Flex Forward

What does it take to build wealth through passive investing while balancing risk and reward? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, Nic sits down with seasoned investor and entrepreneur Sandhya Seshadri, founder of Engineer Capital, to explore how she built her portfolio across multifamily real estate, oil, and stocks.
Sandhya shares her journey from immigrating to the U.S. with just two suitcases and a tight budget to managing multimillion-dollar assets. She explains why passive income is powerful, how conservative investing strategies can protect you during market shifts, and what sets her apart as an operator in the competitive world of multifamily real estate.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Derrick Johns, a former Marine turned medtech entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas. Derrick shares the journey behind founding Diffusion Technologies, a company developing revolutionary biomaterials like ZFuse—designed to overcome chronic inflammation caused by traditional implant materials like titanium and stainless steel.
Derrick opens up about starting his company during the 2009 financial crisis, funding it with the help of surgeon friends, and even selling a car to make payroll. The episode dives into how his team’s grit led to a 93.4% spinal fusion success rate in just 6–8 months—far outperforming industry norms.
He also explains exciting future applications for ZFuse, from breast implants to hernia mesh, and the science behind how their technology avoids rejection by the immune system. You’ll also hear his thoughts on resilience, overcoming hospital contracting hurdles, and the book that’s helped guide him through some of the toughest battles: The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, Dr. Cristin Dickerson, founder of Green Imaging, shares how she went from avoiding the business side of healthcare to running a nationwide imaging network that serves over 2.5 million health plan members. She reveals how a sudden spike in MRI prices inspired her to create a cost-saving solution, and how her unique partnerships with imaging centers have set Green Imaging apart.
Dr. Dickerson also opens up about leading through major challenges—like the COVID-19 shutdowns and the sudden loss of a business partner—and the role of family, faith, and resilience in her journey. We discuss passive income strategies, the future of healthcare access, and her upcoming plans to launch new self-service pricing tools for patients.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Sheldon Krancher, a pioneer in the aligner orthodontics industry. With nearly two decades of experience, Sheldon has played a transformative role in shaping the future of dental and orthodontic care.
Sheldon shares how his journey led him to identify a major gap in aligner-based treatments—clinical diagnosis—and how his company, Clear Forward, now serves thousands of dentists and orthodontists around the world. He explains the unique niche his company fills, offering virtual co-diagnosis and optimized treatment planning that bridges the gap between aligner manufacturers and general dentists.
From lessons in entrepreneurship and persistence, to his upcoming international lecture tour and efforts to redefine how the dental industry views malocclusion, this episode is packed with wisdom, innovation, and insight into the evolving landscape of healthcare and dental tech.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, Jason Surat shares how his career evolved from the corporate world and short-term rentals into owning and operating large multifamily properties. He talks about his early days in sales, his transition into fix-and-flip projects, and why short-term rentals became his gateway to bigger deals.Jason also breaks down what sets him apart as an operator, from disciplined budgeting to his deep understanding of underwriting and risk analysis. You’ll hear valuable insights on building a network, using mentorships to accelerate your learning, and leveraging retirement funds for passive real estate investing.Whether you’re new to real estate or looking to scale, this conversation is packed with practical advice and hard-earned lessons.
 
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What if the future of space travel relied on oceans—not just Earth’s oceans, but ones hidden beneath the icy surfaces of moons orbiting Jupiter and Saturn? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Paul Mamakos, founder of Space Ocean Corp, to explore the innovative concept of harvesting extraterrestrial water for space exploration.
Paul shares how his journey—from studying nuclear engineering and aviation, to health food manufacturing, to mergers and acquisitions—led him to pursue his passion for space. He explains the critical role of in-situ resource utilization, the business strategies that power Space Ocean Corp, and why building a strong team and board is essential for success.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Jesse Dishaw, founder of “Your Water Guy” and a serial entrepreneur in the water filtration space. Jesse shares how a shocking water test led him to co-found Living Water Systems, scale it to millions in revenue, and eventually launch his own affordable water filtration company. Learn how Jesse is shaking up the industry by offering whole-house water filtration systems at a fraction of the typical cost.
From door-to-door sales strategies to leadership lessons, this episode is packed with practical insights for business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in personal development. Jesse also talks about mindset, non-negotiables, and the importance of health in building long-term success.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with real estate investor and entrepreneur Lane Kawaoka. Lane shares how he transitioned from being a civil engineer to building a multifamily investment business and founding his company, The Wealth Elevator.
Lane opens up about his early real estate journey—starting with single-family homes and eventually moving into multifamily syndications and private equity. He reflects on the challenges of operating in today’s market with rising interest rates, taxes, and insurance, and how adaptability and self-awareness have been critical to his success.
Listeners will hear about:
Lane’s shift from W-2 employee to full-time investor
Why he embraced multifamily real estate and private equity
Insights on EOS, the Visionary vs. Integrator roles, and leadership growth
Real-world strategies for staying resilient in tougher markets
How Lane identifies and leans into his strengths while delegating the rest
 
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On this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with long-time friends and seasoned real estate investors, Phyllis and Ken Salverson. With decades of success in corporate America—Phyllis in high-level government tax management and Ken in IT and vendor management—they share how they transitioned into multifamily real estate investing later in life.
Ken and Phyllis dive into their journey of self-education, mentorship, and finding focus in an overwhelming industry. From learning the ropes of multifamily investing to becoming valued voices in their investment group, they offer a blueprint for making big moves, even after retirement.
You'll hear how Rich Dad Poor Dad shaped their financial mindset, why building a team is key to success, and how investing has enriched both their finances and lifestyle—including plenty of time for travel and life by the lake.
Whether you're just getting started or thinking it’s “too late,” this episode is filled with inspiration, clarity, and practical advice from two people who prove it’s never too late to Flex Forward.
 
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In this inspiring episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, we sit down with John Kirk, a former college and arena football player, forest firefighter, gym manager, car salesman, and now Inside Sales Manager at a nationwide roofing company. John's journey is anything but traditional, and it’s packed with lessons in perseverance, adaptability, and pursuing what matters most—family, freedom, and fulfillment.
John shares how a temporary job selling gym memberships unexpectedly launched a successful sales career, leading him through personal training, car finance, and ultimately into the roofing industry. His story highlights the value of customer service, smart financial planning, and not being afraid to pivot when the time is right.
He also opens up about the role of self-directed IRAs, the importance of learning from others, and the impact of books like The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews.
Whether you're looking to grow in sales, explore new income streams, or just need a motivational push, this episode is for you.
 
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