If The Public Only Knew- Behind Every Success, a Story Worth Telling

Gary Sinderbrand

If the Public Only Knew is a podcast that takes you beyond the headlines and surface-level success stories to uncover the real journeys behind today’s most influential CEOs, founders, and business leaders. Hosted by Gary Sinderbrand, a seasoned professional with decades of experience in the financial and business worlds, the show has evolved from its original focus on exposing behind-the-scenes truths about the financial community to a broader exploration of entrepreneurship, leadership, and growth. Each episode features in-depth conversations with trailblazers who candidly share their origin stories—the ideas that sparked their ventures, the challenges they faced early on, and the pivotal moments that defined their paths. Gary’s thoughtful and direct interview style invites guests to open up about the false starts, missteps, and tough decisions they’ve made along the way. Listeners get an unfiltered look at what it really takes to build a business, from navigating uncertainty to staying true to a vision even when the odds feel stacked against you. Through these conversations, Gary uncovers the lessons learned and insights gained from years of experience in the trenches. The stories go beyond glossy success narratives, instead highlighting the resilience, adaptability, and creativity required to overcome obstacles and build lasting impact. Whether it’s a founder sharing the humbling moment they almost gave up, a CEO explaining how they rallied their team after a major setback, or a leader revealing the personal values that drive their decisions, each episode is designed to inspire and educate. If the Public Only Knew is more than a business podcast; it’s a platform for authentic storytelling. The show offers listeners the opportunity to learn directly from people who have been through the highs and lows of building something meaningful. Entrepreneurs, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in the human side of business will find actionable takeaways, fresh perspectives, and the reassurance that failure is often part of the process. Join Gary Sinderbrand each week as he digs into the untold stories behind success and explores the real journeys of those shaping industries and communities. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s truly like to start, grow, and lead a business, If the Public Only Knew will give you the insights you need—and the inspiration to keep going.

  1. Dean Mathews: Building Scalable Financial Advice for the Mass Affluent

    6D AGO

    Dean Mathews: Building Scalable Financial Advice for the Mass Affluent

    About Dean Mathews: Dean Mathews is the founder and CEO of OnTheClock, a time‑tracking and payroll platform serving over 18,000 businesses with tools for employee time tracking, scheduling, payroll, and PTO. A self‑taught developer who started by building custom software for local companies, Dean grew OnTheClock from a kitchen‑table side project into a scalable SMB solution known for being easy, reliable, and intuitive to use. Today, he leads a growing team focused on practical product design, strong culture, and helping small businesses run more efficiently while building happier, more productive teams. In this episode, Gary and Dean Mathews discuss: Dean’s entrepreneurial and technical origin storyThe creation and growth of OnTheClockProduct philosophy: usability, reliability, and UXIntuition, pattern recognition, and the emotional side of entrepreneurship Key Takeaways: Some of the most valuable business lessons don’t come from classrooms or formal training. They come from making decisions without a safety net and owning the outcome.Responsibility and real consequences change how you think—and when the stakes are real, learning accelerates fast.Confidence grows through repetition, not perfection. Getting things wrong is often part of getting better.Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to learn, adapt, and move forward anyway. "There's always a fear element…But fear isn't the thing, it's the courage that matters." — Dean Mathews Connect with Dean Mathews:   Website: https://www.ontheclock.com/  LinedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dean-mathews-yes | https://www.linkedin.com/company/ontheclock-com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ontheclocktimeclock  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/OnTheClockTimeClock  To get in touch with Gary: Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/ Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    34 min
  2. Anders Jones: Building Scalable Financial Advice for the Mass Affluent

    FEB 4

    Anders Jones: Building Scalable Financial Advice for the Mass Affluent

    About Anders Jones: Anders Jones is the co-founder and CEO of Facet Wealth, a financial planning firm built to serve the massively underserved mass affluent market with affordable, subscription-based advice from dedicated CFP professionals. Prior to Facet, Anders was a founding partner of Argyle Ventures. Argyle invests in emerging startup markets, with a focus on advertising, technology, financial technology, and healthcare IT. Prior to Argyle, Anders was on the early team at LiveRamp (acquired by Acxiom for $310 million), and has been involved as an investor or advisor in many other startups in Silicon Valley. In this episode, Gary and Anders Jones discuss: Why the traditional asset-based advisory model excludes millions who still need real guidanceHow the DOL fiduciary rule exposed a massive cost-of-service problem in financial adviceThe shift from B2B to direct-to-consumer—and what finally unlocked growthWhy human advisors, trust, and empathy still matter in an increasingly automated world Key Takeaways: Entire industries can overlook enormous opportunities simply because serving them doesn’t fit existing business models. That doesn’t mean the need isn’t real—or urgent.Financial advice isn’t just about numbers. Trust, empathy, and consistent human connection are often more valuable than technical optimization.Scaling service doesn’t require sacrificing quality, but it does require rethinking how time, technology, and human expertise are allocated.For many people, the real competition isn’t another firm—it’s doing nothing. Education and clarity are often the first steps to meaningful engagement. "We refer to our advisors as therapists with calculators." — Anders Jones Connect with Anders Jones:   Website: https://facet.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anders-jones/  Email: anders@facet.com   To get in touch with Gary: Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/ Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    30 min
  3. Geoff Thatcher: Translating Stories into Unforgettable Experiences

    JAN 28

    Geoff Thatcher: Translating Stories into Unforgettable Experiences

    About Geoff Thatcher: Geoff Thatcher is an experienced designer, author, and founder of Creative Principals, a studio that translates stories into immersive physical experiences for brands, museums, and attractions. Throughout his career—from amusement parks and journalism to leadership development and experience design, he’s consistently chosen opportunity over certainty, learning through experimentation rather than rigid long-term plans. His perspective blends creative pragmatism with a belief that career success should support a meaningful life, not replace it. In this episode, Gary and Geoff Thatcher discuss: Why traditional career paths no longer fit most modern professionalsLearning through experimentation instead of long-term planningBalancing ambition with family, identity, and personal fulfillmentThe role of risk, uncertainty, and self-trust in building a meaningful life Key Takeaways: Most people overestimate the level of certainty they need before taking action. Progress often comes from movement first and clarity later.Career decisions don’t have to follow a straight line to be successful. Nonlinear paths can create broader skills, a stronger perspective, and more resilient confidence.Ambition without reflection leads to burnout. Building a life that actually feels good requires regularly questioning why you’re chasing the next milestone in the first place.Long-term fulfillment isn’t found in optimization. It’s built through relationships, self-trust, and the willingness to live without having every step planned. "It's not about the technology. It's always about the story and how, what's gonna, what's the best way to communicate that story." — Geoff Thatcher Connect with Geoff Thatcher:   Website: https://www.creativeprincipals.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffthatcher/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geoffthatcher/  X: https://x.com/geoffthatcher  To get in touch with Gary: Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/ Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    55 min
  4. Jan Rutherford: Why Discipline Is the Missing Link in Leadership

    JAN 21

    Jan Rutherford: Why Discipline Is the Missing Link in Leadership

    About Jan Rutherford: Jan Rutherford is a former U.S. Army Green Beret, leadership development expert, executive coach, author, and podcast host. His career spans Special Forces service, healthcare and pharmaceutical leadership, entrepreneurship, academia, and executive coaching. Drawing from his experiences as a Green Beret medic, instructor, corporate executive, and CEO, Jan helps senior leaders and executive teams develop discipline, strategic clarity, and authentic leadership. His work focuses on helping leaders better manage time, people, and complexity while building lives rooted in service, balance, and purpose. Jan is also deeply committed to helping veterans successfully transition from military to civilian leadership roles.  In this episode, Gary and Jan Rutherford discuss: Jan’s unconventional journey from a 101-pound high school senior to earning a Green Beret at age 19The discipline, sacrifice, and mindset required to endure Special Forces trainingWhy sales experience is foundational for leadership and long-term business successHow leadership development, coaching, and teaching became Jan’s lifelong calling Key Takeaways: Doing hard things early in life builds discipline and confidence that carry forward into every stage of leadership.Leadership is developed through experience, accountability, and service—not titles or credentials alone.Skills gained in sales, communication, and relationship-building are critical to entrepreneurial success.The best leaders simplify complexity and help others grow, rather than seeking control or recognition. "Everybody's got great ideas, everybody's got great values, everybody's got great goals, but the difference is the discipline to execute the sacrifices that will be made." — Jan Rutherford Connect with Jan Rutherford:   Website: https://selfreliantleadership.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janrutherford/  Book (Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader: How Grit and Disciplined Duty Forge Indomitable Teams): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1637745591?tag=randohouseinc7986-20  To get in touch with Gary: Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/ Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    37 min
  5. Laurie Battaglia: Building Aligned Leaders and Power Skills in a Changing Workplace

    JAN 14

    Laurie Battaglia: Building Aligned Leaders and Power Skills in a Changing Workplace

    About Laurie Battaglia: Laurie Battaglia is the CEO of Aligned at Work and a leadership coach known for helping organizations dismantle unhealthy hierarchies and build cultures where people and performance can thrive. With decades of experience in organizational development, her work centers on trust, accountability, and authentic leadership that drives measurable results. She holds a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a certified Professional Coach and Energy Leadership Index® Master Practitioner through iPEC. Her approach blends vulnerability, transparency, and direct conversation—turning so-called “soft skills” into real competitive advantages. Through storytelling, truth-telling, and practical assessment tools, she challenges leaders to rethink power, lead themselves first, and create workplaces rooted in self-awareness, respect, and sustained impact. In this episode, Gary and Laurie Battaglia discuss: What it really feels like to leave a long corporate career and start a business later in life Why most leadership training fails without accountability and follow-through How trust, facilitation, and psychological safety unlock better performance in teams The growing leadership gap in industries facing generational turnover—and why apprenticeship models matter  Key Takeaways: Starting a business almost always takes longer than expected. Preparation helps, but persistence matters more once the leap is made.Training without accountability doesn’t create change. Measurement, follow-up, and peer visibility are what turn learning into lasting behavior.The most effective leaders don’t dominate the room. They create space where others feel safe enough to think, speak, and contribute honestly. Skills don’t transfer by osmosis. If organizations don’t intentionally teach relationship-building, communication, and leadership judgment, those capabilities quietly disappear over time. "It's not what we're doing, it's how we're doing it." — Laurie Battaglia Connect with Laurie Battaglia:   Website: https://alignedatwork.com/  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauriebattaglia/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alignedatwork1052  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedatwork  To get in touch with Gary: Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/ Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    31 min
  6. George Pesansky: Servant Leadership, Risk, and Super Performance

    JAN 7

    George Pesansky: Servant Leadership, Risk, and Super Performance

    About George Pesansky: George Pesansky is a leadership expert, educator, and founder of MyBlendedLearning.com, a training and development firm focused on deliberate improvement, risk management, and building high-performing teams. Drawing from experience across the military, manufacturing, and corporate consulting, his work helps individuals and organizations unlock sustainable performance through systems, empowerment, and practical skill-building. A former Army officer and long-time advisor to global industrial organizations, he has spent decades teaching leaders how to develop people, manage complexity, and create environments where teams can succeed—even in the leader’s absence. His new book, Superperformance, packs eight proven strategies to help you stop chasing peak performance—and start living it every day. In this episode, Gary and George Pesansky discuss: How early leadership instincts and military service shaped a lifelong approach to servant leadership Transitioning from the Army into private industry—and learning to lead without technical expertise Rethinking risk as something to anticipate, manage, and mitigate long before a crisis hits Why true leadership success means systems and teams function effectively—even when you’re not there Key Takeaways: Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating clarity around purpose, empowering people to take ownership, and trusting the systems you’ve built to carry the mission forward. Risk feels frightening when it’s treated as an emergency. When identified early and broken into manageable pieces, it becomes something that can be planned for rather than feared.Technical expertise matters less than listening and learning. Teams perform best when leaders focus on the “why,” not just the “how,” and give people room to grow into responsibility.Sustainable performance shows up when the leader’s presence is no longer required for success. If everything breaks when you step away, the work isn’t finished yet. “Risk is really a function of time, and the more time you have, the more options you have.” — George Pesansky Connect with George Pesansky:   Website: https://georgepesansky.com/    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deliberateimprovement/    X: https://x.com/SuperPerformnz   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/george.pesansky  For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home  Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/ To get in touch with Gary: Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/ Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    23 min
  7. Myles Powell: From Engineer to Comfort Food CEO

    12/31/2025

    Myles Powell: From Engineer to Comfort Food CEO

    About Myles Powell: Myles is a business leader and problem solver with 10+ years of experience scaling companies, managing multimillion-dollar projects, and coaching entrepreneurs. As Founder & CEO of Myles Comfort Foods, he built a national brand distributed in 700+ retail locations and raised over $1M in capital. His background also spans utility project management, financial services as a mortgage loan officer, and fitness coaching. Myles thrives in roles where every day is different—combining his analytical skills with his passion for people, business development, and strategy. Whether building growth playbooks, managing cross-functional teams, or supporting clients with financial and fitness goals, he brings energy, adaptability, and a proven track record of advancing quickly and delivering results. In this episode, Gary and Myles Powell discuss: How Myles walked away from engineering to build Myles Comfort Foods from scratchTurning a homemade barbecue sauce and food blog into a retail-ready CPG brandThe scrappy early days: shared kitchens, farmers markets, and bootstrapping into Whole Foods and TargetWhy relentless learning, risk-taking, and “hunger for more” drive Myles’ vision for clean comfort food everywhere Key Takeaways: You don’t need the perfect plan to start—just keep stepping into the next obvious move and learn the rest on the fly.Side hustling can be the real MBA: from filing trademarks to renting kitchen space and hand-delivering product, the best CPG lessons often come from doing.Listening to the market can change everything—the shift from sauce to frozen comfort foods came directly from real customer behavior at farmers' markets.Being obsessed with progress and lifelong learning turns every job, failure, and pivot into a license to learn, not a finish line. "I always had this entrepreneurship spirit, and I wanted to figure out what to do with it, and I knew food had to be involved." — Myles Powell Connect with Myles Powell:   Website: https://www.mylescomfortfoods.com/  For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home  Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/ To get in touch with Gary: Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/ Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    30 min
  8. David Carter: Waking Up the World with The Truth Contract

