Your Daily Retreat
 

Your Daily Retreat

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You can be highly capable and still feel like something isn’t fully clicking.

This podcast explores clarity, alignment, leadership, and intentional growth through thoughtful conversations with founders, operators, creatives, clinicians, and other experts.

Hosted by Jeff and Sam, each episode looks at how ambitious people navigate complexity and make important decisions. We explore how to build a career and life that stays aligned with what matters most.

You’ll also hear Alignment Audits - real conversations where someone brings what feels unclear or stuck. Together we slow it down, clarify what matters, and build a deliberate path forward.

If you're navigating leadership, career growth, or major life decisions, this podcast offers perspective, structure, and space to think clearly.

Less noise. More clarity. Real integration.

A weekly return to yourself.

Episodes

The Lost Art of Leadership: What It Really Takes to Lead People

4 days ago

4 days ago

31 min

Most people think that leadership is the natural next step when you become really good at what you do. 

More responsibility. A bigger title. A promotion.

But what if becoming a leader isn’t about proving how capable you are?

In this episode, Jeff unpacks the lost art of leadership and the shift that happens when you stop being responsible only for your own performance and become responsible for helping other people succeed. 

Jeff gets honest about the mistakes he made early in his own leadership journey, when he thought his job was to have all the answers, tell people what to do, and prove he was the expert. 

He talks about the shift from being self-centered to other-centered, why the best leaders must listen more than they talk, how to give your team credit when things go right and take more responsibility when things go wrong, and why sometimes the best thing you can do as a leader is to stop giving people the answer and help them find it themselves. 

Ultimately, Jeff asks us to consider a question we may not ask ourselves often enough: Do I actually want to be a leader?

Because great leadership isn’t about being a hero. It’s about creating an environment where other people can become the best version of themselves and being willing to own the journey along the way. 

In this episode:

(00:03) - Why leadership is ultimately an art, not a formula
(02:40) - Why getting promoted doesn’t mean you’re ready to lead
(04:35) - The biggest shift you have to make as a leader
(06:16) - The question to ask yourself before you become a leader
(09:38) - Why leadership is not about being in charge
(11:36) - The difference between a manager and a leader
(15:02) - What accountability looks like as a leader
(19:04) - Why active listening is a leader’s superpower
(22:23) - Why great leaders don’t need all the answers
(25:45) - How great leaders protect their team from unnecessary noise
(26:53) - How to delegate in a way that builds your team
(29:05) - Why leadership is not for everyone
(30:06) - The real reward of becoming a great leader

Connect with us: 

Produced by Eliza St John | Email info@ydretreat.com
Original Music by Dario Forzato | http://www.darioforzatomusic.com 
This Podcast is Hosted by Podbean.

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What Happens When You Stay Focused In A Season of Growth: Tommy Ward’s 90-Day Check-In

Aug 13, 2026

Aug 13, 2026

45 min

Before listening to this episode, we highly recommend going back and listening to: How to Stay Focused While Building Multiple Streams, Tommy Ward’s Original Alignment Audit. You can find it prior to this episode for the full context behind Tommy’s Alignment Audit and the foundation for this 90-day check-in. 

An Alignment Audit is a coaching conversation designed to uncover what’s keeping someone stuck, create clarity around their next steps, and identify the shifts that can create the greatest impact. Then, 90 days later, we revisit the conversation to see what changed, what breakthroughs occurred, and what became possible.

90 days ago, Tommy Ward wasn’t lost or stuck. He was massively expanding. He had built a strong foundation, multiple income streams, a thriving business, and a powerful personal brand. But with growth came more opportunities, decisions, ideas, and demands on his time. And he was starting to feel that tension.

The question that kept coming up for him was, “How do you keep growing without losing what you’ve already built?”

So we did an Alignment Audit. 

We didn’t add more to his plate. We refined it. We focused on three things: his structure, his priorities, and how he was managing his time so he could keep building without losing what was already working.

In this episode, Tommy shares what happened when he put those shifts into practice - from changing his schedule and protecting his focus to tracking his numbers and becoming more patient and disciplined with the process.

What we love most about this conversation is that the biggest transformation isn’t just what happened in his business. It’s what changed in Tommy. 

He became more intentional. More disciplined. More grounded. And more confident in his ability to grow without having to chase everything at once. 

Because sometimes the next level doesn’t require a bigger vision. It requires becoming more intentional with the vision you already have.

In this episode:

(01:14) - Tommy returns 90 days later: what has changed?
(03:21) - How time-blocking changed the way Tommy built
(05:09) - The power of patience and small, compoundable steps
(07:11) - Why consistency matters more than being the best
(08:05) - The marathon mindset behind sustainable growth
(13:48) - How Tommy learned to actually protect his time
(16:46) - Why more freedom requires more discipline
(20:53) - Why protecting your focus is key to growing 10x faster
(22:48) - Why you don’t have to choose between multiple passions
(28:02) - How small daily improvements create massive momentum
(36:16) - How the right mentor can help you turn growth into real progress
(37:24) - The morning habit that changes everything about your day
(41:08) - How the Alignment Audit helped Tommy follow through

Links and Resources:

Connect with Tommy:

Connect with us: 

Produced by Eliza St John | Email info@ydretreat.com
Original Music by Dario Forzato | http://www.darioforzatomusic.com 
This Podcast is Hosted by Podbean

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Re-release - Alignment Audit: How to Stay Focused While Building Multiple Streams ft. Tommy Ward

Aug 13, 2026

Aug 13, 2026

51 min

You’re building more than one thing right now. You’re trying to grow, stay consistent, and move your life forward. But on some days, it feels like the more you do, the less focused you actually feel. 

Tommy Ward is no stranger to this season.

An entrepreneur, podcast host, and real estate professional, Tommy is in a season of expansion, building across e-commerce, content, mentorship, and new business ventures. On the outside, it looks like momentum. But underneath it all, he’s had to learn what it actually takes to stay structured, protect his energy, and keep growing without losing clarity along the way. 

In this episode, Sam sits down with entrepreneur, podcast host, and real estate professional Tommy Ward for an alignment audit to break down what productivity actually looks like when your life starts scaling in multiple directions. From shifting priorities to time blocking to the reality of managing competing responsibilities, they unpack the hidden patterns that quietly create overwhelm, even when things are going well. 

Together, they explore how to work in a way that actually supports your growth instead of scattering it. Not by doing more, but by getting intentional about structure, focus, and how you choose to spend your energy each week.

If you’ve been trying to grow in multiple areas of your life, but feel like your attention is constantly divided, this conversation will help you step back into clarity, focus, and momentum.

In this episode:

(02:29) - Tommy’s sobriety and personal transformation journey
(03:53) - The importance of creating wealth for happiness, opportunity, and family
(10:57) - Building multiple income streams without losing your sense of direction
(14:00) - The quiet identity shift that comes with outgrowing your old structure
(16:01) - What productivity actually looks like when life gets more complex
(22:15) - How to tell if your priorities are supporting your growth or scattering it
(29:46) - The hidden burnout that happens when you keep switching your focus too often
(32:10) - Time-blocking: Prioritizing tasks to achieve higher productivity and success
(34:26) - Why structure becomes more important as you start expanding
(43:16) - The difference between growth that feels chaotic and growth that feels grounded
(47:29) - The power of repetition and adjustment to create lasting habits

Connect with Tommy:

Connect with us: 

Produced by Eliza St John | Email info@ydretreat.com
Original Music by Dario Forzato | http://www.darioforzatomusic.com/ 
This Podcast is Hosted by Podbean.

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Finding the Courage to Save Yourself ft. Adena Gragosian

Aug 6, 2026

Aug 6, 2026

1hr 2 min

What happens when life doesn't go according to plan?

Maybe you've experienced heartbreak, loss, disappointment, or found yourself wondering how everything changed so quickly. Maybe you've been waiting for life to get easier before taking your next step.

In this heartfelt conversation, Sam sits down with Adena Gragosian, founder and CEO of Create & Celebrate, to share how she rebuilt her life after divorce, depression, and single motherhood. What began as a creative outlet to help her heal became a thriving children's party business, a renewed sense of purpose, and a life she never imagined possible.

Together, Sam and Adena explore what it really means to find the courage to save yourself. They discuss overcoming victim mentality, trusting yourself again, setting healthy boundaries, embracing the slow journey of healing, and why lasting transformation comes from the small decisions we make every day.

One of the most powerful moments of the conversation is Adena's reminder that no one is coming to save you, and that realization isn't discouraging. It's empowering. Because the moment you stop waiting for someone else to rescue you is the moment you begin creating the future you truly want.

If you've been feeling stuck or uncertain about what's next, this episode is a reminder that you don't need to have the whole path figured out. You simply need the courage to take the next step.

In this episode:

(01:29) - Meet Adena Gragosian
(06:38) - How Adena found healing in the places she least expected
(12:31) - How Adena turned her healing journey into a calling
(16:20) - Why progress will always beat perfection
(18:19) - Releasing what’s holding you back to make room for what’s next
(19:40) - How life’s hardest seasons teach you to rely on yourself
(26:01) - How creating can become part of your healing journey
(28:52) - How Create & Celebrate became more than an event company
(33:17) - What happens when you let your customers shape your creativity
(38:25) - How to create more freedom through systems and team building
(43:06) - How to create momentum through consistent content
(49:01) - Why building the right audience matters more than growing your followers
(50:45) - How to find peace in who you are, not what you achieve
(52:51) - What happens when you start trusting yourself again
(54:54) - Why you don’t need balance, you need more joy
(56:28) - What success means when you’re finally at peace with yourself
(58:50) - What to remember when life feels uncertain

Connect with Adena:

Connect with us: 

Produced by Eliza St John | Email info@ydretreat.com
Original Music by Dario Forzato | http://www.darioforzatomusic.com 
This Podcast is Hosted by Podbean.

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Why Growth and Comfort Can Never Coexist

Jul 30, 2026

Jul 30, 2026

36 min

Everyone wants the next level.

A stronger relationship. A healthier body. A thriving business.

More freedom. More confidence. And a life that feels bigger than the one they’re living today. 

But the real question isn’t whether you want a different life.

It’s whether you’re willing to become the person that life requires. 

In this episode, Jeff explores one of the biggest mindset shifts behind lasting transformation: growth and comfort can never coexist. He explains why your current identity has created your current reality, how your habits and environment continue to reinforce the life you’re living today, and why real change begins with getting radically honest about where you are before deciding where you want to go. 

Through powerful personal stories and mindset strategies, Jeff shares how clarity, visualization, confidence, self-worth, and intentional action work together to help you step into the future you’re building. 

Because if you want something different, you can’t simply chase a new outcome. 

You have to become the version of yourself that’s capable of living it. 

In this episode:

(02:02) - The hidden cost of staying comfortable
(04:52) - The identity shift that changed Jeff’s life
(06:56) - How to know whether it’s a season of growth or comfort
(10:49) - Why clarity always comes before growth
(13:49) - How future environments shape present decisions
(14:51) - The science behind visualization
(21:31) - The difference between confidence and self-worth
(27:14) - Why the brain naturally resists growth
(28:36) - Clarity, Commitment & Action: the three-part framework for lasting change
(31:21) - Questions that create forward momentum
(33:49) - How to become the person who can hold the life you want

Connect with us: 

Produced by Eliza St John | Email info@ydretreat.com
Original Music by Dario Forzato | http://www.darioforzatomusic.com 
This Podcast is Hosted by Podbean.

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Unfiltered: Can Marriage & Business Really Work? ft. Jeff & Sam

Jul 23, 2026

Jul 23, 2026

59 min

Behind every business and every marriage are conversations most people never hear. They're the conversations that shape decisions, strengthen trust, navigate conflict, and ultimately determine whether you're building something that lasts. 

In this special Unfiltered episode, Your Daily Retreat producer Eliza St. John turns the tables and interviews hosts Jeff and Sam Hauser, giving listeners a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it's really like to grow multiple businesses while nurturing a marriage.

From working side by side every day to navigating leadership, communication, difficult seasons, and the constant balancing act between business and family, Jeff and Sam share the lessons that have strengthened both their partnership and their companies. They also answer questions they've never been asked on the podcast before, offering an honest look at the conversations, challenges, and values that continue to shape their journey.

Whether you're married, dating, building a business with someone you love, or simply striving to become a stronger leader, partner, or friend, this episode is a reminder that success is rarely built alone.

Because at the end of the day, the greatest things we build aren't measured by what we accomplish; they're measured by who we become and who we choose to build them with.

In this episode:

(00:01) - Eliza turns the tables on Sam and Jeff
(02:01) - Why communication is key to a lasting relationship
(06:26) - The power of taking ownership - learning to apologize and grow together
(08:00) - Why building a legacy together starts with finding the right partner
(12:38) - The relationship mindset shift every couple needs before marriage
(15:14) - Love languages - the secret to feeling seen, supported, and loved in a relationship
(16:39) - How Sam and Jeff went from partners in life to partners in business
(23:51) - How strong partnerships navigate different perspectives
(24:54) - How to support your partner’s dream without losing your own
(29:20) - What Sam and Jeff appreciate about each other
(34:36) - Creating space for business growth and marriage - how Sam and Jeff navigate working from home together
(39:03) - The importance of finding a partner who supports your strengths and challenges your limits
(40:39) - Redefining success through marriage, family, and purpose
(42:36) - What Sam and Jeff would tell their younger selves about success, love, and purpose
(49:16) - What it looks like to step into your new season with purpose
(52:58) - Quick Fire with Sam and Jeff - Who’s more likely? 

Connect with us: 

Produced by Eliza St John | Email info@ydretreat.com
Original Music by Dario Forzato | http://www.darioforzatomusic.com 
This Podcast is Hosted by Podbean.

