In this energetic episode, Charles sits down with Henrik Werdelin—creative entrepreneur and co-founder of BARK, the brand behind BarkBox—to explore how play, empathy, and identity fuel the growth of beloved consumer brands.

Henrik unpacks the origin of BARK, revealing how a deep emotional connection with customers (and their dogs) became the foundation of a company that redefined the pet industry. From building a brand with humor and heart to navigating product expansion and retail partnerships, he shares what it takes to scale without losing soul.

Together, they dive into the mindset of modern brand-building—why it’s less about product features and more about emotional experience, storytelling, and creating rituals people love.

This isn’t just a story about dog toys. It’s a blueprint for building joyful, mission-driven companies that customers don’t just buy from—but belong to.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
-How Henrik Werdelin helped turn a love for dogs into BARK, a brand that connects emotionally with millions of pet owners
-Why building a brand identity with humor, honesty, and humanity creates lasting customer loyalty
-How BARK uses playfulness and purpose—not just product—to deepen customer relationships
-The strategy behind expanding from subscription boxes to food, wellness, and retail without losing brand soul

Head over to provenpodcast.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
01:05 – From agency life to BarkBox:
Henrik shares his early career journey—from working in creative agencies to launching BARK—and how a deep love for dogs (and branding) led to a subscription box that grew into a global DTC powerhouse.
04:18 – The emotional core of brand-building:
Henrik explains why the most beloved consumer brands lead with emotion, not just function—while Charles connects this to how BARK turned dog toys into a lifestyle and cultural connection.
07:45 – Using play as strategy:
Henrik reveals how BARK uses humor, storytelling, and personality in everything—from marketing to product design—while Charles highlights how this playful tone differentiates them in a serious, commoditized space.
11:10 – The risks and rewards of retail expansion:
Henrik reflects on BARK’s leap from DTC to retail with partners like Target, and how they kept their brand voice intact—while Charles digs into the tension between mass scale and brand intimacy.
15:02 – Bark Eats and personalized wellness:
Henrik discusses the company’s move into personalized food and health products for dogs, and how listening to customer behavior led to deeper product innovation.
19:30 – Building a brand with a soul:
Henrik emphasizes that a brand should feel like a friend, not a product—and how BARK’s success came from being obsessively human in a category most treat as transactional.
24:20 – Advice for future founders:
Henrik delivers closing thoughts on what today’s entrepreneurs get wrong: over-focusing on short-term tactics instead of building emotional equity—and why staying curious and connected always wins in the long run.

In this dynamic episode, Charles sits down with Joe Foster—the legendary co-founder of Reebok—and Ben Weiss, CEO of Syntilay, to unpack what it really takes to build legacy brands that stand the test of time.

Joe shares the untold story of growing Reebok from a small UK-based athletic shoe company into a global powerhouse, despite early rejection, fierce competition, and family friction. Ben brings a modern lens to the conversation—revealing how today’s founders can blend legacy thinking with cutting-edge strategy to lead in both business and branding.

Together, they explore how purpose, persistence, and long-term thinking create lasting impact—whether you're building shoes that revolutionize fitness or companies that transform industries.

This isn’t just a business episode—it’s a masterclass on vision, resilience, and what it takes to win across decades.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
-How Joe Foster turned Reebok from a small UK family business into a global footwear brand by targeting overlooked niches like aerobics
-The story behind Joe’s departure from the family company—and how conflict pushed him to build a legacy of his own
-Why rejection from U.S. distributors became a turning point that forced Reebok to focus on a specific entry point into the American market
-The difference between building a business and building a long-term brand—with insights from both Joe and Ben

Head over to provenpodcast.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
01:10 – The birth of Reebok:
Joe Foster recounts how a misunderstanding over the family shoe business led him to break away and start Reebok with just a name, a vision, and relentless grit—while Charles is struck by the boldness of reinventing from scratch.
04:42 – Lessons from rejection:
Joe shares how 20+ rejection letters from U.S. distributors didn’t stop him—and how he eventually cracked the code by targeting a niche aerobics market—while Ben reflects on how modern founders overlook the power of niche entry points.
08:30 – Building a brand vs. building a business:
Ben Weiss explains why building a long-term brand is different from just running a business, emphasizing alignment with purpose and message—while Joe nods in agreement, relating it back to Reebok’s early culture.
11:55 – Scaling without selling your soul:
Joe opens up about the moment Reebok scaled globally and the tension between rapid growth and staying true to original values—while Charles notes the timeless struggle of founders facing explosive success.
17:25 – The Syntilay philosophy:
Ben shares how Syntilay focuses on building brand equity through meaningful human experiences, not just marketing hacks—while Charles sees the parallel between Ben’s approach and Joe’s legacy thinking.
21:40 – The Reebok-Nike showdown:
Joe details the brand rivalry, what it taught him about strategic differentiation, and why Reebok leaned into fashion and fitness while Nike owned performance—while Ben connects this to modern brand positioning.
28:30 – Advice to future legacy founders:
Joe and Ben deliver closing thoughts for future entrepreneurs: be patient, protect your vision, and play the long game—while Charles reflects on how real success is measured in decades, not quarters.

In this powerful episode, Charles sits down with Susan Sly—tech entrepreneur, AI innovator, and health warrior—to unpack how she rebuilt her life from rock bottom to billion-dollar impact.

Susan shares her gripping story of being diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis, losing her marriage, her business, and becoming homeless—all in 16 weeks. But instead of surrendering, she turned to biohacking, belief, and relentless self-reinvention.

Together, they explore the healing protocols Susan used to defy her terminal diagnosis, her rise to co-founding an AI company that led the largest deployment of computer vision at scale in U.S. history, and her newest mission: revolutionizing menopause care with AI.

The conversation covers everything from stem cell therapy and triathlon training to scaling tech companies and leveraging AI for real-world transformation. It's a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and using adversity as fuel for impact.

Key Takeaways:

• The exact health protocols Susan used to reverse her MS symptoms and regain peak performance

• Why Susan avoids support groups—and what she did instead to accelerate healing

• How she scaled an AI company with 8 patents and became a global authority in computer vision and generative AI

• The origin and mission behind Pause AI, the world's first menopause-focused AI wellness app

Head over to provenpodcast.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:

00:57 - The MS diagnosis that changed everything: At the height of her career as a professional athlete and media personality, Susan collapses into chronic fatigue and neurological symptoms—only to be told she has progressive multiple sclerosis and 10 years to live.

06:42 - From rock bottom to reinvention: In just 16 weeks, Susan lost her business, her marriage, and her home—yet made a bold decision to surround herself with millionaires, dive into personal development, and rebuild her identity with intention and belief.

08:22 - The MS recovery protocol revealed: Susan details the exact biohacks and wellness strategies she still follows today—including acupuncture, IV therapy, ozone, fasting retreats, strength training, and ditching artificial sweeteners forever.

14:11 - Scaling AI from nothing to industry dominance: Susan explains how she co-founded a computer vision company that scaled nationally, holds 8 patents, and pioneered the largest deployment of vision-based AI in U.S. history—all without VC funding.

22:39 - AI committees are doing it wrong: Susan breaks down the three fatal mistakes companies make when adopting AI—and why excluding HR and finance from your AI strategy guarantees failure before it starts.

48:46 - The champagne bus moment that sparked Pause AI: At a high-powered women-in-AI event, Susan realized even the most elite women were suffering silently through menopause—and decided to build the first AI-driven solution to support them.

54:39 - What men need to know about menopause (and andropause): Susan offers a candid, science-based breakdown of how menopause affects women—and why male partners need to lean in, get educated, and prepare for the male equivalent: andropause.

In this eye-opening episode, Charles dives into the fitness secrets of ultra-wealthy entrepreneurs with Ted Ryce, celebrity trainer and health coach to executives who demand peak performance.

Ted reveals his journey from training A-listers like Richard Branson and Robert Downey Jr. to developing systematic health protocols for high-performing entrepreneurs who've neglected their bodies while building empires.

The conversation moves beyond basic fitness advice to expose the critical health tests most successful people ignore—and why your doctor's "normal" blood work might be setting you up for metabolic disaster down the road.

