"When I retired, I figured I'm going into my second career and I'm going to be a filmmaker."

Big ideas don't always start with big budgets. Sometimes they start during moments of disruption, when plans fall apart and creativity has to take the lead. This episode highlights how shifting direction during uncertain times can open the door to entirely new worlds—both creatively and personally.

Doug MacDougall joins the conversation to share the story behind Twice Upon A Time, a bold sci-fi fantasy web series that blends mystery, psychology, and time travel. What began as a creative pivot during lockdown has evolved into an ambitious, multi-season project featuring remote actors, genre-bending storytelling, and a cliff-hanger designed to leave audiences wanting more. The series follows five residents in a near-future asylum whose treatment hides far darker intentions than they realize.

Doug is an independent film producer who creates cinematic web series with actors located across North America. Working entirely remotely, he combines green-screen production, post-production creativity, and a passion for storytelling to bring large-scale ideas to life—proving that even in disruptive times, imagination can still take center stage.

Expert action steps:

 1. Start creating with what you have instead of waiting for ideal conditions.

 1. Use genre and format experimentation to keep audiences engaged.

 1. Design projects that combine creative impact with social contribution.

Learn more & connect:

Check out all of Doug's YouTube content @dougmacdougall4338

EP739: TL Nuggets #219 – Doug MacDougall – Twice Upon A Time

"The night before battle, warriors would check each other for wounds. That's what a good men's group does."

Men aren't designed to carry everything alone. Strength isn't built in isolation—it's forged through loyalty, shared struggle, and honest reflection. When men try to solve life entirely in their own heads, pressure compounds. Expectations rise, purpose blurs, and silence becomes dangerous. Brotherhood isn't a luxury; it's a stabilizing force that keeps a man grounded, accountable, and connected to who he really is.

Throughout this conversation, the importance of male circles becomes unmistakable. Men need other men who can tell them the truth, challenge their blind spots, and hold space when life hits hard. Success—financial or otherwise—doesn't translate into wisdom everywhere else. Without peers who understand the internal weight men carry, even the most accomplished lives can quietly unravel.

Rene Sonneveld is a family enterprise advisor, leadership coach, and legacy specialist who works with high-performing families and business owners around the world. His work focuses on identity, trust, belonging, and the unseen dynamics that determine whether families—and the men within them—thrive across generations.

Learn more & connect:

https://www.renesonneveld.com/

Also in this episode:

 * Movie: Jerry Maguire [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116695/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2_tt_2_nm_6_in_0_q_jerry%2520mcguire]

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116695/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2_tt_2_nm_6_in_0_q_jerry%2520mcguire

You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.

EP227: Rene Sonneveld - Why Men Need Other Men In Their Lives

"We were delivering five-star service to clients who couldn't afford it."

Most businesses don't struggle because they lack talent or work ethic. They struggle because they're solving real problems for customers who can't afford meaningful solutions. When clients are under-resourced, even great work becomes exhausting, unpredictable, and hard to scale. The same effort, applied to better-capitalized customers, creates stability, clarity, and room to think long term instead of constantly chasing the next invoice.

Emad Rizkalla shares how his company worked with world-class brands yet still found itself financially strained. The issue wasn't capability—it was deal size. By moving upstream into government, defense, and large-scale workforce development, everything changed. Larger contracts meant fewer distractions, longer runways, and the ability to plan years ahead instead of months. The work didn't get easier, but the business finally made sense.

Emad is the founder of Bluedrop, a Canadian technology company focused on workforce development, training systems, and simulation for government and aerospace clients. Over more than 30 years, he's built and evolved organizations by pairing strong culture with the discipline to pursue opportunities that actually support long-term growth.

Expert action steps:

 1. Build a strong, non-toxic company culture before trying to scale revenue.

 1. Stop tying your self-worth solely to outcomes you cannot fully control.

 1. Hire for values and character first, and train skills second.

Learn more & connect:

https://bluedrop.com/

Also in this episode:

EP738: Emad Rizkalla - Why You Should Do Business With Rich Customers

"Most of our stress in life comes from all of the incompletions in our lives."

Becoming a better version of yourself starts with understanding the mechanics behind personal transformation. At its core, growth comes from developing integrity, building systems that eliminate overwhelm, and learning the discipline required to follow through on the commitments that shape your identity. When you treat your life as a designed creation—not an accidental series of reactions—you give yourself the structure needed to operate with clarity and confidence.

Bruce Muzik shares powerful insight into how his years immersed in transformational work—particularly the discipline he learned under Werner Erhard—revealed that excellence begins with completion, honesty, and the willingness to confront what isn't working. Bruce explains how procedures, integrity, and emotional responsibility become tools that not only elevate performance but also strengthen a person's sense of aliveness.

Bruce is a transformational educator and relationship expert who has helped tens of thousands of people strengthen their marriages and redesign how they live. Through his company, Love at First Fight, Bruce brings a systems-based and emotionally intelligent approach to helping people create lasting connection.

Expert action steps:

 * Connect before you communicate.

 * No connection, no conversation.

