Donata Stroink-Skillrud is a licensed attorney, certified information privacy professional, and the president and co-founder of Termageddon — a privacy policy platform covering 120+ laws that has helped thousands of businesses from solo entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies stay compliant as privacy regulations continue to multiply.

In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, she joins host Chris Everett for a wide-ranging conversation about what data privacy really means for business owners, what the regulatory landscape looks like right now, and how to protect your business without drowning in legal fees.

Donata's story starts with a Target data breach notice, a first date that turned into a business plan, and a career-long mission to democratize privacy compliance for the businesses that need it most but can least afford the lawyers to get there.

What You'll Learn:

• Why most businesses assume they're too small for privacy laws to apply — and why that assumption is dangerous
• The first step every business owner needs to take to understand their compliance obligations
• Why your privacy policy must match your actual practices — and the legal exposure when it doesn't
• The growing state-by-state privacy patchwork in the US and what it means for your business in the next 3-5 years
• The shocking license plate reader story — and what it reveals about how personal data is being shared without consent
• Why compliance always has to come from the top of the organization to actually stick
• How Termageddon is expanding globally — and what different countries' privacy laws reveal about their culture

🔗 Links & Resources:
Termageddon: https://termageddon.com/
Follow Donata on LinkedIn: / donata-stroink-skillrud

Subscribe to Beyond the Numbers for conversations where money meets meaning and purpose — bringing together voices from business, finance, law, and leadership to talk about the moments that shape us and the strategies that sustain us.

Everett Wealth Solutions is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Illinois providing fiduciary financial planning and asset management across the nation.

Most people don't lose money from bad decisions. They lose money from no decision — waiting for clarity that never quite comes while the window quietly closes.

In this solo episode of Beyond the Numbers, fiduciary financial planner Chris Everett walks through the three financial decisions that carry the highest cost of delay and why if you're between 58 and 67, right now is the most important financial window of your life.

Markets don't pause. Tax laws don't wait. And the cost of inaction compounds just as fast as a bad move.

What You'll Learn:

• Why waiting for clarity is itself a financial decision — and often an expensive one
• The 3 decisions with the highest cost of delay: Social Security timing, retirement plan rollovers, and early retirement income structure
• Why the difference between claiming Social Security at 62 vs. 70 can exceed $100,000 in lifetime income
• What the "decision decade" (ages 58–67) really means for your retirement outcome
• Why treating your 401k as set-it-and-forget-it is not a strategy — it's hope
• What an honest fiduciary conversation actually looks like — and why it consistently leads to better outcomes

Resources:
Everett Wealth Solutions: https://chris-everett.knowledgevaultpress.com/long-term-care

Free resource + Pre-Discover Session (30 min, no cost): https://calendly.com/ews407/30min?back=1&month=2026-06

Everett Wealth Solutions is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Illinois providing fiduciary financial planning and asset management across the nation.

Subscribe to Beyond the Numbers for conversations where money meets meaning and purpose.

Bill Bishop is rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship, innovation, and what it means to stay relevant in an AI-driven world.

His journey—from coining “digital marketing” in 1995, to authoring bestselling books, to guiding over 5,000 entrepreneurs through his Big Idea framework—offers a masterclass in thinking bigger than your circumstances.

This conversation explores the mindset shifts that transform hot dog stand businesses into gourmet chef empires. Bill breaks down why most founders unknowingly operate inside their “old factory,” how the penguin problem erases differentiation, and why the next era belongs to generalists who can orchestrate value instead of clinging to narrow specialties.

Key Topics

00:00 – The story of a 68-year-young disruptor

02:10 – How a brilliant mother ignited a lifelong mission

05:18 – Why patience (and tennis coaching) shaped Bill’s transformation philosophy

08:44 – Getting unstuck: The hotdog stand trap

12:10 – Think big. Start small. The 11% rule

16:25 – The gourmet restaurant analogy that rewires your approach

21:45 – The Penguin Problem: Why most businesses blend into the crowd

27:02 – Building a $50M “hyper-intelligent building” business

33:40 – AI as a dance partner, not a threat

38:50 – Why wellbeing—not metrics—is the new value proposition

42:10 – The rise of generalists and the death of narrow specialization

47:35 – Education, critical thinking, and fixing the old factory mindset

52:48 – Future-proofing yourself through intention

56:30 – Coaching the next generation of entrepreneurs

1:01:14 – Autonomous cars and finding opportunity inside disruption

1:05:20 – The lobster story that launched a movement

1:10:02 – How to discover your own Big Idea

For entrepreneurs with good intentions and a desire to build meaningful value, this conversation delivers a practical perspective wrapped in future-focused clarity. This isn’t theory—it’s transformation in real time.

If this episode sparks something for you:

👍 Like this video

🔔 Subscribe for more authentic, future-focused conversations

💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway

🔗 Share this with someone who’s ready to rethink what they’re capable of

#BigIdeas #BusinessTransformation #EntrepreneurMindset #ArtificialIntelligence #ThoughtLeadership #InnovationStrategy #FutureOfWork #DigitalMarketing #LeadershipDevelopment #BeyondTheNumbersPodcast

What does it really take to build an elite engineering team—and why is retention one of the most overlooked financial risks in business?

In this episode of Beyond The Numbers, host Chris Everett sits down with John Szeder, a Fractional Chief Technology Officer and “zero-to-one” builder, to explore the intersection of engineering leadership, business performance, and long-term value creation.

From his early inspiration in online gaming to leadership roles at Zynga and beyond, John shares the real lessons behind building high-performing teams—and why keeping great talent is one of the most important financial decisions a company can make.

• What separates elite engineering teams from average ones • Why retention is a business value problem—not just HR • The “zero-to-one” mindset and building from scratch • Lessons from Zynga and live operations environments • How AI is reshaping hiring and engineering leadership • The rise of fractional CTO roles and portfolio careers • Equity, compensation, and the reality of startup incentives • Why your career is your most valuable financial asset • How to build meaningful, engaging team cultures

John Szeder is a Fractional Chief Technology Officer who works with companies like Seismic Studios and Tennex Networks, helping them build and scale elite engineering teams. Known as a “zero-to-one” expert, he specializes in taking ideas from concept to execution across industries—from gaming to startups.

He brings a unique perspective shaped by both technical and leadership experience, emphasizing retention, culture, and long-term value creation as core drivers of business success. John is also active in the Technology Executives Club, where he contributes to discussions on AI, leadership, and the future of engineering.

Beyond the Numbers is where growth-minded professionals talk strategy, legacy, and the financial decisions that shape their future. Hosted by fiduciary financial planner Chris Everett, the podcast explores how people align business growth with personal purpose through intentional wealth-building. Chris is also President of Everett Wealth Solutions, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Illinois for fiduciary financial planning and asset management across the nation.

00:00 Show Intro 00:35 Meet John Szeder 02:38 Career Inflection Points 04:36 From Builder to Leader 05:35 Zynga Lessons & Live Ops 07:13 Zero to One Mindset 08:32 What Makes Teams Elite 11:04 Retention as Value 13:09 Career as Human Capital 15:29 Culture, Meaning & Joy 17:50 Leading in the AI Era 20:02 Fractional CTO Playbook 22:02 Money, Equity & Startups 24:32 Advice and Closing 28:28 Where to Find John 30:41 Final Outro

• Leadership and growth • Financial strategy for high performers • Building wealth with purpose

What happens when a CPA realizes spreadsheets and tax codes aren't enough? This conversation goes deeper than any financial podcast you've heard before.

Stephen K. De Silva, founder of Prosperous Soul, joins host Chris Everett to explore the intersection of financial success and spiritual fulfillment. From overcoming imposter syndrome to understanding your identity as the foundation of prosperity, this episode challenges everything you thought you knew about wealth.

Key Frameworks Discussed:

The Five Knots of Life:

1. Identity (Who am I?) - Prepositional, attached to God
2. Purpose (Why am I?) - The verb that naturally leaks out of you
3. Vision (What do I see?) - The adjective describing your desired future
4. Strategy (How will I get there?) - Your roadmap across life's realms
5. Tactics (Daily yes/no decisions) - Alignment with everything above

The Capacity Triangle:

• Protection
• Provision
• Identity/Worth

Resources Mentioned:

📖 Book: "Money and the Prosperous Soul" by Stephen K. De Silva (Available on Amazon)

🎯 Free Financial Health Quiz: Get your capacity score and personalized insights here: ProsperousSoul.com/financial-health-quiz

Three Core Programs:

• Prosperous Soul - Education about money and identity
• Purpose Train - The pull system coaching
• Financial Sozo - Exchange of lies for truth tool

Chapters:

0:00 - Welcome to Beyond the Numbers

1:17 - Meet Stephen K. De Silva

1:35 - The Pivot from CPA to Meaning-Maker

2:46 - The Hunger for Purpose in Your 40s

3:43 - Success on the Outside, Empty on the Inside

10:23 - The Imposter Syndrome Story

11:55 - The Pull System Introduction

12:04 - The Rope Metaphor Explained

19:24 - Working Backward from Vision

20:05 - Identity: The Critical Top Knot

22:34 - Adopted vs. Orphaned Identity

24:21 - Stephen's Five Knots Revealed

26:11 - "Beside" - A One-Word Identity Story

28:06 - Purpose as Father (The Verb)

28:54 - Vision: Prosperous

29:27 - Strategy: Three-Generation Company

33:17 - Book: Money and the Prosperous Soul

34:05 - Money as Spiritual Power

35:00 - The Divided Heart Problem

35:24 - Roman, Greek, and Hebrew Lenses

38:20 - The Hebrew/Biblical Perspective

40:44 - Greek Perfection vs. Hebrew Excellence

44:23 - The Insidiousness of Perfection

44:55 - Free Financial Health Quiz

48:36 - The Capacity Triangle Explained

49:32 - Chris's Unique Approach to Financial Planning

50:15 - Closing Thoughts: Think of That Rope

In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, host Chris Everett sits down with renowned business strategist, author, and thought leader Rashad Tabakawala for a powerful conversation about leadership, technology, and what it means to stay human in an increasingly data-driven world.

After spending nearly four decades at the forefront of digital transformation, advising global organizations such as Google, Meta, IBM, Walmart, and JPMorgan Chase, Rashad shares why he believes the greatest challenge facing modern leaders isn't technology—it's preserving humanity, creativity, and purpose amid rapid change.

Together, Chris and Rashad explore the ideas behind Rashad's acclaimed books Restoring the Soul of Business and Rethinking Work, discussing the balance between data and intuition, the future of work in the age of AI, the rise of fractional careers, and why the most successful organizations combine digital innovation with authentic human connection.

Listeners will hear practical insights on leadership, vulnerability, organizational culture, lifelong learning, and navigating uncertainty in a world where the future no longer fits the containers of the past.

Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, advisor, or someone rethinking your own career path, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on building a life and business that align success with meaning and purpose.

Topics include: • Staying human in the age of AI • Leadership with honesty, empathy, and vulnerability • The future of work and career transformation • Balancing data, technology, and human connection • Creating cultures of trust and innovation • Learning, adaptability, and long-term relevance

Join us for an inspiring discussion on where money meets meaning—and why the soul of business matters now more than ever.

About the Guest:

Rashad Tabakawala is a globally recognized business strategist, bestselling author, speaker, and former Chief Strategist and Chief Growth Officer of Publicis Groupe, where he spent 37 years helping lead one of the world's largest organizations through the digital revolution while advising companies such as Google, Meta, IBM, Walmart, and JPMorgan Chase. He is the author of Restoring the Soul of Business and Rethinking Work, co-founder of the Athena Project, founder of the Tabakawala Foundation, and a trusted advisor to leaders worldwide on the future of work, leadership, and staying human in the age of AI.

About the show

Beyond the Numbers is where growth-minded professionals talk strategy, legacy, and the financial decisions that shape their future. Hosted by fiduciary financial planner Chris Everett, the podcast explores how people align business growth with personal purpose through intentional wealth-building. Chris is also President of Everett Wealth Solutions, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Illinois for fiduciary financial planning and asset management across the nation.

Beyond the Numbers: How CAST Water Safety Foundation Teaches Toddlers to Self-Rescue with Liz Hubbert

What if the “water baby” dunking we see on vacation is actually teaching toddlers something dangerous—like believing an adult will always be there to pull them up for air?

In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, host Chris Everett sits down with Liz Hubbert, leader of the CAST Water Safety Foundation, to share the pivotal poolside moment that changed everything—and launched a mission to help children become aquatic problem solvers.

Liz explains how self-rescue swim instruction (including ISR and similar programs) uses six weeks of daily, private 10-minute lessons to teach even very young kids how to swim, float, find air, and practice fully clothed—skills designed to prevent drowning, the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4, with many incidents occurring during non-swim time.

CAST’s model is equally unique: ✅ Operates under the Innovative Lavin Family Foundation umbrella (connected to the Alberto Culver family) ✅ Works with ~35 partner instructors across the country ✅ Directs 100% of donations to swim lessons + safety education ✅ Offers scholarships for teachers, nurses, first responders, military families, children with special needs, and families with income-based need

Liz also shares CAST’s collaboration with the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Youth Safety Lab on a published study on 1-year-old water competency, plus practical safety guidance every caregiver should know—like proper pool fencing and checking water first if a child is missing.

Learn more, find programs, and locate instructors: castwatersafety.org

⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:40 Poolside Wake Up Call 03:12 Discovering ISR Lessons 06:30 Six Weeks to Self Rescue 08:22 From Teacher to Founder 11:50 Lavin Foundation Model 14:46 Aquatic Problem Solvers 17:42 Confidence Beyond Water 20:14 Community of Swim Families 20:52 Scaling Instructor Quality 22:28 Nationwide Team Impact 23:36 Scholarships and Access 24:55 WGN Stories and Awareness 27:46 Balancing Mission and Family 32:16 Community Culture and Growth 35:02 Water Safety Call to Action 38:46 Closing Thanks and Outro

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations where money meets meaning and purpose. ⭐ If this episode resonated, please like, comment, and share—a share can save a life.

#BeyondTheNumbers #WaterSafety #CAST #DrowningPrevention #Parenting #ChildSafety #ISR #SwimLessons #NonprofitLeadership #FamilySafety

In this episode of Beyond the Numbers — where money meets meaning and purpose, host Chris Everett sits down with Brad Jenkins, CFP®, Chief Investment Officer & CEO of MarketGuard, to unpack what it really takes to pursue strong returns without living through stomach-churning volatility.

Brad shares the unlikely origin story that started with him reading the financial section in 7th grade, the moment he realized the industry often prioritizes profits over people, and why he built Market Guard around three pillars: excellence, integrity, and innovation.

You’ll also hear the “cookies” framework behind Brad’s book Cookies and Retirement: A Recipe for Success—a simple way to understand portfolio construction, behavioral risks, and why “time and temperature” matter as much as ingredients.

If you’re an investor who wants clarity, or an advisor evaluating an investment partner, this conversation breaks down what to look for, what questions to ask, and how disciplined downside protection can help clients stay invested when markets get loopy.

🎙️ Guest: Brad Jenkins, CFP® — CIO & CEO, MarketGuard 🎧 Host: Chris Everett — Everett Wealth Solutions

In this episode, we cover: • Why Brad entered wealth management (and what nearly turned him away) • The 3 biggest threats to your money (and why “you” is #1) • What makes Market Guard different: returns with lower volatility • Why “Noah built the ark before it rained” is a risk-management blueprint • How to evaluate a money manager (track record, volatility periods, and skin in the game) • The Mastery Event with leadership strategist & American hero Sean Patton • What’s next: Market Guard’s new index + structured note conversations with major institutions

📌 About the show Beyond the Numbers is where growth-minded professionals talk strategy, legacy, and the financial decisions that shape their future. Hosted by fiduciary financial planner Chris Everett, the podcast explores how people align business growth with personal purpose through intentional wealth-building.

Everett Wealth

👍 If this episode helped:

Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants a smarter way to think about wealth.

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