Ep: 372 - The Revenue Runway: AI, Marketing, and Building a Business as a Veteran and Single Mother

Ep: 372 - The Revenue Runway: AI, Marketing, and Building a Business as a Veteran and Single Mother

Kalen Cotto is an Army Veteran, a Mother, and the founder of KMC Digital. She just wrote a book called The Revenue Runway and she did not wait until she had it all figured out. She wrote it while she was still building her client base, still raising her kid, and still figuring out digital marketing in real time. We got into three things that matter if you are trying to start something without a pile of money: how she tests ideas on a budget, what AI is actually doing to marketing for small businesses right now, and why she thinks most entrepreneurs quit on themselves before the market ever gets a vote. Kalen talks like someone who is in the fight, not someone who already won it.   Get ready to take notes!   Follow her: ⁠https://therevenuerunway.com⁠ [https://therevenuerunway.com/] Instagram: @KMCDigitalBrands

Ep: 372 - FiGHTING FOR THE FORGOTTEN: The Mission to Recognize Veteran Suicide Families

In one of the most important conversations The Decision Hour has had, host Mr. Adam Bird sits down with Matt Cahill, Army veteran, combat medic, and founder of Green Star Families of America — to confront an issue that doesn't get nearly enough attention: the families left behind after a veteran dies by suicide. Matt's path wasn't easy. After serving as a combat medic and facing his own mental health battles, he channeled his pain into purpose — launching a movement to honor and recognize the families who have lost loved ones to veteran suicide through the Green Star service banner. In this episode, Matt and Mr. Adam Bird dig into the story behind the Green Star initiative, the push for national legislative recognition through HR6022, and the recent wins being achieved at the state level. They break down what advocacy really looks like on the ground, why reducing stigma is still the most critical battle, and how everyday people can take action to support veterans and their families. This isn't just a conversation about loss. It's about legacy, resilience, and a movement built to make sure no grieving family feels invisible. Don't miss this inspiring story of courage, compassion, and the fight to bring a long-overdue recognition to families bearing the silent weight of veteran suicide. 🔗 Website: greenstarfamilies.org

Ep: 371 - From Gold to Code: Bitcoin, Human Nature & the Future of Money

What does Bitcoin have to do with human relationships? More than you'd think — and Hannah Praley is here to prove it. In this episode of The Decision Hour, host Mr. Adam Bird sits down with longtime friend Hannah Praley — songwriter turned author — to explore her new book, Rigs Are from Mars, Nodes Are from Venus. What starts as a conversation about Bitcoin quickly becomes something much bigger: a deep dive into human behavior, incentive structures, and the forces that have quietly shaped civilization for centuries. Hannah breaks down how our monetary systems have been distorted over time and why that matters to everyday people, not just economists. She and Mr. Bird unpack what Bitcoin's design reveals about ancient patterns of human interaction, how mining and nodes mirror the dynamic between men and women, and why the analog and digital worlds aren't opposites, they need each other. With humor, candor, and genuine insight, Hannah brings a perspective that's equal parts intellectual and accessible. Whether you're deep in the Bitcoin rabbit hole or you've never bought a satoshi, this episode will make you think differently about money, relationships, and what it means to build something that lasts. Don't miss this inspiring story of a creative mind finding truth at the intersection of finance, human nature, and connection.   🔗 Website: ⁠Amazon⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Rigs-Are-Mars-Nodes-Venus/dp/B0H1WJTBDR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OLA57EN8QGIK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Qa5y_XtNcoKEiE1_iFmjS9dGH37lQhnRhVwPMLMOC1xXsms8GEg9BkZ3JMwm3jmsHFwBqRGwkc-RT51HayVJZM_APRmR7QRgNLSjYNRB2Y2y2M24AH7J-K8DIlaQhdmoBqveI5evAjG6_8eY1mRnE8aQXyb1fJdr1Re3MimsqSoLnKI73LvMZVgeNmOTY3hjV81rO6C_O4H5HAsT7nfgACBUmxCrIlb5zzQSN8e5jDE.ycoWmFLL1IITnu6yTYxNGCHN1WUeC3PE21ZsxgebayY&dib_tag=se&keywords=rigs+are+from+mars+nodes+are+from+venus&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1780425314&sprefix=Rigs+Are+from+Mars%2C+Nodes+Are+from+Venus.+%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-1] 📸 Instagram: ⁠IG [https://www.instagram.com/the.electric.garden/]

Ep: 370 - No Followers? No Problem: Winning with User Generated Content

What does a Navy CH-46 helicopter mechanic, a mortgage underwriter, and a successful UGC content creator have in common? In this case, it's all the same person. In this episode of The Decision Hour, host Mr. Adam Bird sits down with Trish Leto, a Navy veteran turned digital entrepreneur who has built a thriving career in user-generated content creation and brand consulting. Trish breaks down exactly what UGC is, why brands are paying everyday people (not influencers) to create authentic content, and how you can get started using nothing more than products you already own. Trish and Mr. Adam Bird dig into the discipline she carried from military service into entrepreneurship, the reality of pivoting careers more than once, and the practical steps new creators can take to land their first paid brand collaboration. This isn't theory, it's a roadmap from someone who's actually done it. But this episode goes deeper than marketing strategy. Trish opens up about her sobriety journey and how a series of decisive personal choices completely redirected the trajectory of her life. It's a candid, empowering conversation about what it really takes to reinvent yourself and why authenticity isn't just a content strategy, it's a way of living. Don't miss this inspiring story of reinvention, resilience, and the power of showing up as exactly who you are. 👉 Check out deployugc.com [https://deployugc.com/] 👉 Email: trishletospeaks@gmail.com

Ep: 369 - Restoring Independence: The Future of Mobility with the Zeen

In this episode of The Decision Hour, host Adam Bird sits down with Rick Sherak, Air Force veteran and CEO of Exokinetics, to discuss the game changing mobility device, the Zeen. With over 30 years in the medical diagnostics industry, Rick shares his unique journey from military service to leading a company at the forefront of mobility innovation. Listeners get an inside look at the Zeen’s development, its impact on users’ independence, and how it bridges the gap between wheelchairs and walkers, all without motors or batteries. Rick dives into the device’s safety features, its tailored approach for individuals, and the importance of regaining mobility for veterans and others facing physical challenges. The conversation also explores the emotional impact of renewed mobility, advances in VA access to assistive technology, and the power of determination in overcoming obstacles. Don’t miss this inspiring story of innovation, perseverance, and life-changing possibilities.    ⁠https://gozeen.com/ [https://gozeen.com/]