Idiot to Genius

Todd Porter and Pod Savvy Guide
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Ever feel like everyone else has it all figured out except you? Idiot to Genius shares stories from entrepreneurs who’ve lived both sides of the journey the “idiot” moments where nothing works, and the “genius” moments that only come because they kept going. It’s the very human process of building something where the right to fail is what unlocks the ability to succeed. These conversations pull back the curtain on the pivots, the grit, and the lessons learned along the way. Because the truth is, most people feel lost long before they feel capable and these stories remind you you’re not alone.

  1. JAN 29

    Philly Rodriguez | The Identity Shift From Nurse to Entrepreneur

    Have you ever felt like you were meant for more but stayed where you were because it felt safer? Philly Rodriguez built her career in the emergency room, where chaos was familiar and decisions were clear, but stepping into real estate forced her to confront fear, identity, and the discomfort of no guaranteed paycheck. This conversation explores what happens when you stop hiding parts of who you are, trust the skills you already carry, and choose growth over comfort. It’s a reminder that calm leadership, decisive action, and faith in yourself can turn uncertainty into momentum when you finally commit all the way. Connect with Philly: https://phillyrodriguez.com

    30 min

  2. JAN 22

    Jonathon Rogers | Lessons from the Marines That Carried into Real Estate

    Jonathan Rogers is a Realtor and former Marine Corps reservist bringing military discipline, leadership, and a commitment to service into his real estate career. After serving in the Marine Corps Reserves, Jonathan transitioned into real estate, where he applies the same mindset of accountability and resilience to help clients navigate one of life’s biggest decisions. In this episode, he shares how his military experience shaped his work ethic. Profile Link: Jonathon Rogers -Real Estate Agent https://www.realtor.com/realestateagents/670e7a2aa5a77194757a0b76

    19 min

  3. JAN 15

    Brandon & Michelle Barber | Building a Business You Love

    What if the real risk in business isn’t failure but staying comfortable for too long? In this episode, we sit down with power couple Brandon and Michelle Barber to unpack what happens when certainty disappears, systems collapse, and entrepreneurs are forced to pivot or be left behind. For more than 25 years, they’ve coached over one million people, created 100+ courses, generated $10M+ in revenue, and led hundreds of live events. But when COVID erased their entire in-person business model overnight, they had to confront a hard truth no system lasts forever. In this conversation, Brandon and Michelle share the behind-the-scenes reality of rebuilding from scratch. They talk about surviving business plateaus, pivoting from live events to virtual programs, shrinking overhead without shrinking impact, and why adaptability is now a non-negotiable skill for entrepreneurs. They also dive into what it’s like building a business as a married couple, the importance of masculine and feminine balance in leadership, and why creating courses isn’t just about income it’s about legacy. From automating evergreen programs to teaching others how to package their knowledge, they explain why they believe there’s a course inside everyone. This episode is for entrepreneurs who feel stretched, stuck, or quietly wondering if there’s another way. It’s a reminder that discomfort often precedes clarity and that freedom is built through contribution, not comfort. Links & Resources Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonbarbercoaching/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandonbarbercoaching

    31 min

  4. JAN 8

    Chef Giuseppe | From Bars to Jars to a Real Comeback

    What if your rock bottom wasn’t the end of your story, but the beginning of the most productive season of your life? The most surprising part of this transcript is how fast Joe “Chef Giuseppe” Gallagher Jr.’s turnaround happened: jail in January 2024, and his first spaghetti sauce sale June 1 after walking into a Piggly Wiggly with one jar and zero “perfect plan.” What hit even harder was his honesty that forgiving himself was harder than getting sober, and that real change didn’t start until his family set firm boundaries, he stopped chasing the “how,” and started owning the “what and why” (plus that “moral inventory” moment…wow). Apastioli Specialty Foods (official site): apastioli.com Apastioli From Bars to Jars Book: https://www.amazon.com/Bars-Jars-Saucy-Redemption-Story-ebook/dp/B0F4RQ31WZ/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=188091779922&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tCI8gLjS_HQ1E4uYuqX6_XED2Jx1qs2aQmUEU2W-EW1ByjI9-Ub7s0YMRWGZdodrDGIQVC0W0EVJyyGHMlj25VuBtQF9tf_jVlfqUrYAbzs.It8_YsPZFqEMEdn7aUpNq6Q1FhcIA2aSByWr75i1RTc&dib_tag=se&hvadid=779669556224&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=1026991&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=14098368082365894448--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14098368082365894448&hvtargid=kwd-2441051125903&hydadcr=22536_13730665_8233&keywords=from+bars+to+jars&mcid=c97d818bf40e36bb85cda2a813dc145b&qid=1765902075&sr=8-1 Low Country Lunatics Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4plyRJPJm9FJ2t3wumggnD

