In this solo episode of The Builders Podcast, Matt Levenhagen opens up about the state of his agency and how he's actively positioning for long-term success amidst a rapidly changing world.

From economic pressures like tariffs to the accelerating rise of AI, Matt breaks down how these forces are impacting service businesses—and how he’s turning disruption into opportunity. Instead of reacting with fear, he shares a grounded, strategic framework for expanding offerings, introducing AI and automation, and deepening consulting capabilities—all while staying rooted in his core strengths.

You’ll hear the nuts and bolts of how Matt built and launched new landing pages, repositioned service offerings, and even created a lead-gen funnel using tools like Canva, ChatGPT, Mailchimp, and WordPress—in a matter of hours. But more importantly, he reflects on the first principles behind why he’s doing it all.

If you’re a founder, service provider, or agency owner navigating the same turbulent waters, this is your behind-the-scenes guide to building with intention.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• AI is here—and it’s not just a threat: It’s a powerful tool that agencies can embrace to add value, not replace it.
• Speed matters: When the ground shifts, the builders who move fast are the ones who stay standing.
• Your clients still need you: Business owners want human guidance. Many don’t have the time or skill to implement AI on their own.
• Don't burn it down—build on what works: Unified Web Design isn’t being replaced, it’s expanding with AI-led services and consulting.
• Marketing infrastructure is critical: Even a quick-and-dirty funnel (like the “Three Smart Moves” guide) can plant seeds for future opportunities.
• Community and outreach still win: Reconnecting with your network and engaging in communities is as essential as ever.

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen welcomes Eli Tansman, CEO and co-founder of Cygnostic. With deep expertise in cybersecurity and AI security, Eli shares his journey from military cyber operations to building a global company at the forefront of protecting modern development workflows.

Eli’s story is one of rapid evolution and intentional pivots—shifting from cybersecurity services to product-driven solutions that address the urgent challenges of AI, application, and cloud security. This episode digs into the shift from reactive to proactive protection, emphasizing the importance of building security directly into the development process—before vulnerabilities ever make it to production.

From real-time vulnerability detection to preventing prompt injection attacks on LLMs, Eli outlines how his team is redefining the security blueprint for a fast-moving digital world. He also shares how the reseller model enables startups to scale globally while maintaining localized security standards—without overextending their teams.

Whether you're building with AI, deploying in the cloud, or launching new software features, this episode offers an insider’s look at how to secure it all—intentionally.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Building Security Into Dev Workflows: They integrate integrate real-time vulnerability detection directly into the developer’s workflow—making R&D and security teams true collaborators (“BFFs”).
• AI Security Isn’t Optional: Eli explains how AI introduces new threat vectors—from prompt injections to LLM jailbreaks—and why catching these early is essential for both startups and enterprises.
• Proactive Cloud Security Is the New Standard: Instead of reacting to misconfigurations after deployment, their solutions stop them from ever hitting production—minimizing downtime and long-term risk.
• Specialization as a Competitive Edge: By narrowing focus to AI, application, and cloud security, they stand out in a crowded field—offering startup-friendly, deeply technical, and highly focused protection.
• Global Distribution Through Strategic Partnerships: Eli’s unique reseller model gives cutting-edge security startups global reach while keeping them focused on the U.S. market—bridging innovation with international demand.

In this episode of The Builders, Matt sits down with Dan Bennett, founder of Hot Sauce Video, to explore how creativity, calm under pressure, and strategic reinvention can carry a business through adversity.

From playing in rock bands to helping entrepreneurs shine on video, Dan shares the building blocks of his journey — including how the pandemic pushed him to pivot hard and reimagine everything.

Whether you're an early-stage founder, solo creator, or scaling agency, Dan’s story is packed with practical wisdom for navigating uncertainty and building something that truly sticks.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Face fear with intention — Dan shares how he “played poker with fear” during COVID and found opportunity by leaning into service, not panic.
• Your superpower may surprise you — Authentic feedback from his network revealed that Dan’s calm presence was his greatest asset in a noisy world.
• Rebranding isn’t just about visuals — It’s about aligning your brand with who you’ve become and what truly resonates with your audience.
• Start scrappy, evolve smart — Hot Sauce Video began as a throwaway phrase and grew into a powerful, sticky brand.
• Build systems that suit your brain — From naps to Eisenhower matrices, Dan walks through how he structures his time and energy for sustained creativity.
• Let your clients be the heroes — Dan’s model empowers others to look and sound their best on video, proving that teaching can be as powerful as doing.

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This episode is a blueprint for turning chaos into clarity — and building a business with voice, vibe, and staying power.

In this episode of The Builders, Matt sits down with legendary marketer and webinar strategist Jason Fladlien to discuss the mindset, methods, and AI-fueled magic behind his latest venture — Project Mona Lisa.

From waiting years to adopt AI until it finally delivered real advantage, to architecting offers so good they sell themselves, Jason reveals the first principles behind how he builds. You’ll hear how he’s combining decades of proprietary knowledge with the power of AI to make webinar creation faster, smarter, and more accessible than ever.

