As Keith Urban stares down the release of his 11th solo album, “HIGH,” he is clearly not a man bound by convention. His career, like the sizzling songs synonymous with his name, is a fluid soundscape embodying the grit and grace of human experience. For Urban, every album is a snapshot in time, a reflection of who he is, hinting at where he’s going next. His career mirrors a gallery of vivid portraits, some nearly identical, others wildly divergent, but all snapshots of a singular, ever-evolving artist.

In the Urban multiverse, each timeline offers a distinct variation reflecting the man behind the strings. There’s the sensitive balladeer, the charismatic live performer, the Aussie with an edge, the family man who loves nothing more than being present with his kin. “I’ve lived a lot of lives through my music,” Urban says of how he reconciles all the phases of his storied journey. “Every album is a blank canvas, but they’re also an accurate portrait of who I am at that moment. Between some albums, I haven’t changed much. But between others, I’ve changed radically.”

Urban shares his story with the gravitas of someone who’s truly lived myriad lives. For all his public personas, he saves his best self for his family. He and his wife Nicole Kidman are raising blossoming daughters Sunday Rose, 16, and Faith Margaret, 13, splitting their time between Nashville, Beverly Hills, Manhattan, and Sydney. They’re navigating extraordinary careers while making core family memories like reveling in the Paris Olympics — savoring moments of togetherness away from the spotlight. Despite the whirlwind of fame, it’s kicked back domestic downtime Urban cherishes most.

Country music is enjoying a peak cultural renaissance; once guarded by conservative core gatekeepers, it’s become a playground for artistic liberty and crossover experimentation. Beyoncé deep-diving her Texas roots, dabbling in the Southern Gothic, while Post Malone slides into the genre’s twangier tones in his Grand Ole Opry debut would’ve been unimaginable a decade ago. Urban attributes this to a post-pandemic hunger for real connection. “Country’s always had strong storytelling at its heart,” the industry veteran explains. “But it’s also about having a drink, a dance, and a damn good time. Audiences are craving that right now. Isolation made people want something that felt real; something with depth. Country was there, waiting.”

The Grammy Awards winner sees this as a broader cultural shift. “In an era of fake news, authentic storytelling becomes even more essential. Country is resonating with a much larger audience because it has a lot to say, and honestly, other genres may have less to say lately,” he says with a cheeky undertone. “It’s no surprise people are more than ready for it.”

He makes a compelling argument. Country now goes way beyond quaint ballads confined to rural America. It’s a global force, driven by artists like Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs, who’ve seamlessly married the heart-on-sleeve vulnerability of country with the sonic influence of hip-hop and pop.

Urban has been riding this wave of artistic freedom for years, embodying country heart with rock-and-pop edges long before it was trendy. Tracks like “Chuck Taylors” from his latest album strike up a delicate dance of soulful intimacy that meets unbridled energy, capturing both the fragility and stamina of young love. “That song took the longest of all songs on the album,” he explains. “Not in the writing but in the recording — essentially trying to balance caffeinated, insane, compulsive energy with very laid-back breeziness. Chill freneticism, yeah that.”

The paradox between primal passion and quixotic introspection is a microcosm of Urban’s broader approach to life. He blurs chaos and calm; the spaces where emotions collide and form something transcendent. It’s a sentiment that stretches across his discography, which often centers on themes of longing leading to catharsis. “I’ve always been drawn to those human feelings of hope, regret, the feeling of time slipping away,” he shares. “But I try not to hitch myself to the past.”

One of the major themes in Urban’s writing is connection. Whether it’s the nostalgia that seeps into songs or the electric camaraderie of collaborating with someone like Lainey Wilson, Urban seems forever drawn to the threads that tie artists together.

“Lainey? She’s got swagger for days,” he says about their new rowdy, rousing duet, “Go Home W U.” “We wrote it back in 2020 when bars went [dormant] and we were missing live good times. So, we just created that world ourselves,” he says. “I love Lainey’s voice; to hear her sing — you just know who she is. She can make herself at home anywhere, and that’s why people love her.”

Urban’s ease in any setting is part of what makes him such a magnetic performer. From Nashville staples to global sold-out arenas, he’s learned to read an audience, connecting on a visceral level. “It burns constantly,” he says of his passion for performing live. “It’s the center of my whole being — playing for people who just want to have a good time and sing along. When you’re on stage, revving up a sing-along chorus and the whole arena belts it back — a phenomenal feedback loop that still gives me chills.” For this rakish Scorpio, this exchange of energy is a blueprint for joy.

Auspiciously poetic timing for an artist whose songs strike at the heart of human connection — or maybe merely genius marketing — Urban’s upcoming Fontainebleau Las Vegas residency premieres on Valentine’s Day 2025. The newly built $3.7 billion palace of indulgence fuses high-gloss luxury and old-school Vegas allure, a fitting backdrop for celebrating a career of seamlessly shaking up tradition with innovation.

It’s as if Cupid himself curated the calendar. “Every show is a valentine for my audience,” he says with a laugh. “My mission is to take fans on a wild ride, leaving behind the everyday outside world for two hours to have the absolute time of their lives.” For Urban, the thrill of the moment reigns supreme — a reminder that connection with a new flame, a song, or a crowd is always the main event.

Urban’s shows at this architectural marvel will be a masterclass in musical alchemy — his high-octane stage presence igniting the venue’s leading-edge acoustics in an immersive scene. The Fontainebleau marries intimacy and grandeur in a style that feels custom-built for his brand of connection. Vegas is already iconic. Throw in thousands of fans, a stage built for spectacle, and a performer who works emotional nuance like Michelangelo works marble, and you have a love letter in concert form.

The 13-time CMA Award winner has shared the stage with a who’s who of the Hall of Fame, from Taylor Swift to Pink to the Rolling Stones. “I’m in it for the third thing,” Urban says with his Aussie timbre. “There’s what they do, there’s what I do, and then there’s that third thing that neither of us sees coming. With Pink, I always knew our voices would sound great together, but it was about finding that magical third thing.”

Magic seems to follow him into the late-night hours, inspiring some of his most evocative songwriting. “Messed Up As Me” taps into the mystique of those witching hours. The nocturnal realm holds a creative allure for the performer. “There’s something otherworldly about those hours. Intoxicating in every sense of the word,” he says with the deliberation of a man who’s spent many nights in its thrall. “You’re in this strange metaphysical space where anything can happen.”

In “Love Is Hard,” Urban explores the trenches of a relationship, where staying means everything. “My past has always been to cut and run,” Urban admits. “We live in this culture of instant gratification, but love? That’s the long game — perseverance. The more I’ve pushed through things I didn’t want to, the more I’ve grown.”

In “Break the Chain,” Urban reflects on his conscious effort to leave behind inherited habitual traps, patterns absorbed from childhood. “My parents did the best they could with what they were given. Now, it’s my responsibility to rewire myself for new experiences,” he explains. “We all come from somewhere we didn’t choose, right? But do I have the courage to stop perpetuating harmful patterns? While it’s not my fault my dad was an alcoholic, as an adult I can take accountability and learn to be in the world differently.”

Urban has written song after song about embracing the here and now; staying grounded in a world that moves at the speed of streaming and endless distractions. “It’s about finding intrigue in the moment you’re in,” he says.

Despite accolades and fame, Urban is tethered to the process, to the rawness of reinvention. As he puts it, “We’re all this mix of responsibility, gravitas, and wild edge. That’s what makes us human.” He knows relationships are complex and beautiful, and made a career out of turning emotional chaos into catharsis. One stadium-sized anthem at a time.

For more articles like these, check them out here.

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Do your daily life and work activities provide you with significant and lasting fulfillment? Do they make you feel like you are making a meaningful contribution to the world? If you can say “yes” to these questions, then you will feel more engaged and fulfilled in your life compared to those who feel that there is little or no meaning in how they live.

Work and money with meaning tends to lead to philanthropy—greater service and contribution to the world.

Work and money without meaning tends to lead to escapism or debauchery.

You have a unique set or hierarchy of values and priorities that make you stand out. Whatever is highest on your list of values is the value which provides you with the most purpose and meaning when acted upon and fulfilled.

Whenever you are sticking to high-priority daily actions, ones that fulfill your top three highest values, you will feel more purposeful, productive and alive. Your life will feel more meaningful and fulfilled.

Whenever you are allowing yourself to take on lower priority daily actions, ones that do not fulfill your top three highest values, you will feel less purposeful, productive and alive. Your life will feel less fulfilled.

Dedicating yourself to what is truly higher on your list of values liberates you from a quiet life of desperation and initiates a more engaging life of purpose, meaning and inspiration. This can add years to your life and life to your years.

There are two ways of adding purpose and meaning to your day:

1. Do what you love through delegating.
2. Love what you do through linking.

Doing what you love through delegating means identifying what is truly most inspiring and meaningful to you and focusing your attention and energy on these items.  Saying “no thank you” to all other lower priority distractions and saying “yes” to what is most meaningful and fulfilling, liberates.

Loving what you do through linking means clarifying whatever lower priority daily actions you feel you are currently unable to delegate and linking them to what is most important.

“How specifically is temporarily performing this particular action step (until I can find someone to delegate it to) helping me fulfill what is truly most meaningful and fulfilling?”

When you are unfulfilled and feel your life is meaningless, you may seek immediately gratifying behaviors to compensate. You will possibly try to fulfill your gut with sugar, food or alcohol or fill your house, closets or garage with consumer items or your mind with escaping drugs or thoughts of sex.

A few years ago, I was asked to assist a fellow executive performance coach colleague with consulting one of his wealthy entrepreneurial clients. This client previously owned a multibillion-dollar, multinational company, but had recently sold it, cashed out more than handsomely, and retired. Although this client was a moderate social drinker before retirement, he soon found himself escalating his drinking to the point of excess and throughout most of his overly leisureful day. When I spoke with this client on Zoom, he was sloshed and could barely speak fluently. He was fully aware of his drinking escalation but was having a challenge controlling his behavior.

I asked this gentleman when he first started noticing his drinking escalation. It was quite evident to him that it began upon selling his business months earlier. I asked him why he sold his business. He stated that he was in his mid-seventies and was sensing it would be wiser to exit when he did before his health declined so he could “relax” and supposedly “enjoy” his leisure life after working so hard for so many years.

I jokingly (but not jokingly) told him: “There is nothing wrong with retirement as long as it does not get in the way of your meaningful work.”  He was already starting to wonder if retiring and no longer working was truly as meaningful and fulfilling as he assumed it would be.

If you do not fill your day with meaningful actions upon retirement, you can begin to “lose” your faculties and end up with senility or indulge in immediately gratifying forms of debauchery as a compensation.

I suggested that he consider renegotiating with his previous company’s new owners and leaders that he return and once again contribute his skill and expertise in the capacity of closing big multimillion or billion dollar deals for them for a fair compensation.

The client was brought to tears considering this suggestion and said he missed making his big global deals. So, the next week he did exactly what I suggested and almost immediately reduced his drinking by 90 percent. He kept his daily diary full by calling, scheduling and doing big deals, which kept his daily life more meaningful and productive. It was not the alcohol causing his excessive behavior. It was his reduction in meaningful, productive daily actions that resulted in his ungoverned behavior.

When you fill your day with high-priority actions that are truly meaningful, your blood, glucose and oxygen flows up to the executive functioning area of your forebrain, your medial prefrontal cortex, which then calms down the immediately gratifying, desire center of your brain, your amygdala, which allows you to more effectively self-govern any of your impulsive or addictive behaviors.

