Épisodes

  • 122. Ron Kmetovicz: What We Carry Forward About Money, Work and Independence

    122. Ron Kmetovicz: What We Carry Forward About Money, Work and Independence
    Feb 18 2026

    In this episode of What's the Point?, Bill Ellis sits down with Ron Kmetovicz—engineer, entrepreneur, investor, and author of Ghost Money: The Pathway to Financial Independence.

    This conversation isn't about getting rich quickly. It's about what quietly sustains a life.

    Ron reflects on growing up in an entrepreneurial farm family in Pennsylvania, working in early Silicon Valley labs during major technological shifts, and building a career grounded in confidence rather than accumulation. He shares the philosophy behind "ghost money"—multiple revenue streams paired with minimal debt—and explains why independence matters more than image.

    From navigating the dot-com crash to thinking carefully about what he will (and won't) leave behind for future generations, Ron explores how money, discipline, inheritance, and physical vitality all intersect.

    This episode invites listeners to consider: Are you chasing money—or freedom? And what are you really passing forward?

    What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do.

    Connect with Bill:

    • bill@billellis.com
    • www.billellis.com
    • www.brandingforresults.com
    • IG - @wcellis
    • Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
    • Facebook - @bill.ellis
    • LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
    • Book: Women Who Won

    Links for This Episode:

    • Email ron@ghostmoneythebook.com
    • Website(s) http://www.ghostmoneythebook.com

    Quick Episode Summary:

    • 00:00 – Introduction: Money as independence, not just income
    • 02:00 – Early realization: personal responsibility in his twenties
    • 03:00 – Growing up on a Pennsylvania farm with entrepreneurial roots
    • 05:00 – From military service (father) to early cable television innovation
    • 08:00 – Aerospace vs. collaborative lab culture
    • 10:00 – Early investing and stock analysis in the 1970s
    • 12:30 – "Enough is enough": redefining financial goals
    • 14:00 – Debt as the true trap
    • 16:00 – Witnessing early internet and GPS development
    • 18:00 – Confidence from competence, not income
    • 20:00 – Why he never subscribed to 16-hour grind culture
    • 21:00 – Skill-building in the age of AI
    • 24:00 – Defining "Ghost Money"
    • 26:00 – A practical example: teaching a 16-year-old to build multiple revenue streams
    • 30:00 – Advertising, comparison, and financial traps
    • 34:00 – Three steps: enjoy your work, invest 20%, leave it alone
    • 36:00 – Emergency resilience and the danger of credit dependence
    • 38:00 – Physical independence and active aging
    • 41:00 – Writing the book as legacy for great-grandchildren
    • 44:00 – Surviving the dot-com crash
    • 45:00 – Why he won't leave lump-sum inheritances
    • 48:00 – Optimism with caution in relationships
    • 49:00 – Final advice: identify skill gaps and correct them
    • 50:00 – What's the point? "Work hard, play hard… and have a little ghost money."
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    51 min
  • 121. Remember You're Dying: Annie Dike on Change, Courage, and Finding Meaning Without Tidy Answers

