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  • "On redefining success once you stop chasing a finish line"

    Success isn't the finish line—it's the beginning of a more intentional life. David Phelps sits down with entrepreneur, author, and Dream Business Mastermind founder Jim Palmer to discuss purpose beyond business, redefining retirement, creating time freedom, and why the best chapter of life begins when you stop waiting for someday.

    Connect with Jim
    Website - https://www.getjimpalmer.com/
    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-palmer-dream-business-coach-900a75/

    Get David Phelps’ Book - https://exitoptional.com
    Join David Phelps' Workshop - https://www.freedomfounders.com/freedom-number-method-workshop/

    Timecodes:
    00:00 – Life After Success
    02:09 – Redefining Retirement
    09:15 – Finding Purpose Without Pressure
    13:11 – Lessons From Slowing Down
    20:50 – Identity Beyond Business
    25:07 – Advice for Your Younger Self
    27:49 – Stop Waiting for Someday
    31:21 – Health, Energy & Longevity
    35:14 – Money, Marriage & Meaning
    39:54 – Today Is Someday

  • "A Wall Street insider on choosing temperament over intelligence — and how your best business instincts work against you"

    Successful business owners often become poor investors for one simple reason—they bring the wrong mindset. David Phelps sits down with investor and author David Leiter to unpack timeless investing principles, avoid costly mistakes, manage emotions through market cycles, and build lasting wealth through productive assets instead of hype.

    Episode Links:
    David Leiter's website - https://www.theultimateinvestor.com/
    Pre-order David Leiter's book - https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Making-Stupid-Investments-Wealth/dp/1394377657
    Get David Phelps’ Book - https://exitoptional.com
    Join David Phelps' Workshop - https://www.freedomfounders.com/freedom-number-method-workshop/

    Timecodes:
    00:00 – Why Smart People Make Bad Investments
    03:16 – Business Success vs Investing Success
    09:24 – Evaluating Private Investment Deals
    15:12 – Hype, Ego & Investment Scams
    19:48 – The Power of Long-Term Compounding
    23:57 – Real Estate Lessons & Market Cycles
    31:39 – Debt, Risk & Protecting Wealth
    37:03 – Investing vs Speculating
    40:22 – Today's Biggest Investment Mistakes
    45:35 – Building Real Wealth That Lasts

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  • Mike Capuzzi—entrepreneur, author, publisher, and host of the Unstoppable After 50 podcast—shares what happens when success stops being about building more and starts being about living better. This candid conversation explores purpose, family, health, relationships, and why the second half of life may be the most meaningful chapter yet.

    Episode Links:

    Get David Phelps’ Book - https://exitoptional.com

    Connect with Mike Capuzzi:
    Website - https://mikecapuzzi.com/
    Unstoppable After 50 Podcast - https://unstoppableafter50.com/

    Timecodes:
    00:00 – Intro
    02:41 – What Am I Building It For?
    06:53 – Building a Business That Has Value
    09:56 – The Real Definition of Wealth
    16:50 – Health, Fitness & Longevity After 50
    22:13 – Why Relationships Matter More Than Ever
    29:07 – Marriage, Family & Life Transitions
    33:04 – Timeless Advice for Younger Generations
    34:12 – The Biggest Mistakes After 50
    36:18 – Finding Purpose Beyond Success

  • "A Comfort Zone Is a Lie You Sell Yourself"

    In this conversation, David and Patrick get into what actually separates good decision-makers from poor ones — and why the moment you feel most certain is often the moment you're most exposed.

    They unpack why elevated emotion gives a false signal of clarity, why indecision is itself a decision you're responsible for, and why you can't hold control over your life without owning the outcomes that come with it.

    From there the conversation turns to the next generation: what feels fundamentally different for young people today, why struggle and friction are the very things we've engineered out of modern life, and what it costs to protect people from the hard things that actually build them.

    And underneath all of it sits the question: when the ground keeps moving and certainty is gone, where does real stability actually come from?

    It's a conversation about decisions, ownership, and the difference between standing still and standing your ground.

    Patrick Precourt is an investor, author, and onetime rugby player and fighter. He bought his first property at 25 and went on to close more than 1,000 deals before helping build the real estate education company FortuneBuilders. Then he walked away from it to study human behavior — and now helps entrepreneurs get unstuck and reach goals they'd written off as impossible.

    Episode Links:

    Get David Phelps’ Book: https://exitoptional.com

    Connect with Patrick Precourt:

    Website — patrickprecourt.com
    Instagram — @patrickprecourt (instagram.com/patrickprecourt)
    Facebook — facebook.com/patrickprecourt

    Conversation Highlights:

    01:06 — The decisions that actually shape a life — career, marriage, scaling, partnering, selling, leaving

    02:45 — What separates good decision-makers from poor ones

    04:12 — Why feeling certain makes you most vulnerable, not most powerful — the adrenaline trap

    05:26 — Rehearsing decisions before the pressure hits

    07:17 — Is it permanent or reversible? Why the cost of delay can outweigh a wrong call

    09:45 — You can't separate the power from the responsibility

    10:14 — Making the right decision and still getting the wrong outcome

    13:02 — The next generation: what feels fundamentally different for young people today

    15:57 — Does everyone need college? AI as leverage, not replacement

    20:09 — The case for gap years, skin in the game, and why we delay kids "adulting up"

    25:31 — The harder truth about parenting: protecting kids from the struggle that builds them

    28:11 — The paradoxical comfort zone — trading fulfillment for a false sense of safety

    29:47 — Why we bury our heads when the next mountain appears

    30:47 — Ownership and agency: "if you don't own it, you can't control it" — even in a W-2 role

    33:00 — Change the system, not the person — why mediocre output is a system operating perfectly

    35:33 — The skill that'll matter most over the next 10–20 years: emotional intelligence

  • Mike Hambright—real estate entrepreneur, investor, educator, and founder of Investor Fuel—shares how his definition of success has evolved from chasing financial freedom to pursuing purpose, impact, and time freedom. This conversation explores decision-making, entrepreneurship, margin, legacy, and why building a life you love matters more than building a bigger business.

    Episode Links:
    Get David Phelps' Book: https://exitoptional.com

    Connect with Mike Hambright:
    Investor Fuel
    FlipNerd

    Timecodes:
    00:00 – Better Decisions, Better Life
    04:20 – Why Entrepreneurs Must Fail Forward
    08:45 – Taking Bigger Swings Without Bigger Risk
    11:39 – The Trap of “More”
    15:04 – From Money to Time Freedom
    20:46 – Goals, Seasons & Life Changes
    24:18 – Simplifying Life as You Grow
    29:10 – Why Margin Matters
    31:42 – What Success Really Means
    33:51 – The Regrets That Matter Most

  • What if success isn’t about doing more—but creating more freedom? David Phelps sits down with Zach Hoskins, entrepreneur, COO, and leadership coach, to discuss designing a life around intentionality, family, gratitude, and the belief that time—not money—is your most valuable form of dry powder. This conversation challenges conventional hustle culture and offers a refreshing framework for building a life you've already won.


    Episode Links:
    Get David Phelps' Book: https://exitoptional.com


    Connect with Zach Hoskins:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachhoskins
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachhoskins
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zachhoskins
    X: https://x.com/zachhoskins

    Time Codes:
    00:00 – Time Is Dry Powder
    03:36 – Zach’s Military & Entrepreneurial Journey
    05:30 – Designing a Compressed Workweek
    11:15 – Fatherhood Changed Everything
    14:47 – The Power of Free Time
    16:55 – Money, Margin & Optionality
    22:56 – If This Is As Good As It Gets
    26:17 – The Five Freedoms Framework
    29:11 – Purpose, Family & Unique Ability
    30:18 – Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

  • How do You Build for Freedom Without Getting Trapped by Your Own Success?

    In this episode, Dr David Phelps sits down with Perrin DesPortes to unpack one of the most overlooked problems in dentistry today — the practice that's become too valuable for a clean, simple exit.

    If you've ever wondered how to transition your practice without taking a discount, handing it to a DSO, or getting trapped in a partnership that wasn't built to last — this conversation is for you.

