Podcast
Success Story with Scott D. Clary
Hosted by Success Story Media · EN
Welcome to the Success Story Podcast, hosted by entrepreneur, business executive, author, educator & speaker, Scott D. Clary (@scottdclary). On this podcast, you'll find interviews, Q&A, keynote presentations & conversations on sales, marketing, business, startups and entrepreneurship. Scott will discuss some of the lessons he's learned over his own career, as well as have candid interviews with execs, celebrities, notable figures and politicians. All who have achieved success through both wins and losses, to learn more about their life, their ideas and insights. He sits down with leaders and mentors and unpacks their story to help pass those lessons onto others through both experiences and tactical strategy for business professionals, entrepreneurs and everyone in between. To get more of the Success Story podcast, go to www.successstorypodcast.com.
428episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Jon Ostenson - FranBridge CEO & Author of Non-Food Franchising | Why Smart People Buy Franchises Instead of Starting Companies
Jun 2801:23:32Summary ready➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstoryJon Ostenson is the CEO of FranBridge Consulting and author of *Non-Food Franchising*, where he has established himself as a leading voice in the franchise industry. Drawing on his background as a former Inc. 500 franchisee and multi-brand franchise owner, Jon helps executives, entrepreneurs, and investors explore non-food franchise opportunities as a smarter alternative to building a business from scratch. Through FranBridge, he has guided hundreds of clients toward franchise investments that offer proven systems, reduced risk, and scalable growth — making the case that for smart, driven professionals, buying into a franchise is often a more strategic path than starting a company independently.➡️ Show Linkshttps://x.com/Jon_Ostenson https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonostenson/ ➡️ Podcast SponsorsHubspot - https://hubspot.com/ Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott)Odoo – https://www.odoo.com NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/ Indeed - https://indeed.com/claryFramer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory)LinkedIn Ads - https://linkedin.com/scottclary Priori - https://priori.life/ Mars Men - https://mengotomars.com/ Upwork - https://upwork.com/ Xero - https://www.xero.com Dell - dell.com/dell-pro AutoPilot - https://www.joinautopilot.com/landing Cohesity - https://www.cohesity.com/datacloud Amp - https://amp.ai (Code: successstory)Whatnot - https://www.whatnot.com/Monarch - https://www.monarch.com/ (Code: success)Hostinger - https://www.hostinger.com/success (Code: success)Cash App - https://cash.app/ (Code: cashapp10)MyFitnessPal - https://podcasts.myfitnesspal.com (Code: SCOTT)Plaud – https://plaud.ai/success (Code: SUCCESS for up to 17% off now for the Plaud device, limited discounts exclusively for Prime Day)➡️ Talking Points00:00 – Intro04:59 – Jon Ostenson's Origin Story06:35 – How He Discovered Franchising11:55 – How to Pick a Winning Franchise17:48 – Are You Built for Franchising?19:59 – Alternatives to Starting a Business26:17 – Franchise Red Flags to Avoid28:35 – Sponsor Break33:29 – Why Franchising Is AI-Proof36:19 – Franchising in Fast-Changing Industries39:28 – How to Build a Franchise That Scales46:02 – What Makes a Great Franchise?51:28 – How to Succeed as a Franchise Owner52:54 – Sponsor Break57:06 – Why 10X5 Failed1:03:49 – Designing the Life You Actually Want1:06:27 – Why Most People Never Take the First Step1:12:29 – Escaping the 9-to-5 Through Franchising1:16:38 – Jon's 5 F's of Life1:20:55 – The Biggest Lessons Franchising Taught Him1:22:26 – The Advice He'd Give His Kids
Summary
Lessons - The 2x Exited Founder on Why Most Business Coaching Is a Waste of Money | Polina Groman - Co-Founder of The Social Club
Jun 2700:12:32Summary ready➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory In this "Lessons" episode, Polina Groman, 2x exited founder and Co-Founder of The Social Club, shares why trust, real results, and authentic relationships outperform traditional sales tactics when building a coaching or service business. She explains how experience-driven offers create stronger client connections, why delivering value before making an offer leads to significantly higher conversions, and how social proof is earned through transformation rather than marketing. Polina also explores how entrepreneurs can build a scalable business model that reduces burnout, increases recurring revenue, and gives them the freedom to grow without creating another full-time job for themselves.➡️ Show Linkshttps://successstorypodcast.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/-AfpW3kfC8w Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/polina-groman-co-founder-of-the-social-club/id1484783544 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KKy0IonUtlw6DMuvflC4m ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Summary
Lessons - She Built the altMBA With Seth Godin Then Raised $25M to Reinvent Online Learning | Wes Kao - Maven Co-Founder (Backed by a16z)
Jun 2700:09:56Summary ready➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory In this "Lessons" episode, Wes Kao, co-founder of Maven, explores why learning by doing is far more effective than passively consuming information when it comes to developing real-world skills. She explains how cohort-based learning combines accountability, community, and hands-on practice to accelerate growth, why proof of work is becoming more valuable than traditional credentials, and how learning directly from experienced operators can provide practical insights that academia often can't. Wes also shares why execution, consistent feedback, and investing in your own development are essential for building the skills needed to thrive in today's rapidly changing career landscape.➡️ Show Linkshttps://successstorypodcast.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/DY4r-GqZzlk Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wes-kao-marketing-executive-entrepreneur-and-advisor/id1484783544 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5hRuTuIOzZaInOuDmZ5DZ0 ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Summary
Mark Pincus - Zynga Founder | What 10 Years of Failure Really Looks Like Before a $7B Exit
Jun 2501:32:13Summary ready➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstoryMark Pincus is the founder and former CEO of Zynga, the social gaming company behind iconic titles like FarmVille, Words With Friends, and Zynga Poker. Before building Zynga into a gaming empire that reached a $7 billion valuation at its 2011 IPO, Pincus spent over a decade navigating a series of ventures that never quite broke through — including Freeloader, an early internet content aggregator, and Tribe.net, a social networking platform that predated Facebook but failed to gain lasting traction. Rather than stepping back from entrepreneurship after each setback, Pincus treated every failure as a forcing function, sharpening his instincts around product-market fit, viral growth mechanics, and monetization — insights he would later weaponize at Zynga to pioneer the free-to-play model at massive scale. His story is a testament to the compounding value of persistence: the decade of misfires wasn't wasted time, but the education that made a billion-dollar outcome possible.➡️ Show Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/markpincus/ https://x.com/markpinchttps://www.linkedin.com/in/markpincus/ ➡️ Podcast SponsorsHubspot - https://hubspot.com/ Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott)Odoo – https://www.odoo.com NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/ Indeed - https://indeed.com/claryFramer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory)LinkedIn Ads - https://linkedin.com/scottclary Priori - https://priori.life/ Mars Men - https://mengotomars.com/ Upwork - https://upwork.com/ Xero - https://www.xero.com Dell - dell.com/dell-pro AutoPilot - https://www.joinautopilot.com/landing Cohesity - https://www.cohesity.com/datacloud Amp - https://amp.ai (Code: successstory)Whatnot - https://www.whatnot.com/Monarch - https://www.monarch.com/ (Code: success)Hostinger - https://www.hostinger.com/success (Code: success)Cash App - https://cash.app/ (Code: cashapp10)MyFitnessPal - https://podcasts.myfitnesspal.com (Code: SCOTT)➡️ Talking Points00:00 – Intro04:56 – The Danger of Being "Almost Great"07:48 – Are You Stuck at B+?19:22 – Why Entrepreneurs Shouldn't Accept Failure28:42 – Why Zynga Won & Tribe Didn't33:50 – Sponsor Break38:43 – Why Virality Isn't a Business50:56 – When Legacy Companies Ignore the Signals1:02:00 – Sponsor Break1:05:45 – The Founder Skill That Changes Everything1:10:16 – Navigating Life as an Entrepreneur1:26:01 – The Biggest Lesson from Mark's Book1:31:17 – The One Lesson Mark Wants to Pass On
Summary
Lessons - The CEO Who Refused to Sell His Company at Any Price | Chris Savage - Wistia Co-Founder & CEO
Jun 2300:10:01Summary ready➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory In this "Lessons" episode, Chris Savage, co-founder and CEO of Wistia, shares the leadership principles that helped him build a lasting business without sacrificing innovation or burning out. He explains why effective delegation is about giving teams ownership while maintaining accountability, how creating space for strategic thinking leads to better decisions, and why great leaders stay connected to their product without micromanaging. Chris also discusses the importance of managing personal energy through healthy routines, protecting time for deep work, and building systems that allow both leaders and their teams to thrive over the long term.➡️ Show Linkshttps://successstorypodcast.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/Iim2hrsopiY Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chris-savage-ceo-and-co-founder-of-wistia-taking-on-youtube/id1484783544 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2kPOyLkcvWgcPCTUML2bCq ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Summary
Lessons - The Hidden Machine Behind US Foreign Policy | Eli Clifton - Investigative Journalist
Jun 2300:11:49Summary ready➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory In this "Lessons" episode, Eli Clifton, co-founder of the Quincy Institute and investigative journalist, explains how think tanks shape public policy and why greater transparency is essential in the policymaking process. He explores how funding from corporations and foreign governments can quietly influence policy debates, why conflicts of interest often go undisclosed, and how these dynamics can narrow the range of ideas presented to decision-makers. Eli also shares how investigative journalism uncovers hidden incentives behind major foreign policy decisions, offering a deeper understanding of the forces that influence government actions and public discourse.➡️ Show Linkshttps://successstorypodcast.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/aGlfOYorycE Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eli-clifton-senior-advisor-investigative-journalist/id1484783544 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1eYtQMVxYuryAplxHgr1jY ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Summary
Wallo267 - 20 Years in Prison to Millions in Business | The Conversation You're Afraid to Have With Yourself
Jun 2001:16:37Summary ready➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstoryWallace "Wallo267" Peeples is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, cultural advisor, and media personality whose life story stands as one of the most compelling redemption arcs in modern business. After serving 20 years in prison, he committed himself to entrepreneurialism upon release, quickly amassing millions of followers through viral motivational content and co-founding the wildly popular *Million Dollaz Worth of Game* podcast. A three-time TEDx speaker who reaches millions globally, Wallo267 channels the raw, unfiltered truth of his journey to challenge audiences to have the conversation most people are afraid to have with themselves — the one about accountability, purpose, and the unlimited potential waiting on the other side of your hardest chapter.➡️ Show Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/wallo267/ https://www.youtube.com/@wallo267 https://x.com/Wallo267 ➡️ Podcast SponsorsHubspot - https://hubspot.com/ Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott)Odoo – https://www.odoo.com NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/ Indeed - https://indeed.com/claryFramer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory)LinkedIn Ads - https://linkedin.com/scottclary Priori - https://priori.life/ Mars Men - https://mengotomars.com/ Upwork - https://upwork.com/ Xero - https://www.xero.com Dell - dell.com/dell-pro AutoPilot - https://www.joinautopilot.com/landing Cohesity - https://www.cohesity.com/datacloud Amp - https://amp.ai (Code: successstory)Whatnot - https://www.whatnot.com/Monarch - https://www.monarch.com/ (Code: success)Hostinger - https://www.hostinger.com/success (Code: success)Cash App - https://cash.app/ (Code: cashapp10)MyFitnessPal - https://podcasts.myfitnesspal.com (Code: SCOTT)➡️ Talking Points00:00 – Intro01:19 – The Article That Changed Everything04:33 – When He Stopped Caring What People Think06:17 – The Mindset That Keeps People Stuck09:45 – Why You Don’t Trust Yourself Enough14:10 – How He Protected His Mind in Prison21:40 – Sponsor Break26:33 – How Prison Changed His View of Life33:10 – Why You Need to Choose Yourself37:51 – Your Biggest Limitation Is Hesitation38:38 – Why Motivation Is a Scam40:07 – Sponsor Break43:52 – Building Discipline Without Burning Out53:04 – Why We Overcomplicate Everything54:58 – Becoming a Millionaire Before You’re One58:10 – Why You Need to Clap for Yourself59:53 – What He’d Tell His 17-Year-Old Self1:10:32 – How to Reprogram Your Mind1:13:44 – The Lesson He’d Pass On to His Kids1:14:51 – The Story Behind Wallo2671:15:15 – The Version of Wallo You Don’t Know
Summary
Lessons - The Philosophy That Took Him From Rock Bottom to 100 Million Views | James Whittaker - 3x Bestselling Author & Napoleon Hill Foundation
Jun 1900:10:52Summary ready➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory In this "Lessons" episode, James Whittaker, 3x bestselling author and partner of the Napoleon Hill Foundation, shares the philosophy that helped him overcome adversity and build a platform that has reached over 100 million people worldwide. Drawing from the principles of Think and Grow Rich, he explains why resourcefulness and resilience are the two most important traits for long-term success, how his "Win the Day" philosophy helps create clarity and momentum, and why focusing on daily actions is the key to achieving bigger goals. James also discusses the importance of purpose, self-awareness, and balance, offering practical insights on overcoming setbacks, managing stress, and creating fulfillment across both your personal and professional life.➡️ Show Linkshttps://successstorypodcast.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/za_sH-NqdmE Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/james-whittaker-entrepreneur-speaker-3x-best-selling/id1484783544 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Io1F72whrlPlKBQrEztvp ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Summary
Lessons - A 4th Generation Diamond Expert Reveals How the Industry Rips You Off | Olivia Landau - The Clear Cut CEO & Forbes 30 Under 30
Jun 1900:10:34Summary ready➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory In this "Lessons" episode, Olivia Landau, CEO of The Clear Cut and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, breaks down the truth about natural and lab grown diamonds and explains what most consumers misunderstand when making a purchase. Learn how both types of diamonds are created, why scarcity and resale value play a major role in long-term pricing, and how industry incentives can influence what customers are told. Olivia also reveals how some buyers are unknowingly giving up valuable assets, why she believes lab grown diamonds have no lasting value, and what questions you should ask before making one of the biggest luxury purchases of your life.➡️ Show Linkshttps://successstorypodcast.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/aT1fdLz7zo8 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/olivia-landau-founder-and-ceo-of-the-clear/id1484783544 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/54yfYtYN251yZMEe0YcgQl ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Summary
Ryan Stygar - Author of Get It in Writing (1M+ Followers) | America's Most Famous Labor Lawyer Reveals What Your Employer Hopes You Never Learn
Jun 1802:09:19Summary ready➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstoryRyan Stygar is a prominent labor and employment attorney widely recognized as one of America's most influential voices on workers' rights. Known as "America's Most Famous Labor Lawyer," he has built a following of over one million people across social media by demystifying workplace law and empowering employees with the knowledge their employers would rather keep hidden. He is the author of Get It in Writing, a practical guide that arms workers with the legal insights and strategies needed to protect themselves on the job. Through his engaging, accessible approach, Ryan has made complex legal concepts approachable for everyday workers — transforming labor law from an intimidating subject into a powerful tool for those who need it most.➡️ Show Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/attorneyryan/ https://www.youtube.com/@RyanStygar https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanstygar/ ➡️ Podcast SponsorsHubspot - https://hubspot.com/ Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott)Odoo – https://www.odoo.com NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/ Indeed - https://indeed.com/claryFramer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory)LinkedIn Ads - https://linkedin.com/scottclary Priori - https://priori.life/ Mars Men - https://mengotomars.com/ Upwork - https://upwork.com/ Xero - https://www.xero.com Dell - dell.com/dell-pro AutoPilot - https://www.joinautopilot.com/landing Cohesity - https://www.cohesity.com/datacloud Amp - https://amp.ai (Code: successstory)Whatnot - https://www.whatnot.com/Monarch - https://www.monarch.com/ (Code: success)Hostinger - https://www.hostinger.com/success (Code: success)Cash App - https://cash.app/ (Code: cashapp10)MyFitnessPal - https://podcasts.myfitnesspal.com (Code: SCOTT)➡️ Talking Points00:00 – Intro01:17 – The Career Advice Ryan Wishes He Had at 2004:02 – Your Company Isn’t Your Family17:51 – How Covid Changed Work Forever28:05 – Why You Need Everything in Writing31:34 – Sponsor Break34:52 – Does Remote Work Protect Employees?37:09 – The Truth About Non-Competes44:47 – The Biggest Lie About At-Will Employment52:35 – How to Fire Employees the Right Way58:35 – What to Do If You’re Fired Unfairly1:09:33 – Sponsor Break1:12:18 – Why Employees Don’t Know Their Rights1:14:44 – Why Minimum Wage Expectations Are Broken1:24:12 – What Legally Counts as Workplace Harassment?1:31:27 – How to Fight a Pay Gap Legally1:36:58 – The Moment Ryan Became an Employee Advocate1:49:37 – The Biggest Lesson From Ryan’s Book1:50:43 – Employee Rights Myths That Won’t Die1:58:12 – Ryan’s Wildest Workplace Case2:02:16 – What to Do When Your Rights Are Violated2:05:24 – The Lesson Ryan Wants His Kids to Remember
Summary