Your Wealth & Beyond Andrew Rafal

Today, I’m talking to Ryan Madrid, co-founder of Bison Ventures and host of the Into The Storm Podcast. 
After leaving corporate America, he joined VIP Mortgage as the Director of Business Development. Before long he was bringing in one billion in mortgage loan sales on his way to being in the area's top 1% of mortgage lending.
In this conversation, Ryan talks about his entrepreneurial journey with deep family roots, how Bison Ventures’ corporate culture has helped them become one of Phoenix’s leading mortgage companies, and the power of building a culture to create great client experiences. 
 
Key takeaways:
Why incredible customer service is key to weathering tough times in any industry. The advice Ryan’s uncle gave him to help him leave corporate America and find his true calling.  How Ryan survived tough personal times, left the corporate world, found his business partner, and got on a new track to success. What differentiates Bison Ventures from other mortgage firms. The humbling business challenges Ryan has faced in the last several years–and how he got through them.   
Interview Resources
Bison Ventures Bison Ventures on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Ryan Madrid on LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Into the Storm Podcast on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Instagram Abbott Johnson & Johnson VIP Mortgage Fantasy Stuart M. Crawford Breanna Burton Jeremy West Jay Barbour Keith Teegardin Anthem Brian Moore Liz Kleven Trisha Madrid Lana Ambrose

If you’re growing a business and a family, you’re probably more than a little familiar with moments of chaos. And if you’re listening to this podcast, you probably know how it feels to have too much on your plate and perhaps wondered how to make positive, powerful shifts in the face of big challenges. 
Today, I’m excited to introduce you to my friend and mentor Elizabeth Winkler. Elizabeth is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Meditation Teacher, and her work has helped thousands of people all over the world.
In today’s episode, we dig into the power of mindfulness, how to start (and stick to) a meditation practice of your own, and how to use these incredible tools to declutter your mind, tap into your superpowers, and approach everything in your life in flow. 
 
Key takeaways:
What it means to practice mindfulness and live with intention.  What stops people from having a meditation practice. How to help unwind the Type-A mind to harness your energy more effectively.  Why fear is at the root of your perfectionism–and what to do about it.  Why there’s never been a better time to start meditating than right now. 
 
Interview Resources
Elizabeth Winkler Elizabeth Winkler on Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok The Shadow & the Light Podcast davidji.com Calm Insight Timer Dr. Andrew Huberman Michael Singer The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life's Perfection by Michael A. Singer Jamar Rogers The Voice

For many people, election years bring a lot of stress. That’s especially true in the most recent elections. Media coverage is 24/7, and there are new polls and promises in the headlines, which can cause uncertainty among investors.
So today, I’m jumping on the mic with John Gengle, a Financial Advisor at Bayntree Wealth, to discuss what history has taught us about previous election years and what to expect from this one. 
In our conversation, you’ll hear how changes to which party is in power rarely lead to a significant impact on the economy, how fixed-income investments have been undervalued, and how Congress plays a more critical role in our tax laws and economy than a new President.
Key takeaways:
What to expect if a Democrat or Republican President is elected. Why campaign promises don’t always lead to sweeping economic changes. The benefits that a divided congress has on economic policy. How fixed income investments have been undervalued in recent years.  
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Music: The Whole World Crashes Down – Astral Orange

Building a successful career in an incredibly competitive real estate market doesn’t happen by accident, especially when your area of expertise is luxury residential real estate. Today’s guest has climbed to the top and is recognized as one of Arizona’s top real estate advisors. As you’ll hear, tremendous success doesn’t happen without developing great partnerships and long-term relationships.
Adrian Heyman is a Real Estate Advisor at The Agency, a luxury real estate firm in Scottsdale, AZ. Adrian was The Agency’s top-producing agent from 2018-2021 and reclaimed the title in 2023. In addition to succeeding in Arizona’s real estate markets, he’s also passionate about the Surfrider Foundation and has built a thriving 25-year partnership with his wife.
In this conversation, Adrian shares the story of how he came from Australia’s fitness industry to American real estate, how he achieved success in an incredibly competitive industry with a very high failure rate, and what lies ahead in Arizona’s hot luxury real estate market. 
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Key takeaways:
How Adrian kept his business growing and his family stable even through brutal market downturns and cross-continental moves.  How a huge real estate deal in Paradise Valley in 2017 changed the trajectory of Adrian’s career.  The critical mistakes Adrian sees homeowners and agent advisors make that stop them from getting top dollar.  How technology has transformed the landscape for home buyers and sellers. Factors that attract high-end homebuyers to the Paradise Valley. 

Interview Resources
AdrianHeyman.com Adrian Heyman on LinkedIn | Instagram |  Facebook The Agency The Agency on Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn | X/Twitter Mauricio Umansky Billy Rose Surfrider Foundation

Making the entrepreneurial leap and leaving Corporate America to create your own business is more than a leap of faith. Most new business owners face trials and tribulations along the way. But those who stick with it and believe in themselves can achieve the growth that makes them a success story worth celebrating. 
Today’s guest is Shannon Breen, and he has a success story that is definitely worth celebrating. Shannon is the Co-CEO and founder of FreightVana, a digital logistics partner powered by technology and built on trust and transparency. 
In this conversation, Shannon tells the story of how he fell in love with logistics, the two core components that have led to rapid and exponential business growth, and the power of building a great culture with employees who are empowered to be authentic on social media.
 
Key takeaways
What makes the logistics industry so uniquely fragmented and complicated. Why Shannon took the entrepreneurial leap and left corporate America. The importance of trust, transparency and authenticity in a company with a great culture.  Why some people can launch their company as a side business, why Shannon needed to go all-in, and why so many entrepreneurs fail to even take the first step.  Shannon’s advice on creating a thriving company culture and the benefits of empowering staff to be authentic at home and at work.  
Interview Resources
FreightVana FreightVana on LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok | X/Twitter | Facebook Shannon Breen on LinkedIn John Gamero Denzel Washington Denzel Washington - Deathbed Swift Transportation Entrepreneurs’ Organization State Forty Eight Foundation Michael Spangenberg Joshua Brees Trainual

It’s very easy to rack up credit card debt. It’s much more difficult to pay it off and considerably tougher to set yourself up for long-term financial success, to make good long-term decisions, or to avoid falling into classic pitfalls managing debt–especially for younger generations entering the workforce. 
I’m thrilled to share this conversation with Anne Lester. Anne is a retirement expert, speaker, media commentator, and author of a new book titled How to Save Smart Now for the Future You Want. Anne was the Head of Retirement Solutions for JPMorgan Asset Management for 20 years, where she traveled the country and spoke to tens of thousands of investors.
In this episode, Anne shares how she fell in love with the world of finance, why poor financial decisions are often made, and the importance of automating your savings with a 401(k) and creating an emergency savings plan.
Key takeaways:
How we’re programmed to spend, spend, spend–even when we already have debt we need to pay off and don’t need more stuff.  Why we’re so afraid of getting it wrong when it comes to retirement planning–and how doing nothing sets us up for failure most of all.  Why now’s a great time to build a robust emergency fund.  How to get your credit cards under control, centralized, and easily tracked.  How our peers’ luxury spending tricks us into spending more on things we don’t need.  Simple things you can do right now to start bringing down your spending.   
Interview Resources:
AnneLester.com Anne Lester on LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube Your Best Financial Life: Save Smart Now for the Future You Want by Anne Lester J.P. Morgan The Crash of 79 by Paul Emil Erdman The Silver Bears by Paul E. Erdman