Whether you're building digital products, launching a SaaS, or leveling up your marketing game — this episode is a blueprint for playing to win.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Jason waited years to touch AI — and what finally changed his mind
• The origin story of Project Mona Lisa and how it uses AI + proprietary knowledge to deliver advantage
• How Jason builds for demand first before creating supply
• The mindset of only playing games you can win — and how that shapes every decision
• Why A- execution at scale beats A+ perfection when building software
• Real strategies to seed virality, test with live users, and generate proof before a full launch
• The deeper why behind Jason’s drive — and how adversity turned into fuel

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, I sit down with Danielle Hutchinson, Chief Creative Officer at Authors on Mission, to explore how ghostwriting—what she calls angel writing—can help entrepreneurs and business leaders build their authority and brand identity through authorship.

We dig into the practical and personal sides of writing a book when you're a busy professional. From capturing your authentic voice to turning your ideas into a tangible asset that opens doors (think: TED Talks, podcasts, client trust), Danielle shares how partnering with the right team can make the impossible... doable.

She also opens up about her own leap from teaching to ghostwriting, and how freelancing helped her build a successful creative career—tripling her income and working with clients around the world.

Whether you've dreamed of writing a book or just want to amplify your message and credibility, this episode is packed with stories, strategies, and actionable inspiration.

Key Takeaways

• Books build credibility. A book isn’t just a story—it's a business card, a calling card, and a trust-builder.
• Don’t go it alone. Angel writers (ghostwriters) help bring your voice to life while handling the heavy lifting.
• Start small, grow smart. Danielle’s path from Upwork to global clients proves that quality work and relationships go a long way.
• Storytelling is strategy. Your brand's values and message become the backbone of a compelling narrative.
• A book is just the beginning. Leverage it across platforms—YouTube, podcasts, speaking engagements—to keep building momentum.
• Real voice > AI fluff. The best writing is human, intentional, and deeply aligned with your mission.
• Support systems matter. You can’t build something great without the right people in your corner.

In this solo episode, Matt takes you behind the scenes of his entrepreneurial journey—from artist to affiliate marketer to agency founder. Through real stories and personal reflections, he breaks down how experimentation and taking action have shaped every phase of his growth. From launching websites in the early 2000s to dealing with modern shifts like AI replacing client work, this episode delivers a candid look at what it really takes to build and evolve over decades.

Key Takeaways:

• Success rarely comes from a grand vision—it emerges from action, iteration, and feedback.
• Every stage of your business (and life) can be improved through experimentation, whether that’s launching a product or tweaking your website’s design.
• Matt shares how a single guide created for a niche PPC forum led to a full-fledged online business, highlighting the power of relevance and community.
• He reflects on the evolution of his web agency and product brand, Unified, built step-by-step through testing and refinement.
• AI isn’t just a threat—it’s an opportunity. Matt talks about how he’s embracing AI internally, and how it’s shaping his future services and consulting plans.
• Growth is not static—it’s built through continual learning, adapting, and taking small but meaningful actions.

In this solo episode of The Builders, Matt gets real about a turbulent start to 2025 — including client losses, tough contracts, and moments where he seriously considered shutting everything down.

But instead of walking away, he doubled down on what he truly loves: building. Fueled by a renewed passion and a surprising creative partner in Claude AI, Matt shares how he’s finding momentum again — through code, plugins, and clarity of purpose.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

• Claude AI as a coding partner: How Matt’s integrating Claude directly into his development process inside VS Code, transforming the way he works on plugins.
• Unified Plugins reboot: Why he’s prioritizing product development again, starting with Unified Leads and moving toward an AI-powered plugin suite.
• Rediscovering focus and passion: What stepping away from chaos and returning to the craft taught him about staying grounded.
• Diversifying and retooling the business: Lessons learned from recent client changes and how product development fits into long-term sustainability.
• Serving and reconnecting with clients: Renewing energy toward outreach and nurturing existing relationships for more stable growth.

Whether you're a developer, agency owner, or entrepreneur weathering your own storms, this episode is a powerful reminder that sometimes the best move isn’t quitting — it’s building something new.

In this inspiring episode of The Builders Podcast, I sit down with George McGillivray, a true embodiment of lifelong learning and growth. At 78 years old, George has authored two books, proving that it’s never too late to build something meaningful, share your story, and give back to others.

George takes us through his incredible journey — from working at a petrol station, to mastering sales, to becoming a seasoned marketing professional, and eventually, a published author later in life. Along the way, he shares lessons about perseverance, staying curious, and using your experiences to create impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Lifelong learning is essential: No matter your age, you can always learn, grow, and build something new.
• Sales and service skills translate: Building trust, communicating effectively, and serving others are timeless tools for success.
• Writing builds legacy: Capturing and sharing your life experiences helps others and leaves a meaningful footprint.
• Never undermine yourself: Age should never be a barrier to embracing new challenges or pursuing dreams.
• Give back through knowledge: Whether it’s writing, mentoring, or sharing insights, giving back enhances your legacy and impact.

Join us as George shares his heartfelt story and powerful advice for builders, creators, and lifelong learners everywhere. Stay positive, folks, and remember — it’s never too late to start building!