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I Have Some Questions...
Most people know the headline of a leader’s story. Few know the path it took to get there. This podcast goes beyond titles, book launches and business wins, to explore the lived journey behind the thought leader.
Through deep, unhurried conversations, we uncover the moments that shaped them—the doubts, pivots, convictions, and quiet breakthroughs that built their body of work.
Each episode features authors, coaches, executives, and bold thinkers who have forged their own path. Instead of rehearsed talking points, they’re invited into a space where thoughtful questions unlock something more human. The result is a layered conversation that reveals not just what they preach, but how they became the kind of person who can teach it.
Because we believe the best stories aren’t always told—they’re revealed. And when brilliant people are given the right questions and the room to answer them fully, what emerges is insight you can feel, frameworks you can apply, and a deeper understanding of what it truly takes to lead, create, and contribute at a meaningful level.
I Have Some Questions...
017: “Is There a Difference Between Success and Satisfaction?” ft. Brendan Burns
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🎙️ Episode Snapshot
Erik welcomes coach, podcaster, and hedge fund founder Brendan Burns—his former coach and the catalyst behind the creation of Language of Leadership. This isn’t just a reunion; it’s a deep dive into Brendan’s unconventional path from law school and hedge funds to transformational coaching and multi-business leadership. The conversation explores the questions that matter most when navigating career transitions, building purpose-driven businesses, and choosing alignment over achievement alone.
👤 About the Guest
Brendan Burns is a multi-hyphenate success: hedge fund founder, transformational coach, Cornell-educated attorney, and former investment banker. Known for helping entrepreneurs build high-impact businesses from a place of deep alignment, Brendan’s unique blend of tactical business savvy and emotional intelligence makes him one of the most sought-after coaches for founders and coaches alike. Through his coaching, podcasting, and now hedge fund leadership, he’s helping leaders grow in wealth, impact, and self-awareness without losing themselves in the process.
🧭 Conversation Highlights
- From Wall Street to Coaching: Brendan's shift from hedge fund life to entrepreneurship was a personal awakening rooted in therapy, coaching, and self-discovery.
- The Question That Changed Everything: “What if it does work?” became Brendan’s guiding principle when starting over.
- Selling from Vision, Not Fear: Why money-only goals fall flat—and why mission-centered entrepreneurs create deeper impact and longer-lasting businesses.
- Coaching Wealthy Clients: Brendan’s hedge fund model doubles as a backdoor to personal transformation for investors, combining capital management with emotional and life growth.
- The ROI of Self-Investment: Erik and Brendan share vulnerable stories about early coaching experiences, what made the difference, and how perception is often the biggest block.
💡 Key Takeaways
- Mission Beats Metrics: Sustainable businesses come from alignment, not ego. Purpose is the foundation that drives everything else.
- You Can't Coach What You Haven’t Lived: Brendan’s emotional breakdown in the finance world gave him the empathy and perspective he now brings to his clients.
- The First Sale is to Yourself: Before you convince the world, you must believe your dream is possible. Brendan’s journey proves that starts with mentorship and mindset.
- Curate Your Circle: Oversharing your dream with unsupportive people can crush it. Find those who believe and build with them.
❓ Questions That Mattered
- “Why this path? What does coaching give you that finance couldn’t?”
- “How do you stay aligned as an entrepreneur when new opportunities keep showing up?”
- “What’s the role of fear in keeping founders stuck?”
🗣️ Notable Quotes
“There’s no reason I should be alive—not addicted, not in pain. But coaching helped me get here. Now I help others do the same.”
“Don’t just build a business. Build a mission.”
“Some hedge funds manage wealth. We manage wealth and transform lives.”
🔗 Links & Resources