Imagine a workplace where professionals feel valued, careers keep moving forward, and financial confidence replaces worry. That’s the vision behind Thrive & Achieve—a podcast dedicated to W2 and 1099 professionals: make our workplace better and our workforce stronger. We are professionals helping professionals succeed at work and build a more secure financial future. Every week, host Dr. Matt Markel sits down with experts, leaders, and practitioners to explore how professionals can unlock their full potential. Together, we’ll tackle the two biggest challenges facing today’s workforce: 1. Career stagnation – feeling stuck, overlooked, or unsure how to reach the next level. 2. Financial anxiety – the worry that retirement, savings, and wealth-building are always just out of reach. About the Host: Dr. Matt Markel is an engineer turned executive with 35 years of experience spanning defense, autonomy, and high-tech industries. He has served as CEO, CTO, and President of nine- and ten-figure companies, but began his career as an entry-level engineer. Along the way, he has seen firsthand both the challenges and the possibilities professionals face at every level of the workplace. Dr. Markel created Thrive & Achieve to shine a light on the 93 million professionals, practitioners, and experts who are the true backbone of our society. This podcast is about celebrating them—and giving them the tools to thrive at work and achieve financial success without sacrificing the careers they’ve worked so hard to build.