Business & Brews with Matt Pierce

Matt Pierce
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Business & Brews is where real business talk meets real people. Join Matt Pierce, Founder and CEO of Immediate, as he sits down with leaders, entrepreneurs, and friends for candid conversations about leadership, growth, and the stories behind the work. Grab your favorite brew, pull up a chair, and listen in as we talk business the way it is meant to be talked about.

  1. 6d ago

    Brandon Horne, Greenlight

    Summary In this episode of Business & Brews, Matt Pierce sits down with Brandon Horne, Head of Commercial Partnerships at Greenlight, to discuss his unconventional path from biochemistry student to Army officer to fintech executive. Brandon shares lessons learned from helping scale high-growth companies, including his experience at Cardlytics and Greenlight. The conversation explores leadership, entrepreneurship, sales, company culture, career growth, and why great middle managers are often the unsung heroes behind successful organizations. From building relationships that drive enterprise sales to creating opportunities for young professionals to grow, Brandon offers practical insights for anyone navigating a fast-paced career or helping build a company from the ground up. Key Takeaways Growth happens when you step into opportunities before you feel ready.Shared challenges build stronger teams than shared successes.Relationships and persistence remain critical in enterprise sales.Great middle managers are often the foundation of strong company culture.Leadership is measured by the people you help develop.Small gestures can create lasting professional impact.

    27 min

  2. May 27

    The Connection Between Financial Health and Mental Health

    Episode SummaryThis week on Business & Brews, Matt Pierce takes a step back from the usual guest interviews to talk about something impacting millions of people every day: the connection between financial stress and mental health. From rising costs and paycheck-to-paycheck living to anxiety, burnout, and the emotional weight of uncertainty, Matt breaks down why financial pressure affects far more than just bank accounts. He also shares practical ways people can regain a sense of control, create breathing room, and start reducing the mental load that money stress creates. This episode covers: Why financial stress impacts mental and physical wellbeingHow “survival mode” thinking affects long-term planningThe importance of financial literacy without shame or guiltPractical steps to create visibility, stability, and breathing roomWhy hope and consistency matter more than perfection Whether you’re personally navigating financial pressure or leading teams that are, this conversation is an important reminder that financial wellness and mental wellness are deeply connected. Key TakeawaysFinancial stress impacts far more than money — it affects sleep, relationships, confidence, and physical health.Most people experiencing financial pressure are not irresponsible; they’re reacting to tight margins and rising costs.Financial literacy is less about perfection and more about creating clarity, confidence, and control.Small habits and small wins can create meaningful psychological relief over time.Open conversations about money can help reduce shame and remind people they’re not alone.

    15 min

  3. May 13

    Jordan Wright, Atomic

    SummaryIn this episode of Business & Brews, Matt Pierce sits down with Jordan Wright to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, and building a transparent company culture. Jordan shares how his entrepreneurial mindset started as early as childhood, eventually leading him into fintech through companies like Unbill and now Atomic. The conversation explores how Atomic evolved from simplifying direct deposit switching into a broader infrastructure company helping consumers better manage their financial lives through connected systems and data intelligence. Jordan also shares lessons on product-market fit, customer obsession, startup resilience, and how Atomic competed against much larger players in the market. Matt and Jordan dive into leadership philosophies around transparency, empowering teams, and creating organizations where people can do the best work of their lives. They also discuss the growing role of AI inside modern businesses and how both leaders are using it to create efficiencies and improve execution. The episode closes with a thoughtful conversation about balancing ambition with family, recognizing what truly matters, and intentionally creating space for life outside of work. Key Takeaways Customer conversations fuel innovation: Atomic’s leadership team stays deeply connected to customers to uncover real needs and shape product direction.Startups can outperform larger competitors: Jordan shares how Atomic successfully competed against Plaid by staying agile and customer-focused.Transparency strengthens culture: Open communication around company priorities, metrics, and leadership decisions helps build trust and alignment across teams.AI is most valuable when applied practically: The conversation highlights real operational uses for AI, from RFP workflows to productivity tracking.Success means more than business growth: Jordan reflects on prioritizing family and making time for what matters most outside of work.

    31 min

  4. Apr 22

    Josh Etress, Josh Etress Consulting

    SummaryOn this episode of Business & Brews, Matt sits down with longtime friend Josh Etress for a conversation on leadership, career growth, faith, and the power of showing up. Josh shares his journey from ministry to software sales, from operational leadership to executive coaching, and the lessons he learned along the way. From taking bold risks early in his career to navigating major life and career transitions, this episode is full of practical insight for founders, operators, and leaders. Matt and Josh unpack what separates high performers, why solving problems makes you invaluable, how faith can shape major decisions, and why rest is essential for sustainable leadership. Josh also shares the story of how he broke into tech by betting on himself in a way most people would not. If you are building, leading, or trying to figure out your next step, this episode is for you. In this episode:Josh’s path from ministry into businessWhy high performers focus on solving problemsThe advantage of working in a growth-stage companyTransitioning from sales into operationsMoving from Birmingham to NashvilleThe role of faith and patience in career decisionsSabbath and rest as a leadership disciplineBreaking into tech by creating your own opportunityWhat excites Josh about coaching todayLeading with both confidence and honestyKey Takeaways:Solve problems beyond your role to create opportunityEffort and consistency can outpace experience earlyGrowth environments accelerate careersStrong principles apply across any industrySometimes you have to bet on yourselfFaithfulness often comes before clarityRest is critical to long-term performanceGreat leaders operate in truth, not just perception

    33 min

  5. Apr 15

    John Burdett, Founder & CEO of Fast Slow Motion

    Summary In this episode of Business and Brews, Matt sits down with John Burdett, Founder and CEO of Fast Slow Motion, for a conversation about what it really takes to grow a business beyond the founder stage. John shares his journey from Birmingham startup operator to entrepreneur, along with the lessons he’s learned about leadership, systems, ego, and scaling well. The conversation explores the shift from being the person who does everything to becoming the kind of leader who builds a business that can run without them. John talks candidly about how founders can become the bottleneck in their own companies, why process matters more than most people want to admit, and how defining the right scoreboard changes everything. John also opens up about an incredibly difficult personal season, including a life-threatening health crisis and a cancer diagnosis, and how those experiences tested everything he had built. What he found on the other side was clarity: a business designed the right way can create freedom, resilience, and room for what matters most. This episode is a thoughtful conversation on leadership, identity, and building a company that supports your life instead of consuming it. In this episode, Matt and John discuss: John’s path to founding Fast Slow MotionThe difference between being a founder and being a CEOWhy many entrepreneurs become the biggest obstacle to scalingThe role of ego, humility, and self-awareness in leadershipHow systems and process create freedom over timeBuilding a business that can operate without the founderWhat John’s health challenges taught him about life and leadership Key Takeaways A great business is not one that depends on the founder for everything. It is one that can grow, thrive, and create impact while also making room for a meaningful life.

    26 min

  6. Apr 8

    Financial Literacy Month

    Episode SummaryIn this special solo episode, Business & Brews host Matt Pierce takes a break from guest interviews to talk about financial literacy and why it matters. Drawing on his experience building Immediate, Matt shares a key insight: most people don’t have a money problem, they have a timing problem. When paydays don’t line up with real life expenses, financial stress builds quickly. This episode covers why so many Americans feel financially stretched, how behavior and planning impact money more than income alone, and three simple ways to take control of your cash flow. Key TakeawaysFinancial stress is more common than most people thinkCash flow timing is often the root issueSmall, consistent changes are more effective than perfect plansUnderstanding your behavior is just as important as understanding your budget

    23 min

  7. Apr 1

    Phil Goldfeder, Charles E. Potts, American Fintech Council

    In Episode 11 of Business & Brews, Matt Pierce is joined by Phil Goldfeder and Charles Potts of the American Fintech Council for a conversation about responsible innovation, collaboration across the fintech ecosystem, and what it takes to build durable, consumer-first financial products. From Phil’s journey into fintech and the growth of AFC, to Charles’ perspective on standards, trust, and long-term industry success, this episode explores how fintechs, banks, and regulators can work together to move the industry forward the right way. Episode SummaryThis conversation dives into the evolution of the American Fintech Council and how it has grown into a major voice across fintech. Phil and Charles share why AFC has focused so heavily on responsible innovation, pragmatic policymaking, and creating a space where competitors can align on best practices for the good of the broader ecosystem. The episode also highlights earned wage access as a powerful example of what can happen when companies collaborate around shared standards while still competing in market. Matt, Phil, and Charles discuss why governance, transparency, accountability, and compliance are not barriers to growth, but core ingredients for building lasting companies and products. Timestamps00:54 – Charles’ coffee shoutout and entrepreneurial roots 01:31 – Phil’s origin story 05:40 – How American Fintech Council came together 06:35 – AFC’s growth and evolution 08:35 – Charles on why AFC’s growth matters 11:23 – Navigating fintech, banks, and government 12:52 – Responsible innovation and pragmatic leadership 16:18 – Mission, optimism, and building with purpose 21:26 – Earned wage access as a case study in collaboration 25:48 – Building standards, durability, and trust 27:44 – Competitors aligning for the good of the industry 29:42 – What’s ahead for fintech in the next 9 months Key TakeawaysThe American Fintech Council has grown into a major collaborative voice across the fintech ecosystemResponsible innovation requires governance, transparency, and accountability from the startCompliance can be a competitive advantage, not just a requirementEarned wage access is a strong example of how competitors can align around shared standards

    33 min

  8. Mar 23

    John Bowman, Sure Med

    SummaryIn this episode of Business & Brews, Matt Pierce sits down with John Bowman, founder and CEO of Sure Med, to explore the realities of building a company from the ground up. John shares lessons from early failures, the importance of preparation, and what it takes to scale a business through constant pivots. They also dive into the evolving overdose epidemic and how SureMed is working to equip physicians with better data and tools to make safer decisions for patients. Show NotesJohn’s early journey: military, boxing, and entering healthcareLessons learned from his first business and why preparation mattersThe shift from “winging it” to operating with discipline and strategyThe role of mentorship and surrounding yourself with the right peopleNavigating years of pivots to find product-market fitScaling challenges: growing fast without losing focusUnderstanding the overdose epidemic beyond prescription opioidsHow SureMed helps physicians make more informed, lower-risk decisionsBuilding a mission-driven business rooted in purpose and faith Key TakeawaysPreparation creates confidence and better decision-makingThere is no single path to building a successful companyGrowth often looks like chaos — constant pivots are part of the processThe people and inputs you surround yourself with matter deeplyYou have to survive long enough to figure out what works, then scale itSolving meaningful problems requires both persistence and adaptability

    31 min
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Business & Brews is where real business talk meets real people. Join Matt Pierce, Founder and CEO of Immediate, as he sits down with leaders, entrepreneurs, and friends for candid conversations about leadership, growth, and the stories behind the work. Grab your favorite brew, pull up a chair, and listen in as we talk business the way it is meant to be talked about.

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