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A Brand Is More Than a Product ft. KC Clarke

Jul 16, 2026

Jul 16, 2026

1hr 1 min

Some brands sell products. Great brands create a feeling.

In this episode, Jeff sits down with his dear friend KC Clarke: a brand builder, storyteller, and marketing executive whose career has spanned some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Adidas, Vans, TravisMathew, and Chemical Guys.

Jeff and KC first met on the first day of their USC, MBA program while both were working full time. Since then, their friendship has grown through career changes, personal milestones, and countless conversations about ambition, identity, and what it takes to evolve.

Together, they explore what truly makes a brand unforgettable, the power of emotional connection, community, curiosity, and a clear point of view. KC shares insights from his journey in brand and marketing, the lessons he’s learned working with global companies and high-growth brands, and why understanding people is at the heart of building something meaningful.

This conversation goes beyond marketing. It’s about taking risks before you feel ready, overcoming fear and imposter syndrome, learning through failure, and trusting the process of building a career and a brand with purpose.

Because the brands that last, don’t just sell products, they create a connection and leave a lasting impact.

In this episode:

(02:11) - Jeff and KC’s friendship and how they met at USC
(03:48) - Is an MBA worth it, and how to decide what is right for your career
(05:55) - Why your dreams are often on the other side of fear
(08:54) - KC’s career journey from sports to brand leadership
(11:28) - How curiosity shaped KC’s path through marketing and brand
(13:16) - The power of building a network without expectation
(15:31) - Why career growth is rarely a straight line
(18:08) - How to move through fear, imposter syndrome, and starting over
(20:39) - What great brands understand that average brands miss
(24:59) - Why emotional connection is one of the strongest competitive advantages
(26:20) - The difference between marketing and brand
(27:50) - Why a great product is required, but not always enough
(29:50) - What founders should know before spending money on marketing
(31:10) - How to understand your customer beyond demographics
(32:09) - Why consumer feedback matters, especially the uncomfortable feedback
(33:43) - The role of community in building brand loyalty
(37:25) - How to lead creative teams without crushing creativity
(40:00) - KC’s advice for anyone starting a career in marketing or brand
(46:22) - What building Gentle Menace taught KC about entrepreneurship
(48:18) - Why “fail fast, fail cheaply” matters when launching something new
(50:51) - How perfectionism can slow down creativity and execution
(57Why personal growth is KC’s current definition of success

Connect with KC:

Connect with us: 

Produced by Eliza St John | Email info@ydretreat.com
Original Music by Dario Forzato | http://www.darioforzatomusic.com 
This Podcast is Hosted by Podbean.

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Sales 101: How to Sell With Confidence

Jul 9, 2026

Jul 9, 2026

50 min

Most people hear the word “sales” and immediately feel uncomfortable.

They think of pressure, scripts, awkward conversations, or convincing someone to buy something they don’t need. 

But what if sales was never meant to feel that way?

In this episode, Samantha shares a practical masterclass on what it really means to become a great seller and why learning this one skill can completely change the way you build relationships, grow your business, lead people, and build the life you want. 

Drawing from more than 14 years in sales, building businesses, and leading high-performing teams, Sam shares the principles that have helped develop thousands of entrepreneurs sell with confidence while staying true to who they are. 

This isn’t about becoming more convincing. It’s about becoming more connected. It’s about asking better questions, building relationships, following up with intention, and learning how to serve people at a higher level. 

Because the people who make the greatest impact aren’t the ones who know all the right sales techniques. They’re the ones who genuinely care enough to help others win. 

In this episode:

(04:08) - The hidden reason you’re uncomfortable selling
(05:53) - How to think about sales differently
(07:29) - How to sell without feeling pushy
(09:05) - Why relationships will always outsell products
(09:51) - The three different levels of relationships in sales
(13:33) - The Farmer Mindset leads to more sales
(16:32) - The FORM Strategy - how to ask better questions that build trust
(20:11) - How to build sales confidence every day
(26:12) - Why belief is more powerful than any sales script
(29:25) - How to nurture relationships through follow-ups
(33:34) - How to follow up with intention, not pressure
(39:07) - The Leadership Mindset - how to grow beyond selling for yourself
(42:42) - Why coachability is your greatest competitive advantage
(46:33) - Sales phrases you should never use
(47:19) - The A or B Close every seller should master
(47:59) - Why trust is the foundation of every sale
(48:32) - How to measure success beyond the sale

Connect with us: 

Produced by Eliza St John | Email info@ydretreat.com
Original Music by Dario Forzato | http://www.darioforzatomusic.com 
This Podcast is Hosted by Podbean.

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