The Greatness Machine

How do successful people navigate their careers, overcome barriers, and strategically position themselves for success? It is often challenging to navigate the complexities of professional growth when embarking on a successful career path. From shifting industry landscapes to personal and social expectations, professionals face numerous challenges and success in careers is largely determined by how...

Unconscious leaders are expert decision-makers and have a clear vision of what they want to achieve regardless of how their decisions or behavior can affect others. They tend to focus on the external environment and are driven by their emotional responses. Conscious leaders, on the other hand, are those who lead with full awareness, authenticity, intentionality and hold themselves accountable. Rat...

What if you could take your business or idea to the next level and achieve extraordinary success in a short amount of time? Today, I am flying solo to dive deep into the transformative power of partnerships and how they can help you 10x your cause, business, or idea. Drawing from my personal experience of raising $250 million for Rise Growth Partners, I will share invaluable insights and actionabl...

Ever wondered what it takes to shift from a life of constant striving and grinding to one filled with purpose, balance, and true abundance? Choosing a life of purpose, balance, and true abundance over a life consumed by relentless striving and grinding is a profound journey of self-discovery. This shift challenges the conventional narrative that success is solely defined by external accomplishment...

Anger is often viewed as a negative emotion that is typically associated with violence. While aggression is destructive, anger is a normal human emotion that is designed to promote survival, provide a sense of control, motivate us to solve problems, make us aware of injustice, drive us toward our goals, and inject optimism. Awarded the 2013 Distinguished Early Career Researcher Award by the Americ...

How are you doing with those 2024 goals you set for yourself? Whenever a new year comes around, we have a natural tendency to reflect on the past and envision the possibilities that await. Our New Year’s resolutions serve us our compass, guiding us towards growth, achievement, and a brighter future. Today, I am flying solo to talk about the common pitfalls of overambitious New Year’s resolutions a...

Is more money the key to happiness? Or is there more to life than what meets the wallet? People often seek financial success in the pursuit of happiness, believing that a substantial income and material wealth is equivalent to a more fulfilling life. While money certainly plays a crucial role in meeting basic needs and providing a sense of security, the relationship between money and happiness is...

Communication is complex. While most people associate it solely with talking or speaking, a good communicator must also have the ability to listen, question, and provide constructive input. The act of communicating not only allows one to convey information but also helps build relationships, enhances engagement, fuels innovation, and fosters trust. But just like any other skill, learning to be bet...

Have you ever experienced a moment where success brought praise and recognition, only to find yourself alone when faced with failure? Today, I am flying solo to delve into a profound quote that encapsulates the essence of these contrasting moments: “Success has many fathers, failure is an orphan.” Drawing from my entrepreneurial journey, I will dive deep into the dynamics of success, failure, and...

What if calories aren’t the whole story? In the realm of nutrition and health, the traditional belief has been that counting calories is the ultimate key to managing one’s diet effectively. But what if we told you calories might not be the key to a healthy diet? Delving beyond the calorie count, this question encourages us to explore the multifaceted elements that influence our health and well-bei...

Today I’m talking with Michael Arrieta, who currently serves as the Founder and CEO of Garden City, a purpose-driven holding company that buys, grows, and permanently holds family-owned companies.  He was an early employee at DocuSign and served as Global Vice President, General Manager, and Chief of Staff to the CEO before he founded MAV Ventures in 2016. Michael also co-founded New Story, a non-...

Do you believe that affirmations and goal-setting have the power to transform your life? Today, I am flying solo for a year-end episode where I unpack my thoughts on the transformative power of affirmations, highlighting a particular affirmation that stands out to me – growing a private equity business in the next 36 months.  This episode will delve into the unexpected success and challenges of th...

Ever wondered how burning the boats can lead to extracting more value than you ever thought possible? In this episode of The Greatness Machine, we welcome back Matt Higgins, the author of the groundbreaking book Burn the Boats: Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential.  Matt delves into the art of setting and achieving goals, sharing his unique four-step matrix. He emphasizes the impo...

Why are values important to succeed in business and in life? Today's guest shows us what really happens behind the scenes of a successful company and how values factor into the equation. In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius is joined by Matthew Stewart, co-founder and CEO of National Service Group (NSG), which operates College Works Painting, Empire Community Construction, Home Geni...

What’s holding you back? What’s stopping you from achieving the life you have always wanted? Unfortunately, many people experience regret for the things they never did. Perhaps they rejected a wonderful job offer, passed up an opportunity to expand their business, or missed the chance to travel the world.  While there are plenty of reasons for missed opportunities, choosing to live a life in a box...

How can you align your values with wealth management, lead authentically in business and navigate life's challenges with resilience? Joe Duran, a known figure in the field of wealth management, is highly regarded for his approach that goes beyond traditional financial strategies. As the founder and former CEO of United Capital, he consistently emphasizes the significance of aligning one's values w...

Today I’m talking with John Jackson, Director of Correctional Partnerships for Hustle 2.0, an evidence-based, trauma-informed curriculum used in more than 450 jails and prisons across the country. He is a co-author of ten books, a TEDx speaker, and a keynote speaker for multiple organizations advocating for second chances. After spending 18 years incarcerated, John earned four SHU terms before com...

Are you giving yourself the gift of dreaming? Or are you only grinding hard towards your goals? Many people think that dreams will take you nowhere unless you embrace the grind and take action towards achieving them. However, they allow you to see the future with optimism and to see what’s impossible become possible.  Today, I am flying solo to talk about dreams and goals and their big differences...

In a world full of challenges, how can technology be a force for good? As we navigate the complexities of the modern era, it becomes increasingly evident that the role of technology extends far beyond innovation for innovation’s sake; it is a formidable force capable of catalyzing positive change. Marga Hoek, a visionary three-time CEO and sustainability advocate, unravels the transformative poten...

Are you living the life you want to live, or the one you want others to see? That was the question on the mind of today's guest when he hit his first year of university. At the time. life seemed good. He had an academic scholarship to a top-tier school and a dream of making the U-19 Canadian Rugby Team had become a reality. But then it all came crashing down... In this episode of The Greatness Mac...

What is something that gives you a sense of purpose and a reason for living it? Whether it is a career path, a creative pursuit, a commitment to a cause, or nurturing meaningful relationships, purpose serves as a driving force that gives you a reason for living. Similarly, the Japanese concept of Ikigai offers a comprehensive perspective on discovering one’s purpose in life. Essentially, Ikigai is...

Picture a life where your business not only survives but thrives, seamlessly blending with a life that fulfills your every aspiration. Setbacks become stepping stones, success is measured by impact, and collaboration fuels both professional and personal growth. Your integrated life allows for a harmonious balance, enabling cherished moments and personal joy. But what does it take to turn your busi...

Today's episode covers business, real estate investing, strategic planning, software development, adventure, and a lot more. Our guest takes us back to his teenage years and how he started breaking sales records as the #1 sales representative in a company of more than 30,000 at the age of 20. In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Brad Weimert, entrepreneur, investor, and adve...

In the grand theater of life, each of us has our own script. But how often do we find ourselves peeking at the script of others, wondering if their lines are better written? In a world that often values success, happiness, and fulfillment as measurable commodities, the tendency to measure our own worth against the apparent achievements and joys of others becomes all too common. What we often fail...

Ever thought about the power of timeless lessons in steering your journey through the unpredictable? Morgan Housel, a two-time winner of the Best in Business Award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, and winner of the New York Times Sidney Award, brings forth a treasure trove of wisdom with his latest book, Same as Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes. With a keen understandi...