Million Dollar Flip Flops

Rodric Lenhart

Welcome to "Million Dollar Flip Flops," the podcast that invites you on a transformative journey diving deep into the minds of thought leaders, game changers, and business builders from around the world. We explore pivotal moments, motivations, challenges conquered, and the inspiration that fuels their success. Guiding you on this journey is none other than Rodric Lenhart, a multi 7 figure business owner, #1 Bestselling Author, International Speaker, and Certified Business Coach. Learn more: https://milliondollarflipflops.com/

  1. 2D AGO

    177| From Raw Dirt to Real Deals: How to Develop Your Land (the Right Way) with Eugene Gershman

    📝 Episode Summary In this episode of Million Dollar Flip Flops, Rodric sits down with Eugene Gershman, CEO of GIS Companies, to demystify real estate development for landowners, builders, and investors who know they’re sitting on potential—but don’t know what to do next. Eugene started in the family construction business over 20 years ago, transitioned into full-time development, and now runs a development services company that partners with landowners across the country. His team handles everything from feasibility and entitlement to design, permitting, capital stack, and GC selection—and instead of billing by the hour, they take JV equity and get paid when the project succeeds. He breaks down: •. What to look at first if you have a piece of land and a dream •. Why feasibility is non-negotiable •. How “money follows good deals” (and how to structure those deals) •. The reality of permitting timelines, IRR vs equity multiple, and why he targets 2x+ equity rather than obsessing over IRR •. How early-stage capital actually works (GP funds, bridge loans, angel investors) If you’ve ever thought “I’d love to build something on this land, but I have no idea where to start,” this episode is your crash course. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn •. What GIS Companies actually does How Eugene’s team acts as a development partner, not just a consultant—bringing in the team, structuring the deal, and taking JV equity instead of hourly fees. •. Who can work with them (hint: you don’t need experience) Why you don’t need to be a developer to develop: from families with legacy land to builders stepping up in scale, Eugene loves helping people go from “I own dirt” to “I own a project.” •. Why feasibility is the first non-negotiable step Zoning, entitlements, municipality history, neighborhood opposition, site layout, market data, costs—they walk through all of it before anyone talks about pouring concrete. •. How to think about “hard” municipalities Why Eugene doesn’t care if a place is “hard”—he cares if it’s possible or impossible. If it’s not impossible, there’s a path. •. The truth about finding money for your project Why money follows good deals and why you can’t raise capital credibly until you know: •. What can be built •. What it costs •. What the investor gets •. Early-stage vs late-stage capital •. Late-stage investors love coming in when permits are issued & debt is locked. •. Early-stage money is harder and often comes from GP funds, bridge loans, and angel investors willing to accept higher risk. •. How landowners can tap into their land value without selling outright Using bridge loans (50–60% of land value), pairing that with feasibility, and understanding how bringing in partners dilutes you—and why that’s not always bad if structured right. •. Returns: IRR vs Equity Multiple Eugene explains why IRR is fragile (because permitting timelines blow it up), and why he prefers tracking equity multiple—aiming to double investor money (2x) or more over the life of the project. •. Why right now might be a great time to start a project Eugene shares his view that the next ~5 years could be a strong cycle for development—and why people sitting on land should seriously consider building instead of waiting. •. How he thinks about sustaining goals In response to a listener-style question, Eugene explains why habits and routines, not motivation, are what keep you from “losing 10 lbs and then going back to cake.” ⏱️ Suggested Timestamps [00:00] “Money follows good deals.” Why investors won’t show up until you can...

