I am Charles Schwartz Show

In this insightful episode, Charles explores the entrepreneurial journey and personal resilience with Bobby Mesmer, founder and CEO of RMG Erectors & Constructors, LLC, now valued at $4.5 billion.

Bobby reveals his path from bootstrapping his business to building one of the largest steel erection companies in the world, sharing how multiple life-threatening health crises transformed both his personal outlook and business approach.

The conversation shifts from business strategies to profound personal reflection as Bobby opens up about facing mortality through multiple strokes and a heart attack that left him partially disabled and questioning his worth as a leader, husband, and father.

Rather than focusing solely on business tactics, Charles and Bobby explore how vulnerability and self-belief become essential components of both personal recovery and business growth.
Together, they challenge conventional entrepreneurial wisdom, emphasizing that true success comes from learning from failures and sharing those lessons with otherswhat Bobby calls paying the "dummy tax."

Key Takeaways:
* Why bootstrapping creates more resilient business owners than seeking venture capital
* How near-death experiences can reveal your true purpose in business and life
* The operational excellence formula that transformed Bobby's company into an industry leader
* How embracing personal vulnerability after health setbacks can become an unexpected source of strength

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
02:13 - The Dummy Tax Philosophy: Bobby explains his core business philosophy: "Dummy tax. I made the mistakes learned from me, right? Like, and you know, it started anybody in business, if you're not failing, you should be because that's the only way you're learning."
06:00 - The Scale of Success: Bobby reveals the impressive scale of his business achievements: "We develop that business into also manufacturing and engineering and design... We're the largest purchaser of fabricated steel in North America."
09:44 - The Problem with VC Funding: Bobby shares his strong view on bootstrapping vs. seeking investors: "When you take on capital, the problem with that is, is you're creating a crutch with the capital you're taking on because you're not going through the heartache of running a business and learning how to grow."
13:01 - The True Entrepreneur Test: Bobby explains how to identify real entrepreneurs: "It's very simple. What are you doing in the face of diversity? It starts there. When that adversity hits you, what are your actions? Either you're sticking your head in the sand or you're pulling yourself by your bootstraps."
35:53 - The Health Crisis Reality: Bobby opens up about his devastating health challenges: "When I had my stroke, I lost a whole left side of my body, like I couldn't move my face... that was the first time in my life, like, I felt real fear, you know, like, I was like, holy shit, like, this is, this is real."
37:46 - Wrestling with Unworthiness: Bobby reveals his deeper struggles after health setbacks: "You have a lot of, you know, self-awareness that comes about you through that... You start to question things and you go through so many emotions of, you know, am I really the strong? Should I really be doing this? I'm not worthy? I'm not good enough for my wife. I'm not good enough for my kids."
50:02 - Finding Purpose Through Pain: Bobby shares how he found meaning after his health crises: "I have more to do. I have more to do. I know that I've been gifted with a gift in a lot of ways. I've been gifted with a gift that I need to give back to people... if my survival through what I went through is that gift that I need to give back, that I need to give that back until it's done."

In this insightful episode, Charles explores the psychology of negotiation with Kwame Christian, founder and CEO of the American Negotiation Institute and host of the #1 negotiation podcast in the world.

Kwame reveals his journey from being a chronic people-pleaser to becoming a negotiation expert, sharing how growing up as one of the only Black families in a small Ohio town shaped his approach to human connection.

The conversation shifts from theoretical concepts to practical psychology as Kwame breaks down his "Compassionate Curiosity" framework—a three-step approach that works equally well for internal and external negotiations.

Rather than focusing on tactical maneuvers, Charles and Kwame explore how creating psychological safety through emotional awareness transforms negotiation outcomes.
Together, they challenge conventional negotiation wisdom, emphasizing that persuasion is most effective when imperceptible. Kwame illustrates this through real-world examples from his work with organizations like Google, Apple, and NASA.

Key Takeaways:
* Why understanding psychology matters more than memorizing negotiation tactics
* How to use the "survivability test" to overcome negotiation anxiety
* The psychological reason warm food (like pho) creates better negotiation outcomes
* Why changing pronouns from "you" to "we" transforms difficult conversations

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
5:48 - The Hidden Cost of Popularity: Kwame reveals the silent sacrifices he made to become popular: "I would say yes when I meant to say no, and I would just get along to get along... I was getting other people to like me, but at times I wasn't liking myself."
13:24 - Changing the Pronouns: Charles explains how shifting language transforms negotiations: "Instead of saying 'what do you want?' it's 'what do we want? How are we going to figure out the best solution that works for us?'"
19:41 - Simple vs. Complex: Kwame quotes Leonardo da Vinci and Bruce Lee to explain his approach: "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" and "I don't fear the man who knows 10,000 kicks. I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times."
24:23 - The Empathy Loop: Kwame describes his three-step listening technique: "Step one is listen. Step two is summarize... And then with step three, this is the magic because we don't advance in the conversation until they give us the green light."
35:23 - Feet Don't Lie: Kwame explains why feet reveal true intentions: "Body language becomes more truthful the further away we get from the head... People don't know how to lie with their feet."
37:44 - Curious Not Clinical: Kwame emphasizes that understanding psychology starts with genuine curiosity: "Start paying attention because you start to see, oh, wait a second... people's bodies are screaming all the time."
43:25 - From People Pleaser to Confident Communicator: Kwame mentions his training program specifically designed to help people "overcome those fears, fight those internal barriers so you can be the confident negotiator you always wanted to be."

In this compelling episode, Charles dives deep with Jeremy Estel, a seasoned entrepreneur and venture capitalist who transformed personal tragedy into extraordinary business success. Jeremy opens up about his journey from losing his father at age seven to building multiple Inc. 500 companies, revealing how failure became his most powerful teacher.

From watching his childhood stability crumble after his father's death to losing $2 million in just four days as a young trader, Jeremy's story showcases the resilience that ultimately led him to become the youngest trader in Fidelity Investments' history. He candidly shares the pivotal moment when he turned down a $600 million offer for his business—only to later sell it for just $6 million after regulatory challenges.

Charles and Jeremy explore a refreshing philosophy on failure, discussing how embracing setbacks as part of your growth story creates the courage to take bigger risks. Their conversation unpacks Jeremy's approach to business losses, personal relationships, and finding fulfillment beyond traditional success markers.

Jeremy's insights shine when he breaks down his coaching methodology, revealing how he helps high-achieving professionals—particularly physicians—move beyond the grind to discover real purpose. He challenges conventional thinking about success, advocating for a shift from external validation to internal fulfillment.

Key Takeaways:
* Learn why treating business failures with curiosity rather than despair creates unexpected opportunities
* Discover how therapy and self-awareness transform personal leadership capacity
* Understand the powerful distinction between outward success and genuine fulfillment
* Master the negotiation strategy of listening first to identify others' true needs
* See why purpose—not just profit—creates sustainable business and life satisfaction

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
3:30 - The Ripple Effect of Loss: Losing a father at a young age forced the family into instability, highlighting the stark difference between having resources and struggling without them.
10:45 - The Power of Perspective in Business Failure: A $2 million loss in four days became a turning point. Instead of dwelling on failure, shifting the mindset toward learning from it led to a major career breakthrough.
16:15 - Breaking Emotional Barriers: Years of emotional self-protection made vulnerability seem like a weakness. In reality, avoiding it only led to isolation and deeper struggles.
23:22 - Setting the Standard for Future Generations: A therapist’s advice reshaped the understanding of relationships—children mirror what they witness, making it crucial to create a loving, connected environment.
27:40 - The Truth About Success and Imposter Syndrome: Even the most successful people battle self-doubt. The key is pushing forward despite it, recognizing that no one is inherently more capable.
39:00 - Walking Away from a $600M Deal: Turning down a massive offer in hopes of reaching $1 billion led to unexpected legal battles. Instead of a life-changing fortune, the business sold for $6 million.
40:30 - Embracing Failure as the Ultimate Growth Tool: Failure isn’t a setback but a training ground. The most resilient entrepreneurs are those who have lost and come back stronger.

In this episode, Charles plunges into the battlefield of purpose and mental mastery with Garrett Unclebach, a former Navy SEAL who's transformed elite military tactics into powerful business and life strategies. Garrett reveals his playbook for maintaining composure under extreme pressure and finding the deeper meaning that fuels sustainable success.

From his grueling days in SEAL training to building multiple successful businesses, Garrett's journey showcases the transformative power of purpose over mere motivation. He dissects his evolution from a young man shaped by his father's consistent wisdom to a leader who trains organizations like Oracle, revealing the DNA of his "infinite potential unlock" philosophy that's helped numerous men deploy into life at their greatest capacity.

Charles and Garrett engage in a riveting dialogue, exploring the four pillars of Garrett's mental mastery strategy: breath work, visualization, segmentation, and self-talk. They unpack the game-changing approach of "equanimity" in leadership, the power of perspective over circumstance, and why having purpose beyond yourself trumps transactional thinking in today's high-pressure world.

Garrett's insights radiate with battlefield-tested wisdom as he breaks down his unique leadership framework built on strength and warmth. He challenges conventional thinking about resilience, advocating for a fundamental shift from running toward pleasure or away from pain to pursuing purpose with unwavering commitment.

Key Takeaways:
* Master the SEAL Big Four techniques to maintain calm and clarity in any high-pressure situation
* Learn why visualizing success with specific detail creates a powerful framework for achievement
* Discover how leading with both strength and warmth creates followers who genuinely want to follow you
* Understand how replacing transactional thinking with purpose can unlock your infinite potential

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
6:11 - The Power of Core Beliefs: Garrett explains how our foundational beliefs shape our potential, sharing how his parents' consistent message that "you can have anything you want if you're willing to pay the price" created his unlimited mindset.
16:46 - The Purposeful Journey: Garrett reveals his transformative perspective on purpose-driven living, explaining why those who chase after meaningful missions rather than fleeting pleasure achieve extraordinary results. "Running towards purpose is an infinite path."
27:34 - Beyond Transactional Thinking: Garrett distinguishes between transactional approaches to challenges versus the sacrificial mindset that enables "big bet outcomes" by pursuing worthy goals regardless of guaranteed results.
42:50 - True Resilience in Action: Garrett shares his remarkable Hell Week experience, visualizing not just completion but thriving while others struggled - demonstrating how powerful mental framing creates physical outcomes.
50:30 - The SEAL Big Four Framework: Garrett unpacks the elite mental toolkit that powers Navy SEALs through extreme challenges: breath work, visualization, segmentation, and self-talk - actionable techniques anyone can implement immediately.
52:14 - Mastering Self-Talk: Garrett details how intentional self-talk can immediately pull you out of amygdala hijack during high-pressure situations, emphasizing why verbalizing thoughts creates double the impact.
1:01:34 - Leadership Through Strength and Warmth: Garrett reveals his dual leadership framework that creates genuine followership - demonstrating capability while genuinely caring for your team or mission.

In this episode, Charles explores the science of neuroplasticity and mental transformation with John Assaraf, who built a multimillion-dollar empire after starting as a high-school dropout with a troubled past. John reveals his groundbreaking "innercise" methodology, demonstrating how anyone can rewire their brain for success by implementing consistent micro-actions over 100 days, sharing the exact system he used to go from earning $1.65 per hour to making $300,000 in a single year through deliberate brain training techniques.

From his life-changing encounter with mentor Alan Brown to becoming a leading expert in applied neuroscience, John's journey illustrates the profound difference between being merely "interested" in success versus truly "committed" to achieving it. He explains the biological mechanics behind our self-limiting beliefs and fear responses, introducing his paradigm-shifting approach that distinguishes between "Einstein" (our creative problem-solving capacity) and "Frankie's monster" (our brain's protective fear mechanism), providing practical techniques to calm the sympathetic nervous system and access our highest mental potential.

Charles and John engage in a fascinating exploration of habit formation, examining why most people fail to achieve their goals despite having access to all the necessary information. They unpack John's "rule of 100" and discuss practical brain training exercises anyone can implement, including the physiological breath technique that deactivates fear circuits in just four breaths, and the powerful visualization practices that literally reshape neural pathways when performed consistently.

John shares wisdom from decades of coaching high-performers, emphasizing the critical importance of finding purpose beyond material success and using daily visualization to maintain focus on long-term objectives. His exceptional life blueprint approach demonstrates how spending just six minutes daily reviewing goals and mental images can transform abstract dreams into concrete actions, challenging conventional notions about willpower by revealing how systematic brain training creates sustainable success where motivation alone fails.

Key Takeaways:
* Rewire Your Neural Pathways: Discover the science-backed system for creating new mental habits in 100 days
* Master the Fear Response: Learn the 4-breath technique that instantly shifts your brain from panic to productive thinking
* Visualize for Results: Understand how consistent mental rehearsal activates the same brain circuits as actual performance
* Build Extraordinary Self-Trust: Develop unshakeable confidence through small, consistent daily commitments that compound over time

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
15:24 - The Interest vs. Commitment Distinction: John shares the pivotal question that transformed his life - understanding the profound difference between being merely interested in achieving goals versus being truly committed.
20:01 - The Self-Image Reconstruction Method: John reveals his technique for building a new self-image through consistent affirmations and story-crafting, even when your subconscious initially resists the new narratives.
25:20 - The Einstein vs. Frankie Framework: Learn how John's brain model separates your empowering "Einstein" creative problem-solving capacity from your limiting "Frankie's monster" fear-based protection system.
39:02 - The Four-Breath Reset Technique: John demonstrates his physiological breathing method that instantly deactivates fear circuits in your brain, allowing you to shift from anxiety to productive thinking in seconds.
49:49 - The Rule of 100 Success Principle: Discover John's non-negotiable 100-day consistency approach that transforms impossible-seeming goals into inevitable achievements through tiny, manageable daily actions.
54:03 - The Hourglass Life Management System: John explains his visual reminder system for time management, focusing on how to make meaningful choices with your remaining "sand" rather than dwelling on past regrets.
1:00:02 - The Rocking Chair Visualization Test: Learn John's powerful end-of-life perspective technique that helps you identify your true priorities by envisioning advice from your future self to your present self.