Phoenix Prosperity Podcast

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.
 
----------------------------------------------- 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!

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.
 
----------------------------------------------- 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!

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.
 
----------------------------------------------- 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!

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
 
----------------------------------------------- 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!

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!

In this episode, Tim Fergestad is joined by Jeff Koenig, a fractional CEO, CFO, and Chair of the Desert Angels investment group. Jeff offers a deep dive into the world of angel investing—what it is, who it’s for, and how it fits into the broader capital landscape. From the early seed stage to eventual exits, Jeff explains the mechanics of startup funding and shares personal insights into why alternative investments can be a powerful hedge in a modern portfolio.
Jeff also opens up about how he stumbled into angel investing, common misconceptions about who belongs in this world, and the importance of community and contribution in venture ecosystems. With experience investing across asset classes and teaching strategic financial planning, Jeff brings clarity and encouragement for those considering their first check—or joining a group like Desert Angels.
 
------------------------------------------------ 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!

In this episode, Tim sits down with Alex Moses, a former Zen monk and successful entrepreneur with a unique life journey—from escaping war in Ukraine to making millions in tech, and ultimately pivoting to building a better life for dogs and their humans.
After enduring serious health issues and discovering the power of Zen, Alex channeled his experience into creating Tailspath, a platform designed to provide AI-powered pet health support and build communities for dog owners. His motivation? Two beloved basset hounds and a mission to ease the anxiety that comes with pet parenting.
Alex opens up about the stresses of big business, his life-changing spiritual path, and why dogs might just be better companions than people. He and Tim also dive into how Tailspath is creating smarter, more compassionate care options for our furry family members.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How Alex’s health crisis led him to Zen and away from Wall Street
What Addison’s Disease taught him about the need for better pet health tools
The vision behind Tailspath: AI, community, and peace of mind for pet owners
Why understanding human behavior is key to everything Alex builds
Alex’s thoughts on success, stress, and the stories we tell ourselves
 
------------------------------------------------ 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!

In this fascinating episode, Tim Fergestad sits down with Dr. Heidi Dalton, President of ECLS Virtual Advisors and Professor of Surgery at Creighton University. With decades of experience in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), Dr. Dalton explains this life-saving technology in clear and compelling terms—why it matters, how it works, and how it’s evolving.
She takes us through ECMO’s journey from a niche pediatric tool to a critical intervention for adults with cardiac and respiratory failure, especially during crises like H1N1 and COVID-19. Heidi shares insights into the changing technology, expanding patient criteria, and how ECMO has gone from a last-ditch effort to a proactive life support option.
We also explore Heidi’s entrepreneurial journey—why she launched ECLS Virtual Advisors, how it’s helping hospitals worldwide, and the challenges of balancing medicine and business. If you’ve ever wondered about high-stakes critical care, medical innovation, or what it’s like to lead global change in healthcare, this episode delivers.
 
 
------------------------------------------------ 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!

In this insightful episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, host Tim Fergestad sits down with Mary Fain Brandt, a LinkedIn strategist and certified AI consultant who has helped countless professionals turn their profiles into lead-generating assets. With over a decade of experience, Mary shares actionable insights on how to optimize LinkedIn for visibility and impact—while integrating the power of AI to work smarter, not harder.
Mary walks us through her "Done-For-You" LinkedIn service, demystifies AI use for everyday professionals, and even introduces the concept of the “photo shoot that never happened”—an innovative AI branding tool for entrepreneurs. The conversation also delves into authenticity, networking, the importance of gratitude, and saying no with confidence.
Whether you're just beginning your LinkedIn journey or looking to level up with AI tools, Mary’s grounded advice, tools, and encouragement will leave you inspired to take action now—not when it’s perfect.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
How to turn your LinkedIn profile into a client magnet
The biggest mistakes people make on LinkedIn—and how to avoid them
The AI tools Mary uses daily (including her voice-driven process)
The “photo shoot that never happened” and how to brand yourself in minutes
Why it’s okay to say no and let go of perfectionism
How faith, gratitude, and focus have shaped her entrepreneurial path
 
------------------------------------------------ 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!

In this episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, Tim Fergestad welcomes digital marketing veteran Giselle Aguiar, founder of AZ Social Media Wiz. With over 30 years of experience, Giselle shares her journey from early days in retail and graphic design to becoming a trusted guide for startups navigating social media and digital marketing.
She unpacks how the digital world evolved—from coding basic websites in the 90s to today's SEO strategies and AI tools—and how small businesses can adapt without getting overwhelmed. Giselle emphasizes the importance of knowing your audience, crafting content with intent, and having a website that converts. She also shares practical insights into cost-effective marketing, optimizing your online presence, and when to do it yourself versus hiring a pro.
Whether you’re a solopreneur, a growing startup, or just trying to keep up with tech changes, this episode is packed with stories, strategies, and resources to help you thrive in today’s digital landscape.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
How Giselle pivoted from retail to digital marketing
What small business owners get wrong about social media
Why a good-looking website isn’t enough to drive conversions
How startups can effectively leverage SEO and blogging
How to avoid wasting money on ineffective marketing
The difference between "doing social" and having a strategy
Insights on AI, SEO trends, and evolving search behavior
 
------------------------------------------------ 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!