Ameen Fadel started Cedar Valley with $3,000 and a bottle of his mom’s legendary fattoush dressing. What began as a side hustle in high school has since evolved into a fast-growing national brand; and not by accident.

In this episode, Joe and Ameen dive into the mindset shifts, family dynamics, and gut-check moments that led to Cedar Valley’s pivot from salad dressings to pita chip dominance.

They explore what it means to scale with focus, why comparison is the thief of joy, and how Ameen’s partnership with his mom (both in business and in values) is the secret ingredient behind their success. Whether you're a founder, a dreamer, or someone in the middle of a tough decision, this is the kind of conversation that gets under the surface.

In this powerful episode of Sage Against the Machine, Joe sits down with Dale, co-owner of two Club Pilates studios in Windsor Ontario, for a deep dive into the mental and emotional terrain of entrepreneurship.

They explore how Dale protects his energy as a hyper-vigilant leader, how his partnership with his wife Sarah evolved through growing their business, and how they’ve created a judgment-free space that’s transforming lives; one class at a time. From personal health wake-up calls to team-building philosophies, this episode is packed with wisdom for anyone building something meaningful.

Plus: the surprising power of stillness, the truth about micro-managing, and why community beats ego every time.

In this grounded episode of Sage Against the Machine, Joe reconnects with longtime friend and AlphaKOR president Frank Abbruzzese. What begins as a chat about Frank’s new book, Building Legacies, turns into a reflective journey across decades of leadership, humility, and human connection. Frank shares how a childhood on a roadside fruit stand shaped his views on service, how over a decade of blogging pushed him out of his comfort zone, and why letting go is one of the greatest acts of trust a leader can make. Packed with personal stories, lessons on communication, and a peek into the community he’s built with Wednesday Wisdom, this episode is a masterclass in leading with intention... and heart.

In this heartfelt conversation with Amanda Gellman (a lifelong community builder, nonprofit leader, and passionate advocate for the arts), Joe explores what it really means to serve. They dig into Amanda’s journey from Newfoundland to Windsor, and the winding path that led her to revitalize a downtown film center in Windsor, ON. From mental health to human trafficking, from economic revitalization to art as activism, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the best outcomes come from the plans that don’t work out.

Most people think of accountants as necessary evils; cold calculators of taxes owed and deductions missed. But in this episode of Sage Against the Machine, Joe sits down with financial coach and accountant Moe Mustapha to blow up that stereotype.

They explore what it means to create a judgment-free space around money, why most business owners are operating on emotional autopilot, and how the Profit First system can transform not only your books, but your mindset. Whether you’re running a multimillion-dollar business or filing personal taxes at the last minute, this is a vulnerable, empowering, and deeply human conversation about learning to actually own your finances.