Phoenix Prosperity Podcast

On this episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast with Tim Fergestad, branding expert Emily Soccorsy shares how true connection happens when brands lead with authenticity. Emily is the co-founder of Root + River, a brand strategy and content firm that helps leaders uncover the soul of their brand and communicate it with clarity.
Emily’s journey began as a journalist, where she honed the skill of asking deep questions and uncovering the real story. Over the years, she transitioned into PR, corporate communications, and eventually co-founding her own firm. Along the way, she developed her philosophy of intrinsic branding — the belief that a brand is not a made-up character or slogan, but the lived expression of what an organization truly believes.
 
 
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In this episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast with Tim Fergestad, we sit down with Aram Chavez, Chairman of Morphos AI and lecturer at Arizona State University. Aram opens up about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the lessons learned from “crying into his pillow,” and how those challenges shaped his approach to business and leadership.
Aram shares the exciting work happening at Morphos AI, a company building deep AI infrastructure to make data storage and search more efficient. He explains how their “easy button” approach could make advanced AI tools accessible to small and mid-sized businesses that usually can’t afford the resources larger companies rely on.
Beyond technology, Aram also talks about his passion for impact-driven work, including his nonprofit Tontozona, which provides camps and scholarships for underserved youth. He emphasizes the importance of teaching leadership, sacrifice, and problem-solving to the next generation through real-world startup experiences.
 
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In this episode, Tim sits down with Amy Looper, a high-performance resilience coach, to explore how adversity can become the catalyst for deep personal transformation. Amy shares her own powerful journey from burnout and chronic health challenges to a thriving coaching practice that helps high-achieving women build strength through struggle.
Drawing from her background in cybersecurity sales and her certifications in trauma-informed resilience coaching, Amy unpacks what resilience really means—not just grit or pushing through, but building the internal tools to adapt, grow, and thrive in uncertainty.
You’ll hear how Amy stepped away from corporate life, embraced entrepreneurship just before COVID-19, and turned some of life’s toughest seasons into the foundation for a mission-driven business. She and Tim discuss the pillars of resilience, the biology of stress, the power of emotional regulation, and why confidence is built—not born.
 
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In this heartfelt episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, host Tim Fergestad welcomes Simon Davies, the recently retired Executive Director of Teen Cancer America, to share the powerful story behind the organization’s mission. Simon opens up about his journey from managing social care in the UK to leading the charge in bringing specialized cancer care for teens and young adults to the U.S.
Simon walks us through the early days of the Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK and how Roger Daltrey of The Who inspired him to bring that model to the States. With personal stories, including the emotional journey of Phoenix teen Grayson Briggs, Simon paints a compelling picture of why teens and young adults face unique challenges in the cancer system—and how Teen Cancer America is working to change that.
Whether you're a healthcare professional, a philanthropist, or just someone who cares about making a difference, this episode will inspire you to look at adolescent cancer care in a whole new way.
 
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In this inspiring conversation, Tim sits down with transformational coach and business mentor Therese Skelly, who has spent decades helping mission-driven entrepreneurs grow their businesses while staying aligned with their soul’s purpose. With a background as a therapist and a master’s degree in counseling, Therese blends psychology, marketing, and what she calls “business energetics” to help clients break through mindset blocks, overcome self-sabotage, and step into their highest potential.
Tim and Therese discuss why strategy alone is never enough, the crucial role of identity in achieving big goals, and how personal growth fuels business success. They explore common challenges entrepreneurs face—especially women—including visibility fears, undercharging, and people-pleasing. Therese also shares how to say “no” to good opportunities in order to stay true to your mission, insights from her bestselling book Love-Based Mission, and even a surprising biohacking tool she’s been using to boost energy and focus.
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling to the next level, this episode will encourage you to grow yourself so you can grow your business—while staying authentic to your purpose.
 
