Epic Spotlight Podcast
Self-Improvement
About
Epic Spotlight is a self-improvement podcast focused on helping you build a healthier, wealthier, and more fulfilling life.Hosted by mortgage expert and author Dante Royster, the show explores the real-world lessons behind Health, Wealth, Love, and Happiness — delivering practical guidance, personal growth strategies, and mindset shifts that support long-term success.Through inspiring guest conversations and actionable insights, Epic Spotlight challenges listeners to think bigger, live more intentionally, and make smarter decisions in their personal and financial lives.Inside each episode, you’ll learn how to:Strengthen your mindset and personal disciplineBuild financial confidence and long-term stabilityImprove relationships, purpose, and life b...
Episodes
- Dante Royster: Don’t Just Listen—Apply: The Discipline That Changes Everything
Dante Royster discusses the importance of translating motivation into action, focusing on self-auditing, financial habits, and building consistent systems. He explains how embracing discomfort and intentional growth are essential for achie…
- Christian Boucousis: Fighter Pilot Lessons on Leadership, Purpose, and Flawless Execution
This episode features former fighter pilot Christian Boucousis discussing leadership, purpose, and execution. Topics include applying fighter pilot principles to business, the importance of debriefing for self-awareness, and the role of ow…
- Carmichael Lewis: Turning Pain Into Purpose for the Next Generation
Carmichael Lewis joins the Epic Spotlight Podcast to discuss his journey from growing up on Chicago's South Side to becoming a police officer and working with urban youth. He shares his approach to mentorship, goal setting, and bridging th…
- Charles Hatley: Building a Family Law Firm Through Honest Leadership and Smart Scale
Attorney-CEO Charles Hatley joins Dante to discuss his experience building a family law firm by prioritizing honest leadership, client education, and smart scaling. They explore his transition from a large firm, team development strategies…
- Brian Franco: The Inevitable Exit Every Business Owner Must Prepare For
In this episode, Brian Franco discusses the importance of preparing for a business exit from day one, differentiating between a business and a job, and how systems, SOPs, and leadership increase valuation. He emphasizes that focusing on th…
- Dante Royster: Behind Epic Spotlight-My Most Personal Episode Yet
Dante Royster discusses the evolution of the Epic Spotlight podcast, the importance of self-reflection in personal growth, and patterns observed from high-performing guests. He also explores a definition of success that encompasses love, h…
- Robert Howell: Affordable Housing, Mobile Home Parks & Building a Legacy Through Real Estate
Real estate investor Robert Howell discusses his experience with affordable housing, mobile home parks, and land-home development. He explores the importance of ethical investing, balancing cash flow with long-term assets, and building a b…
- Justin Lund: Breaking the Capacity Ceiling & Designing Founder Freedom
Entrepreneur and mentor Justin Lund joins Dante to discuss overcoming challenges, navigating business growth, and breaking through the capacity ceiling. They explore strategies for delegation, hiring, and culture-building to help founders…
- Ari Rastegar: The Gift of Failure, Meditation, and Building Billions with Discipline
Entrepreneur and author Ari Rastegar joins the Epic Spotlight Podcast to discuss his journey in real estate, the importance of meditation in leadership, and his approach to building resilience through failure. They also cover his thoughts…
- Janelle Villiers: From Shame to Bestseller — How to Write, Publish & Market Your Book
Janelle Villiers, a bestselling author and publishing consultant, joins the Epic Spotlight Podcast to discuss overcoming shame and perfectionism in the writing process. She also covers the strategic role of books in building business brand…
- Deanna Marr: Pelvic Floor Therapy, Women’s Health & the Four Pillars of Wellness
Deanna Marr, an experienced Occupational Therapist, shares insights on pelvic floor therapy and women's health, emphasizing a proactive wellness approach. The discussion covers the Four Pillars of Health, nervous system regulation, and the…
- Tichina Burnett: Why Therapy, Community, and Grace Matter for Emotional Healing
Tichina Burnett, LCPC, NCC, joins the Epic Spotlight Podcast to discuss the importance of integrating trauma, the role of internal grace in healing, and how community-based mental health support impacts individual well-being.
- Talmar Anderson: From Overwhelmed Entrepreneur to True CEO
Talmar Anderson joins Dante to discuss transitioning from an overwhelmed business operator to a CEO. They cover leadership structures, the importance of scalability over sales, and building teams that allow founders to step away from daily…
- Foster Williams: Why Networking Still Beats AI in the Job Search
Foster Williams joins the Epic Spotlight Podcast to discuss why human networking remains essential in the modern job search. The conversation covers strategies for building relationships, effective communication, and balancing the use of t…
- Myles Powell: From Engineer to Food Entrepreneur Building a Clean CPG Brand
Myles Powell discusses his journey from civil engineering to founder of 8 Myles, a clean frozen CPG brand. He and host Dante Royster cover topics including brand storytelling, the CPG industry, challenges in accessing capital, and lessons…
- Aaron McNair: Master Your Mind, Elevate Your Spirit, Transform Your Life
Aaron McNair, a spirituality mindset coach and speaker, discusses his journey into coaching and strategies for personal transformation. He and host Dante explore how mindset, discipline, and belief can help individuals overcome emotional b…
- Debbi DiMaggio: Mastering the Art of Success in Real Estate & Wellness
In this episode, Debbi DiMaggio joins the Epic Spotlight Podcast to discuss her work in luxury real estate, her wellness-focused approach to design, and her upcoming book, The Mindset In Motion Method. She and host Dante also explore how t…
- Casey Miller: Navigating Credit, Consumer Data, and Modern Mortgage Challenges
Casey Miller joins Dante Royster to discuss common mortgage credit challenges, trigger lead legislation, and the importance of credit education. They also explore how building trust and relationships remains vital for lenders in a changing…
- Hilary Santana: Building Community, Healing, and Strength Through Pilates
Studio owner Hilary Santana joins the Epic Spotlight Podcast to discuss the benefits of Pilates, including its role in improving posture, injury prevention, and athletic performance. The conversation also highlights the importance of commu…
- Steve Selengut: The Working Capital Model for Income Independence
Investment strategist Steve Selengut discusses his Working Capital Model and Market Cycle Investment Management Methodology on the Epic Spotlight Podcast. He shares strategies for generating reliable retirement income through closed-end fu…
- Kendrick Watkins: Rising Strong From the Trenches
Kendrick Watkins, founder of Trenches Boxing and Fitness, discusses his journey from a Chicago garage to a full facility. He and host Dante Roy explore resilience, the role of boxing in mental health, community mentorship, and building a b…
- Robin Wearley: Innovating Accessible Travel with ADAPTS
Robin Wearley, founder of ADAPTS.org, shares insights on her portable transfer sling designed for safe evacuations of travelers with disabilities. The discussion covers the challenges of product development, broader applications of ADAPTS,…
- LaTasha Sanders: Faith, Resilience, and the Miracle Mommy Story
This episode features LaTasha Sanders, author and entrepreneur, discussing her journey from laborer to community leader. She shares insights on her children's book, "Miracle Mommy on the Big Blue Truck," faith, resilience, and advocating f…
- Audrey Ehrhardt: Smarter Firms, Authentic Leadership
In this episode, Audrey Ehrhardt discusses her journey founding Practice 42, the importance of systems for law firm growth, effective hiring and training, and authentic leadership. She also touches on evolving estate planning strategies an…
- Zac Armstrong: Peak Performance Without Burnout
This episode features Zac Armstrong, a Navy Commander and founder of Empowerment Fitness, discussing peak performance strategies. He shares leadership lessons from his military career and emphasizes the importance of recovery over more tim…
- Timalyn Bowens: Tax Relief and Clarity
Timalyn Bowens, an IRS-licensed Enrolled Agent, discusses navigating tax law complexities. The episode covers common tax issues, the importance of tax planning and compliance, and potential impacts of the expiring Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in…
- W. David Prescott and Michael Ashley: Creative Destruction: Truth Behind ESG Mandates
W. David Prescott and Michael Ashley, authors of "Creative Destruction: How ESG Mandates Are Destroying Capitalism, Costing You Money, and Wrecking America," discuss the negative impacts of ESG mandates on businesses, investors, and retire…
- Shawn D. Nelson: Designed for Life, Built to Last
Shawn D. Nelson, founder of Lovesac, discusses building the furniture company from a basement experiment to a public NASDAQ company. He shares insights from his book "Let Me Save You 25 Years," focusing on the "Design for Life" philosophy,…
- Rodney Allen: Challenging Narratives, Inspiring Change
Rodney Allen founded the Chicago ILLectuals Podcast during the pandemic to share authentic stories from within the culture, countering outsider narratives. The podcast, which also explores policy, mental health, and activism through hip ho…
- Martha Allen: Build Relationships on Faith, Finance & Foundation
In this episode, Martha Allen shares her expertise on building strong relationships through faith, finance, and foundation. She emphasizes self-preparation, the role of a personal belief system in resilience, balancing shared responsibilit…
- Matricia Jackson: Real Estate Wealth Starts When You Do
Matricia Jackson, a Chicago real estate expert with nearly 30 years of experience, discusses building real estate wealth through strategy and confidence. Key topics include the importance of mentorship, starting homeownership, navigating n…
- Shuwanda Hudson: Sipping Your Own Tea
This episode features Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Shuwanda Hudson discussing the effects of trauma, the importance of therapy as self-care, and developing emotional intelligence. They also cover practical advice on finding a t…
- Brandon Ellington: Building Wealth Without Proof of Income
Finance expert Brandon Ellington discusses building wealth through credit-based lending and innovative financial programs, even without traditional proof of income. He emphasizes the importance of financial literacy, legacy planning, and c…
- Ernest B. Fenton: The Silent Strategy for Building Wealth
Ernest B. Fenton discusses the importance of asset protection education for communities of color and the pitfalls of wealth acquisition. He shares insights on using silence and strategy in business and estate planning, emphasizing proactiv…
- Natalie Ramos: Helping Beyond Yourself in Nonprofits
Natalie A. Ramos discusses her 15+ years in nonprofit philanthropy, emphasizing empathetic, relationship-first fundraising and the importance of equity and inclusion. Key takeaways include the power of authentic connections, strategic netw…
- Brent Wilk: Real Estate Built on Trust, Not a Logo
Brent Wilk, founder of Wilk Real Estate, shares his journey from banking to building an independent brokerage, emphasizing trust and personal branding over company logos. He discusses lessons from the 2008 housing crash, current real estat…
- Kent Nichols: The Sacred Trust of Financial Stewardship
Kent Nichols, CFO of the Lake Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, shares his journey from finance to ministry. He oversees financial operations, emphasizing transparency and integrity with donated funds. The episode covers the con…
- Olivia White: Get Home. Own It.
In this episode, realtor Olivia White discusses how her mortgage background enhances her client support, the emotional journey of first-time homebuyers, and strategies for sellers. She emphasizes educating her community about homeownership.
- Raina Kilgore: Empathy Over Judgment—The ZEM Way
Licensed therapist Raina Kilgore shares insights on the ZEM Way, emphasizing empathy and proactive mental health care. The episode explores communication strategies, therapy modalities like DBT and CBT, and the significance of emotional co…
- Nicole Barton: Her Story. Her Light. Her Lens.
Nicole Barton, a professional photographer since 2009, discusses her journey from childhood inspiration to becoming an entrepreneur who empowers women over 40 through portrait sessions. Her work, featured in outlets like Forbes and on the…
- Benaiah Link: The Mental Side of Healing
Benaiah Link discusses the link between physical fitness and mental health recovery, the nature of trauma, and common mental health issues. The episode also covers the therapeutic intake process and the benefits of journaling, deep breathi…
- Alecia Bolton: The Passive Power of Mortgage Notes
Alecia Bolton discusses her journey into real estate investing, starting with mortgage notes and expanding into multifamily assets. She explains the benefits of performing mortgage notes for passive income and details her company, Firefly…
- Michelle Hayes: No Waiting—Create Your Own Shot
Michelle Hayes, owner of Hayes Talent Agency, shares her journey from modeling to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need for consistent training and proper presentation for aspiring actors. She also touches on diversity in entertainment an…
- David Posley Jr.: The Intergenerational Legacy Blueprint
David Posley Jr. explains the concept of intergenerational wealth transfer, emphasizing the importance of involving the entire family in legacy planning and considering multiple forms of capital beyond financial assets. He also highlights…
- KeShaun Harding: Wellness Ain’t a Luxury, It’s a Lifestyle
KeShaun Harding discusses her experience as a family nurse practitioner and founder of Obsidian Aura Med Spa. The episode explores medical spa services, entrepreneurship, mentorship for Black businesses, and the essential role of self-care…
- Angelesha Jones: Sales Is Service, Leadership Starts With “I”
In this episode of the Epic Spotlight Podcast, Angelesha Jones discusses her philosophy that sales is service and leadership begins with "I." She shares how her early nonprofit experience shaped her business acumen and coaching style, focu…
- Paula Jenkins: Leading Authentically, One Conversation at a Time
Paula Jenkins, CEO of LFS Consulting, shares insights on authentic leadership, emphasizing communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence. She discusses leaving corporate life after a health crisis to found her company and the importan…
- Brandon Harrington: Real Estate Wins with Fix-and-Flip Strategies
Brandon Harrington discusses real estate investing, fix-and-flip, and private money lending, highlighting strategies for success and overcoming market challenges. The episode covers creative financing and deal analysis for investors.
- Juan Pardo: The Accounting Edge for Real Estate Success
This episode features CPA Juan Pardo discussing the importance of accounting for real estate investors. Key topics include managing marketing expenses, aligning financial planning with investor goals, tailoring reports for clarity, and ana…
- Jennifer Jenkins: Rooted in Wellness, Built for Transformation
Jennifer Jenkins, an RN and Health Coach, discusses her journey founding Rooted Holistic Health Coaching. She explains how integrating neuroscience, nutrition, and behavioral change creates lasting wellness by aligning mind, body, and spir…