    David and Perrin cover:

    Why bank financing limits who can actually buy your practice — and what to do about itThe critical difference between a transaction and a transitionHow to have the ownership conversation with associates before it's too lateWhy agreement and alignment are not the same thing — and why confusing them could cost you everythingThe profit sharing structure that rewards your partner without eroding your businessWhy the emerging group practice space may be the biggest opportunity in dentistry right now

    The most expensive conversations in business are the ones you wait too long to have. This episode is the one that starts them.

    Episode Links:

    Connect with Perrin DesPortes:

    LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/perrindesportes

    Twitter - https://twitter.com/perrindesportes

    Get David's New Book -

    https://exitoptional.com

    Episode Highlights:

    00:00 Communication and Mentorship in Partnerships

    01:33 Navigating Associate Relationships and Ownership Conversations

    14:00 The Importance of Community in Business Ownership

    18:40 Understanding Ownership Mindset in Young Associates

    23:36 Navigating the Path to Partnership

    28:19 The Complexity of Profit Sharing and Equity

    33:58 Future Trends in Dentistry and Business Ownership

    45:31 The Dream of Exiting a Business

    46:12 Evaluating Readiness for Exit

  • What if most of what we believe about education is wrong?

    In this episode, Daniel Louzonis—founder of The Einstein Blueprint, educator, entrepreneur, and former Wall Street trader—shares why traditional schooling leaves massive human potential untapped. From homeschooling and accelerated learning to entrepreneurship, screens, and social intelligence, Daniel explains how parents can help kids become self-driven learners prepared for the real world.

    Episode Links:

    Connect with Daniel Louzonis - https://www.einsteinblueprint.com/

    Get David's New Book - https://exitoptional.com

    Time Codes:

    00:00 – Why Traditional Education Is Failing Kids

    03:01 – How His Son Went From Counting to Algebra

    09:43 – Hard Work vs Talent & “DNA”

    15:55 – The Biggest Mistakes Parents Make

    20:05 – Why He Chose Homeschooling

    25:28 – The Most Important Non-Academic Skills

    29:26 – Raising Entrepreneurial, Independent Kids

    33:12 – Building The Einstein Blueprint Academy

    36:05 – The Future of Education & Mentorship

    38:04 – Exit Optional Playbook

  • What if the key to better leadership isn’t reacting faster—but thinking deeper?

    In this episode, Schuyler Williamson—West Point graduate, Army combat veteran, entrepreneur, and author of The Steady Leader—shares how military leadership principles, intentional thinking, and faith-driven purpose shaped both his business journey and his life. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom on leadership, decision-making, influence, and building businesses that truly serve people.

    Episode Links:

    Schuyler's Official Website - https://www.schuylerwilliamson.com/

    Schuyler's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/schuylerwilliamson/

    Get David's New Book - https://exitoptional.com/

    Time Codes:

    00:00 – The Solution to Chaos Is Clarity

    00:48 – Why Leaders Must Think First

    01:06 – Choosing West Point Over Sports

    05:20 – The Conversation That Changed His Life

    07:48 – Why He Chose Business School

    09:52 – Optionality & Living Below Your Means

    10:59 – Desperation Destroys Decision-Making

    12:13 – Military Planning for Business & Life

    15:43 – Why Most People React Too Fast

    16:08 – Entrepreneurs Get Bored Too Easily

    17:50 – Can Leadership Be Trained?

    20:44 – The Difference Between Responding & Reacting

    22:51 – Teaching Leaders to Ask Better Questions

    24:06 – Leadership, Trust & Team Buy-In

    29:33 – The Biggest Leadership Mistakes

    33:36 – Praying for Influence Instead of Success

    40:12 – The Mission Behind Laundry Love

    43:57 – How Laundry Love Serves Families

    48:09 – What He’d Build If Money Didn’t Matter

    49:31 – Where to Connect with Schuyler

  • Most investors think they understand risk—until the cycle turns.

    In this episode, Anna Kelley—real estate operator, LP, and former institutional investor—breaks down why today’s economy is more fragile than it looks. From liquidity cycles to debt risk and market illusions, Anna shares what she’s watching closely and how disciplined investors can navigate uncertainty without getting caught in the next downturn.

