Episodes

  • From His Mom’s Garage to a National Agency — How Drew Lutzke Built ADL Search from Nothing

    From His Mom’s Garage to a National Agency — How Drew Lutzke Built ADL Search from Nothing
    Nov 27 2025
    When life forces you to start over, most people freeze.Drew Lutzke built a business. In this powerful episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Drew (@andrew_adltalentplug) breaks down how he went from sitting in his mom’s garage—unsure of his future—to launching ADL Search & Staffing, a faith-driven recruiting agency now expanding across major U.S. cities. Drew shares how he: 🔥 Pivoted from college baseball coaching into recruiting 🔥 Built his entire agency virtually with zero funding 🔥 Leveraged LinkedIn, consistency, and storytelling to attract clients 🔥 Navigated massive life changes and found purpose through faith 🔥 Uses a “relentless mentality” to place accounting & finance talent nationwide 🔥 Created a patented product with his wife (The Pocket Step) from a real-life problem 🔥 Turned setbacks into stepping stones instead of stopping points If you’re stuck at square one, unsure what your “thing” is, or trying to pivot careers, Drew’s story will hit home. His message is simple: Don’t be afraid. You’re only given today. 🎧 Listen now and learn why relentlessness, faith, and consistency are the keys to building something from nothing. Your Network is your NETWORTH! Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024 Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNB9ivoJf7ppjuSplOAkEZw LinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below to see if we can help you:www.CashSwipe.com FREE Copy of my book “Blue to Digital Gold - The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 mins
  • How John Briseno Went From Addiction and Jail to Multi-Millionaire Sales Leader

    How John Briseno Went From Addiction and Jail to Multi-Millionaire Sales Leader
    Nov 24 2025
    From battling addiction… to facing jail time… to becoming a multi-millionaire in high-ticket sales — John Briseno has lived a transformation most people wouldn’t believe. In this episode, John opens up about the darkest chapters of his life, the moment everything collapsed, and how hitting rock bottom forced him to rebuild with discipline, sales skills, and relentless self-belief. He went from having nothing — no money, no opportunities, no direction — to leading sales teams, closing massive deals, and changing his family’s future forever. You’ll hear: How addiction and jail shaped his mindset The turning point that pushed him into entrepreneurship How he developed elite sales skills with zero experience The strategy that led him to multi-million-dollar success Why discipline mattered more than motivation How he now helps others earn life-changing income This isn’t a highlight reel — it’s a raw, real blueprint for anyone who feels stuck, broken, or overlooked. If you’ve ever doubted yourself or your path, John’s story will prove that your past doesn’t define your future. Guest: John BrisenoInstagram: @realjonbriseno 🎧 Tune in now — this episode might be the mindset shift you’ve been waiting for. Your Network is your NETWORTH! Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024 Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024 LinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below to see how we can help you: 💳 www.CashSwipe.com 📘 FREE Copy of my book: “Blue to Digital Gold – The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • How Fareed Abedini Lost $1.7M at 20 — Then Rebuilt Through Airbnb

    How Fareed Abedini Lost $1.7M at 20 — Then Rebuilt Through Airbnb
    Nov 21 2025
    What would you do if you earned $1.7 million before turning 21… and then lost every dollar? Most people would crumble. But today’s guest — Fareed Abedini — used that rock bottom moment as the catalyst for one of the greatest comebacks you’ll ever hear. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, Fareed opens up about the brutal reality of losing millions through day trading, the shame of watching it all disappear, and the exact moment he realized he had to rebuild from nothing. What followed was a transformation fueled by mentorship, resilience, and a new vehicle for wealth: Airbnb. From couch-surfing with his mentor… To managing properties he didn’t own… To scaling into arbitrage… To building a profitable real estate operation from zero… Fareed breaks down the strategies, mindset shifts, and painful lessons that turned him into the entrepreneur he is today. How Fareed turned $25K into $1.7M in six months The moment everything collapsed — and how he handled it The mentor who changed his life and forced him to level up How he started Airbnb with no money, no credit, and no properties The 20–25% management strategy anyone can begin with Why arbitrage became his turning point The numbers behind his first Airbnb ($6,500 month, $3,000 mortgage) How to rebuild your identity after financial failure Why Airbnb is still one of the most scalable models for new entrepreneurs If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, broke, or unsure of your next move — this episode will remind you that you’re one decision away from a completely different life. Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024 Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQ LinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below to see how we can help you: 💳 www.CashSwipe.com 📘 FREE Copy of my book: “Blue to Digital Gold – The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com 🚀 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Your Network is your NETWORTH! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Take the First Step – How Successful Entrepreneurs Think Differently

    Take the First Step – How Successful Entrepreneurs Think Differently
    Nov 20 2025
    🔥 The hardest step in success isn’t the tenth — it’s the first. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down the mindset that separates dreamers from doers — and why your first uncomfortable step matters more than any strategy. Paul Alex opens up about the key decisions that changed his life, from leaving his 9-to-5 to launching multiple companies from scratch. None of it happened because he had the perfect plan — it happened because he moved before he felt ready. In this episode, you’ll learn: 💡 Why successful entrepreneurs decide fast (even when uncertain) 💡 How progress beats perfection every single time 💡 Why failure is just feedback — not a finish line 💡 The mindset shift that turns small steps into massive momentum Most people wait for confidence. Winners create it through action. If you’ve been stalling on a goal or waiting for the “right time,” this episode gives you the push to finally begin. 🎧 Tune in now and learn how to build momentum, make decisions faster, and take the steps that actually change your life. Your Network is your NETWORTH! Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024 Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQ LinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below:www.CashSwipe.com FREE Copy of my book “Blue to Digital Gold - The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    4 mins
  • Why Passive Income Is REAL in 2025: Seve Ortale Breaks Down the Payment Processing Gold Rush

