The Greatness Machine

In today's episode of The Greatness Machine Darius chats with Peter Kozodoy, an Inc. 5000 serial entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, business coach and the author of Honest to Greatness. He works with organizations and their leaders to help them overcome self-limiting bullshit and use brutal honesty to achieve massive success. Peter is a former Olympic-hopeful figure skater and black belt in Taekwondo. Yo...

A lot can change in just a couple short years….your dreams may be just around the corner! These changes, whether they are good or bad, can happen in a blink of an eye. It may seem like every day is the same, but when you look back, everything is different from how it used to be, and you are different from who you used to be.  Change offers new opportunities and experiences. It keeps life exciting...

How are we rewriting the narrative around men's mental health challenges and solutions? In today's ever-changing landscape of mental health awareness, there is a growing recognition that the narrative around men's mental health needs a significant rewrite. It is a tale of strength found in vulnerability, of support forged in humor, and solutions inspired by empathy. Anson Whitmer, Founder of Menta...

Ever wondered what your life would look like if you could strike a perfect balance between work and family? Our guest for today, Jon is living the life of his dreams. He is focused on fatherhood and family, owns a thriving business, and has enough money to live comfortably. But this wasn’t always the case.  Back in 2005, Jon was trying to get his business up and running. He had run through all sav...

Why is this happening to me?  Or Why is this happening for me?  Do you ask yourself these questions when faced with adversities? Although both are true, what you focus on will determine how well you react when push comes to shove. After all, life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. And one of the only things we can control is our attitude toward things that happen to us. We can e...

What qualities set apart a legendary rock photographer whose work resonates with the soul of a generation and captures the spirit of an entire era? In the heart of rock 'n' roll's whirlwind, Michael Zagaris emerges as an iconic figure, the man behind the lens who documented the defining moments of music history. With a camera as his tool, he captured the raw energy, vulnerability, and unadulterate...

On today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Derek Coburn, the author of 'Networking Is NOT Working' and the co-founder and CEO of CADRE, an un-networking community in Washington, DC, which currently supports over 100 CEOs and business leaders.  Derek began his career in the financial services industry. When the economy took a turn for the worse, he had to devote more attention t...

Do you ever look back and think about the things that you could have done differently? Maybe you have done and said something that you wish you could take back. Maybe you wish you hadn’t worked so hard or wish you could have done better.  Most of us, if not all, have regrets. It could be things you did that you hoped you hadn’t or things you wish you had done but didn’t. Today, I am flying solo to...

In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Jessica Lawson, a self-taught chef and baker. Food is her creative release and being in the kitchen keeps her centered.  Jessica started a blog to share recipes, favorite gadgets, and products with her friends and family. She's fiercely passionate about good quality ingredients, healthy-ish living, and sharing her original well-tested...

Is writing a book hard? Today I’m flying solo to talk about the process of writing my first book, “The Core Value Equation,” where I tackled how core values create the ultimate decision-making engine for an organization that consistently produces spectacular results. Writing and publishing my own book has been on my bucket list for a long time until I made it happen in 2020. Now, looking back at t...

Ever wondered how to unleash your inner genius and transform your life? This innate desire to tap into our fullest potential often leads us on a journey of self-discovery, where we explore the depths of our abilities and aspirations. Renowned psychologist and personal development guru Gay Hendricks has dedicated much of his work to addressing precisely this question. Through his insightful teachin...

In today’s show, Darius interviews Gina Mollicone-Long, co-founder of Greatness U, a multinational training, team-building, and personal development company. Gina teaches the mechanics of the mind to help coaches and business leaders get better results faster. In today’s show, Gina gives us some interesting insights into different mechanistic mind models.  First, she walks us through her “Process...

Do you find yourself grappling with the idea of exploring various opportunities versus staying committed to a single path for long-term success? In the third installment of this compelling series, join me as I focus on a crucial lesson: “The game is long, but you need to stay to win it.” Reflecting on my experiences as a CEO and entrepreneur, I discuss the pitfalls of job hopping and share insight...

How can we foster a culture of "unreasonable hospitality" and go above and beyond conventional standards to deliver exceptional experiences? Will Guidara, a distinguished figure in the world of hospitality and fine dining, has not only earned numerous accolades but has also revolutionized the way people perceive dining experiences.  His journey teaches us that creating a culture of "unreasonable h...

Every entrepreneur will experience adversity at one time or another - that's a fact of life. Whether it be business related or personal, how we respond to the presence of these challenges is vital to determining whether we will triumph over them. In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Ben Woodward, speaker, strategist, coach and best-selling author. Ben is no stranger to ad...

Have you ever stopped to ponder how the roles you play in life shape your identity and, ultimately, the mark you leave on the world? How we define our identity is a complex and ever-evolving process. It is not merely a single label or job title, but a multifaceted tapestry of experiences, roles, and characteristics that make us who we are. How we define our identity ultimately shapes our perspecti...

Ever wondered how million-dollar deals happen behind closed doors? CL Turner, III, Founder and Managing Partner of Crescendo Capital Partners, underlines the critical role of building personal connections with founder-owner operators in private equity transactions, making it clear that it is more than just business; it is personal. He explains how the private equity industry goes beyond simply clo...

Leaving an established corporate gig to branch out on your own can seem daunting, and for many, the risk remains too high.  In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Jeffrey Schox, general partner at Trucks Venture Capital, and the founder of Schox Patent Group, a boutique patent firm focused on startups. Jeffrey started his career as an engineer on the original electric vehic...

Have you ever wondered if your quest for short-term gain might be hindering your long-term dreams? In the pursuit of long-term rewards, taking risks is the compass guiding us through uncharted territory. While risks can be intimidating, they also carry the potential for great rewards. It is the decision to invest in tomorrow, even if it means sacrificing short-term comfort.  In this inaugural epis...

Ever wondered how to reboot your life’s operating system for boundless success and purpose? In a world filled with challenges, demands, and distractions, many of us have experienced moments when we yearn for a fresh start, a way to unleash our full potential and discover true success and purpose. But how can one truly reboot their life's operating system to reach new heights and fulfill their drea...

In today's episode of "To you know your "why?" Are you clear about what drives you and gets you up in the morning?  he Greatness Machine," Darius talks with acclaimed speaker, best-selling author and CEO whisperer Cameron Herold about his amazing body of work, life and what his plans are now that he's retired. You'll learn a little about Cameron's journey, from his beginnings as an entrepreneur in...

Ever wondered what the path to success looks like after launching a string of business ventures? Today I am flying solo to look back and take you through how I started my entrepreneurial journey with a candy business that my brother and I launched in fourth grade, converting a one-pound block of chocolate into a lucrative enterprise.  Over the years, I have initiated or invested in 21 businesses,...

Ever wondered how the most successful leaders ignite greatness in their teams? Trey Taylor, a multi-faceted leader holding titles such as Managing Director of Threadneedle, CEO of Taylor Insurance Services, Managing Director of Trinity Blue, and Founding Partner of Ascend Partners, is a living testament to the power of great leadership and the success it breeds. Over his illustrious career, Trey h...

It's a simple truth: 'business as usual' simply doesn't apply anymore... and not just because of the pandemic. In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Jay Wilkinson, entrepreneur, author, speaker, angel investor, CEO of Firespring, and self-proclaimed "geek with social skills" about the rapidly shifting world of business. Hailing from Nebraska, the "middle of everywhere," Ja...

What is a recession, and are we in one now? Today I’m flying solo to talk about the US economy, its current state, and what to expect during the second half of the year.  A recession is generally characterized by negative gross domestic product (GDP), rising unemployment, falling retail prices, and contracting measures of income and manufacturing lasting months or years. Recessions are often class...