Rather than chasing fitness fads, Charles and Ted explore the unsexy fundamentals that actually work: why muscle mass is your metabolic insurance policy, how pre-diabetes can be reversed through strategic training, and why tracking the right metrics matters more than expensive biohacks.

Key Takeaways:
* Why DEXA scans, VO2 max testing, and advanced blood panels are non-negotiable for serious entrepreneurs
* How lifting weights and building muscle mass trumps cardio for metabolic health and longevity
* The truth about TRT, stem cells, and which interventions actually deliver life-changing results
* Why fiber supplementation beats every trendy nootropic for overall health optimization

Head over to https://provenpodcast.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
02:25 - The hidden metabolic disaster: A successful entrepreneur lost 20 pounds but was actually pre-diabetic with a 6.3 A1C - and why his doctor dismissed elevated fasting glucose as "no big deal" despite clear warning signs.
08:44 - Why sugar doesn't cause diabetes: The common myth gets destroyed by explaining that sugar is "like pouring gasoline on the fire, but it didn't start the fire" - the real culprits are sitting on your ass and carrying too much body fat.
14:26 - The exercise hierarchy that changes everything: Why exercise, not diet, is the number one factor for health and longevity - and why you can't replace the training stimulus even with the most perfect diet.
25:15 - The Mediterranean diet reality check: Living in Portugal revealed people pouring olive oil over everything, proving that even "healthy" diets fail when you ignore the fundamental math of calories.
42:33 - The stem cell transformation: A tens of thousands of dollars investment in joint injections eliminated chronic pain from multiple injuries, allowing a return to heavy squats and deadlifts after years of limitations.
49:52 - The TRT truth bomb: Why testosterone replacement therapy shrinks your testicles, doesn't magically transform you, and why losing belly fat is more impactful than any hormone optimization.
58:11 - The fiber supplement secret: Why fiber is the number one supplement for health and longevity - not sexy to discuss, but more powerful than any expensive biohack for managing appetite and improving metabolic markers.

In this insightful episode, Charles explores the psychology of authentic entrepreneurship with Mark Young, founder of RYZE Agency and creator of the Fitter Over 50 movement.

Mark reveals his journey from clinical psychology to marketing mastery, sharing how his background in understanding human behavior shaped his approach to building genuine business relationships in an increasingly commoditized world.

The conversation shifts from surface-level marketing tactics to deep psychological insights as Mark breaks down why most entrepreneurs hit a wall at $10 million—and how the transition from gut-feeling operations to data-driven scaling requires uncomfortable but necessary team changes.
Rather than focusing on growth-at-all-costs mentalities, Charles and Mark explore how creating authentic connections through value-first communication transforms business outcomes and customer lifetime value.

Together, they challenge conventional marketing wisdom, emphasizing that in today's market, being loved by a few trumps being liked by many. Mark illustrates this through real-world examples from his work with health and wellness brands swimming upstream against big pharma.

Key Takeaways:
* Why email databases outperform social media followers by 5-10x in actual conversion rates
* How to use the "aging defiantly" mindset to build premium positioning in any industry
* The psychological reason why treating teams like family destroys scalability at the $10M threshold
* Why changing your approach from transaction-focused to relationship-focused transforms customer loyalty

Head over to https://provenpodcast.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
03:52 - The entrepreneur's emotional rollercoaster: Mark breaks down why every entrepreneur experiences the same spectrum of emotions regardless of their wealth level - from "I'm crushing it" to "I'm going bankrupt" - all within a single day, not a month or year.
09:03 - The $10 million threshold trap: Why Mark sees the critical breaking point where entrepreneurs must choose between spending efficiently or aggressively, and how chasing revenue numbers without profitable sales becomes a death spiral that destroys businesses.
12:48 - The vanity metric epidemic: Mark exposes why Instagram followers are worthless compared to email databases - revealing that 10,000 followers only reach 200-500 people due to algorithm suppression, while email databases deliver 2,500-3,000 engaged readers.
25:47 - The family business killer: Mark's brutal truth about why treating your team like family destroys scalability - good team members know when it's time to step aside, while those who resist change are telling you they're the wrong people for the next level.
31:47 - The omnichannel harmony secret: Why Mark's clients struggle to break the $10 million ceiling because they're measuring channels in silos instead of understanding how Meta creates intent while Google captures conversions in a weighted strategy.
38:52 - The authenticity advantage: Mark reveals why being your genuine self is actually a skill set for marketers who could present as anyone, and how this authenticity becomes the foundation for being "loved by a few rather than liked by many."
42:52 - The problem awareness gap: Mark's game-changing insight that nobody walks around thinking "my bones feel fragile today" - explaining why successful marketing starts with creating awareness of problems people don't even know they have, not selling solutions.

Options disclosure: "Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors as the special risks inherent to options trading may expose investors to potentially significant losses. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options at tastytrade.com/disclosures before deciding to invest in options."

In this insightful conversation, the host sits down with Scott Sheridan, CEO of TastyTrade and co-founder of the revolutionary trading platform Thinkorswim, who shares his decades of experience navigating volatile markets and building successful financial technology companies.

Scott discusses his contrarian approach to current market trends, explaining why he remains skeptical of popular investments like cryptocurrency and gold while emphasizing the importance of options trading during periods of high volatility like we're experiencing now.

The interview explores Scott's entrepreneurial journey from floor trader at the Chicago Board Options Exchange to creating two major brokerage firms, focusing on how he built strong company cultures and the critical importance of timing, team building, and maintaining vision while staying flexible enough to pivot when necessary.

Scott and the host delve into practical investment strategies for uncertain times, with Scott advocating for consistent market participation through dollar-cost averaging and his current preference for selling puts in quality stocks during high-volatility periods.

Key Takeaways:
* Trade small and trade often - consistent market participation with manageable risk beats trying to hit home runs, especially for those just starting their investment journey
* Focus on what you can control and maintain strong risk management - whether in trading or business, calculate your risks and never invest more than you can afford to lose
* Build businesses and hire teams based on trust and complementary skills - successful partnerships require people you'd trust with your financial future, and company culture flows from authentic leadership rather than corporate buzzwords

Head over to https://provenpodcast.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
02:34 - From floor trader to tech pioneer: How Scott transitioned from trading at the Chicago Board Options Exchange to co-founding Thinkorswim, revolutionizing online trading by creating sophisticated platforms that retail investors could actually use.
05:35 - Why this market crash was different: Scott explains how the recent volatility was completely self-induced by political decisions, making it unlike previous crashes and creating unique opportunities for prepared traders.
06:09 - The young investor's advantage: Why people in their 20s and 30s need to take significant risks and stay engaged with volatile markets, since they have 40-year time horizons that virtually guarantee higher returns.
13:01 - The psychology of trading size: Scott's gambling wisdom about getting opponents to play for more than they're comfortable with, and how to know immediately if you're trading too big by your physical reaction.
35:00 - Selling flood insurance after the flood: Scott's current strategy of selling puts during high volatility periods, explaining how elevated option premiums create profit opportunities for patient investors.
39:40 - Building culture through trust: How Scott creates family-like company environments by challenging employees beyond their comfort zones while promising that any mistake can be fixed with time and money.
52:54 - The entrepreneur's regret insurance: Scott's passionate plea to anyone considering starting a business - the worst outcome is working for someone else again, but the regret of never trying lasts a lifetime.

In this revealing conversation, Charles sits down with Amanda Dobler, a successful health coach who built a seven-figure business entirely on her own.

Amanda shares her journey from struggling with yo-yo dieting to creating a health coaching empire that generates six figures monthly, highlighting how authenticity and consistency drove her success in an oversaturated market.

The interview dives into Amanda's unique approach to both business and weight loss, focusing on sustainable habits rather than quick fixes, and how she managed to build a thriving community despite starting with just her phone and basic tools.

Charles and Amanda explore the realities of entrepreneurship, with Amanda candidly discussing the challenges of scaling a one-person operation and the importance of believing in yourself when others doubt your vision.

