Dreamers don’t fail because they lack ideas. They fail because they don’t have a Driver owning execution.

Today, Phil talks with Stephanie Brackett, COO of Gobundance and a lifelong operations leader who has spent decades turning vision into finished work.

From her early years at Home Depot to scaling real estate teams and executive partnerships, Stephanie has thrived in the second-in-command seat.

The discussion centers on the “dreamer and driver” relationship, why hiring leverage too late quietly taxes growth, and how execution breaks down when founders refuse to give up control.

Stephanie lays out her personal operating system for getting things done (including inbox discipline, task capture, and decision filters) while also naming the emotional and relational realities that make operations work or fail.

A few practical takeaways:

• Why the “dreamer and driver” relationship matters more than org charts or titles

• How waiting to hire operations costs more than the salary itself

• The C-CORE framework for capturing and executing work without mental overload

• Why inbox zero is about decision making, not email management

• How to tell whether a task deserves attention now, later, or never

• The difference between being busy and being dollar productive

• Why great operators are wired to serve, not dominate

If you’re carrying the vision and feeling buried by execution, this episode gives language to what’s missing and how to fix it.

…and if you’re an operator, this conversation will fire you up!

0:00 Intro

0:40 Stephanie’s career path

2:57 Differentiator for success and traits to hire

7:27 Why the Dreamer & Driver relationship matters

9:29 When a small business should hire an operations leader

15:41 Getting things done using C-CORE

19:19 Prioritizing tasks

25:00 Inbox zero

29:56 Calendar categories

33:27 Who her book is for

38:40 The secret sauce: desire to serve

43:04 Zones and matching work to energy

46:49 Bringing operations to the forefront

Resources Mentioned:

📚 Getting Things Done by David Allen

https://gettingthingsdone.com

📚 The One Thing by Gary Keller

https://www.the1thing.com

📚 At Your Best by Carey Nieuwhof

https://careynieuwhof.com/atyourbest

📚 Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters

https://www.eosworldwide.com/rocket-fuel-book

Todoist

https://todoist.com

WHY.os Assessment

https://whyinstitute.com/

Second In Command Club

https://secondincommandclub.com

GoBundance

https://gobundance.com

Follow @PhilOnPurpose

https://www.instagram.com/philonpurpose

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When Jason Duff returned to his hometown, 80% of downtown was vacant. So what did he do?Bought a building, opened a restaurant, and started learning…fast. Today, he runs Small Nation, a real estate company focused on rebuilding small towns by backing the entrepreneurs who make them thrive.In this episode, Jason breaks down the business model behind Bellefontaine’s transformation, including how to structure partnerships, why “passive” investing doesn’t work, and how to stay hands-on without burning out. Big takeaways from this episode:

• Why great partnerships start with values, not just complementary skills• The 8:15am daily huddle that keeps Jason’s team aligned and accountable• How to find the right person for a building, not just the right building for a tenant• What “hand-to-hand combat” looks like in real estate and why Jason still chooses it• A test to filter who actually wants your help (and protect your energy)• The real cost of hustle, and how Jason learned to lead without burning people outFor business owners, operators, and community-minded investors, this is a blueprint for how to build something real…without losing yourself in the process.0:00 Intro02:30 Small-Town Roots and Business DNA08:20 Why Place and Community Matter13:34 The Small Nation Model Explained19:32 From Investor to Hands-On Builder26:05 Why Self-Awareness Comes First27:12 Team Rhythms and Sustainable Growth34:53 Growing Up in a Family Business36:35 Lessons From a Grandfather43:59 Money, Fear, and Independence48:33 Choosing Gratitude Over Criticism50:57 A Living Lab for Small-Town EntrepreneurshipResources Mentioned:Small Nation: https://smallnationstrong.com Small Nation Podcast: https://smallnationstrong.com/podcast Follow @PhilOnPurposehttps://www.instagram.com/philonpurpose https://www.facebook.com/philonpupose

What separates good leaders from great ones?Today’s guest says it comes down to purpose and authenticity…and most people are missing both.In this episode of The Purpose Matrix, Phil sits down with Tim Cole, veteran corporate exec turned founder of The Compass Alliance, to explore what truly makes leaders worth following. From confronting disengagement in the workplace to building a “career compass” aligned with passion and skills, Tim shares insights shaped by 38 years in corporate America and a relentless curiosity about leadership.This conversation is packed with practical wisdom on:• The 5 questions every follower asks of a leader (and how to answer them)• How to lead different generations through purpose, not just paychecks• Why most 360 feedback loops fall short and how to fix them• Finding your authentic leadership style• How to move from silent disengagement to aligned teamsIf you're leading a team (or want to), this conversation is a must-listen.0:00 Intro1:45 Tim's Career Journey & Sales Foundations7:06 Meeting a Transformational Leader11:37 The Career Compass15:12 Connecting Personal Purpose to Company Mission19:17 Why Leaders Fear the Purpose Question21:45 Self-Awareness & Personal Accountability26:40 What 360 Feedback Misses (And How to Fix It)33:12 Discovering Your Leadership Style36:57 Building a Career That Feels Like You43:12 The "Zombie Apocalypse" of Disengagement48:12 Three Actions Every Great Leader Must TakeResources Mentioned:The Compass Alliancehttps://www.thecompassalliance.com📚 Tim’s Book - The Compass Solutionhttps://www.amazon.com/Compass-Solution-Guide-Winning-Career/dp/0999057103 🎙️ In Search of a Leader podcast: https://www.insearchofaleader.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@insearchofaleaderFollow @PhilOnPurposehttps://www.instagram.com/philonpurpose https://www.facebook.com/philonpupose

Fear has a way of feeling real…even when it isn’t.

Today Phil sits down with Kyle Brandon, founder of Second Flight Capital, to explore why the right decisions often scare us first, and how that initial fear is usually fooling us.

Kyle shares his journey from missionary work to founding a people-first investment firm, including the moment he quit his job (with six kids at home!) and no clear path ahead. What followed was a season of uncertainty that reshaped how he thinks about leadership, trust, and calling.

Together, Phil and Kyle discuss why fear shows up before meaningful growth, how legacy is often dismissed as emotional when it’s actually essential, and why mission-driven leadership creates lasting impact in business and life.

Key takeaways from this conversation:

• How to tell the difference between real risk and imagined fear

• Why fear often appears right before the right decision

• What leaders should reflect on before selling their business

• How mission and legacy shape long-term leadership

• Why treating people as whole humans changes culture and retention

• How slowing down creates the clarity needed to move forward

If you’re facing a big decision and feeling the weight of uncertainty, this conversation will help you slow down, gain clarity, and take the next right step.

0:00 Intro

1:57 Kyle's Unique Journey from Theology to Capital

2:20 The Emotional Weight of Selling a Business

9:15 The 200 Conversations That Launched a New Model

14:45 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

20:15 Building Businesses that Build People

25:57 The Bigger Mission Always Wins

32:47 The Three Pillars of Trust and Leadership

34:18 How to Build Trust After Acquisition

37:33 The Long-Term Vision for Second Flight

41:11 Choosing the Right Business to Buy

45:06 Slowing Down to Speed Up

Resources Mentioned:

Second Flight Capital:

https://secondflightcapital.com

Corterra Group:

https://corterragroup.com

Follow on social @PhilOnPurpose

https://www.instagram.com/philonpurpose

https://www.facebook.com/philonpurpose

Some of the most thoughtful and impactful leaders shaping the world of business, mindset, and personal growth came by The Purpose Matrix last year.

These are more than just high achievers…they’re people asking better questions, taking real risks, and aligning their work with what truly matters.

In this special reflections episode, we revisit some of the most powerful moments of 2025 from five standout guests whose stories challenged, inspired, and sharpened us.

From redefining fear to embracing purpose as a compass, this is a masterclass in living and leading with clarity.

You’ll catch these themes to kickstart your New Year:

• Identity before strategy
  

• Letting fear FUEL you, not paralyze you
  

• Making peace with the pace of your path
  

• Redefining “success” from the inside out
  

• Designing a life around purpose, not default

If you're ready to hit your stride in 2026 and go strong into the new year, this episode will help you lock in the mindset to do it.

