The Matthews Mentality Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Why Smart People Keep Losing Negotiations Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Dr. Abbie Marono, behavioral scientist, author, and international expert on trust, influence, body language, and human behavior.

Dr. Marono has trained the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and numerous federal agencies on behavioral analysis, interviewing, and nonverbal communication. In this conversation, she explains how to better understand people, build trust faster, communicate more effectively, and become a stronger leader by learning the science behind human behavior.

Beyond the research, Abbie shares her incredible personal journey through addiction, homelessness, trauma, and rebuilding her life into one dedicated to helping others better understand themselves and the people around them.

Topics covered in this episode:

How to read body language without falling for common myths
Why body language often reveals more than words
The science behind trust, influence, and first impressions
Fight-or-flight responses and what they reveal about behavior
Self-soothing behaviors, confidence, and anxiety cues
Why context and cue clusters matter more than individual gestures
The psychology of negotiation and influence
Emotional regulation and the hidden side of leadership
How curiosity creates stronger conversations and better outcomes
Dr. Marono's journey from addiction and homelessness to becoming a leading behavioral scientist
Healing from trauma and rebuilding self-agency
Training the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and federal agencies
Why the best negotiators stop trying to "win"

Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, salesperson, negotiator, or simply someone who wants to better understand people, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately in both business and everyday life.

Follow Dr. Abbie Marono:

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

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

Website: https://www.abbiemarono.com

Follow Kyle Matthews:

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kylematthewsceo

X: https://x.com/kylematthewsceo

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

00:00 Listen to Understand

00:45 Meet Dr. Abbie Marono

02:47 Why Body Language Matters

04:33 Fight or Flight Signals

06:29 Confidence and Self-Soothing

08:39 Reading Proximity Cues

12:11 Smiles and Building Trust

14:52 Influence vs. Manipulation

16:03 Addiction, Homelessness & Recovery

22:15 The Turning Point

23:14 Rebuilding After Trauma

27:56 Back to School & Finding Mentors

32:48 Research, Joe Navarro & Behavioral Science

41:48 Reading Context, Not Just Cues

43:57 Trauma and Mental Contamination

48:52 Intuition vs. Trauma

49:26 A Relationship Turns Dark

50:48 Betrayal and Assault

51:36 Feeling Trapped

53:14 Family, Healing & Recovery

54:29 The Science of Emotional Shutdown

56:23 Healing Through Safe Relationships

59:03 The Hidden Half of Leadership

01:01:39 Joe Navarro's Influence

01:06:10 Training Federal Agents

01:08:54 Building Trust Under Stress

01:12:08 Executive Blind Spots

01:19:50 Why Personal Becomes Professional

01:21:31 Self-Reflection and Shame

01:23:41 Rapid Fire: Body Language

01:28:54 Negotiation: Drop the Goal

01:31:42 Closing Thoughts

The First Thing Chobani's Founder Told Me Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Kyle Matthews sits down with Ricky Silver, CEO of Daily Harvest, to discuss how one of America's fastest-growing healthy food companies is changing the way people eat.

Ricky shares his unconventional journey from studying chemistry at Skidmore College and pursuing a PhD at NYU to becoming a personal chef, working in PepsiCo's research and development division, leading innovation at Vita Coco, and ultimately becoming CEO of Daily Harvest following its acquisition by Chobani.

The conversation explores what it takes to build a mission-driven food company, why healthier eating has become unnecessarily complicated, how Daily Harvest sources ingredients from around the world, and the leadership lessons Ricky has learned while scaling a rapidly growing business.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Daily Harvest believes healthy eating should be simple

• How Ricky transitioned from chemistry into the food industry

• What he learned during his years at PepsiCo and Vita Coco

• Why Daily Harvest chose to expand beyond smoothies

• The surprising story behind rescuing "imperfect" bananas from Ecuador

• Why food safety is the foundation of Chobani's culture

• How Ricky became CEO and helped lead Daily Harvest through its acquisition by Chobani

• Leadership lessons from competitive sports

• Why the best managers are "kind, not nice"

• The importance of curiosity, accountability, and building high-performing teams

How Manscaped Created A Billion-Dollar Category Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Paul Tran, founder and CEO of MANSCAPED, the company that transformed men’s grooming by creating an entirely new category and turning it into a global brand.

Born in Vietnam and arriving in America as a first-generation immigrant with his family, Paul’s story is a true example of the American Dream. From growing up in poverty and putting himself through USC to launching multiple businesses and eventually building MANSCAPED into one of the most recognized names in consumer products, Paul shares the lessons, sacrifices, and mindset that fueled his entrepreneurial journey.

Kyle and Paul discuss entrepreneurship, risk-taking, scaling a startup, leadership, work-life balance, AI, branding, family, philanthropy, and what it takes to build a category-defining company from scratch.

Time Stamp:

00:00 No Work Life Balance

00:38 Meet Paul Tran

01:51 Vietnam to America

06:40 Early Hustle Mindset

09:18 Turning Grades Around

10:30 USC and First Ventures

14:11 Manscaped Origin Story

16:55 Validating Product Market Fit

18:56 Bootstrapping and Iteration

20:42 Humor Driven Marketing

23:40 Startup Chaos Stories

26:03 Motivation and Legacy

27:58 Scaling Beyond Below Waist

29:42 COVID Growth Challenges

30:34 COVID Baby Boom

31:02 Retail Wins Post COVID

32:11 Omnichannel Conviction

33:32 AI Changes Shopping

36:58 Founder Health Reset

41:13 Family While Scaling

43:06 Immigrant Parent Pressure

45:56 Buying Parents Homes

47:03 Giving Back Vietnam

53:05 Manscaped Picks Rapidfire

57:38 Wrap Up Thanks

Paul also shares touching stories about his family's journey from Vietnam, his commitment to helping orphaned children, and why creating opportunities for others has become his greatest motivation.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, founder, executive, immigrant chasing the American Dream, or someone looking to build a meaningful business and life, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and powerful life lessons.

Follow Paul Tran:

LinkedIn: Paul Tran

Instagram: @paultran

X: @paultran

Learn More About MANSCAPED:

https://www.manscaped.com

Follow Kyle Matthews:

Instagram: @KyleMatthewsCEO

X: @KyleMatthewsCEO

LinkedIn: Kyle Matthews

TikTok: @KyleMatthewsCEO

#PaulTran #MANSCAPED #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #FounderStory #AmericanDream #StartupLife #Leadership #BrandBuilding #ConsumerProducts #Ecommerce #MensGrooming #AI #MatthewsMentality #KyleMatthewsCEO

Why Physical Retail Isn't Going Away Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Jodie McLean, CEO of EDENS, one of the nation’s largest privately held owners, operators, and developers of open-air retail and mixed-use destinations.

Jodie’s journey is anything but conventional. She joined EDENS as a financial analyst fresh out of college and spent more than three decades helping transform the company into a real estate powerhouse with a portfolio that serves millions of people every day. Along the way, she became one of the most respected leaders in commercial real estate, served as Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and helped redefine what retail real estate can be in a rapidly changing world.

Kyle and Jodie discuss leadership, mentorship, career longevity, the future of retail, artificial intelligence, community building, and the lessons learned from leading through economic cycles, e-commerce disruption, and changing consumer behavior.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Jodie rose from analyst to CEO after 36 years at one company

• Why loyalty, impact, and long-term thinking still matter in today's business world

• The leadership lessons that shaped EDENS' culture and growth

• How e-commerce transformed retail real estate—and why physical places matter more than ever

• Why AI may increase demand for human connection, not decrease it

• What makes great communities and thriving mixed-use developments

• Her experience serving as Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

• The challenges and opportunities of being a female leader in commercial real estate

• Why culture ultimately beats strategy in building great organizations

• The importance of mentorship, curiosity, resilience, and taking calculated risks

Jodie also shares the story of nearly leaving EDENS, the mentor who changed her career trajectory, and the bold decisions that helped shape one of the most innovative retail real estate companies in America.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, investor, commercial real estate professional, or someone looking to build a meaningful career, this conversation is packed with wisdom on leadership, purpose, and creating lasting impact.

Follow Jodie McLean:

LinkedIn: Jodie McLean

Instagram: @jodiewmclean

Learn More About EDENS:

https://www.edens.com

Follow Kyle Matthews:

Instagram: @KyleMatthewsCEO

X: @KyleMatthewsCEO

LinkedIn: Kyle Matthews

TikTok: @KyleMatthewsCEO

#JodieMcLean #EDENS #CommercialRealEstate #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #RetailRealEstate #BusinessPodcast #MatthewsMentality #CEO #WomenInBusiness #RealEstateDevelopment #CommunityBuilding #FederalReserve #BusinessLeadership #KyleMatthewsCEO

The Real Reason Some Careers Accelerate Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Brian Finnegan, President and CEO of Brixmor Property Group (NYSE: BRX), one of the largest open-air shopping center owners and operators in the United States.

Brian’s story is a masterclass in leadership, patience, and long-term career growth. Starting as a leasing representative in 2004, he spent more than two decades working through nearly every operational role in the company before ultimately becoming CEO of a publicly traded real estate investment trust with 344 shopping centers, 62+ million square feet of retail space, and more than 900 million annual consumer visits.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Intro

00:55 Welcome to the Show

02:25 Understanding Brixmor Property Group

05:10 Retail's Resurgence

08:04 Supply and Demand Dynamics

11:19 Same Store Growth

12:51 How We Met

15:13 Networking as a Young Professional

16:49 Brixmor's Evolution and History

20:41 Lessons from Being Young

22:30 Philadelphia Roots

24:29 Getting Into Real Estate

26:49 Brokerage Lessons

28:33 Cold Calling Stories

30:56 Dealing with Rejection

34:32 Time Blocking and Prospecting

35:10 Maximizing Your Current Role

38:01 Moving Across America

39:37 Embracing New Cities

40:54 National Portfolio Experience

41:36 Market Expertise Matters

43:14 Career Growth and Relocation

45:20 Becoming CEO

49:07 First Quarter Success

51:59 CEO Responsibilities

53:13 Redevelopment Strategy

56:08 Work Life Balance

01:00:13 Technology and AI

01:05:07 Innovation and Young Talent

01:07:50 Advice for Young Professionals

01:10:01 Rapid Fire Round

If you're interested in commercial real estate, investing, leadership, entrepreneurship, career growth, public companies, REITs, retail real estate, or business strategy, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experience.

Follow Brian Finnegan:

LinkedIn: Brian Finnegan

Learn More About Brixmor Property Group:

Website: https://www.brixmor.com

NYSE: BRX

Follow Kyle Matthews:

Instagram: @KyleMatthewsCEO

TikTok: @KyleMatthewsCEO

X: @KyleMatthewsCEO

LinkedIn: Kyle Matthews

Subscribe for more interviews with CEOs, founders, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.

#KyleMatthewsCEO #BrianFinnegan #Brixmor #BRX #CommercialRealEstate #RetailRealEstate #REIT #Investing #Leadership #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #RealEstateInvesting #CEO #Retail #ShoppingCenters #MatthewsMentality #BusinessGrowth #NYSE #CareerGrowth #CommercialProperty

Why Turning Down Shark Tank Was the Best Decision They Made Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Nick Friedman, co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, joins Kyle Matthews to share how a 2003 summer hustle with a beat-up cargo van grew into a national brand with roughly 200 franchise owners across 40+ states. They discuss the origin of the name and the HUNKS acronym (Honest, Uniformed, Nice, Knowledgeable Service), why customers pay for convenience and clutter relief, and how systems from The E-Myth helped them scale. Nick recounts appearing on Shark Tank’s first episode, dealing with Kevin O’Leary’s negativity, receiving an offer from Robert Herjavec, and turning it down. He explains franchising pros/cons, self-funding for 15 years, culture and accountability, lessons from Undercover Boss, industry headwinds tied to housing, and the company’s giving efforts including domestic violence survivor moves and Tampa hurricane relief.

The Dark Side of Buy Now Pay Later May 27, 2026

Show notes

On the Matthews Mentality podcast, host Kyle Matthews interviews four-time founder and Kasheesh CEO Sam Miller, who dropped out of college, bootstrapped early companies, achieved three exits, and now leads a fintech platform that lets consumers split purchases across multiple cards with no loans, interest, or credit checks. Miller explains Kasheesh’s origin as a response to predatory buy-now-pay-later lending, its evolution from a browser extension to Apple Pay/Google Pay, and growth to 110,000+ users and $72M+ in transactions. They discuss fundraising challenges, differences between bootstrapping and venture-backed startups, lessons from working in VC, and how consumer usage shifted from discretionary spending to essentials like rent and utilities. The conversation also covers AI’s impact on work, economic warning signs, and Kasheesh roadmap features like Replay, group payments, and rent reporting to credit bureaus.

He Quit Wall Street to Buy a Frozen Yogurt Shop May 19, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews interviews Neil Hershman, CEO of 16 Handles, entrepreneur, franchise operator, Everest summiter, endurance athlete, and business owner.

Neil shares how he left a hedge fund career at 23 years old, bought a single 16 Handles frozen yogurt franchise with an SBA loan, and scaled it into a rapidly growing national franchise brand with nearly 80 locations.

This episode covers entrepreneurship, franchising, business growth, leadership, scaling a company, SBA loans, franchise ownership, investing, mental toughness, endurance training, and building a successful consumer brand.

Topics covered in this episode:

How Neil Hershman bought and scaled 16 Handles
Growing a franchise business from 1 location to nearly 80 stores
Using SBA loans to buy a business
Entrepreneurship and startup lessons
Scaling operations and franchise systems
Leadership lessons from business and endurance sports
Climbing Mount Everest and completing ultra-endurance races
Balancing business growth, family, and personal performance
The future expansion of 16 Handles across the United States
How community-driven brands win in today’s market

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, franchising, startups, scaling a business, investing, business leadership, or founder stories, this episode is packed with insights and practical lessons.

