Stay Hungry

Matthew Malan
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Stay Hungry is a podcast for people who refuse to settle. Each episode, host Matthew Malan sits down with entrepreneurs, doctors, community leaders, and everyday people who've done extraordinary things - extracting the real stories, hard lessons, and practical strategies behind their success. Because the best advice doesn't come from textbooks. It comes from people who've lived it.

Episodes

  1. Why Hiding Your Secrets is Blocking Your True Potential | Wesley Farnsworth

    4H AGO

    Why Hiding Your Secrets is Blocking Your True Potential | Wesley Farnsworth

    Most people think freedom from a 20-year addiction comes from sheer willpower. Wesley Farnsworth says it comes from the moment you stop trying to do it alone. In this episode, Matthew sits down with author, speaker, and Unmasked podcast host Wesley Farnsworth to talk about growing up a pastor's kid, the secret he carried for two decades, and the single meeting that broke the chains overnight. They get into community and accountability as the missing piece most people skip, why "I'm done" is the most dangerous thought in recovery, how to hold onto hope when you find yourself back at ground zero, and three practical habits that grew his faith. Wesley also breaks down the North Star framework from his book The Blueprint of Becoming and shares what Christ-like leadership actually looks like in the workplace — open doors, real trust, and treating people like humans, not headcount. Key takeaways Community and accountability aren't optional — they're scriptural, and they're how chains actually break. You're never "done" in recovery. The moment you think you've got it is the moment you're closest to a relapse. When you fall back to ground zero, don't quit — examine what went wrong and reroute the path next time. Three habits that build faith: change the music you listen to, get into the Word, and treat prayer like a real two-way conversation. God has to be your North Star. When jobs, relationships, or interests take that spot, your life veers off course. Lead with an open door. Trust your team, ask for their input before making changes, and you'll get 110% back. You are not defined by what you've done, what's been done to you, or what others say about you — only by who God says you are.Connect wesleyfarnsworth.com/start Unmasked Podcast Book: The Blueprint of Becoming — https://amzn.to/4nBJMwkAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

    48 min
  2. What If Everything You Know About Lead Generation Is Wrong? | Wes Towers

    5D AGO

    What If Everything You Know About Lead Generation Is Wrong? | Wes Towers

    Most trades and construction brands are leaving money on the table with a sloppy online presence. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Wes Towers, founder of Uplift360 and a 20+ year marketing veteran who specializes in helping trades, builders, and construction brands grow through smarter digital strategy. They break down why the old sales funnel is dead and what to build instead, when to use SEO vs paid ads vs referrals, how to qualify leads before they hit your inbox, and why the safest "shortcut" in SEO is the one that gets you blacklisted by Google. Wes also shares why he runs all the sales himself, how to position against bigger competitors through niching, and what marketing looks like in the AI era when trust and human connection matter more than ever. If you run a trades business, lead a marketing team, or are trying to build something from your garage, this one is packed with practical moves you can use today. Key Takeaways Income follows value — find where the need is greatest and bring more value than anyone else can. The sales funnel is dead. Think in cycles: clients become referral partners, not endpoints. Want more leads? Remove form fields. Want better leads? Add them. Move the dials based on what you need. Overpromising in SEO leads to black hat shortcuts, which leads to Google penalties that can take a year to recover from. Get yourself in rooms where you don't qualify. That's where the growth happens. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:54 - Starting out in graphic design before websites were a thing 02:36 - Why niching into construction was accidental but powerful 03:49 - The risk-reward of starting your own company 05:29 - Building the business around the lifestyle you want 07:33 - Why construction brands mess up their online presence 10:47 - SEO vs paid ads vs tenders: choosing the right channel 13:33 - Why the sales funnel is dead and the cycle model wins 17:11 - The form field trick to control lead quality and volume 20:47 - Why Wes runs all the sales himself (and the black hat SEO trap) 23:59 - Stacking your value offer for quick wins 25:29 - How often Google crawls your site (and why size matters) 26:04 - Niching to beat bigger competitors 28:38 - Top SEO tips: content, information gain, and avoiding AI slop 32:34 - How Uplift360 works with founders vs marketing teams 35:04 - Patterns Wes sees across construction and industrial brands 38:13 - The future of marketing: tech is devaluing, human insight is rising 40:29 - If he started over today, would he go to university? 41:45 - The power of getting into rooms where you don't qualify 45:41 - Final takeaway: now is the time for the creative entrepreneur 47:29 - Where to connect with Wes About the Guest Wes Towers is the founder of Uplift360, a marketing agency specializing in trades, builders, and construction brands. With over 20 years of experience starting back in the early days of websites in the year 2000, Wes has built his agency around helping practical, hands-on founders translate their craft into compelling online presence. Uplift360 works with clients around the world, from founder-led businesses to in-house marketing teams at larger firms. Connect https://uplift360.com.au

    48 min
  3. What an Air Disaster Taught Me About Extreme Leadership | Jay Jacobson

    MAY 11

    What an Air Disaster Taught Me About Extreme Leadership | Jay Jacobson

    Most leaders confuse a title with influence. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Jay Jacobson, a funeral director with over 45 years of experience, to explore what real leadership looks like when the stakes are at their highest. Jay shares hard-won lessons from caring for grieving families, working the United Flight 232 air disaster, and testifying before the U.S. Senate at age 31 after 36 hours without sleep. He unpacks the difference between being a boss and being a leader, why integrity has to be practiced long before a crisis hits, and how reading a room has become the new essential skill in a screen-saturated world. If you lead people, serve clients, or want to build a life that's remembered for the right reasons, this conversation will reframe how you show up. Key Takeaways• Leaders are followed because of vision and care, not because of a title or job description.• Integrity is built in small daily decisions, not summoned in a crisis.• Write down your mission, values, and non-negotiables so you know exactly where the line is.• Be fully present. "Be where your feet are" is the greatest gift you can give the people around you.• People skills, especially reading a room, are the new competitive advantage in a world of unlimited information.• Don't wait for retirement to live. Make memories now, because tomorrow isn't promised.• Play the long game. Serve people so well today that they remember you 20 years from now. About the GuestJay Jacobson is a veteran funeral director with over 45 years of experience guiding families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. He has worked major crisis events including the United Flight 232 air disaster, testified before the U.S. Senate on behalf of the funeral service industry, and spent decades mentoring younger funeral directors. He is the author of Lead by Legendary Example, a leadership book built around real stories from his career, paired with a 10-week course for developing leaders inside any organization. Connect with Jay• Website: Jacobsonprostaff.com• Cookies: Jayscookies.net• LinkedIn: Jay Jacobson• Book: Lead by Legendary Example As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

    48 min
  4. He Practiced ONE Speech 1,000 Times… Here’s Why | Derek Lott

    APR 23

    He Practiced ONE Speech 1,000 Times… Here’s Why | Derek Lott

    Most people think great speakers are born, not built. In this episode, Matt sits down with Derek Lott — a Toastmasters World Championship top-8 finisher out of 30,000 speakers — to break down what it actually takes to reach elite levels on the stage. Derek shares how coaches, reps, and radical vulnerability transformed his speaking, why presence always beats polish, and how the same principles that made him a world-class speaker also shaped his leadership philosophy as a senior executive. Whether you're terrified to speak or already competing, this one will challenge how you think about mastery. Key Takeaways• Presence and authenticity will always outperform polish and precision with an audience.• Great speakers aren't born — they're built through reps, coaches, and a willingness to be vulnerable.• Your public speaking needs a platform to stand on. Find the message only you can deliver.• The thing you're avoiding most could be the very thing that unlocks your breakthrough.• As a leader, grade effort — not just results. The rest is your job to fix. Chapters00:00 - Introduction00:42 - What it felt like to compete at the World Championship stage01:49 - Why every great performer needs a coach (Jordan, Brady, and beyond)03:34 - How to practice a speech until it becomes part of you05:43 - Why the story matters more than the jokes or the structure08:04 - Advice for brand new speakers just starting out09:36 - Why Derek still shows up to practice even after winning11:22 - The moment Derek learned vulnerability was the missing ingredient14:11 - From senior VP to the stage: balancing corporate leadership with authenticity17:43 - How to tell if someone is in the wrong role (and what to do about it)22:21 - How to have difficult conversations without burning bridges23:48 - Why most people aren't living inspired lives — and what to do instead27:47 - Where Derek's mindset and positivity actually come from31:22 - How Derek wrote his latest book in 30 days using inspiration, not perspiration35:07 - How writing and speaking connect when you think in ideas, not sentences37:47 - Derek's vision for his legacy and the future of his platform41:19 - Why your season is your season — it's never too late43:00 - The one message Derek most wants the audience to hear44:07 - Where to find Derek online About the GuestDerek Lott is a two-time author, keynote speaker, and Toastmasters World Championship finalist who placed in the top 8 out of over 30,000 competitors. With a career built on corporate turnarounds and organizational transformation at the senior executive level, Derek now helps speakers, leaders, and professionals find the platform their voice was built to stand on. He is the author of Say It Well and A Speaker's Journey to the World Stage. Connect• Instagram: @dereklott• LinkedIn: Derek Lott• Book: Say It Well: Creating and Tailoring Value-Driven Communication As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

    46 min
  5. How He Rewired His Brain to Escape Depression | Taylor Bowden

    APR 16

    How He Rewired His Brain to Escape Depression | Taylor Bowden

    Most people let their past define their limits. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Taylor Bowden — author, online fitness coach, and public speaker — to unpack how childhood trauma, financial failure, and relentless reinvention shaped a philosophy built around peace, purpose, and self-mastery. Taylor shares the raw story behind his book, his journey from physical abuse and depression to building a fitness business from scratch, and why he believes cortisol is quietly killing the ambitions of driven people everywhere. If you've ever wondered whether the pain is worth it, this episode will reframe everything. Key Takeaways• Vulnerability is not weakness — it's what makes a story land with an audience.• Cortisol, triggered by chronic stress, actively suppresses testosterone and mental performance.• A dopamine reset system can interrupt the stress cycle and restore a productive mindset.• Failure isn't the opposite of success — it's the path to it.• Taylor's life priority tiers: God → People → Purpose → Health → Wealth.• A clear mind doesn't just feel better — it opens doors that stress keeps shut. Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Taylor's new book00:52 - Surviving childhood abuse and the scars it left behind02:08 - Why vulnerability makes a story more impactful, not less03:18 - Growing up without feeling loved and the weight of depression07:01 - How family pressure pushes people toward the wrong crowd08:16 - Finding identity and respect in El Paso, Texas09:22 - You become who you surround yourself with10:13 - Taylor's online training business and what he actually focuses on10:39 - Ashwagandha, cortisol, and natural testosterone explained13:02 - Stress as a performance killer (and how to fight it)15:01 - The dopamine reset system Taylor uses to manage mental load18:10 - Viktor Frankl, logotherapy, and finding purpose through pain20:30 - Why "bad" is the wrong word for hard times24:02 - Patience vs. consistency — which one matters more25:44 - Losing thousands of dollars and investing anyway30:22 - Ad metrics, cost per call, and building a sales system33:13 - Why online training beats in-person for accountability and scale37:37 - Why looking good is a business investment, not vanity39:30 - Purpose through pain — the only way forward43:55 - The tiers of life: God, people, purpose, health, wealth53:21 - Walking the neighborhood, meeting a neuroscientist, and the power of a clear mind56:23 - Taylor's closing message: cognitive diffusion and self-mastery58:21 - Where to find Taylor online About the GuestTaylor Bowden is an online fitness coach, public speaker, and author of Words May Not Explain: The Spiritual Art of Understanding, available on Amazon. After overcoming childhood abuse, depression, and years of financial setbacks, Taylor built a coaching business centered on hormonal health, mindset, and self-mastery. He also consults in marketing for dental implant companies and is building toward a full sales team to scale his impact. Connect with Taylor• LinkedIn: Taylor Bowden• Instagram: @yourlifesvalue• Instagram: @evolution_city_fitness• Book: Words May Not Explain: The Spiritual Art of Understanding As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

