MIKE'D UP!

Note: Connor was a 3X World Series of Poker champion when this episode was recorded, and hours before his birthday earlier this month, he won his 4th World Series of Poker circuit championship! When life dealt him a losing hand, Connor Steinbrook didn't fold. He went all-in and stormed back. In this episode, Mike welcomes back four-time World Series of Poker champion turned real estate powerhouse...

This week, Mike sits down with  Jay Sapovits , the founder and President of Ink'd Stores , a thriving $5 million e-commerce company that powers over 1,000 online swag stores for brands like DoorDash, Crocs, and Penn Entertainment. Jay opens up about his turbulent journey—from explosive early success and devastating loss to rebuilding his life and business from the ground up. The conversation explo...

This week, Mike sits down with  Jane Hanson , an Emmy-winning journalist who spent nearly three decades at NBC New York. From her humble beginnings in a small Minnesota town to becoming a prominent voice in television journalism, Jane reflects on a career filled with powerful storytelling, resilience, and transformation. Jane opens up about covering pivotal events like 9/11, the emotional weight o...

In this moving and eye-opening conversation, Mike sits down with Kurt Avery, the visionary founder and president of  Sawyer , to explore how one man's faith, resilience, and entrepreneurial drive sparked a movement that's transforming global health. After leaving the corporate comfort of Fortune 500 marketing, Kurt took a leap of faith to create a company focused on a single, world-changing missio...

This week, Mike fires up entrepreneurs and business leaders who have been saying, "someday I'll start my podcast." Mike reveals why Q4 is the golden window to plan and launch your show before everyone else even starts thinking about it. He breaks down the strategic advantage of starting now, how to structure your episodes, line up guests, and create content that truly represents your brand, values...

This week, Mike steps "behind the scenes" with  Graham Kuhn , the creative force behind Focus Films , whose life reads like a screenplay of transformation, grit, and passion. From the wrestling mats of small-town Wisconsin to the world's grand opera stages — and ultimately to the helm of his own film company — Graham's story proves that the path to success is rarely a straight line. When the pande...

In this episode, Mike sits down with renowned author Gail Jones for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about self-worth, mental health, and the untapped potential hiding inside every young person. Released during Bully Prevention Month and with World Mental Health Day right around the corner, this episode isn't only a discussion — it's a rallying cry to rediscover our inner greatness. Gail t...

This week, we step into the heart and soul of America's pastime. In this nostalgic episode, Mike sits down with Jonna Perlinger , the driving force behind Babe's Babes Media , to explore how baseball isn't only a sport — it's a legacy, a love language, and a way to keep the memories of those we cherish alive. From childhood living rooms turned into stadiums and sacred Yankees memorabilia that defi...

What happens when a man living out of his truck at the age of 27 finds the courage to face his demons, embrace his fears, and rise to the top of the business world? Join Mike as he sits down with Mark Silverman —a bestselling author , podcaster , thought leader, and sought-after coach—for a raw, gripping, and inspiring conversation you won't forget. Mark's story unfolds like a true comeback drama:...

In this solo episode, Mike shifts from his planned recap of the year to address a day that weighs heavily on all our hearts—September 11th. In the wake of tragedy and violence, including the deaths of Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska, Mike reflects on the importance of kindness, empathy, and restoring humanity in our daily lives. This episode is not about politics—it's about people. Mike explores t...

In this powerful episode,  Dr. Cindy Libert takes you behind the scenes of your own biology, uncovering how sex hormones—estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA—are the silent directors of brain health, mood, memory, energy, and even sleep. When these messengers drift out of balance, the ripple effects can feel overwhelming: brain fog clouds your thoughts, irritability takes the spotlight,...

In this electrifying episode, Mike dives deep into the raw and unfiltered journey of a man who built businesses in fitness, nutrition, consulting, and even  popcorn … all without outside investors. From sleeping in his car for six months just to keep a dream alive, to opening multiple retail stores, gyms , and launching Rexius Nutrition, Tim's story is one of resilience, grit, and relentless self-...

What happens when you decide to take control of your thoughts and rewrite your own story? In this episode, Mike sits down with Angie Wisdom —bestselling author of The Non-Negotiable You , master certified coach, and Fortune 500 keynote speaker—for a conversation that will change the way you think about success and fulfillment. From her leap out of finance into coaching, to the daily non-negotiable...

