Sleepless Knights Podcast

January 1st doesn’t change anything until you change something.Every year people say “New year, new me”, set big goals, feel motivated… and then fall right back into the same patterns. This isn’t a discipline problem. It’s not laziness. It’s psychology.In this video, we break down:Why motivation fades in 24–48 hoursThe science behind why goals feel good before you do the workWhy most resolutions die before January 3rdHow identity, habits, and environment actually create changeWhy the calendar flipping doesn’t mean your patterns changedThis isn’t hype.This is about understanding how your brain works, why you sabotage progress, and what actually leads to consistency in your life, business, health, and habits.You don’t need a fresh start.You need a new identity.Our Sponsors:* Check out ClickUp and use my code SOCIALPROOF for a great deal: https://www.clickup.com* Check out Incogni: https://incogni.com/socialproof* Check out NordProtect: https://nordprotect.com/socialproof* Check out Northwest Registered Agent an

Most men are taught how to be strong, disciplined, and productive.Very few are taught how to feel.In this conversation, we unpack what really happens when men suppress their emotions, why so many high-performing men feel numb, and whether “not feeling” is actually strength or just survival.If you’re a man striving for success and wondering why things still feel off, this might sound uncomfortably familiar.If you love, work with, or are trying to understand a driven man, this conversation will help you see what’s really going on beneath the surface.This episode isn’t about being soft.It’s about capacity, leadership, and the cost of emotional suppression.

There are seasons in life where it feels like nothing is working —business gets harder, relationships feel heavier, and no matter what you do, it feels like you’re getting hit over and over again.This episode is for anyone who feels like they’re in a storm right now.In this conversation, we talk honestly about:Why life feels heavier than everWhat storm seasons really look like (and why they don’t mean you’re failing)The danger of isolation when you’re strugglingWhy big goals can actually hurt you during certain seasonsHow to stabilize instead of forcing growthThe mindset shift that helps you survive — and eventually healThis isn’t about hustle.This isn’t about pushing harder.This is about acknowledging the storm, protecting your mental health, and learning how to move forward without breaking yourself.If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, discouraged, or questioning yourself — you’re not alone.And this episode might be exactly what you needed to hear.

We need to have an honest conversation: Christmas has quietly become the biggest financial trap of the entire year.Not the meaning… not the faith… but the retail version of Christmas that pressures millions of families to overspend, overextend, and go into debt every December.In this video, I break down why we should seriously consider canceling Christmas — financially — and reclaiming the season from the marketers, retailers, and corporations that hijacked it.Here’s what we cover:

Everyone’s talking about AI…but most people are using it wrong.In this episode, Justin breaks down the real truth about AI, business, and why technology doesn’t fix broken thinking. If you’re hoping AI will magically save your business, your career, or your income — this conversation is the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed.This isn’t about prompts or tools.This is about how winners actually use AI.Justin explains why:AI only amplifies what you already knowPeople without systems struggle the most with AIAI exposes bad thinking instead of replacing itBusiness fundamentals still matter more than toolsThe people winning with AI were already disciplinedAI is leverage — not a shortcutIf you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or professional trying to figure out how AI fits into your future, this episode will save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.Want to build real skills, real income, and real leverage?Join The Morning Meetup — where entrepreneurs learn how to think, not just hustle:

Podathon crew surprises viewers with a $500 live sing-off — and one of the judges is none other than 112’s own Q Parker.This episode turns into pure entertainment as viewers call in, grab the mic, and try their best to sing their favorite 112 classics like Cupid, Peaches & Cream, and more. Some crushed it… others? Not so much

Weddings are supposed to be about love, commitment, and building a life together…So why do they leave so many couples broke, stressed, and in debt before the marriage even begins?In today’s episode, we break down the real truth behind modern weddings — how the industry was engineered to drain your pockets, how marketing rewired our culture, and why most couples are starting their marriage with a financial time bomb.If you’re planning a wedding…If you’ve ever felt pressured to “show out”…Or if you simply want to build a stable future with the person you love…This episode is the reality check you need.In this episode we cover:How weddings became a $70 billion financial trapWhy “tradition” is really just marketing you didn’t know you believedThe diamond ring scam that changed the worldHow the wedding tax rips off young couplesWhy 67% of couples go into debt before the honeymoonThe $45,000 mistake couples pay off for yearsHow debt silently destroys love, trust, and stabilityWhat a financially smart wedding actual

The service industry is entering a major correction — and most entrepreneurs have no idea what’s coming.Across the country, service prices have skyrocketed while customer satisfaction and perceived value have stayed the same. Haircuts, cleaning services, videography, coaching, design, consulting — almost every service-based business is charging more but delivering the same thing.And now the market is pushing back.Customers are cutting expenses. Jobs are being eliminated. Household budgets are shrinking. Subscriptions are getting canceled. Loyalty no longer exists in this new economy.

In this episode, David sits with Harry to decode the exact system behind AI discovery and ranking. They unpack how search actually works under the hood, why most businesses don’t show up when AI scans the web, and the mistakes founders make when they assume talent or a good idea equals visibility.You’ll learn the practical side of authority signals, digital PR, indexing, competitor comparison behavior, and financial reality inside service-based businesses. They also hit the leadership and scaling lessons that come from building teams across borders, managing margins, and making marketing work in a world where AI is the new search engine.