Meaningful service and contribution are now adding years to this gentleman’s life and life to his years.

Keep your day filled with high-priority meaningful actions before low-priority meaningless actions dissolve your life away.

Dr. John Demartini is a human behavioral specialist, educator, internationally published author, consultant and founder of the Demartini Institute.

Drdemartini.com

The post A Meaningful Life appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

Unlike in other countries, homeownership in the United States has always been very attainable. The playbook traditionally went like this: you graduate from school, rent for a few years and then buy your first starter home. Most people were out of the rental rat race by thirty-five years of age.

However, now the United States is moving towards a renter nation. Homes are now unaffordable to most people in their thirties, and many young people have given up on the prospect of being able to purchase a home. Instead of buying a home, many successful young people are moving into luxury rental units that are much nicer than a home they could afford.

Forever renting is being glamorized by the younger generation. They look at the lack of responsibility and the ability to move around as they please as the benefits of renting. However, this is a young person’s game. Most of them will want to settle down and raise a family, and homeownership and a set monthly mortgage payment provide the stability later on in life that most of them will desire.

What the younger generation needs to understand is the incredible upside to owning a property. To start, in the United States, banks offer a thirty-year fixed loan that doesn’t move with inflation. Rents/mortgages are about thirty to forty percent of someone’s monthly expenses on average. Imagine if this cost is fixed for thirty years. It would mean that as you move up through life and your salary increases, that large cost of shelter will remain the same. If you are a renter, your rent will continue to slowly climb year over year.

In the United States, owning property is the main staple of building wealth. For most older Americans, their net worth is primarily the value of their home. It is based on them paying down their mortgage over thirty years and the home appreciating over time. If the younger generation doesn’t have that, they will have a harder time building wealth and being able to comfortably retire.

How Gen Z Can Afford a Home

As stated above, traditional homeownership is out of reach for most of the younger generation. The average cost of a starter home is over $400,000. That is why the successful kids of Generation Z are getting creative. Below are ideas I have seen from this generation on how they are obtaining homes.

1. House Hacking

This generation is all about affordability and house hacking provides this. House hacking involves purchasing a property and living in one of the rooms while renting out the others. The rent collected from the other rooms can offset the mortgage payment, making the property more financially manageable.

2. Rent to Own

In a rent-to-own arrangement, you can rent the property for a specified period with the option to buy it later. A portion of your monthly rent goes towards the home’s purchase price. This allows you to save for a down payment over time. It is beneficial to the landlord as they are slowly getting paid on the property year over year vs. one lump sum which would be more heavily taxed.

Conclusion

While most of Generation Z is focused on living in the moment, those who want to set themselves up for success will own a home. Creative strategies like rent-to-own and house hacking can make homeownership more attainable at a younger age. The new narrative of “you will own nothing and be happy” is a lie, and this generation needs to open their eyes and understand that home ownership is the anchor of the American Dream.

The post The Gen Z Dilemma appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

The most successful business leaders draw outstanding performances from their teams, much like the conductor of an orchestra. Just as an orchestra is comprised of distinct sections for strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion, a company has departments, teams, and often, dealer networks that need to be in harmony. It’s when they fall out of sync that the business, brand, products and people, including customers, suffer. A great leader will unite, align and inspire the best performances, bringing out all that differentiates and elevates a brand. Here are six ways to accomplish this:

Focus on the Team

Just as conductors turn their focus to the musicians, leaders must focus on their teams, ensuring they are performing at the highest level, together. Each department must understand the role it plays within the larger organization so it can create a masterwork. When people understand their responsibilities and roles, they can be truly productive. They’re also more likely to collaborate, which minimizes redundancy and enhances overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Give Meaning

While conductors do not play a single note, they are ultimately responsible for beautiful music. An organization’s leader does not manufacture or sell the product but is responsible for inspiring all of those who do. It’s a leader’s role to provide significance to every individual who represents or affects the enterprise and ensure the right people are playing the right parts. One key person or department that is disengaged will negatively affect success for all. But when team members recognize their importance and the value of what they bring, it instills a deep pride that motivates them to perform at their best.

Part of giving teams meaning is communicating what differentiates a company or brand. An employee who believes in the uniqueness of their company is much more likely to be loyal, rather than viewing it as a steppingstone to bigger and better things. They recognize and appreciate their role in delivering something no one else does.

Protect the Brand’s Essence

A company’s story is its great masterpiece. You would never try to rewrite the music of Beethoven or Mozart. Similarly, leaders shouldn’t allow their company’s brand essence to get diluted. It’s their role to champion and reinforce the brand’s differentiation and mission throughout the organization. That means taking the opportunity to reinforce differentiators in every discussion, whether it’s an internal meeting with just two people, a large all-employee meeting or a one-on-one conversation with a customer.

Inspire Team and Solo Performances

The best orchestral performers are able to seamlessly play together with other musicians, as well as deliver solo performances when asked. Good leaders are able to build teams that can do both. Sometimes the job calls for strong people who are comfortable working independently. Other times, collaboration is needed to develop the right solution. The most effective teams are able to easily switch between the two styles of working.

Build Harmony

Just like an orchestra, a company needs to be in sync, playing off the same sheet of music. Leaders must align their teams with company goals and the brand story. In other words, everyone must be moving in the same direction to be at peak efficiency. You can imagine the sound that would emanate from a group of musicians all playing a different composition. The varying tempos and notes would clash together into an unpleasant, random mess. In business, building harmony throughout an organization takes work. You might find yourself sounding like a broken record, but keeping teams aligned means constantly reinforcing the most important aspects of your business—your mission, vision, values, story and uniqueness.

Coach Teams to Greatness

The role of a conductor is to provide feedback, guidance and encouragement to musicians, helping them reach their full potential. In the same way, leaders should direct and provide the resources their teams need to achieve the company’s goals, as well as their own professional goals. This can take the form of training or coaching sessions that build on employees’ skills.

There’s much for leaders to learn from the way a conductor directs an orchestra. The best leaders, like the greatest conductors, bring out exceptional performances in their teams. They understand how to maximize individual strengths and bring them together to differentiate and deliver on the company’s mission. Try leading like a conductor and discover your organization’s greatest symphony.

The post Command Performance appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

How Patrick Bet-David Built Two Nine-Figure Businesses From Scratch.

The route from chaos and omnipresent danger growing up in Iran to becoming a self-made global brand — that tens of millions consider the preeminent voice for information and education based on the foundation of capitalism and entrepreneurship — has been traveled once. It’s a journey fueled by perseverance, faith, ambition, confidence, support, vision, and, at times, damn good fortune. Patrick Bet-David is the lone navigator of this unlikely trek, which now finds him in the middle of his latest colossal undertaking after conquering the financial services world, pushing Valuetainment into the future with a plan to make it one of the most formidable media companies in the world.

Fans of his “PBD Podcast,” subscribers to the Valuetainment YouTube channel, or attendees of his popular Vault Conference business seminar (Tom Brady was the keynote speaker in 2023, and The Rock joined him in 2024) are captivated by his open and authentic communication style. He churns out content at an almost unequaled volume, generating billions of views on YouTube and social media. He authored two popular business books: “Your Next Five Moves” in 2020, a Wall Street Journal bestseller, and the Amazon Best Seller “Choose Your Enemies Wisely” in 2023. Simon & Schuster just released his new fiction book “The Academy.”

Talk to anyone who knows Bet-David or works for Valuetainment and you’ll learn quickly how essential books and self-education are for him. They are not just a passion, but something embedded in his business DNA. He’s devoured thousands and makes those he finds most impactful required reading for current and future employees. Books are a treasure trove of information for Bet-David, literary gifts from accomplished people he constantly looks to glean knowledge from, so it’s only fitting that one he read decades ago played a role in launching the tidal wave of success that followed.

“I remember years ago, a phenomenal book was written called ‘Accidental Millionaire,’ the story of Steve Jobs by an author who couldn’t stand Steve Jobs. That book was part of the reason I got into the financial industry, which was purely accidental,” Bet-David said, explaining, “I had joined the Army because I needed to get my act together, and when I got out, I wanted to be a bodybuilder.

“I went to Santa Monica Community College, the same place Arnold Schwarzenegger went, and my dream was to be an actor in Hollywood and eventually marry a Kennedy or become a governor. I went to Mr. Olympia to study these guys and see what it takes, and I realized at 6-feet, 5-inches, I was too tall. It could never happen. On the way back, I got a call from a manager at Morgan Stanley, who I was introduced to through a girl I knew who was a financial advisor. I got my first job in the financial industry by accident. And I fell in love with the business.”

Bet-David once needed military structure because he was addicted to action. A frenetic pace and non-stop chase are allies in building a successful business or media company, but that led him down a non-productive and potentially destructive path as a teen. When his service ended, he accidentally discovered something else that changed his life; he found that the rush he felt from the world of finance was similar to the one he had when partying on one of his countless trips chasing fast times in Las Vegas. “I invested $1,000 in Nike stock when I got out of the Army, and that Nike stock went up to $3,000. It was awesome. I couldn’t believe how it happened. But I realized it was the perfect combination for me. I love people. I love numbers, and I love sales, so I let it rip.”

He was ready to take Wall Street by storm, but ironically and tragically, his first corporate gig started on September 10, 2001. The world turned upside down 24 hours later, and so did Bet-David’s career path. From that moment on, he would rely on himself and God, and he embarked on a quarter-century sprint to success that he has yet to slow down from.

He launched his financial services company, PHP, in a non-glamorous San Fernando Valley office park 25 miles and a world away from Hollywood. With the help of his wife, Jennifer, the company grew. Eventually, it had over 50,000 agents, and it was time for the Bet-Davids to find a new home for their expanding family and blossoming business. After 24 years of living there, he left his beloved California, making a tactical decision to plant PHP and expand Valuetainment to the more tax-friendly and centrally located Dallas area.

He launched his podcast out of his office in 2020 and was pleasantly surprised when 50 people found the first broadcast on the YouTube livestream enjoying the mix of commentary and perspectives on news stories, politics, pop culture, and business. Episodes now attract millions of viewers and listeners weekly. His days became a high-wire juggling act, navigating the eventual sale of PHP to Integrity Marketing Group in 2022 for a multiple nine-figure exit, guiding Valuetainment through massive growth, and expanding his reach as one of the most influential and popular content creators in digital media. It was the personification of a turbo-charged rocket ship ride to the American Dream on paper.

Bet-David made his mark on one industry while simultaneously laying a battle plan to attack another. But his meteoric rise had something in common with other game changers who never punch out on their internal time clock. Countless moments of crisis, paralyzing self-doubt, and potentially crippling obstacles that, more often than not, cause many would-be visionaries to tap out.

“I didn’t know what it was to be a CEO. I was a good salesperson. I was an average sales leader, but I had no idea how to run a fricking company,” Bet-David told Jetset. He recounted one harrowing moment in the early days of PHP when things nearly ended before they began. “Jen was pregnant with our first baby. At the same time, I was getting sued and had to pay out a settlement from a lawsuit I was part of with a previous company. The lawsuit would cost me roughly 90% of what I had in the bank account. I was down to my last $13,000, and I remember lying in bed, thinking, ‘Did I do the right thing starting this company?’