Follow 16 Handles:

Instagram: @16handles

Website: https://16handles.com

Follow Kyle Matthews:

Instagram: @KyleMatthewsCEO

TikTok: @KyleMatthewsCEO

X: @KyleMatthewsCEO

LinkedIn: Kyle Matthews

Subscribe for more interviews with entrepreneurs, CEOs, investors, athletes, and high performers.

The Sport America Is Sleeping On May 12, 2026

Show notes

Kyle Matthews interviews Marc Riccio, CEO of USA Lacrosse, about the sport’s growth, access challenges, and lacrosse’s return to the Olympics in LA 2028 as a medal sport for the first time since 1908. Riccio explains the sixes format (a faster, smaller-sided game akin to rugby sevens) and notes the U.S. women are ranked No. 1 while the U.S. men are No. 2 behind Canada. He discusses obstacles such as high school sanctioning (24 states still not sanctioned), pay-to-play infrastructure, and efforts like “Lacrosse in a Bag” to introduce the sport in schools. Riccio shares leadership lessons from 17 years with the New York Jets, his career path, and how team culture and vulnerability help build championship rosters.

00:00 Move Early Mindset

00:38 Meet Marc Riccio

01:56 Lacrosse Growth Tailwinds

02:37 Olympics Hype And Hockey Comp

04:53 Participation Numbers And TAM

08:02 High School Sanctioning Fight

11:14 LA28 Sixes And Medal Odds

12:07 Lacrosse Origin Story

14:37 Traits Of Great Players

16:54 Team Culture And Leadership

19:41 From Kid Player To Scholarship

22:45 College Grind And Pro Reality

28:40 Breaking Into The Jets

31:01 Parcells Lessons And Decisions

37:04 Belichick Contrast And Media

39:02 Post Jets Career And CEO Life

41:24 Work Ethic And Choices

42:06 Work and Family Balance

42:49 Driven by Insecurity

44:14 From Winning to Legacy

45:33 Access to Lacrosse

47:40 Explaining USA Lacrosse

50:31 Pitch to Parents

52:21 Multi Sport vs Specialize

55:48 Toxic Parent Cultures

01:01:39 Lacrosse Community Magic

01:06:44 Olympics 2028 Journey

01:10:43 Global Growth and Funding

01:14:00 Final Wrap

HOTWORX Founder: A Casual Conversation Built An 800-Location Empire May 05, 2026

Show notes

Kyle Matthews interviews Stephen Smith, founder and CEO of HOTWORX, a 24-hour infrared fitness studio franchise that has grown to over 800 locations since opening its first studio in 2017 after a Jamaica conversation sparked the “yoga in a sauna” concept and a patented infrared fitness sauna. Smith explains HOTWORX's model—app-based access and booking, isometric sauna sessions (30 minutes) and HIIT sauna workouts (15 minutes) using cycling, a total body trainer, and a patented dual-tank rower—plus the claimed benefits of heat, infrared energy, and “3D training.” He shares his entrepreneurial path from opening Bodyplex at 22 to Planet Beach franchising, key franchising lessons, scaling practices like one coach per 50 locations, a “10/10 work ethic” hiring rule, and the launch of Diet Trax and AI-driven TrainingTRAX with Body Vision and 90-day challenges, while targeting 2,000 locations by 2030.

00:00 Work Ethic Filter

00:48 Meet Stephen Smith

02:41 Scaling to 800 Studios

04:13 What Is HOTWORX

06:28 Infrared Training Science

08:38 Jamaica Lightbulb Moment

09:55 Early Entrepreneur Roots

12:29 Bodyplex Leap of Faith

15:52 Golds Gym Lessons

17:30 Planet Beach Franchising

18:51 Franchisor Playbook

21:46 Work Life Balance Debate

23:15 Motivation and Football Mindset

26:30 From Fitness to Tanning

27:25 Reinventing Planet Beach

28:24 Naming HOTWORX

29:11 Launching the First Studio

29:46 Turning Customers into Franchisees

31:23 Scaling with Coaches

33:22 Ambition and Growth Mindset

34:30 Diet Trax to TrainingTRAX

36:44 Gamified 90 Day Challenges

37:15 Body Vision and AI Coaching

39:32 AI for Operations

41:11 Exit Plans and IPO Talk

41:57 Workations and Balance

42:52 Advice for Younger Self

45:30 Wild Entrepreneur Stories

49:14 Wrap Up and Where to Find HOTWORX

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