The Sidekick Life

 

The Sidekick Life

The Sidekick Life is the podcast for those ready to stop building someone else’s dream and start owning their own. This isn’t hustle culture. It’s ownership culture — designed to reduce risk and help you build a business that finally lets you live life on your terms.

 

 

Latest Episodes:

Building Wealth Starts with Mindset

Episode 20

Building Wealth Starts with Mindset

1 hour

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen sit down with Paul Ludacka, founder of Ludacka Wealth Partners, to dive deep into the heart and habits behind true wealth. With decades of experience advising top entrepreneurs and families, Paul shares transformative lessons on money, values, legacy, and identity.

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The Truth About Passive Income

Episode 19

The Truth About Passive Income

47 min

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, we dive into the truth behind passive income—and spoiler: it’s not about sipping cocktails on a beach while the money rolls in. Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen, break down the myths, the mistakes, and the mindset shifts you need to build true passive income streams.

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From Soldier to CEO

Episode 18

From Soldier to CEO

1 hour

Matt Hesse built a wildly successful business after leaving the Army, but a deeper calling pulled him toward serving fellow veterans. In this episode, he opens up about identity loss, finding purpose, and building UHP—a groundbreaking school helping veterans transition into new careers and meaningful lives. His story is a masterclass in vision, grit, and the power of serving something bigger than yourself.

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Preserving History and Powering American Jobs

Episode 17

Preserving History and Powering American Jobs

57 min

RT Custer turned a college golf course idea into a premium American-made watch brand, Vortic, by converting antique pocket watches into one-of-a-kind wristwatches. He survived a six-year lawsuit from the Swatch Group and went on to create Colorado Watch Company to scale his mission.

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From Sonic Employee to Multi-Unit Owner

Episode 16

From Sonic Employee to Multi-Unit Owner

54 min

From sweeping floors to scaling 38 Sonic Drive-Ins, Paul Reiser’s journey is the ultimate American dream. He joins Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen to share how his family bootstrapped one of Sonic’s most successful franchise empires.

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The Fastest-Growing Men’s Health Franchise

Episode 15

The Fastest-Growing Men’s Health Franchise

45 min

In this powerful episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen sit down with Evan Miller, founder of Gameday Men’s Health, to explore how a clinical psychologist built one of the fastest-growing franchises in the country. From emotional franchisee stories to the mission of transforming men's health, Evan shares how Gameday became a movement — not just a brand.

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Breaking Bad | Should Have Been a Franchise

Episode 14

Breaking Bad | Should Have Been a Franchise

29 min

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen go head-to-head in a fun new segment called It Should Have Been a Franchise, where they debate which Breaking Bad business concept could thrive as a franchise. Will it be Tyler’s Latin-inspired chicken concept with food trucks or Ryan’s legal services model called "Street Smart Lawyers"? Tune in to hear their pitches, expansion strategies, and heated debate — and watch the full episode to find out which concept takes the crown!

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How a morning routine turned into millions

Episode 13

How a morning routine turned into millions

37 min

Hal Elrod, founder of The Miracle Morning, shares how he turned adversity into a global movement that helps millions start their day with purpose. Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen dive into his journey, uncovering key habits, resilience strategies, and business insights for success.

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Winning Beyond Sports

Episode 12

Winning Beyond Sports

57 min

Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East share their journey from elite athletes to successful media entrepreneurs, balancing business and family life. They discuss challenges, growth, and the power of authenticity. Plus, a fun game of "Who Is?" reveals their quirks and competitive sides!

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Stop Overthinking, Start Winning with Josh Skolnick

Episode 11

Stop Overthinking, Start Winning

57 min

Fear and indecision keep many entrepreneurs from reaching their full potential. In this episode of The Sidekick Life, franchise mogul Josh Skolnick shares how taking action—despite uncertainty—led him to build multiple successful businesses. Learn how to shift your mindset, overcome fear, and make bold moves that drive real success.

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Leading Franchise Owners to Success

Episode 10

Leading Franchise Owners to Success

57 min

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Jeff Dudan, CEO of Homefront Brands, shares his journey of scaling businesses, supporting franchisees, and thriving in recession-resistant industries. From young entrepreneur to leader of multiple brands, Jeff reveals how leadership, clarity, and collaboration drive success.

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How to Conquer Fear and Burn the Boats

Episode 9

How to Conquer Fear and Burn the Boats

39 min

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan Zink delivers an inspiring presentation at SKIP Summit, highlighting the power of overcoming fear, embracing resilience, and guiding franchise owners toward life on their terms. From personal anecdotes to game-changing strategies, Ryan emphasizes the importance of leadership, momentum, and the "burn the boats" mindset for achieving success in franchising and beyond.

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Should MrBeast Burger Have Been a Franchise?

Episode 8

Should MrBeast Burger Have Been a Franchise?

30 min

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, we explore the rise and challenges of MrBeast Burger, the viral ghost kitchen concept by YouTube icon MrBeast. Could franchising have solved its operational struggles and food quality issues? Tune in to uncover valuable lessons for entrepreneurs navigating the complex world of food franchising.

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AI’s Impact on Franchising and Job Roles with Dan Monaghan

Episode 7

AI’s Impact on Franchising and Job Roles with Dan Monaghan

29 min

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, franchise visionary Dan Monaghan explores how AI is transforming franchising and business, offering insights on leveraging hidden data, overcoming fear, and preparing for an AI-driven future.

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Around the Horn: Franchising, Influencers, and VR Adventures

Episode 6

Around the Horn: Franchising, Influencers, and VR Adventures

26 min

In this special episode of The Sidekick Life, we debut "Sidekick Around the Horn," featuring lively debates on franchising's hottest trends. Join us as we dive into private equity acquisitions, celebrity influencers, vegan franchise concepts, and the future of virtual reality in the industry.

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How To Overcome Fear and Live Your Best Life Michelle Poler

Episode 5

How To Overcome Fear and Live Your Best Life Michelle Poler

40 min

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, we talk with Michelle Poler, founder of Hello Fears, about her viral 100 Days Without Fear project and how it inspired a global movement to overcome fear and embrace potential.

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Building Your Dream Life Through Content Creation with Morgan Rasmussen

Episode 4

Building Your Dream Life Through Content Creation with Morgan Rasmussen

39 min

This episode of The Sidekick Life explores the inspiring journey of Morgan Rasmussen, a clean beauty leader and entrepreneur, as she and her husband, Tyler Altenhofen, share how intentional living, bold pivots, and a “life by design” philosophy have fueled their business success and enriched their family life.

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Building a Billion-Dollar Business with Suneera Madhani

Episode 3

Building a Billion-Dollar Business with Suneera Madhani

30 min

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, we sit down with Suneera Madhani, founder of Stax Payments and Worth AI, as she shares her journey from launching a billion-dollar company to empowering small businesses with tools for success, all while balancing family life and her passion for supporting female entrepreneurs.

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Creating SUPERHERO Salespeople with Jeremy Miner

Episode 2

Creating SUPERHERO Salespeople with Jeremy Miner

30 min

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, we sit down with Jeremy Miner, founder of 7th Level, one of the fastest-growing sales training companies. Jeremy shares insights on using human psychology to elevate sales, helping clients solve problems collaboratively instead of just making a pitch. 

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Find Purpose in Entrepreneurship with Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen

Episode 1

Find Purpose in Entrepreneurship with Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen

25 min

In the debut episode of The Sidekick Life, the hosts redefine self-interest as a powerful motivator in entrepreneurship. Through personal stories, they reveal how solving problems for others leads to both success and a fulfilling life. This podcast celebrates entrepreneurs who make an impact while building a life on their own terms.

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