0:00 Intro

0:48 John Wood

8:45 Charlie Engle

12:17 Jennifer Hudye-Moscow

17:58 Ryan Hawk

24:24 Justin Donald

Follow @PhilOnPurpose

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Most people don’t fail at goals because they lack discipline. They fail because their goals are misaligned with their life.

In this special episode of The Purpose Matrix, Phil sits down with two of his closest friends and trusted advisors, Pat Flynn and Bryan McFarland, for a 2026 planning session that quickly turns into something much deeper:

A conversation about alignment, presence, self-leadership, and the quiet disciplines that actually change your life.

They unpack why most people abandon their goals by February, how your season of life should shape your strategy, and why clarity about the future can bring peace into the present.

Key Takeaways:

• Why reflection must come before goal-setting
• How long-term clarity creates better day-to-day decisions
• The danger of extreme accountability (and when it actually helps)
• Why starting small leads to lasting momentum
• The 5 Buckets of Life framework for holistic goals
• How personal goals quietly transform teams and culture
• The real power of accountability groups and how to build one

This episode isn’t about hype or quick fixes…it’s a practical conversation about what actually helps goals last in real life, at work, and at home.

Resources Mentioned:

Full Focus Planner

https://fullfocusstore.com/products/full-focus-planner-linen

Andy Frisella’s Power List

https://andyfrisella.com/products/the-power-list-daily-planner

Flight Builders

https://flight.builders/

Connect with Bryan McFarland

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryansmcfarland/

Follow @PhilOnPurposehttps://www.instagram.com/philonpurpose https://www.facebook.com/philonpupose

This year brought some unforgettable conversations on The Purpose Matrix, with several that hit especially close to home for Phil:

Ohio leaders whose lives are absolutely transforming our local community.

These are business leaders, coaches, and culture-shapers who aren’t chasing headlines, but whose influence is felt every day in the people they lead and the legacy they’re building.

In this special 2025 highlight episode, we revisit the most powerful moments from conversations with local legends who reminded us that leadership isn’t about title or platform. It’s about presence, faith, and responsibility right where you are.

You’ll hear recurring themes that showed up again and again throughout the year:

• Asking the big life questions most people avoid
  

• Leading with clarity instead of control
  

• Planning for succession before you’re forced to
  

• Turning burnout into a turning point
  

• Letting faith guide leadership without forcing belief
  

• Passing the torch and finding joy in watching others lead

If you’ve ever wondered whether the work you’re doing today really matters, this episode is your reminder: World-changing leadership starts right where you are.

0:00 Intro

0:38 Tim Goodwin

3:52 Doug Borchers

7:13 Brook Cupps

10:16 Matt Hoying

15:25 Matt Gray

Follow @PhilOnPurpose

https://www.instagram.com/philonpurpose

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Today Phil Moeller sits down with one of the most interesting men in the world: Entrepreneur JoBen Barkey, who went from barefoot in the Amazon to leading a multi-million dollar business and launching a life-changing nonprofit in West Africa.JoBen shares how he built Soccer Shots of Orange County, scaled a business that runs without him, and redefined success (not by revenue, by peace). Big takeaways from the episode:• How fasting helped unlock his next big vision• Why letting go of control was the best decision he ever made• The moment JoBen disconnected his identity from his business• How to build a company that can run without you (through the power of EOS)• Creating sustainable nonprofits through entrepreneurship• Using your business as a platform for purposeThis conversation is an honest look at leadership, identity, and what can happen when peace matters more than proving something.0:00 Intro1:01 From the Amazon to Entrepreneurship4:13 Learning Work Ethic Through Tree Planting7:03 Early Leadership Lessons and Building a Business10:37 Starting Soccer Shots & Shifting into CEO Mode15:11 Discovering EOS and Finding His Integrator19:23 Building the Business Around Vision and Culture24:06 Launching a Nonprofit That Actually Sustains Itself29:33 Letting Go of Identity Tied to Business Success35:02 Pursuing Peace as an Entrepreneur38:47 A Platform for Purpose, Not ProfitResources Mentioned:EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)📚 Traction by Gino Wickman📚 Rocket Fuel by Gino WickmanB7 Foundation and podcast:b7family.comSoccer Shots:https://www.soccershots.com/Follow @PhilOnPurposehttps://www.instagram.com/philonpurpose https://www.facebook.com/philonpupose