Living Vision with Aaron Velky

Phil Vella helped grow Cisco’s WebEx division into a $5 billion machine. He had the title, the power, the money. Then he walked away, no team, no plan, no identity. In this raw and uncomfortable conversation, Phil opens up about the dark side of success, the brutal transition into the unknown, and how he rebuilt his life from the ground up.We talk fatherhood, purpose, identity loss, self-destruction, and why men often wait until it's too late to change. If you’re building your empire but feeling disconnected or hollow behind the scenes, this one is going to hit hard.In this episode:The crash after leaving a billion-dollar roleWhy “the exit” isn’t what you think it isRebuilding identity without a titleFatherhood, faith, and facing yourselfBuilding a mission-driven company from the ashesThis isn’t just about business. It’s about becoming the man you're meant to be.Subscribe for more real conversations with high-level leaders navigating the next chapter of life.Connect with me www.aaronvelky.com

Are you actually being strategic, or just reacting to stress?In this episode of The Living Vision Show, myself and Marty unpack what most entrepreneurs get wrong about strategy, and how fear, reactivity, and scarcity often masquerade as smart decision-making.If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or constantly firefighting in your business, this is for you.What you'll learn:- Why “movement” isn’t the same as progress- The 3 hidden states keeping you stuck- How to tell if you’re making decisions from fear- What real strategic thinking looks like, and how to get thereWhether you’re leading a startup, scaling a team, or navigating a tough season, this episode will help you think clearly, lead better, and move with purpose.

Taylor Swift is more than pop culture. She is a living playbook for growth, resilience, and scaling yourself without clones. In this episode, Aaron and Marty break down the “messy middle” that Swift publishes through her albums and tours, and translate it into practical frameworks for founders, creators, and CEOs. From identity shifts to operational scale, from public evolution to repeatable delivery, this is a masterclass in reinvention you can apply to your business today.What you will learn:How to navigate the gap between where you are and where you want to beWhy showing your process can build trust and momentumLessons from touring scale, logistics, and delivering the same product with excellenceUsing doubt as a tool and asking better questions to unlock growthLeadership that evolves in public instead of pretending to have all the answersChapters:0:00 Why Taylor Swift models the messy middle0:41 Dating an NFL star and navigating new arenas1:13 Internet reaction and the Swifties effect1:50 Swift as a business case for entrepreneurs2:08 Reinvention and the gap to your next level3:30 Headlines vs what leaders should notice4:54 Composure, hardship, and resiliency5:19 Publishing the messy middle through albums7:34 Touring scale and delivering consistency9:13 Scaling yourself without clones10:18 Avoiding the weeds and building operators12:16 Getting good by being bad first13:03 Not every song is a hit and why that is okay14:02 Public evolution and protected private life15:58 Narrative identity and reframing16:52 Telling the story of where you are going18:05 Fear, commitment, and getting stuck in the middle19:31 Beliefs, identity, and freefall20:13 The self doubt loop founders face21:35 Programs evolve and so should you22:39 Doubt as a tool and better questions23:27 Blank Space and perspective shifts24:44 Why artists change the world26:21 Evolving as a leader with your team27:51 Optics, imperfection, and real leadership29:12 Getting people from A to BIf you found this helpful:Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, mindset, and sustainable growthShare this episode with a founder who feels stuck in the middleComment your biggest takeaway and the next brave step you will take

In this powerful episode of The Living Vision Show, host Aaron Velky sits down with master storyteller and presentation coach Kyle Gray for a true masterclass on authentic communication, storytelling for visionary leadership, and turning personal struggle into magnetic influence.Kyle shares how stories shape vision, build authority, and create deep emotional connection whether you’re leading a team, growing a business, or just trying to be seen. From the boardroom to bedtime stories, this episode reveals the human power behind every effective message.What We Talk About:How storytelling builds trust and authorityTurning shame and pain into influenceVision casting through emotional narrativeThe #1 mistake high achievers make when communicatingWhy your personal story is your greatest assetReal-life storytelling frameworks from a world-class coach🔥 Whether you're a CEO, an entrepreneur, or someone who wants to connect more deeply with others, this episode will change how you think about your story forever.🌐 Website: https://www.thestoryengine.co

In this episode of The Living Vision Show, Aaron Velky and Marty Nocchi discuss the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. This is not a political debate. It’s a deep dive into the reality of leadership, risk, and responsibility in a time where speaking out can come at the highest cost.They explore what it takes to share your beliefs publicly, the fear leaders now face, and the pressure of building a movement in a culture that often punishes strong opinions.Whether or not you agreed with Charlie Kirk, this moment reflects a bigger truth about leadership, courage, and silence.What you'll learn:The personal cost of public leadershipWhy more leaders are choosing silenceHow to build psychological safety for your teamThe risks of visibility in the digital ageWhat real courage looks like in leadership todayIf you lead a team, own a business, or are building a platform, this conversation will challenge how you think about influence and impact.Subscribe to the show for more honest conversations about leadership and vision.

Most people chase retirement and postpone life. Derek Coburn says that plan backfires. In this Living Vision conversation with Aaron Velky, we break down the un-retirement movement, purpose vs happiness, $50,000 moments, and how to enjoy life now while still playing the long game.In this episode:- Why traditional retirement leaves people empty- Work longer by choice so you can live better today- Purpose beats “personal happiness” for health and longevity- The fun recession and how to fix it- The $50,000 moments you’re missing with family- A practical money shift that frees time todayWant to connect with Aaron? - www.living.vision

You’ve built the business. You’re chasing bigger goals. On paper, it all looks like success.But behind the scenes? Your relationships are strained. You're burned out. And you're wondering why it still feels... empty.In this episode, we expose the hidden cost of the arrival lie, the belief that happiness comes after the next milestone.We’ll show you why the pursuit of more can quietly destroy the very things that matter most: your family, your health, and your peace of mind.If you’ve ever said "I’ll fix that when I make more" or "I’ll slow down when I get there," this is your wake-up call.

If your calendar is overloaded, your team depends on you for everything, and time off doesn’t feel like rest, this episode is for you.We’re talking about the shift from being the one who does everything to becoming the one who designs the system. You’ll learn how to step out of the weeds, break free from burnout, and build a business that can grow without your constant involvement.In this episode, we cover:• How to know if you’ve outgrown your role• What “the tunnel” is and how to recognize it• The real reason your breaks don’t feel like breaks• The mindset shift from doing to designing• A simple framework to delete, automate, or delegate• Why visionary leadership starts with stepping backIf you’re serious about scaling with clarity and building a business that doesn’t rely on your every move, don’t miss this one.Want the free FOCUS tool mentioned in this episode?DM “FOCUS” on Instagram [@aaronvelky]