Real Talk with Mike Burke

Join Mike on location at the International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off in Reno, NV, as he sits down with Bruce Slavich—inventor, creator, and driving force behind TruSpray Systems. Bruce is no stranger to the spotlight, with multiple podium finishes and a first-place win in the Architectural Window Film competition. In this episode, he shares the story behind TruSpray, how his system is re...

Mike Burke sat down with none other than Spencer Lueders, the founder of 24 Hours of Booty and a true champion for cancer navigation and survivorship support. They talked about the inspiration behind the ride, its impact on local communities, and what keeps this mission rolling strong year after year. 🚴‍♂️💪 Whether you’ve ridden the Booty Loop yourself or just love a good story about grit and gi...

Join Mike Burke at the 24 Hours of Booty, featuring young adult cancer survivor and long‑time 24 Foundation supporter Lauren DiFrank. Lauren, in remission from Hodgkin’s lymphoma for 12 years, has participated in 24 Hours of Booty for over a decade—raising thousands of dollars to support survivorship programs that go beyond medical treatment. Lauren reflects on the profound personal connections sh...

In this episode, I sit down with the powerhouse behind some of the most impactful moves in the SFR, BTR, and Multifamily space—Yovonne Kenny, Vice President of Strategic Growth at Palisade™, an ACP, LLC brand. Yovonne’s not just talking growth—she’s building it. With over 13 years of experience across housing’s fastest-growing sectors, she’s scaling Palisade™, a grout-free, waterproof LVT wall pan...

In this episode of Real Talk, I am joined by Rev Ford, a native of Charlotte, N.C., and a dedicated Business Banker at First Citizens Bank. Rev shares his journey from being a college football player to becoming a successful banker, all while balancing family life and his passion for building relationships. In this episode, we discuss: • Small business and credit • The challenges of switching bank...

Today’s 🎙️ Real Talk with Mike Burke ft. Adam Virant — From Courtroom to Banana ball.  Adam Virant is the Director of Baseball Operations for the Savannah Bananas and a coach for both the Bananas and their touring rivals, the Party Animals. But before he was leading the most entertaining team in baseball, Adam was as attorney New York City.  A lifelong lover of the game, Adam spent years coaching...

In this episode, we catch up with Marco Cazorla, XPEL Territory Manager for Austin, TX.  Learn how he built his reputation as “The Film Trainer,” what it takes to grow a successful tint business, and why passion and process matter. Now, as a territory manager, Marco shares how he helps businesses grow, spot areas for improvement, and scale operations. Follow Marco: www.instagram.com/thefilmtrainer...

In this episode, we sit down with Christin Gish, the powerhouse behind XPEL’s global events and trade show experiences. With over 20 years in experiential marketing, Christin brings a deep passion for storytelling, event design, and operational excellence to everything she touches—from million-dollar private events to world-class automotive showcases like XDC, Barrett-Jackson, and Goodwood Festiva...

In this episode, we sit down with Tony Rimas, Vice President of Revenue at XPEL, to uncover the fascinating journey from cancer research and chemistry degrees to leading innovation in the automotive aftermarket. This conversation is packed with stories, strategy, and wisdom. We dive into: - The global playbook: building out XPEL’s international leadership to match explosive overseas demand. - Why...

In this episode, Carlos shares his journey from the medical field to leading global operations at XPEL. Hear how he helped grow the company from a single 30,000 sq. ft. warehouse to a global distribution network—with over 140 staff in San Antonio alone. Topics discussed:  How XPEL ships hundreds of orders a day—same-day. The challenges of COVID shipping and how they kept inventory flowing. New pro...

In this episode of our podcast, we sit down with Miles Hunter at the XPEL conference in Sydney. We discuss the world of window tinting, the growth of XPEL in Australia, and the community of tinting professionals. Highlights of the Episode: ✅ The XPEL Conference: Discover the significance of this year's event, featuring over 200 attendees and a showcase of innovative products.  ✅ Miles’ Jour...

