Episodes

Thinking about starting a brand? This episode will give you the reality most people skip. In this episode of What’s Next!, Bryan sits down with Rachel Erickson, founder of Unmarked Street and apparel expert who has helped scale brands from startup to $50M+ . She breaks down what actually goes into building a successful brand—and why so many founders get it wrong from the very beginning. From the importance of fit and truly understanding your customer, to budgeting before you ever design a pro...

What happens when you hit your financial goals… and still feel like something is missing? In this episode, Bryan sits down with entrepreneur Landen Goodnight, who built a million-dollar insurance business from the ground up after starting with nothing—living in a low-income apartment, newly married, with a baby on the way and no money for diapers . Landen shares the real story behind his success, from grinding through the early years to leading a team of 40+ agents and creating a business tha...

After years inside the traditional U.S. soccer system, Alex Lubyansky set out to build something radically different. In this episode, Bryan sits down with Alex, founder of Detroit Metro FC, to discuss his mission to create a new pathway for soccer players outside the pay-to-play system. From launching a club with no fees for players to creating the Merit Cup, a competition offering $10,000 with zero barriers to entry, Alex is challenging the way youth sports development works in America. They...

If you’re a high-performing leader wondering why your team of A-players still isn’t winning, this episode is your wake-up call. Bryan sits down with Katrina Ghazarian, a former athlete turned HR powerhouse, to unpack why company culture often crumbles under pressure—and how to fix it before your best people walk out the door. From simplifying culture audits to setting goals that can actually pass a stress test, Katrina shares sharp insights on leadership habits, vision clarity, and real-time fe...

What if everything you've been told about finding your purpose after sports is wrong? In this powerful episode, Bryan sits down with Matt Granados—performance strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of Life Pulse, to talk about what it really takes to transition from high-level athlete to fulfilled human. They dive into truth-based transformation, why chasing passion is dangerous, and how to identify your purpose by looking at your past, not your future. This is a must-listen for any athlete or...

After nearly a month on the road, from the mountains of Colorado to the beaches of The Bahamas and the soccer fields of Germany, Bryan returns with a new perspective on what freedom really means. In this solo reflection, he breaks down the four levels of freedom taught by Dan Sullivan: time, money, relationships, and purpose and shares how aligning them with your North Star can transform the way you live, lead, and build your business. If you’ve ever felt like you’re chasing success but still ...

In this episode, Bryan sits down with U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Marcelo Balboa for a powerful conversation about life after the game. Marcelo opens up about the emotional crash after retiring from professional soccer, navigating identity loss, divorce, and personal transformation. From captaining the U.S. Men's National Team through three World Cups to rediscovering purpose through broadcasting, coaching, and fatherhood, Marcelo shares vulnerable lessons on leadership, growth, and what truly mat...

In this solo episode of What’s Next!, Bryan breaks down a powerful framework on how to build a business you don’t have to sell, but could if you wanted to. Fresh off his talk at the U.S. Indoor Sports Conference, Bryan shares real-world insights from his own experience owning and exiting multiple businesses. He walks through the five key drivers of value beyond EBITDA: growth strategy, risk reduction, team strength, market opportunity, and financial fundamentals, and how aligning those elements ...

In this episode, Bryan sits down with Eric Wynalda, U.S. soccer legend, broadcaster, and entrepreneur, for a candid conversation about building your brand by staying true to who you are. Eric shares his wild journey from playing in three World Cups to unexpectedly stepping into an 18-year broadcasting career and now launching his own media company. He breaks down lessons learned from navigating career pivots, leading high-performing teams, embracing imperfection, and trusting instincts in busine...

In this episode, Bryan welcomes back Marisa Massana, former LPGA athlete and high-performance strategist, to dive into the powerful connection between accountability, intentionality, personal values, and long-term growth. Marisa shares how she transitioned from elite athlete to entrepreneur, and how journaling, goal setting, and weekly reflection became tools for building a life and business aligned with her true values. She breaks down her framework for helping Fortune 100 leaders and athletes ...

In this episode, Bryan sits down with Anthony Tomey, a former MLB pitcher turned multi-brand entrepreneur, to unpack his journey from the mound to millions. Anthony shares how he transitioned from playing for the Detroit Tigers to building a 50+ location Jimmy John's empire, launching award-winning brands like 8 Mile Vodka and Born in Detroit, and giving back through his involvement in GameAbove and The Big3 basketball league. The episode dives deep into grit, leadership, family-run businesses, ...

In this episode, Bryan Finnerty welcomes Bill "The Golf Father" Cuebas, a media personality and golf industry insider with a passion for connecting people and growing the game. Bill shares his journey from law enforcement to golf media, how he built a powerful network, and the importance of authenticity in business. He reveals how unexpected opportunities—from social media posts to major brand collaborations—helped him shape his career and influence the industry. They discuss the power of relati...

