Episodes

21
Dec. 16, 2025

From Wells Fargo to Builder: AJ’s Bold Career Shift

AJ’s bold career shift from nearly two decades at Wells Fargo to building his own successful construction company is the focus of this inspiring episode of the Bold Moves Podcast. Host Mat Torres dives into AJ's journey, exploring how he took the leap of faith to leave a secure corporate job and start Avanti Construction Services LLC, overcoming challenges and redefining success on his own terms. This episode is packed with insights on personal growth, navigating career transitions, and taking r...
Guest: AJ
20
Dec. 12, 2025

From Rentals to Real Estate Success with Michael Hernandez

From Rentals to Real Estate Success 🚀 – In this episode of the Bold Moves Podcast, host Mat Torres welcomes real estate agent extraordinaire Michael Hernandez to share his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in rentals to building a thriving real estate business. Hear firsthand how bold decisions, personal growth, and calculated risks shaped his path to success. Michael dives deep into the challenges of navigating various markets, the emotional rollercoaster of real estate transactions, a...
19
Dec. 11, 2025

From $50K Homes to Top Agent: Jenny Apodaca’s Bold Journey

Discover how Jenny Apodaca made bold moves to transform her career from humble beginnings selling $50K homes to becoming a top real estate agent and building her own team. In this captivating episode of the Bold Moves Podcast, Mat Torres delves into Jenny's courageous career transition, personal growth, and the lessons she's learned along the way. From her incredible first year closing 36 homes to navigating challenges as a single mom, Jenny shares authentic insights that inspire risk-taking and...
18
Dec. 2, 2025

From IT to Chef: The Bold Career Shift That Paid Off for Nate Strickland

Discover how Nate Strickland made the bold career shift "From IT to Chef" that completely transformed his life. In this episode of the Bold Moves Podcast, Mat Torres chats with Nate about his courageous decision to leave the comfort of an IT job for the chaos and creativity of the culinary world. Nate shares how his military and law enforcement background prepared him for the challenges of running his own catering business, navigating risks, and redefining his identity as a private chef. From...
17
Aug. 9, 2025

Episode 17: Breaking Barriers: How Erica Carpenter Turned Dog Poop into a Business Opportunity

🎯 Key Takeaways Core Points: Erica Carpenter transitioned from nearly two decades in construction to founding Pet Waste Management, an eco-friendly pet waste removal service.She emphasized the importance of networking among women in construction through her initiative, Build Hers, which promotes collaboration over competition.Erica’s journey highlights the significance of following one’s passion and not being constrained by societal expectations or the opinions of others.The concept of collab...
16
June 28, 2025

Episode 16 - From Army to Lemonade Empire: Quincy's Bold Move Story

How does an Army officer transition to building a Lemonade Empire? 🍋 In this episode of "Bold Moves," host Mat Torres sits down with Quincy Milam, owner of Cuties Lemonade and More, to explore his inspiring journey of leaving military life to pursue entrepreneurial success. From National Guard service to mastering the art of fresh-squeezed lemonade, Quincy shares his bold move story, the challenges he faced, and the mindset that turned obstacles into opportunities for personal growth. Join u...
Guest: Quincy Milam
15
June 8, 2025

S1:E15 - How Did Faith Influence Anthony’s Career Leap?

Anthony Bell’s journey into the audio-visual world was not a straight path. From a rocky start to overcoming challenges and embracing faith, he learned that bold moves often lead to unexpected success and fulfillment. Chapter Summary: 00:00 Welcome to the Show 00:26 Anthony’s Journey into AV 02:04 From Installation to Partnership 03:51 The Leap of Faith 06:04 Bold Moves Podcast Overview 06:48 Life Before the Leap 09:29 The Partnership Agreement 10:45 Divine Timing and Guidance 17:07 Catalyst ...
14
June 1, 2025

S1:E14 - The Day Everything Changed: Will Taufa’s Near-Death Story

🎙️ Episode Summary Join Mat on the Bold News Podcast as he converses with Will and Kevin from Paloma Plumbing. They share their bold journeys into the plumbing industry, discuss pivotal moments that changed their lives, and explore the importance of embracing challenges for personal and professional growth. Career Journey Will Taufa, owner-operator of Paloma Plumbing, reflects on the crucial moment that inspired him to start his own plumbing business. Following the birth of his daughter, Will...
Guest: Will Taufa
13
May 23, 2025

S1:E13 - From Heartbreak to Lemonade: How Desirae Kraus Transformed Personal Struggles into a Thriving Business

Core Points: Desirae Kraus started her lemonade business, Easy Desert Squeeze, after addressing personal challenges and family health concerns.Her approach to lemonade is unique, offering a less sweet, natural product that aligns with health-conscious choices.A pivotal moment in Desirae’s life was her decision to leave an abusive relationship, leading her to prioritize mental health and self-love.Networking and community support through BNI have been instrumental in launching her business, le...
Guest: Desirae Kraus
12
May 17, 2025

S1:E12 - From 23 Jobs to CEO: Derrick Roe’s Bold Journey

From 23 Jobs to CEO: Derrick Roe shares his transformative journey of bold moves, resilience, and entrepreneurship in this inspiring episode of the Bold Moves Podcast. Hosted by Mat Torres, Derrick opens up about his struggles with holding 23 different jobs in his early years, the pivotal moments that redefined his path, and how he ultimately built a thriving business as the owner of Allure Infinite Beauty Med Spa. This is more than a story of career transitions—it’s a testament to personal gro...
Guest: Derrick Roe
11
May 1, 2025

S1:E11 - From Leasing Agent to CEO: Azia Coleman's Bold Leap

From Leasing Agent to CEO: Azia Coleman's Bold Leap is an inspiring story of personal growth, risk-taking, and redefining success. Azia Coleman, now the founder and CEO of Quantum Homes, shares her incredible 13-year journey in real estate, moving from a leasing agent to leading her own brokerage. This episode is packed with insights on building authentic relationships, navigating career transitions, and embracing bold moves to achieve your dreams. Azia delves into her decision to take the l...
Guest: Azia Coleman
10
April 23, 2025

S1:E10 - From Corporate to CEO: Elizabeth Silva's Bold Journey

What does it take to leave the comfort of a corporate job and chart your path as a CEO? In this inspiring episode of the Bold News Podcast, Elizabeth Silva shares her bold journey from the 9-to-5 grind to becoming the founder of Silva Lining, a thriving business that blends health, wellness, and community. Elizabeth opens up about her personal experiences, including raising a son on the autism spectrum, which shaped her perspective on resilience, flexibility, and the power of connection. Join u...
9
April 16, 2025

S1:EP9 - From Employee to Entrepreneur: A Bold Move with Wyatt Lewis

Summary In this episode of the Bold Moves podcast, Wyatt Lewis, CEO of Classic Restoration and Construction, shares his entrepreneurial journey, discussing the bold moves he made to start his business, the challenges he faced, and the importance of teamwork and risk-taking in achieving success. He reflects on personal growth, life lessons learned through adversity, and offers insights into the restoration and construction industry, emphasizing the significance of building strong connections ...
Guest: Wyatt Lewis
8
April 10, 2025

S1:E8 - From Russia to Arizona: Arina's Bold Business Journey

Discover how Arina Tannenbaum made the bold leap from Russia to Arizona to build a thriving career as a content strategist for small businesses. In this inspiring episode of the Bold Moves podcast, Arina shares her transformative journey, overcoming cultural differences, personal challenges, and the complexities of starting a business in the U.S. Her story highlights the power of resilience, self-discovery, and taking risks to craft a fulfilling life and career. Join host Mat Torres as he explo...
7
April 2, 2025

S1: E7 - From Fired to Thriving: A Bold Journey with Afton Welker

Ready to ignite your courage and take bold steps? In this powerful episode of Bold Moves, Matt Torres sits down with Afton Welker, also known as the "Red-Headed Roofer," to uncover her inspiring journey of resilience, personal growth, and transformation. From being unexpectedly fired to thriving as a marketing leader, Afton shares how she turned challenges into opportunities and embraced bold moves to redefine her career and life. Her story highlights the importance of self-reflection, mental he...
6
March 26, 2025

S1:E6 - Becky Jo Harris: Bold Steps to Comedy Stardom

Comedian and actress Becky Jo Harris shares her journey to comedy stardom in this inspiring episode of Bold Moves with Mat Torres 🎭. Discover how Becky embraced boldness, overcame challenges like ADHD, and followed her passion for acting and comedy to make her mark in the entertainment world. From her beginnings in Arizona to training at The Groundlings in Los Angeles, Becky Jo's story is a testament to personal growth, mental health awareness, and the power of risk-taking. In this candid conve...
5
March 12, 2025

S1:E5 - Unleashing Boldness: How Eric-Lee Olsen's Bold Risks Led to Life-Changing Success

Summary In this episode of the Bold Moves podcast, hosts Matt Torres and Rachel Steggs welcome actor Eric Lee Olsen. They discuss Eric's journey in acting, the challenges of rejection, and the importance of adaptability in both life and business. Eric shares personal stories of resilience, including living out of his car and using humor as a healing tool. The conversation also touches on the creative process of writing and stand-up comedy, as well as the significance of building community co...
4
March 5, 2025

S1:E4 - Navigating Career Transitions with Confidence: Matthew Cordova

Summary In this episode of the Bold Moves podcast, hosts Matt Torres and Rachel Staggs welcome guest Matthew Cordova (MJ) to discuss his extensive background in sales, insurance, and real estate. MJ shares his journey from starting in sales 40 years ago to transitioning into sales training and consulting. The conversation explores the importance of taking risks, networking, and the unique experiences that shape one's career path, including insights from military service. The hosts and MJ als...
3
Feb. 26, 2025

S1:E3 - Bold Moves in Acting and Real Estate: Marcelino Lopez

Summary In this episode of the Bold Moves podcast, hosts Mat Torres and Rachel Staggs reconnect with actor and real estate professional Marcelino Lopez. They discuss their journeys in acting, personal transformations, and the importance of investing in oneself. The conversation delves into the intersection of acting and real estate, the power of social media for business, and the challenges of self-employment. They also touch on overcoming imposter syndrome, the significance of authenticity ...
2
Feb. 19, 2025

S1:E2 - Overcoming Adversity: Sharlee's Story

Summary In this episode of the Bold Moves podcast, hosts Matt Torres and Rachel Staggs welcome Sharlee Husky, who shares her journey from the banking industry to insurance. The conversation explores the concept of bold moves in professional life, the challenges of overcoming adversity, and the importance of setting personal and professional boundaries. Sharlee discusses her experiences with leadership, sales, and the impact of her personal life on her career decisions, emphasizing the signif...
1
Feb. 12, 2025

S1:E1 - Bold Moves: The Journey Begins

In the inaugural episode of the Bold Moves podcast, hosts Mat and Rachel explore the concept of taking risks in both personal and professional lives. They share their own journeys, discussing the challenges and successes they've faced, particularly in the realm of sales and insurance. The conversation delves into the importance of mental health, the value of life insurance, and the impact of neurodiversity on business practices. The hosts emphasize the need for genuine connections and the power ...
Guest: Rachel Staggs
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