Determined Society with Shawn French | Adversity & Mindset

Karlton Dennis, CEO and founder of Tax Alchemy, enrolled agent, author, and tax strategist, joins The Determined Society for a powerful conversation on taxes, wealth building, identity, entrepreneurship, and the strategy behind keeping more of what you earn.

In this episode, Shawn French and Karlton discuss the life pivot that took him from football to business, the identity shift that came with leaving the athlete stage, and the IRS letter that pushed him into the tax world. Karlton shares how working inside his mother’s firm helped him understand the power of tax planning and why most people overpay simply because they wait too long to think about taxes. He also breaks down the difference between a tax accountant and a tax strategist, how he built a massive online platform through YouTube and Google Trends, and why true wealth building requires more than earning money. It requires education, planning, and the willingness to take responsibility before the bill arrives.

This conversation is about more than taxes. It is about reinvention, failure, financial awareness, ownership, and the determination to get back up stronger every time life redirects you. The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who
refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore
the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless
pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

 

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this
episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and
leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

On The Determined Society, authentic conversations and hard questions separate growth from stagnation. Ben Swann—journalist, truth-seeker, and cultural disruptor—sits down with Shawn French to explore why asking difficult questions takes real discipline, how breaking norms demands determination, and what happens when you refuse to accept surface-level answers. Discover the mental strength it takes to challenge the status quo and the resilience required to stand by your convictions. Perfect for anyone tired of shallow discourse and ready to dig deeper.

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jake "Brutal" Bostwick grew up surrounded by violence in Southeast London. Now a bare-knuckle champion, he reveals how adversity and overcoming failure became his greatest assets. In this raw conversation, Jake shares the discipline techniques, mindset shifts, and unforgiving lessons that transformed survival instinct into elite fighting performance—and why loss was never the end.

Connect with Jake Bostwick: 

Instagram:

 https://www.instagram.com/brutalbostw...

Connect with Shawn:

https://link.me/shawnmf32

 Subscribe to our newsletter for all updates and heavy doses of DETERMINATION: 

https://thedeterminedsociety.com

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this new episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Tyrese Gibson and Cody Walker for a heartfelt conversation on FuelFest, Paul Walker’s legacy, Reach Out Worldwide, cars, music, community, faith, family, and what it means to build something bigger than yourself. Tyrese and Cody open up about the mission behind FuelFest, a global celebration of car culture, music, motorsports, and human connection. What started as a simple idea has grown into an international movement that brings people from every background together while helping support Reach Out Worldwide, the disaster relief organization founded by Paul Walker. Cody reflects on honoring his brother’s heart, continuing the work Paul cared deeply about, and helping carry that torch forward after his passing. Tyrese shares powerful thoughts on purpose, discipline, faith, legacy, and the responsibility to empty yourself of every dream and vision while you are still here.

 In this episode, we dive into:

• The story and mission behind FuelFest 

• Honoring Paul Walker’s legacy through action 

• How Reach Out Worldwide continues Paul’s heart for helping people

 • Why cars and music bring people together across cultures 

• Building a global community through passion and purpose 

• Cody Walker’s journey after losing Paul 

• Tyrese Gibson on faith, determination, and doing something with your life 

• Why you do not need to have everything figured out to start

 • The power of showing up, failing, learning, and moving forward

 • Creating experiences that impact people far beyond the event This is more than a conversation about cars, movies, or music. 

It is a conversation about legacy, brotherhood, purpose, service, and the determination to create something that continues to impact the world.

 • Connect with Shawn: https://link.me/shawnmf32 

• Subscribe to our newsletter for all updates and heavy doses of DETERMINATION: https://thedeterminedsociety.com 

 

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this inspiring episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Chad Willardson, founder of Pacific Capital, six-time author, husband, father of five, and one of the most respected voices in wealth management and leadership. Chad shares the courageous decision that changed his life forever, walking away from a successful career at Merrill Lynch with no safety net to build a company rooted in integrity, purpose, and people over profits. Today, Chad Willardson manages more than $1.5 billion in assets, but Chad reveals that his greatest success has never been measured by money. From overcoming fear and rejection to building elite teams, protecting company culture, prioritizing family, and turning down millions to stay true to his values, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone determined to build a meaningful life. 

• Connect with Shawn: https://link.me/shawnmf32

•Subscribe to our newsletter for all updates and heavy doses of DETERMINATION: https://thedeterminedsociety.com 

• Subscribe on Apple/Spotify: — Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... — Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkL... 

 

 

The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.