Blaze Your Own Trail

Latest Episodes:

The Skill School Never Taught That Changes Careers with Minesh Baxi Oct 24, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Minesh Baxi shares his inspiring journey from India to the US, his insights on education, career skills, and parenting, and details about upcoming events for aspiring speakers and entrepreneurs.

Key Topics

Minesh Baxi's childhood in India and move to the US
The importance of skills over degrees in today's world
The value of growth mindset versus fixed mindset
Parenting strategies for developing life skills
Upcoming speaking and networking events in Florida
The role of assessments in career and personal development
The significance of persuasion and results-oriented skills
Financial literacy and investing for children
Lessons learned from cross-cultural experiences

Takeaways

Most people (only 20%) should attend college, focusing on specific knowledge areas.
Skills like decision-making, persuasion, and results orientation are crucial for success.
Parents should actively teach values, skills, and decision-making to children.
Networking and personal branding are vital; attending events can open doors.
Early investment and financial literacy can significantly impact future wealth.

Sound Bites

"Only twenty percent of people should go to college."
"In a fast-changing world, a fixed mindset is a trap."
"Master persuasion and results orientation to succeed."

Chapters

00:00 — Introducing Minesh Baxi
02:22 — Growing up in Agra and learning to adapt
03:43 — Cricket explained for new fans
06:51 — Cricket strategy and the role of the bowlers
09:52 — Minesh’s perspective on who should go to college
12:33 — Fixed mindset versus growth mindset
15:46 — Moving from India to the United States
17:06 — First impressions of America
21:20 — Why engineering wasn’t the right fit
22:17 — What school teaches—and what it leaves out
23:41 — Decision making as a vital life skill
28:25 — Using assessments to find career fit
30:48 — Teaching kids results orientation and persuasion
34:15 — Writing books that help readers and grow a business
38:53 — Financial literacy and Millionaires in Training
42:20 — The Lake Mary speaker event
45:01 — Networking and who should attend

Connect with Minesh:

Website: https://mbaxi.com/

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minesh_baxi/

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The Power of Human Connection in Leadership with Dr. Jen Thomas Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Jen Thomas shares her inspiring journey from childhood in Buffalo to becoming a leadership speaker and author. She discusses the importance of human connection, embracing life's ups and downs, and redefining pathways into the workforce.

Key topics

Journey from childhood to leadership
The importance of human connection in work and life
Redefining pathways into the workforce and education
Resilience through life's challenges
The role of mentorship and coaching

Takeaways

Embrace life's ups and downs to discover your true self.
Human connection is the foundation of effective leadership.
There are multiple pathways into the workforce beyond traditional education.
Resilience and adaptability are key to overcoming challenges.
Mentorship and coaching can significantly impact personal and professional growth.

Get a copy of Dr. Jen's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Thirty-Second-Miracles-Finding-Wonder-Everyday/dp/B0HB11HSGL

Connect with Dr. Jen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasja/

Website: https://www.jen-connects.com/

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Why You Should Build Through Failure with Steve Walsh Oct 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Steve Walsh, known as the hands-on angel, shares his journey from a successful corporate career to becoming an entrepreneur and investor. He discusses lessons learned from sports, leadership, building teams, managing multiple business units, and the importance of authenticity and bold outreach in business growth.

Key Topics

Steve Walsh's background and journey from corporate to entrepreneurship
Lessons learned from sports that apply to business
Top leadership qualities for team building
Managing multiple business units and global teams
The importance of authenticity and boldness in outreach
Lessons from building and investing in startups
The impact of family and personal relationships on career
Strategies for effective networking and relationship building
Insights into fundraising and investor relations
Encouragement for aspiring entrepreneurs

Chapters

(00:00) Introducing Steve Walsh, the Hands-On Angel
(01:19) Growing up with sports and strong family foundations
(02:23) Choosing sales over law school
(04:24) What sports teach us about resilience
(07:29) Why sales is a life skill
(09:34) Steve’s rise through corporate leadership
(12:17) Three principles for building strong teams
(14:13) Career moves, family impact, and leadership’s hard decisions
(17:54) Leading large, distributed teams
(23:52) Finding success beyond big titles and companies
(25:16) Mentorship and leadership development
(27:22) How the Hands-On Angel brand began
(34:23) What Steve looks for in startup founders
(38:06) Authentic outreach and bringing value first
(43:36) Why it’s a good time to bet on yourself
(44:47) Action, momentum, and taking the first step
(45:49) Final advice: keep building

Work with Steve: https://www.handsonangel.com/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/handsonangel/

Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehandsonangel

Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehandsonangel

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They Used Stimulus Checks to Make Their First Short Film with Kaleb & Kyler Cook Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

In this inspiring interview, Kaleb and Kyler Cook share their journey from small-town Illinois to becoming filmmakers with a faith-driven mission. They discuss their creative process, the importance of community, and how their faith shapes their work, culminating in the of their recently released impactful film 'Just One More' which has won several awards in multiple categories

Takeaways

-Consistent practice and honing craft over years is essential to success.
-Surround yourself with people better than you to elevate your work.
-Faith and community are foundational to impactful filmmaking.

Sound Bites

"Surround yourself with people better than you."
"High quality storytelling makes much of Jesus."
"Embrace the long journey to mastery."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to TwinBolt Media and the Cook Brothers
02:11 Growing Up in Southern Illinois: Culture and Influences
04:46 The Impact of 90s Comedy on Their Creative Journey
08:12 Transitioning from High School to Filmmaking
09:28 The Journey Through Education and Early Career
12:09 The Birth of TwinBolt Media During the Pandemic
13:55 Finding Purpose in Filmmaking and Faith
15:02 The Evolution of Christian Filmmaking
19:00 Addressing Addiction and Community in Their Films
22:37 Growing Up with Brothers and Wrestling
23:57 The Birth of TwinBull: A Partnership in Filmmaking
28:18 The Role of Faith and Family in Filmmaking
30:21 Creating High-Quality Content for a Higher Purpose
34:28 The Inspiration Behind 'Just One More'
38:12 Building Community and Collaboration in Filmmaking
42:08 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

Learn more about Kaleb & Kyler's current & future projects: https://www.twinboltmedia.com/

Watch 'Just One More" here: https://www.angel.com/movies/just-one-more

Connect with Kyler: https://www.instagram.com/kylercook/

Connect with Kaleb: https://www.instagram.com/kaleb_cook_filmmaker/

The Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast is Sponsored by CityGate Studios.

If you are looking for a world-class team to help with your Film, T.V., Podcast or other creative production project in a clean, safe and Christ-Centered environment, look not further!

Visit their website to learn more: https://citygatestudios.com/

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Why Your Network Score Matters More Than Your Credit Score with Eddie Konialian Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Jordan Mendoza sits down with Eddie Konialian, co-founder of Netwrk.VIP, for a conversation about resilience, leadership, and why networking should be measured by generosity, not extraction. Eddie shares how growing up in Beirut during the civil war, immigrating to Los Angeles, and building his career in finance shaped his belief that real success comes from helping other people win. They discuss Eddie’s path from sports and early jobs into banking leadership, the lessons he learned from managing teams, and why he built a platform focused on ownership, trust, and relationship quality. The episode centers on one big idea: in a world full of AI and automation, being human is becoming a competitive advantage.

Key topics

Eddie’s origin story: growing up in Beirut during the civil war and immigrating to the United States in the mid-1980s
Overcoming language barriers and finding confidence and community through sports
Lessons from athletics and John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success
“Raise the floor, not the ceiling”: why results matter more than potential or promises
Eddie’s reflections on college, completing what you start, and the value of education
His early jobs, sales experience, and career at Countrywide Home Loans
Becoming a manager at 23 and learning to lead and coach a team
The 2008 financial crisis, rebuilding his career, and developing the idea for Netwrk.

