The Banyan Collective

12/11/2025

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Ascent Life Podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7t25ibFaEVPw2rui7OEbhg?si=edce41a45a0c446a
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ascent-life-podcast/id1800541658

Intro:
Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, and be the best version of themselves. That is living an Ascent LifePlease subscribe to the show on YouTube

We begin today with our From The Pages segment - reading from Psycho-Cybernetics, first published in 1960 by author Maxwell Maltz - When it comes to defining SUCCESS, Maltz introduces a handy acronym for us.Sense of direction
Understanding
Courage
Compassion
Esteem
Self-Confidence
Self-Acceptance

“Accept yourself as you are—and start from there. Learn to emotionally tolerate imperfection in yourself. It is necessary to intellectually recognize our shortcomings, but disastrous to hate ourselves because of them.”

Subscribe to Ascent Life: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/

Our guest today is friend, artist, rock climber, and pontificator, Eric Zschiesche

Welcome to Ascent Life,

2011 Climbing Article Bio: https://www.climbing.com/news/eric-zschiesche/

Interview:

Preview the Big 3 Questions: Purpose, Success, Remembered


Let’s begin with your art and when you began producing art and how it helps you express who you are
Do you remember your first time rock climbing and how it felt?
How does rock climbing contribute to your life philosophy?
YouTube videos (Eric Zschiesche)
What is your Definite Major Purpose
How would you define success or living your best life?
What is your biggest fear?
How do you want to be remembered?
Favorite places to climb?
Favorite artists?
The goal is to help as many people as possible live their best life, what advice would you give to yourself to help remind you to live your best life that others may also learn from?



Outro:

Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Ascent Life podcast

If you made it this far in the program, please subscribe on YouTube @ ascentlifenow. For your daily dose of visual inspiration, follow Ascent Life on Instagram.

And, please subscribe to my weekly Ascent Life Newsletter where I share what I learn each week on how to live your best life. Link to subscribe is in the Show Notes.

Thank you for joining me on this journey as we all push towards self actualization through resilience, and adaptability, creating a positive impact on the world —using our “unique ability” to fulfill our purpose, and become the best version of ourselves.

We’ll continue our paths together on the next Ascent Life!

Cheers, and Godspeed

11/06/2025

Time is all we have. It’s more important than money. Find the business or project that needs you most. Find purpose, and live your best life. With 30 years in a niche position of protecting the printing industry Tricia Judge expands on the concepts of finding purpose, helping others, and being remembered as someone who cared for others.

Subscribe to live your best life - Ascent Life Newsletter: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Ascent Life Podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7t25ibFaEVPw2rui7OEbhg?si=edce41a45a0c446a
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ascent-life-podcast/id1800541658

Intro:
Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, find purpose, and become the best version of themselves. That is living an Ascent Life.Please subscribe to the show on YouTube

Wisdom From The Pages: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

Quotes:

- “Your goal in life is to find the people, business, project, or art that needs you the most. There is something out there just for you. What you don’t want to do is build checklists and decision frameworks built on what other people are doing. You’re never going to be them. You’ll never be good at being somebody else.”
- “No one in the world is going to beat you at being you.”
- “Value your time. It is all you have. It’s more important than your money.”
- “You’re going to die one day, and none of this is going to matter. So enjoy yourself. Do something positive. Project some love. Make someone happy. Laugh a little bit. Appreciate the moment. And do your work.”
- “Very smart people tend to be weird since they insist on thinking everything through for themselves.”
- “Whether in commerce, science, or politics—history remembers the artists.”
- “You can get almost anything you want out of life, as long as it’s one thing and you want it far more than anything else.”

I go deeper into what I learn each week learning how to live my best life. Join me on the newsletter.