    Episode Links:

    Anna Kelly's Website: https://annakelleyinvesting.com/

    Get My New Book: https://exitoptional.com

    Time Codes:

    00:00 – Signal vs Noise in Today’s Economy

    00:32 – Why Smart Investors Must Be More Careful

    02:59 – The Liquidity Cycle Explained

    06:30 – Why Refinancing Risk Is Rising

    10:16 – Private Credit: The Hidden Threat

    11:55 – Are We Still Early in the Downturn?

    13:33 – Real Estate Repricing Reality

    17:51 – Capital Calls & Investor Pain

    20:20 – Why the Economy Isn’t Responding

    22:05 – Could We Repeat the 1970s?

    25:31 – The Fed, Inflation & Policy Risk

    31:08 – The Reverse Wealth Effect Explained

    36:44 – Why Investors Are Pulling Back

    38:31 – Why Raising Capital Is So Hard Now

    40:52 – What Makes a Deal Worth It Today

    44:54 – Why Bigger Deals = Bigger Risk

    47:51 – The Case for Simple, Long-Term Investing

  • Most business owners think the goal is simple: scale, sell, retire. But what if that path creates more regret than freedom?

    CFO Burt Copeland breaks down why most exits fail—and how to build a business that gives you control, income, and options. This conversation challenges everything you’ve been told about selling.

    Episode Links:

    Burt Copeland - New Life CFO - https://newlifecfo.com/
    Get My New Book: https://exitoptional.com

    Time Codes:

    00:00 – Why Most Business Exits Fail

    00:20 – The Hidden Risks of Selling Your Business

    02:09 – The “Grind vs Sell” Trap

    04:32 – What Makes a Business Truly Valuable

    06:39 – Why Margins Matter Before You Exit

    09:21 – CFO vs CPA: What Owners Miss

    12:30 – Control vs Cash: The Real Tradeoff

    14:15 – Earn-Outs Explained (And Why They Fail)

    17:40 – The Hidden Dangers After Selling

    21:17 – A Smarter Alternative to Full Exit

    23:58 – The 10X Exit Myth (Real Numbers)

    26:19 – Why You Don’t Actually Get Paid at Closing

    28:10 – The Shocking Truth About Exit Success Rates

    30:49 – Emotional Regret After Selling

    32:22 – How Much You REALLY Need to Retire

    33:30 – Final Advice: Rethink the Exit Plan

  • What if the conversations you’re avoiding are the very thing holding you back?

    In this episode, Greg Stephens, author of The Art of Restoring Impossible Relationships, shares why real power comes from within—and why leaders must go first. Greg helps entrepreneurs navigate conflict, rebuild broken relationships, and unlock freedom on the other side of difficult conversations.

    Episode Links:

    Connect with Greg: [email protected]

    Alignment Resources website: https://www.alignment-resources.com/

    Get My New Book: https://exitoptional.com

    Time Codes:

    00:00 – Real Power Starts Within

    03:07 – Decisions, Responsibility & Owning Your Life

    06:38 – The Cost of Avoiding Conflict

    11:02 – The Skillset Most Leaders Lack

    13:42 – Speak Your Intent (Game Changer)

    17:35 – Why You “Don’t Have Time” Is the Problem

    21:38 – Facts vs Story (Where We Get It Wrong)

    23:36 – First Step to Fix a Broken Relationship

    25:03 – Ego, Power & What It Costs You

    26:24 – When to Fix vs End a Relationship

    32:10 – Transforming Teams & Company Culture

    34:52 – How to Connect with Greg

  • What if your wealth isn’t as accessible as you think?

    Ted Oakley is Founder & CIO of Oxbow Advisors with 50+ years in markets. He breaks down market volatility, liquidity risk, and why the ability to get to cash quickly may matter more than returns in the years ahead.

    We cover inflation strategies, sequence risk, the growing gap between paper gains and real financial control, and why selling your business isn’t always the clear win it seems.

