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Capability Amplifier

Capability Amplifier

By: Mike Koenigs and Dan Sullivan of Strategic Coach
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 Join the eternally curious, interested, and interesting hosts, Mike Koenigs of the SuperPower Accelerator and Dan Sullivan of Strategic Coach®, to amplify your capabilities, value, status, and authority on the Capability Amplifier podcast. Ever episode focuses on a new mindset, shortcut or deep thinking exercise that will improve your performance and lifespan. Learn more at: https://www.CapabilityAmplifier.comDan Sullivan & Mike Koenigs Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • The "Free Money" Tax Credit Nobody Told You About

    The "Free Money" Tax Credit Nobody Told You About
    Jan 7 2026
    What if I told you the government owes you money – possibly tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of dollars – and all you have to do is ask for it back?I know - sounds like complete BS.That's exactly what I thought when my buddy Justin Maxwell told me about the R&D Tax Credit while I was speaking at an event. But he made me an offer I couldn't refuse: "Let me do all the work, show you exactly what you'll get back, and you don't pay me a dime unless you keep the money."Within a couple weeks, I had a fat check deposited directly into my bank account. Then more checks after that. Then we went backwards three years and got even more money back.And here's the kicker – this isn't some sketchy loophole. It's a legitimate government incentive designed specifically for business owners like you who are innovating, creating, building, and testing new things in your business.In this episode, Justin Maxwell from Big Life Financial breaks down exactly how the R&D Tax Credit works, who qualifies (spoiler: way more people than you think), and why your accountant probably has no idea this even exists for small businesses.If you're spending money on AI tools, developing new products, creating new systems, testing new technologies, or basically doing anything innovative in your business – you need to listen to this episode. Like, right now.KEY INSIGHTS & TAKEAWAYSWhy Nobody Knows About This (And Why Your Accountant Doesn't Either)From 1981 to 2015, the R&D Tax Credit was essentially only for Fortune 500 companies. That's why most accountants still think it's only for engineering firms and people in white lab coats. But the rules changed a decade ago, and small business owners can now tap into this incredible benefit – they just don't know it exists yet.The "Double Dip" That Sounds Illegal But Isn'tHere's where it gets insane: You already deduct your business expenses to lower your taxable income, right? Well, the R&D Tax Credit gives you an additional credit on top of that deduction for any money you spend on innovation, development, and qualified research activities. It's literally a dollar-for-dollar write-off of your tax bill – a credit, not just another deduction.You Can Go Backwards Three YearsThink about everything you spent money on in 2022, 2023, and 2024 developing new products, testing AI, creating new systems, hiring people to build things. You can amend your returns and get that money back. Mike got multiple direct deposits within weeks of filing.The July 2025 Game-ChangerPreviously, you had to depreciate the credit over five years. But the new bill passed on July 4th, 2025 changed everything – now you can take the full credit immediately for 2022, 2023, and 2024. Instead of waiting five years to get your money, you get it all at once. We're talking checks hitting your account in 3-6 weeks.Who Actually Qualifies (Probably You)If you're in tech, software, medicine, manufacturing, engineering, science, or any business where you're testing new technologies, creating new protocols, implementing AI, or developing new systems – you likely qualify. One of Justin's clients with just $450K in revenue got $5,000 back. Another with medical practices got $550,000. The range is anywhere from $2K to $500K+.Zero Risk, Zero Upfront CostJustin's team does all the research, all the work, and tells you exactly what you'll get back before you pay them anything. They only get paid when you get paid. And if the IRS somehow doesn't approve it or takes the money back, they refund everything. There's literally no risk.The Mindset Shift That Changes EverythingWhat Mike loves most about this isn't just the money – it's the permission it gives you to innovate without fear. When you know you'll get a tax credit back even if your experiment fails, you take bigger swings. You hire faster. You test more. You grow. Mike used his R&D credits to hire four new people and expand internationally.It's Not Just For "Lab Coat" BusinessesIf you're creating courses, building AI workflows, developing new client onboarding systems, testing marketing automation, or prototyping new tools with your team – that counts. The key is documentation: videos, transcripts, proof you paid people, proof you spent the money on qualified activities.TIME STAMPS[00:00:00] This Is Literally Free Money Mike introduces the R&D Tax Credit and why he was initially skeptical when Justin first told him about it.[00:01:39] Why This Credit Was Hidden From You Justin explains the history – how it was created in 1981 for big automakers and why small businesses didn't qualify until 2015.[00:03:14] The Practical Tactical: How The Double Dip Works Breaking down how you can deduct expenses AND get an additional tax credit on top of those same expenses.[00:06:08] Going Backwards In Time For Money How the 3-year lookback works and why Mike got multiple checks by amending past returns.[00:07:20] The July 4th, 2025 Game-Changer The new law that allows ...
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    28 mins
  • Ambition's Enemies (and How to Beat Them) with Dan Sullivan & Mike Koenigs

    Ambition's Enemies (and How to Beat Them) with Dan Sullivan & Mike Koenigs
    Nov 13 2025

    What if I told you your biggest obstacle to growth isn’t competition or burnout – but other people’s envy?

    In this powerful new episode, Dan Sullivan and I unpack the hidden forces that shape (and sometimes sabotage) entrepreneurial ambition and reveal how to protect, amplify, and sustain it for life.

    Dan also debuts his brand-new “Four-Day Future” method for staying focused, fulfilled, and future-ready.

    SHOW NOTES:

    • Ambition is the fuel that powers entrepreneurs but it’s also fragile – Dan Sullivan reveals how to safeguard your drive from the silent forces of comparison, guilt, and envy.
    • We explore why envy is the most dangerous ambition killer, how modern culture has engineered it into our daily lives, and what you can do to stay immune.
    • Dan unveils his newest framework, The Four-Day Future a simple but profound way to measure progress, recalibrate quickly, and keep your ambition expanding at every stage of life.
    • You’ll also hear how Dan’s recontextualizing Strategic Coach’s entire curriculum to help entrepreneurs turn every “thinking tool” into an “ambition tool.”
    • Whether you’re an established founder or just reawakening your drive, this episode is a masterclass in staying focused, fulfilled, and fearless no matter what the world throws your way.

    KEY INSIGHTS & TAKEAWAYS:

    Ambition Is a Capability
    Dan shares how ambition isn’t about chasing goals it’s about building the capability to think bigger, act faster, and stay confident through every stage of growth.


    The True Enemy of Ambition: Envy
    Discover how envy operates like gravity pulling ambitious people down, and how to protect yourself from its influence (especially when you’re tired or doubting yourself).


    Socialism, Social Media & the Envy Machine
    Dan explains why modern culture is engineered to make you feel guilty for succeeding, and how to escape that mental trap.


    From “The Gap” to “The Gain”
    Learn to measure your progress backward (not forward), and instantly turn frustration into fuel for the next level of growth.


    The Four-Day Future Method
     Dan unveils his new tool to measure progress and recalibrate your goals in real-time, staying focused, happy, and ambitious every week.


    Ambition Killers vs. Amplifiers
     Mike and Dan break down how guilt, fatigue, and overcommitment can kill drive, and how mini-calibrations and micro-wins keep ambition alive.


    TIMESTAMPS:
    [00:00:00] Introduction: Why NASA is betting on Ai to reach Mars by 2040
    [00:01:48] The biggest challenges: health, food, sanitation, power, mental health
    [00:06:20] How a simple brainstorm led to CoughSense - an Ai-powered astronaut health app
    [00:09:04] The “Genius Stack” Framework: stacking 10+ Ais for breakthroughs
    [00:13:12] The truth about trusting Ai platforms (and why speed beats loyalty)
    [00:16:13] Turning ideas into code prompts (even if you can’t code)
    [00:19:52] Testing 10 Ai coding tools in parallel - winners and losers revealed
    [00:26:47] What my son built with Ai at 23 (and why it landed him equity in a company)
    [00:30:45] The Americium Story: turning nuclear waste into power for space exploration
    [00:38:22] Ai storytelling: from scripts to synthetic video to pitch decks in minutes
    [00:44:20] Why founders must lead by example - culture, behavior, and mindset shifts
    [00:47:08] The Four Quadrants of Ai: Superpowers, Marketing, Top-Line Growth, Automation
    [00:53:20] Real stories from Ai Accelerator Live - teams, families, and breakthroughs
    [00:57:59] Final message: The 18–36 month window before Ai becomes non-optional


    PS – When you’re ready, here’s how I can help:

    1. Want to discover your next big opportunity? Meet me for a Cup of Coffee at my Digital Cafe (this is where we can meet): www.MikeKoenigs.com/1kCoffeeCA

    2. Ready to reinvent yourself, your business, and your brand, and experiencing a massive personal and professional breakthrough? Watch this.
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    54 mins
  • Unlocking True Freedom (Heal Trauma and Transform Your Life)

    Unlocking True Freedom (Heal Trauma and Transform Your Life)
    Nov 6 2025

    Have you ever felt trapped by stress, trauma, or unresolved emotions that keep you stuck in cycles of pain and disconnection?

    In this transformative episode, I’m joined by my dear friend and world-renowned Qi Gong Master, Mingtong Gu, founder of The Chi Center.

    Together, we unpack how Qi Gong – an ancient, powerful practice – is changing lives by reconnecting us to our true selves, healing deep trauma, and unlocking profound freedom.

    Mingtong shares incredible insights from his 30+ years of practice, revealing how simple yet profound Qi Gong techniques empower high performers, CEOs, and even those facing incurable diseases to shift from mere survival to thriving.

    If you're longing for true inner peace, vibrant health, and emotional freedom, this is your gateway.


    KEY INSIGHTS & TAKEAWAYS:

    Why Qi Gong is Your Missing Link
    Discover how simple, gentle movements and meditative practices reconnect your mind, body, and spirit, reversing years—even generations—of trauma.


    Healing Trauma, Creating Freedom
    Mingtong shares astonishing case studies, including how Qi Gong reversed seemingly incurable illnesses and transformed broken marriages and lives stuck in despair.


    Releasing Multi-Generational Patterns
    Learn how hidden emotional patterns passed through generations are held in your body—and how Qi Gong gently releases this trapped energy.

    Transforming Relationships with Qi Gong
    Find out why couples who practice Qi Gong together experience profound reconnection, healing, and deeper intimacy beyond the honeymoon phase.

    Ai, Technology, and Embodied Awareness
    Understand the urgent importance of reconnecting with your physical body and emotions in the age of AI—and why this embodied connection is key to preserving our humanity.

    From Surviving to Thriving
    Hear how Qi Gong empowers you to reclaim your health, emotional vitality, mental clarity, and spiritual purpose, giving you lasting internal freedom.

    TIME STAMPS:

    • [00:00:00] Introduction: Trauma, Stress & Qi Gong

    • [00:03:32] Meet Master Mingtong Gu

    • [00:04:25] Biggest Mistake in Health & Life

    • [00:07:26] What Exactly is Qi Gong?

    • [00:11:47] Qi Gong vs. Meditation & Yoga

    • [00:16:05] Mingtong’s Journey from Trauma to Healing

    • [00:21:41] The Qi Gong Healing Miracle

    • [00:23:12] Mike’s Personal Trauma & Language Patterns

    • [00:30:20] Multi-Generational Trauma Release

    • [00:39:29] Qi Gong’s Power to Release Disease

    • [00:44:36] What Happens at a Qi Gong Retreat?

    • [00:49:06] Healing Marriages Through Qi Gong

    • [00:54:30] Why Embodied Awareness is Essential in the Age of AI

    • [01:02:53] True Freedom is Embodied

    If you’ve ever felt stuck or held back by deep emotional wounds, unresolved stress, or just a lack of true inner freedom, this episode will open doors you didn’t know existed.

    To your freedom,
    – Mike

    PS – When you’re ready, here’s how I can help:

    1. Want to discover your next big opportunity? Meet me for a Cup of Coffee at my Digital Cafe (this is where we can meet): www.MikeKoenigs.com/1kCoffeeCA

    2. Ready to reinvent yourself, your business, and your brand, and experiencing a massive personal and professional breakthrough? Watch this.
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    1 hr and 8 mins
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