Subscribe to Ascent Life: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/

Our guest today is friend & friend of the family, attorney Tricia Judge

Welcome to Ascent Life,

Interview:

* Still practicing law? How long?
* When did you decide you wanted to be an attorney?
* How has working in law shaped the way you see people, and the world?
* What is your Definite Major Purpose (Napoleon Hill) / Meaningful Mission (Lewis Howes) / Life’s Task (Robert Greene) / Unique Ability (Dan Sullivan)
* How would you define success or living your best life?
* What drives you?
* What is your biggest fear?
* How do you want to be remembered?

Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Ascent Life podcast

Thank you for joining me on this journey as we all push towards self actualization through resilience, and adaptability, creating a positive impact on the world —using our “unique ability” to fulfill our purpose, our life’s task, and become the best version of ourselves.

We’ll continue our paths together on the next Ascent Life!

Cheers, and Godspeed

10/30/2025

Where to put the X? The importance of knowing your focus.

Subscribe to live your best life - Ascent Life Newsletter: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Ascent Life Podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7t25ibFaEVPw2rui7OEbhg?si=edce41a45a0c446a
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ascent-life-podcast/id1800541658

Intro:
Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, and be the best version of themselves. That is living an Ascent LifePlease subscribe to the show on YouTube

The concept of knowing where to put the X = Knowing what to focus on.

In the book, 10x Is Easier Than 2x, The authors, Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy, recite the fictional story of knowing where to put the X…

Focus on your Unique Ability to 10x your life and expand your four freedoms:

Freedom of Time
Freedom on Money
Freedom of Relationship
Freedom of Purpose


I go into more details and go deeper into what I learn each week learning how to live my best life. Join me on the newsletter - The newsletter is NOT for people who are content, and happy with not improving their life in any way. If that’s you, probably not for you. :)

Subscribe to Ascent Life: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/

Our guests today are Brandyn & Jessica Smith — our first couple on the program. Brandyn is a financial planner with Ameriprise Financial. You can find him at planwithbaxter.com. Friends of The Banyan Collective may have seen Brandyn on the Through the Pines podcast as well.

Jessica is an artist and supportive partner of Brandyn, and we want to dive into how between the two of you, you both live your best lives…

Welcome to Ascent Life,

Interview:


How long have you been married?
How did you meet?
How did you formulate your vision as a couple to live your best life?
What is your Definite Major Purpose (Napoleon Hill) / Meaningful Mission (Lewis Howes) / Life’s Task (Robert Greene) / Unique Ability (Dan Sullivan) - Individually, and as a couple?
How would you define success or living your best life?
What drives you?
What is your biggest fear?
How do you want to be remembered?
Fave bands?
Fave Hobbies?
The goal is to help as many people as possible live their best life, what advice would you give other couples to live their best lives…



Outro:

Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Ascent Life podcast

If you made it this far in the program, please subscribe on YouTube @ ascentlifenow. For your daily dose of visual inspiration, follow Ascent Life on Instagram.

And, please subscribe to my weekly Ascent Life Newsletter where I share what I learn each week on how to live your best life. Link to subscribe is in the Show Notes.

Thank you for joining me on this journey as we all push towards self actualization through resilience, and adaptability, creating a positive impact on the world —using our “unique ability” to fulfill our purpose, our life’s task, and become the best version of ourselves.

We’ll continue our paths together on the next Ascent Life!

Cheers, and Godspeed

10/23/2025

Subscribe to live your best life - Ascent Life Newsletter: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Ascent Life Podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7t25ibFaEVPw2rui7OEbhg?si=edce41a45a0c446a
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ascent-life-podcast/id1800541658

Ep. 21: Formula For Wealth & Living Well with Professional Photographer, Tristan Sadler - The Ascent Life Podcast

Intro:
Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, and be the best version of themselves. That is living an Ascent LifePlease subscribe to the show on YouTube

I would like to revisit Think & Grow Rich. I talk about this book a lot, and for good reason. It literally explains how to use your thoughts to generate wealth. But, there’s a catch. You must act. Persistent action when paired with a definite major purpose and the belief that you can and will be rich, is the magic formula.

