The Upgraded Man

Latest Episodes:

Amazon Reviews, Brand Trust, and Reputation Management with Shane Barker Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Chris sits down with digital marketing expert Shane Barker to break down the real impact of reviews on Amazon and beyond. Shane shares practical insights on managing negative reviews, building brand trust, and why reputation management is no longer optional for modern businesses. Whether you sell on Amazon or rely on online reviews to drive growth, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies you can apply immediately.

Main talking points:

Why negative and critical reviews matter more than positive ones
How Amazon reviews impact long-term brand trust
Common mistakes businesses make with review management
Expanding reputation strategy beyond Amazon to Google and social platforms
Where to follow Shane for ongoing Amazon and marketing insights

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

Our mission at The Upgraded Man is simple — help men upgrade every area of their life through real conversations, honest stories, and actionable insight from men who have done the work.
Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Send Chris Anderson a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/upgradedmanpodcast

The content on The Upgraded Man is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not constitute professional legal, financial, medical, or therapeutic advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on information discussed on this podcast.

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Get Your Financial House in Order: Scaling a Service Business with Confidence Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, we sit down with Jon from Fiscal Advocate to talk about why understanding your numbers is non-negotiable if you want to build a healthy, scalable service business. We break down how business owners can get clarity, create a strong financial foundation, and make smarter decisions that support long-term growth.

What we cover:

Why most service business owners struggle with their numbers
How to build a solid financial foundation before scaling
The importance of direction, clarity, and financial discipline
Resources available for professional service companies
Where to connect with John and Fiscal Advocate for ongoing support

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

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The Hard Truth About YouTube: Why Your Strategy is Broken (50 Billion Views Expert Jeremy Vest) Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson welcomes Jeremy Vest, a veteran YouTube strategist. With two decades of experience, Jeremy provides a no-nonsense guide to achieving sustainable growth, moving past the common pitfalls that keep over 90% of creators from even reaching 1,000 subscribers. This is a crucial conversation for anyone looking to build a media company, from aspiring creators to small business owners.

In this episode, you will learn:

Why you must create content for the viewer, not for yourself, and why being a "generalist" on YouTube is a "very dangerous thing."
The critical importance of narrowing down your niche, using the example of the world's most famous plumber, and why specificity (e.g., "skaters over 40") is essential to stand out from AI-generated content.
The "Purpose, Passion, Profit" three-circle alignment necessary to sustain creativity over the long haul.
The power of defining your value and mission in a six-word phrase to maintain focus and belief.
The "Click, Watch, Like" algorithm framework and how to set the first two seconds of your video with high stakes to match your title and thumbnail intent.
How Jeremy's company uses AI to find the titles, hooks, and scripts from the world's top-performing videos to create winning formulas.
Why creators must have a "growth mindset" to improve by 1% every week, instead of quitting with a "fixed mindset."
The smart way to monetize: never make more than 10% of your revenue from ads, prioritizing your own products/services, affiliate marketing, and brand partnerships.
The "hard truth" most creators are not ready to hear about their journey to success.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

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The Set of the Sail: Jay Setchell on Mindset, Grit, and Why It’s Always Too Soon to Quit Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson welcomes Jay Setchell, a remarkable guest whose life journey embodies extreme resilience. Raised on a farm, a Marine Corps veteran, an entrepreneur, and a corporate leader, Jay has faced and overcome unimaginable challenges, including dying three times, a debilitating accident that left him paralyzed, and 73 surgeries. He discusses how these experiences shifted his entire perspective on life, purpose, and commitment, contrasting his generation's "suck it up" philosophy with the current societal push for "safe places." This is a raw and uncompromising conversation about finding strength within pain, adjusting your mindset, and why giving up is simply not an option.

In this episode, you will learn:

What fundamentally changes in a man’s mind and purpose after multiple near-death experiences.
The profound difference between "hope" and "true belief/faith" when pursuing goals.
The concept of "The Set of the Sail" and how a slight adjustment in attitude can change your entire direction.
Why Jay believes modern society is raising a "country of soft people" and what is owed to their parents.
The mindset and commitment required for an entrepreneur to succeed, and why it’s better to make less money doing what you love.
How to harness anger, frustration, or even chronic pain to drive yourself forward and accomplish what you need to do.
Jay’s conviction that "it’s always too soon to quit" and that a life of service and helping others is the ultimate purpose.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Beyond Habit: Roy Ward on Making Preparation Your Ritual for Peak Performance Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

We dive into an honest conversation with Roy Ward, CEO, President, and Founder of Pre-Game Athletics, on why he moved from a 20-year career in the reactive medical device industry to pioneer a proactive movement focused on preparing for peak performance. It’s not about just "warming up"—it’s about committing to a ritual that fuels you mentally and physically.

