Tag: Podcast

JR Lay on Reinvention, Alignment, and Leaving a Legacy (Ep. 86)

JR Lay on Reinvention, Alignment, and Leaving a Legacy (Ep. 86)

He started a business at 19 to impress a girl. That girl became his wife, and the business became the foundation for a powerful entrepreneurial journey spanning over two decades.

In this release, Bryan Sweet sits down with JR Lay, bestselling author, global keynote speaker, and founder of Level Up Business. From early success and personal setbacks to family alignment and faith-fueled decisions, JR shares how he’s transforming hard-earned wisdom into his next big leap.

You’ll hear:

  • Why success without alignment creates internal conflict
  • How fear of judgment and fear of success keep entrepreneurs stuck
  • The five “fires of fear” and how to move through them
  • How video content can become a long-lasting legacy asset
  • And more!

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

Connect With James Robert (JR) Lay:

About Our Guest:

James Robert Lay is one of the world’s leading digital marketing authors, speakers, and advisors for financial brands. As a digital anthropologist based in Houston, TX, James Robert is the author of the bestselling book, Banking on Digital Growth. He is also the founder and CEO of the Digital Growth Institute, where he has guided more than 520 financial brands on a mission to simplify digital marketing and sales strategies that empower banks and credit unions to generate 10X more loans and deposits.

James Robert has been named one of the Financial Brand‘s “Top Global Financial Services Influencers to Follow,” a CUNA “Credit Union Rock Star,” and a CU Times “Under 40 Trailblazer.” His insights have been featured in leading media outlets including Entrepreneur.com, US News and World Report, Quartz, The Financial Brand, American Banker, CU Times, and CU Journal, among many others, and he frequently shares his research and insights at industry events and universities throughout the United States. 

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on the show are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors.

Doc Sangani’s Unconventional Blueprint for Fulfillment (Ep. 85)

Doc Sangani’s Unconventional Blueprint for Fulfillment (Ep. 85)

In this episode of The Dream Architect Life, Bryan Sweet welcomes Dr. Bharat “Doc” Sangani, a cardiologist who came to the U.S. from Mumbai with just $10.45 and went on to build a $2 billion private equity firm. From medicine to franchising to real estate, Doc shares how belief, effort, and a few exceptional decisions shaped his journey.

He emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes, overcoming fear with preparation, and the power of seeking out mentors. Doc’s advice is practical: live below your means, plan for the worst, and stay committed to what you believe in.

The conversation also explores his deeper philosophy—seeing life as a gift and removing yourself from the center of it to gain clarity and peace. With humor and humility, Doc delivers insights on success, simplicity, and staying true to your values.

Expect insights on:

  • How fear can fuel vision, not paralyze it
  • Why belief and effort matter more than perfection
  • Doc’s framework for quantifying happiness
  • The power of mentorship, humility, and surrender
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

Connect With Dr. Bharat Sangani:

About Our Guest:

Bharat Sangani, MD, Encore’s Chairman and CEO, co-founded the firm in 1999 as a vehicle for investors to share in the success of his real estate deals. “Doc,” as he is known by both clients and co-workers, made his first investment in real estate in 1991. He quickly learned he had a natural instinct for commercial real estate investing and began growing his portfolio. Over the 30 years that followed, Doc has established a successful private commercial real estate investment and development firm with a proven track record across multiple sectors throughout the United States. 

Admired for his relentless work ethic, Doc, along with a team of experienced, results-driven, and forward-thinking individuals, leads Encore on the principles of honesty, integrity, and fairness. Doc sits on the Board of Directors of Encore Enterprises, Inc., and Encore Properties, Ltd. He is an active contributor to the community and is involved in various charities both locally and in India.

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on the show are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors.

Chapter Nine: Overcoming Limits to Create Your Best Retirement (Ep.78)

Chapter Nine: Overcoming Limits to Create Your Best Retirement (Ep.78)

What does it truly mean to dream big? How can you shatter your limiting beliefs to reach new heights in retirement? 

Brittany shares inspiring stories and insights, encouraging you to harness your mindset to conquer what seems impossible. Learn how the bravery of individuals like Christopher Reeve can inspire you to chart a course for your biggest dreams, while practical advice on dealing with life transitions nurtures your personal growth. 

You have the power to decide what your future holds, and it’s time to embrace opportunities that are just beyond your current reach.

This episode’s highlights include:

  • The significance of dreaming beyond current capabilities [00:03:00]
  • Building self-confidence to fuel your big dreams [00:04:00]
  • Why major life transitions can become turning points [00:09:00]
  • The role of mentors and supportive networks [00:16:00]
  • Steps to align your financial plans with your dreams [00:13:00]
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

  • 1 (507) 235-5587
  • meetingwithsweet.com
  • meetingwithamber.com
  • Sweet Financial
  • LinkedIn: Bryan Sweet
  • LinkedIn: Brittany Anderson
  • Facebook: Sweet Financial Partners
  • 📖 Get our book, “Dream Architecture” here

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on the show are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors.

Chapter Eight: Turning Your Dreams Into Reality (Ep.77)

Chapter Eight: Turning Your Dreams Into Reality (Ep.77)

What if retirement wasn’t just about slowing down, but rather speeding up to live out the dreams you’ve always had?

Join Bryan Sweet, CLU®, ChFC®, as he reveals key strategies to build confidence in your financial future. Through smart planning and a focus on what truly matters, he’ll help you create a fulfilling and secure retirement.

With insights from Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin P. Hardy, Bryan challenges the common notion of retirement being a slow phase and instead portrays it as an exciting time to pursue significant life goals. Whether it’s opening a new business or traveling the globe, it’s never too late to dream big and plan wisely.

Key highlights in this chapter include:

  • How focusing on life goals complements financial planning [00:01:00]
  • The pitfalls of early retirement without proper planning [00:03:00]
  • Harnessing the power of planning and achieving small wins [00:08:00]
  • Strategies to build self-confidence and avoid comparing yourself to others [00:14:00]
  • And more!

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on the show are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors.

Chapter Seven: Navigating Uncertainty and Adversity (Ep.76)

Chapter Seven: Navigating Uncertainty and Adversity (Ep.76)

Are life’s curveballs throwing you off balance? 

Today’s episode features Chapter Seven of our audiobook, Dream Architecture: Build a Retirement Beyond What’s Possible, and takes you through the art of navigating uncertainty with grace and resilience.

Join Brittany Anderson from Sweet Financial Partners as she explores how a positive mindset isn’t just feel-good fluff—it’s a powerful tool to help you stay the course and achieve your dreams. Discover transformative insights and practical steps on how to reframe negative experiences into growth opportunities.

Key points in this chapter include:

  • The surprising link between attitude and health benefits [00:03:30]
  • How gratitude and a shift in perspective can turn challenges into stepping stones [00:04:15]
  • Empowering strategies to maintain a positive outlook during financial downturns [00:18:45]
  • The “Experience Transformer” method for turning setbacks into setups for future success [00:12:45]
  • And more!

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

The opinions voiced in The Dream Architect Life Podcast with Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on the show are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM, LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors.

REPLAY: Navigating Uncertainty and Adversity In The Current Age

REPLAY: Navigating Uncertainty and Adversity In The Current Age

It’s time to hit replay on an episode that covers an increasingly relevant topic in today’s digital age: uncertainty and adversity.

Fear can paralyze us and prevent us from achieving our dreams. That’s why we want to share these practical steps on focusing on what you CAN control, using visualization, and seeking positive influences to stay motivated. 

By tuning in, gain clarity on:

  • Focusing on what you can control and what you can do to reduce fear and anxiety
  • Surrounding yourself with positive influences and limiting exposure to negative media
  • Take small, actionable steps toward your dreams, like researching travel destinations or talking to professionals
  • How visualization can be a powerful tool in staying motivated and excited about your future

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

Why High Net Worth Individuals Need Cybersecurity With Scott Augenbaum & Kevin Donahue (Ep.65)

Why High Net Worth Individuals Need Cybersecurity With Scott Augenbaum & Kevin Donahue (Ep.65)

Your family’s wealth and personal information could be more vulnerable to cyber criminals than you think. Are your family and finances truly safe from these evolving threats?

This episode provides essential insights into how you can safeguard against these invisible threats that could jeopardize your financial security. 

This episode features Scott Augenbaum, a former FBI expert in cybercrime, and Kevin Donahue, a specialist in cybersecurity for high-net-worth individuals. They share real-life stories, actionable insights, and essential strategies for safeguarding your wealth and personal info from cyber threats. Whether it’s phishing scams, password security, or even social engineering, this episode equips you to take control of your cybersecurity.

Key episode discussions include:

  • The different types of cyber threats including email phishing, smishing, and QR code phishing
  • Why using unique passwords and two-factor authentication can be your first line of defense
  • Real-life stories of huge financial losses due to cyber scams, and how they could have been prevented
  • Proactive steps to safeguard your family and information, from monitoring the dark web to implementing a family code word

Resources: 

Connect With Scott Augenbaum & Kevin Donahue:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guests:

Scott Augenbaum

With over 30 years of FBI experience in cybercrime investigations and author of “The Secret to Cybersecurity,” Scott brings unparalleled insights and practical strategies to prevent cyber threats. Scott is the foremost expert in educating businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and families on the current threat environment.  Scott focuses on how to prevent a cyber threat because after investigating over 1,000 cyber crimes, he knows all too well that recovering stolen money and data is almost impossible.   In addition to his experience with the FBI, Scott is called on by Fox News, USA Today, News Max, and many other major media outlets as their resident cybersecurity expert.

Kevin Donahue

Kevin has 25 years of experience working in enterprise technology solutions, cybersecurity, and with high-net-worth individuals as an executive and entrepreneur.  Kevin’s clients have included the White House, National Security Counsel, CIA, US Secret Service, World Bank, US Department of Homeland Security, and many more high-profile organizations and has worked on some of the highest-profile investigations in the past 20 years.   Kevin is the founder of Stealth Executive/ Stealth Family and together with his partner Scott Augenbaum is on a mission to help protect 1,000,000 families from being victims of cyber criminals. 

Rewiring Your Brain for Post-Retirement Happiness With Brian Grasso (Ep.62)

Rewiring Your Brain for Post-Retirement Happiness With Brian Grasso (Ep.62)

Understanding the real mechanics behind mindset and how to control it instead of letting it control you can lead to meaningful, lasting change.

Come along as Brittany Anderson is joined by elite performance coach, Brian Grasso. Together they delve into how understanding the mechanics of mindset—beyond just positive thinking—can redefine your approach to life’s transitions like retirement or selling a business. 

Learn practical tools for creating a new self-identity, overcoming imposter syndrome, and sustaining your breakthrough moments.

Top takeaways include:

  • How Mindset is more than just positive thinking; it’s about understanding brain science
  • Why creating a new avatar for yourself can help your brain adapt to new life phases
  • Imposter Syndrome and ways to manage it effectively
  • How to master sustainable mindset habits 
  • And more

Connect With Brian Grasso:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guest:

An 18-year veteran of the sports training industry, Brian worked as a High-Performance Coach for the National Team and professional and Olympic athletes worldwide. He founded the largest youth development educational organizations in the industry, serving as its CEO for nearly 8 years, and co-created one of the fastest-growing sport and fitness franchises in the United States along with it. 

He has guest lectured and keynoted at governmental and private associations around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and throughout North America. Brian authored “The Audacity of Success”, co-authored the bestseller “Total Body Transformation”, wrote and co-produced the landmark short film “Life by Numbers” and has written for magazines around the globe, including Men’s Fitness, Inked, and Bulace. 

His most recent book is called “Mindset Matters Most” and was listed as #1 on the “Personal Development” section at Amazon for a period of 7 weeks after its release. Together with his wife, Carrie Campbell, Brian co-hosted the award-winning livestream, “Brian & Carrie – In the Morning” as well as “Eliminate Your Limits – with Brian & Carrie” which airs in syndication on SiriusXM. 

He currently serves as the Chief Culture Officer for Metaplexus, as well as the Faculty Director for its subsidiary, Virtu Academy. Brian holds a religiously accredited PhD in Pastoral Counseling and currently works as a Business & High-Performance Consultant for several well-known brands in the health and wellness space, working directly with C-Suite Executives. On a personal level, Brian is a competitive powerlifter and holds 2 Arizona State Records in both Squat and Bench Press. For a span of 12 years, he worked as a bodyguard for several A-List celebrities.

Strategic Branding To Create Your Business’ Competitive Advantage With Julie Guest (Ep.61)

Strategic Branding To Create Your Business’ Competitive Advantage With Julie Guest (Ep.61)

Do you want to learn how to embrace major life transitions and become bolder and louder in achieving your dreams?

Brittany Anderson welcomes Julie Guest, a top business strategist and bestselling author. Julie shares her incredible journey from being an attorney to starting a premier marketing agency and offers invaluable insights on how to become bolder and louder in achieving your dreams. 

Learn the secrets behind her transformational marketing strategies, and how you can apply them to overcome limiting beliefs and embrace big change. 

Episode discussion points include:

  •  Julie Guest’s journey from attorney to top business strategist
  •  The power of overcoming limiting beliefs and embracing big changes
  •  Strategies for creating impactful marketing that stands out
  •  The importance of surrounding yourself with big thinkers and taking decisive action
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Julie Guest:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guest:

Julie Guest is one of America’s top business strategists, a former attorney, and a best-selling author. She is the CEO of Bolder&Louder and Premier Physician Marketing, full-service marketing agencies specializing in transformational strategy, expert branding, and building marketing engines to maximize new client and patient acquisition.

Julie has consulted with, reinvented, and repositioned, hundreds of companies and brands – from Fortune 100 companies to aesthetic medical practices and medical device companies.

In 2012, Julie coauthored a best-selling business book with Brian Tracy, and her contribution won the Editor’s Best Choice Award.

In 2014, Julie’s second book was released,  “67 Marketing Secrets to Ethically Attract New Patients, Make More Money and Grow Your Practice,” written for the medical industry. It has been translated into Brazilian Portuguese and ranked as an Amazon best-seller on three continents.

Her recent book, The Client Stampede is available on Amazon and in all leading bookstores in paperback, audio, and Kindle (Blue Sky Publishers, 2021) Julie is regularly featured in a variety of media including Forbes, ABC, CBS, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Miami Herald, the New York Times, USA Today and many others. 

Julie was born in South Africa, raised in New Zealand, and has called America home since 2005. When she’s not working, Julie can usually be found on horseback, behind the lens of a camera or doing a bit of adventure travel with her family. Julie lives just outside of Raleigh, NC, and divides her time between there and New York.

REPLAY: Creating an Even Bigger Future Than Envisioned With Amber Knips, CFP®, CDFA®, CeFT® (Ep. 58)

REPLAY: Creating an Even Bigger Future Than Envisioned With Amber Knips, CFP®, CDFA®, CeFT® (Ep. 58)

Something every financial planner dreams about doing is helping their retirees achieve a far better retirement than they had ever hoped for.

Our guest, Amber Knips has a lot of experience doing just that.

In this episode, Brittany Anderson chats with Amber Knips, wealth advisor at Sweet Financial, about the biggest obstacles modern-day retirees face and what strategies they can use to mitigate these struggles, both financial and mental.

Amber discusses: 

  • Where she sees retirees getting the most ‘stuck’ and what modern-day obstacles they face the most 
  • How she uses “fear mitigation” with retirees when they are afraid of overspending (and the risk of inexperience because of this fear)
  • What does dreaming big mean to her and how does this mentality apply to retirees like you
  • How to apply the 50/50 retirement approach – the misconception that retirement is either full-time traveling or full-time doing nothing at home
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Amber Knips, CFP®:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Amber Knips:

Amber helps people see possibility through life’s greatest and most challenging transitions.  She is someone who has total passion and conviction for what she does. Using her empathetic and sincere approach, she has made it her mission to build deepened relationships with her clients all while helping them cultivate a financial plan that helps them focus on what they most enjoy. After joining the team at Sweet Financial Partners in 2012, Amber has gained extensive experience and training in guiding women through transitions such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, career change, retirement, and much more. You only experience these life transitions a few times during your lifetime, but she helps people through them every day.