Stay Hungry

Matthew Malan
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Business
  • Updated Daily

I sit down with people actually building in ecommerce — brand owners, agency operators, dropshippers, SaaS founders. Real stories from people in the trenches.

  1. 5h ago

    I Built a 7-Figure Business and Barely Knew My Own Family | Dylan Bost

    Most founders chase more — more revenue, more growth, more hustle — until they wake up one day not knowing their own family. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Dylan Bost, founder of SunnyHQ and author of Seven Mirrors, to unpack how he built a thriving WordPress hosting company while nearly losing himself in the process. They dig into why "the grind" is a trap, how numbing behaviors (phones, alcohol, distraction) keep us from feeling our own emotions, and the systems Dylan used to scale a business to hundreds of customers on just a few hours a day. If you're building a company and quietly wondering what it's all for, this conversation will hit home. Key Takeaways Success on paper doesn't guarantee connection at home — define what you're really building toward. Numbing (phone, work, distraction) delays feelings, it doesn't remove them. Start with 10 minutes a day of just sitting with what you feel. Systems and clear processes let a business scale without consuming your entire life. Define your exit strategy from day one, and revisit it annually. Joy isn't the same as happiness. Ask yourself weekly: did I actually experience joy?About the GuestDylan Bost is the founder of SunnyHQ, a human-first WordPress hosting and support company, and has spent over 30 years building companies and helping people simplify their operations. He's also the author of Seven Mirrors, which explores leadership, business, and personal growth through self-awareness. Connect with Dylan https://dylanbost.com/ https://sunnyhq.io/Check Out the BookSeven Mirrors by Dylan Bost

    I Built a 7-Figure Business and Barely Knew My Own Family | Dylan Bost

  2. 1d ago

    The PhD Scientist Who Took His Company to Shark Tank | Dr. Rob Yonover

    Dr. Rob Yonover joins Matthew on the Stay Hungry Podcast to tell the wild story behind the Rescue Streamer, the invention now used by the U.S. military, NASA, and SpaceX astronauts. Rob walks through his path from a PhD in submarine volcanoes (yes, he took a submersible two miles down to the ocean floor) to building a one-man PR machine with a fax machine and a press release, all the way to a pitch on Shark Tank. He shares why he chose licensing over building a big company, how SpaceX ended up putting his invention under astronauts' seats, and what it was really like facing the sharks. Rob also opens up about being a caregiver for his late wife for nineteen years, the four books that came out of his life experience, and his blunt advice for anyone glued to their phone. Key Takeaways Third-party press (magazines, TV, podcasts) carries more weight than paid advertising because it's an endorsement, not a sales pitch. Licensing an invention can be more sustainable than building a large company, especially if you value flexibility over scale. Rapid growth and outside investment aren't always the goal. Rob turned down Shark Tank money to keep full control of his invention. Preparation beats charisma. Rob trained for his Shark Tank pitch the same way he trains for big wave surfing. Niching down into a small, defensible market can outlast chasing a "home run" business.About the GuestDr. Rob Yonover is a scientist and inventor with a PhD earned researching submarine volcanoes. He invented the Rescue Streamer, a survival signaling device now used by the U.S. military and carried aboard SpaceX crewed launches, and has appeared on Shark Tank, PBS, CBS, and Discovery Channel. He is the author of four books and holds twenty patents. Connect Instagram/Facebook: Rob Yonover Website: C Rescue StreamerCheck out the books: Hardcore Inventing, Caregiver's Survival Guide, Hardcore Health, and Brainstorm Islands by Rob Yonover. Book: Hardcore Inventing by Dr. Rob Yonover – https://amzn.to/4x6AA6D

    The PhD Scientist Who Took His Company to Shark Tank | Dr. Rob Yonover

  3. 1d ago

    From Unpaid Law Grad to $15M Empire in 5 Years | Danny Carpio

    Most people are told to specialize, pick one lane, and go deep. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Danny Carpio — organizational architect, serial founder, and author of The Unfirm — to break down why being a generalist is actually the winning strategy right now, and how he went from an unpaid law grad to building a $15M+ portfolio across law, venture, and crypto. They dig into his "return on time" framework, why the old firm structure is breaking down, why dependence on a big employer may now be the riskiest move you can make, and how anyone — from a solo founder to a corporate employee — can start capturing more of the value they create. If you've ever felt torn between "master one skill" and "do a little of everything," this conversation will change how you think about scale. Key Takeaways Specialization is a losing strategy — being multidisciplinary compounds your network, decision-making, and opportunities over time. "Return on time," not hours worked, is the metric that actually matters — build overlapping systems instead of trading time 1:1. The thing that feels safest (a stable job inside a big institution) is often now the riskiest position, because those structures are rationalizing down. Distribution and scale no longer require outspending competitors — new, cheaper paths to reach people exist now. You don't need national scale to build a great business — local, high-margin, high-trust businesses are very viable again.About the GuestDanny Carpio is an organizational architect and systems builder who has scaled businesses across law, venture capital, gaming, and crypto — including raising $15M for a gaming/crypto startup and $10.5M for Hydra Ventures, one of the first tokenized funds of funds. He's the author of The Unfirm: The New Unit of Scale Is You. Connect X: @augmentedthings Book: The Unfirm: The New Unit of Scale Is You by Danny Carpio – https://amzn.to/4beZMj0

