Discover the Difference

In this episode of Discover the Difference, we welcome back former CIA officer and Concentric executive Mark Davidson for an inside look at today's evolving geopolitical landscape. From the latest developments involving Iran, Ukraine, and Russia to the realities of intelligence gathering and national security, Mark shares a thoughtful perspective on the challenges shaping today's world. The conver...

This week on Discover the Difference , we sit down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and author of Be Yourself at Work, for a conversation on authenticity, leadership, emotional intelligence, and building cultures where people can truly belong. From leaving college and completing a 93-day Outward Bound journey to helping shape one of the most recognizable workplace cultures today,...

In this episode, we sit down with Stacy Korsgaden, a longtime insurance professional and candidate for California Insurance Commissioner. Jamie Reid and Gabe Erle have a conversation about one of the biggest issues impacting Californians today: the insurance crisis. Stacy Korsgaden discusses the challenges facing California’s insurance market, from rising costs and reduced carrier availability to...

On this episode of Discover the Difference, the C3 team sits down with Bruno Melli, an entrepreneur, former San Diego FC executive, and the new General Manager of Soccer at Fanatics. This episode unpacks the intersection of sports, culture, branding, and entrepreneurship. Bruno shares his journey from Mexico City to the U.S., how his early career at Nordstrom shaped his customer-first mindset, and...

Season 6 of the Discover the Difference Podcast kicks off with a special recap episode looking back at an unforgettable Season 5; a season defined by curiosity, resilience, reinvention, and the power of meaningful conversations. From former CIA leaders and special operations veterans to Olympians, entrepreneurs, wellness experts, and creators, this episode revisits the moments that left the bigges...

In this episode of  Discover the Difference , hosts Jamie and Ben sit down with Preston Caffrey. This episode dives into Preston’s unlikely journey from aspiring elementary school teacher and mortgage broker to co-founding Bobamos, a premium tequila brand rooted in family partnerships in Mexico. He shares how his wife’s champagne club inspired the business model, why honoring agave farmers’ storie...

In this episode of  Discover the Difference , hosts Jamie, Gabe, and Ryder sit down with Max Irving. A three-time National Champion, Olympic bronze medalist, and all-around water polo powerhouse, Max shares his journey from childhood dreams to competing on the world stage. The conversation dives deep into his early influences, the mindset of a champion, and the lessons he's learned along the way,...

In this episode, the team sits down with San Diego icon Sam the Cooking Guy for a candid conversation about his unconventional path from the pharmaceutical and advertising worlds to YouTube stardom. Hosts Jaime, Gabe, and Mark (Sam’s nephew) explore the twists and turns of Sam’s career, his leap into entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to reinvent yourself later in life.

In this episode of Discover the Difference, Jamie and Gabe talk with Matt Stevens, Navy SEAL veteran and CEO of The Honor Foundation. Matt shares his journey from the Naval Academy to the SEALs, then into tech, and now leading a mission-driven organization helping Special Operations Forces transition to civilian life. Hear how his commitment to excellence has shaped every phase of his career and h...

In this episode of Discover the Difference, Jamie and Gabe talk with Dave Albin, former Firewalk Captain for Tony Robbins. Dave shares how facing his fear of fire at a Tony Robbins event transformed his life—from struggling with addiction to leading thousands through firewalks. Now, through his nonprofit Operation Do No Harm, he helps veterans and first responders heal from trauma and build better...

In this episode of  Discover the Difference , Jamie and Gabe sit down with longtime friend Joe Lara, an elite Marine from MARSOC and a transformational coach for high-performing leaders. Joe shares powerful life lessons from his time embedded with Navy SEALs, Green Berets, and Army Rangers, and how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership, transition, and business coaching. Now part of...

In this inspiring episode of  Discover the Difference , hosts Jamie and Gabe sit down with the legendary Robert Owens. More than just an esteemed author, Robert is a true force of nature. He has completed seven marathons on seven continents at the age of 66, becoming the first person in the world to do so. He is also a trainer of Navy SEALs and professional athletes. Robert lives by one principle:...

On this episode of Discover the Difference, Jamie, Gabe, and Blake sit down with two highly decorated CIA veterans, Ralph Goff and Mark Davidson. Ralph, a 25-year CIA veteran and six-time Chief of Station, shares insights from his extensive experience across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including high-stakes operations in war zones. Mark, a 21-year CIA veteran and former senior operations of...

Hosts Jamie Reid and Gabe Erle take a look back at the Season 4 highlights of Discover the Difference with special guest Wayne Partello from CUENTO. Get ready for our first guest of Season 5 on April 4!

In our special season finale of Discover the Difference, SDSU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, John David Wicker, sits down with hosts Jamie, Gabe, and Matt to explore key topics shaping the future of SDSU athletics. They discuss the transformative impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness), SDSU's historic move to the Pac-12 and the monumental achievement of building Snapdragon Stadium. JD Wicke...

In our 9th episode of this season's Discover the Difference, Chris Mefford shares his journey from teaching to discovering his passion for marketing. He dives into leadership, emphasizing the power of recognition, empathy, and empowering teams. From insights on workplace psychology to lessons from Navy SEALs, Chris sheds light on creating a culture of excellence without micromanaging. Don’t miss o...

Hosts Jamie Reid and Gabe Erle, along with guest host Lindsay Bonfiglio, C3’s EVP of Human Resources & Operations, are excited to welcome Heather Whelpley to Discover the Difference. Heather is a coach, speaker and award-winning author specializing in imposter syndrome and silencing the inner critic. After hearing her powerful talk at the Assurex Global Conference, we knew we had to share her...

On Discover the Difference, hosts Jamie Reid and Gabe Earl are joined by guest host Matt Clark and Cape Capener, who built the brand Above the Rim amongst other successful apparel and lifestyle brands and most recently developed a brand new shoe category to help people actively recover from exercise. Dive into this week’s episode with San Diego native, Cape Capener. 

This week on Discover the Difference, hosts Jamie Reid and Gabe Erle sit down with retired Navy SEAL Diego Ugalde. Diego, who calls himself a "psychedelic pathfinder," shares his journey of treating PTSD through psychedelics. Curious about what that means? So were we! Tune in to hear Diego's heroic story and learn how he now helps other veterans treat trauma using psychedelics.

On this week’s episode of Discover the Difference, hosts Jamie and Gabe, along with guest host Matt Clark, sit down with soccer legend Landon Donovan. Dive deep into Landon’s life as he reflects on his illustrious career, the true meaning of success and his journey overcoming mental health challenges. Hear his insightful thoughts on the profound influence of sports on children and the lessons he's...

In this week’s episode, we catch up with Dr. Cindy McGovern, famously known as “The First Lady of Sales.” She is celebrated for transforming the popular sales acronym ABC (Always Be Closing) to Always Be Curious, emphasizing the role of curiosity in achieving success. This philosophy strongly resonates with us at C3, as we apply it both in our professional and personal lives, continuously learning...

Tune in to this week’s episode of Discover the Difference with Rob Sweetman. Rob's journey is one of remarkable resilience, overcoming personal setbacks and the heart-wrenching loss of loved ones. He shares his story of becoming a commercial insurance broker before embarking on his path as a Navy SEAL at the cutoff age of 28. Today, Rob channels his passion for service through 62 Romeo, an organiz...

Get ready for an energizing episode of Discover the Difference with our dynamic guest, Elizabeth Cardiello. Known for her boundless curiosity and infectious energy, Elizabeth is not just a TedX speaker but also the visionary founder of Caffè Unimatic, a unique coffee company that gained fame in a Netflix docuseries. In this episode, we delve into Elizabeth's journey from brewing exceptional coffee...

Hosts Jamie Reid and Gabe Erle take a look back at the Season 3 highlights of Discover the Difference with special guest Wayne Partello from CUENTO. Get ready for our first guest of Season 4 on May 23!