Phil Goldfeder, Charles E. Potts, American Fintech Council

Brandon Horne, Greenlight

Summary In this episode of Business & Brews, Matt Pierce sits down with Brandon Horne, Head of Commercial Partnerships at Greenlight, to discuss his unconventional path from biochemistry student to Army officer to fintech executive. Brandon shares lessons learned from helping scale high-growth companies, including his experience at Cardlytics and Greenlight. The conversation explores leadership, entrepreneurship, sales, company culture, career growth, and why great middle managers are often the unsung heroes behind successful organizations. From building relationships that drive enterprise sales to creating opportunities for young professionals to grow, Brandon offers practical insights for anyone navigating a fast-paced career or helping build a company from the ground up. Key Takeaways * Growth happens when you step into opportunities before you feel ready. * Shared challenges build stronger teams than shared successes. * Relationships and persistence remain critical in enterprise sales. * Great middle managers are often the foundation of strong company culture. * Leadership is measured by the people you help develop. * Small gestures can create lasting professional impact.

The Connection Between Financial Health and Mental Health

EPISODE SUMMARY This week on Business & Brews, Matt Pierce takes a step back from the usual guest interviews to talk about something impacting millions of people every day: the connection between financial stress and mental health. From rising costs and paycheck-to-paycheck living to anxiety, burnout, and the emotional weight of uncertainty, Matt breaks down why financial pressure affects far more than just bank accounts. He also shares practical ways people can regain a sense of control, create breathing room, and start reducing the mental load that money stress creates. This episode covers: * Why financial stress impacts mental and physical wellbeing * How “survival mode” thinking affects long-term planning * The importance of financial literacy without shame or guilt * Practical steps to create visibility, stability, and breathing room * Why hope and consistency matter more than perfection Whether you’re personally navigating financial pressure or leading teams that are, this conversation is an important reminder that financial wellness and mental wellness are deeply connected. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Financial stress impacts far more than money — it affects sleep, relationships, confidence, and physical health. * Most people experiencing financial pressure are not irresponsible; they’re reacting to tight margins and rising costs. * Financial literacy is less about perfection and more about creating clarity, confidence, and control. * Small habits and small wins can create meaningful psychological relief over time. * Open conversations about money can help reduce shame and remind people they’re not alone.

Jordan Wright, Atomic

SUMMARY In this episode of Business & Brews, Matt Pierce sits down with Jordan Wright to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, and building a transparent company culture. Jordan shares how his entrepreneurial mindset started as early as childhood, eventually leading him into fintech through companies like Unbill and now Atomic. The conversation explores how Atomic evolved from simplifying direct deposit switching into a broader infrastructure company helping consumers better manage their financial lives through connected systems and data intelligence. Jordan also shares lessons on product-market fit, customer obsession, startup resilience, and how Atomic competed against much larger players in the market. Matt and Jordan dive into leadership philosophies around transparency, empowering teams, and creating organizations where people can do the best work of their lives. They also discuss the growing role of AI inside modern businesses and how both leaders are using it to create efficiencies and improve execution. The episode closes with a thoughtful conversation about balancing ambition with family, recognizing what truly matters, and intentionally creating space for life outside of work. Key Takeaways * Customer conversations fuel innovation: Atomic’s leadership team stays deeply connected to customers to uncover real needs and shape product direction. * Startups can outperform larger competitors: Jordan shares how Atomic successfully competed against Plaid by staying agile and customer-focused. * Transparency strengthens culture: Open communication around company priorities, metrics, and leadership decisions helps build trust and alignment across teams. * AI is most valuable when applied practically: The conversation highlights real operational uses for AI, from RFP workflows to productivity tracking. * Success means more than business growth: Jordan reflects on prioritizing family and making time for what matters most outside of work.

Josh Etress, Josh Etress Consulting

SUMMARY On this episode of Business & Brews, Matt sits down with longtime friend Josh Etress for a conversation on leadership, career growth, faith, and the power of showing up. Josh shares his journey from ministry to software sales, from operational leadership to executive coaching, and the lessons he learned along the way. From taking bold risks early in his career to navigating major life and career transitions, this episode is full of practical insight for founders, operators, and leaders. Matt and Josh unpack what separates high performers, why solving problems makes you invaluable, how faith can shape major decisions, and why rest is essential for sustainable leadership. Josh also shares the story of how he broke into tech by betting on himself in a way most people would not. If you are building, leading, or trying to figure out your next step, this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE: * Josh’s path from ministry into business * Why high performers focus on solving problems * The advantage of working in a growth-stage company * Transitioning from sales into operations * Moving from Birmingham to Nashville * The role of faith and patience in career decisions * Sabbath and rest as a leadership discipline * Breaking into tech by creating your own opportunity * What excites Josh about coaching today * Leading with both confidence and honesty KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Solve problems beyond your role to create opportunity * Effort and consistency can outpace experience early * Growth environments accelerate careers * Strong principles apply across any industry * Sometimes you have to bet on yourself * Faithfulness often comes before clarity * Rest is critical to long-term performance * Great leaders operate in truth, not just perception

John Burdett, Founder & CEO of Fast Slow Motion

Summary In this episode of Business and Brews, Matt sits down with John Burdett, Founder and CEO of Fast Slow Motion, for a conversation about what it really takes to grow a business beyond the founder stage. John shares his journey from Birmingham startup operator to entrepreneur, along with the lessons he’s learned about leadership, systems, ego, and scaling well. The conversation explores the shift from being the person who does everything to becoming the kind of leader who builds a business that can run without them. John talks candidly about how founders can become the bottleneck in their own companies, why process matters more than most people want to admit, and how defining the right scoreboard changes everything. John also opens up about an incredibly difficult personal season, including a life-threatening health crisis and a cancer diagnosis, and how those experiences tested everything he had built. What he found on the other side was clarity: a business designed the right way can create freedom, resilience, and room for what matters most. This episode is a thoughtful conversation on leadership, identity, and building a company that supports your life instead of consuming it. In this episode, Matt and John discuss: * John’s path to founding Fast Slow Motion * The difference between being a founder and being a CEO * Why many entrepreneurs become the biggest obstacle to scaling * The role of ego, humility, and self-awareness in leadership * How systems and process create freedom over time * Building a business that can operate without the founder * What John’s health challenges taught him about life and leadership Key Takeaways A great business is not one that depends on the founder for everything. It is one that can grow, thrive, and create impact while also making room for a meaningful life.