    121. Remember You're Dying: Annie Dike on Change, Courage, and Finding Meaning Without Tidy Answers
    Feb 4 2026
    Welcome to What's the Point? — the show where we explore what shapes us, what changes us, and what gives our lives meaning over time. In this episode, I'm joined by Annie Dike — a writer whose life has moved through wildly different worlds: a complex early life in Clovis, New Mexico, a career in law, years living and working at sea, and a steady commitment to writing as a way of making sense of experience. Annie begins in Clovis — a place she once wanted to escape, but later came to appreciate for what it gave her: creativity, closeness with her brother, and a tough kind of resilience built in a childhood without many resources. She also talks about what it was like growing up between two very different environments after her parents divorced — traveling across the country to Alabama and experiencing how different landscapes, people, and family structures can expand your world. From there, Annie takes us into what she calls her "supposed to" track — the version of success built on prestige, degrees, salary, and stability. She pursued law largely because it felt like a parachute: a way to avoid the financial struggle she knew as a kid. And while she became successful on paper, she also became deeply unhappy — especially working defense for corporations and insurance companies. The more she sensed her work didn't align with her core, the harder it became to ignore. Annie also shares the personal side of that same season: marriage, divorce, and the quiet shame she carried as she tried to keep her life looking "fine" from the outside. But that divorce became a turning point — proof she could change something hard. And soon after, she faced the bigger question: if I can change this… can I change everything else that isn't working too? A major part of Annie's next chapter is Philip, her partner — someone who saw strengths in her that she couldn't see in herself. She describes imposter syndrome as a constant companion, yet also shows how trust and relationship can become a bridge to courage. Their sailing life becomes a living metaphor: night watches, shared responsibility, and the kind of communication that has to be honest because the stakes are real. Annie makes a powerful point: trust is built through communication — even the awkward, pride-challenging kind. We also talk about identity — how hard it is to answer "what do you do?" when your life doesn't fit a neat box. Annie's story is a reminder that purpose isn't always discovered in one dramatic moment. Sometimes it's built through reinvention: lawyer, cruiser, writer, speaker, and now novelist again — someone who keeps returning to the work of meaning through words. Toward the end, Annie reflects on what she hopes readers take from Clovis: a willingness to accept change, and deeper empathy for people different from us — including her brother's experience and the layers of struggle that can exist beneath the surface. And when I ask the question I ask every guest — "What's the point?" — Annie answers with a line that lands like a bell: "Remember you're dying." Not as darkness, but as permission: take the risk, be brave, do the thing, and live awake. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.comwww.brandingforresults.comIG - @wcellisFacebook - @CoachBillEllisFacebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellisBook: Women Who Won Contact Info: Email annie@anniedikeauthor.com Website(s) http://www.anniedikeauthor.com SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/anniedike.author Instagram https://www.instagram.com/anniedikeauthor/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AnnieDikeAuthor Author's chapter by chapter reading of Clovis BOOK Clovis https://www.amazon.com/Clovis-Annie-Dike/dp/B0FPMFZD66/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Welcome + who Annie Dike is (writer, law, life at sea)01:00 – Clovis, New Mexico: childhood, poverty, creativity, family03:10 – Parents divorced + traveling between New Mexico and Alabama05:00 – Annie's dad: bull riding, cowboy life, resilience + humor08:40 – "Get out of Clovis": school, achievement, pressure, exhaustion10:00 – Choosing law on the "supposed to" track (money, stability)12:00 – Practicing defense law + the work not feeling right13:00 – Marriage, divorce, and keeping it quiet out of fear14:10 – Realizing divorce was possible… and work might need to change too17:00 – Leaving the firm: fear, freedom, and starting over20:20 – Identity shift: "What do you do?" vs "Who are you?"21:40 – Imposter syndrome + Philip seeing strengths she can't see23:10 – Agreeing to sail around the world + becoming a strong "cruiser"25:00 – Cruisers vs sailors (what that really means)26:40 – Trust on a boat: night shifts, responsibility, judgment calls27:40 – Communication as the foundation of trust29:30 – Redefining success + "enough" + becoming a sailing writer33:00 – New chapter: selling the boat, travel, writing novels34...
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    49 min
  • 120. Building Something That Holds: Loryn and Edo Nalic on Partnership, Perseverance, and Belonging from Balkan Treat Box

    120. Building Something That Holds: Loryn and Edo Nalic on Partnership, Perseverance, and Belonging from Balkan Treat Box
    Jan 28 2026
    In this episode of What's The Point?, I sit down with Loryn Nalic and Edo Nalic, partners in life and work and the force behind Balkan Treat Box, Telva, and the Ridge Room in St. Louis. Their story isn't just about building award-winning restaurants. It's about displacement, resilience, trust, and what happens when two people commit to solving problems together instead of letting adversity define them. Edo shares what it was like growing up in Bosnia during war, fleeing to Germany, living with uncertainty, and eventually coming to the United States alone. Loryn reflects on a very different upbringing—rooted in St. Louis, shaped by family, responsibility, and a lifelong relationship with food that began as a way to bring people together. Their paths couldn't have looked more different, yet they converged through shared struggle and mutual empathy. Their relationship began not with certainty, but with necessity and trust—formed during a period marked by financial stress, immigration challenges, and responsibility to family. Over time, that trust deepened into partnership. Together they navigated economic collapse, job changes, parenting, and the bold decision to build something of their own without guarantees. The idea for Balkan Treat Box came from honoring roots while creating something new—food that reflected the Balkan region's shared history rather than a single identity. What followed was anything but easy: a failed food-truck build, years of delay, advice from nearly everyone to give up, and the decision to keep going anyway. Through persistence, word-of-mouth, and genuine connection with customers, the truck slowly transformed into something people sought out—and talked about. From there came a brick-and-mortar restaurant, the challenge of the pandemic, the humility of learning from peers, and the commitment to quality and community over convenience. Their growth continued through collaboration—within the St. Louis restaurant community, with local partners, and eventually through opportunities like serving at CITYPARK for St. Louis City SC. Throughout the conversation, one theme keeps surfacing: belonging. Whether through food, family, or shared experience, Loryn and Edo have built places where people feel welcome, seen, and connected. Their story is a reminder that meaning often comes from consistency, partnership, and choosing to keep building—even when the outcome isn't guaranteed. What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.comwww.brandingforresults.comIG - @wcellisFacebook - @CoachBillEllisFacebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellisBook: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: Website: balkantreatbox.com Email: Loryn Nalic - loryn@balkantreatbox.comEdo Nalic - edo@balkantreatbox.comPhone - Balkan Treat Box 314-733-5700Address - 8103 Big Bend Blvd, Webster Groves, MO 63119 SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram: @‌balkantreatbox@‌lorynnalic@‌telvastl@‌ridgeroom Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balkantreatboxORDER VIA GOLDBELLY:www.goldbelly.com/balkan-treat-box Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Loryn and Edo Nalic01:00 – Edo's childhood in Bosnia and displacement during war02:50 – Deportation, uncertainty, and starting again03:15 – Loryn's upbringing in St. Louis and early connection to food05:10 – Cooking as care, connection, and identity05:50 – Being a single parent and working through instability06:40 – How Loryn and Edo first met08:30 – Guarded trust and early impressions10:30 – Empathy, shared struggle, and partnership12:10 – Deportation notice and life-altering decisions14:10 – Choosing to trust each other16:30 – Building a relationship through adversity18:40 – Economic collapse and job transitions19:50 – The idea of building something of their own21:30 – Choosing Balkan food as a shared identity23:20 – Traveling to Bosnia for inspiration26:00 – Understanding culture, food, and shared roots29:00 – The food truck dream and devastating setbacks30:45 – Almost giving up33:20 – Community stepping in to help34:20 – Learning how to sell, explain, and connect36:30 – Word-of-mouth growth and pride in the work38:10 – Opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant42:50 – Navigating the pandemic together47:30 – Collaboration within the restaurant community49:20 – CITYPARK and being part of St. Louis history52:00 – Telva and the evolution of their vision55:20 – How they balance each other as partners59:00 – What makes their partnership work01:03:35 – Loryn answers: "What's the point?"01:05:00 – Edo answers: "What's the point?"01:06:40 – Closing reflections
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    1 h et 8 min
  • 119. From Survival to Self-Respect: Jason Van Ruler on Healing Old Patterns

