Welcome to The Level Up Podcast with Paul Alex, where real stories fuel real success. Iâm Paul Alex, ex-Detective turned 8-figure entrepreneur. After leaving law enforcement, I built multiple businesses helping everyday people create residual income and freedom on their own terms. This podcast isnât just talk, itâs your weekly dose of mindset, money, and mission-driven motivation. Whether youâre still working your 9-5 or building your first business, every episode is designed to help you sta ...
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Paul Alex Espinoza Podcasts

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How to Spot Fake Gurus and Find Real Mentors
2:58
2:58
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2:58In todayâs world of flashy cars, rented mansions, and âget rich quickâ promises, itâs getting harder than ever to separate real mentors from fake gurus. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, I expose the red flags to watch out for and show you how to find mentors who actually care about your growth. Hereâs what youâll learn: đŠ The #âŚ
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Miamiâs Insurance Queen: How Brianna Built #1 Office From the Ground Up
51:02
51:02
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51:02In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we sit down with Brianna Matthiesen (@brimatthiesen) â Miamiâs Insurance Queen who turned discipline, faith, and relentless focus into the #1 insurance office in Miami. From humble beginnings to building a $60M+ business, Brianna shares how she rose to the top of one of the most competitive induâŚ
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Most entrepreneurs think pivots happen because of failureâbut thatâs not the truth. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, I break down why the best pivots arenât about desperationâtheyâre about strategy. Winners move before theyâre forced to, spot opportunities early, and adapt with confidence. Hereâs what youâll learn: đ Why pivotsâŚ
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Why Busy Doesnât Equal Productive in Entrepreneurship
2:58
2:58
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2:58Too many entrepreneurs wear âbusyâ like a badge of honorâgrinding 16 hours a day but still stuck in the same place. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, I break down why being busy isnât the same as being productiveâand how to shift into results-driven execution. Youâll learn: âą Why tracking results, not hours, is the key to real pâŚ
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Most people think selling high-ticket offers means being aggressive and pushyâbut that couldnât be further from the truth. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, I break down how to attract premium clients without chasing or begging. Youâll learn: đ Why high-ticket clients pay for value, not priceâand how to position yourself as the âŚ
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The Secret to Growing Wealth While You Sleep
2:47
2:47
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2:47If your income stops the moment you stop workingâyou donât have a business, you have a job. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, I reveal the secrets wealthy people use to make money 24/7. Youâll discover: đĄ Why owning assets beats living off paychecks or one-time sales âąď¸ How to leverage other peopleâs time and money to scale fastâŚ
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Why Youâre One Decision Away From Your Next Breakthrough
2:44
2:44
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2:44Most people sit around waiting for the âperfect timeâ to act. But the truth? Success doesnât come from luckâit comes from making the right decision and executing. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, I break down why your next breakthrough is just one decision away. Youâll learn: đ Why waiting until you feel âreadyâ guarantees youââŚ
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From 8th Grade Dropout to Tiny Home Empire: Kyler Kropfâs Roads to 30 Million
40:39
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40:39From an 8th grade dropout to building a $30M+ empire in the tiny home industry, Kyler Kropfâs story is nothing short of extraordinary. đ In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Kyler shares how he went from building a single shed by hand at 20 years old to leading one of the fastest-growing modular and tiny home companies in America. âŚ
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Most entrepreneurs build fragile businesses that collapse under pressureâone bad month, one lost client, or one market shift, and it all falls apart. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Iâm breaking down exactly how to create a bulletproof business model that thrives in any economy. Youâll discover: đ Why recurring revenue is the âŚ
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Why Failure Is Your Fastest Shortcut to Wealth
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2:47
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2:47Most people fear failure like itâs the end of the roadâbut in reality, itâs the fastest way to build wealth. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, I reveal why the most successful entrepreneurs donât run from failureâthey run toward it. Every setback is a lesson, and every lesson gets you closer to your breakthrough. Youâll learn: đâŚ
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From Trader Joeâs to $220K/Month: Luke Dobsonâs INSANE Rise
37:07
37:07
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37:07In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we sit down with Luke Dobson (@lukedobsonn), a 24-year-old entrepreneur who went from stocking shelves at Trader Joeâs to scaling his digital marketing business to $220K a month. đ Luke opens up about overcoming depression, building unshakable habits, and how skill stacking completely changed thâŚ
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Most people think the millionaire mindset is all about waking up at 4 AM, grinding harder, and never stopping. But the truth? Thatâs only half the picture. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, I reveal the lesser-known traits that truly separate millionaires from everyone elseâand itâs not what you think. Youâll discover: đĄ Why chaâŚ