In this episode, Bryan sits down with Grant Johnson, co-founder of Benevolent Capital, to discuss the secrets of smart investing, decision-making, and building a winning portfolio. Grant shares how he evaluates thousands of deals each year, why successful investing starts with passion, and how athletes and entrepreneurs can transition into venture capital and private equity. They explore common mistakes investors make, how to filter out bad opportunities, and the importance of aligning investmen...

In this episode, Bryan sits down with Manny Amezcua, CEO of MassMutual Great Lakes and founder of The Podium Group, to uncover the secrets of financial success for athletes, entrepreneurs, and high performers. They discuss the biggest money mistakes that lead athletes to financial ruin, how to build lasting wealth, and why surrounding yourself with the right mentors is crucial. Manny shares his “audit your table” strategy to help listeners assess who is influencing their financial decisions and ...

In this episode, Bryan talks with Brett Johnson, co-founder of Benevolent Capital, about his journey from sports to investment, the challenges of professional sports, and the power of passion in business. They explore starting small in sports ventures, the impact of sports on communities, and the dynamics of working with family. Brett shares insights on the profitability of youth sports, key revenue drivers, and the role of character development in athletics. They also discuss the transition fro...

In this episode, Bryan sits down with professional baseball player Shaun Anderson to discuss the incredible journey of navigating an 11-team career across multiple countries, including stints in Korea and Mexico. Shaun opens up about the discipline, resilience, and community-building that shaped his path in Major League Baseball and how those lessons apply beyond the field. From overcoming setbacks to embracing leadership, Shaun shares insights on transitioning from sports to business and discov...

In this episode, Bryan interviews entrepreneur and innovator John Sarkisian. They explore the balance between innovation and operations in business, sharing lessons from John’s journey with SKLZ and Light Helmets. From building trust with inventors to scaling a business into retail giants, John offers actionable insights on leadership, mentorship, and product development. They also discuss the groundbreaking advancements in sports safety with Light Helmets, emphasizing the importance of strong t...

In this special kickoff episode for 2025, Bryan shares his unique "halftime" perspective on the new year, inspired by his experiences in soccer and business. He reflects on the importance of assessing past performance, making bold adjustments, and confronting the truth without excuses. Bryan offers actionable insights to help listeners take charge of their personal and professional growth as they step into the year ahead. Tune in for a powerful conversation on reflection, strategy, and bold move...

In this episode, Bryan welcomes Brian Doyle back to the podcast to dive into the challenges and breakthroughs of pivoting a business for growth. Brian shares how his athletic background led to founding Axios Core, and how shifting from direct-to-consumer sales to a scalable B2B model changed everything. They discuss lessons on leadership, overcoming setbacks, and the power of simplifying processes to drive success. This episode is packed with actionable insights for entrepreneurs looking to scal...

In this episode, Bryan reflects on the biggest lessons from the past year, sharing insights on leadership, personal growth, purpose, and teamwork. Drawing from conversations with inspiring guests, he highlights how empowering others, embracing chaos, and staying authentic can unlock new levels of success. Bryan dives into the importance of personal branding, the power of teamwork in achieving goals, and why purpose-driven leadership makes all the difference. This episode is packed with valuable ...

In this high-octane episode of What’s Next, Bryan Finnerty sits down with Dave Alpern, President of Joe Gibbs Racing, to uncover the secrets behind leading one of NASCAR’s premier organizations. From starting as an unpaid intern in a broom closet to steering a team that competes at 200 miles per hour, Dave’s journey is a masterclass in leadership, culture, and intentionality. Discover how Dave’s “three-legged stool” philosophy—honoring God, putting people before profits, and relentlessly pursuin...

This week Bryan dives deep into the mental strategies that drive world-class performance with sports psychologist and best-selling author Dan Abrahams. Known for his work with elite athletes across soccer, golf, rugby, and Formula One, Dan shares insights on how to harness competitive spirit, transition seamlessly from sports to business, and avoid the pitfalls of burnout. Learn how intentional leadership, mindset mastery, and deliberate recovery can transform not only your performance but also ...

In this episode Bryan Finnerty welcomes Jeff Dudan, a former collegiate football player turned entrepreneurial powerhouse. Jeff’s journey spans from working as a dog at Chuck E. Cheese to leading Homefront Brands, a rapidly growing franchise platform that’s reshaping the property services industry. Along the way, Jeff authored Discernment, a playbook for better decision-making and a great life, and even starred on Undercover Boss. Whether you’re an athlete looking to translate your skills into b...

In this episode, Bryan chats with Billy Downs about the ins and outs of the restaurant industry, from building a strong team culture to maintaining a clear vision and core values. Billy shares his inspiring journey from his early days in hospitality to becoming a successful restaurant entrepreneur, including the evolution of Ford’s Garage. They dive into the challenges of leadership, the power of mentorship, and the potential of franchise opportunities in shaping the industry. Billy also discuss...