In this episode, Mike sits down with Tim Allison, live at from Sydney Motorsport Park during XPEL dealer conference Australia (XDC). They discuss the booming potential of Australia’s automotive protection market, the hunger for growth among local dealers, and how cultural mindsets like “tall poppy syndrome” can hold businesses back. You’ll hear about: ✅ Why PPF and architectural film are Australi...

In this episode, Mike catches up with his longtime friend and XPEL’s VP of Asia-Pacific, Chris West, on location in Sydney, Australia. Chris shares his journey from Alaska to Shanghai, his insights on the booming opportunities for XPEL in Asia-Pacific, and what it’s like navigating cultural and market differences in China, Australia, and beyond. This podcast covers: ✅ Why China’s PPF and tint mar...

Ryan Townsley joins us in Sydney, Australia! Ryan is currently heading up the rapidly growing marine program at XPEL after the acquisition of PFS. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Ryan's Journey: Building a marine program from the ground up, starting with a bold idea and a blank canvas. ✅ Challenges in Education: Overcoming obstacles in educating boat owners about the importance of paint pr...

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Sharp, the owner of Australian Detailing Services in Sydney, Australia. With a decade of experience in the detailing industry, Ryan shares insights on his journey, the growth of paint protection film, and the importance of networking within the industry. Episode highlights: ✅ Background: Ryan discusses his transition to starting his own detailing shop and fo...

In this episode, we chat with Saad Hafiz, the owner of Obsession Car Detailing in Canberra, Australia. With nearly a decade of experience in the detailing industry, Saad shares insights on his journey, the challenges of reaching the million-dollar revenue mark, and the importance of networking at industry events. Topics covered: ✅ Background: Saad discusses his transition from a side business to...

 From 42 U.S. states to 30+ countries… this guy’s done it all 🌍 🍻 Party boats. Party buses. Pub crawls. Welcome to the world of Snapper. In this episode of Real Talk with Mike Burke, we dive into Snapper’s crazy journey from American road trips to running the hottest pub crawl and party cruises in Australia. We talk boats, buses, burnout, and the business of bringing people together through musi...

Meet Bren Eifler – CEO of IBX Digital. He’s the guy behind the scenes… the one with the cheat codes to the marketing game. While everyone is stuck on Level 3, Bren’s in the dungeon with the master controller — unlocking growth hacks, automating systems, and rewriting the rules. He’s the one who figures out how to beat the boss and win. CRM builds, ad funnels, lead flows, tracking setups — he’s our...

Live Recorded on March 6, 2025.  ➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast. ➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375 ➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1 ➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke ➤Email me for podcast inquiries: therealmikeburke@gmail.com

🎙️ Real Talk with Mike Burke 🎙️ Guest: Justin Kern – Founder & CEO of WeedCo   📍 Tucson, Arizona   🔗 Website: https://www.weedco.services/ In this episode, I sit down with Justin Kern, the founder of WeedCo, a leading pest and weed control company based in Tucson, Arizona. We delve into his journey of building a trusted local business. Justin shares how he transitioned from a career in corpo...

Lluvya is a teenage rap artist, producer, video director, and editor with roots in both Long Island, New York, and Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been gaining recognition for her dynamic style and creative versatility. In February 2025, Lluvya released the single “Up A While,” building anticipation for her upcoming mixtape, “Charlotte’s Web.” Beyond her music, Lluvya is active on social media,...

➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast. ➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375 ➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1 ➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke ➤Email me for podcast inquiries: therealmikeburke@gmail.com

Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson sits down to talk life, football, and what’s next. From 10 years of memories in Carolina to future plans in the NFL, he keeps it real in this exclusive interview with Charlotte native Mike Burke. ➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast. ➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mik...

➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast. ➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375 ➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1 ➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke ➤Email me for podcast inquiries: therealmikeburke@gmail.com

➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast. ➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375 ➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1 ➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke ➤Email me for podcast inquiries: therealmikeburke@gmail.com