logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2025
29m 30s

Black Ops, Big Money: Insights From Cove...

Mello Studios
About this episode

Daniel Stinson is a U.S. Marine turned intelligence operator with over 4 decades of Special Operations experience. He's worked as a contractor for the US Government, the Dept of Defense, and the CIA in more than 39 countries on missions ranging from capturing terrorists to stopping human trafficking. Most famously, in 2021, Daniel helped lead an effort to evacuate over 17,000 people from Afghanistan at the end of the war.


TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Building the Best Team

02:46 Life as a US Marine and Intelligence Operative

06:01 The Business of Government Contracts

08:53 Leadership and Team Dynamics

11:54 High-Stakes Missions and Experiences

20:48 Negotiating in High-Pressure Situations

25:48 Reflections on Military Movies and Closing Thoughts


Meet me at Home Service Freedom 2025 ⟶ https://homeservicefreedom.com/


Check Out My Social Media:

Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello

Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/

Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/


My other podcast:

Home Service Expert ⟶ https://open.spotify.com/show/4WHQ3ldGThHsP1cfzNF33G


Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions


Learn more about Daniel:

https://www.adventurersclub.org/events/daniel-stinson-call-sign-santa-6-a-dod-cia-contractor-who-was-part-of-saving-15000-afghans-in-2021/


Key Topics

Marine Corps, Government contracting, Business of War, Military Operations, Father Figure, Business of War, Success, Challenging experiences, Dangerous, Life Lessons, Trust, Self-belief, Personal growth, Fate, Opportunities, Commitment, Faith, Purpose, Leadership, Respect, Powerful Figures, Negotiations, High stakes, Cultural Insights, Alliances, Humor, Storytelling, Communication, Loved Ones, Service, Self fulfillment

Up next
Nov 21
How To Earn Trust and Influence According to Renowned Psychologist Robert Cialdini
<p>Robert Cialdini is a world-leading psychologist and bestselling author whose groundbreaking research on the science of influence has shaped modern understanding of persuasion and decision-making. Often called the godfather of influence, he introduced the now-classic principles ... Show More
39m 17s
Nov 14
Why Most Deals Fail with Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary
<p>Kevin O’Leary is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and television personality best known as “Mr. Wonderful” on Shark Tank. Before he became “Mr. Wonderful,” he was building software companies and collaborating with innovators like Steve Jobs — experiences that sharpened his b ... Show More
33m 21s
Nov 7
The Business of Spectacle: Inside Vegas Entertainment with Damian Costa
Damian Costa is a Las Vegas entertainment executive, producer, and entrepreneur shaping the next generation of live experiences on and off the Strip. A former Caesars Entertainment executive turned founder, Damian has led multimillion-dollar productions, developed hit shows, and ... Show More
30m 43s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2024
$1B and Counting: Steve Houghton’s Five Pillars for Living a Truly Wealthy Life
<p>What’s the real cost of building wealth—and how do you stay grounded after achieving it?</p><p>Steve Houghton, a billionaire entrepreneur, has a life philosophy that’s as intentional as his business strategies. From self-made success to crafting a fulfilling personal life, Ste ... Show More
39m 33s
Oct 2024
"I Thought I Had the Midas Touch": How an $80M Success Led to a Major Failure
<p>Can success create a false sense of invincibility? For Pete, it did—and it cost him millions.</p><p>After selling his business for $80 million, Pete felt unstoppable. But his overconfidence led him into a risky venture that didn’t pay off. Determined to prove he wasn’t a one-h ... Show More
38m 16s
Dec 2024
A $2.5B Exit and The Risks Nobody Talks About
<p>What happens when wealth pushes your relationships to the limit?</p><p>Navigating life after a massive financial windfall isn’t easy—it can transform your life, your marriage, and your happiness in unexpected ways.</p><p>Our guest, Chuck, shares his story of selling his compan ... Show More
35m 4s
Sep 2024
"How I quit the hustle to enjoy life”: Getting Off the Treadmill with a $15m Net Worth
<p>How Do You Stop Hustling When You’ve Already Won?</p><p>Laura Roeder told herself that at $5 million liquid she could live the life she wanted and refocus her life on what matters most: living. Unlike a lot of entrepreneurs who get caught up in the game and keep chasing more, ... Show More
41m 5s
Sep 2024
"I didn't have any idea what I was spending:" Nearly Burning Through a $13M Exit
<p>13 million dollars is a lot. But is it enough to retire on?</p><p>For pre-epiphany Ryan Begelman, the answer is no.</p><p>Ryan built his wealth working in the corporate world, then decided to risk it all and bought into Bisnow. That risk paid off, and Ryan made a huge profit. ... Show More
40m 9s
Mar 2025
How Tommy Mello Became a Billionaire Painting Garage Doors (And How He Shares the Wealth)
<p><strong>What does it take to turn a blue-collar business into a billion-dollar empire?</strong></p><p>For Tommy Mello, the answer is simple: relentless competition, strategic investing, and an unwavering commitment to winning. From painting garage doors to building A1 Garage D ... Show More
30m 47s
Oct 2024
$100M Net Worth, $5M Income: How I used money to handle a cancer diagnosis
<p>What’s the true value of money when faced with a life-or-death situation?</p><p>Mitch found out the hard way when his wife was diagnosed with cancer.</p><p>As a highly successful entrepreneur with a net worth of nearly $100 million, Mitch had built a life of financial security ... Show More
45m 30s
Jul 2025
$10M Net Worth. $2.5M Cashflow. No Plans to Exit.
127 founders (net worth: ~$1M–$100M+) opened up their personal books. Want to see how your finances stack up? https://www.joinhampton.com/wealth-reportJay Berard’s never sold a company, but with $2.5M in cashflow and $10M net worth, is he confidence-rich or risk-blind?"Here’s wha ... Show More
43m 52s
Jul 2024
It’s Easy to Spend but Hard to Spend Well
<p>Getting rich at any age is pretty cool. But being rich in your late teens and early 20s? Of course, that’s awesome, but it can be difficult to navigate wealth when you’re basically still a kid.</p><p>That was the case for my buddy, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/awilkins ... Show More
31m 1s
Jan 2024
The Life of an Entrepreneur in 1 Hour - Best Motivational Video for Entrepreneurs | Thach Nguyen
<p>Dive into the compelling world of Thach Nguyen as he shares invaluable insights on wealth, family, and success, urging you to prioritize what truly matters in life, in this riveting video that goes beyond the business of real estate.<br/>---<br/>Want to be coached by me on rea ... Show More
1h 9m