    21 min
  2. 5D AGO

    176 | Losing It All, Finding Yourself & Investing with Intention with Fuquan Bilal

    📝 Episode Summary In this episode, Rodric sits down with Fuquan Bilal — real estate developer, fund manager, and self-described “superhero” to his kids — to talk about identity, resilience, and building wealth with intention. Fuquan has been in real estate since 1999, has survived multiple market cycles (including the ’08 crash), and now runs a fund focused on luxury spec homes in New Jersey and impact multifamily housing in the Southeast. But the most powerful part of his story isn’t just about deals… it’s about who he became when everything fell apart. He shares what it felt like to lay on his back after the crash, staring at the ceiling fan, wondering “What am I gonna do next?” — and how detaching his identity from “real estate guy” and doing the inner work (meditation, yoga, reading, mindset) became the foundation of his comeback and long-term success. They dive into micro vs macro market focus, how to think about luxury spec risk, why self-work must come before business growth, and how the ultra-wealthy actually structure their portfolios (hint: it’s not 100% mutual funds). If you’ve ever tied your worth to your business, been punched in the face by a market cycle, or are curious about blending impact and profit in real estate, this episode is going to hit home. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn •Why your business is not your identity Fuquan’s journey from “real estate is who I am” to separating self-worth from what he does — and how that shift changed everything. •What the 2008 crash taught him (the hard way) Laying on his back, staring at the ceiling fan, wondering what’s next — and what it really took to get back up. •The inner work behind outer success How meditation, yoga, reading, and mindset work became essential tools in rebuilding both his life and his portfolio. •Why he moved from affordable housing to luxury spec homes The transition from lower-income, bread-and-butter housing to high-end, process-driven luxury builds – and why those margin and demand profiles made sense post-COVID. •How he thinks about risk in the current market Why Fuquan focuses on the micro/local market instead of macro fear, paying attention to absorption rate, school systems, and buyer profiles (doctors, lawyers, high earners). •Fund structure & impact investing How his fund blends two verticals: •Luxury spec homes in New Jersey •Multifamily impact projects in Alabama & Georgia for low-income seniors, battered women, and children Plus his BHAG of providing housing for 5,000+ residents. •How the ultra-wealthy actually invest Insights from Target 21 and why truly wealthy portfolios are heavily weighted in alternative investments, not just traditional stocks. •Blended portfolios & alternative investing mindset Why many investors stay stuck in traditional models, and how Fuquan talks to people transitioning from mutual funds to alternatives. •Teachers, mentors, and the power of books The role of masterminds, pods, and classic mindset authors like Napoleon Hill, Brian Tracy, and Maxwell Maltz (Psycho-Cybernetics) in shaping Fuquan’s worldview. ⏱️ Suggested Timestamps [00:00] “Real estate became my identity” – and why that was dangerous Fuquan shares how tying his self-worth to his role as a real estate investor created pain when the market crashed. [00:40] Welcome to Million Dollar Flip Flops Rodric sets the stage for a conversation about markets, mindset, and real wealth. [01:00] Who is Fuquan Bilal? Superhero to his kids, real estate developer since 1999, and fund manager for luxury spec homes & multifamily. [01:40]...