    EPISODE LINKS:

    Ted's Oxbow Advisors site: https://oxbowadvisors.com

    Ted's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-oakley-08444a32

    Get My New Book: https://exitoptional.com

    Time Codes:

    00:00 – Intro
    01:04 – Why Experience in the Market Matters
    04:25 – The Debt Problem No One Is Talking About
    06:20 – Why the Next Decade Will Be More Volatile
    08:12 – Rethinking Real Estate & Leverage
    10:24 – The Hidden Truth About Private Equity Exits
    11:48 – What Happens After You Sell Your Business
    12:08 – Are We Heading Into a “Lost Decade”?
    13:34 – Financial Repression Explained
    15:27 – Why Hard Assets Matter More Than Ever
    16:53 – Who Will Buy U.S. Debt?
    19:28 – Can Governments Change the Rules on You?
    21:01 – Why Younger Generations Are Shifting Mindsets
    22:31 – Will AI Actually Replace Jobs?
    25:03 – Why Tech & AI Stocks Could Reset
    26:50 – The Danger of Sequence Risk
    27:42 – The “Greed Factor” in Retirement
    30:03 – What “Optionality” Really Means
    31:33 – Why Liquidity Is Your Ultimate Safety Net

  • Marcus Crigler is the CEO of BEC, a CFO business that works with real estate investors and operators. He breaks down what businesses are struggling with, why profits are collapsing, why “scaling” is misleading, and how ignoring key numbers leads to painful resets. If you’re growing, struggling, or questioning your model, this episode will lead you in the right direction.

    EPISODE LINKS:

    Marcus Crigler's BEC Site: https://beccfo.com/

    Marcus Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7/

    Get My New Book: https://exitoptional.com

    00:00 – Intro And The Bloated Problem

    02:00 – Same Revenue, Millions Lost

    04:30 – Growth Without Accountability

    09:30 – The Scaling Illusion

    13:00 – Expanding Markets vs Breaking Systems

    15:30 – The Financial Pain of Growth

    17:00 – KPIs That Actually Matter

    20:30 – Ego vs Financial Freedom

    24:30 – When Business Stops Being Worth It

  • Joey Mure, co-founder of Wealth Without Wall Street, shares how business owners can stop trading time for money by building passive income systems using the infinite banking strategy (a strategy banks use themselves).

    After earning $300K in mortgage sales yet feeling trapped, Joey rebuilt his financial strategy and now teaches founders how to create optionality, liquidity, and multi-stream wealth.

    EPISODE LINKS:

    Free Founder Tools → https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/dentist

    Apply for Joey’s Passive Income Lab → https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com

    Get the Exit Optional Playbook → https://exitoptional.com

    00:00 Intro and Joey’s $300K Career Change

    04:10 Infinite Banking & Access to Capital

    06:55 Why Banks Store Wealth Differently

    10:05 Passive Income Operating System Explained

    12:00 Why “Set It and Forget It” Fails Today

    13:30 The Lie About Financial Advisors

    16:15 Teaching Kids Wealth & Investor Thinking

    18:30 Marriage, Career Pressure & Course Correction

    20:45 Raising Entrepreneurial Kids & Income Streams

    23:55 Living Below Your Means to Create Optionality

    25:10 Becoming an Investor: The First Real Step

    26:40 Passive Income Lab & Investor DNA Framework

    27:40 Exit-Optional Thinking for Business Owners

  • Markets are shifting. Institutional trust is eroding. Owners who don’t recognize the new risk environment may be exposed.

    Investor and macro strategist Alastair J. Macdonald explores rising systemic risk, why traditional growth and exit assumptions are breaking, and how trust networks and critical thinking will shape the next era and determine who thrives.

    EPISODE LINKS:

    Follow Alastair on Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastair-macdonald-592a38335/?originalSubdomain=pr

    Follow Alastair on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbelt_chronicles/

    Get my new book: https://exitoptional.com

    Time Codes:

    00:00 Intro and Why Founders Are Feeling Uncertainty

    05:02 Cheap Money Created False Confidence

    08:11 Private Equity and Founder Risk

    12:16 The Retirement & Exit Illusion

    15:09 Hidden Systemic Risks Today

    21:39 Reading Character in Partnerships

    25:36 Confidence vs Competence

    30:49 Building Founder Trust Networks

    33:17 From Expansion to Protection

    37:09 Preparing the Next Generation of Owners

  • David McAlvany is a wealth manager, macro thinker, and precious metals strategist. He explains why volatility creates opportunity, how ratio-based investing can compound wealth across cycles, and why younger investors must adopt discipline, savings, and long-term thinking. A powerful framework for navigating turbulent markets without fear or complacency.