    119. From Survival to Self-Respect: Jason Van Ruler on Healing Old Patterns
    Jan 21 2026
    In this episode of What's the Point?, I sit down with Jason Van Ruler for an honest conversation about healing, responsibility, and the quiet work of becoming someone you can respect. Jason shares parts of his story that began in instability—growing up in a chaotic environment, learning early how to survive, and internalizing beliefs about worth that followed him into adulthood. Like many of us, he found himself repeating familiar patterns, even when they no longer served him. We talk about the turning point that came when Jason realized that awareness alone wasn't enough. Wanting change didn't automatically create it. That moment forced a deeper question: What does it actually take to become the person you want to be? Jason reflects on the small but powerful steps that helped him rebuild—from learning to tolerate the person in the mirror, to counting small wins, to seeking the right kind of help. He explains the difference between avoiding pain and doing the work, and why true growth requires honesty, ownership, and support. Our conversation also explores how healing shapes leadership, relationships, and purpose. Jason challenges the idea that success alone defines a meaningful life, arguing instead that who we become—and how we show up for others—matters far more than what we achieve. This episode is a human story of growth. It's about discovering what matters when old narratives fall apart, finding meaning through responsibility, and understanding that purpose isn't something we stumble into—it's something we build, one choice at a time. What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.comwww.brandingforresults.comIG - @wcellisFacebook - @CoachBillEllisFacebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellisBook: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: CONTACT INFO: Name Jason VanRulerEmail jason@jasonvr.comWebsite Jason VanRuler | Therapist, Coach, Speaker, and Author SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: LinkedIn Jason VanRuler, LPC-MH, LMHC, CSAT-S | LinkedInhttps://www.instagram.com/jason.vanrulerhttps://www.facebook.com/thejasonvanruler/Book: Get Past Your Past: How Facing Your Broken Places Leads to True Connection: VanRuler, Jason, Bob Goff: 9780310367413: Amazon.com: BooksUpcoming book: Discovering Your Communication Type: The 5 Paths to Deeper Connections and Stronger Relationships - Kindle edition by VanRuler, Jason. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Jason Van Ruler01:00 – Why Jason hopes people feel hope when they encounter his work02:15 – Growing up in Sioux Falls and the impact of early instability03:40 – How childhood chaos shapes identity and self-worth05:00 – Finding refuge and safety in books06:20 – Early exposure to personal development tapes and hope07:40 – Leaving home at 18 and recreating familiar patterns09:00 – Realizing adulthood requires personal responsibility10:00 – The mirror moment at rock bottom11:20 – Learning to like the person staring back12:45 – Counting small victories and rebuilding confidence14:00 – Leaving recruiting to pursue therapy15:20 – Why wanting change isn't enough17:00 – Doing the work yourself before guiding others18:30 – Therapy vs. coaching: looking back and moving forward20:30 – Jason's personal support system: therapist, coach, spiritual guide22:10 – Taking ownership of your direction24:00 – Why success doesn't always equal happiness26:00 – Redefining success and purpose27:30 – Relationships as our true legacy29:00 – Moving from self-loathing to self-acceptance31:00 – Finding the right help and building trust33:00 – What Jason wishes he'd known earlier in life35:00 – Get Past Your Past and choosing credible guidance37:00 – Understanding needs vs. wants in relationships39:00 – Showing up differently as a husband and father41:00 – Jason's upcoming book on communication styles43:00 – Daily habits and practices for stability45:00 – What people are really searching for46:30 – Rethinking purpose as broader than one role47:30 – Jason answers: "What's the point?"48:45 – Closing reflections and gratitude
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    50 min
  • 118. The Secure Leader: How Attachment Shapes Trust, Leadership, and Purpose with Dr. Jaime Goff

    118. The Secure Leader: How Attachment Shapes Trust, Leadership, and Purpose with Dr. Jaime Goff
    Jan 14 2026

    In this episode of What's the Point?, host Bill Ellis sits down with Dr. Jaime Goff, founder of The Empathic Leader, LLC and author of The Secure Leader, for a powerful conversation on how our earliest emotional experiences quietly shape the way we lead.