Formula for wealth according to Napoleon Hill in Think & Grow Rich:

“Wishing will not bring Rishes. But desiring riches with a state of mind that becomes an obsession, then planning definite ways and means to acquire riches, and backing those plans with persistence which does not recognize failure, will bring riches.”

Six Ways to Turn Desires into Gold:
1. Fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire.
2. Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you desire. (Create value.)
3. Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire.
4. Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.
5. Write out a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it.
6. Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning. As you read—see and feel and believe yourself already in possession of the money.

Subscribe to Ascent Life: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/

Our guest today is friend and photographer, videographer, snowboarder, lover of life & all things good, Tristan Sadler

Welcome to Ascent Life,

Interview:

Preview the Big 3 Questions: Purpose, Success, Remembered

* What is your Definite Major Purpose (Napoleon Hill) / Meaningful Mission (Lewis Howes) / Life’s Task (Robert Greene) / Unique Ability (Dan Sullivan)
* How would you define success or living your best life?
* What drives you?
* What is your biggest fear?
* How do you want to be remembered?
* Fave band?
* Fave board?
* Fave run?


Outro:

Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Ascent Life podcast

If you made it this far in the program, please subscribe on YouTube @ ascentlifenow. For your daily dose of visual inspiration, follow Ascent Life on Instagram.

And, please subscribe to my weekly Ascent Life Newsletter where I share what I learn each week on how to live your best life.

Thank you for joining me on this journey as we all push towards self actualization through resilience, and adaptability, creating a positive impact on the world —using our “unique ability” to fulfill our purpose, our life’s task, and become the best version of ourselves.

We’ll continue our paths together on the next Ascent Life!

Cheers, and Godspeed

10/17/2025

Interview with Utah Safety Council Executive Director, and former small business owner, John Wojciechowski. We talk about leaning into your unique ability and using it to live your best life.
Ascent Life Podcast:

YouTube
Spotify
Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to live your best life - Ascent Life Newsletter: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, and be the best version of themselves. That is living an Ascent Life

I am currently reading 10X is Easier than 2X by Dan Sullivan. It’s a great book

First of all 10X isn’t quantitative, it’s qualitative… very important. 10x isn’t a math equation. It isn’t… if I do 10X of the same thing, I’ll get 10X results. NO. It’s focusing on the 20% that will propel you 10x in life!There is a section in Chapter 3: 10x Embraces abundance and Rejects Scarcity — Get Exactly what you want, Experience Radical Freedom, and Realize Your Unique Ability… Long title, but it’s the “unique ability” part I would like to focus on.So, this episode’s WISDOM FROM THE PAGES:


No one is you… find and focus on your Unique Ability… quotes from 10x


Subscribe to Ascent Life: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/

Our guest today is the Executive Director of the Utah Safety Council, a friend, a client, and a former small business owner, John Wojciechowski

Welcome to Ascent Life, Woj

Interview:


Are you into personal growth/self improvement?
What do you love about being able to impact so many lives in the state of Utah in your current position as Executive Director for the Utah Safety Council?
What did you learn as a small business owner that you were able to apply to the non-profit space
What is your Definite Major Purpose (Napoleon Hill) / Meaningful Mission (Lewis Howes) / Life’s Task (Robert Greene) / Unique Ability (Dan Sullivan)
How would you define success or living your best life?
What drives you?
What is your biggest fear?
How do you want to be remembered?
Fave band
Dream concert lineup alive or dead



Outro:

Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Ascent Life podcast

If you made it this far in the program, please subscribe on YouTube @ ascentlifenow. For your daily dose of visual inspiration, follow Ascent Life on Instagram.

And, please subscribe to my weekly Ascent Life Newsletter where I share what I learn each week on how to live your best life. Link to subscribe is in the Show Notes.

Thank you for joining me on this journey as we all push towards self actualization through resilience, and adaptability, creating a positive impact on the world —using our “unique ability” to fulfill our purpose, our life’s task, and become the best version of ourselves.

We’ll continue our paths together on the next Ascent Life!

Cheers, and Godspeed

09/24/2025

Through The Pines : Ep. 83 - Building Wealth in Retirement

On this episode of Through The Pines we’ll learn how to build wealth in Retirement including…   Diversifying Investments Optimizing Withdrawals Generating Passive Income Minimizing Taxes Controlling Expenses Flexible Work Protecting Against Inflation Managing Healthcare Costs Seeking Profession...

09/17/2025

Through The Pines : Ep. 82 - Financially Supporting Your Adult Kids (When You Should)

On this episode of Through The Pines we’ll dive into how to financially help our adult children How do you see people handle Education expenses for kids or grandkids? When do you see people stop helping their kids with basic monthly expenses? Wedding Expenses? How much do we help with living expen...

09/04/2025

Through The Pines : Ep. 81 - A Millennials Guide to Financial Freedom

On this episode of Through The Pines, we’ll provide a Millennial’s Guide to Financial Freedom   Millennials and Gen Z are navigating a financial landscape marked by high living costs, stagnant wages relative to inflation, and evolving career dynamics (e.g., gig economy, remote work). Recent dat...

08/20/2025

Through The Pines : Ep. 80 - The 5 Money Questions You MUST Ask Your Partner

On this episode of Through The Pines, we’ll discuss 5 questions to ask your partner to ensure you’re on the same page financially…   1. Hypothetical 2. How much $ do you need? 3. What happens if one of us were to die? 4. What happens if one of us is disabled? 5. How do you feel about our curr...

07/31/2025

Ep. 19 - Artist & Sculptor, Austin Casson
Website: https://austincasson.com/

Welcome to Ascent Life LIVE, I’m your host, R. Brandon Long, here with the mission to inspire 1 million people a day to live their best lives, and be the best version of themselves.

That is living an Ascent Life.

For daily visual inspiration, follow Ascent Life on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentlife/

Our guest today is artist, sculptor, friend, Austin Casson - In the past 32 years, Austin's career has successfully crossed a wide range of mediums. His works in bronze, steel, stone and ceramics have been recognized throughout the country including an early bronze that went to President George H.W. Bush.

Austin has works on permanent display at the World Golf Hall of Fame and the California Thoroughbred Hall of Fame. The Fallen Heroes Memorial in Temecula, California is also among his works.

Welcome to the Ascent Life podcast...

Interview:

* Farm raised, Austin's parents were an accomplished craftsman and a gifted artist. "I got my dads hands and my mothers eye.”
* How did you get started in the arts? Did you go to school for the arts?
* What is your most meaningful piece to you that you have created so far?
* This is your retirement?
* Your touring now, so if people would like to see your work, where can they find you in person
* What is your Definite Major Purpose (Napoleon Hill) / Meaningful Mission (Lewis Howes) / Life’s Task (Robert Greene) - Mine: Help 1 Million People a Day Become the Best Version of Themselves by Living an Ascent Life
* How would you define living your best life?
* How do you want to be remembered?

WISDOM FROM THE PAGES: “Be satisfied if you can live the rest of your life, however short, as your nature demands. Focus on that, and don’t let anything distract you.” - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

07/24/2025

Through The Pines : Ep. 79 - Why Save & Invest (We’re just going to die anyway?)

Saving money vs spending money - what are the benefits to both saving & spending?    On this episode of Through The Pines, we talk to two certified financial planning professionals to get their opinion on saving vs spending:       Welcome to a Financial Planning Podcast with a down to earth vib...

07/18/2025

Through The Pines : Ep. 78 - Building Wealth With a Roth IRA

What is a Roth IRA, and How can you use a Roth to build wealth?   On this episode of Through The Pines, we’ll discuss all things Roth IRA’s, including…   Roth vs. Traditional IRA’s What is a Backdoor Roth Contribution? When can you do Roth Conversions? What is a MEGA-Backdoor Roth? Does yo...