Key Takeaways:
* How authenticity and blunt honesty helped Amanda stand out in the crowded health coaching industry
* Why focusing on client testimonials and real transformations was her most effective marketing strategy
* The power of creating a supportive community that becomes the most valuable part of your offering
* Why entrepreneurial success requires eliminating "Plan B" thinking and committing fully to your vision

Head over to https://provenpodcast.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
02:54 - Disrupting the diet industry: How complete honesty about eating whatever you want while still losing weight created a breakthrough approach in a market filled with unnecessary restrictions and quick-fix promises.
07:16 - The long-term mindset: Why putting your head down and focusing on who you want to become rather than overnight success created the foundation for sustainable seven-figure growth.
12:15 - The engagement revelation: Building a $75,000 monthly business with just 5,000 followers by prioritizing deep audience connection over vanity metrics that rarely convert to actual revenue.
15:43 - The solo empire builder: The behind-the-scenes reality of managing every aspect of a million-dollar business alone – from social media and coaching to operations and customer service.
27:42 - The testimonial blueprint: How showcasing the complete transformation story with specific pain points and sustainable results converts dramatically better than oversimplified before-and-after narratives.
32:42 - The community advantage: When the unexpected value proposition became the supportive network of clients rather than one-on-one coaching, despite initial resistance to group formats.
40:16 - The entrepreneur's ultimatum: Why having absolutely "no plan B" and viewing corporate employment as completely unacceptable creates the determination required to overcome inevitable obstacles.

In this insightful episode, Charles explores the entrepreneurial journey and personal resilience with Bobby Mesmer, founder and CEO of RMG Erectors & Constructors, LLC, now valued at $4.5 billion.

Bobby reveals his path from bootstrapping his business to building one of the largest steel erection companies in the world, sharing how multiple life-threatening health crises transformed both his personal outlook and business approach.

The conversation shifts from business strategies to profound personal reflection as Bobby opens up about facing mortality through multiple strokes and a heart attack that left him partially disabled and questioning his worth as a leader, husband, and father.

Rather than focusing solely on business tactics, Charles and Bobby explore how vulnerability and self-belief become essential components of both personal recovery and business growth.
Together, they challenge conventional entrepreneurial wisdom, emphasizing that true success comes from learning from failures and sharing those lessons with others—what Bobby calls paying the "dummy tax."

Key Takeaways:
* Why bootstrapping creates more resilient business owners than seeking venture capital
* How near-death experiences can reveal your true purpose in business and life
* The operational excellence formula that transformed Bobby's company into an industry leader
* How embracing personal vulnerability after health setbacks can become an unexpected source of strength

Head over to https://provenpodcast.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
02:13 - The Dummy Tax Philosophy: Bobby explains his core business philosophy: "Dummy tax. I made the mistakes learned from me, right? Like, and you know, it started anybody in business, if you're not failing, you should be because that's the only way you're learning."
06:00 - The Scale of Success: Bobby reveals the impressive scale of his business achievements: "We develop that business into also manufacturing and engineering and design... We're the largest purchaser of fabricated steel in North America."
09:44 - The Problem with VC Funding: Bobby shares his strong view on bootstrapping vs. seeking investors: "When you take on capital, the problem with that is, is you're creating a crutch with the capital you're taking on because you're not going through the heartache of running a business and learning how to grow."
13:01 - The True Entrepreneur Test: Bobby explains how to identify real entrepreneurs: "It's very simple. What are you doing in the face of diversity? It starts there. When that adversity hits you, what are your actions? Either you're sticking your head in the sand or you're pulling yourself by your bootstraps."
35:53 - The Health Crisis Reality: Bobby opens up about his devastating health challenges: "When I had my stroke, I lost a whole left side of my body, like I couldn't move my face... that was the first time in my life, like, I felt real fear, you know, like, I was like, holy shit, like, this is, this is real."
37:46 - Wrestling with Unworthiness: Bobby reveals his deeper struggles after health setbacks: "You have a lot of, you know, self-awareness that comes about you through that... You start to question things and you go through so many emotions of, you know, am I really the strong? Should I really be doing this? I'm not worthy? I'm not good enough for my wife. I'm not good enough for my kids."
50:02 - Finding Purpose Through Pain: Bobby shares how he found meaning after his health crises: "I have more to do. I have more to do. I know that I've been gifted with a gift in a lot of ways. I've been gifted with a gift that I need to give back to people... if my survival through what I went through is that gift that I need to give back, that I need to give that back until it's done."