    EPISODE LINKS:

    McAlvany Weekly Commentary: https://mcalvany.com/commentary/

    McAlvany Wealth Management: https://mcalvany.com/wealth/

    My new book: https://exitoptional.com

    Time Codes:

    00:00 Intro and What Volatility Actually Means
    04:30 Why “Set It and Forget It” Fails
    06:50 Ratio Trading Explained
    10:17 Market Cycles: 30–40 Year Patterns
    12:35 Buying When Fear Peaks
    16:16 The Power of Getting Rich Slowly
    18:00 Saving 50% to Build Capital
    21:27 Don’t Try to Time Perfectly
    24:19 The Goal: Zero Cost Basis Portfolio
    26:32 Crisis Compresses Time
    27:02 Real Estate Crash Example
    28:08 Exit Optional Thinking

  • Author, speaker and business coach Tony Rubleski shares lessons from decades in entrepreneurship. Discipline, persistence, referrals, mindset, and regret management. This conversation reveals what it takes to build a sustainable business.

    Navigating doubt, distraction, or growth fatigue? Tony’s practical frameworks will help you keep moving forward.

    EPISODE LINKS:

    Tony's book Don't Quit: https://go.mindcapturegroup.com/donotquit-order

    My new book on exit-optionality: https://exitoptional.com

    Time Codes:

    00:00 Intro and New Book: Don't Quit

    06:40 How to Capture Your Life Lessons

    09:10 Misconceptions About Entrepreneurs

    16:55 Discipline vs Motivation

    19:30 Everyone Procrastinates

    22:10 Ask More. Grow Faster

    25:10 Regret Management Thinking

    28:30 Gratitude and Forgiveness Habits

  • Jon Ostenson is a franchise consultant, investor, and author of Non-Food Franchising. After leaving corporate leadership, he built a portfolio of franchise and real estate investments while helping professionals transition into business ownership.

    Today, Jon explains the realities of semi-passive ownership, partnering with operators, and using franchise “stacking” to build diversified income and long-term optionality.

    EPISODE LINKS:

    Free Book and Free Consultations: https://franbridgeconsulting.com/

    My New Book on Exit-Optionality: https://exitoptional.com/

    Time Codes:

    00:00 Intro and Non-Food Franchise Consulting
    07:49 — Owners Partnering with Operators
    09:22 — The “Semi-Passive” Reality
    13:38 — Understanding Franchise Agreements
    16:07 — Boring Businesses That Print Cash
    18:03 — Tax Advantages Owners Miss
    19:51 — Franchise Stacking Strategy
    21:35 — Funding with SBA & Retirement Funds
    22:42 — Building Businesses with Your Kids
    24:46 — How to Explore Franchise Opportunities

  • Mike Michalowicz is the bestselling author of Profit First, Clockwork, and Fix This Next. After losing everything early in his entrepreneurial career, Mike developed practical frameworks that help business owners build profitable companies that run without them.

    Today, he teaches why most businesses grow broke, how owners become bottlenecks, and why financial habits matter as much at home as they do in business. Listen to start learning how to manage both your business and personal finances.

    EPISODE LINKS:
    Mike's book, The Money Habit: https://www.amazon.com/Money-Habit-Worry-Free-Financial-Independence/dp/1774586436/ref=sr_1_1

    Get all of Mike's books: https://mikemichalowicz.com/books/

    Get my book on Exit Optionality: https://exitoptional.com

    00:00 Intro and The Profit First Breakthrough

    03:33 Why Most Businesses Aren’t Profitable
    05:52 Signs the Owner Is the Bottleneck
    08:55 Fix This Next: Finding the Weakest Link
    09:06 Why Businesses Become Commodities
    11:11 Marketing That Actually Gets Attention
    12:24 Most People Have No Money System
    17:33 Managing Money as a Couple
    20:45 The Lottery Mindset for Income
    22:36 Avoiding Herd Behavior in Recessions
    23:16 The Power of Looking Upstream