How'd it Happen?

Have you ever felt inspired to randomly do something you have never done before, just to see how it goes? That is what happened to Mike when he heard about the idea of a 12-hour walk in a webinar by Colin O’ Brady. Colin is the author of the book Impossible First , and he completed the amazing feat of trekking across Antarctica alone, pulling a 375-pound sled for 51 days in -40 degree weather. Col...

Join Mike Malatesta as he sits down with the legendary Steven Pressfield, an acclaimed author whose insights on creativity and overcoming resistance have been a beacon for many. Listen in as they explore Steven's concepts of shadow careers and the critical moment of 'pulling the pin,' committing to one's true calling. Steven and Mike share a frank discussion about why talent is...

Mike still remembers the sheer panic that washed over him on that national stage, the flubbed words, and the promise he made to himself to never endure such embarrassment again. This week's solo episode is a raw and honest account of how Mike confronted his fear of public speaking and turned what was once a source of dread into one of his greatest passions. With a blend of vulnerability and t...

In this episode, Christopher Turner lays out his journey from would-be doctor to financial maestro of the healthcare realm. This conversation uncovers the seismic shifts that occur when one trades in a stethoscope for the strategic finesse of entrepreneurship. As the mastermind behind EMERGICON LLC, Christopher delves into the complex dance of managing pre-hospital emergency care, an industry that...

Unlock the secrets to aligning your business actions with your core values as Mike explains a lesson he learned from Joe Polish, the mastermind behind Genius Network. Mike dives into the profound distinction between being merely interested in success and truly committing to it, and how this shift in perspective can change the way you engage in your business endeavors. As Mike takes notes from Joe,...

Unlock the secrets to entrepreneurial greatness with Tony DiSilvestro, a visionary who has launched an astounding 33 companies. You will be inspired as Tony shares his insights on transforming ordinary business operations into extraordinary customer experiences. Tony uncovers the heartbeat of successful entrepreneurship: creating memorable moments that keep customers coming back. As a best-selling...

Embark on an intellectual voyage as Mike unravels the seismic shifts in global economics, sparked by the innovation of shipping containers and the foretelling of geopolitical currents. Witness his exploration into the realms of Mark Levinson's "The Box" and the provocative foresight of Peter Zeihan's "The End of the World is Just the Beginning." Mike dissects the unde...

When faced with the heartache of addiction in his own family, Andrew Sossin took an innovative leap, founding Recovery Unplugged. Join Mike as he sits down with Andrew, delving into his compelling story of how traditional addiction therapy's shortcomings led to an alliance with Richie Supa of Aerosmith fame. Discover how their collaboration birthed a pioneering music-assisted therapy approach...

Join Mike on a fascinating exploration of how a seemingly mundane object—the shipping container—has reshaped our global landscape. Inspired by the book "The Box," Mike shares insights into the mind of Malcolm McLean, the inventor who revolutionized the way we move goods around the planet. Listen in as Mike uncovers the sweeping changes brought about by this simple yet ingenious innovatio...

Unlock the full potential of your health and performance with insights from Lisa Brooking, world champion runner, and functional medicine CEO. In this candid discussion, Lisa shares her remarkable journey from the world of athletics to the forefront of healthcare leadership. This conversation with Lisa brings to light the remarkable truth that health isn't just a state of being; it's an...

Join Mike on this thought-provoking journey as you explore the timeless question: Can money buy happiness? Mike shares intriguing findings from two significant studies that have stirred the pot in the world of economics and psychology. The first, a collaboration between Daniel Kahneman and his colleague Deaton (referred to as the KD study), suggests that while happiness does increase with income,...

Ever wondered about the power your intuition holds in guiding your entrepreneurial journey? Unpack that curiosity in this episode as Mike welcomes Jessica Yarbrough, a growth expert and business strategist, with an incredible narrative of her intriguing journey. From managing companies at a young age to venturing into a startup and taking a four-year spiritual hiatus around the world, Jessica’s jo...

What if you're unknowingly sabotaging your business by being too smart? In this guest episode, Mike sat down with the master of storytelling and connection, Kyle Gray, to dissect and discover the art of relating to your audience. You will journey through Kyle's life, from his passion for music, to his adventures in travel, and how these experiences shaped his gift for engaging storytelli...

Have you ever wondered how the power of branding could transform your business? Tune in to a captivating conversation with Mike’s guest, Kristen Graham Brown, CEO of Hoot Design Company, as she unwraps her journey from ad agency work to entrepreneurship and shifting her focus towards helping small businesses. Kristen shares her experiences and insights, highlighting how a strong brand identity can...

This episode is a tribute to the legendary Charlie Munger, an unsung hero behind the success of Berkshire Hathaway and the right-hand man to Warren Buffett. Mike commemorates Munger's life and wisdom by delving into the pages of "The Tao of Charlie Munger" by David Clark - a compilation of Munger's enlightening and profound quotes on life, business, and wealth. Who knew the key...

In this episode, you'll experience a deep-dive exploration into the aftermath of success in this riveting conversation with clinical psychologist and Vistage International Chair, Rick Eigenbrod. You’ll hear about the hidden challenges and implications of achieving your dreams - what happens when you finally get what you want? Rick's insightful book, "What Happens When You Get What Y...

What really defines your worth? Is it the glittering jewels or the expensive labels you don, or is it something more profound and meaningful? In this solo episode, Mike reflects on the insightful lyrics of Andy Grammer's song “Expensive", and embarks on a quest to uncover what truly makes us feel 'expensive'. This thought-provoking journey delves into the significance of love,...

This episode features Mike’s recent guest appearance on the Time to Shine Today Podcast with Scott Ferguson. The Time to Shine Today podcast is an award-winning interview-style podcast that helps you build a winning strategy and level up your life! Are you giving enough thought to your business exit strategy? Buckle up for an enlightening interview with Mike, a seasoned entrepreneur and author who...

Have you ever felt lost in the crowd? Join Mike as he dissects the 'zebra effect', a fascinating survival mechanism that helps keep zebras safe from predators. While this phenomenon is especially important for zebras, as humans it is imperative that we preserve our individuality. Mike explains the subtle art of maintaining distinctiveness while the world pressures us to conform. Mike sha...

Like many of us, Mike’s guest has had his fair share of entrepreneurial failures and lessons. Aaron Stahl, CEO of P3 Cost Analysts, certainly understands the highs and lows of the entrepreneurial journey. But when he navigated the 2007 financial crisis and narrowly avoided bankruptcy in real estate, he used this as motivation to find an industry that could endure a recession and help businesses in...

Discover the secret to achieving your DreamExit in this episode as Mike shares the blueprint for entrepreneurs seeking to exit their businesses successfully. Mike exposes the harsh reality that 80% of business owners regret not preparing their business or themselves for exit. Listen in as he stresses the importance of early planning, professional advice, and proven strategies to get your business...

This episode of the How’d It Happen podcast takes you on a rollercoaster ride with Ian Bick, the fastest rising podcaster globally, as he unravels his journey from throwing high school parties to running a Ponzi scheme, going to prison, and ultimately, launching one of the most rapidly growing podcasts. Ian shares his compelling life story and how his prison experiences and struggles with addictio...

Prepare to rethink everything you've been taught about selfishness. It's time to embrace your selfish side, and in doing so, unleash your leadership potential. This episode of the How’d It Happen podcast is a deep-dive into the misunderstood concept of selfishness and its surprising benefits for leaders. Drawing from Mike’s book, “Owner Shift”, Mike debunks common misconceptions about se...

Could exchanging a mere 15 minutes of social media time for reading time significantly alter the trajectory of your life? In this conversation with Nick Hutchinson, the dynamo behind the seven-figure marketing firm Bookthinkers, he and Mike unpack the influential power of reading. Nick unveils his distinctive journey from a non-reader to a thriving entrepreneur, attributing his success to his read...

Join Mike as he embarks on a thought-provoking expedition of self-discovery and personal growth. This episode is a candid exploration of his personal mission statement inspired by the challenge from David Goggins. As Mike unpacks his core principles,he dives into the significance of committing to improvement in all aspects of life, the vitality of curiosity and continual learning, staying true to...