In this episode, Edward "Ed" Narvaez, Breathwork and Human Optimization Coach and founder of NervaShift, shares his transformative journey of recovery and personal reset through the power of breath.

Discover how breathwork became a pivotal tool in managing stress and regulating his nervous system, ultimately leading to his mission of helping others enhance their resilience. Ed provides insights on how simple, science-backed breathing practices can improve emotional regulation, recovery, and performance.

Join us as we explore techniques like nasal breathing, slow exhales, and the importance of posture—tools that empower us to take control of our lives through the breath.
Connect with Ed Narvaez:
Website: https://nervashift.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ednarvaez
Follow host Julio Gonzalez on:
- LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/opticution/
- Facebook/Instagram/YouTube at @opticution
- Webpage www.opticution.com
Email Julio at julio@opticution.com with any comments, questions or suggestions!

In this episode of the From Stuck to Scaled podcast, host Julio Gonzalez sits down with marketing executive and growth strategist Rich Smith. With over 25 years of experience, Rich has helped numerous companies drive profitable growth through data-driven marketing and strategic brand development in sectors like financial services, healthcare, and technology.
Join us as we delve into how marketing leaders can effectively align their strategies with revenue goals. Rich shares his insights on moving beyond activity-based marketing to focus on measurable impact, customer value, and sustainable profitability. You'll learn about the importance of identifying key marketing metrics that tie directly to revenue, the necessity of aligning marketing initiatives with overarching business objectives, and the impactful role of customer data in prioritizing acquisition and retention.
If you're looking to build high-performing teams and foster cross-functional alignment between marketing, sales, and leadership, this episode is packed with valuable tips and actionable strategies you won't want to miss!
Connect with Rich Smith:
Website: https://www.richsmiths.blog
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithlink/
Follow host Julio Gonzalez on:
- LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/opticution/
- Facebook/Instagram/YouTube at @opticution
- Webpage www.opticution.com.
Email Julio at julios@opticution.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions!

In this episode of the From Stuck to Scaled podcast, host Julio Gonzalez sits down with Brian Samson, founder of Plugg Technologies, to explore the journey of growing three separate companies from $0 to $4 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). With a decade of experience in nearshoring and a unique perspective gained from living as an expat in Argentina, Brian shares invaluable insights and lessons learned from his entrepreneurial ventures.
Join us as we delve into best practices and strategies for expansion, key mistakes to avoid, and essential tips for companies looking to leverage nearshoring and offshoring. Brian also reflects on his prior experience as a VP of Talent in the tech industry, offering lessons on hiring and team-building critical for any founder or leader.
Don’t miss the chance to learn from Brian's wealth of knowledge and experience in taking businesses to new heights.
Connect with Brian Samson:
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/plugg_technologies/
Follow host Julio Gonzalez on:
- LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/opticution/
- Facebook/Instagram/YouTube at @opticution
- Webpage www.opticution.com.
Email Julio at podcast@opticution.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions!

What do blockbuster films and high-performing businesses have in common? More than you think.

In this powerful episode of From Stuck to Scaled, host Julio Gonzalez sits down with Steven Puri, founder, former studio executive, and producer of films ranging from Die Hard to The Wolverine.

Steven brings a rare blend of Hollywood leadership experience and cutting-edge productivity science to the conversation — revealing how the principles behind successful film productions can transform your workplace culture and performance.

From writers creating independently to actors and directors collaborating on set, the film and television industry has mastered remote, hybrid, and in-person teamwork long before it became the norm.

Steven shares how these lessons translate directly into building aligned, energized, and highly productive teams in today’s business world.

Connect with Steven Puri:

Website: http://www.thesukha.co/media

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenpuri

Follow host Julio Gonzalez on:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/opticution/

- Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @opticution

- Webpage: http://www.opticution.com

Have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email Julio at podcast@opticution.com!

In this inspiring episode of the From Stuck to Scaled podcast, join host Julio Gonzalez as he sits down with Regina Batista, Co-Founder of Transformation Experts and Founder of International Women In Leadership. Regina is not only a keynote speaker and enterprise agile coach but also a passionate advocate for empowering leaders and creating high-performing teams.

