In this episode of the Failure Is Knowledge Podcast, Steven Oliver—Branch Manager of the Florida Family Mortgage Team powered by Nexa Mortgage—shares his journey from growing up in poverty, serving in the Army, working in finance, and becoming one of Florida’s top loan officers.

Steven breaks down the five pillars of mortgage success, why failure is essential to growth, how he became known as the AUS King, and how he helps families secure homes even with low credit scores.

If you're interested in real estate, mortgage lending, homeownership, credit repair, or entrepreneurship, this conversation will change your perspective. Steven explains the reality behind underwriting, equity, renting vs. buying, and how to build trust in a numbers-driven industry.

🔥 Topics Covered:

• How Steven transitioned from finance to mortgages

• What he learned growing up in a low-income family

• Why low-credit buyers deserve a chance

• How he became the “AUS King”

• The truth about equity, renting, & building wealth

• How failure shaped his work ethic and purpose

🎙️ About the Failure Is Knowledge Podcast:

We turn setbacks into success stories by showcasing leaders, entrepreneurs, and everyday people who overcame adversity and found purpose.

Learn more about Steven:

FloridaFamilyMortgageTeam.com

Instagram: @steven.oliver.m00

Facebook: Steven Oliver – Branch Manager

#failureisknowledge #mortgagebroker #realestate #homeownership #financialliteracy #mortgagetips #successstory #veteranentrepreneur #AUSKing #creditrepair

In this powerful conversation with Tony from ISI Publishing, we explore what it really means to live by Iron Sharpens Iron how challenges, setbacks, and authenticity build stronger leaders, storytellers, and creators.

Tony shares his journey from growing up in East Cleveland to becoming an attorney, author, and publisher, helping others share their stories through books. Together, we talk about how faith, vulnerability, and representation can transform failure into wisdom.

You’ll learn how storytelling creates impact, how publishing connects to purpose, and why being authentic is your greatest business advantage.

In this episode:

-How Iron Sharpens Iron shapes Tony’s mission

-Lessons from publishing “Unlocking Potential”

-The importance of representation in leadership

-How failure and faith fuel growth

-Why storytelling builds trust, legacy, and exposure

-Finding your authentic voice through writing and podcasting

Timestamps

0:00 – Intro: Iron Sharpens Iron

3:45 – The power of representation

8:30 – From fear to publishing your story

15:00 – Overcoming imposter syndrome

21:50 – How to turn pain into purpose

27:40 – The value of mentorship and accountability

33:10 – Failure isn’t final — it’s knowledge

40:00 – Why storytelling builds connection

45:30 – Final takeaway: Keep sharpening

About ISI Publishing

ISI (Iron Sharpens Iron) Publishing empowers new authors to write, publish, and share their stories with the world. Their message: Your story matters. Someone’s waiting to hear it.

Work with FIK Advertising

We help business owners and creators grow their exposure through podcasting and storytelling. Want to be featured on the Failure is Knowledge Podcast? DM “SPOTLIGHT.”

Doubting your podcast? This episode shows why growth begins with belief and small risks. We break down three moves: learn what you bring, perfect your value with daily reps, and share it consistently so you stop disqualifying yourself and start building momentum.

I’m Terryl Humphrey, and I’m documenting my 90-day push to grow this podcast and business from the ground up.

You’ll learn:

-How to reframe self-doubt and identify the value you already have

-A simple practice routine to build on-camera confidence

-Why sharing early (and often) attracts the right audience

-The difference between hobby energy and business discipline

If you want to launch your podcast, share your story, and attract more customers, this is your playbook.

Every podcaster wants growth, but few are willing to take the risks that lead to it. In this episode, I share how taking consistent risks transformed my podcast, built my confidence, and helped me turn my platform into a business.

You’ll learn:

-Why “No Risk, No Growth” is the mindset every podcaster needs

-How small risks build long-term consistency and credibility

-The difference between a hobby show and a growing podcast brand

-How to plan, pivot, and learn from every setback

-Ways to turn your podcast into a platform that creates real opportunity

🎙️ Whether you’re just starting or rebuilding, this episode will remind you that growth only happens when you’re bold enough to risk failure.

Most podcasters blend in. In this episode of Failure Is Knowledge, I show you how to create your competitive advantage so your show stands out, attracts the right audience, and grows like a business.

We’ll break down a simple SWOT for podcasters (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and turn it into action:

-Strengths: Own what makes you different so your voice becomes the differentiator.

-Weaknesses: Identify gaps (team, resources, clarity) and turn them into growth plans.

-Opportunities: Use feedback loops, offers, and audience language to position value.

-Threats: Competing shows + impatience—why consistency and focus win.

You’ll also learn how to niche your audience language, why “serve everyone = serve no one,” and how to think like a strategist (not just a creator) so your podcast becomes a business.

If you’re a podcaster or leader struggling to stand out, this is your roadmap to build authority, communicate value, and create a durable podcast advantage.

If you’re a leader or creator with a podcast that isn’t paying the bills yet, this episode shows you how to turn your show into a real business. After 5 years of podcasting, I finally cracked the path: move beyond “just conversations” to a clear offer, consistent marketing, and confident sales.

You’ll learn how to:

• Turn sales into simple conversations that book clients

• Use your podcast as marketing that educates and builds trust

• Package your value (pricing, deliverables, outcomes) so buyers say yes

• Pivot fast, stay patient, and keep improving until profit follows

By the end, you’ll know how to position your show as a Business Spotlight that gives leaders and business owners real exposure and generates revenue for you.

Subscribe for weekly episodes on podcast growth, B2B podcasting, offers, pricing, sales, content strategy, and creator business operations.

Work with me: Want your business featured on the show or help productize your podcast offer? DM me or email me to learn about the Business Spotlight package.

If you’re a leader battling comparison, this episode is your reset. I break down why comparison stalls your growth and how podcasting helps you lead with clarity, build company culture, and communicate your mission so people follow.

After speaking at the EMpower Conference, I saw firsthand that podcasting isn’t just talk; it’s a strategy for leadership storytelling, employee alignment, and trust. In this video, we dig into sharing your experiences, setting the tone as a leader, and using a podcast to turn values into everyday behaviors.

If you want your team to know, like, and trust your direction, start where influence begins: your voice.

What you’ll learn:

• Why leaders must stop comparing and start documenting

• How podcasting builds culture and alignment across teams

• Turning stories into strategy: mission, values, and execution

• Practical examples: episodes, trailers, clips, and quotes that drive engagement

• Leading by example and inviting your team into the journey

Ready to lead without comparison? Use podcasting to make your mission visible and your culture repeatable.

► Want help launching a leadership podcast for your company? DM me about the Business Spotlight (interview + trailer + short clips + quotes).

We all face setbacks, but what if your failure was the lesson that prepared you for success?

In this motivational EMpower Conference talk, Terryl Humphrey, author, speaker, Marine, and host of the Failure is Knowledge Podcast, shares how losing his YouTube channel with 893 podcast episodes became the moment that helped him grow as a leader and creator.

You’ll learn the three secrets to building culture through podcasting and how to use your story to connect with others, lead with confidence, and turn every failure into knowledge.

🎙 What You’ll Learn

• How to turn failures into knowledge and grow from setbacks

• Why sharing your vision builds trust and helps people feel seen

• The key to communicating with consistency and leading through storytelling

• Why podcasting builds a stronger culture for leaders and organizations

• How your story, voice, and consistency create influence and opportunity

This message is for entrepreneurs, leaders, and creators who want to inspire others, strengthen their culture, and share their story through podcasting or speaking.

Terryl breaks down how failure is not the end; it’s the education that shapes your impact.