    From Unpaid Law Grad to $15M Empire in 5 Years | Danny Carpio

  4. Jul 17

    He Got Hit By a Truck at 60MPH… Then Called His Attacker to Forgive Him | Kirk McCarley

    Most people who quit a job don't leave because of money — they leave because nobody told them what their job actually was. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Kirk McCarley, a 35-year HR veteran turned certified life and career coach (and longtime ESPN college sports statistician), to unpack how coaching really works, why advice-giving is the opposite of good coaching, and the metaphors — hiking, golf, Nick Saban's coaching tree — that help clients actually change behavior instead of just talking about it. Kirk also opens up about a near-fatal cycling accident, the forgiveness that followed, 46 years of marriage, and the two words he's using to guide his year: Move and Connect. Key Takeaways People quit jobs for two reasons more than money: they don't know what the job is, or they don't know how well they're doing it. Coaching isn't advice-giving — it's asking deep questions until the client's own answer surfaces, then holding them accountable to it. Behavior change feels worse before it feels better (the golf grip metaphor) — don't confuse short-term discomfort with the wrong path. You can always ask forgiveness for doing something in the wrong direction; you can't ask forgiveness for doing nothing. Ask permission before giving unsolicited feedback — it turns criticism into something the other person actually wants to hear.About the GuestKirk McCarley spent 35 years in Human Resources before retraining as a certified life, career, and executive coach in 2013. Alongside his HR career, he spent nearly three decades as a college football, basketball, baseball, and softball statistician for ESPN. He's also a spinning instructor, competitive cyclist, and author. Connect Instagram: Kirk McCarley Website: https://theseedsowercoach.com/ Author Website: https://kirkmccarleyauthor.com/ LinkedIn / Facebook: Kirk McCarley Book: Thoughts for My Kids (and Other People's Kids, Too) by Kirk McCarley – https://amzn.to/4pgdCrh

    He Got Hit By a Truck at 60MPH… Then Called His Attacker to Forgive Him | Kirk McCarley

  5. Jul 16

    Learn Piano 7x Faster (App Raising $1.5M) | Patrick Boylan

    Most people think musical talent is something you're born with or without. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Patrick Boylan, co-founder of MuseFlow, to break down why that's wrong. Patrick shares how eight years of traditional piano lessons left him burnt out and unable to sight-read, and how ditching rote repetition for pattern-based improvisation is what actually made him a working musician. They dig into his winding path from acting in LA to playing piano bars to building an ed-tech startup, the science behind "flow state" in learning, and the real numbers behind MuseFlow's growth, retention, and current fundraising round. If you've ever wondered whether it's "too late" to learn an instrument, or you're building a product and wrestling with funnel and conversion problems, this episode has something for you. Key Takeaways Genius isn't required — consistency, exploration, and finding your own method matter more than raw talent. Traditional music lessons teach discipline, but rote repetition can kill creativity and stall real skill development like sight-reading. Learning small musical "building blocks" in many contexts (instead of memorizing whole songs) is what makes sight-reading possible. It's never too late to learn an instrument — younger brains are more malleable, but the ceiling never closes. "Flow state" — where challenge matches skill — is what makes learning (and work) enjoyable and sustainable. Building a startup pre-revenue often means finding co-founders willing to work for equity, not cash. Know your funnel: MuseFlow's biggest lesson was learning where users dropped off (a hardware requirement), not just that they dropped off.About the GuestPatrick Boylan is the co-founder of MuseFlow, an app that combines music, neuroscience, and AI to teach people how to play piano through sight-reading and pattern recognition rather than rote repetition. Before co-founding MuseFlow, Patrick spent years pursuing acting in Los Angeles before building a career as a professional pianist, playing jazz gigs and piano bars around LA. MuseFlow is currently raising a funding round to expand access beyond its MIDI-keyboard requirement. Connect https://museflow.aiSpecial OfferUse code HUNGRY50 for 50% off any MuseFlow subscription for life. Available on the App Store or on the web at museflow.ai.

