/podcast-gift Support the Show: * Subscribe and leave a review! Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft? * Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft Chapters: 00:00 Hook: Imposter Syndrome is a Level-Up Signal 00:58 Introduction: Carly Pepin & Human Behavior 01:38 Turning Perceived Flaws into Growth Leverage 03:34 Decoding Imposter Syndrome and the "Should" Language 07:55 Balancing Pride and Shame to Find Objectivity 12:09 CEO Burnout: Falling Back in Love with Your Business 15:30 Meaning, Purpose, and the Impact of Retirement 17:40 Why Your Secrets Own You: The Importance of Transparency 20:56 Carly's Definition of Success 21:58 How to Access Carly’s Masterclass

    23 min

  6. 7H AGO

    Why I Walked Away From a 25-Year PhD Career to Find True Freedom - Swami Nityananda

    What happens when you reach the absolute pinnacle of your career, only to realize your soul is asking you to walk away from it all? Before she was a spiritual teacher, Swami Nityananda was Dr. Juniper Ellis—a tenured English professor with a PhD from Vanderbilt, a Fulbright grant, and a prestigious 25-year academic career. But despite her massive success in the intellectual world, her heart demanded something deeper. She left the safety of academia to become a consecrated Swami, trading an identity built on the accumulation of knowledge for a life built entirely on surrender and service. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of undergoing an "ego death" to find your true path. Swami explains the fascinating neuroscience behind how our brains process failure, how to navigate implicit workplace standards without losing your integrity, and why she believes human beings learn self-doubt. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * Leaving Academia: How to recognize when a chapter of your life is "complete" and find the courage to walk away. * The Ego Death: Why pursuing success for the sheer joy of learning protects you from the fear of losing credibility. * The Neuroscience of Failure: How to instantly shift your brain from the fear-based "amygdala" to the creative "prefrontal cortex" after a major setback. * The Secret to Product Development: Why the most successful entrepreneurs keep their ideas closely guarded during the early stages of rejection. * Unlearning Self-Doubt: Why suffering isn't inherently required to wake up, and how to reconnect with the intrinsic dignity you were born with. * The Heart Reset: A simple, 5-second breathing technique you can use in any stressful business meeting to instantly regain your center. This episode is for high-achievers feeling trapped by their own success, individuals navigating a massive career pivot, or anyone looking to master the mental game of overcoming rejection. Connect With Swami Nityananda: * Website: https://www.awakeyogameditation.org/ * Free Course: The Yoga of Happiness (Available on her website) * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeYogaMeditation Support the Show: * Subscribe and leave a review! * Share this episode if it resonated! Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft? * Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft Chapters: 00:58 Introduction: Swami Nityananda 01:47 Walking Away From a 25-Year Academic Career 04:18 Navigating the Fear of Losing Professional Credibility 07:04 The Consecration: From Dr. Ellis to Swami Nityananda 09:29 Amygdala vs. Prefrontal Cortex: How to Hack Your Failures 11:49 Overcoming Rejection: The Law School Dropout Turned CEO 15:12 Do We Actually Need Suffering to Wake Up? 17:37 Swami's Definition of True Success 20:48 The 5-Second Heart Reset & Free Happiness Course

    22 min

  7. 8H AGO

    I Pushed Until My Body Broke: The Toxic Trap of High Achievers - Terence Davy

    What happens when you chase the executive suite so relentlessly that your own body violently forces you to stop? Terence Davy is an executive coach and former high-growth SaaS leader who spent over a decade delivering massive results at a devastating personal cost. Trapped in a cycle of overworking and ignoring every red flag, his relentless grind culminated in a severe stress-related collapse that burned his esophagus and left him unable to speak for two weeks. Lying in a hospital bed, Terence realized that surviving the corporate world required a radical new approach: integrated, values-driven leadership. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of dismantling the toxic "hustle at all costs" mentality. Terence shares the terrifying reality of his physical breakdown, the hidden commitments that keep leaders stuck in self-destructive cycles, and the profound lessons on resilience he learned from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * The Hospital Bed Awakening: What it takes for a high-achieving executive to finally realize their ambition is killing them. * The Warning Signs: How sacrificing passions, friends, and family are the early indicators of a massive physical crash. * The False Choice: Why you don't actually have to choose between hitting quarterly targets and maintaining your integrity. * Immunity to Change: How the hidden fear of "losing your edge" actively sabotages your ability to find balance. * The Jiu-Jitsu Principle: Why getting "tapped out" on the mat is the ultimate masterclass in business resilience and recovery. * The Non-Negotiable Step: The single most important question a burned-out leader must ask themselves today. * Terence’s definition of true success: How fatherhood redefined his mission to leave behind a safer, better world. This episode is for directors, VPs, founders, and ambitious professionals who are secretly crumbling under the weight of their own success and need a sustainable way forward. Connect With Terence Davy: * Newsletter (The Leadership Practice): https://www.proactivity.io/newsletter * Website: https://www.proactivity.io/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terencedavy/ Support the Show: * Subscribe and leave a review! * Share this episode if it resonated! Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft? * Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft Chapters: 01:12 Introduction: Terence Davy & Executive Coaching 01:45 The Hospital Bed Wake-Up Call (Losing His Voice) 04:45 Ignoring the Warning Signs of Severe Burnout 06:03 Navigating the Fear of Slowing Down in Tech 07:04 Hitting Targets While Refusing to Compromise Values 08:55 Uncovering Hidden Commitments (Immunity to Change) 09:52 What Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Teaches Us About Resilience 12:26 The First Step for Secretly Burned-Out Leaders 13:18 Terence's Definition of True Success (Fatherhood) 15:03 How to Connect & Join The Leadership Practice

    31 min

  8. 8H AGO

    3 Bankruptcies by 50: The Hidden Trap of Money Codependency - Amynicole Ellis

    What do you do when you lose everything in the 2008 crash, only to find yourself sitting in a bankruptcy court again in your 50s? Amynicole Ellis is the creator of The Debt Decoder and the founder of Fix Yourself & Flaunt It. She is a woman who has walked through the fire—surviving three devastating breakups and three bankruptcies—and come out the other side with absolutely zero regrets. Instead of hiding her financial collapse in shame, she realized that her hardest patterns weren't character flaws, but vital signals pointing her toward her true power. This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of decoding your failures to find your breakthrough. Amynicole explains the toxic reality of "money codependency," how using Human Design helped her reframe decades of trial-and-error as necessary research, and how to stop running on fumes and finally take your life back. In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * The Bankruptcy Court Realization: How to stop blaming yourself when history repeats itself and start treating your failure as "data." * Money Codependency: Why your financial struggles might actually be an emotional pattern of carrying everyone else's burdens. * The 2008 Crash vs. Midlife Crisis: The difference between losing everything in your 30s versus starting over in your 50s. * Reframing Trials as Research: How discovering your Human Design can completely change the way you view your past mistakes. * Unlearning Codependency in Business: Why you might need to fire toxic clients or completely change your business model to protect your peace. * Fix Yourself & Flaunt It: What true confidence looks like when you are emerging from the deep shame of financial collapse. * The absolute first, judgment-free step you must take today if you are secretly drowning in debt and burnout. This episode is for women running on fumes, entrepreneurs struggling with financial boundaries, and anyone who needs to know that repeated setbacks do not define your future. Connect With Amynicole Ellis: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amynicolespeaks/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amynicoleellis Support the Show: * Subscribe and leave a review! * Share this episode if it resonated! Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft? * Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Resilience and Growth 01:14 Navigating Personal Failures 04:46 Understanding Financial Patterns 07:15 Lessons from Past Bankruptcies 09:18 Reframing Trials as Research 10:57 Flaunting Confidence After Setbacks 11:55 Unlearning Co-dependency in Business 13:42 First Steps to Recovery 14:38 Defining Personal Success 15:31 Connecting with Amy Nicole Ellis

    17 min
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About

FailCraft is a podcast about the messy, real side of success. Host Ezekiel Iferia dives into the stories of creators, founders, and everyday people who turned setbacks into stepping stones. From failed ideas to reborn dreams, each episode uncovers how failure shapes mastery — and why learning to fall is part of learning to fly.

Information

  • Creator
    Ezekiel Iferia
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    125
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ezekiel Iferia
  • Show Website
    FailCraft