Flex Forward
FLEX Forward is a powerful podcast showcasing stories of resilience, reinvention, and rise. Hosted by Nic Espanet, each episode delves into the inspiring journeys of professionals who have overcome obstacles, made bold career pivots, and discovered new paths to personal and financial growth. With a theme of Growth. Grit. Gains., FLEX Forward highlights the determination and adaptability that drive success. Whether it’s bouncing back from setbacks, reinventing one’s path, or climbing to new heights, these conversations prove that every story of struggle and triumph has the power to motivate others. Tune in for real, raw, and relatable stories that will push you to flex forward in your own life.
Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Adam Roberts, co-founder of A&E Investments, to talk about the evolution of his investment journey—from flipping single-family homes to scaling into multifamily, mortgage notes, and oil & gas.
Adam shares insights into what sets his investment firm apart, why transparency and communication are non-negotiables, and how building a consistent "operating rhythm" is essential for success in any market cycle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

5 days ago
5 days ago
In this episode, Nic Espanet sits down with Angel Flores, a multifamily broker deeply rooted in the DFW real estate scene. Angel shares his journey from Navy nuclear program and chemical engineering to building a career in real estate investment and multifamily brokerage.
Angel opens up about what sets him apart from other brokers, how he values relationships over transactions, and his perspective on today's multifamily market—particularly in Dallas and Waco. He also gets personal, talking about helping his son prepare for the Naval Academy and how being a parent is shaping his priorities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

6 days ago
6 days ago
In this insightful episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Eddie DeCurtis, CEO and co-founder of Sush, to explore the future of digital identity and network authentication. Eddie shares how his company is reshaping online security by eliminating outdated two-factor authentication and enabling seamless, secure logins using mobile network data.
Eddie opens up about his entrepreneurial journey—from failures and setbacks to building a thriving startup in under two years. He emphasizes the importance of listening to customers, the power of OKRs for team alignment, and why a solid support system is vital for founders. From his beginnings as a billing analyst to running a high-growth tech company, Eddie’s story is packed with valuable lessons for innovators and leaders alike.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

Friday Dec 26, 2025
Manuel Newburger: Podcast Interview Nic Espanet
Friday Dec 26, 2025
Friday Dec 26, 2025
In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet welcomes Manuel Newburger, Vice President at Barron & Newburger, a law firm specializing in consumer financial services law. With over 42 years of legal experience, Manuel brings a unique perspective from having worked on both the consumer and industry sides of litigation.
Manuel shares his insights on what it means to practice with integrity, the value of being client-centric, and the importance of delivering honest, no-nonsense advice to clients. From representing clients in Supreme Court amicus briefs to working with small and mid-sized businesses at fair, below-market rates, Manuel and his team aim to make quality legal services more accessible.
Listeners will also hear about Manuel’s recommended reads for leadership and negotiation—Extreme Ownership and Never Split the Difference—and how these books have influenced his career and client relationships.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

Thursday Dec 25, 2025
Perry Lunsford: Podcast Interview Nic Espanet
Thursday Dec 25, 2025
Thursday Dec 25, 2025
In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Perry Lunsford, founder of Healthy Insurance Dude, for an honest and high-energy conversation about entrepreneurship, health insurance, and the life lessons that come from failure.
Perry opens up about his unconventional journey into the insurance world, how past business failures shaped his success, and why he believes trust—not insurance—is what he's truly selling. He shares insights into what makes his company different, the role of honesty and transparency in business, and how building a strong internal team culture creates long-term client relationships.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
Deniz Kilic: Podcast Interview Nic Espanet
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
From civil engineering to civil litigation, Deniz Kilic’s career journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Deniz joins Nic Espanet to share how his background in engineering shaped his legal career and why he's passionate about solving problems efficiently—not perfectly. He opens up about immigrating from Turkey, building a life in Texas, and how failure and growth go hand-in-hand.
Deniz also discusses the importance of creative thinking, seeing challenges from multiple perspectives, and how stepping outside your comfort zone can drive real progress. Whether he's mentoring aspiring lawyers or dreaming about launching a nonprofit, his story is full of grit, curiosity, and service.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

Tuesday Dec 23, 2025
Joseph Perlman: Podcast Interview Nic Espanet
Tuesday Dec 23, 2025
Tuesday Dec 23, 2025
In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Dr. Joseph Perlman, a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 40 years of experience, to explore how plastic surgery and regenerative medicine are evolving to meet the needs of today’s aging population. Based in The Woodlands, TX, Dr. Perlman shares insights from his decades-long career, his approach to individualized patient care, and how his practice is setting itself apart in a competitive industry.
Dr. Perlman also dives into why he founded the Texas Institute for Anti-Aging Research, blending cosmetic surgery with hormone therapy, stem cells, peptides, and more. As life expectancy increases, he believes the goal isn't just to live longer—but to live better. Nic and Joseph discuss aging trends, rising healthcare costs, and how patients can take a proactive role in their long-term health.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

Monday Dec 22, 2025
Ryan Mallory: Podcast Interview Nic Espanet
Monday Dec 22, 2025
Monday Dec 22, 2025
What happens when a successful cardiologist steps off the traditional career path to reclaim his time, freedom, and family life? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Dr. Ryan Mallory, an interventional cardiologist and founder of Halftime Freedom, to explore how he's redefined success on his terms.
Ryan shares his transition from a full-time employed physician to a 1099 locums lifestyle—working just 10 to 14 days a month while creating time and financial freedom through strategic short-term rentals and tax-efficient investing. He discusses how he uses geographic arbitrage to maximize income, how he's helping underserved communities, and why autonomy is a key antidote to burnout in medicine.
Whether you're a busy professional looking for better work-life balance or curious about passive income and time freedom, Ryan’s story is packed with actionable insights on mindset, risk-taking, and redefining career success.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

Friday Dec 19, 2025
Alex Gimore: Podcast Interview with Nic Espanet
Friday Dec 19, 2025
Friday Dec 19, 2025
In this powerful episode, Nic Espanet sits down with Alex Gilmore, co-owner of CDR Construction & Roofing, to explore his journey from early struggles to entrepreneurial resilience. Alex opens up about overcoming addiction, supporting a brother through repeated battles with cancer, and navigating financial and legal chaos—all while building a successful construction company from scratch.
Listeners will hear how CDR Construction rose from the ashes of family and financial setbacks, why transparency and customer service are at the heart of their approach, and how Alex’s latest project—a contractor-focused app called Contractor Square—is aiming to build a safer, smarter community in the trades.
This episode is packed with real-world lessons for anyone in construction, entrepreneurship, or simply looking for inspiration to push forward when life gets hard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

Thursday Dec 18, 2025
Scott Bullington: Podcast Interview Nic Espanet
Thursday Dec 18, 2025
Thursday Dec 18, 2025
In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet is joined by Scott Bullington, founder of Integrated Medical Services. With over 30 years of experience, Scott shares what makes his healthcare consulting firm different: a deeply personalized, transparent approach to medical billing and business coaching for medical practices.
Scott discusses the business side of healthcare — from helping doctors realize they’re running a business, not just a clinic, to teaching them to understand financial reports and make smarter decisions. He highlights why meeting clients where they are, with adaptable systems and ongoing coaching, is crucial to success.
The conversation also dives into Scott’s personal journey through entrepreneurship, overcoming self-doubt, and how reading and lifelong learning shaped his mindset as a business leader. Nic and Scott also talk about the importance of passive income, staying focused during life’s difficult seasons, and investing in your business for long-term sustainability.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.







