Phoenix Prosperity Podcast

In this episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, host Tim Fergestad welcomes Alan Saquella—a nationally recognized expert in security and investigations. With more than 30 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, Alan shares fascinating stories from his time in law enforcement and corporate security, including his work as a certified polygraph examiner and Director of Security Operations at Cox Communications.
Now a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Director of Investigations and Research at Verensics, Alan discusses how AI is transforming investigations and pre-employment screening. He shares compelling examples of real-life cases, explains how polygraph testing has evolved over time, and describes how students at Embry-Riddle are breaking ground in fraud detection and cyber investigations through internships and cutting-edge tools like ArcGIS and AI-based software.
This episode explores:
How Alan got his start working undercover in high school
The evolution of polygraph exams and countermeasure detection
How AI is revolutionizing corporate investigations and insider threat detection
Real-world use cases of AI and drones in security operations
What makes Embry-Riddle’s Global Security and Intelligence program one of the best in the nation
The importance of internships in student career 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, Tim Fergestad is joined by Jane Kupkowski—entrepreneur, physiologist, and former professional ultra-endurance athlete. Jane shares how her early academic and athletic achievements paved the way for a unique path through leadership, global consulting, and deep personal impact.
Jane opens up about her experience working with Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and universities—often stepping in during pivotal moments like restructures or mergers. She explains how mindset, mental focus, and servant leadership are key to building resilience and success in any role.
From racing alongside David Goggins to supervising teams in Japan for a decade, Jane brings a unique blend of high-performance thinking, international experience, and emotional intelligence to her work. She also shares a touching story about helping transform a colleague’s life, underscoring the power of belief and mentorship.
What You'll Learn:
How elite athletic training shapes leadership and business thinking
The role of mindset in overcoming fear and professional transition
Why adaptability and humility are critical in cross-cultural leadership
A powerful real-life story of belief and personal transformation
Jane’s next chapter in health, beauty, and brand consulting
 
 
------------------------------------------------ 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 vibrant conversation, Tim Fergestad sits down with Hotchy Kiene—Senior Account Executive at Phoenix New Times, community leader, and die-hard Chiefs fan—to talk about his journey from Kansas City to Phoenix and the many hats he wears around town.
Hotchy shares his 22-year career with Phoenix New Times and how it’s evolved from a print-focused outlet into a full-scale digital media powerhouse under Voice Media Group. He talks about his passion for community building, including his leadership role with the Great Arizona Puppet Theater and his grassroots effort to unite local Kansas City Chiefs fans through a network of watch party bars across Arizona.
They also discuss mental health, emotional resilience, the impact of the Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, and the power of meaningful, long-term client relationships. Plus, don’t miss Hotchy’s thoughts on how print media still plays a role in a digital-first world, and how the iconic Best of Phoenix campaign continues to energize local businesses.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
How Hotchy built a multi-location community of Chiefs fans in Arizona
Why flexibility is key in modern media and marketing
How empathy shapes sales—and the challenges that come with it
What “Best of Phoenix” means to local business owners
Why print media isn’t dead (and how it still influences buyers)
The power of finding balance through books, therapy, and community
------------------------------------------------ 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, Tim sits down with Joel Friedland, CEO of Brit Properties, to dive into the power and philosophy of debt-free industrial real estate investing. Joel shares how a chance cold call led to a decades-long career in syndication and real estate, the lessons he’s learned from four economic downturns, and why he believes in operating without leverage. Joel explains the math behind lower-risk investing, his deeply personal reasons for avoiding debt, and how his team finds success in simplicity, tenant quality, and long-term holds. He also opens up about past struggles with lenders and how those experiences shaped his unique investment strategy today. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just real estate curious, Joel’s stories, philosophy, and practical wisdom will leave a lasting impression.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why Joel avoids debt—even when interest rates are low
How his company structures deals to reduce risk for investors
What happened when he tried to convince a business to move out of their “dump”
The real risks of commercial lending most people overlook
How Joel’s team is mentoring the next generation of real estate professionals
What Joel wishes he had known earlier in his career
 
------------------------------------------------ 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 Chris MacDonald, President of CPM Pipelines and founder of the Bullet Liner System. Chris brings over two decades of experience in large-scale waterworks and pipeline infrastructure. He shares his entrepreneurial journey—from hustling his way into the industry to building a nationally recognized company that’s transforming how we rehabilitate buried infrastructure.
Chris explains what sets Bullet Liner apart: a minimally invasive, cost-effective way to restore large transmission pipelines, saving municipalities millions and drastically reducing disruption to the public. He breaks down the technical magic behind the liner, the challenges of scaling a team, and the real-world impact of infrastructure innovation.
Whether you're in real estate, construction, or just curious about what keeps your water running, this episode gives you a fresh look at an often-invisible but essential industry.
What You'll Learn:
The difference between plumbing and pipeline infrastructure
How Chris built a national business by introducing cutting-edge tech from overseas
The economics and urgency of water infrastructure repair in the U.S.
What leadership challenges come with scaling a fast-growing business
Why innovative solutions like Bullet Liner are critical to sustainable cities
 
------------------------------------------------ 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 Vincent Orleck, a seasoned social media strategist and the founder of Not A Guru, to explore what’s really going on in modern social media marketing.
Vincent shares the origin of his “Not A Guru” brand, his career in higher ed and startups, and what he’s learned from working with both large institutions and local businesses. They dig into major shifts in digital marketing, like the rise of content-first algorithms (hello, TikTok) and the growing impact of AI and zero-click content on SEO and traffic strategies.
Vincent breaks down how different platforms demand different types of video content and why the best approach isn’t always about going viral—it’s about understanding your audience. He also discusses the unique challenges solopreneurs and small businesses face in hiring marketing help, and how his upcoming project “Micro CMO” aims to solve that gap.
They also touch on Vincent’s work with #yesphx, the Phoenix-area startup community, and why staying locally engaged has been key to his career.
Highlights include:
Why TikTok’s algorithm changed the game
What “zero-click content” means and why it matters
How video content needs to match the platform
The decision to go solo or stay employed
Community-building with #yesphx
Smart financial lessons from the school of hard knocks
 
------------------------------------------------ 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 compelling episode, Tim Fergestad sits down with Gregg Florentin, the forward-thinking CEO of Tri-City Cardiology. With over 30 years of healthcare leadership and experience across 60 specialties, Gregg shares how he’s building one of the most advanced cardiology networks in Arizona.
They dive into the evolution of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), how COVID accelerated outpatient care, and the growing collaboration between cardiology groups and hospital systems. Gregg also opens up about Tri-City’s bold expansion plans, including the new Terraza Medical Village—a 12-acre, 100,000-square-foot campus designed to deliver one-stop care.
Gregg breaks down the innovative IPA structure that enables physician autonomy, why AI is reshaping operations behind the scenes, and his vision of creating a “supergroup” that streamlines care across specialties without sacrificing independence.
This episode offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the business of modern medicine.
What You'll Learn:
Why outpatient cardiology is booming post-COVID
The power of integrated specialty care under one brand
How Tri-City is using AI to improve scheduling and patient flow
The future of telehealth, predictive care, and patient self-monitoring
Gregg’s personal leadership lessons for building a modern practice
 
------------------------------------------------ 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 Tanana Hairston, founder of IIC Capital (Impact Investing Community Capital). Tanana shares her remarkable journey from computer scientist to impact investor, and how she now empowers others to build wealth while creating meaningful change in their communities.
You’ll hear how Tanana's early exposure to private investing sparked a career rooted in real estate, community development, and financial education. She breaks down the principles of impact investing, discusses how to evaluate private deals, and explains why she focuses on real estate as a gateway for first-time accredited investors.
We dive into:
The difference between growing wealth and protecting it
The importance of aligning investments with personal values
How to measure both profit and purpose in private deals
Why legacy and financial education are critical for generational wealth
Lessons Tanaha learned from entrepreneurship and her farming roots
------------------------------------------------ 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 talks with Nathan Hill, the CEO and co-founder of Strive Pharmacy, a rapidly scaling compounding pharmacy based in Gilbert, Arizona. Starting in 2018, Nathan and his childhood friend turned business partner, Mike Walker, grew Strive to eight locations across the U.S., with over 700 employees and multi-nine-figure revenue.
Nathan shares how his journey from door-to-door sales in Utah led him into pharmaceutical sales and eventually entrepreneurship. He dives deep into what makes Strive different—focusing on personalized medicine, hormone therapy, weight loss, and anti-aging treatments—while avoiding the limitations of insurance-based care.
We also hear how Strive is navigating legal battles with pharmaceutical giants like Eli Lilly, building a strong company culture, and maintaining regulatory compliance across 50 states. Nathan opens up about their vision to become a household name in personalized healthcare and why they're doubling down on transparency, innovation, and storytelling.
What You’ll Learn:
How Nathan’s background in sales led to starting a healthcare company
What compounding pharmacies are and why they matter
The role of personalized medicine in today’s healthcare landscape
Strive’s explosive growth and how they’re handling it
Legal and regulatory challenges in the industry
The future of peptides, GLP-1s, and anti-aging therapies
How strong culture and leadership keep a fast-growing company grounded
 
------------------------------------------------ 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 sits down with longtime friend and healthcare entrepreneur Clint Borman, a physical therapist who’s revolutionizing care through his new venture, Oxygen Wellness & Physical Therapy. With over 25 years in physical therapy and executive healthcare roles, Clint shares his journey from collegiate athlete to scaling a 39-location PT empire — and now, to pioneering a wellness-forward, concierge-style practice in Phoenix.
Clint opens up about why traditional healthcare models are falling short, and how he’s creating a space where patients get the time, touch, and individualized attention they truly need. We dive into:
Why Clint left a corporate PT career to launch Oxygen Wellness
The pitfalls of insurance-driven care and how he’s designing a better model
What “whole-person” wellness really looks like
How regenerative medicine, red light therapy, and cryo chambers are changing recovery
The unique mix of entrepreneurship, clinical mastery, and personal connection fueling his 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!