In this episode of the podcast, Logan Fields sits down with Stefan Ciancio, founder of WebinarKit and Epic Marketing Events, for a candid, high-signal conversation on what it really takes to build momentum in today’s digital landscape. This isn’t theory—it’s a behind-the-scenes breakdown of how Stefan went from mechanical engineer to entrepreneur, how he filled a room for his first major event, and how he’s thinking about the future of AI-driven business models.

The conversation opens with a deep dive into Stefan’s first Epic Webinar Summit—a sold-out event that was not only executed at a high level, but also profitable before it even began. What stands out is the intentionality behind every decision: from leveraging community-driven growth to refining the ticket funnel and focusing on high-integrity speakers. Logan and Stefan unpack what made the event work, and why most events fail before they even get traction.

As the discussion evolves, a central theme emerges: the balance between influence and integrity in marketing. In a world where shortcuts are tempting, Stefan makes a strong case for simplicity and honesty—arguing that today’s market rewards clarity over cleverness. Logan reinforces this with his own approach, emphasizing direct offers and transparent positioning in business.

The episode also explores Stefan’s entrepreneurial origin story, from selling baseball cards as a teenager to building digital products, affiliate funnels, and eventually launching WebinarKit. His journey highlights a key truth: skills compound faster than opportunities. Once you understand how to sell, build, and distribute, the game changes entirely.

From there, the conversation shifts into one of the most important discussions for modern founders: the future of AI in business. Stefan introduces his belief that the next evolution is not AI replacing humans, but rather AI plus expert—a hybrid model where technology scales execution, but trust and experience remain the differentiator. This insight ties directly into both software and service businesses, including Logan’s own evolution with The App Guys.

Beyond business, there’s a strong emphasis on community and real-world connection. Stefan shares how he built local networking events from scratch, scaling from four attendees to over a hundred by simply removing friction and understanding human behavior. It’s a reminder that even in a digital-first world, proximity and shared experiences still matter.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• How to fill and profit from a live event using simple, proven marketing strategies
• Why integrity-driven marketing outperforms manipulation in the long run
• The step-by-step mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur
• How AI is reshaping SaaS, sales, and content creation
• The power of community as both a growth lever and competitive advantage

This episode is packed with actionable insights for founders, marketers, and anyone looking to build something meaningful in today’s landscape. Whether you’re scaling a startup, launching an event, or navigating the shift into AI, the frameworks shared here are practical, relevant, and immediately usable.

To stay connected with Logan Fields and future episodes, follow the podcast on your preferred platform and visit LoganFields.com. For more insights on building and scaling software, check out TheAppGuys.com. If you found value in this episode, share it with someone in your network and leave a review to help the show reach more builders and entrepreneurs.

In this episode of the Logan Fields Podcast, Logan Fields, Founder and CEO of The App Guys, sits down with producer and entrepreneur Megan Mayes for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about the real business of filmmaking. From indie passion projects to $500,000 commercial shoots, this episode explores what it actually takes to build a production company, manage creative talent, and survive in a high-risk, high-stakes industry.

Megan shares her unconventional path into film, starting with childhood movie projects alongside her brother, later attending NYU, and eventually taking the leap to produce her own independent film. What began as artistic curiosity evolved into a disciplined pursuit of mastery. She breaks down how she moved from bartending in New York to producing narrative films and eventually carving out a profitable niche in commercial production.

Logan, coming from the world of startups and software, pushes into the business mechanics behind the glamour. The result is a fascinating contrast between creative instinct and data-driven strategy. Together, they unpack how indie filmmakers approach risk differently than studios, why most big-budget films rely on a volume strategy, and how independent projects demand deeper intentionality and care.

You’ll hear an unfiltered discussion about:

• The difference between indie films and studio productions

• How commercial production budgets actually work

• Managing cash flow, deposits, and net-90 payment terms

• Dealing with high-profile talent and unpredictable personalities

• Why many films never get released

• The realities of set life, long shoot days, and leadership under pressure

One of the most compelling threads in the conversation is the tension between art and economics. Megan explains why she resists writing stories purely for budget constraints, while Logan challenges the industry’s traditional cash flow structure. The conversation moves fluidly between philosophy and practicality, revealing what it really means to operate as both an artist and a CEO.

They also dive into leadership. What happens when a primary actor threatens to walk off set? How do you protect crew morale when tensions rise? Megan shares a powerful story about navigating conflict with empathy while maintaining authority. It’s a masterclass in composure and persuasion.

Beyond film sets and financial models, the episode explores personal growth. Megan discusses coaching, mastery, and why she believes understanding every department on set makes her a stronger producer. Logan draws parallels to building elite teams inside a tech company, emphasizing that whether you’re shipping software or shooting a feature film, culture and clarity win.

You’ll also hear lighter moments, including rapid-fire questions, stories of broken noses, favorite films like The Father, and reflections on storytelling as a tool for empathy. At its core, this episode is about building something meaningful in an industry that doesn’t guarantee outcomes.

If you’re an entrepreneur, creative professional, filmmaker, or startup founder, this conversation offers rare insight into:

• Scaling a service-based business

• Balancing creative vision with profitability

• Structuring production companies for long-term growth

• Surviving volatility in media and entertainment

• Turning passion projects into sustainable careers

This is more than a film discussion. It’s a deep dive into risk tolerance, strategic thinking, and the courage required to create at a high level.

To stay connected with Logan Fields, visit LoganFields.com and TheAppGuys.com. Follow Logan on LinkedIn for insights on technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Logan Fields Podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone building in the creative or startup world. Your support helps amplify conversations with founders, innovators, and creators shaping the future.

In this episode of the Logan Fields Podcast, Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken and Chief Business and Brand Officer at Craveworthy Brands, joins Logan Fields for a wide-ranging conversation on what it actually takes to scale restaurants, protect legacy, and build brands that last. From partnering with Shaquille O’Neal to growing a portfolio that now exceeds $400M in system-wide revenue without venture capital, Josh breaks down the operator mindset behind sustainable growth.

The discussion starts with the origin of Big Chicken, a brand rooted in Shaq’s family history and built as a legacy play rather than a celebrity endorsement. Josh explains why star power might drive first-time traffic, but only disciplined operations, food quality, and guest experience keep people coming back. The stakes are higher when a brand is tied directly to a person’s reputation, and Josh shares what it means to protect that at scale.

Logan and Josh dig deep into why Craveworthy Brands doesn’t operate like traditional private equity, even though it acquires and scales multiple restaurant concepts. Instead of financial engineering, the focus is on hands-on operations, supply chain mastery, and empowering founders who want to grow without losing what made their brands special in the first place. This operator-led approach shows up everywhere, from menu design to labor strategy to how franchises are supported day to day.

A major theme of the episode is the difference between entrepreneurs and franchise operators, and why franchising isn’t for everyone. Josh is candid about why many independent restaurants fail, what founders underestimate about unit economics, and how small decisions, like napkins, sauces, or training systems, can make or break margins at scale. The conversation also explores how technology, data, and AI-driven training are reshaping hospitality without losing the human element that makes great restaurants work.

Throughout the episode, Josh shares stories from his time working with Anheuser-Busch, insights from Bar Rescuealongside John Taffer, and lessons learned from managing complex supply chains where one weak link can collapse an entire operation. The result is a grounded, behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant industry that goes far beyond the food.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

• Building Big Chicken with Shaq as a legacy brand, not a celebrity gimmick

• Scaling to hundreds of millions in revenue without VC or private equity backing

• Why operations, supply chain, and training matter more than hype

• The real economics of franchising and when it does or doesn’t make sense

• How guest experience, data, and AI-driven training intersect in modern hospitality

• Lessons from Bar Rescue, brand turnarounds, and multi-concept growth

This conversation is essential listening for founders, operators, investors, and anyone curious about how brands scale in the real world, where execution beats theory and presence beats spreadsheets alone. Josh’s perspective blends heart, discipline, and clarity, offering insights that apply far beyond restaurants.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to the Logan Fields Podcast for more conversations with builders, operators, and leaders shaping the future of business. You can follow Logan Fields on LinkedIn and visit TheAppGuys.com or LoganFields.com for more content. Share this episode with someone building a brand, leave a review on your favorite podcast platform, and let us know who you want to hear on the show next.