The Optimal Life

Ara Arslanian, sales executive (and one of my closest friends), joined me for drinks, playing guitar, a whole lot of sh*t talking.  

Hillary Goldberg Zashin is the owner of CORUS45 , a high intensity, low impact Pilates-inspired interval training workout studio. She joined me for a conversation about the success behind her company and the effects that Coronavirus is having on her business. Connect with Hillary on Instagram Connect with CORUS45 on Instagram  

Barbara Marlowe and her daughter, Teeba Furat Marlowe, joined me to share their remarkable story of love, hope and fate.  At the ripe age of almost 2, Teeba suffered severe life-threatening burns after her father's car hit a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2003.  A July 16, 2006 newspaper story of the incident would catch the eye of Barbara Marlowe, leading her on the most emotional and awe-inspiring jou...

Dr. Roy Buchinsky, family physician at University Hospitals, returned to the podcast to discuss all things Coronavirus - reasons for social distancing, societal effects, science behind the disease, prevention and outlook for our future.  This was arguably the most important episode I have released to-date and I hope you share with loved ones and friends.  Stay safe.  

David Tao is a Harvard graduate and founder of BarBend , a leading online fitness and strength training brand with over 2 million monthly visitors.  An Internet marketing and content expert, David also hosts the BarBend Podcast and is a member of @badassery_hq . Connect with David on Instagram | Twitter Connect with BarBend on Instagram | Facebook  

Schwartzen Precil is an author and speaker whose company, Hero Leadership Group , provides mentorship to the youth.  After being abandoned by his mother at age 1 and growing up in the foster care system, Schwartzen wrote his first book at age 25 titled, " Be Your Own Hero: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities ."  He talks about the driving forces behind the book and reconnecting with his biologica...

Stefani Schaefer is an Emmy Award-winning anchor for FOX 8 News in Cleveland.  Her daughter, Siena, is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter whose debut single, "Skin," is streaming on all music platforms.  They joined me for a conversation about their careers and influences, and opened up about how their lives were forever changed after their husband's/father's accident eight years ago. Connect with...

Amit Maranganti is the owner of Krav Maga Cleveland , a Krav Maga self-defense and fitness school located in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland.  He joined me for a conversation on the importance of self-defense training and how to handle certain real-life situations. Connect with Amit on Instagram  

Kendall Forward is a reporter for Cleveland 19 News.  She joined me for a conversation on broadcast media (specifically related to crime stories), how television media is changing, and the effects of social media on society as a whole. Connect with Kendall on Instagram | Twitter  

Yaron Kohlberg is a multilingual, internationally acclaimed concert pianist and the current President of Cleveland International Piano Competition, a 15-day annual competition between the world's most accomplished pianists. Described as "the pianist with golden hands" by international media, Kohlberg has played and competed in 40 countries and has won more than ten international prizes. See more a...

This one hurts. Like really, really hurts. I went solo in Episode 108 to try to make sense of the inconceivable death of Kobe Bryant.  

Kevin Adelstein is the publisher and CEO of Cleveland Jewish News , an independent source of Jewish news and commentary serving Northeast Ohio. He joined me for a conversation about the publications he oversees, the importance of exercise, and raising a non-verbal son. www.cjn.org 

Hannah Blaylock is a singer/songwriter whose mix of folk, country and blues have caught the eyes of Billboard Music and many country music stars. Born in Alaska and raised in Arkansas, Hannah currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio as she continues to elevate her profile in the country music industry. Connect with Hannah on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter    

Scott Weingold, founder of The Optimized You , returns to the podcast and drops a plethora of insight into the fact that you cannot optimize your body without optimizing your mind. http://www.theoptimizedyou.com    

Matt Iannotti is a 34-year old man who has experienced three separate brain tumors since age 18, in addition to an array of other physical ailments and deteriorations.  Still, through all of his battles, he has remained defiant in his fight against these diseases, and, in this powerful conversation, provides us an inspirational outlook into the power of the mind. www.natehaber.com Connect with Mat...

Natalie Shteyngarts is an attorney who struggled with an eating disorder for years.  She joined me for a raw and candid conversation about battling the disorder and how 2019 was the year she began to overcome it.  

LeeAnn Sommers is an on-air morning radio personality for the popular Cleveland country music station, 99.5 WGAR .  She joined me for a conversation mainly about her current adoption efforts in South America and the rigorous process her and her family have been going through to secure their adopted child.  We also get into music and career, and - on this Veteran's Day - hear about her brother's lo...

Nancy Schmidt (my aunt) is no stranger to the medical world.  Assisting my uncle, Dr. Richard G. Schmidt , Chief of Orthopedic Oncology at Lankaneu Medical Center in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, for decades, she has been exposed to some of the most brutal forms of cancer a human can endure.  Still, nothing could have prepared her for the devastating news she received on a cold day in September 2009. ...

Episode 100 is finally here! Nate was joined by his mom, Ida, who interviewed him and took a look back at some of his struggles and triumphs from childhood to today. Enjoy!  

Ian Rapoport ( @RapSheet ) is a reporter and national insider for NFL Network and NFL.com.  Having begun covering college football in 2004, Ian made a rapid ascent in the football media world, then covering the Patriots for the Boston Herald in 2009, and quickly thereafter being hired by NFL Network in 2012.  In addition to his reporting duties, he hosts a podcast called ' RapSheet and Friends ,'...

Ali Stagnitta ( @alistagnitta ) is a New York City-based, on-air reporter for HollywoodLife , whose YouTube channel has grown to almost 3 million subscribers.  Hear about her career, dating life and behind-the-scenes insight into the entertainment industry.     

Ryan Marie Miocic ( @mrs_miocic ) is a real estate agent and the wife of current UFC heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic.   

Owen River ( @owen.river ) is a Cleveland-based hip-hop and R&B artist on the rise.  Abandoned by his mother at the age of 8 due to her heroin addiction, Owen opens up about the turmoil he faced during his childhood and how he has used those experiences as the fuel behind his music.  

Ryan Spicer ( @ryanxspicer ) is a content creator and team member from the popular website www.imfromcleveland.com and Instagram @ImFromCLE .  He also manages content for the band 'The Catching' and will be on a European tour with them this November.    

Stacey Mac and Susan Sasseville have taken the Cleveland real estate industry - and my podcast - by storm.  They came on to share insight into the world of real estate transactions and title, in addition to sharing information on their newly found initiative, 'Boss Babes.'