 * Be honest, not armoured.

 * Vulnerability is simply telling the truth about what's happen

EP737: Bruce Muzik - How To Be A Better Version Of Yourself

"I just want to focus on what I love doing, what lights me up, what brings me joy."

A man who wants his freedom back must first learn where his time is leaking. Most entrepreneurs stay overwhelmed because they confuse being busy with being effective. This episode leans into the principles behind reclaiming time—cutting low-value noise, raising the value of your hours, and deliberately structuring life so your business stops owning you.

George Rivera and Michael Santonato explore what it really means to shift from "doing everything" to doing only what moves the needle. George walks through the mindset of eliminating, automating, and delegating, while Michael reveals the tension between his mission and the low-value tasks holding him back. Together, they illustrate how buying back time isn't theoretical—it's tactical, measurable, and deeply tied to how a man shows up for his family, his money, and his purpose.

George is a 30-year entrepreneur responsible for more than $400 million in sales, now devoted to helping men escape the trap of being cash-rich but time-poor. Michael is a financial educator and advisor focused on helping people become financially indestructible. Both bring lived experience, honesty, and practical strategies for reclaiming your time and redirecting it toward what matters most.

Learn more & connect:

You can find more info about Geroge's book Buy Back Time Formula at https://buybacktimeformula.com/. [https://buybacktimeformula.com/]

Learn more about Michael as a financial coach and educator at https://michaelsantonato.com/.

You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.

EP226: George Rivera & Michael Santonato - How To Buy Your Time Back

"I just want to focus on what I love doing, what lights me up, what brings me joy."

Buying back your time begins with understanding the true value of your hours. When you separate high-value strategic work from low-value administrative tasks, it becomes clear how much freedom can be reclaimed by eliminating, automating, or delegating what weighs you down. The core principle is simple: focus on the activities that move the needle, and build systems for everything else so time becomes an asset—not a burden.

George Rivera & Michael Santonato explore how real transformation happens when you stop being the hero of your business and start becoming its architect. George shows how documenting tasks, creating SOPs, and hiring smartly allows founders to spend more time in their genius. Michael shares how clearing administrative clutter elevates his ability to educate clients and close high-value opportunities. Together, they show that buying back your time is a mindset long before it becomes a system.

George is an entrepreneur with over $400M in career sales who now teaches founders how to reclaim their hours and reconnect with what matters most. Michael is a financial advisor and thought leader who helps people become financially indestructible. Both bring decades of mastery into a practical conversation for entrepreneurs ready to level up their time, income, and lifestyle.

Expert action steps:

 1. Eliminate

Remove tasks that don't genuinely matter. If a task doesn't move the business forward or support your highest-value work, cut it completely.

 1. Automate

Create systems or use tools that handle repetitive work for you. Anything predictable, rule-based, or formula-driven should run on autopilot instead of consuming your mental bandwidth.

 1. Delegate

Ha

EP736: George Rivera & Michael Santonato - How To Buy Your Time Back

"Most of our stress in life comes from all of the incompletions in our lives."

A man becomes hard to shake when he learns to clean up the small things: his word, his boundaries, and the promises he keeps. Strength shows up in clarity, not noise. When a man knows what he can take on—and what he can't—life stops pulling him off centre. This episode leans into the quiet disciplines that make a man steady from the inside out.

Bruce Muzik shares insights from years working inside one of the toughest personal-development environments on the planet. He talks about learning to tell the truth early, set boundaries with power instead of fear, and choose service when life feels heavy. His stories hint at how discipline, honesty, and structure shape a man who can stand firm under pressure.

Bruce is a relationship educator and transformation coach known for helping couples strengthen connection and communication. He splits his time between South Africa and the Dominican Republic, teaches globally, and brings a grounded, no-nonsense approach to personal integrity and relational leadership.

Learn more & connect:

Bruce is known as the 'Relationship Repair Expert'. Learn more at https://www.brucemuzik.com/.

Also in this episode:

 * loveatfirstfight.com [https://www.loveatfirstfight.com/]

 * Sex, Power, and Transformation [https://marciamartintransform.com/thebook] by Marsha Martin

 * Landmark Worldwide [https://www.landmarkworldwide.com/the-landmark-forum]

You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for So

EP225: Bruce Muzik - Unfuckwithable

"Take some action, make a commitment to yourself."

Every meaningful business breakthrough starts with a simple truth: your time is your most valuable asset. When you choose to treat each moment like it matters, you naturally prioritize clarity, courage, and decisive action. That mindset—rooted in focus rather than fear—creates the space for stronger ideas, smarter systems, and the confidence to grow forward.

Becky Amble brings that principle to life. After realizing how quickly everything can change, Becky committed to helping entrepreneurs direct their energy toward what matters, including learning tools that multiply their impact. Through education, storytelling, and hands-on strategy, Becky shows how AI becomes less intimidating and more empowering when approached with curiosity and consistency.