    Why Passive Income Is REAL in 2025: Seve Ortale Breaks Down the Payment Processing Gold Rush
    Nov 19 2025
    What if you could build $20K–$50K/month in passive income with no tech background, no prior sales experience, and just pure grit? In today’s episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we sit down with Seve Ortale (@seve_ortale_), a 25-year-old entrepreneur who went from 600 straight rejections to building a multi-six-figure residual income stream in payment processing — all in under two years. 🔥 Inside this episode, you’ll learn: How Seve failed his first business… and why that failure led him to the payment processing gold rush The exact moment he realized passive income was REAL Why payment processing is one of the biggest blue-ocean opportunities of 2025 The mindset shift that took him from “I want to be an entrepreneur” to running his own ISO How he built $25–30K/month in recurring revenue and stopped trading time for money The power of consistency, grit, and getting punched in the mouth by rejection His blueprint for beginners who want to break into the industry today 💳 If you’ve ever wanted time freedom, passive income, or a real path to entrepreneurship… this episode is your blueprint. 🎙️ Guest:Seve Ortale Instagram: @seve_ortale_ Your Network is your NETWORTH! Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024 Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQ LinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below:www.CashSwipe.com FREE Copy of my book “Blue to Digital Gold - The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Why Entrepreneurs Quit Early – And How to Stay the Course

    Why Entrepreneurs Quit Early – And How to Stay the Course
    Nov 18 2025
    🔥 Everyone wants to win… until it takes longer than expected. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down why so many entrepreneurs quit before they ever see results — and how you can build the mental endurance to stay the course. Paul Alex dives into the real reasons people fold early, from chasing hype instead of consistency to misunderstanding what success actually feels like. Launching a business isn’t glamorous in the beginning — it’s repetitive, quiet, and often lonely. But that’s exactly where winners are built. In this episode, you’ll learn: 💡 Why excitement fades but discipline keeps you alive in business 💡 How to push through the “boring” seasons every entrepreneur faces 💡 The mindset shift that turns consistency into your competitive advantage 💡 What happens when you stop expecting fast success — and start committing long-term If you’ve ever felt like giving up, this episode will remind you exactly why you started — and show you how to keep going when everyone else quits. 🎧 Tap in now and build the endurance that makes entrepreneurs unstoppable. Your Network is your NETWORTH! Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024 Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQ LinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below:www.CashSwipe.com FREE Copy of my book “Blue to Digital Gold - The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    4 mins
  • How Alex Ruiz Went from Broke & Homeless to Funding $12 Million by 25

    How Alex Ruiz Went from Broke & Homeless to Funding $12 Million by 25
    Nov 17 2025
    What if the lowest point of your life became the foundation of a multimillion-dollar career? In today’s episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we sit down with Alex Ruiz (@iamrobertalexruiz) — a young entrepreneur who went from being homeless and lost at 21… to funding over $12 million in credit and business capital by the age of 25. Alex opens up about the adversity he faced growing up with a single mother and nine siblings, how he battled internal doubt, and the exact moment he decided to stop living small and start leveling up. His journey takes us through solar door-to-door sales, barber school, mentorship investments, and ultimately the credit repair and funding business that changed everything. In this episode, you’ll discover: 💡 How Alex rebuilt his life after experiencing homelessness 💳 The REAL reason most people fail to get funding 🔥 Why being uncomfortable is the key to massive growth 🏋️‍♂️ The mindset & habits Alex used to transform his life by 25 🚀 How he used personal branding, community, and pure belief to scale 🙏 Why faith, foundation, and consistency matter more than anything 💼 The exact profile lenders look for (and how to fix yours) Alex doesn’t just talk about success — he lived the struggle, pushed through it, and created his own breakthrough. His story is proof that your past does not define your future… your decisions do. If you’re ready to level up your mindset, your money, and your environment, this episode will give you the blueprint. 🎧 Tune in now and hear how one young entrepreneur turned hardship into a $12M empire. Your Network is your NETWORTH! Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024 Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQ LinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • Turning Fear Into Fuel – Mindset Shifts for Growth

    Turning Fear Into Fuel – Mindset Shifts for Growth
    Nov 16 2025
    🔥 Fear isn’t your enemy—it’s your roadmap. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, discover how fear can actually become the fuel that drives your biggest breakthroughs. Paul Alex shares how stepping into the unknown—whether launching CashSwipe, facing high-pressure moments as a detective, or making his first major business moves—revealed one truth: 👉 Fear shows up when you’re close to something important. In this episode, you’ll learn: 💡 Why fear is often a green light for growth 💡 How to take action while afraid 💡 Why movement beats overthinking every time 💡 The mindset shift that transforms fear into momentum If you’ve been hesitating, doubting yourself, or waiting for the “right moment”… this is the episode that will push you to finally move. 🎧 Tune in now—and start turning fear into the fuel that levels up your life and business. Your Network is your NETWORTH! Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024 Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQ LinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below:www.CashSwipe.com FREE Copy of my book “Blue to Digital Gold - The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    4 mins