Archives: Episodes

What if you believe in Jesus but have never actually followed Him? In this special Christmas-week episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan, founder of Vital Wealth, challenges high-achieving entrepreneurs to examine a quiet but unsettling tension many successful people feel. After building businesses, optimizing finances, and doing “all the right things,” why does life still feel incomplete? Patrick explores whether success, discipline, and even belief can exist without true surrender and why that gap matters both now and eternally.

In a solo, deeply reflective teaching, Patrick unpacks the difference between cultural Christianity and biblical discipleship, using clear business analogies and direct Scripture to confront false assurance and surface-level belief. This episode is not about religion, performance, or self-improvement. It is about authority, identity, and what it truly means to follow Jesus rather than simply admire Him. If you are a driven, thoughtful leader who has ever wondered whether belief alone is enough, this episode offers clarity, conviction, and a compelling invitation to something deeper.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Why belief without surrender leads to false assurance
• The difference between cultural Christianity and true discipleship
• How success can mask spiritual stagnation
• Why Jesus calls people to follow, not just agree
• The role of repentance, faith, and new identity in real transformation
• Why abiding, not striving, is central to spiritual growth

Resources:   

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources     

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies    

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies      

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast     

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/     

Credits:    

Sponsored by Vital Wealth    

Music by Cephas    

Art work by Two Tone Creative 

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien

The biggest threat to your business isn’t external, it’s the blind spots you can’t see. In this episode of The Vital Wealth Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Stacey Bullman, founder of I’m Not Mad at You, a consultancy built on 25 years of corporate experience and a decade of transforming small and midsize businesses. Stacey specializes in helping leaders uncover the issues hiding beneath the surface, operational gaps, leadership challenges, misaligned messaging, and missed revenue opportunities and gives them the clarity and confidence they need to move forward.

Patrick and Stacey dig into why entrepreneurs rarely diagnose their own problems correctly, how objective assessment accelerates growth, and the systems every business needs to run smoothly and profitably. From strategic planning and accountability frameworks to messaging, sales development, and financial discipline, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for leaders who feel overwhelmed, stuck in the weeds, or unsure where to focus next. It’s a must-listen for anyone ready to make better decisions, build stronger teams, and create a business that truly works.

Key Takeaways

• Why entrepreneurs often overlook the most costly issues inside their own business
• How Stacey’s Wheel Assessment exposes leadership, cultural, and operational blind spots
• The CEO hourly value formula and why doing low-value work hurts growth
• The essential elements of a strategic plan that gets executed, not ignored
• The messaging framework that clarifies what you do and why it matters
• Why sales success is built on process, consistency, and data, not personality
• How accountability and coaching help leaders make better decisions, faster

Learn More About Stacey:

Official Website: imnotmadatyou.com

Resources:   

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources     

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies    

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies      

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast     

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/     

Credits:    

Sponsored by Vital Wealth    

Music by Cephas    

Art work by Two Tone Creative 

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien

What if the business you’ve spent years building is worth far less than you think and what if fixing that starts long before you ever plan to sell? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with serial entrepreneur and exit expert Justin Goodbread, who has started, scaled, and sold seven companies with 7-, 8-, and 9-figure valuations. Together, they unpack why most business owners unknowingly sabotage their future exit, how to build a company that runs without the owner, and the exact framework that transforms a stressful, owner-dependent business into a scalable, transferable, and highly valuable asset.

Patrick and Justin walk listeners through the “Deca Millionaire Way,” a five-pillar system rooted in clarity, measurement, thoughtful execution, and long-term freedom. Whether you’re years away from selling or simply want to build a business that gives you more time, more profitability, and more life, this conversation reveals what truly drives enterprise value and why only 4% of sellers walk away satisfied. For any entrepreneur who wants to maximize the payoff of their life’s work, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

• Why most entrepreneurs dramatically underestimate what it takes to create a valuable, sellable business
• The five F’s every owner must align before scaling or exiting
• The eight core business areas that drive valuation (and the 256 underlying metrics)
• How to get yourself out of the “center of the merry-go-round” so the business can run without you
• The 90-day execution framework that builds momentum and eliminates overwhelm
• Why exit planning must begin 5–10 years before selling
• The real definition of entrepreneurial freedom and why it requires becoming a Deca Millionaire

Learn More About Justin:

Official Website: https://www.justingoodbread.com/

Podcast: Deca Millionaire Decoded

Episode Resources:

• Main Street Millionaire by Cody Sanchez
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Traction by Gino Wickman
• Scaling Up by Vern Harnish

Resources:   

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources     

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies    

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies      

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast     

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/     

Credits:    

Sponsored by Vital Wealth    

Music by Cephas    

Art work by Two Tone Creative 

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien

What if your financial plan wasn’t just about money but about building a life of freedom, purpose, and peace of mind? In this episode of The Vital Wealth Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Mike Milligan, founder of One Oak Financial and author of The One of a Kind Financial Plan. Together, they unpack how the financial industry often overcomplicates wealth management and how individuals can reclaim control through simplicity, education, and values-based decision-making. Mike shares his personal journey from the banking world to teaching financial literacy at Old Dominion University, offering listeners a refreshing perspective on what it means to design a financial plan that truly supports a life well-lived.

