Episodes Archive - Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast

113 | AI is a Force Multiplier but Only if You Know How to Leverage it with Steven Saehrig

Is AI really ready to run parts of your business, or is it just another overhyped tool that creates more confusion than clarity? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan, founder of Vital Wealth, sits down with Steven Saehrig, founder of Descent IT, to cut through the noise and explain what AI actually looks like when implemented correctly inside a real business. Rather than focusing on shiny tools or viral prompts, this conversation gets practical, strategic, and grounded in how entrepreneurs can use AI to increase efficiency, protect their data, and future-proof their organizations.

Patrick and Steven explore why AI is best viewed as a workforce multiplier rather than a replacement for people, how businesses should think about the true cost and ROI of AI adoption, and why cybersecurity must be the foundation before any automation is deployed. From real-world examples like AI-driven IT support and agentic workflows to the risks of bad actors using AI for phishing and fraud, this episode gives business owners a clear roadmap for adopting AI intentionally and securely. If you are a founder or executive wondering where to start with AI, how fast to move, and how not to get burned along the way, this episode delivers clarity, context, and actionable insight.

Key Takeaways

AI is not a magic bullet; it requires intentional planning, investment, and follow-through
The biggest opportunity today is using AI to augment people, not replace them
Businesses should automate low-value, repetitive tasks first before moving to advanced AI
Paid, secure AI tools are essential for protecting business and client data
Cybersecurity and identity protection must be in place before scaling AI adoption
AI-driven attacks are increasing, making employee training and behavior monitoring critical
Companies that delay AI adoption risk falling behind competitors over the next 5–10 years

Episode Resources:

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

112 | Throw Your Goals Away: Build the Operating System That Wins the Year

What if the reason you keep falling short of your goals has nothing to do with motivation or discipline? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, Patrick Lonergan challenges the way most high performers plan their year and explains why traditional goal setting is often the very thing holding them back. Patrick, founder of Vital Wealth, works with high-earning entrepreneurs to help them optimize cash flow, reduce taxes, and build intentional wealth. In this episode, he makes the case that most people do not have a goal problem at all. They have a systems problem.

Rather than chasing dozens of goals that quickly lose momentum, Patrick walks listeners through a fundamentally different approach: designing a personal and business operating system. This episode breaks down why focusing on one primary objective for life and one for business, supported by simple, repeatable actions, creates real and lasting progress. If you have ever felt frustrated by strong starts followed by fading execution, this conversation will change how you think about planning, productivity, and success.

Key takeaways from this episode:

Why setting too many goals at once leads to worse results, not better ones

The critical difference between goals and systems, and why systems always win

How human attention, decision fatigue, and motivation actually work

Why consistency and repetition outperform intensity and big bursts of effort

How to design a simple operating system for your year that makes progress inevitable

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

111 | Following Jesus: The One Area You Never Optimized

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

110 | The CEO Mistakes Costing You Profit, Time, and Sanity with Stacey Bullman

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

109 | Create a Multi-Million Dollar Exit using The 5-Pillar System with Justin Goodbread

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:

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

108 | Why the Financial Industry Wants You Confused: A Conversation with Mike Milligan

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

107 | From Chaos to Clarity: How to Truly Scale Your Business with Courtney De Ronde

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

106 | From Invisible to In-Demand: The PR Strategy Every Entrepreneur Needs with Mickie Kennedy

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

105 | Building Profitable Businesses on Biblical Principles with David Reece

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:

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

104 | The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Hiring, Leadership, and Compliance with Vicky Brown

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: