Today’s culture often tells us life should be easy—that struggle is unfair and someone else is to blame when things go wrong. Yet real success still comes from the same time-tested values that built this country: hard work, integrity, and personal responsibility.
Many people feel lost, frustrated, or stuck, chasing quick fixes or blaming circumstances instead of mastering the basics. Without principles and discipline, it’s easy to waste time, repeat mistakes, and lose your sense of direction.
In this episode, Jeff Kikel talks with Dr. Mark L. Teague, author of A Working Man’s Guide, about what it really means to live with purpose, accountability, and timeless values. From growing up on a Texas farm to earning a doctorate and leading in banking and manufacturing, Dr. Teague shares lessons that apply to every generation. Discover how to frame life’s problems, own your time, and build a lasting legacy rooted in principle, not preference.
Key Takeaways:
• Why life’s challenges are opportunities—not injustices.
• The two kinds of people: those who take life seriously and those who don’t.
• The importance of knowing your foundation—what you stand on when life tests you.
• How principles outlast trends, cultures, and preferences.
• A simple method to “frame the problem, not the blob” for better decision-making.
• Why who owns your time determines who owns your future.
• Practical steps to reclaim control of your time and build discipline.
• The difference between “getting rich” and building a meaningful legacy.
• How Dr. Teague’s book helps working men (and women) rediscover pride and purpose in work.
About the Guest:
Dr. Mark L. Teague, PhD, is a seasoned executive, business owner, and author. As a champion of the American working class, his professional dedication to traditional values in a modern world position him as a trusted guide for those striving to build a legacy of significance. With a background in banking, finance, and entrepreneurship, he advocates for personal responsibility, resilience, and meaningful goals. Dr. Teague holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics and has received numerous accolades.
Links:
https://aworkingmansguide.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DrMarkLTeague
https://www.facebook.com/DrMarkLTeague
Fast Five Questions:
1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I’d mortgage my house, rent it out, and invest that money in the stock market to start trading. Then I’d hit the farms, knock on doors, and find land to buy or develop. Once I find the right deal, I’d get the financing, flip it, and repeat until I’m back.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Letting others own my time. Once I learned that whatever owns your time owns your future, I stopped letting people waste it. Time is your most precious resource.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “The Scriptures—the ultimate book of human wisdom. Then A Working Man’s Guide. And for investors, A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel—it teaches patience and long-term thinking.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “Canva—for creative work—and Excel’s Data Analysis Pack for decision-making. Learn to use your tools deeply; they multiply your effectiveness.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “Thomas Jefferson called it ‘essential liberty’—the unobstructed exercise of your will, restrained only by the equal rights of others. Freedom is living life on your own terms while respecting others.”
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/
Connect with Jeff:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/
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