    Drawing from her background in psychology, higher education leadership, and executive coaching, Dr. Goff explains how attachment patterns formed in childhood influence trust, control, communication, and emotional regulation in adulthood—especially in leadership roles. She shares personal stories from her own journey, including growing up in a restrictive emotional environment, navigating perfectionism and control early in her career, and learning how true leadership requires both empathy and accountability.

    The conversation explores why secure leaders create psychologically safe environments, how repair—not perfection—is the foundation of strong relationships, and why self-awareness and emotional regulation are essential skills for modern leaders. Dr. Goff also reflects on career transitions, resilience through setbacks, and the courage it takes to build a life aligned with purpose rather than pressure.

    This episode is an honest, grounded look at leadership from the inside out—and a reminder that lasting impact begins with secure connection.

    What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do.

    Connect with Bill:

    • bill@billellis.com
    • www.billellis.com
    • www.brandingforresults.com
    • IG - @wcellis
    • Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
    • Facebook - @bill.ellis
    • LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
    • Book: Women Who Won

    Links for This Episode:

    • Name Dr. Jaime Goff
    • Email https://drjaimegoff.com/contact
    • Website(s) https://drjaimegoff.com

      SOCIAL MEDIA INFO:
    • LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjaimegoff
    • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr_jaimegoff
    • Other https://www.youtube.com/@drjaimegoff

    • CURRENT PROJECTS

    • New book - "The Secure Leader"

    Quick Episode Summary:

    • 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Dr. Jaime Goff
    • 01:10 – Jaime's path into psychology and leadership work
    • 03:10 – Why leadership starts long before adulthood
    • 05:20 – Early emotional environments and attachment patterns
    • 07:45 – How childhood patterns show up at work
    • 10:30 – Control, perfectionism, and leadership identity
    • 13:00 – What secure leadership actually looks like
    • 15:40 – Psychological safety and trust in teams
    • 18:10 – Repair vs. perfection in leadership relationships
    • 21:00 – Self-awareness as a leadership skill
    • 23:40 – Emotional regulation under pressure
    • 26:10 – Empathy without losing accountability
    • 29:00 – Career transitions and resilience
    • 31:30 – Authenticity, courage, and purpose at work
    • 34:10 – Lessons from executive coaching
    • 36:40 – What insecure leadership environments create
    • 39:00 – Building security in yourself first
    • 41:30 – How leaders can start changing patterns today
    • 44:00 – Defining success beyond performance
    • 46:10 – Dr. Goff answers: "What's the point?"
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    57 min
  • 117. From Experiments to Empowering Creatives: Kacper Staniul on Purpose, Curiosity, and Building What Matters

