Best Ben There Done Matt Podcasts (2025)

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#165: America's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Threat - Retired US Army Inspector General Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith 44:24

3d ago44:24

44:24

The biggest threat to America today is too often the one we think about the least. Nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare has been around for decades and the effects of an NBC attack on the homeland or American interests abroad is a very real scenario. Retired Lt. Gen Leslie Smith spent a career in the Army as a Chemical Officer. He served as th…

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#164: By All Means Available - Former Undersecretary Of Defense For Intelligence Michael Vickers 1:36:37

10d ago1:36:37

1:36:37

The directive given to our Green Berets is to win by All Means Available. To do so, requires a combination of ingenuity, understanding the environment, a clear plan and precision execution. Mike Vickers built a career on winning America’s shadow wars by All Means Available. Mike started his career as both a non-commissioned and commissioned officer…

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Embracing AI in accounting with Ben Stein 50:33

12d ago50:33

50:33

Scaling a business isn’t just about growth; it’s about building the right systems and empowering your team to thrive. Ben Stein, CEO of Keeper, made the transition from fractional CFO to scaling a global business by focusing on efficiency, technology, and creating a culture of accountability.In this episode, Ben shares key lessons from growing Keep…

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#163: America's Only Special Forces - Green Beret Foundation Chairman Ken Tovo & Board Member Chris Robinette 18:26

24d ago18:26

18:26

Green Berets solve complex challenges in service because they’re informed. Yet when they transition out, the civilian world often leaves them looking for answers. The Green Beret Foundation stands ready to ensure our nation's most elite soldiers continue to succeed post service. From the sidelines of the Stars and Stripes Classic, the first ever la…

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Building a company, not a firm with Dave Olsen 51:48

27d ago51:48

51:48

Success in business hinges not only on numbers and processes but also on vision, strategy, and the right team. Dave Olsen, the CEO of Nimbl, discovered that true scaling requires more than individual effort. His journey from the Big Four to becoming a fractional CFO revealed that structuring a company for sustainable growth is crucial for creating …

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Santa Monica x Los Angeles: Collaboration to Solve Homelessness, Community Safety & more 24:44

27d ago24:44

24:44

In this powerful episode, Evan Meyer sits down with Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete and Los Angeles Councilmember Traci Park to explore how two neighboring cities are breaking down silos to address homelessness, emergency response, and community safety. From invisible borders on the beach to upcoming global events like the Olympics, this conversati…

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#162: Break The System - Representative Jake Ellzey (TX-6) 47:28

1M ago47:28

47:28

Congress holds the power of the purse. The United States Government is the largest business in the world, but to conduct business - and national security - Congress has to approve the funds and the money. Representative Jake Ellzey is now a 3-term Congressman representing Texas’s 6th District. He’s a Naval Academy graduate, a helicopter and fighter…

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Leading the shift to AI-first accounting with Jody Padar 52:27

1M ago52:27

52:27

Building a successful firm requires more than just number-crunching; it demands foresight, adaptability, and a willingness to innovate. For the Radical CPA, Jody Padar, embracing the ever-changing landscape of accounting has been crucial. From pioneering cloud accounting to mentoring others in adopting technology, Jody’s career is a testament to tr…

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#161: Don't Bet Against America - Representative Don Davis (NC-1) 44:11

2M ago44:11

44:11

Veterans are once again dominating Congress. The start of the 119th Congress has 100 Veterans across both sides of the aisle. Veterans by and large focus on teamwork and getting results. To kick off the excitement behind the new Congress, Fran Racioppi spent a few snowy days on Capitol Hill with the members of the For Country Caucus; a bi-partisan …

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What Accounting Firms Can Learn from Orthodontics 40:17

2M ago40:17

40:17

Running a business takes more than just expertise—it takes vision, resilience, and the ability to adapt. For Dr. Christian Johnson, Board-Certified Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist, that adaptability has been key. From balancing the demands of a student-athlete to launching her own practice while still working as an associate, she’s built a caree…

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#160: Is The US Army Ready? 15th Sergeant Major Of The Army Dan Dailey 1:15:44

2M ago1:15:44

1:15:44

Readiness is the ability to close with and destroy any enemy, anywhere, anytime. The role of the Sergeant Major of the Army is to ensure readiness. Command Sergeant Major Dan Dailey was the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army and the youngest Soldier to ever hold the position. Today, he is the Vice President of Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Progr…

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#159: America Is Vulnerable - Representative August Pfluger (TX-11) 16:22

2M ago16:22

16:22

Threats to America are at an all time high. Our national security and law enforcement professionals have warned us. Our military leaders are preparing for anything and everything. Representative August Pfluger is the chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. He is now a 3-term Congressman representing Texa…

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Entrepreneurs & Government - CA Fires, AI, Regulation, Prop 13 | Senator Ben Allen 58:46

2M ago58:46

58:46

Join us for an insightful conversation with California State Senator Ben Allen as he discusses the complexities of governing through crises, including the devastating wildfires affecting California communities. Senator Allen shares his firsthand experiences and challenges of managing disaster recovery, addressing bureaucratic inefficiencies, and th…

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Building a profitable firm you can grow with Joe Woodard 49:54

2M ago49:54

49:54

Running a firm takes more than expertise—it takes strategy, leadership, and the right mindset to scale. For Joe Woodard, CEO of Woodard, that mindset has been key. After starting as a practitioner, he built a career helping accountants break free from underpricing, inefficient processes, and technician thinking. He’s seen firsthand that success isn…

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#158: All or Nothing Won't Work - Representative Jason Crow (CO-6) 33:30

2M ago33:30

33:30

The job of America’s elected leaders is to get things done. The democratic process isn’t always pretty and almost never leaves everyone happy; but the effectiveness of our government and America’s stature as the world’s dominant superpower rest on Congress’s ability to find common ground on the issues. Representative Jason Crow served in the United…

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How AI is reshaping accounting with Sasha Orloff 1:00:07

3M ago1:00:07

1:00:07

Accounting is no longer just about tracking numbers. It’s about delivering real financial insights, making better decisions, and shaping the future of businesses. For Sasha Orloff, CEO and Co-Founder of Puzzle, that future is AI-native. After years of working in fintech and scaling financial services, he saw firsthand how accounting could be transf…

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#157: War Is Failure - Retired Sergeant Major John McPhee 43:23

3M ago43:23

43:23

Serving in Special Forces isn’t supposed to be easy. In fact, becoming a Green Beret is rewarding because it’s supposed to be hard. If it was easy, anyone could do it; but not everyone can, or should, be considered elite. Retired Sergeant Major John McPhee is one of America’s most distinguished and experienced Special Operators. For decades he led …

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Breaking the Accounting Growth Barrier 0:51

3M ago0:51

0:51

Most accounting firms never grow past a few hundred thousand dollars. They get stuck in manual work and outdated processes, making it nearly impossible to scale. But what if you could break through that ceiling?For accounting firm owners looking to grow beyond seven figures, the challenge isn’t just getting there—it’s what comes next. In this episo…

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#156: Integrated Deterrence - Lt. Gen. E. John Deedrick, Former Commander 1st Special Forces Command & Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan 55:40

3M ago55:40

55:40

Retired Lt. Gen. E. John Deedrick served as the final commander of the Combined Security Transition Command –Afghanistan (CSTC-A). He also held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Security Assistance (DCOS SA) at the Headquarters of Resolute Support; the NATO mission in Afghanistan. He was the United States Military Representative to NATO and…

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The roadmap to selling your business with Alexis Grant 47:36

3M ago47:36

47:36

Building a business isn’t just about hitting revenue milestones.It’s about knowing when to scale, when to sell, and how to maximize value. For Alexis Grant, Founder & CEO of They Got Acquired, the journey to helping entrepreneurs navigate acquisitions started with her own experiences selling two media businesses. She realized that many founders, es…

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#155: Veterans Don't Need Pity - University of Health & Performance Founder and CEO Matt Hesse 39:13

3M ago39:13

39:13

Transition back to civilian life is the biggest challenge our service men and women will face in their military careers. America invests millions in training our warfighters to be the most competent in the world. That investment shouldn’t end when the uniform comes off. The Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation…

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The art of scaling with purpose with Abhik Pramanik 47:07

3M ago47:07

47:07

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a product. It’s about building a culture and a vision that lasts. For Abhik Pramanik, Co-Founder & VP of Engineering of Ashby, the journey to creating a company wasn’t a straight path. From working in visual effects at Industrial Light & Magic to the world of entrepreneurship, Abhik learned firsthand that …

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From Tech Entrepreneur to Mayor of San Jose: Rebuilding trust in Government with Innovation | Mayor Matt Mahan 38:24

3M ago38:24

38:24

Join us for an enlightening conversation with the Mayor of San Jose, as he discusses his journey from the private sector to public office. Discover the nuances between running a business and managing a city, and learn about the challenges and strategies in tackling issues like homelessness, public safety, and civic engagement. Get an inside look at…

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#154: I Didn't Want To Be It - Leading Through The Boston Marathon Bombing - Boston Police Chief Daniel Linskey 1:49:12

4M ago1:49:12

1:49:12

Targeted violence, domestic terrorism and international terrorism are changing. In the past, America has been the victim of large scale coordinated attacks. Today, acts of mass violence are as simple as cars, fireworks and household items. On April 15, 2013 two terrorists blew up homemade bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Three innoc…

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Scaling smarter, not harder with Wiley Jones 41:45

4M ago41:45

41:45

Turning challenges into opportunities is the foundation of every great business. Wiley Jones’s journey to entrepreneurship wasn’t driven by a dream to start a company—it was a relentless need to solve a problem. As CEO and co-founder of Doss, Wiley turned his background as an electrical engineer into a mission to address inefficiencies he encounter…

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Civility amongst Crisis: Shola Richards on the LA Fires, Intellectual Humility, Cognitive Bias 58:56

4M ago58:56

58:56

Navigating Civility: A Deep Dive with Shola Richards Join me and special guest Shola Richards as we discuss the importance of civility in today's world. Shola shares insights from his latest book, 'Civil Unity,' and reflects on its relevance to relationships, workplace environments, and social media conduct. We touch on Shola's testimony before Con…

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#153: Deter, Defend, Defeat - US Army Europe-Africa Command Sergeant Major Jeremiah Inman (80th Anniversary D-Day Series) 19:46

4M ago19:46

19:46

The United States Army invaded Europe in 1944 and has never left. America’s forward projection of its military was instrumental in the stabilization of Europe and the establishment of the world order that has existed since the end of World War II. A critical piece of American power is US Army Europe-Africa; a command responsible for over 37,000 sol…

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#152: Cancer Doesn't Care If You're A Bad**s - Team Maureen Board Members Daniel Linskey, Kelly Welch, and Dr. Emily Penick 33:37

4M ago33:37

33:37

The health of our military service members and our Veterans is always a top line issue. Many suffer from illness and injury as a result of their service; and most are believed to be at higher risk for chronic sickness. Some of which is fortunately preventable. Cancer is a top concern for much of the military community. To dig into the increased ris…

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A billion-dollar enterprise built on empathy and grit with Robert Irvine 59:21

4M ago59:21

59:21

A true leader leads with empathy, while a true entrepreneur perseveres with grit. In this episode, Robert Irvine, world-renowned chef, entrepreneur, and host of Restaurant: Impossible, has taken on the challenge of growing multiple businesses in diverse fields—from food to technology. With more than 8,000 employees and 14 companies, Robert shares t…

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#151: Strength Is Power - Georgia Congressman Rich McCormick 51:34

5M ago51:34

51:34

Voting is a foundation of democracy and key to American power, but also a process that can be ugly and divisive. In what many believe to be the most politically charged election period in modern history, Fran Racioppi took a few minutes to sit down with Congressman Rich McCormick, Representative for Georgia’s 7th district. Representative McCormick …

