Phoenix Prosperity Podcast

What does it really mean to grow a business the right way? In this episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, Tim Fergestad sits down with CFO and finance leader Nicole Hollenbeck to talk about building healthy companies that create real impact.
With more than 25 years of experience, Nicole shares her journey from dreaming of becoming a “money doctor” at just eight years old to serving as a CFO for organizations like the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture and now the Vernadero Group, an Arizona-based environmental consulting firm serving federal agencies.
Nicole explains why many businesses struggle with one key issue: pricing. Too often, entrepreneurs chase revenue instead of profit. But as she explains, revenue without profit is not sustainable. Healthy finances allow businesses to grow, create jobs, and support families and communities.
 
------------------------------------------- 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 powerful episode, Tim Fergestad sits down with Erica Brinker to explore leadership, resilience, and what it truly means to grow through life’s hardest moments.
Erica’s career path is anything but ordinary. She began in global fashion, working with iconic brands like Tiffany & Co., Ralph Lauren, and Liz Claiborne. She later pivoted into healthcare, aerospace, renewable energy, and corporate leadership, eventually serving as Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Commercial Officer in large public companies. Along the way, she helped modernize marketing in highly technical industries, built global go-to-market strategies, led ESG and government relations initiatives, and scaled teams for growth.
Erica shares how stepping into engineering-driven organizations as a non-engineer forced her to build credibility, adapt quickly, and focus on translating complex products into clear customer value. She explains why many companies struggle with segmentation and messaging, and how understanding customer pain points is often the key to unlocking growth.
 
------------------------------------------- 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 powerful episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, Tim Fergestad sits down with bestselling author John Soforic, the mind behind The Wealthy Gardener and his new follow-up, The Five-Year Crusade. John shares the deeply personal origin story of his first book—a heartfelt guide written for his son—and how it blossomed into a modern financial classic praised by readers for its practical wisdom and timeless life lessons.
They explore the driving purpose behind The Five-Year Crusade—a practical, actionable system to create real life change through discipline, accountability, and what John calls a “Crusader Tracker.” He discusses the importance of expectizing (a blend of expectation and visualizing), explains why success is a lived experience, and opens up about his own journey through setbacks, including a long battle with COVID that reinforced the importance of structure and small daily wins.
This conversation weaves together insights on money, meaning, family, and the rhythms of life across decades. Whether you're just starting your personal growth journey or looking for a new spark mid-way through, this episode offers an inspiring blueprint to build a life of lasting purpose.
 
------------------------------------------- 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 timely episode, Tim Fergestad sits down with Dr. Eugene Livar, Arizona’s first statewide Chief Heat Officer, to explore how the state is tackling one of its most pressing public health challenges: extreme heat. As climate shifts continue to impact Arizona with longer and more intense heat seasons, Eugene shares how the Arizona Department of Health Services is responding with innovative strategies, cross-agency collaboration, and grassroots community outreach.
Dr. Livar brings a unique perspective shaped by years of experience as a physician, epidemiologist, and now assistant director at ADHS. He explains how the Governor’s Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan came to life, the significance of Arizona’s first centralized heat resource hub (heat.az.gov), and how simple acts like checking on your neighbor can be life-saving.
Whether you're a public health professional, a policymaker, or a concerned resident, this conversation offers a clear-eyed look at what it takes to build a heat-resilient culture—and why equity and local partnership are key.
 
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In this insightful conversation, Tim Fergestad is joined by Dr. Mark Pirtle—mindfulness teacher, systems theorist, and expert in psycho-emotional healing. Mark shares how his journey from physical therapy and chronic pain treatment led him to develop a powerful mindfulness-based approach for leaders and high-performers dealing with internal stress and trauma.
Mark opens up about his own turning point—a painful betrayal in business—that sent him on a path of deep self-reflection and study in a Buddhist monastery. That experience fueled his mission to help others uncover unconscious patterns, regulate their emotions, and shift their mindset through awareness and inner work.
From pain science and meditation to shadow work and leadership development, this episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone who wants to lead more intentionally, manage stress better, and create deeper alignment between their inner and outer worlds.
 
-------------------------------------------- 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, host Tim Fergestad sits down with Jeff Bernick, CEO of The Centers for Habilitation (TCH)—one of Arizona’s largest nonprofit providers for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Jeff shares his fascinating journey from a 30-year legal career into nonprofit leadership, and how he now leads a $25M+ mission-driven organization making a powerful difference across Arizona.
Jeff gives a behind-the-scenes look at TCH's innovative programs—from day services and group homes to employment services and federal AbilityOne contracts that create meaningful jobs for people with disabilities. He also opens up about the leadership challenges nonprofits face, especially around chronic underfunding, and how TCH has built self-sustaining programs like one of the largest shredding businesses in Arizona to fill the gap.
You'll also hear about the launch of “TCH2035,” a forward-looking leadership and innovation initiative designed to shape the organization’s future through the voices of frontline staff.
 
-------------------------------------------- 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 serial entrepreneur, real estate expert, and podcast host Justin Colby. With over 2,000 real estate deals under his belt and decades of entrepreneurial experience, Justin opens up about the evolution of his journey—from wholesaling houses to launching his new passion project, The Entrepreneur DNA community.
Justin shares hard-won insights from his 23 years in business: the ups, the downs, and the “scar stories” he now uses to help others avoid the same mistakes. They explore the challenges and rewards of transitioning from high-volume, transactional work to larger, more intentional ventures like apartment syndications and education-based communities.
You’ll also hear about Justin’s approach to authentic leadership, how he builds real connections, and why he believes communication and community are at the heart of every great entrepreneur’s success.
 
-------------------------------------------- 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 sits down with Alfonso Bonillas, CEO and co-founder of Alio IT Solutions. With 20+ years leading digital transformation initiatives in smart cities, fintech, Web3, and cybersecurity, Alfonso shares hard-earned insights on how AI is reshaping software development—and where the human touch still matters.
They discuss the reality behind AI-driven development, the myth of full automation, and why secure, scalable systems still require experienced developers. Alfonso also breaks down what Web3 really means, the state of decentralized finance in the U.S. and Europe, and how his team is building AI-enabled tools to support developers globally.
Tim and Alfonso dive into the tech talent landscape, the importance of marketing (even for technical founders), and why building strong relationships is at the heart of sustained business growth.
 
-------------------------------------------- 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 powerful and timely episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, host Tim Fergestad speaks with Bernard Zapor, a former ATF agent, subject matter expert on violent crime, and CEO of 3Delta Consulting. With over 25 years in federal law enforcement and extensive experience in workplace violence prevention, Bernard shares eye-opening insights into the current state of safety, threat mitigation, and the challenges facing law enforcement and communities today.
The conversation covers Bernard's work with 3Delta and his training seminars for schools, healthcare workers, and corporate leaders—focusing on how to respond to active shooter incidents and recognize early warning signs. He also discusses the human psychology behind violent acts and the social conditions contributing to the rise in mass casualty events.
 
-------------------------------------------- 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 sits down with Dr. Sarah Patel, founder of Sonoran Sleep Center and a five-time Phoenix Magazine Top Doctor, to explore the vital connection between sleep and whole-person health.
Dr. Patel shares her journey from academic medicine to founding her own independent clinic, driven by a mission to deliver patient-centered, highly communicative, and effective sleep care. She opens up about the systemic challenges in healthcare and how autonomy in her practice has allowed her to provide next-level support for patients dealing with insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs, and more.
 
------------------------------------------- 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!