In The Arena Podcast

In this episode, co-hosts Jared Miguez and Dominic Luke sit down with Jennifer Byrne, co-founder of the non-profit Shields and Stripes and a passionate advocate for holistic health in the U.S. military. Hailing from Alaska, Jennifer began her journey in the Air Force ROTC, discovering her love for occupational therapy during college. She commissioned as a second lieutenant, balancing her military...

In this episode, co-hosts Jared Miguez and Dominic Luke sit down with John Hamilton, a former Air Force pararescueman whose dedication to helping others fueled his success in and out of the military. Now the CEO of Brooks Moving Company, John continues to inspire young students in the military pipeline, guiding them to reach their highest potential. John shares his journey from elite military oper...

On this episode, co-hosts Jared Miguez and Dominic Luke sit down with Manly Cazedessus, a former U.S. Air Force member who began his career as a computer operator before transitioning to administrative roles. Manly's path led him to the Office of Special Investigations (OSI), where he worked in the polygraph division in Southern California. His investigative work included uncovering a weapons...

In this episode, co-hosts Jared Miguez and Dominic Luke sit down with Shane Venezia, a former tank driver who went on to tackle the grueling challenges of Ranger School and join Special Ops. Shane shares how the mental toughness forged during his time in Ranger School shaped the rest of his military career, teaching him the resilience and determination needed to excel in any endeavor. Shane’s jour...

If you’re looking to gain insights into the dynamic world of real estate, you won’t want to miss this episode! This week, we sit down with special guest Gabrielle Francescon, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, from unique investment strategies to valuable lessons in resilience and growth. Each of our real estate guests shares their own journey, the challenges they’ve faced, and the p...

In this episode, Felicity Kahn—a leader in real estate and a powerful advocate for living a purpose-driven life—joins co-hosts Lauren Navarre, Courtney Fricke, and Jared Miguez to share her insights on what it takes to build a meaningful career and legacy in business. 🌟 Felicity dives deep into her journey, emphasizing the importance of staying true to your goals and embracing your identity in a...

In this episode of In the Arena Podcast, we sit down with Daniel Munn, a standout real estate agent on Louisiana’s North Shore who has built a reputation not only for his top-ranked business but also for his strong, community-focused social media presence. With a marketing degree from LSU, Daniel transformed his career by embracing video on Facebook, starting with Facebook Lives to refine his on-c...

In this episode, Trey Ledbetter, co-owner of Pro Dreams, discusses the dynamics of the sports memorabilia market, particularly the importance of authentic autographs and their impact on resale value. 🏆 He emphasizes that the quality of an athlete's signature can significantly influence the marketability of the items, highlighting the difference between athletes who take care in signing, like...

In this episode, we dive into the philosophy of BBSI with its leaders, who explore the company's commitment to decentralization and its impact on local culture and community engagement. They discuss how BBSI empowers local teams, allowing them to operate independently while still aligning with the overarching goals of the organization. This approach fosters open communication, ensuring that t...

Thomas Mitchell and District Attorney Collin Sims join co-hosts Jared Miguez and John Stephens for an important and emotional episode, spotlighting the life-changing work of the Children's Advocacy Center - Hope House. This organization plays a crucial role in protecting vulnerable children in our community, offering a safe space for healing after experiencing the trauma of abuse, including t...

Zachary Cavaretta, a talented local photographer, videographer, graphic designer, and artist, joins co-hosts Mallory Davis and Jonah Fry on today’s episode. Zachary has steadily built a name for himself in Louisiana’s creative scene, capturing dynamic shows and events across the region and recently producing standout work for major names in New Orleans. 🎥🎨 In this episode, Zachary shares how his...

We sat down with Adam Brister, a Baton Rouge native and former Air Force Pararescue (PJ). Pararescue involves saving lives on the battlefield, often risking their own to rescue others, which shaped Adam's dedication to the mission of "so that others may live." After leaving active duty in 2016, Adam transitioned into civilian life and is now a lead instructor with TribalCo, where he...

This week on our podcast, co-hosts sit down with Josh Wilson, a true entrepreneur who started from scratch in property management and has since built a thriving business. Josh didn’t stop at managing properties—he’s also developed a coaching program to help others streamline their own operations. In this episode, Josh shares the highs and lows of his journey, offering valuable insights on overcomi...

This week on our podcast, co-hosts sit down with John Roberts, a real estate investor and the founder of a growing CFO/CPA firm in Baton Rouge. John shares how his journey in real estate investing began with the BRRRR strategy and evolved into becoming a thought leader, hosting the local REIA, where investors come together to discuss trends, find deals, and build connections.  Connect with John he...

This week on our podcast, co-hosts Jared Miguez and Lauren Navarre are joined by Lane Daniel from the Lion Up Collective and SLU basketball player Sam Hines Jr. They dive deep into the powerful impact Southeastern Louisiana University’s new NIL program is having on student-athletes. Lane and Sam share insights into how the program is helping athletes grow both on and off the court and the importan...

This week on In The Arena, we have loan officer, Steven Rapalo, here with us to talk about all things mortgages and marketing! Steven is one of the best in his field and he comes on today to share his story of how he got started, what exactly he can do for you, and how video marketing brought him new clients. If you're a mortgage lender looking to boost your business, you're in the right...

This week on the In The Arena Podcast, Phil Nicaud joins Jared and Dom for an inspiring conversation! From his time in the Marine Corps to coaching hundreds of founders, CEOs, and leaders across the country, Phil shares the challenges and learning curves he faced after transitioning out of the military.  Now an author, father, and CEO, Phil dives deep into how the lessons he learned in the Marine...

This week on our business episode of In The Arena, our hosts are joined by Meredith Waguespack, the CEO and founder of Sweet Baton Rouge. Meredith gives us great insight to not only how her business is run, but the inspiring journey she took to get to where she is today. From starting as solely an online business to opening her first brick and mortar as 2020 hit, Meredith breaks down the highs and...

In this episode of In The Arena, we are excited to welcome Gavin and Bruce of Hogs for a Cause representing their team 'Hogwatch' for our community highlight. Listen in on the conversation as they talk about Hogs for the Cause and the important work they are doing for the families impacted by pediatric cancer. This is a special episode you don't want to miss! Website: https://hogsfo...

Ryan D. Rayburn joins us this week to tell his incredible story of his time on the frontlines of the War on Terror. Joining the military after the tragic events on 9/11, Ryan served as an Army Infantry OIF-1 Combat Veteran. After his time in the military, he came home to be an agent with State Farm. On this episode, Ryan touches on the challenging days he had in Iraq and the valuable things he lea...

Shelby Clement is a seasoned social media marketing expert with more than a decade of experience. As an entrepreneur, founder, wife, and mother of two, she has worked with clients across various industries, ranging from small businesses to big corporations. Starting her career as a Marketing Director in the oil and gas sector, Shelby recognized the gaps in big companies' marketing strategies...

In this episode, we’re thrilled to feature Justin Greenleaf, the founder and driving force behind Greenleaf Architects. Justin reveals the secrets behind his journey from starting a solo architecture firm to building a successful business. He delves into the early grind of entrepreneurship, shares strategies for fostering a strong office culture, and discusses effective leadership techniques. If y...

Sam Blair is a former Navy SEAL officer with over a decade of global leadership experience. As a SEAL, he led elite teams and taught Leadership and Ethics at the U.S. Naval Academy. He has traveled to over 50 countries and deployed across Africa, the Middle East, and South America. After leaving the military, Sam became a SkillBridge Fellow at a venture capital firm, founded and sold The Frassati...

In this episode, we sit down with Nancy Miller, a talented photographer from El Salvador who transitioned from dental school to pursue her true passion for photography. Nancy specializes in branding shoots and has a deep affinity for weddings, capturing unforgettable moments with authenticity and creativity. Known for her genuine nature and exceptional skills, Nancy’s work reflects her dedication...

In this episode, join us for an insightful conversation with Cenzo Caronna, a tech-forward entrepreneur and the visionary behind STartUp Northshore. Cenzo is dedicated to catalyzing entrepreneurship, innovation, and business formation on the Northshore. Discover how Cenzo's passion for investing in the community is helping businesses in St. Tammany grow, enter the market, and thrive. Tune in...