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In this inspiring episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, Tim Fergestad sits down with Cynthia Sassi — a digital marketing and online publishing veteran who has been building and scaling brands since 2007. Cynthia is the founder of Fabulous Media Group, Say Less Media, and Lux Getaways, each thriving in its own niche while sharing a common foundation of creativity, strategic thinking, and heart.
Cynthia shares her journey from a national magazine internship to creating local lifestyle platforms that spotlight small businesses and unique stories. She explains how her ventures grew organically — from promoting local restaurants to launching a full-scale marketing agency, to reviving a luxury travel magazine after the pandemic.
 
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In this inspiring conversation, Tim Fergestad sits down with Melissa Del Toro — a former electrical engineer and project manager who traded hard hats for a microphone. Melissa shares her winding journey from the construction industry to full-time voice acting, audiobook narration, and editing, all while raising a young daughter and navigating multiple career pivots.
You’ll hear how she learned to “become” the version of herself she wanted to be, the creative leap that brought her to Arizona, and why networking has been a game-changer in her career. Melissa opens up about the emotional side of voice acting, the misconceptions people have about the industry, and the resilience it takes to thrive as an entrepreneur.
Whether you’re considering a career shift, curious about voiceover work, or just need a push toward your own creative dreams, Melissa’s story will leave you motivated to take the leap.
 
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In this episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, host Tim Fergestad sits down with Blake McGilvray, co-founder of Note Pros, to explore the world of residential note brokering. Blake shares his journey from selling citrus fruit to working at a fast-growing fintech startup, and eventually launching his own firm that connects private lenders with institutional buyers.
Blake explains the mechanics of buying and selling performing and non-performing mortgage notes, why some investors prefer debt over equity, and how market cycles create opportunities in note trading. He also breaks down the roles of different players in the industry, the benefits for both buyers and sellers, and why certain geographic markets—like New York—are especially hot right now.
Whether you’re a real estate investor curious about more passive ways to grow your portfolio, or just fascinated by how capital moves behind the scenes, this conversation is a masterclass in understanding the note market.
 
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In this inspiring episode, Tim Fergestad sits down with Brent Lavin, Director of Strategic Growth at BD’s Peripheral Intervention Division, to explore a dynamic life of innovation, service, and smart investing. Brent shares how a personal medical experience shifted his career into medtech, leading him to help bring cutting-edge innovations to market.
We also hear about Brent’s passion for service—both locally and globally—including life-changing mission trips to Cambodia and impactful work through his local church. The conversation takes a turn into real estate, where Brent reveals how he got started with multifamily properties, used a 1031 exchange, and now self-manages a single-family portfolio in Arizona.
Whether you’re curious about medtech, global missions, or building long-term wealth through real estate, Brent offers insight, humility, and actionable wisdom.
Topics Covered:
How a CT scan inspired Brent’s shift into medtech
Advancements in peripheral vascular technology
The growing need and awareness for early detection
Mission trips to Cambodia and their lasting impact
Real estate investing lessons: 1031 exchanges, single-family vs. multifamily
Balancing a career, family, and service with intention
 
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In this insightful episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast with Tim Fergestad, Tim welcomes Linda Michaels, founder of AZHR Hub, an HR outsourcing firm based in Chandler, Arizona. With a sharp blend of experience and empathy, Linda shares how her company helps small and mid-sized businesses avoid costly legal missteps and streamline HR processes.
Linda and Tim dive deep into the realities many business owners face when navigating employment laws without internal HR guidance. From misclassifying employees to surviving surprise audits, Linda breaks down common risks—and how her team helps clients avoid them. She also reflects on her journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship, the massive growth AZHR experienced during COVID, and her vision for the future—including building a self-sustaining business that allows her to golf a little more often.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why small businesses often get HR wrong—and how costly that can be
Misclassification of employees: a common and risky mistake
The rise in I-9 audits and how businesses can prepare
How COVID-19 supercharged Linda’s company growth
AZHR Hub’s “HR in a Box” offering for small businesses
The future of Linda’s company, legacy plans, and selling challenges
Hiring her first employee and the big impact it had
 
 
------------------------------------------------ Interested in being part of this? Please visit our guest invitation page where you can learn more and fill out a brief questionnaire to get started: https://phoenixprosperitypodcast.com/guest It’s going to be enlightening and, most importantly, a lot of fun. I’d love for you to be a part of it!