Podcast Summary

Podcast: Think Media Podcast
Episode: 460: This Simple System Turns Average Creators Into Millionaires
Date: November 4, 2025
Host: Sean Cannell
Guest: Skylar Lewis, Founder of Rise Up Kings

Episode Theme

Sean Cannell sits down with Skylar Lewis (Rise Up Kings) to explore the systems, mindsets, and tactical moves that elevate average creators into millionaires and transformative leaders. The conversation is a masterclass in actionable advice for both content creators and business builders, blending creator strategy, leadership philosophy, personal growth, and faith-centered entrepreneurship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Four Immediate Moves to a CEO Mindset

(Starts at 02:14)

a. Massive Action

• Move quickly from idea to execution; don't let tasks expand to fill time.
• Practice "Parkinson’s Law": Shorten deadlines to speed results.
• “I get an idea, and then I’ll go implement it right away... I end up producing a lot more results, which is how I’m able to run multiple businesses.” — Skylar (03:53)

b. Leverage (Team-building)

• Hire early, outsource lower-value tasks (even if it feels financially risky).
• "Hire to free up your time for $100/hr, not $20/hr work."
• “The way you truly grow businesses is through building a team... you’ll find a way when your back is against the wall.” — Skylar (06:03)

c. Simplify to Scale

• Make business processes duplicatable, like the McDonald’s checklist system.
• “Scaling is simplifying something. It’s replication, it’s duplication.” — Skylar (07:35)

d. Mastering Marketing

• Treat marketing as a core skill, separate from content or storytelling.
• “One of the best skills a human being can learn is how to market something.” — Skylar (09:33)

2. The Origin Story & Growth of Rise Up Kings

(Begins 12:09)

• Purpose: A faith-centered men’s personal development organization.

• Started from Skylar’s personal struggles and desire for authentic personal growth with a faith component.

• Began pre-COVID with a bare-bones event, taking massive action to validate the concept.

  “I gave myself two months to launch an entire three day event. I had never spoken for more than two hours… I had nothing for it… and just like, ‘Hey, I’m going to go find a way to do this.’” — Skylar (15:06)

• The first event was an “exceptional experience,” focused on deep impact, wow factor, and word-of-mouth referrals—setting the tone for future growth.

3. Seven Transformational Principles Behind Business & Brand Growth

(Starts at 17:58, Expanded throughout)

1. Create an Exceptional Experience

• Surpass expectations—every customer touchpoint is an opportunity.
• Examples: Surprise packages, unique activities (blindfolded trips to cemeteries), personalized swag.
• “How do we create an exceptional experience…so they will be on their mind afterwards?” — Skylar (18:58)

2. Create Transformation, Not Just Transfer Knowledge

• Focus on leaving your audience changed, not just informed.
• Use experiential activities (e.g., writing eulogies, mud pit challenges, affirmation circles) to foster transformation.
• “How do we create a video that leaves them feeling different or really deeply affected?” — Skylar (21:52)
• Tip: Enable transformation even in digital products—activate your community, not just inform.

3. Double Down on What Works in Marketing

• Find and maximize a single marketing vein before diversifying.
• Skylar quadrupled down on Google Ads once he saw results, maxing out spend.
• Focus > Spread-thin marketing.

4. Be Real (Authenticity)

• Vulnerability creates resonance; share real stories, not just the highlight reel.
• “There’s a lot of fakeness and facades on social media. I started to just put out a lot of real content… and it ended up… bringing the right people to me.” — Skylar (29:29)
• Practice “responsible sharing”—share from your scars, not open wounds.
• “If you don’t fully share, then you'll never fully feel loved, because the people love the mask, not the real you.” — Skylar (35:54)

5. Build a Personal Brand

• Personal brands outlast and lift company brands; create social proof.
• Skylar leverages both (Rise Up Kings and his own) but now prioritizes growing his personal reach for greater trust and multiplication.
• “There’s just something about that social credibility and social proof that is hard to beat.” — Skylar (39:27)

6. Hire a Team / The “Number Two” Principle

• Always have a “number two”—starts as an assistant and scales up to an operations manager or COO.
• The number two allows visionaries to focus on their sweet spot.

7. Build an Ecosystem

• Move customers into your own ecosystem (e.g., apps, masterminds, coaching programs) for higher lifetime value, community, and retention.
• Skylar’s ecosystem includes proprietary software, daily tracking, gamification, and a support network.

4. Leadership, Self-Management, & Power

(Starts at 48:56)

• Real leadership is about increasing the “ability to influence people and circumstances.”
• “The number one power killer is a victim mindset. Life happens for me, not to me.” — Skylar (49:40)
• Most important: Lead yourself first—keep your word, build self-esteem, model responsibility.
• Vulnerability, service, and genuine care create world-class cultures and teams.
• Notable: “People can sniff out inauthenticity. I had to shift from seeing employees as tools to seeing them as human beings.” — Skylar (64:47)

5. Wisdom on Masculinity & Power, Social Media Influence, and “Hustle Culture”

(Begins at 55:34)

• Power is neutral; the aim defines whether it’s constructive (e.g., Mother Teresa) or destructive (e.g., Andrew Tate’s model of masculinity).
• Importance of ordering values: faith, family, fitness, then finance.
  “When those are misordered, that’s when chaos happens.” — Skylar (58:30)
• Hustle vs. Presence:
  Don’t use “grind” as an excuse to neglect family—balance massive action with intentional, quality time and a robust recharge routine.
• Skylar’s daily routine: Early rising, Bible reading, gym, goal setting—a non-negotiable recharge foundation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On speed of action:
  “I figure out what doesn’t work much faster because I put so much stuff out there.” — Skylar (00:52)

• On vulnerability:
  “If you don’t fully share, then you'll never fully feel loved, because the people love the mask, not the real you.” — Skylar (35:54)

• On leadership:
  “The number one power killer is a victim mindset... Life happens for me, not to me.” — Skylar (49:40)

• On family/business balance:
  “Business is a rubber ball… you can pick it back up. Family is a glass ball—if you drop it, it can shatter.” — Skylar (59:31)

• On authenticity in company culture:
  “People can sniff out inauthenticity… seeing employees as tools is a poor way to build a great culture.” — Skylar (64:47)

• On content consistency:
  “Strategically put out consistent content. That’s my main aim right now—dedicating time blocks… I believe if I do that, over a period of time, that will produce results.” — Skylar (66:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Four CEO Moves: 02:14–09:33
• Rise Up Kings Backstory: 12:09–16:16
• Exceptional Experiences & Transformation: 17:58–25:45
• Marketing Deep Dive: 26:13–28:13
• Authenticity/Vulnerability: 29:29–35:54
• Personal Brand vs. Company Brand: 39:11–43:22
• Hire a Team Principle: 43:22–45:07
• Internal Ecosystems: 45:08–47:59
• Leadership Principles: 48:56–54:18
• Addressing “Hustle Culture”: 61:33–64:08
• Biggest Leadership Lesson: 64:47–66:27
• Who Wins in 2026?: 66:27–67:25

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• Speed, leverage, simplification, and mastery of marketing are key levers for creators and business builders.
• Growth is rooted in authenticity, transformational focus, and an exceptional audience experience.
• Power and leadership stem from self-mastery, intentional values, and stewarding your influence for good.
• Skylar’s framework (faith-family-fitness-finance) provides a grounded alternative to shallow hustle culture; proper order is essential for sustainable success.
• The winning creator in the coming years will be both strategic and consistent—dedicating focused time to deliberate content creation and authentic growth.

Connect with Skylar Lewis:

• Instagram: @skylarlewis
• Rise Up Kings: riseupkings.com

Host: Sean Cannell (Think Media) — Your guide to building a profitable YouTube channel with purpose and authenticity.