In this solo episode, David breaks down the 10 essential pillars that determine whether you will succeed or fail when you try to build something of your own. He digs into the mindset shift required to bet on yourself, why so many people quit out of fear, and what it really takes to survive the early stages of business when nothing seems to be working.He explains why ideas do not matter without execution, how to spot real problems instead of chasing cool products, and why knowing your audience can make or break your entire plan. David also simplifies the financial side of business such as revenue, cost, profit, margins, and cash flow so you finally understand where your money is going and why you might not be seeing results.You will also learn the importance of marketing, attention, branding, systems, processes, and the network around you. This episode gives you a clear and honest framework for what you must master if you want to go from a job and a dream to building something real.

Usher got burned after loaning $1.7M for a building that was never purchased and the fallout teaches every entrepreneur a major lesson. In this Social Proof episode, David Shands and Donni Wiggins break down the real mistakes behind failed partnerships and the 5 lessons that can protect your money, your relationships, and your business.

Eddie Wilson, entrepreneur, investor, and creator of the Empire Operating System, sits down with Social Proof to break down the blueprint behind scaling, buying, and exiting companies at the highest level.In this episode, he reveals:• How he sold 76 companies in a single year• The Empire Operating System phases: Startup, Perseverance, Viability, Scale, Succession• How he identifies distressed vs. high-opportunity companies• The “Brick” KPI that grows every business• Why the Aspire Tour “loses money” on purpose• How he built a $400M portfolio in under 3 years• How he balances fatherhood and entrepreneurship• Why most founders fail at leadership• His mission to fund orphanages, clean water projects & global educationIf you’re building a business, trying to scale your first million, or want to understand how real private equity plays work — this is required watching.

In this powerful Social Proof episode, host David Shands sits down with Kim Lewis, founder and CEO of CurlMix, the Black-owned natural hair care brand that nearly went bankrupt after raising over $10 million and generating $40 million in lifetime sales.Kim opens up about how she reached a breaking point — with –$18,000 in her account, investors backing away, and a community of loyal customers who’d been with her since Shark Tank. Instead of hiding, she made the bold choice to go public, launching the #ProtectCurlMix campaign: a plea for 20,000 orders by December 31st to keep her factory open and her Chicago team employed.Throughout the conversation, Kim and David unpack what it means to lead transparently under pressure: • Why venture-backed startups can grow fast but still be unprofitable. • The tension between doing good for the community and surviving as a business. • The mental toll of leadership, failure, and staying authentic when everything’s on the line. • How CurlMix customers literally own 50% of th

Millions of Americans are panicking right now as EBT and food stamp benefits are being delayed or cut during the government shutdown.If you’re wondering “how am I supposed to feed my family?” this episode is the answer you’ve been looking for.In this honest and powerful conversation, Donni Wiggins and David Shands share real stories, real numbers, and practical strategies for surviving when the system stops working.From food stamps to financial freedom, this episode is about taking control when everything feels out of your hands.In This Episode:- Donni shares how she rebuilt after hitting rock bottom- David explains the mindset shift that changes everything- Real strategies to make money fast when EBT runs out- How to turn your pain into purposeThis isn’t just motivation. It’s a manual for anyone struggling right now and ready to take control of their future. Whether your benefits were cut, delayed, or you’re just tired of depending on the system, this conversation will show you a way forward.Watch the full e

From 2 Chainz to $500K in Donations — Charlie Jabaley “Delusional” Blueprint for MiraclesBefore the cameras even started rolling, Charlie Jabaley told David Shands something unforgettable:“Something huge is going to happen today.”That moment set the tone for a conversation about faith, delusion, and undeniable action.Charlie breaks down how he manifested a half-million-dollar Hasbro deal, turned a Christmas sweater with 2 Chainz into a $2.1 million viral brand, and why he believes the craziest people often make the biggest impact.This is the real story behind The Most Delusional Man in the Room — how confidence, creativity, and a little bit of “crazy” turned dreams into tangible wins.

Entrepreneurs are obsessed with “working hard”… but what if effort isn’t the problem? What if the real issue is ineffective effort?

The dating industry has been monetizing human connection for centuries — from arranged marriages to Tinder swipes.

It started with Ayesha Curry — but it’s not about her.It’s about anyone who’s ever supported someone else’s dream while feeling unseen.In this episode of The Social Proof Podcast, David Shands and Donni Wiggins dive deep into what happens when one person gets the spotlight — in marriage, business, or friendship — and the other plays the background.You’ll hear:

Most entrepreneurs are building with grind, not leverage.In this episode, we break down how to use business credit the right way to access funding, scale faster, and stop relying solely on your cash flow.You’ll learn:How to structure your business for credit approvalsSteps to qualify for $50K–$100K in funding without a personal guaranteeThe difference between consumer and business credit (and how to protect both)How to turn credit into leverage, not debtReal examples of entrepreneurs who used credit to grow their businessIf you’ve been stuck hustling for cash, this episode shows you how to build credit that funds your dream and your freedom.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Most fans think artists make millions from sold-out arenas—but the truth is, the music industry is built on cuts, fees, and middlemen. Chris Brown flipped the script with a bold $1,000 meet & greet play that turned photos into $4.5M in pure profit.In this video, we break down: