Determined Society with Shawn French | Adversity & Mindset

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Guerdy Abraira, world-renowned event designer, Real Housewives of Miami star, cancer survivor, and now author of her powerful memoir 'From Trauma to Trophies'. Joined by her husband Russell, the two open up about identity, childhood trauma, cultural reinvention, marriage, betrayal, fame, survival, and the inner work requir...

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with visionary developer Gil Dezer, the mind behind Dezer Development and the groundbreaking Bentley Residences in Sunny Isles, Florida. From an unprecedented 36-hour mat foundation pour to $630 million construction loans and engineering innovations the world has never seen, Gil breaks down exactly what it takes to build one of...

In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Marcus and Morgan Luttrell, Navy SEAL legends, brothers, warriors, and survivors whose stories have shaped a generation. From helicopter crashes and TBI recovery to the invisible battles that happen long after war ends, the Luttrell's open up about pain, resilience, identity, fatherhood, marriage, and the hard roa...

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Larry Hagner, the founder of The Dad Edge, author, coach, and the voice behind the #1 fatherhood podcast in the world. Larry opens up about faith, marriage, parenting, and the evolution of modern masculinity. From raising teenagers in the age of social media to staying grounded as a husband, to battling imposter syndrome w...

In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Jeffrey Delaney — founder of T Clinics and Nuviva Medical Weight Loss — to talk about what really happens when men lose their edge. Jeffrey breaks down the myths around testosterone, hormone therapy, nutrition, and popular GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Tirzepatide. Together, he and Shawn unpack what it means...

What happens when determination becomes your only strategy? In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Andrew Child, acclaimed author of the Reacher series and one of the minds behind the latest installment, Exit Strategy. The conversation dives into the psychology of writing, the craft of visualization, and the relentless perseverance that fuels one of fiction’s m...

At the Naples Therapeutic Riding Center, miracles happen on horseback. Host Shawn French steps onto the 10-acre sanctuary where horses help humans heal — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Joined by Executive Director Michelle Schweber, Marketing & Outreach Director Christian Vanorsdale, and Leah Haven, the center’s lead trainer for over 20 years, the conversation explores how connection, conf...

In this cinematic new episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with acclaimed film and television actor Jay Huguley — days away from the world premiere of Death on the Brandywine, the Delaware-made thriller that’s taking the festival circuit by storm. With three screenings added after sell-outs at the Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival, Huguley opens up about stepping...

In this gripping episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Emily Harrington — world-renowned professional climber, mother, and IMAX documentary star of Girl Climber. Emily opens up about the physical and emotional peaks behind her record-breaking climbs, including her free ascent of El Capitan, balancing motherhood, and the deep human lessons that come with facing fear th...

In this profoundly emotional episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Andrew Pollack, father of Meadow Pollack — one of the victims of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida Andrew shares his journey from unimaginable loss to relentless advocacy, turning grief into a nationwide movement for school safety, accountability, and change. H...

In this sharp, high-energy episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with the iconic Kelly Killoren Bensimon — model, author, Real Housewives of New York alum, and powerhouse luxury real-estate broker — for a raw conversation about mental toughness, authenticity, and legacy. Kelly opens up about the lessons learned after fame, how she rebuilt her identity beyond reality TV, an...

We present a deeply moving conversation with host Shawn French as he sits down with John O’Leary — bestselling author, motivational speaker, and the real-life inspiration behind the new William H. Macy film Soul on Fire. At just nine years old, John survived an explosion that left him with burns over 100% of his body and a 0% chance to live. What followed was nothing short of miraculous — a story...

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with viral creator Daniel Mac, the mind behind the iconic street interviews asking strangers in luxury cars, “What do you do for a living?” Daniel takes us inside his journey from a finance job in Dallas to one of the most recognizable creators on the planet. He opens up about the fear and rejection that came with pioneering a...

Nick Del Negro, General Manager of Lamborghini Naples, joins Shawn French on The Determined Society to talk about what it really means to live at full throttle. From a humble start in Worcester, Massachusetts, to leading one of the most prestigious dealerships in the world, Nick’s story is pure drive — a masterclass in grit, gratitude, and relentless focus. We talk about: -Turning hard work into a...

Global icon Kathy Ireland joins The Determined Society for a deeply personal and empowering conversation about reinvention, resilience, and faith. From her rise to fame as a supermodel to building a billion-dollar global brand, Kathy opens up about the defining moments that shaped her journey — from rejection and anxiety to advocacy and entrepreneurship. This is a story of grit, grace, and grounde...

Academy Award nominee William H. Macy joins Shawn French on The Determined Society for a powerful conversation about his latest film, Soul on Fire — the true story of John O’Leary, a boy who defied the odds after a devastating fire and grew into a beacon of hope. In this wide-ranging discussion, Macy reflects on the film’s deeper message — that determination, compassion, and connection can pull us...

When chasing success costs you your health, it’s time to biohack your way back to balance. Joseph Rivera—founder of the MoreLife Biohacking Summit—joins Shawn French on The Determined Society to talk about redefining success through wellness, mindset, and faith. What started as a personal search for health and meaning has evolved into one of the nation’s fastest-growing health and performance even...

What happens when a legendary crime novelist and his equally acclaimed son join forces on a new thriller? Jonathan Kellerman—#1 New York Times bestselling author of the Alex Delaware series—and Jesse Kellerman—his bestselling co-author and son—sit down with Shawn French for a thrilling episode of The Determined Society. Together they discuss Coyote Hills, their latest father-son collaboration, ble...

What would you do if you got laid off with five kids and a mortgage staring you down? Most people would retreat. Jorge Barragan doubled down. Out of desperation and vision, he co-founded The Picklr—now one of the fastest-growing pickleball franchises in the world, with 500+ locations sold and its 50th opening this year. In this inspiring conversation with Shawn French, Jorge shares how he went fro...

Patrick Dearborn brings unwavering purpose to every role he leads—whether as a top real estate agent, fire commissioner, or community advocate in Naples, Florida. In this episode of The Determined Society, Patrick and Shawn engage in a powerful conversation about faith, duty, daily disciplines, and the importance of service, unity, and unshakeable grit. They peel back the layers on his early morni...

Addiction, recovery, and wellness aren’t just abstract topics—they’re real battles being fought every single day. In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with Stephen Sundquist of White Sands Treatment Centers, our Presenting Sponsor, to talk about what true healing looks like. Steve opens up about the mission behind White Sands—building an environment that prioritizes di...

This powerful episode of The Determined Society honors the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. Joined by Dr. Gina Loudon—author, media personality, and powerhouse voice—Shawn French opens up about grief, faith, parenting, and the battle between good and evil in today’s world. Together, they remember Charlie’s message, his impact, and the lessons he leaves behind. From raw honesty about grief and fear...

What does determination look like in Hollywood—and beyond? In this episode of The Determined Society, Shawn French sits down with his cousin, Chris Coy, the acclaimed actor known for roles in The Deuce, The Walking Dead, Treme, True Blood, and more. Chris shares the realities of the entertainment industry: the grind, the setbacks, the pressure, and the wins. But more than credits on screen, his st...

Frankie Faison is more than just a familiar face from Coming to America, The Wire, and Banshee. With over 200 plays, 200 commercials, 200 television episodes, and 200 films under his belt, he proudly calls himself the “Quadruple 200 Man.” But his story is about more than numbers — it’s about perseverance, faith, and determination. In this conversation, Frankie opens up about: -His 15-year journey...

What happens when award-winning broadcaster and investigative journalist Steve Gruber digs into the threats no one else is talking about? From Chinese spies at U.S. universities to potential bio-terror weapons targeting our food supply, this episode of The Determined Society pulls no punches. Steve joins Shawn French for a raw conversation on the dangers hiding in plain sight—from crop-destroying...