    12/24/2025

    David Carter: Waking Up the World with The Truth Contract

    About David Carter: David Carter is a serial entrepreneur, longtime CEO mentor, and founder of The Truth Contract, a platform created to challenge mainstream narratives and investigate the systems shaping our health, freedoms, and future. He began his career in high finance in the late ’70s and ’80s, working on leveraged buyouts and private equity across the US, Europe, and the Middle East before a blunt mentor told him he was “on the wrong side of the table,” pushing him into ownership and entrepreneurship. David went on to build and exit several ventures—including UK golf and country club businesses, one of which floated on London’s AIM stock market—and spent about 25 years mentoring CEOs of major companies, focusing on the leadership “performance X-factor.”  Today, through The Truth Contract, he channels that experience into deep-dive conversations and research aimed at helping people see through illusion, better evaluate “truth,” and safeguard the next generation. In this episode, Gary and David Carter discuss: Leaving a successful career in finance to step into ownership, risk, and entrepreneurship The idea of a leadership “X-factor” and why intuition often outperforms spreadsheets when evaluating people Why handwritten letters still open doors in a digital-first world—and how intentional effort builds trust The origins of The Truth Contract and the motivation behind questioning mainstream narratives and information systems  Key Takeaways: Career breakthroughs often begin with uncomfortable honesty. Being told you’re “on the wrong side of the table” can be the push that turns a high performer into an owner and builder.Intuition isn’t mystical—it’s pattern recognition sharpened over time. Deep exposure to people, cultures, and decisions creates an internal compass that leaders ignore at their own risk. Effort signals intent. A handwritten letter, thoughtful outreach, or deliberate follow-up communicates seriousness in a way frictionless digital communication rarely does.Questioning accepted narratives requires courage and discernment. The challenge isn’t just accessing information; it’s learning how to evaluate truth, bias, and motivation without falling into fear or apathy. "I don't want my grandchildren to end up being incapable of having their own children because I didn't do something on my watch." — David Carter Connect with David Carter:   Website: https://www.thetruthcontract.co.uk/ https://www.spermegggeddon.com/  X: https://x.com/truth_contract   Reddit- https://thetruthcontract.substack.com/ For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home  Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/ To get in touch with Gary: Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/ Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    40 min
5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

If the Public Only Knew is a podcast that takes you beyond the headlines and surface-level success stories to uncover the real journeys behind today’s most influential CEOs, founders, and business leaders. Hosted by Gary Sinderbrand, a seasoned professional with decades of experience in the financial and business worlds, the show has evolved from its original focus on exposing behind-the-scenes truths about the financial community to a broader exploration of entrepreneurship, leadership, and growth. Each episode features in-depth conversations with trailblazers who candidly share their origin stories—the ideas that sparked their ventures, the challenges they faced early on, and the pivotal moments that defined their paths. Gary’s thoughtful and direct interview style invites guests to open up about the false starts, missteps, and tough decisions they’ve made along the way. Listeners get an unfiltered look at what it really takes to build a business, from navigating uncertainty to staying true to a vision even when the odds feel stacked against you. Through these conversations, Gary uncovers the lessons learned and insights gained from years of experience in the trenches. The stories go beyond glossy success narratives, instead highlighting the resilience, adaptability, and creativity required to overcome obstacles and build lasting impact. Whether it’s a founder sharing the humbling moment they almost gave up, a CEO explaining how they rallied their team after a major setback, or a leader revealing the personal values that drive their decisions, each episode is designed to inspire and educate. If the Public Only Knew is more than a business podcast; it’s a platform for authentic storytelling. The show offers listeners the opportunity to learn directly from people who have been through the highs and lows of building something meaningful. Entrepreneurs, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in the human side of business will find actionable takeaways, fresh perspectives, and the reassurance that failure is often part of the process. Join Gary Sinderbrand each week as he digs into the untold stories behind success and explores the real journeys of those shaping industries and communities. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s truly like to start, grow, and lead a business, If the Public Only Knew will give you the insights you need—and the inspiration to keep going.