The Edge Of Excellence Podcast

192: Jerome Stewart & Darius Mirshahzadeh - How To Navigate AI

Are you ready for a world where your knowledge job could disappear overnight? In this explosive conversation, Matt Stewart and Sean Phelps dive in with Jerome Stewart and Darius Mirshahzadeh to uncover the pace, risks, and surprising opportunities behind the AI upheaval transforming every industry. These world-recognized AI experts cut through the hype to reveal who wins, who gets left behind, and the essential skillsets you need right now. This episode delivers the raw, practical playbook for adapting and thriving in the new AI-first era. Miss this, and you risk getting locked out of tomorrow’s job market or watching your business fade away. Catch it now for exclusive strategies you won’t hear anywhere else, and get the jump on everyone still waiting for things to settle. TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS 00:48 – Why 2026 is a shock year for AI advances and productivity 04:04 – The jaw-dropping moment AI replaced work in seconds 06:08 – Brutal reality: Should most knowledge work even be done by humans? 09:45 – Handshake skills and the surprising future of sales in an AI world 12:19 – The new knowledge work that 20-somethings must master to stand out 14:06 – How hiring has flipped: Entry-level jobs and unemployment decoded 18:13 – Why anyone can become an AI builder in just months 27:12 – Physical jobs, digital robots, and training tomorrow’s workforce 45:25 – The Internet moment: Why even a small AI adoption triggers wipeout ABOUT THE GUEST Jerome Stewart is a recognized expert in artificial intelligence and business process optimization, known for his hands-on approach to leveraging AI for 2x and even 3x productivity gains. As a leader with the White Feathers Group, Jerome Stewart dives deep into marketing, workflow automation, and the transformative power of large language models like Claude. He has a knack for demystifying emerging technology, training teams, and encouraging young professionals to lean into AI-driven change. Jerome Stewart also champions the importance of human connection, emphasizing skills like discernment and relationship-building that AI can’t replace. 🔗 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromestewart/] | Website [https://whitefeathergroup.com/] Darius Mirshahzadeh is a forward-thinking entrepreneur and business leader. He is the chairman of AI It and the host of The Greatness Machine podcast. Featured by Fortune magazine as an AI expert, he specializes in helping organizations automate knowledge work and redefine their tech stacks using AI-first strategies. He is known for his candid assessments of the job market, his ability to break down complex trends, and his passion for building teams skilled in automation platforms and agent-building. With a focus on practical implementation, Darius Mirshahzadeh is a leading voice at the intersection of leadership, automation, and future-of-work innovation. 🔗 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/] | Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-greatness-machine/id1555334180] MENTIONED RESOURCES * Claude [http://claude.ai] (AI platform) * ChatGPT [http://chatgpt.com] * Gemini [http://gemini.google.com] * Perplexity [https://www.perplexity.ai/] * N8N [https://n8n.io/] * Make [http://make.com] * OpenClaw [http://openclaw.ai] * Core Value Equation Book [https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708] * YouTube [http://youtube.com] (for AI tutorials and deep dives) IMPORTANT LINKS * Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG) [https://rebrand.ly/acb9b9] * Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application [https://rebrand.ly/0e0f13] * Connect with Matt on LinkedIn [https://rebrand.ly/a571d1] * Watch full interviews on YouTube [https://rebrand.ly/56fe17] The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand [https://rebrand.ly/pybms2026].

191: Stephen Bauer - Secrets of Excellence Most Never Share

Have you ever wondered what truly separates elite performers from everyone else, not just in business, but in life? In this emotionally charged episode, guest host Sean Phelps sits down with Stephen Bauer, a nationally recognized wealth advisor who climbed from uncertain college beginnings to managing director and Forbes Next Gen honoree. Together, they explore the real drivers of sustained excellence from finding your “why” to leading through adversity and building teams that win long after you’ve left the spotlight. If you settle for surface-level career advice, you’ll miss what makes top financial leaders tick, especially the strategies most never teach. Listen now for an insider’s look at the habits, choices, and mindset shifts that could change your approach to success, before someone else takes your edge. TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS 02:06 – The brutally honest reason “effort” beats talent every time 07:49 – Why your success will mirror your inner circle 13:06 – The true story behind Stephen’s pivot from engineering to finance 17:14 – How one relationship shortcut Stephen’s entire career trajectory 23:27 – The painful loss that fueled a new level of ambition 27:32 – Breaking down the “niche advantage” to dominate any market 32:27 – The bold career risk that turned into an unfair advantage 44:35 – The overlooked lesson top leaders wish they learned sooner ABOUT THE GUEST Stephen Bauer is Managing Director at United Capital Financial Advisors, multiple-year Forbes Next Gen Wealth Advisor, and widely recognized as one of America’s leading millennial financial advisors. He brings decades of proven results, including 11 Five Star Professional awards and national acclaim for his expertise in helping clients achieve real-world peace of mind through values-driven financial planning. 🔗 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephendbauer] | Website [https://unitedcapitalwealth.com/team/stephen-bauer/] MENTIONED RESOURCES * Forbes Next Gen Wealth Advisors [https://www.forbes.com/lists/top-next-gen-advisors/] * Simon Sinek [https://simonsinek.com/] * Michael Kitces [https://www.kitces.com/] * Zig Ziglar [https://www.ziglar.com/] * College Works Painting [https://collegeworks.com/] IMPORTANT LINKS * Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG) [https://rebrand.ly/acb9b9] * Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application [https://rebrand.ly/0e0f13] * Connect with Matt on LinkedIn [https://rebrand.ly/a571d1] * Watch full interviews on YouTube [https://rebrand.ly/56fe17] The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand [https://rebrand.ly/pybms2026].