In this episode, we challenge the idea of preparation as a forced habit, exploring the three-step process of making it a ritual you feel. Roy details how music integration and new sports tech wearables are central to this shift, helping entrepreneurs, athletes, and "movers" of all kinds optimize their performance without taking extra time out of their day.

It’s time to move beyond the Band-Aid fixes of a reactive lifestyle and embrace proactivity. Discover the secret sauce behind the Pre-Game community, the power of a "voluntary discomfort" ritual (sauna and cold plunge), and the vital role of recovery—because your recovery is the start of your warm-up for the next event.

Roy's final message: "Appreciate every moment. Make the most of every moment. Prepare to be your best at everything you do, and always stay in the saddle."
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Our mission here at Elevate Media is to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs elevate their brands and make an impact through the power of video podcasting.

Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all our episodes or videos on the Elevate Media and Elevate Media Podcast YouTube channels. https://elevatemediastudios.com/disclaimer

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

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Clear the Brain Fog to Elevate Your Business Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

Chris Anderson speaks with Dr. Brian McCarley about his journey from a head athletic trainer to a long-time successful chiropractor, guiding entrepreneurs, business leaders, and families.

From Athletic Training to Chiropractic: Dr. Brian recounts his career shift, explaining that the late-night, intense lifestyle of an athletic trainer was incompatible with being a newlywed. This led him through a brief stint in the business world before choosing chiropractic—a more natural, faith-aligned healthcare approach—necessitating a difficult move to Texas for three years of school.
The Entrepreneurial Decision Cascade: Success after the initial leap requires navigating a continuous series of smaller, difficult decisions that, when stacked together, can feel overwhelming. Dr. Brian advocates for prioritizing based on what's urgent versus what's truly important, and learning to make the "least bad decision" when all options are challenging. He suggests using whiteboards and Post-it Notes to visualize and prioritize tasks, and to always assess how one decision will affect others down the road.
The Value of Advisors: Having a team of trusted advisors is crucial for gaining an outside perspective, simplifying complex issues, and identifying personal "blind spots" or ego-driven blocks that cloud judgment. Dr. Brian sees his role with patients and clients not as an educator, but as a "guide" to help them become the "hero of their own life."
Overcoming "Brain Fog" with Health: The episode dives into the connection between health and entrepreneurial performance. Dr. Brian pinpoints "bright shiny syndrome" and neglecting self-care as common causes of mental clarity issues that compromise business-critical decisions.
Practical Health Strategies for High-Achievers:
- Efficient Exercise: Focus on activities that offer the greatest benefit in the shortest time, citing rucking (walking with a weighted vest) as an effective, low-impact method.
- Time Management & Delegation: Calculate your effective hourly rate and delegate tasks that cost less than that rate to a VA or part-time help, freeing up the entrepreneur for high-value work and personal time.
- Hourly Brain Breaks: Set a timer to take a 5-minute break every hour to step away from the computer. This prevents neurological burnout and increases efficiency and problem-solving.
The Logic of Intermittent Fasting: Dr. Brian shares his thoughts on intermittent fasting, noting that three meals a day is a product of the industrial revolution and that bodies are designed for periods of fasting. He advises anyone trying it to be deliberate, prepare for mental shifts, and learn to distinguish between true hunger and boredom by drinking water.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Work-Life Balance is a lie! Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

What if we told you that the whole concept of work-life balance sets us up for disappointment? Brace yourselves for an enlightening discussion where we challenge the narratives surrounding pursuing a harmonious life and the misconceptions about entrepreneurship. We dive into honest conversations about the grind in reaching our life goals and the sacrifices we need to make for long-term success. It's not about working 24 hours a month and expecting a rosy life, it’s about understanding that success demands effort.
We're not here to sugarcoat things. Starting a business is not as simple as leaving your 9 to 5 job and suddenly having a Ferrari in your garage. We must prioritize and manage our time effectively, making strategic decisions about what we're willing to give up for the sake of our dreams. And most importantly, how we spend our time now will determine our growth and success in the future. So, are you spending time on activities that fuel your growth, or are you wasting your potential?
Let's take a hard look at ourselves and our routines. It's time to break free from the illusion of work-life balance and step into the reality of what it takes to elevate ourselves, our brand truly, and our agency.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Unlocking Virality: Austin Armstrong’s Exact Strategy Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Elevate Media Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with viral marketing expert and AI creator Austin Armstrong to break down the real art of going viral without chasing shortcuts. From posting 20 to 25 times a day on Facebook to building micro SaaS with vibe coding, Austin shares exactly how he has generated billions of views, built multiple seven-figure businesses, and stacked numerous streams of income using social media the smart way.

In this episode, you will learn:

Why “the algorithm hates me” is really a discipline and longevity problem.
How Austin went from 600 “failed” YouTube uploads to 100K subscribers in three days by narrowing his content and doubling down on what worked
The power of creating a repeatable content series with the same hook and structure but fresh “meat in the middle.”
Why most creators should stop starting over and instead refine their niche and audience on the channel they already have
How to niche down, define your ideal client persona, and choose the right platform and format for them.
Austin’s “START” video framework for turning views into trust and leads
Why he posts 20 to 25 times a day on Facebook and how collaboration pods and simple text threads are driving tens of millions of views
How to walk the line between clickbait, controversy, and ethical engagement
Why perfectionism is just procrastination in disguise and how quantity leads to quality over time
What vibe coding is and how non-technical creators can build micro SaaS tools that generate recurring revenue
The mindset, sacrifices, and consistency required to replace your job income with content and online offers

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Alexa D'Agostino: The Data-Driven Secret to Scaling Your Business to 9 Figures Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

A deep dive into data-driven marketing and entrepreneurship with Dr. Alexa D'Agostino, covering two decades of experience and insights.

Persistence vs. Delegation: The biggest hurdles to scaling are a lack of persistence for those under $1 million and a CEO's inability to delegate and focus on strategy for those over $5 million.
Data is More Than Numbers: Data is defined as buying behavior, what customers hate, when they click, and why they don't buy—it’s crucial to listen to what the data is screaming, not to guess.
The Shift in Content: Polished, overproduced content is hurting conversions. What converts now is "raw, real, fast, unedited" content like screenshots and behind-the-scenes looks, which builds trust and transparency.
AI as an Amplifier: AI will not take over marketing teams but will change their roles, requiring more strategists. AI is only as good as the knowledge it's trained on, and it amplifies what you know.
Relentless Execution: Dr. Alexa’s secret sauce is "relentless execution"—moving faster, testing faster, and launching, learning, and tweaking instead of waiting for perfection.
Avoiding Shiny Object Syndrome: Founders should focus on one offer and scale it to the $750K to $1.5M range to ensure enough profit to hire a dedicated team member before expanding to a second offer.
Tracking Traction: Traction isn't always revenue; it can be momentum, interest, waitlist sign-ups, or acquisition interest, which indicates the need to pivot or double down.
Single Channel Focus: Beginning entrepreneurs should focus on mastering one channel (e.g., TikTok for product, LinkedIn for education) where their consumer is, to build community, drive traffic, and avoid burnout.
Top 3 Data Points: The most important metrics to track are Traffic (are they staying?), Conversion Rate (is the campaign working?), and Cost Per Sale/Lead.
Low vs. High Ticket Sales Funnel: Social media acts as the top of the funnel to build trust. Low-ticket sales are a volume play, while high-ticket sales require deeper trust and a longer engagement journey (often six months or more).
Essential Business System: Every founder needs a CRM (even starting with a basic spreadsheet like Excel) to capture leads, keep them warm, and follow up, as leads don't just "pop up."
Value in the Age of AI: The true value an expert provides is in context, knowledge, and perspective, which AI cannot replicate because it has not lived the experience.

This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.

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⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms

⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest

⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Neuralink: Breakthrough or Dangerous Tech? Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Chris breaks down Elon Musk’s Neuralink: the promises, the problems, and the real concerns no one’s talking about. From medical skepticism to ethical red flags, data transparency, past animal testing issues, hacking risks, and the spiritual implications of tampering with the brain, Chris unpacks whether Neuralink is a revolutionary idea or a dangerous overreach.

MAIN TALKING POINTS: