Scales Of Success Podcast

What if your greatest success came after your worst moment? In this unforgettable episode of Scales of Success , Marcus welcomes Robert Paylor, who was paralyzed during a rugby match, and chose to rise. From ICU to walking at graduation, Robert shares the mindset, faith, and purpose that redefined his life. Whether you’re facing a setback or searching for meaning, this episode is packed with the k...

What happens when algorithms shape how young girls see themselves and who’s watching? In today’s episode, Marcus Arredondo sits down with Jennifer Valentino-DeVries to share the story behind her powerful investigation into the world of child influencers. They explore the hidden economies of social media, the role of data in uncovering systemic issues, and why transparency in tech matters more than...

In this raw and revealing episode of Scales of Success , Marcus connects with Mark Kenney, who opens up about scaling fast, losing big, and the emotional toll that nearly broke him. He shares unfiltered insights on battling depression, rebuilding identity, and finding peace through faith, family, and fitness. From navigating failed deals to redefining success, Mark offers hard-won wisdom for anyon...

What stories are we told, and which ones do we choose to tell? In this powerful conversation, Marcus Arredondo chats with Nicole Graev Lipson to explore the evolving shape of womanhood, identity, and the courage to speak truth. From parenting a gender non-conforming child to reclaiming creativity after motherhood, Nicole shares what it means to live honestly in a world that often prefers silence....

What if the very thing you feared could be the path to healing? In this powerful conversation, Marcus Arredondo sits down with Army Ranger-turned-psychedelic advocate Jesse Gould, who shares his raw and personal journey from Wall Street and war zones to rock bottom, and eventually to profound healing through ayahuasca. Together, they explore how psychedelics are changing the mental health landscap...

What if the chaos in your mind was actually a signal, not a sentence? In this episode, Marcus connects with Dr. Andrew Hill, founder of Peak Brain Institute, to explore how brain mapping and neurofeedback can unlock focus, heal trauma, and boost performance. From improving sleep to regulating emotions and accessing flow states, Dr. Hill explains how measurable brain activity translates into everyd...

What do you do when safety vanishes in an instant? In this raw and powerful conversation, Marcus sits down as a follow-on mini-episode with Assaf Glazer—tech founder, father, and eyewitness to the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel—for an emotional recounting of survival, uncertainty, and resilience. From sheltering without a door to parenting through trauma, this conversation reveals the quiet...

What if the nights that broke you open became the ones that built you? In today’s episode, Marcus connects with Dr. Assaf Glazer, father, founder, and maker of meaning, whose journey flows from sleepless cribs to soulful kitchens. From Nanit to Vinst, this is a story of reinvention, where AI meets instinct, and technology learns to care. Dr. Assaf Glazer is a seasoned AI expert and product innovat...

What does it take to launch a wellness brand that sticks and scales? In this inspiring episode, Marcus welcomes John Klein to share the quiet courage behind building a wellness sanctuary in a world that rarely slows down. From sleepless nights to studios across the country, this is a story of risk, resilience, and reclaiming what it means to feel well. John Klein is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pause...

How do you rebuild a life when everything has fallen apart? In this powerful conversation, Marcus chats with Keegan Caldwell, whose journey reads like a testament to the human spirit rising from addiction, legal battles, and self-doubt to founding a global law firm without ever stepping foot in law school. Keegan shares the turning points that reshaped his soul, the quiet force of discipline, and...

What do you do when your biggest plans fall apart? In this inspiring episode, Marcus sits down with Ken Biberaj—real estate executive, civic leader, and host of Coffee with Ken—to talk about resilience, reinvention, and staying curious through setbacks. From politics to business and beyond, this episode is a reminder that showing up consistently opens unexpected doors. Ken Biberaj, a former NYC Co...

What does it take to chase your dreams—and stick with them? In this special solo episode, Marcus reflects on the first 26 episodes of Scales of Success and shares the hard-earned lessons that have reshaped his mindset, work, and relationships. From defining true support to separating self-awareness from self-consciousness, he opens up with humor, honesty, and thoughtful takeaways that anyone striv...

What if confronting fear is the best way to find peace, purpose, and growth? In this special episode, Marcus reconnects with his longtime friend William Robertson—a painter, architect, and entrepreneur known for designing his own fire-resistant home and embracing sustainability long before it was trendy. Their friendship, like a river ride, flows naturally between ideas, challenges, and laughs. Wi...