190: Carter Zirbes - Break Through Average: Unleash Your Inner Excellence Now

Are you stuck at the edge of your potential, wondering how to leap ahead of the crowd? In this raw conversation, Matt Stewart pulls back the curtain with Carter Zirbes, an industrial engineering standout and relentless reinventer who has raised $40,000 for cancer research, run million-dollar teams, and mastered the art of pivoting through setbacks. Today’s episode is about more than career trajectories. It’s about the inner battles, owning brutal mistakes, finding mentors when none exist, and refusing to coast when you could climb. Discover the “embrace the suck” mindset, the power of extreme ownership, and the real reason successful people never truly feel satisfied. If you want to avoid mediocrity and play at the highest level, you cannot afford to miss this exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at what separates the excellent from everyone else. Listen now, before the next opportunity passes you by, or you convince yourself that good enough is really enough. TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS 00:25 – The shocking truth about engineering internships most students ignore 02:30 – Why excellence is a moving target and why that actually matters 08:11 – Raising $40,000 for cancer as a teen: The hustle behind the headlines 15:28 – What to do when you have no mentors or support system 19:07 – How a personality test rewrote Carter’s entire career trajectory 26:23 – The “embrace the suck” principle that catapults personal growth 31:06 – The moment extreme ownership flipped customer disaster into loyalty 36:43 – Tradeoffs, FOMO, and the real story on sacrifice versus balance ABOUT THE GUEST Carter Zirbes is a senior industrial engineering student at Iowa State University and a standout leader with CollegeWorks, where he’s managed million-dollar teams and raised tens of thousands for cancer research. Known for his rare blend of technical ability and people skills, Carter brings proven success in both sales and engineering leadership roles. 🔗 LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/in/carter-zirbes-8480b9100] MENTIONED RESOURCES * Miracles of Mitch Foundation [https://people.com/dad-promises-9-year-old-dying-cancer-to-help-others-pinky-swear-foundation-exclusive-11867949] * DISC Assessment [https://www.discprofile.com/what-is-disc] * Iowa State University [https://www.iastate.edu/] * University of Minnesota [https://twin-cities.umn.edu/] * Jets Pizza [https://www.jetspizza.com/] IMPORTANT LINKS * Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG) [https://rebrand.ly/acb9b9] * Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application [https://rebrand.ly/0e0f13] * Connect with Matt on LinkedIn [https://rebrand.ly/a571d1] * Watch full interviews on YouTube [https://rebrand.ly/56fe17] The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand [https://rebrand.ly/pybms2026].

