Monday Mar 31, 2025

EP 82: Winning the Cookie Wars: Bennett Maxwell’s Playbook for Growth and Resilience

Surviving a lawsuit, scaling a franchise, and losing 125 pounds all pointed Bennett Maxwell toward one surprising realization: his nervous system had more influence than he ever imagined.

Bennett joins Alex Raymond to talk through the chaos and clarity that came with building Dirty Dough. When Crumble, a billion-dollar competitor, sued him over sprinkles and box shapes, he could have folded. Instead, he went bold. His response—cheeky billboards and viral content—caught fire and helped fuel the sale of 450 franchises in just two years.

But what happens after the adrenaline fades? What if growth brings a whole new kind of pressure? Bennett shares how success forced him to confront his health, his identity, and his relationship to stress. He talks about selling his first company, hitting his financial goal, and realizing he still felt miserable. That moment led to a full-body reset from gastric sleeve surgery to daily meditation to red-light therapy and vagus nerve stimulation. He even carved out half his workweek to focus on his mental and physical state.

This episode raises a bigger question: can you really lead well if your nervous system is fried? Bennett’s story is a reminder that personal growth and business growth aren’t separate, and that sometimes the most strategic move is stepping back.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:37 Mental Resilience and the Power of Detachment

03:37 Franchising Dirty Dough

05:52 The Cookie Wars with Crumble

08:06 Handling Stress During the Lawsuit

10:32 Decision-Making and Personal Mission Statement

14:52 Raising Capital During the Lawsuit

17:07 Importance of Surrounding Yourself with the Right People

21:06 Consciousness and Physical Health

23:34 Focusing on the Nervous System

28:19 Using Tools to Optimize Mental Health