Together, they delve into Regina’s personal career journey, exploring how she has scaled Agile across multiple organizations and the passion behind her initiatives, including the Agile International Conference and International Women In Leadership. Regina shares invaluable tips on resilience and the importance of never giving up, alongside the strategy of reinventing ourselves at any stage of life.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to transform their leadership skills and drive meaningful change in their organizations!

Connect with Regina Batista:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginabatista

Agile International Conference: https://www.agileinternational.org/registration

International Women in Leadership: https://iwilleaders.com/iwill-community

Follow host Julio Gonzalez on:- LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/opticution/- Facebook/Instagram/YouTube at @opticution- Webpage www.opticution.com

Email Julio at podcast@opticution.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions!

In this episode of the From Stuck to Scaled podcast, host Julio Gonzalez sits down with Kevin Jordan, an International Coach Federation-certified career and leadership coach with over 2000 hours of coaching experience.

Kevin works as a strategic advisor, mentor, and facilitator to help his clients achieve peak performance and agility, fostering sustained engagement and value. His deep expertise in developing strategic vision and delivering results through high-performing teams during periods of intense change makes him a sought-after partner for professionals looking to elevate their leadership skills.

Join us as Kevin shares invaluable insights on navigating career transitions and enhancing leadership effectiveness. He discusses the importance of understanding what you're running from versus what you're running to, prioritizing your values and strengths, and defining your professional non-negotiables. Kevin also explores essential qualities of effective leadership, emphasizing humility, listening with empathy, and the art of concise communication.

This episode is packed with actionable tips for anyone looking to thrive in their career and leadership journey.

Connect with Kevin Jordan:Website: https://www.kevinjordan.coach/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinpjordan/

Follow host Julio Gonzalez on:- LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/opticution/ - Facebook/Instagram/YouTube at @opticution - Webpage www.opticution.com

Email Julio at podcast@opticution.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions!

In this episode of the From Stuck to Scaled podcast, host Julio Gonzalez sits down with entrepreneur and capital partnership expert, Jim Tolbert. With a rich background that includes founding and scaling multiple education-focused businesses backed by private equity, Tolbert shares invaluable insights on how small to midsize business owners can leverage capital partners for growth.
We'll explore key questions such as:
- How can company owners effectively grow their business with a capital partner?
- What are the essential considerations when deciding if bringing in a capital partner makes sense?
- What can business owners achieve with capital from a partner?
- How can one navigate the negotiation process for bringing in an equity partner?
- What should business owners contemplate regarding their roles after securing a partnership?
- How important is it to work with an advisor, like ExecCap Advisors, during this process?
Whether you're considering a partnership for your business or looking for ways to scale, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world case studies that demonstrate how successful collaborations can transform your company.
Connect with Jim Tolbert:
Website: www.ExecCapAdvisors.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-tolbert-2338b01/
Follow host Julio Gonzalez on:
- LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/opticution/
- Facebook/Instagram/YouTube at @opticution
- Webpage www.opticution.com
Email Julio at ⁠⁠julio@opticution.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions!

In this episode of the From Stuck to Scaled podcast, host Julio Gonzalez chats with Jenna Nelson, the founder of HerAIgency, a consultancy dedicated to helping business owners simplify their systems and scale their operations through human-centered AI. With her deep expertise in AI implementation and next-generation visibility strategies, Jenna empowers brands to navigate search and answer engines effectively.
Tune in as Jenna shares actionable insights on how small business owners can leverage AI to save time, reduce mental load, and streamline daily operations. She breaks down approachable use cases that are doable for any entrepreneur, along with practical tips you can implement right away.
Key Takeaways:
1. Automate one repetitive task this week with simple AI tools.
2. Create a five-sentence brand voice guide to maintain your brand’s personality across content.
3. Build a daily or weekly content helper to draft your recurring posts effortlessly.
4. Use AI to organize your thoughts and map out steps before executing big ideas.
5. Set up a simple automation in your CRM or email platform to create consistency.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to embrace AI without the hype and with real, actionable strategies!
Connect with Jenna Nelson:
- Website: https://heragency.com
Follow Host Julio Gonzalez on:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/opticution/
- Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @opticution
- Webpage: www.opticution.com
Email Julio at julio@opticution.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions!