Summary:

In this episode of Million Dollar Flip Flops, Rodric sits down with Garr Russell — serial entrepreneur, author of My His-Story, and champion for Christian entrepreneurs. Garr’s journey from a failed anniversary trip to leading a 67-location RV rental franchise is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and faith-driven business.

Together, they dive deep into:

• How a failed RV weekend and a Craigslist ad revealed massive untapped demand.
• Why RV rentals are about much more than camping—serving as housing for utilities, insurance claims, and events.
• The bear-through-the-skylight moments that taught Garr how to turn repairs and insurance claims into profit centers.
• His Covid comeback: quitting drinking, reclaiming sales and marketing, and scaling from 12 to 67 locations in under two years.
• How his passive owner model creates income, depreciation, and personal-use flexibility for investors.
• The mindset that drives it all: “Life happens for us, not to us.”

00:45 – Launch-day vibes; intro to Garr

03:57 – The Craigslist “proof of demand” moment

06:52 – Non-tourist use cases: utilities, insurance housing, events

07:38 – Why franchise (legal & strategic); early network effects

09:21 – The hard parts: repairs, claims… and a bear story

12:09 – From passive to explosive growth; “Covid comeback”

15:29 – Where to find Garr + free books

16:01 – Passive RV owner program & depreciation benefits

17:07 – Question for next guest: “Where is your hope?”

17:37 – Setback → blessing: fired in 2007 for sharing faith → legal entrepreneurship path

19:19 – My His-Story and reframing “to me” into “for me”

20:56 – Practical hope building: inventory your past comebacks

22:39 – Why 20–25 minutes wins for podcasts/YouTube

“Life happens for us, not to us.”

“Hope is never lost—stack the times you already made it through.”

“We’re not just ‘camping.’ We’re providing homes-on-wheels for dozens of real-world needs.”

• Instagram: instagram.com/garrjrussell
• Facebook: facebook.com/garr.russell
• YouTube: youtube.com/@garrjrussell
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/garrrussell
• Website: garrrussell.com — books, podcast, and franchise info

Book Mentioned: My His-Story

Rodric’s Book Plug: 100% of proceeds from Million Dollar Flip Flops go to Send a Student Leader Abroad.

Resources:

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Ready to transform your business and your life while making a difference? Grab your copy of *Million Dollar Flip Flops*—the ultimate guide to creating a life and business that feels just as good as it looks. And here’s the best part: 100% of the proceeds go directly to our foundation, Send a Student Leader...

On Rodric’s launch day for his latest #1 best-selling book, The Magnet, The Method & The Machine, he and Aurora Winter jam on books as lead magnets, why early reviews matter, and how to pick (and win) Amazon categories.

Aurora shares her “push/pull” framework for finally finishing your book, the niche-first logic behind standout messaging, and why AI makes your human story more valuable, not less.

They swap tactics (Publisher Rocket, K-lytics, BookFunnel), talk legacy vs. perfectionism, and dig into the kind of uncomfortable conversations that deepen relationships—and your writing.

If you’ve got a book in you (or a business that needs one), this one’s a blueprint for momentum you can use today.

Highlights & takeaways

• Early reviews are oxygen for launches—line them up ~30 days ahead and publish Day 1.
• Use tools to choose categories, don’t guess: Publisher Rocket (easy) and K-lytics (depth).
• Books are scalable service: help millions while serving a small, high-touch client roster.
• “Double down on being human in the age of AI”—your story is the differentiator.
• Niche > general: the “million-dollar message” needs one person’s ears to perk up.
• Relationship depth = # of uncomfortable conversations you’re willing to have.

Notable quotes

• “LLMs make creation easier—but they’re average. Your personal story is where the gold is.”
• “The depth of a relationship is measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations we’re willing to have.”
• “Double down on being human in the age of AI—that’s where the joy is.”

Timestamps

• 0:00 Cold open: Rodric’s world tour + launch day vibes.
• 1:10 Why reviews in the first 24 hours really matter—and how to get them.
• 3:40 Categories that you can realistically win (and why that #1 tag matters).
• 7:00 The viral video that sparked the book (3 Laws & 9 Levers).
• 8:10 AI vs. authenticity: information vs. inspiration.
• 15:55 Aurora’s “push/pull” method to finish your book.
• 17:45 Niche, message, and the 80/20 of communication.
• 27:15 Strategic Basics: Aurora’s weekly YouTube insights.
• 28:20 Wisdom, setbacks, and silver linings.
• 34:30 Why Rodric wrote The Magnet, The Method & The Machine.

Guest links

• Aurora Winter's Media Page: This has recent interviews and general media information: https://www.aurorawinter.com/media/
• Aurora Winter’s PR Photos & Book Covers: https://www.aurorawinter.com/prphotos/
• One Sheet with Sample Questions: https://aurorawinter.com/onesheet/Aurora-Winter-Impact-One-Sheet.pdf
• Turn Words Into Wealth Gift eBook for you: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/7o54im0y52
• Magic, Mystery and the Multiverse Gift eBook for you: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/bd91o9fg2z
• Gift for Your Audience - Includes your Turn Words-to-Wealth starter library and a video masterclass on how to attract capital, clients, and media coverage.: https://turnwordsintowealth.com
• Aurora Winter Website: https://www.aurorawinter.com
• Same Page...

John Whiting, CEO of Bulletproof Entrepreneur and Rodric’s own coach, brings a raw, data-driven take on scaling coaching businesses and life itself.

From dropping out of college golf to pro sales, to building a company that helps online coaches scale to $50K–$100K/month in profit, John shares how tracking ratios, reverse-engineering results, and asking better questions create competitive advantage.

They discuss why most people resist certainty (because it ends the “game”), how to define bigger goals beyond money, and why many entrepreneurs resist their own magic.

John explains his charge clearing process for decision-making and the mindset shift that keeps him aligned: “What would I do if I didn’t give a f*** what anyone else thought?”

If you’ve ever wanted practical math for success mixed with existential philosophy—and some humor about not sucking—this episode will flip your brain.

• 00:00 – 01:25 Meet John Whiting: Bulletproof Entrepreneur CEO.
• 03:06 – 05:36 Golf → sales → tracking ratios → math as competitive edge.
• 07:03 – 09:37 Why people resist certainty: keeping the game alive.
• 10:38 – 13:31 Beyond money: bigger goals, ripple effects, and fulfillment.
• 15:45 – 17:50 Responsibility to share your magic (and why most resist theirs).
• 21:54 – 24:03 Charge clearing: asking better questions → better beliefs → better results.
• 24:21 – 27:22 Audience Q&A: “What’s the one question to ask daily?” John’s answer.
• 28:53 – 29:18 Wrap-up: be the god you are; create whatever you want.

• Everything is math: success can be reverse-engineered through ratios.
• Most people sabotage certainty to keep life “interesting.”
• If you don’t know your bigger “why,” start with what you don’t want.
• Ripple effect: help successful clients go further to maximize impact.
• Decision clarity = asking the right questions in the right order.

• “Everything in the physical universe is math. Once you see it, it’s knowable.” —John Whiting
• “The game disappears as soon as you win it—that’s why people resist certainty.” —John Whiting
• “What would I do if I absolutely didn’t give a f*** what anybody else thought?” —John Whiting
• “The true cost of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” —Rodric

John Whiting — CEO, Bulletproof Entrepreneur, helping coaches scale to $50K–$100K/month profit and beyond.

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bulletproof.john/?hl=en

📲Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwhitingbge/

📲Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/johnwhitingofficial/?_rdc=1&_rdr#

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@john.whiting

🌐 Website: bulletproofentrepreneur.io

Resources:

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Leigh Feldman, CEO of Youth Franchise Brands, joins Rodric to share his journey from teacher and franchisee to leading a private equity group invested in youth-focused franchise concepts like Flower Power Studios and Young Chefs Academy.

With nearly two decades in franchising and experience across mergers, acquisitions, agency work, and education, Leigh has a unique perspective on what makes a great franchisee.

He explains the “maestro mindset” required to lead without playing every instrument, how to assess fit, flexibility, and finances, and why following the system (with a little room for local adaptation) is key to success.

Leigh also dispels the myth that you need “millions” to get started, breaking down entry costs and financing options, and closes with a powerful reflection on purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

If you’ve ever wondered whether franchising is your path, this episode is a masterclass!

• 00:00 – 02:35 Meet Leigh Feldman: teacher → franchisee → franchisor.
• 02:56 – 04:52 Building the dream team: sales, ops, COO, and franchise support.
• 05:17 – 08:29 What makes a good franchisee? The “maestro mindset.”
• 09:05 – 10:51 Flexibility vs. system: seasonality, pivots, and best practices.
• 11:23 – 14:09 Busting the “millions needed” myth: item 7, item 19, and financing options.
• 14:30 – 16:30 Purpose as a daily compass: Leigh’s guiding question.
• 17:03 – 17:41 How to explore Young Chefs Academy opportunities.
• 17:45 – 18:25 Rodric’s mantra: “The true cost of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”

• Great franchisees are conductors, not soloists: lead the team, don’t play every instrument.
• Success = 90% system, 10% local adaptation.
• Entry costs are often under $400K; creative financing makes franchising accessible.
• “Don’t chase money alone—find joy and purpose in what you build.”
• Daily purpose check-in: What is today’s goal? Did I live it?

• “You don’t need to know how to play every instrument—you need to know how to lead the band.” —Leigh Feldman
• “Ninety percent follow the system, ten percent adapt for your market.” —Leigh Feldman
• “The true cost of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” —Rodric Lenhart
• “What one question should you ask daily? Do you understand your purpose?” —Leigh Feldman

Leigh Feldman — CEO of Youth Franchise Brands, overseeing investments in youth-focused franchise businesses like Young Chefs Academy and Flower Power Studios.

👉 Explore opportunities: youngchefsacademy.com

📩 Contact: Leigh.Feldman@youthfranchisebrands.com

📲Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-feldman-39a2b4203/

Resources:

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Ready to transform your business and your life while making a difference? Grab your copy of *Million Dollar Flip Flops*—the ultimate guide to creating a life and business that feels just as good as it looks. And here’s the best part:...

Designer-turned-entrepreneur Phil Franks (Nucleus Creative; Owl & Key) joins Rodric to unpack what he learned building for brands like Hilton, Panda Express, and Victoria’s Secret—and why the real unlock in any business is people, process, and presence.

Phil shares how becoming a dad pushed him to leave agency life, the SOP mindset he now “lives and dies by,” and why modular construction has him excited to build tighter, faster, and smarter.

They trade notes on coaching, niche focus, CAC-thinking for builders, and the difference between hiring as an expense vs. an investment.

If you’re stuck doing $600/hour tasks for $0/hour outcomes, this one is a breath of fresh air—and a nudge to get out of your own way.

• 00:00 – 02:15 Meet Phil: agency roots, early web, learning under the hood of big brands.
• 03:05 – 07:30 Fatherhood reframe → leaving the agency; building a family “office” with two companies.
• 09:04 – 12:30 What big brands taught him: SOPs, repeatability, and “people architecture.”
• 13:50 – 16:00 Rodric’s $600/hr test and the shift from building houses to building people.
• 18:22 – 21:10 Why modular/panelized is compelling; finding the right GC to protect margin.
• 21:46 – 24:25 Listener Q: “What are you chasing?” Phil on alignment through seasons.
• 25:05 – 29:50 Coaching, circles, and picking clients (and when to walk away).
• 30:57 – 37:45 Ground zero → $65k MRR: brand, offers, and niche clarity for builders.
• 36:47 – 40:40 Niche > noise; using CAC to think like a modern builder.

• SOPs aren’t paperwork—they’re profit protection and peace of mind.
• Build “people architecture” before you scale product or projects.
• Delegate anything below your target hourly value; stay in your $600/hr lane.
• Modular/panelized can compress timelines—if your on-site team truly understands the system.
• Niche wins: speak to one bleeding-neck problem for one person.
• Think CAC, not “free referrals”—paying great partners can be your best deal flow.