    Learn Piano 7x Faster (App Raising $1.5M) | Patrick Boylan

  6. Jul 15

    From a Bomb Through His Window to Coaching 9-Figure CEOs | Nicky Billou

    Most business owners think they need a bigger ad budget. Nicky Billou says they need a better story — and the guts to be tough on the people they're coaching. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Nicky Billou, #1 international best-selling author and host of over 1,000 podcast episodes, to unpack how he's helped entrepreneurs scale from $400K to seven figures. Nicky opens up about fleeing Iran's Islamic Revolution as an 11-year-old — including a Molotov cocktail that landed in his living room — and how that experience shaped his belief that entrepreneurs are "freedom men and women." From there, they dig into his core philosophy: selling as an act of service, not pressure; why he fires 30% of prospects who aren't a fit; why trust is built in seconds, not years; and the "love tough" coaching style that took one client from $0 to $60K in a single month. If you run a business and you're afraid of selling, this episode will change how you think about it. Key Takeaways Reframe selling as an act of service — people don't want to be sold, but they love being served. Trust isn't built over months. People decide in an instant whether you're worth trusting. Growth often comes from one focused change — like getting in front of bigger buyers — not ten new tactics at once. "Love tough" coaching means caring about someone enough to push them past their fear of selling. Qualify hard: determine if the person wants to solve the problem and if you're the right fit before you go all in. Advertising doesn't close high-ticket sales on its own — people buy from those they know, like, and trust.About the GuestNicky Billou is a #1 international best-selling author, a podcast host with over 1,000 episodes as both host and guest, and the Co-Founder of eCircle Academy, where he runs a year-long Mastermind and Educational program for coaches, consultants, corporate trainers, and other service-based entrepreneurs. He's known as a "millionaire maker" and has interviewed guests including John Maxwell, George Ross, Barbara Corcoran, and Jack Canfield. Originally from Tehran, Iran, he immigrated to Toronto, Canada, as a child and now helps entrepreneurs scale their companies to seven, eight, and nine figures. Connect LinkedIn eCircle Academy

    From a Bomb Through His Window to Coaching 9-Figure CEOs | Nicky Billou

  7. Jul 14

    From Rock Bottom at 19 to Top Sales Rep | Daryl Dittmer

    Most people who hit rock bottom at 19 don't turn it into two decades of sales success and a coaching career built on helping people rebuild their lives. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Daryl Dittmer — a former top sales rep, business owner, and now life trainer — to unpack how a drug and alcohol rehab program at 19 became the turning point that shaped everything after. They dig into what actually separates top salespeople from everyone else (hint: it's not talent), why "owning it" and "leaning into the difficult things" are non-negotiable, how Daryl went from chasing money to chasing peace, and the mentor's one-liner that became the title of his memoir, When I Stopped Fighting. If you've ever felt stuck in a belief about who you are — "I'm not good at this," "I'll never change" — this conversation will challenge that story. Key Takeaways Know your "why" before you chase anything hard — it's what keeps you accountable when the work gets painful. Beliefs change through action, not self-talk. Do the work first; the belief catches up. You can't sustain 100% output into any one area of life forever — energy has to be replenished, not just spent. Taking responsibility for your growth doesn't mean punishing yourself along the way. There's a difference between fighting for something and fighting yourself. Getting what you wanted is often anticlimactic — the growth happens in the journey, not the arrival.About the GuestDaryl Dittmer built a two-decade career in sales and business ownership, becoming a top performer before founding and selling his own companies. Today he works as a life trainer, coaching people out of drifting and into showing up fully in their careers and relationships. He's the author of the memoir When I Stopped Fighting, which chronicles his journey from a 19-year-old in drug and alcohol rehab to entrepreneur and coach. ConnectWebsite: DarylDittmer.com Book: When I Stopped Fighting by Daryl Dittmer

    From Rock Bottom at 19 to Top Sales Rep | Daryl Dittmer

  8. Jul 13

    I Sold My Company to WeWork... Then AI Came | Stephan Bajaio

    Most businesses treat SEO like a checkbox instead of a philosophy. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Stephan Bajaio, CEO and Co-Founder of VibeLogic, to trace his 20+ year journey from a dot-com era intern to a Fortune 500 SEO advisor who's worked with FedEx, Uber, Johns Hopkins, AT&T, and WeWork. They dig into the real story behind Conductor (WeWork's buyout of the SEO platform he helped build), why "solve, don't sell" became his career-long mantra, and why AI-generated content is quietly killing brands that rely on it. If you run a business, manage marketing, or are trying to figure out how AI is actually reshaping search, this conversation will change how you think about visibility. Key Takeaways Marketers who focus on solving problems build trust that eventually turns into sales — selling first burns the relationship. Ranking for the wrong keywords (vanity terms with big search volume but no buyer intent) wastes budget; relevance beats volume. AI-generated content that's built purely to "rank" collapses fast, because AI models increasingly detect and discount other AI-written content when forming their own answers. Businesses need to speak their customers' language, not their own internal jargon (his "couch vs. sofa" story says it all). One piece of content — like a podcast episode — can be repurposed into dozens of assets: clips, quotes, articles, roundups, and social posts.About the GuestStephan Bajaio is CEO and Co-Founder of VibeLogic, a search intelligence and visibility agency. He spent over two decades in SEO and digital marketing, holding senior roles at Yahoo, Link Experts, and Conductor (which he helped grow, sell to WeWork, and later help buy back), where he served as Chief Evangelist. He's advised SEO strategy for Fortune 500 brands including AT&T, Marriott, FedEx, Uber, and Johns Hopkins. Connect LinkedIn VibeLogic

    I Sold My Company to WeWork... Then AI Came | Stephan Bajaio
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About

I sit down with people actually building in ecommerce — brand owners, agency operators, dropshippers, SaaS founders. Real stories from people in the trenches.

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Malan
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Matthew Malan
  • Show Website
    Stay Hungry