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction to Eddie and the episode’s mission
01:22 — Why Jordan wanted Eddie’s full story before talking business
01:53 — Leaving Beirut because of war and starting over in the U.S.
02:17 — Language barriers, being held back, and learning to belong
03:13 — Sports as a bridge to friendship and confidence
04:18 — John Wooden, sports culture, and lessons for business
07:28 — “Raise the floor, not the ceiling”
09:48 — Family pressure, a partial scholarship, and choosing work over college
12:16 — Eddie’s perspective on the value of finishing school
16:57 — First jobs, copier sales, and landing at Countrywide
17:51 — Managing 30 loan officers at 23
19:40 — Why helping employees and customers became the real reward
23:20 — The hardest thing to teach is care
24:47 — Leaving Countrywide, the 2008 crash, and rebuilding at Bank of America
25:45 — Comerica promotion and leading 105 employees
27:33 — Tracking referrals and spotting the Netwrk.VIP idea
30:21 — Eddie’s definition of networking: “sum of all effort”
33:29 — Why CRM data and social profiles need real action behind them
35:15 — What Netwrk.VIP does and why it exists
39:35 — Netwrk.VIP features: dashboard, global reach map, digital passports, and groups
41:04 — The upcoming "netwrk score"
42:45 — Measuring character instead of credit score
44:03 — Where to find Netwrk.VIP and Eddie’s contact information
44:27 — Final thoughts: “Be good people”

Connect with Eddie:

https://netwrk.vip/

https://www.instagram.com/coacheddiek/

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From Burned Out Chef to Global Movement Helping Chef's Thrive with Andres Hinojosa Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Chef Andres Hinojosa shares his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a successful chef and mentor. Discover how adversity shaped his life, his passion for food, and his mission to empower other chefs to succeed.

Key topics

Chef Andres' childhood and early influences
Overcoming adversity and personal challenges
The founding of Dinner with a Chef and Chefpreneur University
The importance of excellence and service in the culinary arts
Strategies for aspiring chefs to succeed and monetize their passion
The role of faith and purpose in personal and professional growth

Sound Bites

"God uses all things for our good"
"Adversity can be your superpower"
"Success leaves clues"

00:00 Welcome and introduction to Chef Andres
01:04 Growing up in San Diego and discovering a love of food
02:58 His mother’s accident and a life-changing childhood
04:27 Moving to Iowa and finding faith through hardship
06:14 Taking on adult responsibilities at 14
08:00 Marriage, family, and growing up quickly
10:45 Turning adversity into purpose
12:26 The moment he chose to believe
15:53 Early dreams and finding direction
17:29 Encouraging his mother through difficult nights
19:38 Meeting Danielle and starting a family
22:20 Adversity as a potential superpower
23:12 Dinner with a Chef and Chefpreneur
24:12 His grandmother’s influence and culinary beginnings
25:26 Leaving demanding restaurant hours to start a business
26:23 Helping chefs build personal chef businesses
29:51 Learning excellence and service in luxury hotels
33:06 The vision behind Chefpreneur University
35:43 Real-world expertise versus online coaching hype
39:09 Three tips for becoming a better cook
40:00 Use quality ingredients, keep it simple, and season well
44:11 Three tips for starting a chef business
45:12 Find proven success, persist, and make a plan
49:20 Turning vision into strategy
50:23 Closing reflections and where to find Chef Andres
52:11 Final sign-off

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They Live On a Cruise Ship with Jeff and Debb Knapp Sep 20, 2026

Show notes

Jeff and Debb share their inspiring journey from hardship to living full-time on a cruise ship, emphasizing the power of resilience, faith, and community impact. Their story highlights overcoming adversity and building a life of purpose and impact.

Key Topics

Jeff and Debb's background and childhood stories
The decision to live full-time on a cruise ship
The role of faith and community in overcoming adversity
The journey of building a social media presence and brand
The importance of authenticity and impact in content creation
Strategies for overcoming personal struggles and depression
The significance of setting boundaries and self-care
Future plans for growth, impact, and monetization
The power of sharing stories to inspire others

Connect with Jeff and Debb: https://www.weliveonacruiseship.com/

Grab a copy of Jordan's Best Selling Book: The Life-Changing Power of Adversity: https://www.amazon.com/LIFE-CHANGING-POWER-ADVERSITY-Struggles-Potential-ebook/dp/B0FHYB6JV3

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From Stuttering to Strength with Marcy Axelrod Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza speaks with Marcy Axelrod, who shares her journey of overcoming stuttering and how it shaped her understanding of human connection and compassion. Marcy discusses the importance of showing up authentically in life, the continuum of presence, and how art serves as a powerful medium for expression and community engagement. She emphasizes the role of adversity in personal growth and the necessity of being present and compassionate towards others.