Becky is an author, educator, and AI strategist who has invested more than 3,000 hours mastering ChatGPT and practical business applications of AI. She writes multiple books, teaches entrepreneurs globally, and shares weekly AI tips to help business owners leverage technology one simple step at a time.

Expert action steps:

 1. Identify your growth priorities – Use her "four revenue streams" framework to clarify where your biggest opportunity is.

 1. Get foundational AI education – Learn the basics so fear and overwhelm disappear, and you can use AI with confidence.

 1. Start immediately – Pick one tool or one strategy and take action this week.

Learn more & connect:

 * Becky's latest book:

EP735: Becky Amble - Make Every Moment Count

"They get so excited about investing in the U.S. that they don't get the proper consultation before they do so."

Many Canadians lose money in U.S. real estate not because the deals are bad, but because the rules are different. Success comes from understanding taxes, choosing the right markets, and keeping structures simple. When emotions stay out of the way and the math leads, cross-border investing becomes far more predictable and profitable.

Michael Matthew shows how Canadians can avoid expensive mistakes by focusing on landlord-friendly states, population growth, and proper financing; why U.S. markets often offer better entry prices, how inspections can save you from disasters, and why due diligence matters more than excitement when evaluating a property.

Michael is a 35-year professional accountant who specializes in U.S.–Canada real-estate taxation. For over 15 years he has helped Canadians structure deals, avoid tax traps, and make smarter investing decisions on both sides of the border.

Expert action steps:

 1. Choose landlord-friendly states where eviction timelines and legal processes won't destroy your cash flow.

 1. Invest where population growth aligns with your asset type—match product to real demand.

 1. Get specialized cross-border tax and structural advice before purchasing anything to avoid costly mistakes.

Learn more & connect:

michael@askmichael.ca

Go to http://ehtozen.ca [http://ehtozen.ca/] to learn where you can buy Michael's book, Eh to Zen Real Estate: Peace of Mind Strategies™ for the Canadian Investor.

EP734: THE Michael Matthew - How To Invest In US Real Estate & Not Lose Your Shirt

"The whole point of life is people, is other people, is the love that you have for other people. That love is what makes you strong. It's what makes your life worth living."

Real wealth in business and entrepreneurship doesn't come from possessions or revenue; it comes from people. When you build a company around love, gratitude, and relationships, everything else becomes a tool rather than the goal. "Love people, use things" becomes a strategy: clients are human beings, your team is family, and money is simply fuel to serve more lives.

Sitting in a house full of laughter, food, and hugs on Thanksgiving, I'm reminded that every real win in my life has people at the center of it. I feel deep gratitude for my partner, my kids, my clients, my team, and every entrepreneur who's trusted me to help grow their business and impact. Relationships are the real ROI.

If this lands for you, turn it into action. Stop stressing over stuff that breaks and start protecting the love in the room. Call someone you haven't spoken to and tell them what they mean to you. Build your business around serving people, not worshiping things.

Visit https://www.eCircleAcademy.com [https://www.ecircleacademy.com/] and book a success call with Nicky to take your practice to the next level.

EP733: TL Nuggets #219 - We Love People and Use Things

MAKE THE DIFFERENCE YOU WERE BORN TO MAKE The Business of Thought Leadership podcast is about building your thought leadership around your expertise, your brand and your name. To become well known and highly regarded in the market place for the results you are able to produce for your clients. Our guests are top thought leaders who have done it. They’ve become widely known for their expertise and results they’re able to deliver for their clients. They all love what they do and get paid very well for doing it. You’ll meet entrepreneurs that have leveraged thought leadership in driving business revenue, coaches that were unknown and barely making ends who later became celebrities and took their income into the 7 figures, consultants that transformed into best-selling authors and built multi-million dollar firms and senior executives who followed their passion, left their day jobs and are changing the world. We’ve had interviews with notables such as New Times Best-Selling Author Seth Godin, success and investment coaching icon, Raymond Aaron, a personal coach to billionaires, Alex Charfen & Tony Robbins’ Director of Coaching, Marc Von Musser. Steve Jobs once said “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” Are you crazy enough to join us in making the difference you were born to make. We want you to 10x your impact, your income and your influence every 12 months. Financially successful people with purpose and passion are changing the world and we want to inspire you to be one of them.

The Thought Leader Revolution Podcast

“A real man is sovereign over his own life. He takes full responsibility for becoming a better man, and owns his own successes and failures. But he also understands the value of being a part of a band of brothers, the kind that have his back, and he can call at 3 AM if he’s stuck in a jail cell, because they’ll come and get him. He understands that just like a wolf pack, the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.” — Nicky Billou Welcome to the Sovereign Man Podcast where we have the conversations that matter to you as a man, and inspire you to become the best version of yourself. You’ll learn from the best business, career, financial, relationship, and mans skills experts from around the world. The Sovereign Man Podcast is for motivated men like you who want to win in today’s world. We equip you to become better in every area of your life from establishing mastery over yourself, to defining your purpose, strengthening your family and your relationships, becoming a better leader, and learning man skills. Each week I have real, unscripted conversations with real men, successful men, and men who give a darn.

Nicky Billou

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