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#150: Supporting Green Berets Of Every Generation - Green Beret Foundation President & CEO Charlie Iacono 40:41

5M ago40:41

40:41

Charlie Iacono is the President and CEO of Green Beret Foundation. Almost two years into his tenure, Charlie is pushing the foundation, and its staff, to become the premier charitable organization supporting America’s most important asset; our US Army Green Berets. Charlie joined joined Fran Racioppi from what may be his biggest brain child yet; th…

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What I learned about leadership in 2024 27:18

5M ago27:18

27:18

The journey to building and scaling a successful business is messy, challenging, and full of lessons. In this special episode of After the First Million, we reflect on the most impactful conversations from the past year, highlighting the key themes that define the entrepreneurial journey. A special thanks to our guests who joined us this year: Tiff…

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#149: AIRBORNE - US Army Golden Knights Lieutenant Colonel Andy Moffit & Command Sergeant Major Adam Breeding (D-Day 80th Anniversary Series) 32:44

5M ago32:44

32:44

Airborne operations were an essential component of the Allied invasion. And since D-Day, the US Army has stood ready to drop airborne forces anywhere in the world at any time. The US Army Golden Knights are America’s most proficient parachutists. Led at the time of this recording by Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel Andy Moffit and Command Sergeant Ma…

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#148: America's Grey War - Former Boeing Chief Security Officer and President of Hostage US Dave Komendat 1:26:55

5M ago1:26:55

1:26:55

National security isn’t led solely by government entities and the military. Public-private sector partnerships often drive many of our national security decisions. To dig into the importance of the private sector in defense of America, Fran Racioppi sat down with Dave Komendat; a 36-year Veteran of Boeing; one of the world’s largest defense contrac…

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From 21 to 500 Employees: Lessons on Scaling with Chad Peterman 39:06

5M ago39:06

39:06

Writing down your vision sets the course, but communicating it is what gets everyone on board. Chad Peterman knows this well. As President and CEO of Peterman Brothers, he focused on building a strong company culture. This helped scale the family business from 21 employees to over 500 across four states—Peterman Brothers is now one of the fastest-g…

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Politics, Perspectives, & Progress - A Path Forward | Entrepreneur - Artist - Visionary, Ruben Rojas 1:05:25

5M ago1:05:25

1:05:25

Join me as I sit down with visionary artist and activist Ruben Rojas to explore how we can bridge divides, embrace new perspectives, and bring a spirit of civility into our polarized world. In this candid conversation, we discuss the power of reframing narratives, fostering empathy, and focusing on actionable ways to create meaningful change in our…

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Investing In America's Military Infrastructure: Jumping In With Arkansas Senator John Boozman 15:09

6M ago15:09

15:09

On Veterans Day we celebrate our military from every service and every generation. Freedom requires people of character to stand up for America…no matter the challenge. This Veterans Day, the Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation are proud to announce our partnership with the University of Health and Performanc…

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The lawyer who created a billion-dollar industry with Brian Powers 44:02

6M ago44:02

44:02

Scaling is simple: it’s about doing what works, over and over again. In this episode, Brian Powers shares how he applied this strategy to scale his company, PactSafe (now Ironclad), a tech startup that became a $15 billion market leader. He talks about the challenge of transitioning from a structured legal career to the unpredictable world of tech …

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Arkansas Is Open For Veterans: Jumping In with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders 8:48

6M ago8:48

8:48

On Veterans Day we celebrate our military from every service and every generation. Freedom requires people of character to stand up for America…no matter the challenge. This Veterans Day, the Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation are proud to announce our partnership with the University of Health and Performanc…

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#147: Hostage Diplomacy: Surviving Venezuelan Captivity - Former Wrongful Detainee Jose Pereira of the Citgo 6 54:30

6M ago54:30

54:30

Hostage diplomacy is an ugly game. For decades America’s adversaries have imprisoned US citizens in an effort to leverage diplomatic, economic or military advantage. These cases range from exaggerated charges, to disproportionate penalties, to outright lies. Each case is different. And each case affects both the lives of the incarcerated, their fam…

