The Persistent Entrepreneur

Do the rules define you — or do you define your path inside them? Today David Hill talks with Lauren Wittenberg Weiner, bestselling author of Unruly and former CEO of WWC Global, about how entrepreneurs, leaders, and creators can rethink expectations and operate with more freedom. Lauren built a $100M consulting company after being told she "wasn't allowed" to work at her level overseas. That early moment sparked a career shaped by resilience, values, and strategic rule-bending. In this episode, she explains how rule-followers can evolve, how rebels can stay grounded, and how anyone can find space to create something better. Takeaways: • Why so many people feel stuck inside expectations • How to interpret rules instead of being boxed in by them • The difference between challenging limits and crossing lines • How moral grounding changes the way you take risks • Why entrepreneurs must understand the system before bending it • How to use norms and guidelines to your advantage • Why authenticity matters more than approval Guest Bio: Lauren Wittenberg Weiner is a bestselling author, speaker, and one of today's leading voices on leadership, service, and integrity. As the founder and former CEO of WWC Global, she grew one of the nation's top woman-owned national security firms while learning how to question norms without compromising values. Her book, Unruly: Deconstruct the Rules, Defy the Norms, and Define Your Success, empowers people to rethink the way they work, lead, and move through the world.   Connect with Lauren: Instagram: @laurenwittenbergweiner LinkedIn: Lauren Wittenberg Weiner Facebook: Lauren Wittenberg Weiner Connect with David Hill: Website: https://www.davidhill.ai Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidihill/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidihill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/davidihill Listen on Apple & Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895  

This episode breaks down the real psychology behind winning and how everyday entrepreneurs can shift their mindset, discipline their actions, and rise into the small percentage of people who consistently achieve meaningful success.   In this conversation, David Hill sits down with Larry Rydell, founder of the Big Hitters Podcast and a leader who built an organization of 500 offices and 15,000 agents while managing billions in assets. Larry shares clear and direct lessons on what separates consistent winners from those who struggle to stay on track. He explains why intent drives every result, why discipline is non-negotiable, and how many people fall short simply by underestimating the work required to reach their goals. Larry draws parallels between competition, business, and personal development, emphasizing that winning feeds confidence, momentum, and long-term stability. He also outlines how to eliminate excuses, take responsibility for outcomes, and avoid becoming your own biggest obstacle. From adopting a strong mindset to following through on action, Larry gives straightforward guidance for anyone looking to grow, improve, and win more consistently. This episode brings practical insights for entrepreneurs, creators, independent professionals, and anyone aiming for long-term achievement. Key Takeaways (SEO-friendly bullets) • How intent shapes results in business and life • The importance of discipline and self-management • Why most people underestimate the effort required to win • How to eliminate excuses and take ownership of outcomes • The difference between winning once and winning repeatedly • Why surrounding yourself with winners accelerates growth • The value of learning from losses without letting them define you   Guest Bio Larry Weidel is the host of the Big Hitters Podcast and leader of the Big Hitters Community. He built a national financial services organization with 500 offices and more than 15,000 agents, overseeing $6.5 billion in assets. Larry focuses on helping people think bigger, aim higher, and build the mindset and work habits required to win consistently in business and life.   Connect with Larry Weidel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larryweidel/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larryweidel/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larry.weidel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bighitterscommunity     Connect with David Hill: Website: https://www.davidhill.ai Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidihill/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidihill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/davidihill Listen on Apple & Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895    

This episode breaks down the real psychology behind winning and how everyday entrepreneurs can shift their mindset, discipline their actions, and rise into the small percentage of people who consistently achieve meaningful success.   In this conversation, David Hill sits down with Larry Weidel, founder of the Big Hitters Podcast and a leader who built an organization of 500 offices and 15,000 agents while managing billions in assets. Larry shares clear and direct lessons on what separates consistent winners from those who struggle to stay on track. He explains why intent drives every result, why discipline is non-negotiable, and how many people fall short simply by underestimating the work required to reach their goals. Larry draws parallels between competition, business, and personal development, emphasizing that winning feeds confidence, momentum, and long-term stability. He also outlines how to eliminate excuses, take responsibility for outcomes, and avoid becoming your own biggest obstacle. From adopting a strong mindset to following through on action, Larry gives straightforward guidance for anyone looking to grow, improve, and win more consistently. This episode brings practical insights for entrepreneurs, creators, independent professionals, and anyone aiming for long-term achievement.     Key Takeaways  • How intent shapes results in business and life • The importance of discipline and self-management • Why most people underestimate the effort required to win • How to eliminate excuses and take ownership of outcomes • The difference between winning once and winning repeatedly • Why surrounding yourself with winners accelerates growth • The value of learning from losses without letting them define you   About Larry Weidel Larry Weidel is the host of the Big Hitters Podcast and leader of the Big Hitters Community. He built a national financial services organization with 500 offices and more than 15,000 agents, overseeing $6.5 billion in assets. Larry focuses on helping people think bigger, aim higher, and build the mindset and work habits required to win consistently in business and life.'   Connect with Larry Weidel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larryweidel/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larryweidel/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larry.weidel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bighitterscommunity   Connect With David Hill Website: https://www.davidhill.ai YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidihill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill X: https://twitter.com/davidihill Listen on Apple & Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895   Subscribe, rate, and share the podcast if this episode helped you sharpen your mindset and elevate your approach to success.