    117. From Experiments to Empowering Creatives: Kacper Staniul on Purpose, Curiosity, and Building What Matters
    Jan 7 2026
    In this episode of What's the Point?, I talk with Kacper Staniul, founder and CEO of MyArchitectAI, about how purpose often reveals itself not through a single calling—but through curiosity, experimentation, and the discipline to keep building. Kacper's journey began far from startups and artificial intelligence. As a university student in Poland studying materials science, he admits he had little sense of direction. What changed everything was exposure to the internet and the realization that learning wasn't limited to formal education. That discovery sparked curiosity, and curiosity led to building. Rather than waiting for the "right" moment, Kacper started experimenting. He worked full-time while launching side projects at night, learning firsthand that momentum comes not from perfect preparation, but from publishing, listening, and improving in public. One of the most powerful lessons he shares is that if you're not slightly embarrassed by your first version, you probably waited too long to launch. We talk about failure—not as something dramatic, but as something quiet and common: waiting too long, learning too much without acting, hesitating when action is required. Kacper reflects candidly on how those early missteps became teachers, shaping a more disciplined, feedback-driven approach to building. That mindset eventually led him to MyArchitectAI. Not because he was an architect. Not because he was an AI engineer. But because he recognized an opportunity to empower creatives by removing barriers. By partnering with the right people, listening closely to users, and staying focused on solving one clear problem, he helped turn an early-stage idea into a tool used by designers around the world. Throughout our conversation, Kacper challenges a common myth about entrepreneurship—that it's all about taking massive risks. Instead, he describes himself as risk-averse, methodical, and intentional. Purpose for him isn't about gambling; it's about steady improvement, meaningful feedback, and building something that genuinely helps others. This is a human story of growth—about how people find meaning not by waiting for certainty, but by creating, learning, and refining as they go. Purpose, as Kacper shows, often takes shape through the simple act of building something useful for someone else. What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.comwww.brandingforresults.comIG - @wcellisFacebook - @CoachBillEllisFacebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellisBook: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: Name: Kacper Staniul Website(s): https://myarchitectai.com SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacper-staniul/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kacperstaniul Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Kacper Staniul01:00 – From science student to builder03:00 – Discovering curiosity through the internet05:00 – Why intrinsic motivation matters more than credentials06:30 – Viewing life and learning like a video game08:00 – First side projects and early lessons09:30 – The courage to hit "publish"11:00 – Launching before you're ready12:30 – Balancing full-time work with building on the side14:00 – Avoiding analysis paralysis15:30 – Why real user feedback matters more than theory17:00 – Discovering MyArchitectAI18:30 – Building without being an architect or AI developer20:30 – Partnering instead of trying to do everything yourself22:00 – Staying focused amid endless AI possibilities24:00 – Why small teams work best for him26:00 – Risk aversion and disciplined decision-making28:00 – Creating a framework for choosing ideas31:00 – What keeps Kacper motivated33:00 – Advice for builders who haven't started yet35:00 – How he defines purpose36:30 – Kacper answers: "What's the point?"
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    46 min
  • 116. The Fight Within Us: Gavin Lance Topp on Purpose, Sobriety, and Becoming a Man

    116. The Fight Within Us: Gavin Lance Topp on Purpose, Sobriety, and Becoming a Man
    Dec 31 2025
    In this episode of What's the Point?, I sit down with Gavin Lance Topp, a former professional boxer whose life has been shaped as much by the battles outside the ring as the ones inside it. Gavin's story is a powerful exploration of purpose, identity, and the fight within us all. Growing up in Australia and moving often as a child, Gavin found structure and validation in boxing. What began as an outlet for rage and energy became a disciplined pursuit that carried him from amateur fights to becoming the Australian Junior Middleweight Champion and eventually earning a world ranking. But as Gavin explains, the lessons that mattered most didn't come from winning—they came from getting punched, listening to mentors, and realizing that sometimes others can see what we can't. Outside the ring, Gavin's life unraveled. Alcohol became a substitute for identity, integrity slipped, and promises were broken. At just 22 years old, standing at the graveside of his sister's boyfriend who had taken his own life, Gavin reached a breaking point. That moment—followed by walking into his first recovery meeting—became the beginning of sobriety, self-honesty, and a second chance. From near homelessness and food vouchers, Gavin rebuilt his life. He returned to boxing with clarity and discipline, eventually living out his childhood dream of becoming a national champion. But success brought new questions. What do you do when the dreams you chased finally come true—and still something feels unfinished? That question became the doorway to Gavin's deeper purpose. Through mentors, faith, and years of inner work, Gavin began to understand the idea of rites of passage—the transformation from boyhood into mature, grounded manhood. That understanding led him to found Fight Like a Pro, The Man Alive Experience, and ultimately a global mentorship platform helping thousands of men find purpose, identity, and direction. Today, Gavin speaks openly about courage, humility, adventure, and living a life that inspires others. He challenges men to pursue dreams bigger than comfort, to stop living out of alignment, and to understand that purpose often reveals itself through struggle, honesty, and service. This is a human story of growth—one that reminds us that while every man will die, not every man will truly live. What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.com www.brandingforresults.com IG - @wcellis Facebook - @CoachBillEllis Facebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis Book: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: https://gavin-topp.mykajabi.com/manchallengetickets https://www.youtube.com/@gavinlancetopp https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076350442592 https://www.instagram.com/gavinlancetopp?igsh=MW1xanN6OTlsejMxbA== Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Gavin Lance Topp01:00 – Early life in Australia and entering the boxing gym03:00 – What boxing gave Gavin as a teenager04:00 – The lesson: a cornerman sees what you can't06:00 – Learning to trust more and force less08:00 – Traveling young and searching for manhood09:30 – Alcohol, loss of integrity, and reaching a breaking point12:00 – Standing at a graveside and asking for help14:30 – Walking into his first recovery meeting16:00 – Reclaiming integrity and creating personal oaths18:00 – From food vouchers to national champion19:30 – When dreams come true… now what?21:00 – Rites of passage and the gaps men don't see23:00 – Faith, calling, and being carried through the fight25:00 – The mission behind Fight Like a Pro26:30 – Every man longs for a battle, an adventure, and love29:00 – Purpose vs mission and finding the fire32:00 – Why men burn out when living someone else's purpose34:00 – Personal oaths, fatherhood, and leading by example37:00 – What a good day looks like now39:00 – Living a life of adventure that inspires others43:00 – Domestication, comfort, and shrinking our dreams46:00 – What he hopes listeners take away48:00 – "Every man will die, not every man will live"
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    49 min
  • 115. From Struggle to Sustainability: How Purpose Takes Shape with Vanessa Thompson