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Key characteristics of successful founders with Rich Hagberg 40:44

6M ago40:44

40:44

“If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” To succeed, founders need to keep on learning and evolving. Drawing from over four decades of coaching experience, Rich Hagberg breaks down the key traits that differentiate successful founders from unsuccessful ones. Rich also shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, and how he founded the Hagber…

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Nobody Is Coming To Save You: Jumping In With Green Beret Scott Mann 26:09

6M ago26:09

26:09

Nobody’s coming to save you. It’s a simple phrase, but one that can mean the difference between success and failure. Elite performers know that when it’s time to take action, they need to be ready to execute with precision and without excuse. Scott Mann is a retired Special Forces Officer, the architect of Operation Pineapple Express, and a leader …

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Leading as your authentic self with Adam Weber 42:18

7M ago42:18

42:18

Authentic leadership involves balancing composure with vulnerability. Like all founders, Adam Weber started out as a “clunky” leader, unsure of what strategies to use to rally his team. From his experience co-founding Bluebridge and Emplify (which was acquired by 15Five), Adam shares his growth as an executive, the challenges of building a transpar…

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Solutions Not Problems: Jumping In With Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) 17:33

7M ago17:33

17:33

Everyone has a top button item this election cycle. For some it’s the economy. For others its national defense or healthcare. For Congressman Tony Gonzales it’s the US southern border and immigration. Representative Gonzales is responsible for Texas’s 23rd district, a district that contains over 800 miles of the US-Mexico border, and by many accoun…

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#146: From Jedburgh To Green Beret - 1st Special Forces Command CSM David Waldo & CW5 Felix Mosqueda 44:32

7M ago44:32

44:32

The United States Army Special Forces command teams are composed of a commissioned officer, a warrant officer and senior non-commissioned officer. A model has evolved over time and is tributed with being a key component to success on the battlefield of yesterday and today. To break down just Army Special Forces balances strategy, experience and tea…

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The art of evolution and calculated risk with Sharon Rechter 27:15

7M ago27:15

27:15

Entrepreneurs never back down from challenges. We embrace it. In this episode, Sharon Rechter shares her challenging journey of starting her own cable network, First Media, while being dyslexic. Throughout our conversation, you’ll notice the prevalent theme of evolving as a company and adapting to change. Sharon shares lessons learned, like embraci…

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Congress Supports Veterans: Jumping In With Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-1) 9:00

7M ago9:00

9:00

Supporting our veterans is a commitment that transcends politics—it’s a matter of national honor. In this episode, host Fran Racioppi sits down with Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a 24-year Army Reserve veteran and representative for Iowa's First Congressional District. Together, they explore critical issues facing veterans today, includin…

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#145: Today's SOF Challenge - US Army Special Operations Command Commanding General LTG John Braga 1:04:46

8M ago1:04:46

1:04:46

Army Special Operations Forces are led by LTG John Braga, Commander of United States Army Special Operations Command. General Braga and Creator and Host Fran Racioppi stormed the Utah Beach Communication Bunker responsible for the coordination of German defenses and later the facilitation of the largest amphibious assault in history. From this icon…

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Building up a community while growing a company with Sims Foster 35:42

8M ago35:42

35:42

Success in entrepreneurship often stems from having a strong 'why’. For Sims Foster, his deep connection with his hometown drove him forward. In this episode, Sims opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, from selling door-to-door as a kid to managing Foster Supply Hospitality with his wife. He shares insights on balancing a day job while growin…

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Balancing Urban & Rural Policy in California Government | Mayor Pro Tem Rocky Rhodes, Simi Valley 1:00:06

8M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

The Journey of Rocky Rhodes - From Tech to Coffee and Public Service Join us for an engaging conversation with Mayor Pro Tem Rocky Rhodes of Simi Valley, California, as we explore his unique journey from the high-tech industry to founding a coffee business and eventually delving into public service. This episode dives into the principles of compass…

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Ben There Done Matt Podcasts

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