One Conversation
Can Change Everything

Discover more

• Building a Work-Life Worth Living with Jeff Westphal

  In this conversation, Jeff Westphal traces the personal and professional turning points that shaped his thinking about meaningful work, leadership, and connection. He reflects on family dynamics, mentorship, a product crisis that exposed communication breakdowns, and the moment he felt a profound se

• LBM Flash Moments: Turning Difficult Problems into Type Two Fun

  In this Flash Moment, Phil Fornaro explores “type two fun” through the lens of difficult problem solving: the work is messy in the moment, but rewarding once the puzzle is finally resolved. He reflects on using relationship capital, human capital, and a calm, focused mindset to navigate complex situ

• Building a Marketplace That Brings People Together with Mark Steiner

  In this episode, Mark Steiner shares how a career that began in film and talent booking led him to cofound GigSalad, a digital marketplace built to connect entertainers and event planners. He explains how the platform evolved from a simple directory into a booking tool, why a low-friction user exper

• LBM Flash Moments: The Quiet Power of Living Authentically

  In this Flash Moment, Phil Fornaro reflects on the legacy of his cousin Mark and the quiet power of living authentically. He shares stories that show how Mark’s humor, respect for others, kindness, and storytelling made him unforgettable without ever trying to be remembered. The episode closes with

• The Wealth Ratio and a Practical Path to Financial Freedom with Mike Qu

  In this episode, Mike Qu shares how a search for financial freedom led him from tech into oil and gas investing. He explains the “wealth ratio” as monthly passive income divided by monthly expenses, and discusses why he values assets that can generate income, hedge inflation, and diversify risk. The

• LBM Flash Moment: Reconnecting Is How Relationship Capital Grows

  In this Flash Moment, Phil Fornaro reflects on returning to his Northwestern reunion and rediscovering how quickly old bonds can pick back up. Through stories from rugby, fraternity connections, and familiar faces, he shows how relationship capital grows when you keep reconnecting instead of letting