    115. From Struggle to Sustainability: How Purpose Takes Shape with Vanessa Thompson
    Dec 24 2025

    In this episode of What's the Point?, I'm joined by Vanessa Thompson, whose story is a clear reminder that purpose doesn't usually arrive fully formed. More often, it takes shape slowly—through struggle, uncertainty, and hard-earned clarity.

    Vanessa shares her journey through seasons of instability and questioning, moments where the path forward wasn't obvious, and how those experiences ultimately reshaped how she thinks about work, success, and sustainability. We talk about how easy it is to chase outcomes without pausing to ask whether the life we're building is actually livable—and how purpose often shows up when something simply stops working.

    What stood out in our conversation is Vanessa's honesty about redefining success. She speaks openly about burnout, recalibration, and the courage it takes to slow down enough to listen. Her story reflects how people find meaning not by avoiding difficulty, but by paying attention to what those moments are asking of us.

    We explore what it means to create sustainability—not just environmentally or professionally, but emotionally and personally. Vanessa describes learning to align her values with her daily choices, letting go of expectations that no longer fit, and building a life that can be sustained over time, not just admired from the outside.

    This episode is a human story of growth, resilience, and intentional living. It's about discovering what matters when life strips away certainty—and how purpose often reveals itself not in the breakthrough moment, but in the steady work of rebuilding.

    What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do.

    Connect with Bill:

    • bill@billellis.com
    • www.billellis.com
    • www.brandingforresults.com
    • IG - @wcellis
    • Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
    • Facebook - @bill.ellis
    • LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
    • Book: Women Who Won

    Links for This Episode:

    • Email vanessa@vanessathompson.com

    • Website(s) https://www.the-sustainability-experts.com

    SOCIAL MEDIA INFO:

    LinkedIn:

    • https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessathompson5
      https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sustainability-experts

    Quick Episode Summary:

    • 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Vanessa Thompson
    • 01:00 – Vanessa's early struggles and uncertainty
    • 03:00 – When life stops working the way you planned
    • 05:00 – Rethinking success and sustainability
    • 07:00 – Burnout as a wake-up call
    • 09:00 – Learning to pause and reassess
    • 11:00 – Letting go of old definitions of achievement
    • 13:00 – How purpose begins to take shape
    • 15:00 – Building work and life that can last
    • 18:00 – Alignment between values and daily choices
    • 20:00 – Why sustainability isn't just environmental
    • 22:00 – Living with intention instead of urgency
    • 24:00 – What keeps Vanessa going now
    • 26:00 – Advice for those feeling stuck
    • 28:00 – Discovering what truly matters
    • 30:00 – Vanessa answers: "What's the point?"
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    53 min