“There was another time when we were living in Northridge, and I was making maybe $80,000 because I was not taking any money off the table, and I was looking at Jen lying in bed and asking myself again, ‘Did I mess up?’” he shared. “So many people warned me not to start a company because guys like me don’t make good CEOs. Maybe they were right. Nine years ago was the first time I was comfortable sharing this, and I made a video where I talked about how to deal with anxiety. I spoke about the level of anxiety and panic attacks I had in 2012 and 2013. I had to go to the hospital after multiple panic attacks. I thought I was having a heart attack, but I don’t drink or smoke, so a heart attack didn’t make sense. It was all caused by exhaustion.”

Bet-David leaves nothing to chance. He’s a disciple of data, never wanting to be caught off guard, uninformed, or unprepared. Chaos and crisis are viewed as opportunities and a chance to grow. “In 2014, I read a book that explained the difference between anxiety and depression,” he said. “The psychologist author broke it down. She said, ‘If you’re depressed, you’re spending too much time in the past. If you’re having panic attacks and anxiety, you’re spending too much time in the future.’ That hit me. I knew I was constantly thinking about the future.”

Bet-David said he added an affirmation to his life that has served him well but probably caused anxiety for his competitors and doubters. “It was called ‘Stop Trying to Be God.’ That job is already taken. Whenever I felt anxious, I would think about what I could do in the moment, and the results followed.”

Taking his foot off the gas about worrying about “what’s next” meant freeing himself to focus more on “what’s now.” That led to the stratospheric growth of his businesses. In 2021, he moved his company and family to South Florida and has already outgrown the space.

On the day of the Jetset photo shoot inside his private cigar lounge, not far from the converted bank vault transformed into his podcast studio, work is underway on a sprawling campus near the Fort Lauderdale airport that will soon be the corporate home to his budding empire. It includes a hangar, which will house his gleaming Gulfstream 550 — as much a luxurious, well-earned perk as a necessity for a man on a mission. “For me, it’s the 150-hour rule,” he explained. “When you start traveling 150-plus hours per year, you need a jet. That’s when the numbers start working in your favor. And we’re now at a place where I’m intentionally here in Florida because I can go to Dallas, I can go to the West Coast, I can go to the Bahamas, or Mexico, or Europe. I can go to New York.”

Bet-David has good reasons to point his G-5 to New York. He spent a chunk of the summer with his family in the Hamptons, loves being there, and is looking to purchase a house. And he can check up on one of his other winning investments: the New York Yankees. The backstory is incredible. He’s looked to become a minority owner in a professional sports team and to become a majority owner one day. He’s had opportunities, but one of the caveats was a requirement to sign an NDA. “I said I’m not signing any NDAs unless the ownership of a team has to do with the Lakers, the Dodgers., or the Yankees.”

Months later, he received a call; his signature was needed for an NDA. An elderly friend of George Steinbrenner was looking to unload his minority share, and Bet-David pounced. Months went by. It was past a year with no movement, and Bet-David was sure it wasn’t happening because of his vocal political views. Then, he was summoned to Yankee Stadium.

A renowned and leading vintage card collector, the closest Bet-David had come to baseball immortality was owning several rare Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth cards. In a room with top Yankee brass, Bet-David asked them one question: “I am very loud politically, and I’m gonna get louder, and I need to know if you are going to tell me I can’t say certain things because I’m telling you right now, I won’t listen. Will that be a problem?” The top decision-makers for the Yanks assured Bet-David they would never try to dictate how he runs his business or control what he says. However, there was one thing they wanted their potential new partner to understand about their corporate culture. They said, “We have one team rule here: Hal’s (Steinbrenner) the boss.”

For someone who once questioned his ability to be a boss, Bet-David has positioned himself as a prominent influencer heading into and past the Presidential election, and he has zero concern if he loses advertisers. Why would he? He recently halted outside ad dollars in favor of only promoting products under his umbrella of companies.

Bet-David’s interviews tend to turn into news stories. He was the person who questioned Florida Governor Ron DeSantis about his height shortly before a firestorm erupted and he faded out of the Presidential race. He’s interviewed Mafia leaders, flown to Romania to speak with Andrew Tate, and listened to Dan Bilzerian essentially cancel himself on an episode of his podcast. Shortly after a 90-minute sit-down with Dwayne Johnson at his Vault Conference, Bet-David said his radar is locked in on getting a sit-down with Vladimir Putin, and it’s most likely not a matter of if but when.

Watching his interview with Kobe Bryant, you’ll note his innate ability to create an environment where guests intuitively let their guard down. He carved a niche as a top interviewer because of his natural curiosity and preparation. Still, he also understands that making someone squirm and not becoming too comfortable is the recipe for compelling content. The ultimate get for Bet-David has and always will be Michael Jordan. If he wanted to speak to another sports GOAT, all he would have to do is open the door of his house and yell to his neighbor: soccer legend Lionel Messi.

“The American Dream” is a phrase that has been taken for granted by many, scorned by the ungrateful, and mocked by the ignorant. If you are asked for its definition and can’t find the words to describe it, tell the person to Google the guy on the cover of this issue of Jetset, and they can see what it looks like.

The post Made In America appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

Dr. John Demartini – Seven Common Fears That Can Hinder Business Growth

Are you feeling that you are plateaued in your business development or company growth? Are you wondering why you are not breaking through and going to the next level?

There are at least seven common fears that can at least partly underlie business plateaus. But, before I share them, I would first love to share a story involving a very common one.

Recently I had a 40-year-old business entrepreneur approach me and ask if I could consult with him about his business growth concerns. I stated, “certainly.” We scheduled a time, and I began the session by asking him to prioritize what he felt he wanted to work on first and foremost. He stated that no matter what strategy he has tried over the past three years, he just can’t seem to break through the business growth ceiling he is at and he feels stagnant and stuck.

