The Resiliency Project

Nik Agharkar
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Real conversations about failure, resilience, and starting again Nik Agharkar, founder of Crowne Point Tax, hosts The Resiliency Project, a long-form interview podcast focused on what happens after failure. Through candid conversations with founders, executives, professionals, and creators, the show explores real setbacks, reinvention, and the mindset shifts that make resilience possible. Each episode reframes struggle, offering practical insight listeners can apply to their own challenges.

  1. 2d ago

    The Practice That Nearly Ended His Dream. Convo w/ Aaron Taylor

    "The gold in our lives lies just beyond where we're afraid or unwilling to go." - Aaron Taylor In this episode of The Resiliency Project, Super Bowl champion, CBS Sports analyst, and College Football Hall of Famer Aaron Taylor shares the moments that tested his resilience long before he reached the NFL. From overcoming childhood trauma, addiction, and self-doubt to nearly walking away from football after a devastating first practice, Taylor explains how faith, courage, and a willingness to keep showing up changed the course of his life. He reflects on the mentors who shaped him, the lessons he's learned as a father, and why the greatest rewards are often found just beyond the places we're most afraid to go. Episode Links Aaron Taylor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarontaylormentalhealth/ Elite Mentals LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elite-mentals/about/

  2. Jul 22

    You Don't Fail Until You Stop Trying. Convo w/ NY Giants Legend Tiki Barber

    “Failure is only something that sits on your resume when you settle for it." - Tiki Barber In this episode of The Resiliency Project, former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber reflects on the setbacks that shaped his career and the mindset that helped him overcome them. From nearly losing his starting job after the Giants repeatedly brought in his replacements to building a second career in broadcasting, Barber shares why resilience comes from embracing small wins, surrounding yourself with honest people, and refusing to stop trying. He explains how the lessons from his mother, his coaches, and his teammates helped turn moments of doubt into a foundation for long-term success. Episode Links Tiki Barber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiki.barber/?hl=en WFAN Radio on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WFANNewYork

  3. Jul 15

    We Were Two Weeks From Running Out of Money w/ Gino Cafiero

    "We had two or three weeks of runway left." How do you keep believing when everything says it's time to quit? In this episode of The Resiliency Project, entrepreneur Gino Cafiero reflects on the journey of building Bear Flag Robotics and the pressure of nearly losing it all. He shares how purpose, relationships, and embracing discomfort helped him navigate setbacks, overcome imposter syndrome, and ultimately build a company that was acquired by John Deere. Takeaways: Preparation matters more than confidence alone. The right relationships are built long before you need them. Resilience means continuing to move forward despite uncertainty. Episode Links: Gino Cafiero on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igino-cafiero-43b213b0/

  4. Jul 8

    I Thought I Had to Do Everything Myself. Convo w/ Dylan Smith

    "I thought I had to do everything myself." What if asking for help is the thing that changes your life? In this episode of The Resiliency Project, Dylan Smith, founder of D is for Dyslexia, shares how growing up with dyslexia, being adopted twice, and struggling to find his place ultimately shaped the person he is today. For years, Dylan believed success meant figuring everything out on his own. But after finding mentors, letting go of his ego, and learning to ask for help, his life and career began to change. Today, he's an author, speaker, and advocate helping others see that their greatest challenges can become their greatest strengths. What You'll Learn Asking for help is often the first step toward real growth. Small, consistent wins matter more than chasing overnight success. - Resilience comes from showing up every day, even when the path forward isn't easy. Episode Links Website: https://disfordyslexia.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disfordyslexia19/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dylan-Smith/100055756753762/

  5. Jul 1

    He Lost His Career During COVID. Then He Built a Better Life. Convo w/ Bart Berkey

    "I wanted to be in charge of my own destiny." — Bart Berkey never expected a heart attack, a global pandemic, and the loss of his 16-year career at Ritz-Carlton to completely change his life. Founder of Most People Don't and keynote speaker Bart Berkey joins Nik Agharkar to share how those setbacks pushed him to build a business centered on purpose, kindness, and resilience. From running out of savings to rebuilding his confidence one day at a time, Berkey explains why remembering your "why," serving others, and embracing what he calls "humanality" helped him create a more meaningful life than the one he left behind. This conversation is a reminder that resilience isn't about avoiding hardship, it's about choosing to keep going. What You'll Learn: Why remembering your purpose makes difficult seasons easier to endure How serving others can shift your mindset during your lowest moments The difference between feeling processed and making people feel seen Why Bart believes "humanality" will become even more important in an AI-driven world How small daily choices create long-term resilience and a meaningful life Episode Links Bart Berkey Online: http://bartaberkey.com/ Bart Berkey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartberkey/ Bart Berkey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartberkey/ Bart Berkey Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bart.berkey?lang=en Bart Berkey YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bartberkey Bart Berkey Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-people-dont-but-you-do/id1556134592

  6. Jun 24

    Why Outworking Everyone Else Changed His Life w/ Scott Kleckner

    "I lost confidence in myself." — What happens when the thing you've always relied on suddenly disappears? Scott Kleckner, owner of Olive Wood Pizza, shares how 18 months of unemployment forced him to confront something he'd never faced before: self-doubt. After decades leading turnarounds and managing restaurants, stadiums, and entertainment venues, he suddenly found himself questioning whether the skills that built his career still mattered. Instead of continuing the search for another corporate role, Kleckner took a risk and bought a small catering business in Southern California. The transition wasn't easy, but it reminded him of a lesson he'd learned long ago: work ethic can carry you through almost anything. This conversation explores confidence, leadership, identity, and why resilience is often less about avoiding setbacks and more about getting back to work when things don't go according to plan. What You'll Learn: • Why losing confidence can be harder than losing a job • How work ethic became Scott's foundation for resilience • What he learned from 18 months of unemployment • Why ownership gave him clarity that corporate leadership never could • The difference between being stubborn and being resilient Episode Links • Scott Kleckner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottkleckner/ • Olive Wood Pizza: https://www.olivewoodpizza.com/

  7. Jun 17

    Why Becoming an FBI Informant Saved His Future w/ Tom Hardin

    "I committed a federal crime." — What happens when one bad decision changes the course of your life forever?  Tom Hardin, international corporate trainer, keynote speaker, and former Wall Street analyst known as "Tipper X," shares the story of how insider trading led to an FBI investigation, public disgrace, and the loss of the career he spent years building. From secretly wearing a wire for the FBI to seeing his name on the front page of major newspapers, Tom explains the personal toll of shame, accountability, and rebuilding after a very public failure. But this is not just a story about breaking the law. It is about accepting responsibility, finding purpose through service, and learning that resilience is often less about bouncing back and more about laying one honest brick at a time. Tom shares how volunteering, family support, and a willingness to forgive himself helped him create a life that ultimately became more meaningful than the one he was chasing before everything fell apart. What You'll Learn: • Why accountability is the first step toward rebuilding after failure • The difference between guilt and shame and why it matters • How serving others helped Tom begin recovering from public disgrace • Why resilience is more about rebuilding than bouncing back • How laying "one honest brick a day" became Tom's framework for moving forward Episode Links: •Tom Hardin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tipperx/ •Tipper X: https://www.tipperx.com/

  8. Jun 10

    You’ll Move Faster by Slowing Down w/ Jason Bishara

    “You’ll move faster by slowing down.” - How do you stay calm when everything around you is collapsing? Jason Bishara, lead of financial practice at NSI Insurance Group, shares the story of losing control of a venture-backed company during a brutal market shift, the pressure it placed on his family, and how he rebuilt both his career and perspective through one of the hardest periods of his life. From losing years of income to restructuring a business without bankruptcy, Jason explains why resiliency is less about motivation and more about staying calm enough to keep moving. This is not just a story about business failure. It is about controlling emotion during chaos, learning from the people around you, and understanding that some of life’s biggest setbacks can quietly become your biggest blessings. What You’ll Learn: • Why slowing down can help you move forward faster • How Jason rebuilt after losing control of a venture-backed company • Why focusing on solutions instead of problems changes everything • The role mentors and mastermind groups play during difficult seasons • Why resilience is built by getting back up after getting punched in the jaw Episode Links: Jason Bishara LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbishara/ Jason Bishara NSI Insurance Group: https://nsigroup.org/about-us/leadership/team-member/jason-bishara/

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Real conversations about failure, resilience, and starting again Nik Agharkar, founder of Crowne Point Tax, hosts The Resiliency Project, a long-form interview podcast focused on what happens after failure. Through candid conversations with founders, executives, professionals, and creators, the show explores real setbacks, reinvention, and the mindset shifts that make resilience possible. Each episode reframes struggle, offering practical insight listeners can apply to their own challenges.

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