    16 min
  3. FEB 6

    175 | AI, Human Potential & Real Leadership with Chris Majer

    📝 Episode Summary In this episode, Rodric sits down with Chris Majer, founder of the Human Potential Project, to talk about AI, leadership, and what it actually takes to transform individuals and organizations. Chris has spent 35+ years working with elite athletes, special forces, and corporate leaders, blending eastern practices (like Aikido and meditation) with western psychology and performance science. Now, he’s integrating AI into his work — not to replace humans, but to dramatically speed up diagnosis of deep organizational issues. They dive into why financial metrics are backward-looking, how most businesses are really just “nested commitments,” why trust is not a feeling, and the critical distinction between diagnosing a problem and solving it. Chris also shares what real leadership is (and isn’t), why most CEOs are stuck operating instead of leading, and how your body’s built-in “b******t detector” shapes culture more than any poster on the wall. You’ll also hear how a mystical moment in an airport bookstore led him to a lifetime of blending human potential, eastern wisdom, and high performance — and why he believes purpose isn’t something you find; it’s something you declare. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn •How AI fits into human transformation (for real) Why Chris uses AI only for diagnosis — not coaching, not leadership, and not human connection. •What a “Red Line Report” is and why it matters How organizations hit invisible “redline” limits where the same problems never get solved, and how Chris’s process uncovers the real constraints. •Why financials don’t tell the whole story The problem with only looking at numbers: they’re backward-looking indicators and often hide the real breakdowns. •Organizations as “nested commitments” A radically simple way to see your business: promises made and kept (or not) — and what happens when that system breaks. •The two true responsibilities of a leader Why leaders are the guardian of the mood and architect of the future, and why you can’t do either one if you’re stuck in the weeds. •Trust, authenticity & the b******t detector How trust actually works (sincerity, competence, reliability), why your body knows when something’s off, and how stories and rumors quietly kill performance. •Culture > raw talent (in sports and business) The lesson from the New Zealand All Blacks: “no dickheads,” why superstar jerks cost you more than they bring, and why culture fit beats raw capability. •Why AI avatars and “AI coaches” miss the mark The difference between information and inspiration — and why no avatar can replicate the energetic, human-to-human space of real coaching. •Why purpose isn’t something you “find” Chris’s definition of purpose as a declaration, and his own: “to enable the full and free expression of the human spirit.” ⏱️ Highlights & Timestamps [00:00] How Chris uses AI (and why only for diagnosis) He explains how AI helps diagnose complex organizational issues by seeing patterns humans might miss — and where humans must still do the real work. [00:45] Welcome to Million Dollar Flip Flops Rodric sets up the conversation around human potential, AI, and leadership. [01:00] Who is Chris Majer & what is the Human Potential Project? Chris introduces his work in cultural and individual transformation — from athletes, to special forces, to global corporations. [01:40] The “Red Line Report” and intractable business problems Why every organization has at least one problem that never seems to get solved — and how they go after that. [02:10] Financials vs reality Why financial reports are backward-looking, imperfect indicators that often mask the real breakdowns. [02:40] Organizations as nested...

    25 min
  4. FEB 3

    174 | Grace on the Page: Turning Jargon into Connection (and Joy) with Venchele Saint Dic

    📝 Episode SummaryIn this episode, Rodric sits down with Venchele Saint Dic, founder of Pathway Coach Writing, to talk about how to turn jargon-heavy ideas into clear, human writing—without burning out in the process. Venchele combines her background in public health with her work as a writing coach, ghostwriter, and editor to help entrepreneurs, experts, and organizations use writing as a branding strategy. She focuses on translating complex “industry lingo” into language people can actually understand and feel. They dig into why simple, eighth-grade-level writing wins (even with experts), how wellness can and should be built into the writing process, and why AI can be a helpful tool—but will never replace the human heart behind the words. You’ll also hear how Venchele got into the business, why she believes not every idea will be your idea to carry, and why you should keep trying new ventures until you find the thing that truly lights you up. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn•Why simple writing is powerful Why writing at an 8th-grade level doesn’t “dumb things down”—it opens your message up to more people (including experts). •How Venchele translates jargon into connection How she helps clients convert complex industry language into relatable, clear, and emotionally resonant content. •The writing–wellness connection How she integrates health and wellness into the writing process so it feels like a grounded practice, not a draining chore. •The real work behind writing (even with AI) Why AI can help you get started—but still needs human review, context, and heart to truly land. •Ghostwriting, editing, and AI review How Venchele works as a ghostwriter, line editor, market researcher, and AI-content reviewer for her clients. •Why representation matters in the writing industry The importance of seeing more women—and especially women who look like her—leading in writing and branding spaces. •What to do when a business idea “fails” Why it doesn’t mean you failed; it just means you haven’t found your idea yet. Try the next one. •The value of guest podcasting How guesting gives her a “mini TEDx” platform to share ideas, practice public speaking, and grow her business. ⏱️ Highlights & Timestamps[00:00] If one business idea doesn’t work…try the next Venchele opens with a powerful reminder: a failed idea isn’t a failed life. Keep experimenting until you find what truly drives you. [00:20] Welcome to Million Dollar Flip Flops Rodric sets the stage and welcomes listeners into another conversation about freedom, business, and intentional living. [00:45] Who is Venchele Saint Dic and what is Pathway Coach Writing? Venchele shares how she helps businesses and individuals use writing as a branding strategy—turning dense jargon into content people actually understand and relate to. [01:30] Writing at an 8th-grade level (and why experts secretly love it) They talk about the “8th-grade rule” from writing greats like Hormozi & co., and why even experts are quietly wishing someone would “crack the code” in simpler language. [02:10] How she actually helps clients “dumb it down” Venchele explains how her public health background trained her to translate data into actionable insights—and now into messaging for businesses. [03:00] Integrating wellness into writing She describes treating wellness like infrastructure: it informs timelines, decision-making, communication, and how clients experience...