I then asked him a simple straight forward question: “If all of a sudden you were to break through this current ceiling in your business and take your business to the next level, what would you be afraid could happen?” He stared at me for a moment and suddenly stated: “I am afraid my wife would divorce me, because of all the extra time and effort it would take.” Then he explained that three of his friends and business colleagues previously took off in their businesses and became a bit cocky, preoccupied in their businesses, and soon did not meet some of their wife’s needs. They all ended up in a divorce, which cost them a substantial portion of their existing fortunes and nearly completely crumbled their businesses, at least for a while. He said, “I guess the idea of that possibly happening scares the daylight out of me and maybe it is adding at least one of the brake pedals on my business growth.”

I was sure there were other fears and reasons, including certain management and delegation issues to be addressed, but I tackled his first concern on the spot. I stated, “Every decision you make and action you take will be based upon what you believe will give you the greatest advantage with the information you have according to your current hierarchy of values. Unless you find ways in which doing the proven actions to grow your business can enhance or build your marriage more than destroy it, you will probably plateau to protect you from this anxiety and its potential outcome.”

I explained to him that if his wife did not feel she would be winning if he were to grow his business, she will probably respond in a way to try to get what she wants. So I asked him how growing his business to the level he desired could help his wife achieve what is highest on her set of values and what he perceives her life is being inspired by and dedicated to.

At first, he could not see any immediate advantages to her or the family.  But Demartini prompted some possible benefits to her of him achieving his dream. As we continued, he made new beneficial associations in his mind of how getting what he wanted could help her get what she wanted. The more links we found to help her fulfill her family dreams and social contributions, the less anxiety he was feeling about achieving his goal.

He also saw how delegating some of the lower priority actions he was still doing at could liberate him and allow more quality time for his wife and family. Plus, he saw how it could liberate her from doing more mundane actions at home and allow her the freedom to pursue some of her more meaningful objectives.

His energy immediately started rising and new creative strategies and action steps started emerging and flowing. Once he saw how growing his business would not be in the way of a lasting marriage, he was inspired and ready to take action. He could not wait to go home and share the new advantages he could provide his wife and family by stepping up his business growth.

Over the next six months, his business took off and broke through the previous ceiling, but he kept his focus on how it could benefit his family. This is the definition of caring.

In addition to the fear of losing the respect of loved ones, there are six other common fears that can hinder an entrepreneur’s business growth and prevent them from getting to the next level. These are the fear of:

• Not knowing enough to strategically plan and execute business strategies to meet objectives.
• Defeat or failure by not achieving the business objectives they envision.
• Not making enough income or losing money by pursuing business objectives.
• Being rejected by social authorities they look up to for pursuing business objectives.
• Not having enough vitality, stamina, or wellness to achieve their business objectives.
• Breaking the morals or ethics of a spiritual authority they are subordinating to by pursuing their business objectives.

Each of these fears can hinder the achievement of your chief business aim. By confronting each of the existing fears that can cause you to plateau by answering specialized questions like those in the story above, you can become conscious of what you are unconscious of and see beyond the associated disadvantages holding your back and bring them into balance.

The seven common fears are simply assumptions that you are about to experience more drawbacks than benefits. So look for the advantages to these imagined fears and balance them out by holding yourself accountable and liberate yourself from the ceiling your imbalanced mind has temporarily imagined.

Dr. John Demartini is the founder of the Demartini Institute, a human behavioral specialist, educator and international best-selling author.  Drdemartini.com 

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Twenty years ago, we didn’t hear much about sustainability from companies or their approach to social responsibility. But flash forward to today, and if you are a manufacturer that isn’t talking about these two topics, you’ve fallen behind. Sustainability and corporate responsibility have not only become unique selling points but are often interwoven into a brand’s story and messaging. Socially conscious customers are responding with their purchase power and loyalty, proving the importance of ethical branding in business. And brands are responding by aligning with their customers’ values, growing trust and sharing their actions for building a safer and healthier future.

Here are a few ways to do that:

Discover what is important. According to the Capgemini Research Institute, 79 percent of consumers are changing their purchase preferences based on social responsibility, inclusiveness or environmental impact. That makes it all the more important to discover what your customers and prospects hold most significant. Take the time to survey and talk with them. Then use what you learn to determine how you can align your mission to achieve meaningful environmental and social progress.

Make it a differentiator. Any efforts your company makes to reduce its environmental impact and act in a socially responsible way should be used as differentiators. I’ve worked with manufacturers that actively develop innovations that allow them to reuse natural resources or reduce, or even eliminate, waste in their facilities. Some of them even help customers operate more sustainably by visiting their facilities and advising them on the most efficient ways to use their products or how they can change their processes to be more productive. These are all powerful differentiators that set them apart from competitors and appeal to customers who seek out suppliers with environmentally responsible operations.

Give teams meaning and purpose. The most important thing you can do is give employees and sales teams meaning beyond their day-to-day jobs. Engaged, loyal teams recognize their value and see their role in driving the company’s mission forward and doing work that matters. Employees will be less likely to leave a company that actively cares for and protects the environment, people and communities, especially if they have opportunities to personally contribute in these areas. From company-wide recycling programs to special days throughout the year where teams can volunteer their time, environmentally and socially conscious activities create a positive, uplifting culture that attracts and retains talent.

Get it out there. Businesses may be inclined to keep their sustainability progress under wraps until they’re well on the way to achieving their goals. They may feel the company isn’t far enough along or that it’s lagging behind competitors. But sharing environmental and social goals early and often will let customers, employees, suppliers, the community and the industry know that you are working toward meaningful progress. Silence will only lead them to assume you’re doing nothing in these areas. Annual reports, websites and social media are just a few of the ways you can share progress on your sustainability and corporate responsibility goals.

Protect the people. For the best manufacturers, the safety of their people is an ongoing focus. These companies must share their safety story and make it part of their brand messaging. No customer wants to purchase products from a company that puts human lives at risk in their manufacturing process. They also don’t want to purchase from businesses that fail to protect human rights within their material sourcing or supply chains. Brands must explain how they’re keeping their employees safe and protecting the lives of those who contribute to their production and distribution processes.

