Transcript

A (0:00)

Foreign. And now, escaping the Drift, the show designed to get you from where you are to where you want to be. I'm John Gafford, and I have a knack for getting extraordinary achievers to drop their secrets to help you on a path to greatness. So stop drifting along, escape the Drift, and it's time to start right now. Back again, back again for another episode of the podcast where, like it says in the opening, man gets you from where you are to where you want to go. And today, live in studio, flown in right all the way away from the sunny beaches of Florida, Fort Lauderdale. Anyway, this is a guy who was an entrepreneur in his own right, but has used the medium that we're on right now, podcasting, to help other people establish their authority and build their brand. And I thought it'd be interesting to talk about kind of the mechanics and the inner workings of podcasting, because if it's something that you've ever considered doing, man, this is probably a guy you want to talk to. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the studio. This is Leo Climaco. Leo.

B (1:00)

Hi, John.

A (1:00)

How are you, buddy?

B (1:01)

Good, man.

A (1:02)

Good to see you.

B (1:02)

Thanks for coming here. Thank you.

A (1:03)

Thanks for coming in.

B (1:04)

Thanks for the invite.

A (1:05)

So let's talk a little bit about, like, your background, obviously, because you're an entrepreneur by your own, right? What business did you guys really cut your teeth on and where's the basis for this starting?

B (1:15)

So my background background is really in it.

A (1:18)

Okay.

B (1:19)

I was an IT manager, IT director for a very long time. I used to manage home offices for hedge fund billionaires. I worked for three different home offices, and I consider that really my college education.

A (1:31)

Okay.

B (1:32)

Being around those guys, right. Taking in like a sponge. Eventually I got to a place where I'm like, you know what? I want to be these guys. I don't want to be working for them. So at the time, it was 2015, I took a year off. In 2016, I was like, honey, going to take on the load for a whole year, and I'm going to try to build companies, and let's see how that goes.

Summary

Podcast Summary: Building Discipline, Leadership, and Business Success – Guest: Leo Climaco

Podcast: Escaping the Drift with John Gafford
Host: John Gafford
Guest: Leo Climaco
Release Date: March 31, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, John Gafford interviews Leo Climaco, a tech-savvy entrepreneur who pivoted from IT management to founding a successful therapy agency and later established himself as a podcast authority-builder. The conversation dives deep into Leo’s journey of business failures, breakthroughs, and lessons in discipline, leadership, and credibility, focusing on how podcasting can be a transformative tool for personal brands and business growth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Leo’s Entrepreneurial Beginnings and Learning from Failures

[01:05] – [06:45]

Leo began in IT, managing home offices for hedge fund billionaires, which he considered his "college education."
In 2016, he left his job to start two businesses:
- Innovative Apps: Mobile app development for businesses (failed due to focusing on branding over product-market fit).
- Dropshipping Espresso Machines: Made some sales but ran out of runway (no understanding of burn rate or business runway).
Major Lesson:
- “I was too concerned with actually having a company, actually having a logo, actually having a name, than actually focusing on the product and how I'm going to deliver it.” — Leo ([02:27])
- Validate demand before investing heavily. "Maybe throw it out there and see if anybody actually wants to buy it before you get in the business." — John ([03:10])

2. Building a Successful Therapy Agency

[07:56] – [13:16]

After returning to IT, Leo and his wife, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, launched an autism therapy agency focused on intentional therapist-client matching.
Matching Method:
- Rigorous multi-level interview process with supervisors, the family, and sometimes schools involved.
Business Model:
- Agency works only with the NYC Department of Education (DOE) due to insurance limitations; the firm’s funding is protected because it stems from parents’ lawsuit settlements, not optional programming.
Systemic Impact:
- “We handhold our clients through the entire process. We take longer to hire, but we hire the right person that's going to stay … and build that trust.” — Leo ([08:52])

3. The Role of Trust, Authority, and Podcasting

[13:33] – [16:19]

Leo credits podcasting as the key to building trust and authority for himself and his agency.
On starting a podcast:
- “It’s given me a lane where I can be in your ear daily, 30, 60 minutes. Building trust, building authority. That's really where that was born.” — Leo ([14:03])
John’s Experience:
- Initially started podcasting casually with friends, but transformed it into a learning and branding vehicle as guest interviews became a core feature.

4. How to Start and Succeed in Podcasting

[16:33] – [18:09]

Leo’s advice for aspiring podcasters:
1. Define your audience and message.
2. Don’t stress over equipment; start simple (phone + Amazon light).
3. Aim to record at least 50 episodes before judging success.
  - “If you've done more than 12 episodes, you're at the top 1%.” — Leo ([17:43])
Most people quit early; consistency and repetition are keys to building comfort and skill.