    15 min
  5. JAN 30

    173 | SEO in the Age of AI: Backlinks, Trust & Guest Podcasting with Brandon Liebowitz

    📝 Episode Summary In this episode, Rodric sits down with Brandon Liebowitz, founder of SEO Optimizers, to unpack what actually works in SEO now that AI, ChatGPT, and LLMs are changing how people search. Brandon has been doing SEO since 2007, back when you could rank by stuffing a few keywords on a page and blasting low-quality backlinks. Those days are gone. He breaks down why SEO is not instant, why Google and other platforms don’t trust you at first, and why backlinks from relevant sites still matter more than most people realize—especially for builders, contractors, and local service businesses who think SEO is going to magically make the phone ring for $2M builds. They also dive deep into how guest podcasting became one of Brandon’s favorite SEO strategies, why he’s been on nearly 300 podcasts, and how he’s turned those interviews into backlinks, content, and long-term visibility. You’ll also hear about his new book, The Power of Guest Podcasting, and how you can use podcasts to boost your own SEO without becoming a full-time content machine. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn •. The biggest misconception about SEO Why SEO is not instant, and why search engines & platforms don’t trust you at first. •. How AI & ChatGPT are changing search Why more people are skipping Google and going straight to LLMs—and what that means for website traffic and SEO. •. Why websites still matter Even with AI and rich snippets, your website is still your digital “resume, portfolio, and store”—and why social alone is risky. •. Backlinks 101 (without the fluff) Why third-party sites mentioning you (backlinks) matter more than keyword stuffing, and how the wrong backlinks can actually hurt you. •. Quality vs quantity in link building Why a few relevant, niche backlinks beat a flood of low-quality press release links and generic news mentions. •. What builders and local pros get wrong about SEO Why paying for SEO doesn’t automatically mean luxury clients showing up—and what’s usually missing (hint: the right backlinks and content structure). •. Site structure, topical relevance & internal links Why one “services” page isn’t enough anymore, and how to use blogs and internal linking to build topical authority. •. Content quality in the age of AI How Google’s crackdown on spun content paved the way for today’s emphasis on genuinely helpful content (and why “your content just sucks” is sometimes the truth). •. Guest podcasting as an SEO strategy How Brandon has been on ~300 shows, why guesting is better than hosting for SEO, and how he uses those interviews to earn backlinks and repurpose content. •. The mindset you need for SEO Why patience, consistency, and “slow wins” compound into exponential long-term growth. ⏱️ Highlights & Timestamps (Adjust timestamps once you have the final edit.) [00:00] The biggest misconception about SEO Brandon opens with the truth most people don’t want to hear: SEO isn’t instant, and search engines don’t trust you out of the gate. [00:40] Welcome to Million Dollar Flip Flops Rodric sets the stage and re-introduces the show’s focus on freedom, business, and time. [01:00] Who is Brandon Liebowitz and what does he do? Brandon explains how he helps people get more visibility and traffic from search engines and platforms like Google, YouTube, Amazon, and LLMs. [01:30] LLMs, ChatGPT, and the future of search They discuss how people (including Rodric) are using ChatGPT instead of Google, AI’s impact on traffic, and why fewer clicks doesn’t mean websites are dead. [02:30] Are websites still relevant? Brandon explains why your website is still your core...