• “Things have to flow. People have to know how they work, and they have to be repeatable.” —Phil
• “You’ve got to go from building houses to building people.” —Rodric
• “Niche feels counterintuitive—until it works.” —Phil & Rodric
• “What are you chasing? For me, it’s alignment in this season.” —Phil

Phil Franks — Co-founder, Nucleus Creative (brand/digital) & Owl & Key (leadership & life design). Find him at nucleuscreative.co and owlandkey.co.

📱Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phil_franks/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philfranks/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nucleuscreativeco/

📘Rodric’s book:

Overview

Grant Bowen, Founder & CEO of Peak Projects, breaks down what an Owner’s Rep actually does, why “durable decisions” de-risk high-end residential builds, and how true collaboration saves time, money, and sanity for clients and builders alike. We get into fixed-price vs. cost-plus mindsets, boots-on-the-ground networking, and the role of tech vs. human trust in ultra-premium projects.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Cold open + welcome
• 02:20 – What an Owner’s Rep does (budget, schedule, quality, team)
• 04:49 – How a great Owner’s Rep “pays for themselves” via fewer mistakes
• 06:40 – Fixed price vs. cost-plus, and making “durable decisions”
• 10:23 – Why Peak doesn’t market like everyone else (relationships > ads)
• 11:08 – Regional footprint: CA, PNW, Mountain West, East Coast, Hawaii + Caribbean
• 14:26 – Tech is useful—but trust still wins
• 15:13 – Grant’s question for the next guest
• 15:50 – The question Grant asks to know the real you
• 16:52 – Final takeaways & how to connect with Peak Projects

Episode Highlights

• Owner’s Reps reduce risk and friction by guiding 1,000s of decisions from day one.
• “Durable decisions” + coordinated plans let great builders do their best work.
• Expect some changes on multi-year builds—design a process that absorbs them.
• Relationship-driven work (handshakes > hype) still wins at the ultra-high end.
• Technology accelerates collaboration, but trust and empathy tie it all together.

Notable Quotes

• “We remove the noise so architects can design and builders can build.”
• “Our investment prevents costly mistakes—and saves priceless client time.”
• “There’s no substitute for the human element when you’re earning real trust.”

Resources & Guest Links

• Website: https://www.peakprojects.com/
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/peakprojectsllc/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peak-projects/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peakprojectsllc/

Guest-to-Guest

• Grant’s question for the next guest: “What’s your five-year plan for your business—and for your life and family?”

Question to Grant (from Blake Stratton): “What question—when you ask it—helps you be more you?”

Resources:

Million Dollar Flip Flops

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Ready to transform your business and your life while making a difference? Grab your copy of *Million Dollar Flip Flops*—the ultimate guide to creating a life and business that feels just as good as it looks. And here’s the best part: 100% of the proceeds go directly to our foundation, Send a Student Leader Abroad, with a goal of sending 1,000,000 deserving kids on life-changing trips around the world.

As a thank you for your support, we’re offering exclusive bonuses available only for our podcast listeners. These bonuses are packed with extra tools and resources to help you implement the principles from the book faster and more effectively.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain invaluable...

In this energizing episode of Million Dollar Flip Flops, Rodric welcomes Dr. Ryan Williamson — neurologist, former Navy physician, and author of The Incredible Brain.

With his book launch just days away, Ryan shares how small, intentional lifestyle changes can radically improve brain health, prevent chronic disease, and help you live with more vitality.

From “exercise snacks” that take just six minutes a day to the power of habit stacking, Ryan explains why health isn’t just about living longer—it’s about performing better right now.

The conversation dives deep into overcoming resistance, designing your environment for success, and finding your “why” so you can make the right decisions automatically.

Whether you’re an overworked business owner or just tired of feeling tired, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways you can implement today.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why up to 90% of health outcomes are determined by lifestyle—not genetics.
• The “Core Four” pillars of health and which one is the easiest place to start.
• How to reframe exercise from a time cost to a productivity multiplier.
• The neuroscience behind resistance and how to overcome it.
• Simple habit-stacking strategies that make healthy choices automatic.
• Why clarity on your “why” changes everything about how you live.

Memorable Quotes:

“A healthy man has a thousand wishes, but a sick man has one.” – Dr. Ryan Williamson

“You can’t afford not to exercise—because without it, you’re literally cutting years off your life.” – Dr. Ryan Williamson

“Your habits compound in one direction or the other. Make sure they’re taking you where you actually want to go.” – Dr. Ryan Williamson

Resources & Links:

🌍Ryan’s Website: transcendhealthgroup.com

📱Follow Ryan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.ryanwilliamson/?hl=en

📱Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-williamson-70089a276/

📚Pre-order: The Incredible Brain: https://transcendhealthgroup.com/book/

Resources:

Million Dollar Flip Flops

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Ready to transform your business and your life while making a difference? Grab your copy of *Million Dollar Flip Flops*—the ultimate guide to creating a life and business that feels just as good as it looks. And here’s the best part: 100% of the proceeds go directly to our foundation, Send a Student Leader Abroad, with a goal of sending 1,000,000 deserving kids on life-changing trips around the world.

As a thank you for your support, we’re offering exclusive bonuses available only for our podcast listeners. These bonuses are packed with extra tools and resources to help you implement the principles from the book faster and more effectively.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain invaluable insights, impact a young leader’s life, and be a part of something bigger....

In this episode of Million Dollar Flip Flops, Rodric sits down with Blake Stratton — coach, consultant, dad, and self-proclaimed “pivot artist.”

Blake helps moms and dads escape the golden handcuffs of unfulfilling careers or rigid business models so they can reclaim time, freedom, and impact during the fleeting “good old days” of raising a family.

Together, Rodric and Blake dive deep into:

• Why risk avoidance is an illusion — and how to reframe what you’re really risking in life and business.
• The toleration point where people either retreat to comfort or break through to transformation.
• Lessons from Ivan Illich, KFC logos, and why the best coaches don’t just hand you spreadsheets — they coach the person, not just the business.
• How mindset, courage, and clarity create more growth than any tactic or PDF ever will.
• Why investing in help (employees, coaches, systems) is the difference between scaling and stagnation.

This is a powerful conversation about the courage to change course, the risk of staying stuck, and how to live a life you won’t regret at the end.

Quote Highlights:

“Risk avoidance in a vacuum doesn’t exist. You’re always risking something.” – Blake Stratton

“It’s never been about the money for me… and that’s why I make a lot of money.” – Rodric Lenhart

Timestamps:

• (0:00) Blake’s latest pivots and client focus
• (4:00) The bittersweet choice to step away from Boardroom
• (9:45) CAC, LTV, and million-dollar pace conversations
• (16:00) Escaping the golden handcuffs & parenting perspective
• (20:00) Risk vs. tolerance and Ivan Illich’s legacy
• (27:00) Coaching through mindset shifts (investment vs. expense)
• (39:00) Walking the talk with family, travel, and lifestyle design
• (45:00) Coaching the person vs. giving spreadsheets
• (52:00) How Blake prioritizes tasks (and why the Eisenhower Matrix isn’t enough)

🔗 Guest Links:

🌍Website: https://www.blakestratton.com/

📱Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakestrat/?hl=en

📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakestratton/

📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blakestrat

Resources:

Million Dollar Flip Flops

Follow Us on Insta

Ready to transform your business and your life while making a difference? Grab your copy of *Million Dollar Flip Flops*—the ultimate guide to creating a life and business that feels just as good as it looks. And here’s the best part: 100% of the proceeds go directly to our foundation, Send a Student Leader Abroad, with a goal of sending 1,000,000 deserving kids on life-changing trips around the world.

As a thank you for your support, we’re offering exclusive bonuses available only for our podcast listeners. These bonuses are packed with extra tools...