Live up to your promises. Ethical brands live up to their promises. They avoid saying one thing and doing another. They are transparent and honest in their messaging and business practices. And when issues arise, they own up to their mistakes. When Netflix separated its DVD service from its streaming service, customers who wanted to keep both were faced with a steep price increase. The CEO issued a letter explaining the changes, and while the prices didn’t change, the company was more transparent about the what and why of this significant shift in their brand model.

Today, consumers have more choices than ever on the products and services they purchase. Increasingly, they are seeking out environmentally and socially conscious brands whose mission aligns with what’s most important to them. That’s why companies must communicate their values and position their sustainability and social efforts as differentiators to not only win the hearts and minds of their customers but also become leaders in their industries.

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Would Lowering Interest Rates Be a Magic Bullet for the Economy?

In the last few years, due to printing money and low interest rates, inflation has become a big problem in the U.S. economy. This has happened in past administrations, the most notable being the 1970s, which was called the time of “Great Inflation.” At the time, Paul Volcker was the FED chair and he reduced inflation by increasing the Federal Funds rate to a whopping 19 percent in 1981 and inflation eased to 2 percent by 1983.

Volcker’s tough on inflation stance is Jerome Powell’s current strategy. Powell believes if we raise interest rates, it will slow down the economy and decrease inflation. While it sounds good in theory, I don’t think the FED’s strategy of raising rates can get us out of the high inflation predicament we are in. In fact, there is an argument to be made that lowering rates is the only way to bring inflation down to anywhere near their target 2 percent. Let’s dive into the numbers so I can explain this to you.

The Consumer Price Index, or CPI, is broken down into eight categories. One of these categories is shelter. Shelter accounts for one-third of the CPI, so if shelter prices substantially rise, the inflation numbers increase drastically. So while inflation came in at 3.7 percent across the board last month, shelter came in at 5.7 percent. This shows us the real problem in the inflation numbers is housing.

Housing has very little to do with interest rates, and a lot to do with supply and demand. In the time of the “Great Inflation,” we had an overabundance of housing. When rates increased, this made shelter prices decrease, as you would see in a traditional raising of interest rates environment. What is currently different is we have a deficit in the supply of houses on the market. This deficit creates a problem for the FED because even with high interest rates, there is no supply to let the market pricing naturally decline. To get shelter inflation under control, you need more supply. There are two ways to achieve more supply on the market and both of them involve lowering interest rates.

The first reason lower rates would create a housing supply is it would allow people to list their homes. Currently, many people would love to move, but the 3-4 percent interest rate they are locked into prohibits this. If rates dropped dramatically and were closer to 5 percent, people would take a slightly higher rate to be in a home that fits their needs, but most people wouldn’t take on an 8 percent interest rate to do so.

Secondly, lowering rates would increase supply because it would increase building. Most of you probably don’t pay attention to this, but anything you see being built now is only being completed, not started. This is because construction loans are currently sitting around 10 percent. I know in my company, MC Companies, we have put six apartment projects that we haven’t started on hold until rates are at a more reasonable level. This is going on with developers all over the country.

However, lowering rates isn’t a magic bullet. Low rates will stimulate the economy and create more inflation. Lowering rates would only help the housing piece of the CPI. Printing money and extremely low interest rates put the U.S economy in this situation and with the lack of supply of housing, this is uncharted territory. It will be interesting to see if the FED can get us back to 2 percent inflation or if they accept a higher inflation benchmark in order to start lowering rates later this year.

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Michael Chandler Ascends from Humble Roots to MMA Eminence.

Hailing from High Ridge, Missouri, a quaint town nestled near the Illinois border, Chandler describes his hometown as “more than a one-horse town, yet not quite a thriving metropolis. I’m a small guy, from a small town, who was taught to do small things,” Chandler reminisces, recounting the manner in which his modest upbringing endeavored to dissuade grand aspirations and lofty dreams. Fortuitously for the MMA world and its ardent devotees, Chandler and his parents harbored grander ambitions. Defying small town constraints would define the way forward for Chandler.

Chandler’s ascension to the pinnacle of MMA can be traced back to his collegiate wrestling days. Despite being a formidable high school wrestler, Chandler did not receive scholarship offers from any Division 1 college wrestling programs. While he garnered offers from Division 2 and NAIA institutions, Chandler opted to forgo those opportunities, instead attempting to secure a walk-on position at the University of Missouri. Chandler astutely recognized that he would be better served by the caliber of coaching and competition at Division 1 schools. With the unwavering support of his father, Mike, and mother, Betty, Chandler not only secured a place on the team but went on to become a three-time NCAA All-American. Chandler fondly recounts, “My parents were always willing to support us, no matter what sacrifices they had to make, whether it was taking on additional work or forsaking their own desires to ensure we had the opportunity to pursue ours.” As Chandler characterizes his childhood, “We didn’t have an abundance of material possessions, but we were never lacking.” He also credits his coach at the University of Missouri for instilling in him the desire to be not merely the best wrestler he could be but also the best student, friend, leader and person he could become.

This dedication to being more than just a student athlete, but a well-rounded individual, has served Chandler well throughout his life. Chandler etched his mark in the MMA landscape with Bellator MMA, where he swiftly emerged as one of its brightest luminaries. In 2011, Chandler’s breakthrough moment arrived when he captured the Bellator Lightweight Championship in a riveting clash, culminating in the submission of Eddie Alvarez. This victory not only showcased his formidable skill set but also set the stage for a series of epic battles that would cement his legacy as a Bellator legend.