    22 min
  6. JAN 27

    172 | The No Money Millionaire: How David Webb Buys Real Estate Without His Own Cash

    Episode Summary In this episode of Million Dollar Flip Flops, Rodric sits down with David Webb, better known as “The No Money Millionaire.” David grew up in inner-city Detroit with a single mom on welfare, surrounded by people who believed you trade hours for dollars, hope for overtime, and pray it’s enough. No one talked about cash flow. No one modeled passive income. Today, David buys real estate without using a dime of his own money and helps others break the mindset that says: “I can’t do that. I don’t have the money. I don’t have the credit.” He shares how he stumbled into his first two no-money deals, stayed stuck in old beliefs for a decade, and how one apartment building he refused to walk away from in 2020 changed everything. If you’ve ever said, “That doesn’t work for people like me,” this episode is exactly the interruption you need. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn •. How David went from inner-city Detroit & welfare to “The No Money Millionaire” •. Why “I don’t have money/credit” is usually a mindset problem, not a money problem •. The story of the apartment building in 2020 that forced him to figure out creative, no-money financing •. Why going to the bank can be the worst way to fund your deals •. How he helped a tenant go from “I’ll never own a home” to closing on a triplex with no money out of pocket •. The Midwest hourly-wage mindset (Big Three culture, overtime, and car-payment math) •. Why all-commission sales is often the bridge from employee → entrepreneur • How thoughts, energy, and belief shape what you create in your life and business •. The old-school book that changed his money mindset: The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles •. David’s definition of success & why surrounding yourself with like-minded people matters 🕒Highlights & Timestamps [00:00] – Early real estate & the 2020 turning point Buying property since the mid-90s, making mistakes, reading books that all felt like “French”… until one apartment building he had to own forced him to figure out no-money financing. [01:00] – Welcome to Million Dollar Flip Flops Rodric sets the stage for business owners who want more freedom and time. [01:30] – Who is David Webb? David introduces himself as The No Money Millionaire, buying property without his own money and helping others fix their mindset. [02:30] – Growing up in Detroit Inner-city Detroit, single mom, public schools, welfare. No one owned homes, let alone talked about passive income. [03:30] – Two no-money deals… and still stuck Even after two deals with no money down, David kept chasing down payments, perfect credit, and tax returns because that’s all he’d ever been told. [04:30] – The apartment building he refused to let go 2020: wanting one particular property so badly that he had to figure out creative financing. Once he solved that, the floodgates opened. [05:30] – Rodric’s story: raising private money on a deadline Rodric shares how a banker pulled out last minute, and he funded a deal with a simple promissory note and his network instead. [06:30] – How to know if you need David’s help If you’re still saying “this is BS” or “that doesn’t work for people like me,” you probably need a mindset reset. David tells the story of a tenant who believed he’d never own… and now owns a triplex with no money out of pocket. [08:00] – The Big Three & the hourly mindset Overtime, raises, and how many hours it takes to make a car payment. Why that mentality keeps people stuck for decades. [09:30] – The ceiling of $40/hour Massage therapy at $40/hr sounds great—until you realize you’re capped in income and wrecking your body. [11:00] – All-commission sales & powerful...

    26 min
  7. JAN 23

    171 | Why Not You? Designing a Nomadic Entrepreneur Life with Dennis Meador

    Episode SummaryWhat if you stopped living in fear, stopped buying the story you’ve been fed, and actually designed the life you want — on purpose? In this episode, Rodric sits down with Dennis Meador (DM), a lifelong entrepreneur who now lives on an island in San Pedro, Belize, running a seven-figure business largely from his laptop. Dennis has been in marketing for 30+ years, with over 22 years focused on the legal industry, and has built multiple businesses that don’t require him to be in the office, the country, or even the same continent. They dig into: How DM went from mowing lawns at 14 to building multi-million-dollar marketing machinesWhy he stopped consuming mainstream media during the pandemic and never went backThe truth about nomadic living (hint: it’s often cheaper than your current life)The mindset shift from “it must be nice for you” to “why not me?”Burnout, breakdown, and how he rebuilt his life around pace, purpose, and presence If you’ve ever thought “I’d love to live abroad / travel more / work from anywhere, but it’s impossible for me,” this episode is for you. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll LearnWhy mindset is everythingHow outliers choose not to live in fear, refuse to be “good employees” on autopilot, and instead design lives that fit them.Born vs built entrepreneurshipDM’s take on being “natural born and trauma built,” and how early life experiences accelerated his entrepreneurial skill set.How he designed an island lifestyleThe practical choices and business structures that let him live in Belize, travel Europe for months, and still grow his company.The myth that nomadic living is expensiveReal numbers and examples: Airbnbs, trains, and why two SUVs at 8% interest often cost more than two months in Thailand.Why most people are anchored by stuffGoing from big houses, storage units, and “the Joneses” to an 800 sq ft house on the beach and a goal of just a carry-on + backpack.Media, fear, and your perception of realityWhy DM stopped consuming mainstream media, how constant negativity distorts your view of the world, and how to opt out.How travel changes everythingFrom Romania to Belize – seeing communism through local eyes, understanding...

    34 min
  8. JAN 20

    170 | AI + LinkedIn: Becoming a Thought Leader (Without Living on the App) with Al Kushner

    Episode SummaryIf LinkedIn still feels like “that place bankers go to hire people,” this episode will change how you see it. Rodric sits down with Al Kushner, author of The AI LinkedIn Advantage, to break down how to use AI + LinkedIn together to save time, show up strategically, and position yourself as a thought leader — without living on the platform 24/7. Al has been on LinkedIn for over 20 years. He’s watched it shift from stiff online résumé storage to a powerful professional social network where content, video, and personal branding actually matter. They talk about how to optimize your profile, use AI to generate content ideas, newsletters, and video scripts, and how business owners, entrepreneurs, and job seekers can all use LinkedIn more intentionally to open doors and opportunities. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll LearnWhy content is still king on LinkedInAnd how AI can help you generate article ideas, newsletter topics, and even scripts for short, engaging videos.How to use AI to show up as a thought leaderNot to fake expertise, but to organize your ideas, polish your messaging, and stay consistent.The foundation: your profileWhy your profile is your first impression, why it needs to be updated at least quarterly, and which sections matter most (headline, photo, banner, About, and more).How business owners should really be thinking about LinkedInIt’s not just for job seekers — it’s for prospecting, partnerships, recruiting, and credibility.What The AI LinkedIn Advantage book will help you doFrom choosing the right photos and headlines to using premium tools like Sales Navigator and doing strategic outreach.Why being active matters more than being perfectPosting, commenting, and engaging regularly beats having a “perfect” profile you never touch.A simple mindset shift if you “hate LinkedIn”How to see it as a tool to showcase your real-world abilities and connect with real humans, not just a place to upload your résumé. ⏱️ Highlights & Timestamps(Times are approximate and based on the flow of the conversation.) [00:00] Content is king (especially on LinkedIn) Al opens with why content drives everything on LinkedIn — and how AI can brainstorm article ideas, draft newsletter content, and write scripts for the videos LinkedIn loves. [00:45] Welcome to Million Dollar Flip Flops Rodric frames the podcast for new...

    8 min
4.9
out of 5
67 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Million Dollar Flip Flops," the podcast that invites you on a transformative journey diving deep into the minds of thought leaders, game changers, and business builders from around the world. We explore pivotal moments, motivations, challenges conquered, and the inspiration that fuels their success. Guiding you on this journey is none other than Rodric Lenhart, a multi 7 figure business owner, #1 Bestselling Author, International Speaker, and Certified Business Coach. Learn more: https://milliondollarflipflops.com/