Listeners will learn how to avoid the traps of a profit-first system, rethink what “wealth” really means, and implement a plan that aligns with their deepest priorities. Patrick and Mike explore topics like financial education, the importance of discernment in money decisions, and why creating “profit with purpose” leads to greater happiness and impact. Whether you’re building your first plan or rethinking your strategy for long-term freedom, this conversation will change the way you view money forever.

Key Takeaways:

• The financial industry profits from complexity, true success comes from simplicity and understanding.
• “Profit with purpose” is more fulfilling and sustainable than profit alone.
• Tax planning is the most powerful lever for building long-term wealth.
• Financial literacy creates freedom and independence.
• Aligning money with values leads to clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

Learn More About Mike:

Official Website: 1oakfinancial.com

Ideas by Mike: ideasbymike.com

The One of a Kind Financial Plan: mikemilligan.com

Resources:   

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources     

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies    

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies      

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast     

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/     

Credits:    

Sponsored by Vital Wealth    

Music by Cephas    

Art work by Two Tone Creative 

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien

Is your business growing but somehow getting harder to manage? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Courtney De Ronde, CEO of Forge Financial and Management Consulting, to unpack what it really takes to move from growth to true scale. Together they explore how entrepreneurs can evolve from being the do-it-all founder to a confident leader who builds systems, empowers teams, and creates a business that runs efficiently, without running them into burnout. 

Listeners will discover why scaling requires more than just working harder, how to make data-backed decisions, and the mindset shifts needed to build a company that thrives long-term. Packed with practical tools, leadership insight, and strategic frameworks, this conversation offers a roadmap for anyone ready to build structure, clarity, and sustainable profitability. 

Key Takeaways: 

• The difference between growth and scale and why most founders confuse the two 

• The two essential transformations every entrepreneur must make to scale successfully 

• How to use business intelligence and KPIs to lead with data, not instinct 

• The “Diagnose → Design → Drive” framework for continuous improvement 

• Why clarity in vision, mission, and values is the foundation of scalable leadership 

Learn More About Courtney: 

Ebook – The Simple Scale-Up System: forgeahead.com/ebook 

Scaling Assessment: assessments.forgeahead.com 

Forge Financial Website: forgeahead.com 

Episode Resources: 

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick Lencioni  
Deep Work – Cal Newport 

Essentialism – Greg McKeown 

The Four Tendencies– Gretchen Rubin 

Full Focus Planner – Michael Hyatt 

Resources:   

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources     

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies    

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies      

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast     

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/     

Credits:    

Sponsored by Vital Wealth    

Music by Cephas    

Art work by Two Tone Creative 

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien

What if your business could land in The Wall Street Journal or Good Morning, without spending a fortune on traditional PR? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, to uncover how entrepreneurs can use strategic press releases to build lasting credibility and attract national media attention. They dive deep into the storytelling techniques that capture journalists’ interest, the evolving world of PR in the age of AI, and how earned media can amplify trust far beyond what ads and social media can deliver. 

Patrick and Mickie also discuss how small businesses can leverage PR as a cornerstone of their overall marketing and wealth-building strategy. From creating a powerful story arc to understanding how press coverage impacts SEO, lead generation, and conversions, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help business owners stand out, scale faster, and become recognized authorities in their industries. 

Key Takeaways: 

• How to craft press releases that capture media attention and generate earned coverage. 

• Why storytelling, not sales copy, is the secret to PR success. 

• The role of credibility and media features in increasing conversions and reducing ad spend. 

• How AI is reshaping media visibility and what that means for entrepreneurs. 

• Simple ways to integrate PR into your larger marketing and financial strategy. 

Learn More About Mickie: 

Official Website: https://www.ereleases.com 
Free Masterclass: https://www.ereleases.com/plan 

Resources:   

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources     

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies    

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies      

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast     

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/     

Credits:    

Sponsored by Vital Wealth    

Music by Cephas    

Art work by Two Tone Creative 

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien

Can you build a thriving business without compromising your faith or values? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with David Reece, CEO and founder of The Reece Fund, to explore how faith-based principles can fuel both profitability and purpose. David shares his journey from manufacturing and real estate to building a private equity firm focused on acquiring and growing Christian-led businesses. Together, Patrick and David unpack how Biblical wisdom, operational excellence, and stewardship intersect to create companies that not only perform financially but also leave a lasting impact.

Listeners will walk away with a new perspective on what it means to lead with conviction while scaling with strategy. Patrick and David dive deep into management frameworks, the power of real estate and business ownership, and how Christian values like rest, integrity, and generosity can transform workplace culture and long-term success. Entrepreneurs who want to grow their wealth while staying rooted in their faith won’t want to miss this episode.