What happens when your ability to focus is the only thing keeping you alive? In today’s gripping episode, Marcus Arredondo talks with Courtney Buck, a former Army bomb technician turned global health and policy expert, whose story moves from the battlefield to boardrooms. Courtney shares what it’s like to disarm explosives under extreme pressure, why development aid is more than just charity, and...

What does it take to stay calm while flipping a plane at 14 Gs? In this high-octane episode, host Marcus Arredondo connects with AJ Wilder to explore how precision in the sky shaped his mindset on the ground—from building an architecture firm to launching a foundation for young pilots. Hear how he turned setbacks into strategy, fear into focus, and a bucket-and-squeegee startup into the launchpad...

Is the war on drugs really about justice—or something else entirely? In this episode, host Marcus Arredondo welcomes former DEA agent Angus Forbes, who pulls back the curtain on high-stakes international drug busts, undercover operations, and the corruption that few dare to discuss. From DEA raids in Thailand to the dark realities of law enforcement politics, Angus shares stories that defy popular...

Could you pitch investors for millions while caring for a newborn? In today’s episode, host Marcus Arredondo chats with Oriana Papin-Zoghbi, who shares her incredible journey of building a life-saving biotech company while navigating pregnancy, fundraising, and the chaos of startup life. From pitching investors with a newborn to securing millions in funding, she opens up about the challenges, sacr...

What if one experience could unlock your true self? In this episode, host Marcus Arredondo jives with attorney and entrepreneur Ricky Patel, who shares his life-changing journey with ayahuasca. Once a skeptic, Ricky took the plunge after seeing a friend’s transformation—what followed shattered his doubts and reshaped his view on life, relationships, and purpose. He shares how this ancient practice...

Why do some dogs become aggressive while others stay calm? Is it training or something more profound? In today’s episode, host Marcus Arredondo talks with dog rehabilitator Brandon Fouché, who challenges common beliefs about dog behavior. Brandon shares how a childhood dog attack shaped his views, why traditional training often fails, and how human fear affects pets. Together, they explore leaders...

What does it take to stay honest in politics? In this episode of the Scale of Success Podcast, host Marcus Arredondo connects with former Congressman Charlie Gonzalez about how he pulls back the curtain on the hidden costs of public service, the influence of big money in politics, and how fear and misinformation fuel division today. He shares unfiltered stories about family legacy, why political i...

What would you do if you were pushed out of the company you built? In today’s episode, host Marcus Arredondo welcomes Ted Eveleth, a serial entrepreneur who has raised millions, faced gut-wrenching setbacks, and still chooses to build. He shares the raw reality of getting ousted from his startup, the risks of raising money from friends and family, and why rejection is part of the game. Now, as CEO...

What if your biggest failure became the reason for your greatest success? In this Scale of Success Podcast episode, host Marcus Arredondo converses with Actor-turned-entrepreneur Cameron Moulène. He opens up about the moment that changed everything—becoming a single dad, battling addiction, and finding purpose beyond Hollywood. Cameron reveals how those struggles led him to create AugiHealth, a ga...

Is Mars our next home—or just a sci-fi fantasy? In today’s episode, host Marcus Arredondo chats with Zach Weinersmith, co-author of A City on Mars, who breaks down the real challenges of space colonization, from floating toilets to international law. He also shares his journey as a creator, navigating social media shifts, monetizing art, and balancing humor with deep research. If you think space t...

What if chasing success is draining your energy and stealing your joy? In this Scale of Success Podcast episode, host Marcus Arredondo connects with Melissa Mora, founder of Peak RN, who shares her journey from travel nursing to building a thriving coaching platform for nurses. She discusses burnout, redefining success, and embracing a balanced, meaningful life. Melissa offers practical tips for n...

Have you ever wondered how filmmakers bring bold ideas to life while staying grounded in their values? In today’s episode, host Marcus Arredondo welcomes Samantha Nisenboim to discuss producing blockbuster hits like Renfield, working with A-list talent, and taking creative risks. Hear how she turned a childhood dream into reality, rediscovered her love for storytelling, and used meditation and sel...