Clean water shouldn't be a luxury. For millions of people around the world, it still is—until Sawyer Products steps in. In this episode of The Persistent Entrepreneur Podcast, David Hill speaks with Kurt Avery, founder and CEO of Sawyer Products, about building a company that saves lives while running a profitable business. From insect repellents to breakthrough water filters that deliver ten years of safe drinking water for just thirty cents, Sawyer is transforming entire communities. Kurt shares how Sawyer grew from years of early struggle into a global humanitarian force that has already impacted more than 30 million people. His journey highlights the power of generosity, strong business fundamentals, and a commitment to innovation that serves humanity first. This conversation breaks down how to build a business with purpose, how to give even when resources are limited, and why serving others can become the engine that drives long-term success. In this episode, you'll learn: • How Sawyer filters provide a decade of clean water for only thirty cents • What it takes to lead a mission-focused business • How generosity and profitability can coexist • Why listening to customers reveals problems they don't know how to express • How technology and AI are shaping Sawyer's global impact • What it means to run a company with faith, discipline, and humility About the Guest – Kurt Avery Kurt Avery is the founder of Sawyer Products, a company known for life-saving water filtration systems and advanced insect repellents used around the world. Under his leadership, Sawyer has helped protect more than 30 million people across 80 countries and continues to save hundreds of thousands of babies every year. Kurt is also the author of the book Sawyer Think, a guide to building better businesses and using success to empower others. Learn More: Sawyer Products: https://sawyer.com Sawyer Foundation: https://sawyer.com/pages/foundation Book: Sawyer Think (Available on Amazon) Connect with David Hill: Website: https://www.davidhill.ai Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidihill/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidihill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/davidihill Listen on Apple & Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895

Sales isn't about scripts—it's about trust. And according to Milam Miller, "charisma is the conduit to create that trust." In this powerful episode of The Persistent Entrepreneur Podcast, host David Hill sits down with Milam—author of The Charisma Craft and founder of Be Confident & Kind—to explore how charisma, confidence, and kindness fuel authentic leadership and unstoppable sales growth. Episode Summary Milam Miller, often described as "the real-life Ted Lasso," shares how leaders can transform the way they sell and connect by tapping into their humanity. From his career leading multimillion-dollar sports organizations to his mission helping entrepreneurs "be confident and kind," Milam breaks down why vulnerability, authenticity, and charisma are the new sales superpowers. He reveals why competence grows from failure, how warmth builds trust faster than any pitch, and why the future of leadership—especially in the age of AI—requires emotional intelligence more than ever. Whether you're selling products, ideas, or vision, this episode will reshape how you think about influence, leadership, and connection.   What You'll Learn • Why charisma is the ultimate trust-builder in sales • How confidence and kindness drive long-term success • The "ABCs of Rizz" – Authenticity, Boldness, and Curiosity • How to project confidence using the "SHELL" technique • Why vulnerability builds deeper human connection • How AI is changing communication—and why charisma still wins 👤 Guest: Milam Miller Milam Miller is a former senior leader in European sports and the founder of Be Confident & Kind, a leadership and sales training practice helping teams reduce conflict and increase performance. Known as "The Real-Life Ted Lasso," Milam has led sales teams generating over $20M annually and is the author of The Charisma Craft – A Modern Leadership Guide to Enhance Your Rizz Factor, an Amazon Top Seller in Leadership Training, Management Skills, and Memory Improvement.   Chapters 00:00 Building Trust Through Charisma 00:52 Welcome to the Persistent Entrepreneur Podcast 01:30 Introducing Today's Guest: My Lum Miller 01:50 Understanding 'Riz' and Charisma 03:40 The Charisma Craft: Developing Your Charisma 04:00 From Sports Leadership to Private Practice 06:59 The Importance of Connection in Sales 08:32 Confidence, Kindness, and Charisma 17:23 Developing Charisma: Tools and Techniques 19:49 Embracing Authenticity and Boldness 20:34 The Power of Curiosity in Sales 22:07 Overcoming Introversion with Charisma 23:16 The Shell Technique for Confidence 25:22 Navigating the World of AI 28:27 Building Trust and Connection 31:16 The Future of Charisma and AI 38:22 Final Thoughts and Book Promotion Learn more: https://beconfidentkind.com Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/The-Charisma-Craft 🎙️ Host: David Hill Website: https://www.davidhill.ai Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidihill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidihill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/davidihill 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895 👉 Book a demo call for Ring Leader AI: 774-214-2076