Key Takeaways:

• How to integrate Biblical principles into modern business operations

• The five essential components of a successful company

• Why real estate is the perfect “business in slow motion” for wealth building

• How The Reece Fund identifies and grows faith-driven businesses

• The power of buy-and-hold investing and long-term cash flow

• Why clarity of mission and values attract the right people and opportunities

• How to create Christian culture in a secular workplace without compromising effectiveness

Learn More About David:

• Official Website: ReeceFund.com

Episode Resources:

• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
• The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
• Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
• Main Street Millionaire by Codie Sanchez 

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:  

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative 

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien

What if the biggest threat to your business growth isn’t your competition but your HR strategy? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Vicky Brown, founder and CEO of Idomeneo HR Resources, to unpack how entrepreneurs can build thriving teams, avoid costly HR mistakes, and create scalable structures that support long-term success.

Patrick and Vicky dive deep into the systems behind effective hiring, leadership development, and compliance and how the right HR foundation can free business owners to focus on what truly drives growth. From understanding the difference between outsourced HR and PEOs to identifying bottlenecks in leadership and leveraging AI responsibly, this conversation offers actionable insight for every entrepreneur ready to scale with confidence. Stay tuned until the end for Vicki’s practical advice on preventing the most common HR landmines.

Key Takeaways: 

• The difference between outsourced HR and PEOs and which model works best for small and mid-sized businesses.

• How to hire smarter by defining success factors and attracting the right candidates.

• The importance of building a leadership team early to avoid growth bottlenecks.

• Common HR compliance mistakes that can cost thousands and how to prevent them.

• Why delegation and vision are essential for scaling sustainably.

• How proactive HR and smart tax planning together create a business built for long-term wealth.

Learn More About Vicky: 

Official Website: Concierge, HR consulting services for small business

Podcast Listeners Gift Website: Ultimate HR Workflow Guide More

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:  

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative 

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien

What happens when crypto wealth skyrockets overnight but there’s no plan to protect it, grow it, or pass it on? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Jake Claver, Managing Director, CEO, and Founder of Digital Ascension Group, to explore how today’s high-net-worth crypto investors are turning digital volatility into lasting wealth. Together, they break down how to build a family office framework that safeguards assets, reduces taxes, and creates generational stability, even if your fortune began with a single successful trade.

Patrick and Jake dive deep into topics like digital asset custody, Wyoming LLC structures, asset protection trusts, and how borrowing against crypto can unlock liquidity without triggering massive tax bills. This episode is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs who want to protect their wealth, grow strategically, and align their money with their life’s mission.

Key Takeaways

• How family office structures help crypto investors manage risk and plan for the future

• Why secure custody through institutional partners like Ascension is critical for digital assets

• The role of Wyoming LLCs and asset protection trusts in wealth preservation

• How to borrow against crypto for liquidity, without selling or paying unnecessary taxes

• Why diversification and professional guidance are key once wealth is built

• Recommended books for mastering generational wealth and strategy
• The mindset shift from chasing returns to structuring sustainable, tax-efficient wealth

Learn More About Jake:

• Website: digitalfamilyoffice.io

• Community: beyondbroke.com

Episode Resources:

• The Family Office Book by Richard C. Wilson
• Borrowed from your Grandchildren by Dennis Jaffe
• Who Not How by Dan Sullivan
• The Future Is Faster Than You Think by Peter Diamandis & Steven Kotler

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:  

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by TwoTone Creative 

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien

Can you build a thriving business without compromising your faith or values? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with David Reece, CEO and founder of The Reece Fund, to explore how faith-based principles can fuel both profitability and purpose. David shares his journey from manufacturing and real estate to building a private equity firm focused on acquiring and growing Christian-led businesses. Together, Patrick and David unpack how Biblical wisdom, operational excellence, and stewardship intersect to create companies that not only perform financially but also leave a lasting impact. 

Listeners will walk away with a new perspective on what it means to lead with conviction while scaling with strategy. Patrick and David dive deep into management frameworks, the power of real estate and business ownership, and how Christian values like rest, integrity, and generosity can transform workplace culture and long-term success. Entrepreneurs who want to grow their wealth while staying rooted in their faith won’t want to miss this episode. 

Key Takeaways: 

• How to integrate Biblical principles into modern business operations 

• The five essential components of a successful company 

• Why real estate is the perfect “business in slow motion” for wealth building 

• How The Reece Fund identifies and grows faith-driven businesses 

• The power of buy-and-hold investing and long-term cash flow 

• Why clarity of mission and values attract the right people and opportunities 

• How to create Christian culture in a secular workplace without compromising effectiveness 

Learn More About David: 

• Official Website: ReeceFund.com 

Episode Resources: 

• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
• The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
• Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
• Main Street Millionaire by Codie Sanchez 

Resources:   

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources     

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies    

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies      

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast     

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/     

Credits:    

Sponsored by Vital Wealth    

Music by Cephas    

Art work by Two Tone Creative 

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O’Brien