    1 hr
  6. Prison Saved My Life | Art Stewart

    APR 2

    Prison Saved My Life | Art Stewart

    Most people hit rock bottom and stay there. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Art Stewart — combat veteran, former convict, competitive ballroom dancer, and soon-to-be counselor — to trace the full arc of a man who lost everything in a prison cell and used it to find his purpose. Art opens up about a volatile childhood, two and a half years of combat in Iraq (blown up 17 times), PTSD, a 1% motorcycle club, and the moment in isolation that changed everything. This is a story about what radical accountability actually looks like when your back is against the wall and no one is coming to save you.Key Takeaways• Radical accountability isn't just a buzzword — it's the moment you stop blaming circumstances and start reverse-engineering your way out.• The highest form of self-love is having integrity for your future self while living in the present.• Prison stripped Art of 4,500 contacts and showed him he had no one — and that became the foundation he built everything on.• Your worst experiences are your greatest qualifications. Art's trauma is exactly why veterans and convicts will trust him as a counselor.• Make adjustments, not excuses. Purpose doesn't require a perfect path — just a refusal to quit.Chapters00:00 - Introduction: Who is Art Stewart?01:30 - Competitive ballroom dancing and the rule Art made when he got out of prison07:50 - A volatile childhood, a stepfather, and a nine-year-old with a baseball bat11:10 - Moving in with grandparents: from C student to honor roll14:15 - A 335-pound dumbbell, a brain injury, and losing impulse control18:00 - Joining the Army to find himself — and asking for combat19:50 - Route clearance in Iraq: blown up 17 times and earning a Purple Heart26:35 - What civilians don't understand about war29:00 - The psychology of empathy, boundaries, and the nervous system32:00 - PTSD, a motorcycle club, and how Art ended up in prison42:30 - Alone in a cell with 4,500 contacts and no one43:10 - Learning to meditate as a survival skill44:40 - Radical accountability in isolation: reverse-engineering his life46:25 - Betting against himself — and winning47:35 - Out August 7th, in school August 19th49:30 - Make adjustments, not excuses51:20 - Reforged Phoenix: Art's nonprofit for veterans and convictsAbout the GuestArt Stewart is a combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and formerly incarcerated man now pursuing a master's degree in counseling with a focus on convicts and combat veterans. He is the founder of Reforged Phoenix, a nonprofit built on the belief that every scar is part of what makes you stronger. He also competes in ballroom dance, trains clients in personal fitness, and volunteers at Toastmasters.Connect with Art• Facebook: Arthur Stewart• Nonprofit (coming soon): Reforged Phoenix

    53 min
  7. 12 year old kid doing keto | Micah Malan

    MAR 31

    12 year old kid doing keto | Micah Malan

    This episode was just for fun. It doesn't reflect the brand of Stay Hungry.

    47 min
  8. Why Your Phone Is a Slot Machine | London Lines

    MAR 7

    Why Your Phone Is a Slot Machine | London Lines

    In this episode, Matthew sits down with his longtime friend London Lines, a culinary arts student, former childcare professional, aspiring perfumer, and all-around curious human. They cover everything from smartphone addiction and flip phones to marriage red flags, parenting hot takes, and what it actually means to believe in God. Key Takeaways • Scrolling on your phone creates the feeling of being busy and productive without actually being either — and it's engineered that way. • The best way to really know someone before marriage is to do boring, mundane things together — not just fun dates. • Parents should apologize and own their mistakes. Kids who never see accountability modeled will struggle to extend grace to themselves. • Being a parent isn't a peer relationship — authority and friendship aren't the same thing. • You don't have to know exactly where you're going. Doing the right thing now is enough. • If you have a genuinely good idea, don't let anyone talk you out of it. (Stan Lee said it best.) Chapters 00:00​ — Intro & how Matthew and London met 00:51​ — London's current life: culinary school, private chef, and ADHD energy 01:33​ — From chemistry to fragrance science — and why she's not done with it 02:16​ — Growing up creative: 30 songs at age 11, artistic family DNA 04:05​ — London's "side quest" energy and Matthew's current one: the flip phone experiment 05:52​ — Why Matthew ditched his smartphone and what the mission taught him about overstimulation 09:07​ — Five years in childcare and what London learned watching kids and parents 10:00​ — Screen addiction as the new drug — and every generation is hooked 12:33​ — London's dreams: France, food, fragrance, and figuring it out 16:51​ — The topics London could talk about forever: human behavior, relationships, and parenting 18:19​ — Hot take on modern marriage: ghosting culture, male loneliness, and moving too fast 19:53​ — What actually makes a good date (hint: it's not bowling or Netflix) 22:53​ — Knowing what you want before you commit to someone else 24:15​ — Parenting hot take: parents should apologize. Here's why it matters. 26:24​ — Should parents and kids be best friends? London says no — and explains why 31:14​ — Faith, God, and what it means to be LDS 33:29​ — The "just do you" philosophy and why it's actually dangerous 35:03​ — Why Matthew believes in God — and what he'd say to someone who's given up on it 39:24​ — London's personal moments of feeling God's presence in everyday life 42:15​ — Closing thoughts: know what you want, write your ideas down, and go do it About the Guest London Lines is a culinary arts student at Scottsdale Community College and a working private chef. She has a background in childcare and early childhood education, a passion for fragrance science and perfumery, and dreams of one day making it to France. She's the kind of person who has 20 passions and somehow makes all of them make sense together. Connect with London Facebook: London Lines

    45 min
  9. The Danger of Living for Other People's Expectations | Joseph Malan

    MAR 5

    The Danger of Living for Other People's Expectations | Joseph Malan

    What does it actually look like to grow up without knowing who you are — and be okay with that? In this episode, Matthew sits down with his brother Joseph for a raw, unfiltered conversation about childhood, identity, dating, heartbreak, and the strange comfort of not having all the answers. From vegan pizza with no cheese to organizing a DIY prom, to working EDM events with a Polaroid camera, Joseph's story is equal parts hilarious and surprisingly profound. This one's for anyone who's ever felt pressure to have life figured out before they're ready. Key Takeaways • Filling in your "dream slot" for other people's benefit is not the same as knowing what you actually want. • Allowing yourself to say "I don't know" is one of the scariest — and most freeing — things you can do. • The path to homeownership, career, and relationship isn't one-size-fits-all. Rushing it often costs you the chance to find what you're actually passionate about. • In dating, flow matters more than strategy. If you're bending over backwards to make it work from the start, pay attention to that. • Once you stop being afraid to lose, you start actually living. Chapters - 00:00 - Welcome & introducing Joseph (Matthew's brother) - 00:48 - Kid Joseph: Legos, being called "Pumpkin," and the vegan phase - 03:53 - Selling Halloween candy back to mom and dad — and the DIY mini prom - 08:37 - What young Joseph was really like: Legos, creativity, and filling in dream slots - 11:29 - The pressure to have a plan and saying "stem cell researcher" for dad's sake - 12:55 - The shift: leaving home, embracing "I don't know," and finding yourself - 17:00 - If passion led the way: EDM events, ranger work, and Polaroid photography - 22:28 - The paradox of meeting hundreds of people and still feeling disconnected - 25:49 - The Nebraska sales trip: impulsive travel, door-to-door selling, and free jacket - 30:19 - Why being charismatic doesn't automatically make you good at sales - 34:09 - Wrapping up the "figuring yourself out" chapter — we're all consciously young - 35:30 - First crushes, first kisses, and double dates gone sideways - 47:51 - Real talk on dating: flow over strategy, self-standards, and post-cheating healing - 52:10 - Attachment styles, trust, and why letting go takes courage - 58:05 - The fear of loving someone for decades — and then losing them - 01:00:50 - Nothing is truly ours to keep: on impermanence, the body, and the universe - 01:02:21 - What happens when we die? Heaven, rocks, carbon, and the comfort of uncertainty - 01:07:47 - Living in the present when the future feels blank - 01:13:42 - Why not being afraid to die might be what frees you to actually live - 01:16:13 - Closing thoughts: "At the end of all of this, I got nothing to lose." About the Guest Joseph Malan is Matthew's brother — a 24-year-old Phoenix-area native currently in the thick of figuring life out. He's worked EDM events, sold Polaroids in festival crowds, taken impulsive trips to Nebraska, and thought deeply about love, loss, identity, and what comes after death. He's the kind of person who's living the questions instead of pretending to have the answers. Connect • Instagram: @nature_astronaut

    1h 17m
  • 9 Episodes

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About

Stay Hungry is a podcast for people who refuse to settle. Each episode, host Matthew Malan sits down with entrepreneurs, doctors, community leaders, and everyday people who've done extraordinary things - extracting the real stories, hard lessons, and practical strategies behind their success. Because the best advice doesn't come from textbooks. It comes from people who've lived it.

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Malan
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Matthew Malan
  • Show Website
    Stay Hungry