Jacob Vanderslice is a co-founder and Principal at VanWest Partners, a Denver-based real estate investment company specializing in the acquisition, development, and management of self-storage facilities. Under his fundraising leadership, VanWest has strategically deployed over $375 million in capital in value-add self-storage facilities across the United States.

In this episode, Leonard and Jacob Vanderslice discuss:

• Why disciplined investing sometimes means saying no to nearly every deal in the market
• How Van West evaluates self-storage opportunities through supply, rents, and downside risk
• The difference between investing directly in real estate versus investing passively with an operator
• What leverage, interest rates, and lower loan proceeds mean for today’s real estate returns
• Why operator quality can matter as much as the asset itself in private equity investing

Key Takeaways:

• In a difficult market, discipline is often defined by what you choose not to buy. Van West reviewed more than 900 acquisition opportunities, modeled about 250, and purchased just one.
• Value-add investing often comes from relentless attention to operational details. Small savings on expenses, taxes, contracts, and inefficiencies can compound into meaningful increases in net operating income and asset value.
• Passive real estate investing gives investors access to experienced operators, tax benefits, and income potential without the time, capital, and management burden of owning property directly.
• In today’s market, higher interest rates, lower leverage, and reduced loan proceeds have changed return expectations. Investors and operators must adapt to a more conservative environment.
• Strong underwriting begins with the downside. Great operators spend less time chasing the story for winning and more time understanding how a deal could go wrong and how to reduce that risk upfront.

“Leverage is a wonderful and terrifying thing. Leverage, when used appropriately, can really increase your deal returns, but when used inappropriately, it can exponentially increase your risk profile at the same time.” - Jacob Vanderslice

Connect with Jacob Vanderslice:

Website: https://www.vanwestpartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-vanderslice-02905b16b/

Connect with Leonard Raskin:

Website: https://www.raskinglobal.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardraskin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaskinGlobal

Email: lraskin@raskinglobal.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Arias WebsterBerry is an experienced entrepreneur and digital marketing expert with over a decade of success building revenue-driven brands. As Founder and CEO of WebsterBerry Marketing, he has helped hundreds of clients grow through services like web design, sales funnels, social media, CRM, and branding. He also created Launch Ignition AI, a business accelerator that automates marketing systems, delivering up to 312% lead growth and a 5× revenue increase. In addition to launching ventures like Ignite Funnels and authoring Content Cannon, Arias is a certified Scrum Master and Master Sales Coach who has mentored over 400 professionals and contributed to more than $112 million in client revenue. His leadership extends into cultural initiatives, including producing the Hip Hop 101 Music & Art Festival, recognized by the Los Angeles City Council, and his global experiences inform his ability to build scalable, human-centered growth strategies that empower entrepreneurs to achieve meaningful results.

In this episode, Leonard and Arias WebsterBerry discuss:

• How Arias turned adversity and instability into entrepreneurial drive
• The real role of AI in modern business growth and automation
• Why most entrepreneurs struggle to adopt new technology and how to overcome it
• The biggest marketing mistakes business owners make today
• How to build authority instead of chasing attention

Key Takeaways:

• Entrepreneurship often begins as a necessity, but long-term success comes from systems, persistence, and continuous learning.
• AI is not optional; it’s a competitive advantage for those willing to adopt it early and experiment through the learning curve.
• Many business owners overcomplicate marketing; starting with a simple landing page and lead capture system can create immediate momentum.
• Building a personal brand is no longer optional; people connect with people, not logos.
• Perfection slows growth; authenticity and consistency build stronger trust with the audience than polished content.

“If I wanted stability and control over my future, I was going to have to build it myself.” - Arias WebsterBerry

Connect with Arias WebsterBerry:

Website: https://www.websterberrymarketing.com/

Ignite Funnels: https://www.ignitefunnels.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariasweb/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariasweb/

Connect with Leonard Raskin:

Website: https://www.raskinglobal.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardraskin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaskinGlobal

Email: lraskin@raskinglobal.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Todd Langford is the founder, CEO, and lead developer of Truth Concepts, a financial modeling and education platform used by thousands of advisors across the United States. For more than 30 years, Todd has been at the forefront of financial software development and professional training and is widely regarded as an industry expert in financial mathematics and modeling. He has trained thousands of financial professionals to use software and analytical tools more effectively in building strategies for their clients. Todd is also the author of the upcoming book Conscious Calculations, which explores the deeper mathematics behind financial decision-making and encourages advisors to think more intentionally about money, risk, and long-term stewardship.

In this episode, Leonard and Todd Langford discuss:

• Why financial planning requires more than simply chasing higher rates of return
• The importance of understanding the time value of money in financial decisions
• How opportunity cost shapes long-term wealth outcomes
• Why access to cash and liquidity can protect against financial shocks
• The difference between “black swan” and “gray swan” events and how to prepare for them

Key Takeaways:

• Financial math is essential, but it cannot be the only factor guiding decisions. Advisors must combine accurate calculations with real-world context, risk management, and a deep understanding of client goals.
• Opportunity cost is one of the most overlooked forces in personal finance. Every dollar spent or redirected represents future compounded growth that may never materialize.
• Liquidity provides flexibility during uncertain times. Having access to cash can allow individuals to weather downturns, avoid forced selling, and even capitalize on opportunities when markets decline.
• Financial planning must consider both sides of the mountain. Advisors often focus on accumulation, but the real goal is sustainable income and cash flow during retirement.
• Technology can calculate outcomes, but it cannot understand people. Advisors must interpret financial math through the lens of client goals, risk tolerance, and life circumstances.

“The ability to save is way more important than chasing a rate of return.”

- Todd Langford

Connect with Todd Langford:

Website: http://www.truthconcepts.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truthconceptssoftware/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/todd.langford.58/

Connect with Leonard Raskin:

Website: https://www.raskinglobal.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardraskin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaskinGlobal

Email: lraskin@raskinglobal.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Dr. Douglas Strouse is a seasoned executive consultant, organizational psychologist, author, and leadership catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic business community. He is President of the CEO Club of Baltimore, a nonprofit forum where CEOs collaborate, exchange insights, and grow through peer advisory councils. As Managing Partner of Wexley Consulting, Doug brings decades of experience in leadership development, organizational change, performance management systems, executive coaching, and psychological assessment for companies ranging from small local firms to Fortune 500 organizations. He holds a Ph.D. in organizational management and psychology and is the co-author of The Secrets of Resilient Leadership and Stronger: Develop the Resilience You Need to Succeed. Doug has also authored more than 110 professional articles focused on helping leaders build resilience, culture, and high-performing teams.

In this episode, Leonard and Douglas Strouse discuss:

• Why running a small business can be harder than leading a large corporation
• The five core components of resilient leadership
• The concept of “active optimism” and expecting success
• How peer advisory councils help CEOs avoid isolation and make better decisions
• How AI will reshape leadership and why leaders must learn to use it strategically

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience is not about avoiding failure; it’s about getting back up repeatedly and learning from setbacks. Leaders who embrace failure grow stronger.
• Organizational excellence requires clarity. If performance standards and responsibilities are not clearly defined, people cannot achieve excellence.
• CEOs need community. Peer advisory groups provide perspective, accountability, and practical advice that can save companies significant time and money.
• Mental health impacts every workplace. Leaders must recognize that personal and professional challenges are interconnected.
• AI will not replace leaders, but leaders who understand how to leverage AI will outperform those who ignore it.

“Only through failure will you become a success.”

- Douglas Strouse

Connect with Douglas Strouse:

Website: http://Ceoclubofbaltimore.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-a-strouse-ph-d-63a17a/

Email: doug@ceoclubofbaltimore.com

Phone: 410-218-9777

Connect with Leonard Raskin:

Website: https://www.raskinglobal.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardraskin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaskinGlobal

Email: lraskin@raskinglobal.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Michael DeLon creates credibility by helping business owners Create a Book Without Writing a Word™. As The Credibility Coach™ and President of Paperback Expert, he helps entrepreneurs clarify their message, position themselves as authorities, and capture more clients through their Amazon Best-Selling book using his proprietary Credibility Marketing System, designed to generate referrals and grow revenue. Michael is the author of On Marketing, a #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author, and the creator of The Credibility Game Plan, and since 2013 has worked with business owners across the United States and internationally to establish and strategically market their credibility. He is the husband of one and father of four, a committed follower of Jesus Christ who is deeply involved in his church, and someone who can often be found investing time with his family, reading a great book, or facilitating growth in the lives of those around him.

In this episode, Leonard and Michael DeLon discuss:

• Why publishing a book instantly elevates credibility beyond credentials and certifications
• Why AI-generated books fail to build authentic trust and connection
• How books shorten the sales cycle and strengthen prospect relationships
• The power of audiobooks and podcasting in building emotional connection
• How credibility marketing helps professionals in high-trust industries (financial advisors, attorneys, mortgage lenders, consultants, and more) stand out

Key Takeaways:

• In high-trust industries, credentials are table stakes, but authorship creates differentiation and authority.
• AI may generate information, but it cannot replicate personal stories, voice, or emotional connection, the true drivers of trust.
• An audiobook and podcast extend your platform, allowing prospects to bond with your voice and philosophy before ever meeting you.
• When prospects read your book before the first appointment, it feels like a second or third meeting, dramatically shortening the sales cycle.
• Books have a shelf life. Even if someone doesn’t read it immediately, your authority remains visible and accessible long after the initial conversation.

“Never write a book. Always speak to write it.”

- Michael DeLon

Connect with Michael DeLon:

Website: https://paperbackexpert.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldelon/

Free Resource to offer: TheCredibilityCalculator.com

Connect with Leonard Raskin:

Website: https://www.raskinglobal.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardraskin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaskinGlobal

Email: lraskin@raskinglobal.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Dalmo Cirne is the author of The 4 Streams of Leadership and a seasoned leader with over three decades of experience spanning leadership, management, technology, and mathematics. A Mathematics graduate of SUNY, Dalmo has built and launched highly successful products, led organizations through significant growth, and participated in an IPO—bringing a rare blend of technical rigor and real-world leadership insight. Known domestically and internationally for his business and technical acumen, he is a respected speaker, writer, and educator whose work focuses on equipping the next generation of leaders with practical frameworks grounded in the why, what, when, and how of effective leadership. A Fortune 500 leader, entrepreneur, author, and father, Dalmo actively contributes to the leadership space through articles, media appearances, and workshops while continuing work on The 4 Streams of Leadership.

In this episode, Leonard and Dalmo Cirne discuss:

• How mathematics and systems thinking shape leadership and product strategy
• Why communication of intent matters more than prescribing execution
• Leadership challenges across startups, mid-sized companies, and enterprises
• Risk management, trust, and reproducibility in products and services
• The role of AI, automation, and data sensitivity in financial and fiduciary environments

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is not a static role but a constant flow of responsibilities that requires balance, awareness, and adaptability.
• The most effective leaders focus first on managing themselves before managing teams, operations, or stakeholders.
• Clear communication of intent empowers teams to innovate, adapt, and reach outcomes without being constrained by rigid instructions.
• Automation and AI are not inherently dangerous, but overreliance without reassessing assumptions can erode trust and credibility.
• Sustainable growth depends on knowing when to introduce processes—too early stifles innovation, too late creates chaos and inconsistency.

“Leadership is about effectiveness, then efficiency.”

- Dalmo Cirne

Connect with Dalmo Cirne:

Website: https://dalmocirne.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalmocirne/

Substack: https://dalmocirne.substack.com/

X: https://x.com/dalmocirne

Book - The Four Streams of Leadership: https://the4streamsofleadership.com

Connect with Leonard Raskin:

Website: https://www.raskinglobal.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardraskin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaskinGlobal

Email: lraskin@raskinglobal.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Jason Duncan, known as “America’s Exit Coach,” is the bestselling author of Exit Without Exiting and the creator of the proprietary XOS™ Method, which helps entrepreneurs build businesses that thrive without owner dependence. After losing his teaching job in 2010, Jason built a multimillion-dollar company only to discover it was unsellable—an experience that became the catalyst for his life’s work of helping founders transition from Owner-Operators to Owner-Investors. A TEDx speaker and host of The Root of All Success podcast, his companies have been recognized on the Inc. 5000 and Entrepreneur 360 lists, and his insights have been featured in Inc. and Entrepreneur. Based in Nashville, Jason lives the #ExitLifestyle he teaches, enjoying true freedom with his family while his businesses run and grow without him.

In this episode, Leonard and Jason Duncan discuss:

• Why owner-dependent businesses destroy freedom, value, and exit options
• The “hero syndrome” and how it keeps entrepreneurs trapped inside their companies
• Why delegation, trust, and discipline are the real barriers to growth
• The XOS Method and the seven stages of exiting without exiting
• Identity, purpose, and mindset challenges business owners face after stepping away

Key Takeaways:

• Starting a freedom business often leads to the opposite outcome when the owner becomes the system instead of building one.
• Any part of a business that relies on the owner automatically reduces its value in the eyes of buyers, lenders, and investors.
• Delegation fails not because people are incapable, but because leaders are unwilling to let others learn through failure.
• Viewing your company through a buyer’s lens changes how you hire, operate, scale, and plan for the future.
• True wealth isn’t about selling a business. It’s about having the choice to sell, stay, or step away entirely.

“Any system in a business that relies on the owner will devalue the company.” - Jason Duncan

Connect with Jason Duncan:

Website: https://www.therealjasonduncan.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealjasonduncan/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealjasonduncan

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealJasonDuncan

Free Webinar: https://exiter.club/

Connect with Leonard Raskin:

Website: https://www.raskinglobal.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardraskin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaskinGlobal

Email: lraskin@raskinglobal.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.