Raising Standards

About Raising Standards

Every week I sit down with someone who figured something out, and we break it down until it actually makes sense. Money, health, business, whatever is going on in your head. The subject changes every episode. Some guests run companies. Some rebuilt their life from nothing. Some just know one thing really well and can explain it better than anyone else. What doesn't change is the job. Take something complicated and make it usable. No fluff. No theory for theory's sake. Just honest conversations that leave you with something you can use the same day you hear it. For the ones who never got the blueprint. New episodes every Wednesday.

Publisher

Ilan Dexter

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Mar 2026

Latest episode

19 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Oct 2026

   Will AI Replace Marketing Agencies? An Agency Owner Answers | Raising Standards Ep. 10

   Will AI replace marketing agencies? Yaniv [Last Name] has helped generate $26M+ in sales for his e-commerce clients, manages over $250K a month in ad spend, and now runs a team of AI agents inside his business. In this episode of Raising Standards, he breaks down exactly how business owners can use AI agents today, why most Meta ads fail before the ad even runs, and the faith-based principles that keep him grounded. We get into: - How to build your first AI agent (the 3 levels, beginner to advanced) - The Claude Cowork workflow that turns his meetings into calendar events automatically - His AI graphic designer, creative strategist and sales manager agents, and why they're read-only - Why your Meta ads aren't working: copy, creative, placement and the landing page - Speed to lead: why reaching a lead in the first 30 seconds changes everything - Running ads on ChatGPT and getting your business recommended by AI (GEO) - What AI should never touch in your business and your life - Hiring for alignment, flying his remote team to Marbella, and doing business "kosher" Connect with Yaniv: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yanivthemarketer/ YND Marketing: https://www.instagram.com/ynd.marketing/ Bookedly: https://www.instagram.com/bookedly.co/ Subscribe to Raising Standards for honest conversations with business owners about how they really grow: https://www.youtube.com/@RaisingStandardsID Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and everywhere else Hosted by Ilan Dexter: https://www.instagram.com/ilandexter/ Produced by Dexter Media: https://dextermedia.tv/ Mentioned in this episode: Claude Cowork, Claude Code, GoHighLevel, Notion, Google Drive, Rich Dad Poor Dad, The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, The War of Art, Modern Wisdom's reading list, Tony Robbins' Unleash the Power Within. #AIAgents #BusinessPodcast #MetaAds #ClaudeAI #RaisingStandards

2. 

   1 Oct 2026

   She Was Told To Stop Dancing. Now She Runs Three Businesses | Raising Standards Ep. 9

   How Kenslie built three businesses after doctors told her post-concussion syndrome meant she would never dance, train, or finish school again. A doctor closed her file and slid it across the table. Six years later she runs a coaching business, a women's only fitness events company, and a line dancing night, and she is dancing again. In this conversation: The third concussion that ended her dance career, and the competition she performed at anyway What post-concussion syndrome actually does on a good day and a bad day The moment a doctor told her she would never finish school, work out, or dance again Why May was the hardest month of her life, and what she still posted through it Toxic positivity in fitness content, and why she refuses to fake it The venue that quadrupled her price because they saw she was doing well Going from 80 women at the first Girls Night to 230 Why she pays graphic designers instead of using AI The safety net she is honest about, and why betting on yourself is not the same for everyone What she does on the days she cannot get out of bed Main Links: Ilan Dexter: BuildWithDex.com Kenslie's coaching: https://muscleupbuttercupcoaching.app/ Muscle Up Buttercup: https://www.instagram.com/muscle.up.buttercup/ Girls Night: https://www.instagram.com/girlsnightbymubc/ #RaisingStandards #IlanDexter #MuscleUpButtercup #PostConcussionSyndrome #FitnessCoach #WomenInFitness #LineDancing #Entrepreneurship

3. 

   23 Sept 2026

   The Activist Who Debates Protesters: "I'm Not Here To Make You Like Israel" Raising Standards Ep. 8

   She started law school at 19 and graduated at 23. Along the way she spoke at Harvard and the Canadian Parliament, got her address leaked online, and faced crowds screaming in her face. She never raised her voice. Ysabella Hazan is a Montreal lawyer and activist. She built the Decolonize Judean movement from a single line in her Instagram bio. This conversation isn't about making you agree with her. It's about what happens when you know your why and stand on it. We get into: Why she thinks "The West is next" is the wrong message What Zionism actually means, in one sentence How she handled the threats, and what they did to her parents How she speaks to 10,000 people with no notes How to find the courage to ask for what you want, even a raise The "productive, pleasurable, or restful" rule for your time Why a one-month-old lawyer is hunting for a mentor Let's raise the standard. Follow Ysabella: https://www.instagram.com/ysabellahazan/ My Socials: BuildWithDex.com #RaisingStandards #IlanDexter #YsabellaHazan #Podcast #PublicSpeaking #Israel #Montreal #Activism

4. 

   16 Sept 2026

   He Planted One Comment... And Got 22 Million Views (Online Growth Secrets) | Raising Standards Ep. 7

   Josh, aka PopVisualz, went from parkour videos at 11 years old to directing music videos that pull 17 million views on a single trial reel. No film school. No traditional path. Just five years of relentless work, strategic networking, and one planted comment that changed everything. In this episode, we break down how Josh built a directing career without a boss, how he turned free shoots into paid collaborations with major artists, and the exact growth hack that took him from 17K to 40K followers in under a month. We talk about the Montreal REM video that got picked up by Montreal Blog, the short film fight scene that went viral overnight, and the trial reel strategy most creators still don't know about. Josh walks us through his origin story: from rooftop photography and urbex culture to picking the camera back up during COVID and shooting his first music videos for free. He shares how meeting OneTrackMind led to his first LA trip, how he learned to delegate as he transitioned from cameraman to director, and why he ranks Montreal, Toronto, and LA the way he does. We also get into the moment his family finally understood his career wasn't illegal, the architecture program he quit to chase film, and the VFX studio job that proved he could make it work his own way. The biggest lesson? Networking isn't about taking. It's about providing value first. Josh explains how he built his network by filming artists for free at shows, how he seeded his own viral post with a fake comment to trigger engagement, and why pinning both a hate comment and a love comment started a comment war that pushed his video to 17 million views. He also talks about his favorite project to date, why cinema is the ultimate art form, and where he's headed next, including his mentorship program for aspiring directors. If you want to build a creative career on your own terms, this episode is required listening. Follow Josh (PopVisualz): Instagram: @PopVisualz YouTube: PopVisualz TikTok: PopVisualz BuildWithDex.com #BuildWithDex #RaisingStandards #IlanDexter #PopVisualz #MusicVideos #ContentCreator #TrialReels #ViralGrowth #Networking #DirectorLife #FilmMaking Chapters 00:00:00 Intro: Meet PopVisualz 00:00:57 Beyond the camera: personality and community 00:02:32 The hairstyle journey and standing out 00:04:46 From parkour to photography: the origin story 00:06:07 Urbex adventures and exploring Montreal 00:07:32 The LA trip that changed everything 00:10:27 Proving it to family: the immigrant parent perspective 00:11:21 Pronoia: when everything conspires in your favor 00:13:14 Montreal vs Toronto vs LA: where to build your career 00:15:26 The non-traditional path: dropping out and locking in 00:21:42 Quitting your 9-to-5 to work 24/7 00:24:16 The REM video that went viral 00:30:27 The punch video: 17 million views and 20K followers overnight 00:32:00 Trial reels: the growth secret nobody talks about 00:38:39 Working with brands: from Converse to Atlantic Records 00:42:45 Learning to delegate and trust your team 00:44:15 Networking 101: provide value first 00:47:41 Favorite projects and making artists cry 00:52:20 The dream: making movies and directing for Joji 00:57:16 Finding the artist before the fame 00:59:12 Where to find PopVisualz and 1:1 mentorship

5. 

   2 Sept 2026

   Exposing Campus Double Standards & Canada's Political Shift | Raising Standards Ep. 6

   Justice Bongiovanni joins Raising Standards to discuss the current state of freedom in Canada and Christian activism today. In this episode, we sit down with Christian Canadian activist Justice Bongiovanni to hear his perspective on the cultural shifts and advocacy work happening across the country. We examine the importance of maintaining personal integrity while engaging in public discourse, specifically focusing on what it looks like to uphold values in a rapidly changing social climate. This conversation is designed for viewers interested in the intersection of faith and civic engagement. Throughout our discussion, we break down the challenges of being a freedom advocate in the modern media landscape. Justice shares his journey of creating online content and how he navigates the responsibility of speaking truth to his audience. We also explore the core principles that drive his activism and why having a clear moral framework is essential for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their communities. Subscribe for weekly Raising Standards breakdowns, and let us know in the comments what topic you want to hear us cover next. BuildWithDex.com Justice's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justice.bongiovanni/ #BuildWithDex #RaisingStandards #IlanDexter #JusticeBongiovanni #FreeSpeech #Antisemitism #CanadianPolitics #CampusPolitics #CancelCulture ⚠️ This episode covers politically and religiously sensitive topics, including antisemitism, religious persecution, and sexual violence. Views expressed by the guest are his own and don't necessarily reflect those of Raising Standards. 0:00 Intro — welcome Justice Bongiovanni 1:07 How October 7th sparked his activism 2:09 Anti-Semitism arrives at Vanier & McGill 5:14 Confronted for wearing a Star of David 7:10 The double standard that went viral 10:03 Where Canada's politics are headed 14:34 Reconciling "colonial guilt" — moral vs. economic direction 18:09 Cancel culture and the fear of speaking up 19:55 The Panopticon: why we self-censor 24:29 How to talk to someone who disagrees with you 26:14 Quebec's Bill 21 and the ban on public prayer 30:23 Defending Western values without fear 32:15 Immigration, assimilation & "why leave if you don't want peace?" 36:06 The UK grooming gang inquiry report 39:38 Who should be prosecuted — and why nobody spoke up 41:33 Why religion is making a comeback 47:53 His journey back to faith after October 7th 54:30 CBC's 9/11 classification controversy 56:18 Denying radical Islam & the Nigeria Christian genocide 58:05 Hard truths vs. political denial 1:01:33 Montreal's motion to cut ties with Israel 1:04:41 Why Jewish & Christian campus clubs go unfunded 1:07:20 Double standards in campus protest policing 1:11:26 Who's responsible for stopping radicalism? 1:15:02 Where to find Justice

6. 

   26 Aug 2026

   He Took A Nap Mid-Date... Then It Got Worse (Worst Dates, Ranked) | Raising Standards Ep. 5

   Dating standards, red flags, and green flags, told through a real conversation, not a listicle. Ilan sits down with Etery, an aesthetics nurse, to break down her wildest worst-date stories, the green flags that actually matter, and why raising your standards beats settling for less. - Whoop (get 1 FREE month here):  https://join.whoop.com/80295E - Etery's page (fillers/Botox bookings): @Etery.Aesthetic.Nurse BuildWithDex.com #BuildWithDex #RaisingStandards #IlanDexter #DatingAdvice #RedFlags #RelationshipAdvice #FirstDateTips #datingstandards 0:00 Intro + whoop check-in 0:37 Meet Etery: nurse turned aesthetics 1:40 What "a normal guy" actually means 3:40 Logic vs. emotion: why reassurance beats solutions 5:04 Worst date #1: full suit, no plan, and a stolen nap 7:52 Rule #1: never make her choose where to go 9:24 Live example: how to actually make the plan 17:40 Every red flag in one date, ranked 18:38 Worst date #2: Tim Hortons, Jeffrey Dahmer, and the bill 25:06 First-date do's and don'ts 27:34 Never talk badly about your ex 29:20 Who actually pays on a first date 33:19 The red flags you ignore until it's too late 40:39 The best date: how she met her boyfriend 45:52 Green flags that actually matter 48:34 How fast should you actually be seeing each other 53:25 It's not settling, it's standards 59:35 The 3-non-negotiables trick 1:04:07 The talking stage: how long is too long 1:06:37 How to fix a relationship losing its spark 1:10:12 Rapid fire: bill splitting, ghosting, yes/no flags 1:12:44 Advice to her younger self + how to book Etery

7. 

   19 Aug 2026

   It's Not Burnout, It's a Fried Nervous System | Raising Standards Ep. 4

   You think you're just tired. You think you're just anxious. Really, your nervous system is fried, and most of what's frying it is stuff you do without thinking twice: the scroll before bed, the constant comparison, the caring what everyone else thinks. This episode is with Lainey (@TheGoldenGirlLaney), yoga teacher, nervous system regulation practitioner, and holistic naturopathy student. We get into what's actually wrecking people's mental health day to day, the somatic techniques she uses to regulate herself, and why "just get more sleep" doesn't fix tiredness that's coming from stress. We cover the difference between responding and reacting in conflict, why doom scrolling disconnects you from yourself before it disconnects you from anyone else, the signs you're heading toward burnout, and the daily habits, gratitude, breathwork, movement, that actually rebuild a fried nervous system. Follow Raising Standards for more real conversations on becoming the person you're building yourself to be.

8. 

   12 Aug 2026

   He Thought Snipers Were Hunting Him... Now He's 2 Years Sober | Raising Standards Ep. 3

   Two and a half years ago, Jason hadn't slept in five days. He was deep in a cocaine addiction and convinced there were snipers on the roof outside his window. That night was the beginning of the end. Jason grew up in a loving family in Montreal. From the outside, everything looked fine. Inside, something felt broken from a very young age. When his mom passed away suddenly in tenth grade, weed and drinking became his solution. School became another one. By college, both stopped working, and cocaine took their place. In this episode, Jason walks through the full story: the psychosis episode that finally got his family's attention, the sober coach who talked him into rehab, and the three months in treatment that changed everything. Now over two years sober, he runs a peer support practice, writes a blog, and is building a life he actually wants to be in. We get into what actually works in recovery versus what doesn't, why isolation is the real danger after treatment ends, and how he learned to sit with the thoughts he used to run from. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or suicidal thoughts, you don't have to do this alone. In the US and Canada, call or text 988. Follow Rising Standards for more real conversations on becoming the man you're building yourself to be.

9. 

   5 Aug 2026

   $7,000 Growing to $3.3+ Million? Here's How (TFSA vs RRSP vs FHSA) | Raising Standards Ep. 2

   Your mortgage could be quietly costing you thousands and most first-time buyers in Canada don't realize it until renewal time. In this episode of Raising Standards, Ilan Dexter sits down with mortgage and financial services expert David to break down exactly how mortgages, down payments, and insurance actually work, plus the budgeting, credit score, and investing fundamentals (TFSA, RRSP, FHSA) that build real financial security before you ever buy a home. If you're planning to buy in Canada, refinance, or just want to stop overpaying on debt, this conversation covers the emergency fund math, the debt snowball method, compound interest numbers most people never see, and the exact mortgage rate traps to watch for. 🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: • How to build a 6-month emergency fund and pay off debt faster with consolidation or the debt snowball method • The real differences between TFSA, RRSP, and FHSA and how $7,000 can grow into $3.3 million • What actually goes into your mortgage rate, down payment, and why you should always shop around • The insurance mistake that can cost your family everything (a true story from this episode) • Cash vs financing vs leasing when buying a car 🐦 SOCIAL: Newsletter: https://buildwithdex.com/ Instagram ➔ https://www.instagram.com/buildwithdex Twitter/X ➔ https://x.com/BuildWithDex ⏱ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro & Meet David 1:04 Why Budgeting Matters 2:24 Building Your Emergency Fund 5:16 Pay Yourself First & Paying Off Debt 7:50 Debt Snowball Method 10:38 Building & Improving Your Credit Score 15:00 Free Credit Score Tools 16:00 Short-Term Savings & How Many Accounts You Need 18:22 TFSA vs RRSP vs FHSA Basics 21:02 Compound Interest Example (TFSA to $3.3M) 26:04 RRSP & Home Buyers' Plan 30:42 FHSA Explained 32:37 Investment Options: Stocks, Mutual Funds, ETFs, GICs 40:00 Higher Returns Example (TFSA to $11.4M) 43:00 Mortgage Down Payments (5% vs 20%) 47:37 Mortgage Rates, Shopping Around & Fixed vs Variable 54:00 Mortgage Terms, Amortization & Renewals 59:39 COVID Rates, Home Buying Traps & Inspections 1:01:56 Mortgage Insurance: Real Stories 1:06:39 Life & Disability Insurance 1:09:19 Buying vs Leasing a Car 1:15:00 Repair or Replace Your Car? 1:16:33 Recap: Budget, Debt & Investing 1:23:24 Outro & Subscribe 🔗 LINKS: Free Credit Check: https://www.creditkarma.ca/ CRA to check contribution limits: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html #PersonalFinance #MortgageTips #CanadianFinance

10. 

    4 Aug 2026

    How Jewish Wisdom Turns Hustle, Health, And Relationships Into A Life You Can Carry | Raising Standards Ep. 1

    What if being “high value” wasn’t about volume or status, but about carrying real weight with calm, steady hands? We kick off Raising Standards with the creator behind the Torah channel to explore how Jewish wisdom reframes strength: serve more than you shine, take responsibility before you take credit, and build the kind of character that makes a home feel safe. We start with the foundations—why a man who doesn’t burden others becomes the pillar everyone trusts. From there, we map growth by life stage. At 18, you have time to invest: study deeply, train your body, and form habits that survive adult chaos. Later, when marriage, kids, and career collide, those early reps help you choose well—bedtime over busywork when it matters, focus over scrolling when you’re tired, and consistency over comparison when social media waves Lamborghinis at teenagers. Health gets a clear framework: rise like a lion to act, rest like Shabbat to reset. We talk laziness as heaviness, not harmlessness, and the underrated power of weekly withdrawal from screens to strengthen your mind, family bonds, and long-term output. On impulse control, we offer simple tools: pause and ask why desire spiked, check intent, write down intrusive thoughts during dinner instead of losing the night to stress, and use a gain-loss check to stay aligned with your main goal. Emotions are fuel; the mind must steer. Relationships bring it together: masculine leadership as chesed—giving, providing, and staying composed under pressure. We call out common pre-marriage pitfalls and share ways to train patience, respect, and generosity now, before you need them every day. Finally, we anchor it all in faith with a practical mantra—think good and it will be good. Do your part, then choose trust over panic, step back from heated moments, and let positivity shape not just your mood, but your outcomes. If this sparked something for you, tap follow, share it with a friend who’s building themselves, and leave a review with the one habit you’re committing to this week.

11. 

    2 Mar 2026

    How Jewish Wisdom Turns Hustle, Health, And Relationships Into A Life You Can Carry | Ep. 1

    What if being “high value” wasn’t about volume or status, but about carrying real weight with calm, steady hands? We kick off Raising Standards with the creator behind the Torah channel to explore how Jewish wisdom reframes strength: serve more than you shine, take responsibility before you take credit, and build the kind of character that makes a home feel safe. We start with the foundations—why a man who doesn’t burden others becomes the pillar everyone trusts. From there, we map growth by life stage. At 18, you have time to invest: study deeply, train your body, and form habits that survive adult chaos. Later, when marriage, kids, and career collide, those early reps help you choose well—bedtime over busywork when it matters, focus over scrolling when you’re tired, and consistency over comparison when social media waves Lamborghinis at teenagers. Health gets a clear framework: rise like a lion to act, rest like Shabbat to reset. We talk laziness as heaviness, not harmlessness, and the underrated power of weekly withdrawal from screens to strengthen your mind, family bonds, and long-term output. On impulse control, we offer simple tools: pause and ask why desire spiked, check intent, write down intrusive thoughts during dinner instead of losing the night to stress, and use a gain-loss check to stay aligned with your main goal. Emotions are fuel; the mind must steer. Relationships bring it together: masculine leadership as chesed—giving, providing, and staying composed under pressure. We call out common pre-marriage pitfalls and share ways to train patience, respect, and generosity now, before you need them every day. Finally, we anchor it all in faith with a practical mantra—think good and it will be good. Do your part, then choose trust over panic, step back from heated moments, and let positivity shape not just your mood, but your outcomes. If this sparked something for you, tap follow, share it with a friend who’s building themselves, and leave a review with the one habit you’re committing to this week. Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597553/support) This is why men who focus on identity, structure, and long-term thinking outperform those chasing short-term motivation. #identity #discipline #modernmasculinity #mensselfimprovement #lifealignment #personalgrowth #selfmastery #longtermthinking #compoundeffect #mentaldiscipline #mensgrowth #buildyourlife #emotionalstability #purposefulliving #becomingbetter New to my channel? Start Here - https://studio.youtube.com/playlist/PLljpUsbUg4WDhvpkhWo94KQWgUK_jmY-P/edit ✅ The Huddle Community - https://www.skool.com/the-huddle-4305 ⚡️ Follow me on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@IlanDexter 📸 Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/IlanDexter 🐦 Follow me on Twitter - https://x.com/PeakLifeVibes 📖 Connect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilan-dexter/ ------------------------------------------------------- So, who is Ilan Dexter? I create content for men who want more from life but feel stuck, inconsistent, or disconnected from who they know they could be. This channel focuses on discipline over motivation, masculinity without ego, emotional stability through structure, and fitness as a foundation for life. Everything here is based on lived experience, real-world testing, and building standards that actually hold. The goal is simple: help men rebuild identity, direction, and self-respect — one decision at a time. 📈 YOUTUBE ALGORITHM & SEO KEYWORDS: self improvement podcast, raising standards podcast, jewish wisdom, torah channel, rabbi interview, masculinity and faith, high value man, jewish masculinity, discipline and spirituality, how to build self respect, modern men crisis, jewish perspective on relationships, ambition and purpose, controlling impulses, dopamine addiction men, jewish life advice, faith and success, becoming a better man, jewish leadership, spiritual growth for men, jewish teachings for modern life, purpose driven men, men 20s self improvement Chapters 00:00:00 Launching Raising Standards 00:00:34 What Makes A High-Value Man 00:02:41 Young Adulthood And Self-Development 00:06:15 Fitness, Laziness, And Shabbat Rest 00:12:20 Managing Desire And Emotional Control 00:17:10 Presence, Work Thoughts, And Boundaries 00:21:03 Balanced Masculinity In Relationships 00:25:03 Pitfalls Before Marriage 00:29:03 Keeping Faith When Life Tests You 00:35:15 Positivity, Patience, And Closing ~~~-~~-~~~-~~-~~~ Please watch: "Self-Improvement" : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLljpUsbUg4WAUEju8cXHrtVAWuSmW-N-x ~~~-~~-~~~-~~-~~~

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