Built Not Born

Bashar Hanna, PhD is the President of Commonwealth Univerity of Pennsylvania which is comprised of Bloomsburg Univerity, Lock Haven Univerity and Mansfield University. Dr Hanna and I discuss the cost of college, is a college degree still worth the investment, America's student loan epidemic and why a person can not lead without kindness. Connect with Bashar Hanna, PhD: Website: Bashar Hanna, PhD L...

Bill Murphy is the author of "Thriving in the Storm" and founder of the nonprofit Thrive Foundation. Bill and I discuss his abusive childhood, how he battled post-traumatic stress (PTSD) & other mental health challenges, an unexpected crises to finish an Ironman, the benefits of a morning routine, how he ran the Boston Marathon five times—including one on crutches and how he raised over $500,0...

Chris Matakas is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, author of 13 books on personal development ( On Jiu Jitsu , 5 Rules for White Belts & The Daily Martial Artist ), and a high performance coach. Chris and I discuss why humans need resistance, the power of community and why we need to follow our fears. Connect with Chris Matakas: Website: Chris Matakas Books: Amazon link to Chris Matakas' bo...

Cara Ooi, MD is a sleep physician and psychiatrist practicing in Toronto, Canada. Dr Ooi works with teens with insomnia, delivering a modified version of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). Cara is the the host of "Find the Eight" podcast, a 13-episode series, where she breaks down key sleep concepts and strategies in 10 minutes or less.   Cara's latest proj...

Derek Sivers is a best selling author, musician, entrepreneur and TedEx speaker. Derek and I discuss his writing, how he started CD Baby , and why if something is not a "Hell Yeah!" , it's an instant "No!". Connect with Derek Sivers: Website: Derek Sivers YouTube: Derek Sivers' TED Talks Twitter: Derek Sivers "Life is Built, Not Born." Joe Ciccarone

Phil Martelli is the associate head coach with the University of Michigan basketball program following a 34-year tenure at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. At St Joseph's Phil Martelli won six Atlantic 10 regular season/divisional titles and three A-10 Tournament championships. Phil was named NCAA National Coach of the Year in 2004, Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year four times, the USBW...

Jeffrey Gitomer is the best selling author who has written 15 books, including The Sales Bible and The Little Red Book of Selling , . The Little Red Book of Selling is the #1 all-time selling book on the topic of sales, has sold more than five million copies and been translated into 14 languages. Jeffrey has given over 2,500 paid speeches and has worked with the likes of Apple, Comcast, Microsoft,...

Ryron Gracie is head instructor at Gracie University in Torrance, California. Ryron is the eldest grandson of Grand Master Helio Gracie , the creator of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and the eldest son of Rorion Gracie, the creator of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). Ryron and I discuss mindset, willpower and why training jiu jitsu helps you live and thrive in the present moment. Connect with Ryron Gr...

Michael Lombardi is the author of "Gridiron Genius: A Master Class in Winning Championships and Building Dynasties in the NFL". Michael is a former NFL general manager and 3-time Super Bowl Champion . Michael shares what he learned working with coaching legends Bill Walsh of the 49ers, Al Davis of the Raiders, and Bill Belichick of the Patriots, during his three decades in the NFL. Michael and I a...

Tom Garvey is the author of The Secret Apartment: Vet Stadium a Surreal Memoir . The book tells the story of Tom secretly living inside of Veterans stadium, the home of the Philadelphia Eagles & Phillies, for almost 3 years.  Our conversation starts off by what made Tom storm out of a college classroom at Widener University, walk down to the post office and volunteer for the Army Air...

Andreia Torain is a classically trained musician. Andrea teaches violin in Philadelphia. She is also a student of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Andreia describes the connection between classical music and jiu jitsu.  Andreia discusses what it is like being a women training in a mostly male dominated combat sport like Brazilian jiu jitsu. We discuss our shared experience of suffering knee inj...

Jim Trunick is the author of the acclaimed book The CORE of Leadership™ , keynote speaker and leadership consultant. Jim describes the life lesson's he learned after the untimely death of his first wife from leukemia that left him to raise his 3 children while trying to keep his career going. We also talk about how Jim overcame the odds and recovered from a bicycling accident that left him in...

David Kaplan is Chief Operating Officer of WatchBox, the largest buyer, seller, and trader of pre-owned luxury watches in the world. David discusses building trust as a marketer, how leaders must learn from past failures and what baseball can teach our kids about life. Connect with David Kaplan: Website: www. WatchBox.com LinkedIn: David Kaplan "Life is built, not born." Joe Ciccarone

Shawn Nesbit is the CEO of Good Karma Cafe , a chain of cafes in Center City Philadelphia. Shawn discusses growing up in foster care, spending 20 years in corporate America before "Going for Now" as an entrepreneur in Philadelphia. Shawn speaks to what it's like to lead a small business through a global pandemic and social unrest. We also cover lessons learned from training Brazilian jiu jitsu, hi...

Trent McEntire was born with Class 1 Cerebral Palsy, which created many physical restrictions he had to overcome. Trent is the creator of "Fire Up Your Brain" which teaches proprietary techniques and strategies worldwide to help improve brain performance. Connect with Trent McEntire: Website: Fire Up Your Brain LinkedIn: Trent McEntire "Life is Built, Not Born." Joe Ciccarone

Kuri Yasuno is the author of Autism with a Side of Sushi: A Story of a Japanese Mother and Her Son on the Spectrum . Connect with Kuri Yasuno: Website: Kuri Yasuno IG: Kuri Yasuno Amazon: Autism with a Side of Sushi "Life is Built, Not Born." Joe Ciccarone

Marsha Redmon is an expert in teaching professionals worldwide how to fix their presentation skills so they can speak with confidence and make an impact. Marsha has reinvented her career three different times. Marsha is a former practicing attorney at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and was an award-winning consumer and investigative reporter on CBS television in major markets. She also taught MBA stu...

Naketa Ren Thigpen is the Best-Selling author of the book Selfish: Permission to Pause, Live, Love, and Laugh Your Way to Joy.  Naketa is the CEO of ThigPro Balance and Relationship Management Institute. Her work is focused on how to heal traumas while balancing work/life and LOVE. Connect with Naketa Ren Thigpen: ·     LinkedIn: Naketa Ren Thigpen ·   ...

John Stoj may be the only financial advisor who's managed over $3 billion and sushi kitchen. John spent decades on Wall Street. He traded and designed some of the most complex bonds ever seen. Then managed massive portfolios for large institutions. These experiences taught John two important lessons:. The more complex the investment, the greater its costs. The greater its costs, the worse it...

Drexwell Seymour is a best selling author and TV show host on a mission to inspire, encourage and influence others to overcome setbacks, systemic injustice and to find their purpose in life. Drexwell grew up on a small island in Turks and Caicos, where there were limited opportunities and terrible colorism. Drexwell suffered from fear and an inferiority complex his entire childhood. Today Drexwell...

Vikas Shah is an entrepreneur, investor, author and philanthropist from Manchester, England. Vikas is the author of the long form blog, ‘ Thought Economics’ and has been interviewing Nobel prize winners, business leaders, politicians, artists and Olympians. In 2021 he released his book,  ‘Thought Economics’ featuring key selections from his interviews with the likes of Richard Branson, Maya A...

Chef Yehuda Sichel is the owner of HUDA restaurant in Center City Philadelphia. Before opening HUDA , Chef Yehuda Sichel was is the Executive Chef and Partner of Abe Fisher in Philadelphia. A restaurant from James Beard Award-winning restaurateurs, Chef Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook of CookNSolo Restaurants. Connect with Chef Yehuda Sichel & HUDA Restaurant: Website: HUDA PHL IG: HUDA IG:...

Lisa Morton is the CEO & Founder of Roland Dransfield. Roland Dransfield is an integrated PR and content marketing agency with offices in Manchester, London and Los Angeles. Lisa & I discuss: How a bucket and a sponge changed the trajectory of her life. Why the world needs more leaders. How you can base your life on courage or comfort, NOT both. The 15 Principles that are the foundation of...

Sam Oropeza is the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania's 5th District in the special election taking place May 17, 2022. Sam and I discuss his platform, ideas to improve Philadelphia's 5th district and why Sam is uniquely qualified to do the job. Connect with Sam Oropeza: Campaign website: www.samforpasenate.com LinkedIn: Sam Oropeza Youtube: Sam Oropeza for PA State Senate Please Hit the FOLLOW...

Jackson Duncan is the founder of Focused Athletics in Philadelphia, PA. Focused Athletics is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides athletes in the Philadelphia area with the opportunity to optimize their potential. Focused Athletics provides underserved students with free SAT & ACT test prep, mentorship, meals, transportation and workouts on a weekly basis. To Make a Do...