Takeaways

Marcy emphasizes that what we do is not who we are.
Her experience with stuttering taught her about interconnectedness.
Adversity can be a gift that shapes our identity.
The importance of being present and compassionate in interactions.
Art is a universal form of expression that everyone can engage with.
We impact the world at every moment through our actions.
The show up continuum helps us understand our presence in the world.
Choosing how we show up can transform our relationships.
Marcy's journey highlights the power of vulnerability and authenticity.
Community engagement through art can uplift others.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Marcy Axelrod
06:14 The Journey of Communication and Self-Discovery
15:59 The Impact of Stuttering on Identity
22:54 The Show Up Continuum: Levels of Engagement
27:38 Art as a Medium of Expression
28:01 The Essence of Art and Creativity
34:09 The Role of Art in Community and Philanthropy
45:26 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Presence

Connect with Marcy: https://choosetoshowup.com/

Get a copy of Marcy's Best Selling Book: https://choosetoshowup.com/books

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Life After the Gridiron, Podcasting for Business Growth, and Building Through Adversity with Marques Ogden Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

Jordan Mendoza sits down with Marques Ogden for a wide-ranging conversation about reinvention, podcasting, business development, and resilience. Marques shares how he went from NFL player to entrepreneur, then rebuilt his career through speaking, coaching, consulting, and his podcast Get Authentic with Marques Ogden. They also dig into how podcasting can create real business opportunities, why consistency matters before monetization, and how AI is changing content creation and operational systems. The conversation closes with a practical message for anyone in a hard season: focus on the light, keep moving, and never quit.

Key topics

Marques Ogden’s transition from former NFL player to speaker, coach, consultant, and podcast host
Why his work now centers on mindset, leadership, sales, and helping organizations build sustainable success
A customized app his team built for clients that supports KPI tracking, leadership training, communication, roundtables, and dashboards
How Get Authentic with Marques Ogden became a networking engine that led to clients, referrals, and long-term relationships
Why podcasting creates value through access, credibility, and relationship building rather than immediate revenue
The early grind of podcasting, including no monetization at launch, inconsistent guests, and the need to invest before earning
How sponsorships, consulting, speaking, and coaching now all flow from the podcast ecosystem
The importance of staying consistent, improving production, and continuing to iterate on clips, thumbnails, and social content
How Marques structures workshops based on client needs, including half-day and full-day formats with custom proposals
The positive impact of AI on podcasting and business systems, especially for speed, efficiency, descriptions, workflows, and publishing
Marques’s shift from resisting AI and CRM systems to using them as core parts of his business
Advice for anyone in a difficult season: focus on what is good, lean on your network, and keep going until momentum returns

Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome back and Marques Ogden’s journey from the NFL to entrepreneurship

02:05 - Speaking, leadership training, and the legacy of purpose theme

03:03 - Custom client app for KPI tracking, training, and communication

04:21 - Why Get Authentic attracts authentic guests and powerful stories

05:23 - Why business leaders should have a podcast in 2026

06:23 - How podcasting opened the door to Trucordia and other clients

09:57 - The long road to podcast monetization and business impact

10:22 - Early struggles, divorce, and the cost of building the show

12:48 - Keep going when downloads, money, and guests are all uneven

14:06 - Reps, consistency, and showing up instead of riding the wave

15:32 - Podcasting leads to in-person content and stronger client relationships

16:02 - Breaking into the insurance space through referrals and relationships

18:25 - Why sales and trust often happen after multiple touchpoints

19:56 - How workshops are customized for each client’s needs

22:11 - AI as a tool for efficiency, publishing, and content creation

23:55 - Going from anti-CRM to building a system-driven business

27:02 - AI with human touch and why systems matter for scale

28:53 - Message for listeners facing rock bottom

30:07 - Turning adversity into momentum and buying a dream home

32:11 - Be bold, have integrity, take ownership, and never quit

33:39 - Smooth seas never made skilled sailors

Work with Marques: https://marquesogden.com/

Listen to Get Authentic: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-authentic-with-marques-ogden/id1633323257

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People Plus Process Equals Profit with Lee Walker Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Jordan Mendoza sits down with Lee Walker, founder of Daily Driver Consulting, to unpack how psychology, sports, international experience, and hands-on accounting work shaped his approach to helping small businesses improve profit. Lee shares how he went from Maryland to Maastricht, learned to see business through a people first lens, and built a model centered on finding leaks, improving systems, and turning teams into profit drivers.In this episode, Lee explains why business is really psychology at scale, how his sports background shaped discipline and mindset, and why his time in the Netherlands changed the way he thinks about work, culture, and business relationships. He also breaks down his approach to small business profit acceleration, plus the assessments he uses for both accountants and other business owners.Key topics

Lee shares how his background in business psychology and industrial organizational psychology shaped the way he sees management, marketing, accounting, and financial markets
He explains the lessons he took from football and other sports, especially the idea that discomfort does not mean something is wrong
He talks about growing up in Elkridge near Baltimore, trying multiple sports, loving video games, and eventually taking school seriously in high school
Lee describes how he chose experience over credentials in many parts of life, including Boy Scouts, school, and career decisions
He explains why he studied psychology and business, then added an English minor through classes like poetry, satire, and literature
He breaks down why he believes every part of business is rooted in psychology, from team management to client behavior to accounting policy
Lee discusses moving to the Netherlands for his master’s, becoming president of a snowboard and board sports club, and building friendships through international leadership
He compares Dutch and U.S. culture around dining, drinking, work hours, education cost, and the slower pace of life
He shares how COVID, visa timing, and travel disruptions forced him to return to Maryland and reset his priorities
Lee explains how that reset led to better health habits, more certifications, teaching English, and a sharper focus on helping small businesses
He details how he helped transform an accounting firm from a small startup into a much larger operation while improving internal processes
He introduces his assessments for accountants and small business owners, designed to identify opportunities, bottlenecks, and profit potential

Timestamps

(00:00) Lee Walker’s background in psychology and profit acceleration
(01:43) Why Jordan starts with childhood context and origin story
(02:08) Growing up near Baltimore and early interests in sports and games
(03:01) From wanting to be a lawyer to wanting to invent something
(04:13) What sports teach about discipline and success in business
(05:01) Two major lessons from football and training mindset
(06:56) High school focus, Boy Scouts, and choosing experience over badges
(07:56) College, fraternity life, and the psychology plus business path
(08:54) Why Lee says every part of business is psychology
(10:19) Moving to the Netherlands for a master’s and building a network
(11:12) Becoming president of a snowboard club and learning leadership
(12:34) Running nonprofit clubs like real businesses
(13:59) Dutch versus U.S. culture and the pace of life
(15:11) Age differences, drinking culture, and social norms in Europe
(18:10) Slower meals, longer conversations, and relationship first business
(19:07) Work hours in Europe versus U.S. consulting and banking
(21:33) Why studying in the Netherlands was such a better value
(26:38) Working in Amsterdam, visa pressure, and the start of COVID
(28:28) Border closures, Switzerland, and the decision to return home
(30:15) Resetting health, habits, and learning after moving back
(31:42) Watching small businesses struggle during COVID relief rollout
(32:40) Starting Lee’s Cool Friends to support entrepreneurs
(33:08) Getting pulled into accounting and people advisory work
(34:32) Improving internal processes while handling client work
(35:27) Getting 150 clients early and cleaning up tax season chaos
(36:53) Choosing small business support over big consulting firms
(37:53) Three and a half years of experience before launching his own firm
(39:12) Assessments for accountants and small businesses
(41:09) Daily Driver Consulting, the new book, and what comes next
(42:40) Lee’s closing advice about community and using available resources