Flex Forward

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.
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Greg Roberts, founder of Funding Your Way, to discuss how he's helping business owners access capital—especially when banks say no. Greg breaks down how his agency supports both startups and established companies, dives into the niche of business expense reduction, and shares why the human side of lending is what drives him most.
 
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Steve Patrick, CEO of Level the Playing Field LLC, to dive into the complex world of insurance claims — and how contractors can negotiate better outcomes for their clients.
With nearly three decades in the industry, Steve shares his journey from paramedic to contractor, to claims adjuster, and finally to educator and entrepreneur. His mission? Training contractors to handle even the most difficult claims adjusters with confidence, professionalism, and most importantly, the right mindset.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Kyle Shafer, founder of Zera Music Company, to explore how passion for music and a heart for transformation led to building a thriving business from the ground up.
Kyle shares how his journey from a music education student to entrepreneur began with a desire to elevate both students and instructors. He dives into the challenges of launching a business with no formal background in business, the growth of his in-home and online music lesson service across DFW, and his company’s commitment to a singular, effective teaching philosophy.
 
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