    35 min

  5. JAN 2

    (Jan 2026) Pods and Properties | A Reality Check on Markets and Media

    Pods & Property is a monthly segment where real estate meets podcasting, hosted by Pod Savvy Guide and Realtor Todd Porter. Each episode breaks down what’s actually happening in the local Utah real estate market using real data, real experience, and zero hype, then closes with an honest take on where podcasting is headed next. From buyer and seller behavior to market conditions, content trends, and the future of audio, this series is designed for Realtors, business owners, and curious listeners who want clarity, context, and conversations that go deeper than the headlines.

    33 min

  6. 12/25/2025

    Misty Cabaniss | The Inner Work That Changes Everything

    At some point, success stops being about effort and starts being about honesty. In this episode, Misty Cabaniss, a Florida-based Realtor with nearly 25 years of experience in real estate and construction and an agent with eXp Realty in Florida. Misty shares how real estate became a mirror for deeper patterns around money, identity, and self-worth, shaped by years of living in survival mode. She opens up about why integrity became a non-negotiable even when it cost her financially, and how doing the inner work mindset, alignment, and nervous system awareness transformed the way she approaches both business and life. This conversation goes far beyond real estate and into what it really takes to break cycles and build something sustainable.Connect With Misty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realtorthatjeeps/ Instagram Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MistyCabanissRealtor

    28 min

  7. 12/19/2025

    Karen Maria Alston | Learning Who You Are Without the Title

    What happens when the career you spent decades building disappears and you’re forced to answer the question most of us avoid: who am I without my job title? In this episode, Karen Maria Alston shares how 2025 unraveled the plan she thought she had, and how that disruption pushed her into an unexpected new world: AI. What started as curiosity turned into full immersion, with Karen earning AI certifications, stepping into fellowships, and focusing on AI safety and governance, a space she didn’t even know existed a year earlier. Together, we dig into what’s coming fast (and quietly): teens turning to AI for social guidance, the lack of guardrails around adult content and synthetic relationships, deepfakes and misinformation at scale, and the bigger race toward AGI and what it could cost society along the way. We also talk about the hopeful side for business owners, how AI can become a true business partner for marketing and operations, why in-person community is about to matter more than ever, and why Karen’s challenge for 2026 is simple and powerful: have 100 coffee conversations, because the human factor is about to become the real differentiator. Website: https://www.karenalston.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenmariaalston/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenmariaalston instagram.com

    40 min

  8. 12/11/2025

    Nancy Benet | Five Business Failures, $650K Debt and Why She Refused to Quit or File Bankruptcy

    Nancy Benet went from five failed businesses, a divorce, four young kids, and $650,000 in debt to building one of Florida’s most respected accounting firms, Fix It Accounting. In this episode, Nancy shares the moment her business deal collapsed, the recession hit, her unemployment ran out and how declaring “I will make this work” changed everything. She reveals how she built her firm by serving people with federal tax liens, the faith-based manifestation framework that helped her rebuild her life, and the powerful baby-step strategy that carried her from survival to abundance. Nancy also opens up about mentoring entrepreneurs through Success Your Way, raising resilient kids while rebuilding her own future, and why every setback became a blessing that shaped her success. This is a masterclass in grit, clarity, faith, and freedom.Fix It Accounting Website: https://www.fixitaccounting.com/ Success Your Way Website: https://www.successyourway.com/

    31 min
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About

Ever feel like everyone else has it all figured out except you? Idiot to Genius shares stories from entrepreneurs who’ve lived both sides of the journey the “idiot” moments where nothing works, and the “genius” moments that only come because they kept going. It’s the very human process of building something where the right to fail is what unlocks the ability to succeed. These conversations pull back the curtain on the pivots, the grit, and the lessons learned along the way. Because the truth is, most people feel lost long before they feel capable and these stories remind you you’re not alone.

Information

  • Creator
    Todd Porter and Pod Savvy Guide
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Todd Porter and Pod Savvy Guide
  • Show Website
    Idiot to Genius