The Playbook With David Meltzer

Latest Episodes:

Why Progress Speeds Up When You Stop Forcing It Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode, I answer rapid-fire questions on breakthroughs, scaling, and relationships. I share how my first financial leap came nine months after law school by betting on sales skills early, and how my real life shift hit at 38 with a painful lesson that changed my perspective. We talk about building culture that can survive fast-moving markets, why success often moves slowly then suddenly, and how to stay focused on behaviors instead of daily evidence. I break down partnership “rules,” the relativity of time, and a practical way to let underperformers either rise or remove themselves.

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A Smarter Way to Manage Cravings Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode, I talk with Sarah Kennedy, founder and CEO of Calocurb, about a plant based approach to appetite management built on years of research in New Zealand. We break down how her capsule works in the upper intestine to stimulate the body’s own appetite suppressing hormones, why that differs from synthetic GLP 1 drugs, and what the clinical results show around hunger, cravings, and calorie intake. We also talk about the myth of willpower, how the hind brain drives eating behavior, and why coming off injectable solutions can trigger intense rebound hunger.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Most People Are Drifting Without Purpose Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode, I sit down with Ruben Dua, CEO and founder of Dubb and host of the Connection Loop Podcast, to talk about video, fear, and purpose. We get into why most people hold back from sharing their stories, how confidence is built through repetition, and why other people’s opinions are none of your business. I share the moment that pushed me into content creation, what video has changed in my life and career, and how asking, giving real value, and prioritization drive meaningful conversion. We also talk about devotion over discipline, redefining failure, and aligning daily actions with a clear sense of purpose.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Building A Business Buyers Want Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode, I sit down with business broker and entrepreneur Matt Uhler, who’s been self-employed since 17 and has been part of more than 800 business transactions. We talk about the real challenge after success: keeping your purpose once the deal is done. Matt breaks down how buyers think about a company like a recipe, why clean financials and repeatable systems raise valuation, and how real estate can add serious flexibility at exit. We also cover SBA loans as a practical tool for buying income-producing assets, plus the bottleneck problem when a business depends too much on the owner.

Connect with Matt Uhler:

Instagram – @Ampedsuccess

TikTok – @Ampedsuccess

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ditching Toxicity and Designing Your Environment Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, I talk about why transforming your life starts with who and what you allow around you. Toxicity doesn’t just come from obvious negativity — it shows up when we cling to comfort, tolerate misalignment, or listen to fear-based advice. I share why surrounding yourself with values-aligned people, diverse thinkers, and strong mentors accelerates growth and protects your vision. When you set boundaries, prioritize rest, and design environments that support your purpose, you stop leaking energy and start compounding it. This isn’t a one-time decision — it’s a daily practice of choosing growth over interference and committing to the consistent pursuit of your potential.

To join my next free Friday Training sessions, email me at david@dmeltzer.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Changing Meaning Changes Everything Feb 15, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode, I break down why health is the real number one asset, and why chasing goals without asking “for the sake of what?” leads people off track. I share how losing everything forced me to reframe the meaning I gave my past, and how behavior either aligns with where I want to be or interferes with it. I walk through practical daily practices like non negotiables for sleep and health, lowering the bar to stay consistent, and refusing to stack two losses in a row. I also explain why being more interested than interesting changes everything.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Making Facial Recognition Affordable and Practical Feb 14, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode, I sit down with Michael Doherty, founder and CEO of Verifyfaces, to break down how facial recognition can be affordable, fast, and practical without relying on expensive AI. We talk about his shift to facial geometry, turning faces into mathematical data that runs on existing cameras while cutting costs by up to 90%. Michael explains how this approach improves search speed, reduces operator fatigue, and enables real-time alerts for schools, retailers, monitoring centers, and domestic violence prevention. We also cover rare use cases like biometric-triggered emergency alerts and how smarter architecture can prevent incidents before they escalate.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From Pain to Traction Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode, I break down why so many founders stay stuck even when they have ambition, intelligence, and a work ethic. The real problem is confusing motion with momentum, creativity with execution, and effort with results. I explain how pain, setbacks, and churn are feedback, not punishment, and how reframing that feedback turns detraction into traction. From clarity before velocity to building a real feedback loop, I lay out the fundamentals of operational leadership and the non negotiable behaviors that compound over time. Sustainable success comes from fixing what breaks in the order it breaks.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Building Blockchain Without Speculation Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode, I sit down with Michael Bitonti, CEO of Get Liquid.io, to talk about building real world asset backed lending the disciplined way. We unpack why institutional grade compliance matters, how fractionalized debt creates stability where equity often adds volatility, and what it takes to bridge traditional finance with blockchain without sacrificing trust. Michael shares why he chose infrastructure over speculation, licenses over hype, and communication over shortcuts. We also get into faith, leadership, and accountability as operating principles, plus how a compliance first mindset opens the door to broader participation while protecting the foundation.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Real Reason High Performers Feel Stuck Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode, I sit down with Josh Zolin, CEO of Windy City Equipment Service, to talk about why even high performers feel stuck despite success. We unpack how the meaning we assign to our past quietly limits potential, fuels imposter syndrome, and creates interference through fear, separation, and the need to be right. I share how presence and ambition coexist, why non negotiable daily behaviors matter more than goals, and how surrender is really about stopping what interferes. We also explore values over outcomes, asking for help as humility, and why consistent habits remove resistance faster than motivation ever will.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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