Flex Forward

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Brady Stevenson, Head of Talent Acquisition at Virta Health. Brady shares his inspiring journey from joining Virta as one of its early team members to helping grow the company from 50 to over 1,000 employees. With a mission to reverse type 2 diabetes and obesity through nutrition, Virta Health is changing the way we approach chronic illness—and Brady gives us an insider look at how they do it.
We dive into Virta’s groundbreaking “fee-for-outcomes” model, why adaptability is key in high-growth companies, and how personal growth has shaped Brady’s career. From prediabetes to GLP-1 alternatives, the conversation offers valuable insights for anyone passionate about health, leadership, or professional growth.
 
 
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Nic Espanet sits down with Chandler Hunt, owner of Sentinel Canine and Delta Autos, to unpack what it takes to launch and grow successful businesses in two very different industries. Chandler talks about the lessons he’s learned from the military that help him run high-efficiency operations. He shares practical advice on customer service, managing logistics, building passive income, and overcoming the kind of hurdles that can sink a business.
This episode is packed with insights for aspiring entrepreneurs—especially those looking to sharpen their focus, get organized, and scale their operations with a service-first mindset.
 
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In this episode, host Nic Espanet sits down with Stephen Curry, founder of Endurance Advisory Partners and a seasoned banking executive. With a career spanning mergers, acquisitions, digital banking, and executive leadership at institutions like Bank of America, Gateway, and Beal Bank, Stephen shares how embracing personal risk and change opened doors to new opportunities.
Listeners will hear Stephen’s take on:
What set him apart in a competitive field
Why embracing change became his mantra
Advice on pivoting in business and finding overlooked opportunities
How nature and mindset helped him overcome major life challenges
His thoughts on passive income and future plans in banking and staffing
This conversation offers powerful lessons for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating change in their career.
 
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.