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How to Build Confidence When Youâre Starting From Zero
2:46
2:46
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2:46Every entrepreneur starts at the same placeâzero. No experience, no track record, no validation. But hereâs the truth: confidence isnât something youâre born withâitâs something you build. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, I break down exactly how to create unstoppable confidence when youâre just getting started. Youâll learn: đâŚ
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Why Most Entrepreneurs Canât Scaleâand How You Can
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2:45
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2:45Starting a business is one thingâbut scaling it? Thatâs where most entrepreneurs fail. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down the biggest reasons people stay stuck at the same level and what you can do differently to actually scale. Youâll discover why: đŤ Being the bottleneck kills your growthâand how to fix it ⥠SimpliâŚ
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Most people stay broke not because they lack opportunitiesâbut because they canât stop thinking short-term. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down why chasing fast cash, cutting corners, and avoiding the long game ends up costing more than it pays. Youâll learn why: âł Short-term decisions sabotage long-term wealth đŤ ImpâŚ
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Why Your Success Depends on Doing Less, Not More
2:53
2:53
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2:53Most entrepreneurs think the secret to success is doing moreâmore projects, more tasks, more grind. But the truth? Doing less is what actually creates freedom and results. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down why simplification is the ultimate growth strategy. Youâll discover how to: âď¸ Cut the noise and focus only onâŚ
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Matt Lopez on Violence in America, the Charlotte Train Murder, and Escaping the Badge Through Crypto
1:22:21
1:22:21
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1:22:21In this powerful episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex sits down with former law enforcement officer Matt Lopez to dive into Americaâs escalating violence, the tragic Charlotte Train Murder involving a Ukrainian refugee, and how his own painful experiences in policing led him to build a new path through entrepreneurship and crypto. Matt opens âŚ
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When chaos hits, most people freezeâbut winners rise. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down how to not only survive but thrive when the world is panicking. Paul reveals how to: đ§ Control your mindset when fear takes over đ Spot opportunities where others see problems đŞ Build unshakable confidence to execute under pressâŚ
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Why Your Inner Circle Determines Your Net Worth
2:57
2:57
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2:57đĽ Your environment shapes your success more than you think. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down why your inner circle directly impacts your net worth. If youâre surrounded by complainers, doubters, and people who play smallâyouâll stay stuck. But if you upgrade your circle and surround yourself with winners, everything châŚ
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The Real Difference Between Winning and Losing in Business
2:44
2:44
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2:44Success and failure arenât separated by talentâtheyâre separated by execution. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down the true difference between winners and losers in business. From taking messy action instead of waiting for the âperfect time,â to adapting when setbacks hit, to playing the long game instead of chasing quickâŚ
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đ° If your income is unpredictable, your business isnât stableâitâs a gamble. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down the systems and strategies that turn inconsistent cash flow into predictable revenue. From leveraging recurring income models, to automating sales processes, to tracking the right financial metrics, Paul shows âŚ
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Why Simplicity Beats Complexity in Scaling Businesses
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3:02
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3:02In this solo episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Iâm breaking down one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when trying to grow: overcomplicating everything. đŤ Hereâs what youâll learn: â
Why chasing too many offers and revenue streams kills momentum â
How to build simple systems that scale fast and efficiently â
Why speed and execuâŚ
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Scaling Dental Practices into Millions: Dr. Alex Planesâ Blueprint for Growth
45:20
45:20
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45:20In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we sit down with Dr. Alex Planesâan inspiring entrepreneur who turned humble beginnings and massive adversity into a thriving multiâeight-figure dental empire. From moving to the Dominican Republic at 21 with no clear path, to battling financial stress, rejection, and even discrimination, Dr. PlâŚ
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The Blueprint for Mastering Work-Life Balance
2:59
2:59
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2:59In this solo episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Iâm breaking down a practical blueprint every entrepreneur needs to hear. đĄ Hereâs what youâll learn: â
Why glorifying burnout is destroying your business â
How to schedule everythingâincluding rest, family, and fitnessâfor maximum performance â
The power of saying âNOâ to protect your enerâŚ
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đ Hard work builds momentumâbut your network opens doors you canât unlock alone. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex dives into the power of leveraging relationships to accelerate business and personal growth. From learning how the right connections collapse timelines, to providing value instead of asking for favors, to surrounding yâŚ
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The Future of Entrepreneurship: Mike Koenigs on AI, Branding, and Founder Superpowers
1:26:01
1:26:01
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1:26:01In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we dive deep with Mike Koenigs (@mikekoenigs) â a visionary entrepreneur, bestselling author, and creator of The AI Accelerator. đđĄ Mike shares his powerful insights on: â
How AI is transforming entrepreneurship in 2025 and beyond â
The role of storytelling and branding in building âfounder-ledââŚ
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Why Learning From Competitors Is a Game-Changer
3:14
3:14
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3:14âď¸ Competitors arenât your enemiesâtheyâre your best teachers. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex reveals why studying your competition is one of the smartest moves you can make as an entrepreneur. Instead of wasting energy hating on competitors, Paul explains how to analyze their strengths, learn from their mistakes, and use their âŚ
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The Importance of Mindfulness in High-Stakes Decisions
3:07
3:07
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3:07đ§ââď¸ In business, the biggest winsâand the biggest lossesâcome down to decisions made under pressure. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex reveals why mindfulness is the secret weapon of elite decision-makers. From slowing down when others panic, to stripping emotion out of critical choices, to building confidence through clarity, PauâŚ
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How to Focus on the Right Metrics for Growth
2:51
2:51
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2:51đ Vanity metrics look good on paperâbut they donât build businesses. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down why most entrepreneurs fail by obsessing over likes, followers, and views instead of tracking the numbers that actually matter. From focusing on revenue-driven metrics, to understanding customer lifetime value, to measâŚ
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Why Entrepreneurs Should Celebrate Small Wins
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3:01
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3:01đ Big goals are built on small victoriesâand ignoring them is the fastest path to burnout. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex highlights the power of celebrating small wins on your entrepreneurial journey. From fueling momentum, to building confidence, to staying motivated when progress feels slow, Paul breaks down why recognizing eâŚ
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đ New customers build momentumâbut repeat customers build empires. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex dives into the real science of customer loyalty and retention. While most entrepreneurs obsess over chasing new leads, Paul explains why the real goldmine is in creating repeat buyersâand how to design your business so they keep comâŚ
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How to Turn Customer Complaints Into Opportunities
3:12
3:12
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3:12đ˘ Most business owners dread customer complaintsâbut smart entrepreneurs know theyâre opportunities in disguise. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex explains how to flip negative feedback into growth. From listening instead of reacting, to fixing recurring problems, to turning accountability into loyalty, Paul reveals how handling coâŚ
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Why Generosity Is a Long-Term Growth Strategy
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3:14
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3:14đ¤ Too many entrepreneurs think giving value means losingâbut the truth is, generosity is the ultimate growth hack. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex shares why generosity isnât weaknessâitâs leverage. From building trust through upfront value, to creating loyalty through reciprocity, to playing the long game of impact over transactâŚ
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đ Sticking to a failing plan isnât disciplineâitâs disaster. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex dives into one of the most important skills every entrepreneur must master: knowing when to pivot. From recognizing when the data proves your idea isnât working, to understanding that pivots arenât failures but strategies, Paul breaks dowâŚ
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đ The most powerful asset in business isnât money or productsâitâs your reputation. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down how to build a reputation that speaks for you before you ever enter the room. From delivering results consistently, to showing up with predictability, to letting others become your biggest advocates, PauâŚ
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Why Most People Donât Leverage Their Strengths
6:19
6:19
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6:19đĄ Success isnât about fixing your weaknessesâitâs about doubling down on your strengths. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down why most people stay stuck at average: they focus on becoming âwell-roundedâ instead of going all-in on what they do best. From ignoring natural gifts because they feel âtoo easy,â to wasting time tâŚ
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âď¸ If your business falls apart the moment you step awayâyou donât have a business, you have a job. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex reveals the secret to building true freedom in entrepreneurship: systems. From documenting processes, to automating repetitive tasks, to delegating with precision, Paul breaks down how to create busiâŚ
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The Billionaire Who Risks His Life to Save Trafficked Children ft. Paul Hutchinson
56:21
56:21
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56:21In this powerful episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we sit down with Paul Hutchinson (@liberating.humanity), a billionaire entrepreneur turned undercover operative who left his $50B investment empire to fight child trafficking across the globe.Paul shares the real-life story behind the hit movie Sound of Freedom, detailing how he infiltrâŚ
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đ Most launches fail before they even startânot because the idea was bad, but because the strategy was missing. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex reveals the proven strategies behind every successful launchâwhether itâs a business, product, or new offer. From creating demand before launch day, to building momentum through systems, âŚ
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⥠If your customers canât understand what you do in under 10 seconds, youâve already lost them. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex explains why simplicity is the secret weapon of every successful businessâand why complexity destroys growth faster than competition ever could. From crafting a clear message, to building trust through câŚ
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đ Customers donât just want productsâthey want to feel appreciated. And if they donât? They wonât stick around. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down how to transform your customers from one-time buyers into loyal advocates by making them feel genuinely valued. From shifting focus away from transactions, to using small but âŚ
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From 300 Cold Calls to Fintech Exec: Noor Faith on Fan Basis & Scale
47:15
47:15
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47:15In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we sit down with Noor Faith, executive at Fan Basis, one of the fastest-growing payment processing companies for online entrepreneurs. Noorâs story is a powerful example of resilienceâgoing from grinding out 300 cold calls a day for $300 a week to leading at a fintech startup thatâs changing howâŚ
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Buy Money at a Discount: Surplus Proceeds Explained (Christopher Craig)
51:28
51:28
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51:28Most people have never even heard of surplus proceeds â the life-changing funds left over after a foreclosure auction. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Christopher Craig (@christophercraigofficial) breaks down exactly how this hidden market works and how YOU can tap into it.From knocking on doors the day of the sale to helping âŚ
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If people donât feel urgency, they wonât take actionâand in sales, hesitation kills deals.In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex reveals how to create real scarcity that drives buyers to moveâwithout the fake hype that ruins trust. From using authentic deadlines, to tying scarcity directly to value, to leveraging social proof that creatâŚ
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Why Storytelling Is Your Most Powerful Sales Tool
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3:35đ Facts tell, but stories sell. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down why storytelling is the ultimate tool for sales, influence, and building long-term trust. From sharing his own journeyâworking 80-100 hour weeks in law enforcement to becoming a multi-million dollar entrepreneurâPaul reveals how stories create emotional câŚ
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The Mindset Hacks That Separate Winners From Quitters
3:29
3:29
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3:29Why do some people achieve massive success while others give up? The difference isn't talent, luck, or intelligenceâit's mindset. In this powerful episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down the essential mindset hacks that separate winners from quitters. Learn how to shift from a victim mentality to one of full ownership, embrace the loâŚ
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How to Master the Follow-Up and Close More Deals
3:26
3:26
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3:26đ Most sales arenât lost on the first callâtheyâre lost in the follow-up. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex reveals why the fortune is always in the follow-up and how mastering this skill can put you ahead of 90% of your competition. From staying top of mind with value-driven touchpoints to creating urgency the right way, Paul breaâŚ
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Why You Should Audit Your Time Like You Audit Your Finances
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3:15
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3:15â° You can make back lost moneyâbut youâll never buy back lost time. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex delivers a powerful message every entrepreneur needs to hear: stop treating your time like itâs cheap. Just like you track revenue, expenses, and profits in your business, you need to audit your time to see where itâs really going.âŚ
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The Investor Betting on AI to Protect Students in Schools â Justin Freishtat Explains
33:35
33:35
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33:35In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we sit down with investor and entrepreneur Justin Freishtat (@justinfreishtat) to uncover how artificial intelligence is being used to make schools safer and potentially stop tragedies before they happen. Justin shares his journey from door-to-door sales to becoming an investor in groundbreakingâŚ
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The Funding Secrets Schools Never TeachâBenjetta Exposes the Truth
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47:26
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47:26Schools teach you to get a degree and follow the system, but they donât show you how to build wealth, launch a business, or access real funding. Thatâs where todayâs guest comes in. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Benjetta Steele (@iambenjettatheboss)âCEO and founder of Mother Motivationâreveals how she helps entrepreneurs secâŚ
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