Chandler went on to successfully defend the Lightweight title on two subsequent occasions. Throughout his career, Chandler has been a part of some of the most unforgettable moments in MMA history. The trilogy with Eddie Alvarez, including their epic encounter at Bellator 106, demonstrated Chandler’s ability to thrive under immense pressure. His reign as Bellator Lightweight Champion was marked by dominant performances and an unyielding will to succeed.

In 2020, Michael Chandler took his talents to the biggest stage in MMA—the UFC. His debut against Dan Hooker at UFC 257 was nothing short of total domination. In a mere two minutes and thirty seconds, Chandler unleashed his explosive striking, delivering a first-round knockout that left fans and fellow fighters in awe. The statement victory catapulted him into the upper echelons of the lightweight division. Chandler’s fighting style is a masterful blend of technical proficiency and raw power that overwhelms opponents with a multifaceted attack. Chandler’s powerful striking, formidable takedowns and relentless pace dismantle opponents both standing and on the mat. His ability to adapt his offense and defense to different opponents and fight scenarios has made him a formidable force in the lightweight division.

Michael Chandler’s impact transcends the boundaries of the octagon. A devoted family man and an outspoken Christian who uses his faith as a lodestar to uplift and inspire others, Chandler not only possesses the mind of a relentless fighter but is also driven by an unstoppable entrepreneurial spirit. Chandler is involved in no less than four health and fitness brands, a prolific business acumen driven by what he refers to as being “blissfully dissatisfied.” He explains that one must be content with their accomplishments while simultaneously harboring the notion that they can achieve more. He is involved in various capacities with Kram Nutrition (which produces what Chandler refers to as a “healthy Uncrustable”), WalkOn Fitness, Training Camp Cut and Speede Fitness.

Michael Chandler not only seeks to promote physical well-being but also encourages occasional hiatuses from physical progression to reflect on one’s achievements. What better way to do so than with a high-quality tequila? According to Chandler, his partnership with Hiatus Tequila was born out of his affinity for tequila and his deep respect for the company’s owner. Chandler speaks in reverent tones regarding this new venture, stating, “Kristopher DeSoto (Owner of Hiatus Tequila) and I are seeking to redefine what a celebrity partnership should look like in the spirit industry. I have invested in Hiatus because of their commitment to crafting tequila the traditional way—with a deep respect for culture, hard work and dedication to authenticity and quality at a superior price point.” The story of Hiatus Tequila would seem to mirror Chandler’s internal characteristics.

Chandler also finds time for his family and friends. Chandler, his wife Brie, and their two sons, Hap and Ace, enjoy traveling to far-flung destinations like Iceland, Greece and the somewhat less exotic Scottsdale, Arizona. Chandler spends time in the desert oasis of Scottsdale playing golf and hosting extended visits for groups of friends and family while on hiatus from his training regimen. The elusive pursuit of perfection in golf resonates with Chandler, as the need to work smarter and be dedicated to improvement feels natural to him. Although, according to Chandler, even the pressure cooker of stepping into the octagon for his first professional fight pales in comparison to the pressure involved in standing on the first tee at his local club with a crowd gathered.

In the unforgiving realm of MMA, Michael Chandler stands tall as a symbol of resilience, skill and unwavering determination. From collegiate wrestling mats to the unforgiving spotlight of the UFC, Chandler’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. The next chapter in his storied career promises to be just as thrilling as the last, ensuring that the name Michael Chandler will continue to echo through the annals of MMA history. Whether he’s chasing titles, new business opportunities or new experiences for his family, one thing is certain—Michael Chandler’s journey in the octagon and in the boardroom is far from over.

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IncomePlus – How Multifamily Real Estate Can Help Protect Your Family Wealth.

By Michael Episcope, Co-CEO and co-founder, Origin Investments

Investing is more than a financial transaction. It’s about enabling you to do what you enjoy and build a family legacy. I began investing in real estate to protect and grow the wealth I built in my previous career, but I found investment opportunities to be mediocre at best. Sponsors were more interested in making my money their money while exposing me to extraordinary risk. My business partner, Dave Scherer, and I co-founded Origin Investments to change the industry by empowering investors to truly realize the benefits of owning real estate.

Passive Income While You Sleep

Financial freedom is about having your assets work for you by generating passive income, something I believe no asset class can do better than real estate. Long-term property leases act like a series of bonds that create stable income for the property owner. Plus, appreciation is realized as leases are renewed at higher rates—key to protecting capital from rampant inflation. But not all real estate is created equal. Origin only invests in the multifamily sector because apartments are a lower-risk, need-based asset class and a proven hedge against inflation. However, there’s a difference between knowing what to invest in and how to make money. Making consistent returns in multifamily real estate begins by investing in cities with robust population and job growth and investing with a manager with a proven track record.

Origin’s IncomePlus Fund was designed to deliver both growth and income by investing in multifamily properties in Sunbelt markets. This all-weather fund invests in debt, common equity and ground-up development to both reduce volatility and maximize returns. Dave and I designed it to generate more wealth with lower risk than other vehicles, which is why we’ve invested millions of dollars of our own personal capital in this fund.

Given the unique needs of investors, we understand the IncomePlus Fund is not for everyone. Credit funds are another way to earn passive income because they invest in the more protected part of the capital structure and their returns are generated through contractual income rather than the promise of future growth. The Strategic Credit Fund, offered through our affiliate firm, was designed to deliver stable monthly income to its investment partners by investing in debt collateralized by multifamily properties. I believe that today’s high interest rate environment, combined with the safety of multifamily, make this fund another option for income-seeking investors to seriously consider.

Your Wealth, Your Way

Dave and I have always offered this advice to investors: Ask tough questions, work with an experienced team, and seek advice that fits your unique situation. This way, you can focus on things you truly enjoy, knowing that your wealth is protected for the next generation.

To learn more about the advantages of investing in multifamily real estate, visit Origininvestments.com.

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