189: Andre Julian - Why Successful People Use Hardship to Win

What if your messy, challenging upbringing could become your greatest competitive advantage? If you’re feeling stuck, alone, or unsure how to turn adversity into growth, you’re exactly who this episode is for. On this electric episode of Edge of Excellence, Matt Stewart welcomes Andre Julian, world champion martial artist, wealth management leader, and TEDx speaker, to share the raw real-life story behind his rise from hardship to industry giant. You’ll get an inside look at how resilience, relentless curiosity, and building the right relationships transform impossible odds into extraordinary opportunity. This episode is your backstage pass to proven, practical mindset shifts and micro habits you won’t find anywhere else. Listen now to leap past self-doubt, learn the secrets that separate winners from worriers, and start building the life and legacy you deserve today. TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS 00:59 – The brutal reality of finding strength in broken places 03:08 – The unnoticed superpower hidden in childhood adversity 10:00 – Why connecting the dots works only in reverse 13:01 – The secret role of substitute mentors (and how to find them) 20:04 – The lesson every ambitious student must learn about sports and approval 27:06 – What sales rejection really teaches about grit and career clarity 34:58 – Why empathy is the number one financial skill (and how to build it) 43:43 – How to stay rational when the world (and markets) lose their mind ABOUT THE GUEST Andre Julian is a world champion martial artist, international wealth management leader, and acclaimed TEDx speaker. Rising from a challenging, chaotic childhood to helm a respected financial firm, Andre’s journey includes degrees from UC Irvine and Yale, TV appearances, and the bestselling book “Streaking to Win.” He’s known for blending sharp financial acumen with uncommon empathy and a relentless drive to help others build lasting excellence. 🔗 Book [https://www.amazon.com/Streaking-Win-Micro-goals-Achieve-Success/dp/1098345606] | Website [https://streakingtowinthebook.com/] MENTIONED RESOURCES * TEDx Talks [https://www.ted.com/watch/tedx-talks] * Yale School of Management [https://som.yale.edu/] * UC Irvine [https://uci.edu/] * Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Address [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc] * Dr. Dorothy [https://collegeworks.com/internship/] (College Works resource) * Financial Times [https://subs.ft.com/paidmedia26?segmentID=1ef76b97-3fc7-fb39-8bde-28b21c124995&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23619912195&gbraid=0AAAAAC_ArBtsGSmUUD2QIZOhrB7VXW-TO&gclid=CjwKCAjwqubPBhBOEiwAzgZX2i0FYa4BwXdKljkrUHiozxCYNMI2dfnTm9k18TUM9AKCMd0iWz5TqxoCIPYQAvD_BwE] * Wall Street Journal [https://www.wsj.com/subscribe/apac?trackingCode=aaqyhdmt&cid=WSJ_SCH_GOO_ACQ_NA&n2IKsaD9=n2IKsaD9&Pg9aWOPT=Pg9aWOPT&Cp5dKJWb=Cp5dKJWb&APCc9OU1=APCc9OU1&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20352607351&gbraid=0AAAAAD_a1WOUfxpg2Fqozc52bNuRiA7DA&gclid=CjwKCAjwqubPBhBOEiwAzgZX2rn2gahc10vw_KZTm-rxRe-Bjd2iCMH3HDman8On5tBHyiGXcgOWphoC2EwQAvD_BwE] IMPORTANT LINKS * Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG) [https://rebrand.ly/acb9b9] * Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application [https://rebrand.ly/0e0f13] * Connect with Matt on LinkedIn [https://rebrand.ly/a571d1] * Watch full interviews on YouTube [https://rebrand.ly/56fe17] The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand [https://rebrand.ly/pybms2026].

188: Dao Ho - How to Build an Inspiring, Balanced Life in Medicine

What if everything you believe about “success” in medicine, ambition, or life is only half the story? Join host Sean Phelps for a riveting, emotionally charged conversation with Dao Ho, a Yale-trained, New York-based PA who's redefining what it means to pursue excellence at the highest level and to come out stronger on the other side. In this candid episode, Dao Ho reveals how she battled failure, faced down imposter syndrome, and fell in love with medicine in the most unexpected places. She opens up about her journey from volunteer gigs to saving lives at one of the world’s premier cancer centers, with detours through business, heartbreak, and joy. If you want to learn the proven systems, unique mindsets, and day-to-day realities that power world-class leaders, don’t skip this listen. Avoid years of wasted effort, uncover the resilient real-life blueprint that never gets shared, and claim the insights that can change your path today, not someday. This is your ticket to the inside story. TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS 00:58 – The unexpected detours that shaped her medical path 02:58 – The class project that changed her life’s mission 05:29 – Why resilience and painful rejection fuel real growth 08:29 – The time management system that let her work, volunteer, and live at full speed 11:47 – The brutal realities and breakthrough of Ivy League admissions 14:28 – How “failing often” secretly led to big wins 21:18 – The accidental lesson that taught her how to really save lives 33:33 – Why gratitude and perspective can change your entire trajectory ABOUT THE GUEST Dao Ho is a Physician Assistant specializing in bone marrow transplant and cell therapy at one of New York City’s world-leading cancer centers. A Yale School of Medicine graduate and first-generation Vietnamese American, she blends advanced medical knowledge with heartfelt patient care, earning her reputation through resilience, empathy, and life-saving results. 🔗 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dao-ho-mmsc-pa-c-975b39a6/] MENTIONED RESOURCES * Yale School of Medicine [https://medicine.yale.edu/pa/] (Physician Assistant Program) * Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center [https://www.mskcc.org/] * Hope Lodge [https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/patient-lodging/hope-lodge.html] * Ronald McDonald House [https://ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org/] * Google Calendar [https://calendar.google.com/] * CrossFit [https://www.crossfit.com/] * EMT Certification [https://www.nremt.org/EMT/Certification] IMPORTANT LINKS * Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG) [https://rebrand.ly/acb9b9] * Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application [https://rebrand.ly/0e0f13] * Connect with Matt on LinkedIn [https://rebrand.ly/a571d1] * Watch full interviews on YouTube [https://rebrand.ly/56fe17] The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand [https://rebrand.ly/pybms2026].