5. Overcoming Camera and Performance Anxiety

[18:59] – [22:31]

Repetition and basic camera training help clients get over fear.
Leo encourages guests to treat the camera as a conversation with a friend.
John’s Reflection on Reality TV:
- “After three days, you won’t even see the cameras anymore. … You literally forget the cameras are there.” — John ([20:13])
Leo’s guidance: “Take a deep breath. It's not that serious… If you don't show confidence, you're not going to make money. We're here to make money. I need you to be your best version.” ([20:31])
Tips: Use technology (like interview mirrors or teleprompter glasses) and new apps for better on-camera performance.

6. Production vs. Content Quality

[25:33] – [28:02]

Audio quality is king:
- “You'll watch a bad video with good audio, but you won't watch a bad audio.” — Leo ([25:33])
- Invest in a decent microphone (~$300); do not rely on laptop mics or AirPods for remote interviews.
Editing & Support:
- Leo’s company provides in-studio and remote production, editing, thumbnails, captions, and posting service.

7. Promoting and Positioning Your Podcast

[29:02] – [30:18]

Algorithms demand niche content and consistency—avoid confusing audiences by separating podcast content from personal social feeds.
“The algorithm now … wants consistency.” — Leo ([30:21])
Share across both personal and dedicated podcast/business accounts at first, but eventually migrate to specialized channels.

8. What Makes a Great Podcast and Host?

[30:22] – [36:14]

Success comes from being an open-minded host, willing to deeply listen, ask questions, and pull threads.
Avoid echo chambers and “drama-chasing” for views.
On credibility and impact:
- Podcasts should build trust, authority, and relationships—not just chase clicks.
- “If you're looking to become a successful podcast influencer, I'm not your guy. … I am building you to build authority, trust within your audience and your niche.” — Leo ([35:02])

9. Common Mistakes and the Path to Effective Communication

[35:59] – [39:34]

Mistakes: Chasing fame, neglecting the hard work of building a platform, not vetting guests thoroughly.
Effective Communication:
- Simplify your message (“Take your jargon and put [it] into simple language, simple terms.” — Leo [39:25]).
- Stay at a 6th-7th grade level for clarity and reach.

10. The Art of Tonality and Presentation

[40:54] – [43:49]

Tonality, pace, and body language are crucial for connecting with audiences.
Mix of energy and focus—speed up for excitement, slow down to emphasize or captivate.
Practice and repetition lead to mastery: “The more you do it, the more you get comfortable with it.” — Leo ([43:48])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Validating Ideas:
“Sell the idea first.” — John Gafford ([03:10])
On Quitting Too Soon:
“If you've done more than 12 episodes. Yeah, you're at the top 1%.” — Leo Climaco ([17:43])
On Building Trust Through Podcasting:
“It's given me a lane where I can be in your ear daily…building trust, building authority.” — Leo Climaco ([14:03])
On Handling Guest Performance Anxiety:
“Take a deep breath. It's not that serious.” — Leo Climaco ([20:30])
On Authority Building:
“I'm not building you to be an influencer. I'm building you to build authority and trust.” — Leo Climaco ([35:02])
On Communicating Effectively:
“How can we take your jargon and put [it] into simple language… that you can communicate that properly?” — Leo Climaco ([39:25])
On Production Value:
“You'll watch a bad video with good audio, but you won't watch a bad audio.” — Leo Climaco ([25:33])
Host's Reflection:
“If you don't go broke at least once or twice in your life, you're not entrepreneuring hard enough.” — John Gafford ([07:44])

Timestamps for Important Segments

Leo’s Origin Story and Early Failures: [01:05] – [06:45]
Building a Therapy Agency: [07:56] – [13:16]
Why Podcasting? [13:33] – [16:19]
Podcasting Tips & Success Metrics: [16:33] – [18:09]
Breaking Camera Shyness: [18:59] – [22:31]
Production Priorities: [25:33] – [28:02]
Promoting Podcast Effectively: [29:02] – [30:18]
Attributes of a Great Host: [30:22] – [36:14]
Mistakes & Communication Skills: [35:59] – [39:34]
Tonality and Delivery Advice: [40:54] – [43:49]
How to Connect with Leo: [43:49]

Guest & Resource Links

Leo’s Studio: forgestudiofl.com
Leo’s Social: @leoclamaco (Instagram), @leoclamacopodcast (IG and YouTube)

Summary of Takeaways

Don’t romanticize entrepreneurship—fail fast, learn faster.
Focus on product-market fit and test demand before investing heavily.
Consistency and authentic messaging are more important than production value at first; prioritize good audio.
Use podcasting for building real credibility and trust, not just popularity.
Effective communication and presence on mic/camera can be learned by anyone with enough repetition and the right coaching.
Separate your podcast content from your personal brand to maximize growth and algorithmic reach.

Bottom Line:
This episode is a rich, practical guide for aspiring entrepreneurs, coaches, and those looking to break into podcasting. Leo Climaco shares lessons learned from real setbacks and triumphs, and together with John Gafford, provides a roadmap for using discipline, communication, and podcasting to build authority and lasting business impact.

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Building Discipline, Leadership, and Business Success – Leo Climaco