Phoenix Prosperity Podcast

In this episode, Tim Fergestad chats with Mahesh Vinayagam, the mind behind two cutting-edge ventures: Cubatica, a leader in AI-powered business automation, and Just Predict, a unique peer-to-peer predictions platform. Mahesh dives into how intelligent bots are transforming workflows across industries—and why even in a world of DIY tools, businesses still need experts for scalable, reliable solutions.

Then, the conversation shifts ...

In this energizing episode, Tim sits down with Rafael Cortez—a powerhouse real estate investor, coach, and organizational psychologist—to talk all things real estate, mindset, and entrepreneurship. From his start as a teenage firefighter to running multiple successful companies, Rafael brings a rare blend of grit and insight.

You’ll hear Rafael share how his first business was born from problem-solving on the fly, how understanding...

In this energizing episode, host Tim Fergestad sits down with Ali Parnian, founder of Impact Delivered, to explore what it means to lead with purpose and build communities of high-performing, impact-driven entrepreneurs.

Ali shares how years of strategic consulting opened his eyes to the sacrifices business leaders often make—and how he transitioned to a new chapter that prioritizes family, meaningful work, and community. He talks ...

At just 18 years old, Jared MacLiver is already making bold moves in real estate. Known as "The Kid Investor," Jared shares his inspiring story of buying his first investment property — an underperforming RV park in Arizona — before he could legally sign the documents himself. In this episode, Jared walks us through the journey of how he went from cold-calling leads to closing a creative seller-financed deal.

We also dive into the ...

In this inspiring episode, Tim Fergestad sits down with April Lopez, the passionate and purpose-driven CEO of Recovery Empowerment Network (REN), a peer-led nonprofit based in Central Phoenix. With two decades of community service under its belt, REN is reshaping what recovery can look like for individuals navigating serious mental illness, substance use, and reentry after incarceration.

April shares how REN’s non-clinical, peer-ba...

In this inspiring and informative episode, Tim sits down with Flynann Janisse, the powerhouse behind Rainbow Housing Assistance Corporation. With over two decades of experience in affordable housing, Flynann brings a wealth of knowledge about how we can create sustainable, safe, and community-driven living spaces for low-income individuals, families, veterans, and seniors.

Flynann shares how Rainbow Housing operates across 23 state...

In this episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, Tim Fergestad sits down with medical billing and coding expert Beth Schleeper, founder of Advanced Coding Services. Beth shares how she stumbled into the industry nearly three decades ago, and how her passion for the business side of medicine blossomed into a mission to empower and train others.

She opens up about the evolving complexity of billing and coding, from the chaos of the...

In this powerful episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, Tim Fergestad welcomes Steven Edgley, founder of Brothers4Hope, and Pastor Joe Skeens of Fountain of Life Church in Phoenix. Together, they dive deep into the transformative work being done to support Arizona’s homeless population through food distribution, resource referrals, and spiritual care.

Steven shares heart-wrenching and inspiring stories from the frontlines of lo...

In this episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, Tim Fergestad sits down with Tara Mettler, the founder of Position Yourself Wealth Strategies, to explore how individuals can take control of their finances and build what she calls a “personal economy.” Tara opens up about her journey from financial frustration to empowerment, and how she became a financial architect helping others escape scarcity thinking.

Tara shares why the tra...

In this episode, Tim Fergestad talks with Shawn Mellott, Regional First Responder Sales Manager at MSA – The Safety Company. Shawn shares how his blue-collar roots led to a leadership role helping protect firefighters and emergency responders across Arizona, New Mexico, Southern Nevada, and Hawaii.

They dig into what it takes to bring high-tech safety gear to those on the frontlines, why change can be hard for departments, and how ...

In this insightful episode, Tim Fergestad welcomes Shannon Vaillancourt to explore the world of logistics and supply chain management. Shannon, the founder of RateLinx, shares how his company has evolved since its founding in 2002 and how it's helping businesses of all sizes manage shipping, tracking, and freight payments more efficiently.

They dive into how the pandemic amplified the visibility of supply chains, what it’s like to ...

In this episode, Tim sits down with John Casey, owner of GFT Ready Mix, the last large family-owned concrete supplier in Arizona. With four locations across the Valley and a fifth on the way, John shares how GFT has scaled in the land of corporate giants while maintaining a hands-on, people-first approach.

You’ll hear about:

• Why ready mix concrete is more than just rocks and cement—it's a logistics game

• The importance of pr...

In this powerful episode, Tim Fergestad sits down with political strategist Sam Stone for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation on local government, policy reform, and what really happens behind the scenes in politics.

Sam shares his journey from advertising to co-founding Breaking Battlegrounds, a nationally syndicated political podcast. He opens up about the early mistakes that nearly cost him his career, the lessons he lear...

In this heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation, host Tim Fergestad sits down with Rick DeGraw, former Chief Administrative Officer at CopperPoint Mutual Insurance Company and lifelong advocate for Arizona communities. Rick reflects on his retirement and the meaningful projects that still keep him busy—from managing an irrigation district to staying active with nonprofit organizations like the Heard Museum and Children's Action All...

In this inspiring episode of The Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, Tim Fergestad sits down with Nadia Conn, founder of West to East Business Solutions, a fractional CFO firm serving small and mid-sized businesses. Nadia shares her powerful journey from escaping civil war in Tajikistan to building a successful finance company in the U.S.—all while navigating language barriers, cultural shifts, and corporate burnout.

With decades of corpor...

On this episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, host Tim Fergestad sits down with Karen Roch, President and CEO of Credit Union West, to dive into her inspiring journey from part-time teller to top executive—and her mission to serve Arizona communities with heart and purpose.

Karen shares how growing up in a multicultural home shaped her emotional intelligence and leadership style, why she believes credit unions are crucial for ...

In this episode of the Phoenix Prosperity Podcast, host Tim Fergestad sits down with entrepreneur and legal tech innovator Scott Hardy. As the founder and CEO of Top Class Actions, Leagueify Law, and Trimaxion, Scott shares how he turned a simple idea—making legal settlements accessible—into a multi-firm enterprise committed to increasing access to justice.

Scott discusses his journey from tech sales to legal entrepreneurship, the ...

In this insightful episode, Tim Fergestad sits down with multifamily investor-turned-broker Anna Sepic to unpack the Phoenix commercial real estate market, industrial development trends, and creative deal structuring. Anna brings deep experience from her time as a property owner, operator, and now as a broker at SRS Industrial, where she helps clients source, underwrite, and close on strategic real estate opportunities across asset...

In this episode, Tim Fergestad sits down with Jeff Nicholson, Vice President at J.S. Held, a global consulting firm specializing in commercial construction and insurance consulting. Jeff shares how he found his way into the consulting industry after a layoff in 2010, and how J.S. Held has grown into a 3,000-person organization operating across diverse disciplines like building consulting, forensic engineering, and environmental hea...