MIKE'D UP!

This week, Mike welcomes the author of  The Inside-Out Entrepreneur , Mohamed "Mo" F. Ahmed, a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in AI and cloud computing. Mo debunks common media myths about entrepreneurship, stressing the importance of a solid mindset and preparation. He delves into the evolution of AI, its rapid growth, and wide-ranging impact on various industries, emph...

In this heartfelt episode, Mike sits down with Jeremy Joerger , a decorated U.S. Army veteran and former federal special agent turned author and entrepreneur, to discuss his multifaceted journey. Jeremy opens up about his career shifts from high-stakes government roles to founding one of Florida's fastest-growing breweries, and the eventual failures that led him down a path of introspection. Jerem...

This week, Mike is joined by clinical psychologist and educational leader Doug Bolton , PhD, to take a deep dive into the complexities of children's misbehavior and stress. They discuss the shift from traditional views that focus on motivation and consequences to understanding misbehavior as a reaction to stress. Doug provides consultation, supervision, and professional development to parents, edu...

This week, Mike welcomes Luke Mickelson, the founder of the nonprofit organization  Sleep in Heavenly Peace . Mickelson shares the poignant story that led him to build his first bed for a child in need, leading to the creation of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. What began as a simple act of kindness has grown into a global movement. Today, SHP has over 400 chapters in 4 countries and 46 U.S. states, deli...

This week, Mike and Dave had the privilege of speaking with visionary entrepreneur Jon Sabes, founder of Longevity Financial Partners . Jon shares insights from his new book, Healthy Wealthy Longevity , exploring the intricate relationship between health, wealth, and happiness. He stresses the importance of balancing lifestyle choices and offers practical tips for enhancing your life. Jon also emp...

This week, Dave Ragosa returns to the show after a busy yet productive conference season. Mike and Dave dive into the significance of networking and the often misunderstood value of failure. Dave shares insights from his recent franchise conferences, emphasizing the importance of building relationships, localized marketing, and consistently delivering great guest experiences. He provides updates o...

This week, Mike sits down with Jeremy Hill, the visionary founder of JB Capital , to explore his entrepreneurial journey. Jeremy shares how he took a leap of faith in 1995, leaving college to pursue a different path and the accidental beginnings of JB Capital. He discusses the challenges of handling everything by oneself and the importance of delegating tasks to allow for business growth. Jeremy o...

This week, Mike welcomes  Doug Zarkin , a branding expert with an impressive portfolio that includes Avon and Victoria's Secret Pink. Doug discusses his career journey from post-grad hustling to becoming a chief brand officer, emphasizing key lessons learned along the way. He reveals the principles of emotional connection in branding and marketing, highlighting the importance of listening to consu...

Drawing inspiration from a 'Home Improvement' episode with a cameo appearance by Christopher McDonald, Mike talks about the value of living in the moment, embracing the future, and always striving to grow. Mike highlights how important it is to surround yourself with positive people, learn new things, and break free from the past—especially your past mistakes. He also discusses how embracing AI ha...

This week, Mike sits down with  Lloyd Ross —an ex-lawyer turned financial educator and host of the " Money Grows on Trees " podcast—who dives deep into the paradox of busyness and wealth. Ross shares his journey from working a traditional 9-to-5 job to achieving financial freedom by mastering time management and effective delegation. He discusses common misconceptions about productivity, the impor...

This week, Mike is joined by Caleb Nelson, the owner and host of  Naked Sunday , for a profound conversation on aligning values, mindset, and habits to pursue a genuinely fulfilling life. Caleb opens up about his transformative journey of self-discovery, largely inspired by his wife, and how he confronted his self-worth to become a better husband and father. They discuss the importance of regular,...

This week Mike welcomes motivational speaker and author Amberly Lago for an engaging conversation about resilience and finding joy despite life's hardships. Amberly shares insights from her new book, Joy Through The Journey emphasizing the power of radical honesty, community, and actionable steps for sparking joy. She recounts her incredible journey from a life-threatening motorcycle accident to b...

This week Mike is excited to welcome  Lior Arussy , a leading authority on customer experience. In this chat Mike and Lior dive into the critical importance of prioritizing customers over technology, sharing how companies can adapt to rapidly changing markets to stay relevant. Lior discusses his journey from startup entrepreneur to esteemed consultant, offering a wealth of insights on retaining an...

In this powerful episode, Mike sits down with Dr. Esther Zeledon, author of  'Creating Your Limitless Life' and former international diplomat and scientist turned life coach. Dr. Zeledon shares her incredible life story, beginning with her family's journey from Nicaragua to the U.S. after winning a life-saving lottery, allowing her to receive crucial medical treatment. Esther candidly discusses he...

This week, Mike sits down with Kerim Kfuri, a global entrepreneur and expert in the supply chain industry. Together, they delve into the ripple effects of global actions, emphasizing the need for local and global sustainability. Kerim discusses how the U.S. has historically exported trash and hazardous materials and how this impacts the planet. They explore the critical components of effective sup...

This week, Mike is joined by Kaley Z, who shares her inspiring journey of overcoming Multiple Sclerosis (MS) after being diagnosed at the young age of 12. Now symptom-free for over 10 years, Kaley opens up about her path to healing, which involves understanding the mind-body connection and integrating emotional freedom techniques (EFT) into her life. She recounts the early life challenges she face...

In this special episode, Mike welcomes back co-host Dave Ragosa for a catch-up as they share their experiences and highlights from the holiday season and discuss Dave's recent business travels and insights into the restaurant and franchising industries. The duo also reflects on their New Year's resolutions, personal growth, and the importance of intentionality and presence.  Tune in to hear about...

This week, Mike sits down with Dr. Andrea Mata as she shares her inspirational journey from a gang-infested neighborhood on Chicago's South Side to becoming a renowned clinical child psychologist and founder of  BrightSpot Families. Andrea discusses the devastating loss of her brother, the pivotal moments leading to her career, and her mission to address youth mental health and parental burnout. S...

This week Mike chats with James Brackin, host of the You Can Too Podcast, about transforming the word impossible into 'I'm possible.' The discussion covers various topics, including the power of language in shaping our mindset, cultivating an abundance mindset, overcoming imposter syndrome, and actionable strategies for personal growth. James shares his journey of becoming a mindset and personal g...

This week Mike returns after a brief hiatus following his move to Philadelphia, eager to start a new chapter of life and Mike'd Up! Joining him is Patricia Love, an energy revival coach and author of 'Seen and (un) Heard' to discuss foundational topics of empowerment, confidence, and inspiration, especially aimed at women over 40. Patricia shares insights from her journey of transformation and the...

Mike sits down with Alex Polamero, founder of Ninestone Marketing. With over 20 years of experience, Alex has successfully driven marketing and sales growth initiatives and managed strategic CRM implementations for organizations with revenues between $1 million and $1 billion. In this chat, Mike and Alex explore the nuances of entrepreneurship, especially for those venturing out with existing expe...

In this episode, Mike sits down with Alexander V. Johnson, the founding partner of Mixt Solutions . They discuss the company's impressive journey, managing millions of transactions on Amazon and crossing $100 million in sales in 2023. Alex shares valuable insights into the importance of consistency, maintaining a solid strategy, and building long-term relationships with clients as essential compon...

In this episode, hosts Mike and Dave welcome stand-up comedian, author, and cartoonist Wally DiCioccio to discuss his life experiences and career in comedy. The conversation explores Wally's early inspirations, family anecdotes, and significant moments in his stand-up journey, including recently doing a guest spot for Rocky LaPorte at Side Splitters Comedy Club. Wally reflects on his decision to l...

In this episode, Mike and Dave sit down with Tim Whitmire, co-founder of F3 Nation and CXN Advisory. Tim delves into the core principles of F3, an impactful workout group for men that stands for fitness, fellowship, and faith. He shares the origin story of F3, emphasizing its transformative impact on over 75,000 men worldwide. The conversation explores how F3 fosters strong communities and empower...

This week, Chris Wunder, CEO of  Leap Brands and founder of The Million Dollar Recruiter joins the show and recounts his transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship, underscoring the importance of following your calling rather than only pursuing your passion. The convo dives into recruiting industry practices, including relationship building, combining technology with personal connection...