He's been to the top… and hit rock bottom. But quitting? Never an option. In this inspiring episode, Mike spotlights Darren Crosby, an entrepreneur whose story is a case study in the power of resilience. From his teenage start in business to navigating the cutthroat restaurant industry, Darren's career has been a rollercoaster ride through mortgages, franchising, and the unexpected smash-hit succe...

What do Amazon, The Rock, and personal branding have in common? More than you might think. This week, Mike welcomes AJ Vaden—CEO of  Brand Builders Group , co-author of Wealthy and Well-Known , and a trailblazing entrepreneur—to explore the secrets behind building a powerful personal brand. This dynamic conversation is packed with actionable insights to elevate your influence and success. From art...

What happens when you stop measuring productivity by how fast you reply to emails and start focusing on what actually moves the needle? In this eye-opening episode, Mike is joined by tech-savvy marketing powerhouse, podcaster,  and Forbes contributor, Rebecca Shaddix , who's here to blow up everything you thought you knew about getting stuff done. Together, they tear into productivity by breaking...

He turned a pencil into a purpose. Now, his story might truly change yours. When bestselling author and illustrator Andrew Matthews sits down with Mike, it's more than a conversation, it's an emotional rollercoaster filled with wisdom, heart, and the kind of life lessons they don't teach in school. Kicking off with a soul-stirring account of his stepson Michael's devastating car accident — and the...

This week, we step into the high-stakes world of bold ideas and billion-dollar dreams as Mike welcomes  Dalton Locke , the unstoppable entrepreneur behind MIT45 and PonoAI. In this high-paced episode, Dalton reveals the secrets behind building a multi-million-dollar empire, fueled by passion, perseverance…and a powerful plant called Kratom. This isn't only a story of success: it's a masterclass in...

This week, Mike welcomes Gary Daly, a sales pro, investor, lifelong learner, and author of  'Built By Lessons' . Gary shares his journey from facing challenges in Ireland and Australia to discovering personal development through Tony Robbins and how that experience shaped his career in sales across multiple continents. Gary discusses the importance of investing in yourself, the impact of mentors,...

This week, Mike welcomes renowned landscape designer  Steve Griggs , who shares incredible insights from his over 40 years of experience transforming outdoor spaces into luxurious sanctuaries. They discuss Steve's hands-on approach, his willingness to get 'dirty,' and the importance of earning respect from his team.  Highlighting his achievements, including receiving the Inc. 5000 award twice and...

This week, Mike reconnects with  Michael Anthony , the author of 'Life is Dope' . Michael shares his riveting story of survival and resilience, from narrowly escaping death in a drive-by shooting to overcoming various forms of abuse. Michael discusses the importance of flipping perspectives, taking ownership of your life, and defining true success. He emphasizes the power of language, the importan...

This week, Mike sits down with Laura G. Patac, founder of Empower Quest and author of  Stories with Purpose — a storytelling coach on a mission to turn overwhelm into overachievement. Once a globe-trotting corporate exec, Laura shares how she traded boardrooms for books and discovered the power of personal narrative. Together, Laura and Mike explore how storytelling, leadership, and emotional inte...

This week, Mike welcomes generational entrepreneur, franchise expert, and author of Hiding in Plain View , Marcel Clarke, to share his incredible journey from humble beginnings in Philadelphia to achieving remarkable success in multiple arenas. Marcel discusses the challenges he faced, including growing up in a rough neighborhood and navigating the world of entrepreneurship. He emphasizes the impo...

This week, Mike welcomes  Ryan Chute , AKA the Wizard of Ads, a consulting agency helping ambitious Residential Home Service Contractors and Professional Service Companies 4-10X their revenue profitably with brand-forward sales and marketing solutions. Together, they discuss resilience, entrepreneurship, and the power of overcoming adversity. Ryan explores his journey from a high school dropout to...

This week, Mike sits down with Jay Owen, CEO of Business Builders and a seasoned entrepreneur who kickstarted his marketing agency at 17. Jay relays his journey from early entrepreneurship to achieving top-tier status in the digital marketing world, highlighting essential lessons in resilience, adaptability, and the transformative power of AI in business. He also delves into the importance of clea...