The Greatness Machine

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many changes to the business world, but one of the most significant has been the shift from the traditional office to remote work. Some companies have weathered this transition well, while others have struggled. There are several reasons why some businesses have adapted better than others, but today's guest believes that it comes down to having clear company values...

There's a lot of talk these days about values, whether they be through individuals or businesses. What's missing in these discussions however, is the importance of emotion in determining those values. In today's episode of "The Greatness Machine," Darius chats with Fran Biderman Gross, founder and CEO of Advantages, an award-winning Inc. 500 company. Through her work, Fran leads her clients along...

What does your "ideal" life look like? It's different for each person, but what you're imagining is your version of uncommon success. In today's episode of "The Greatness Machine," Darius talks with John Lee Dumas, founder and host of Entrepreneurs on Fire, an award-winning podcast that has featured over 2700 guests, a million monthly listens and 18 million in revenue since 2012. Through EoF, JLD...

If asked, there's one ability most of us would like to have - the ability to see into the future and prepare for what's to come. While no one can truly predict the future, we've gotten very good at using data and technology to make educated guesses about what's coming next. In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Jeff Booth, an entrepreneur, tech leader, strategic advisor, p...

The world of martial arts and that of business may seem to have no points of connection. However, there are powerful lessons there to be found, particularly around the ideas of conscious leadership and effective team building. In today's episode of "The Greatness Machine," Darius chats with Nathanael Chawkin, founder and CEO of Palaestra Leadership, and a mindfulness and martial arts instructor ab...

Do you know your "why?" Are you clear about what drives you and gets you up in the morning?  In today's episode of "The 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 i...

In today’s show, Darius interviews Jimmy Farris. Jimmy is a former American football wide receiver who retired from the NFL in 2009. Farris has been a member of the Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, and New England Patriots. Today, Jimmy shares why it is important to rediscover your purpose in life. When you have a singular goal in life, and then life sets you on a different path, how can you...

Do you wear a mask in your professional life? Not the mask you wear to protect yourself from COVID, but the kind of mask where you hide your true, authentic self. In today's episode of "The Greatness Machine," Darius chats with Michael Brody-Waite, acclaimed speaker, leadership coach, recovering addict and the author of Great Leaders Live Like Drug Addicts. Michael shares some of his amazing story...

In the 1999 film The Matrix, Neo was given two choices: take the blue pill and stay asleep, or take the red pill and, as Morpheus puts it, "...you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes." Which one would you choose? In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius talks with Rand Stagen, highly sought-after speaker and Managing Director of the Stagen Leadership Academy. I...

If you had the chance to live to be 150 years old, or 200, or more, would you do it? What would you try to accomplish with that extra time? Those are some of the questions you'll discover in today's episode of The Greatness Machine. This time out, Darius sits down with Justin Breen, best-selling author, polymath and the founder and CEO of BrEpic Communications LLC. You'll learn how Justin transiti...

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," J...

Today's episode of The Greatness Machine is part two of Darius' conversation with childhood friend and Executive Producer of "Below Deck: Mediterranean," Nadine Rajabi. A little about Nadine: Host for several Bravo digital series such as "The Shahs Come Clean with Nadine," "Fresh Squeezed: The Real Housewives of Orange County," and "Housewivesology: The Real Housewives of New Jersey," as well as s...

If you've watched "Below Deck: Mediterranean" on Bravo, then you know crazy things can happen at sea. As you're about to learn, it's no different behind the scenes! In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with childhood friend and Executive Producer of "Below Deck: Mediterranean," Nadine Rajabi. A list of Nadine's accomplishments sound as if she's lived several lifetimes: Host fo...

We're all familiar with B2B (Businesses to Business) and B2C (Business to Consumer), but have you heard of H2H (Human to Human)? In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius sits down with Joshua Lee, entrepreneur, author, coach, marketer, husband, father - "The Dopamine Dealer of LinkedIn" - to discuss this concept, and why it's key to building a successful business in the 21st century. Yo...

From a childhood filled with gang violence, illiteracy resulting in a 100+ year prison sentence, to a successful career as a speaker, author and Harvard Fellow - it sounds like something out of a Hollywood film. In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius sits down with the "Ambassador of Hope," Andre Norman to discuss his incredible and inspiring journey, as well as the circumstances that sh...

On today’s show, we interview entrepreneurial and executive coach, Malorie Nicole who shares with us her thoughts on ethics in coaching, core values, and fulfillment. Back in 2014, Malorie fell sick and faced some serious health issues which forced us to reassess her life’s priorities. She decided to change paths and chuck her comfortable engineering job to become a life coach. If you are finding...

What is the number ONE reason that people do not hit their body transformation goals? (Hint: it is not a lack of will-power) On today’s show, we interview international body transformation expert, Angelo Poli who unravels the mysteries of metabolism and data-driven weight loss. At the age of 38, Darius was tipping the scale at 363 pounds and was grappling with multiple health problems, as a result...

Feeling bogged down by your “need” to set the benchmark, higher and higher every time? On today’s show, we interview the incredible artist turned author, Victoria Labalme who shares with us her distilled wisdom on goal-setting, risk-taking, and our flawed attitude towards achievement. Victoria taps into her extensive experience in theatre, comedy clubs, and films to help out artists, entrepreneurs...

It sometimes seems as if certain people are born to be entrepreneurs. That's certainly true of Alana Winter! In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Alana Winter, serial entrepreneur, creative thinker, founder of MI6 Academy and Stiletto Spy School and guide on the path to self-aware leadership. Her journey has taken her from university admission at 16 to simultaneously bein...

On today’s show, we interview entrepreneur, designer, endurance athlete, and certified Integral Coach, Tony Lillios who shares with us his incredible life story, his many tribulations, and successes. Tony started his professional career as a consultant with IDEO. But then the desire to “do more” kicked in. And back in 1996, Tony founded Speck Design and then Speck Products. Speck Products designed...

On today’s show, we interview Brent Gleeson, a Navy SEAL combat veteran, serial entrepreneur, and now acclaimed speaker who shares his distilled wisdom on leadership, accountability, and discipline. Growing up in Dallas, Brent had a normal and secure childhood. And after graduating from SMU, he decided to stick to the tried and tested path by becoming a financial analyst. But, along the way, Brent...

Ever wondered what makes Tiger Woods the Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T.)? On today’s show, we interview Dr. Jeff Spencer who shares with us some expert goal-setting tips and the five critical things to cultivate a winning mindset. At the age of 7, Jeff set the big, hairy, audacious goal of being an Olympic cyclist – something that he accomplished at the age of 21. Fortunately for him, he met some...

On today’s show, Darius interviews Jevon (JT) McCormick, CEO, Scribe Media who shares with us his thoughts on racial injustice, socio-economic inequality, company culture, and much, much more… Born a son of a black pimp father and an orphan mother, Jevon was in and one of the juvenile systems in his formative years. And early on in his career, he had to overcome racial injustice as he tried to cem...

Have you taken a moment to step off the hamster wheel to pause and reflect on whether your life is headed in the right direction? On today’s show, we interview ex-CMO of Harley Davidson, Shelley Paxton who shares with us her wisdom on purpose, alignment, and discovery. You will learn the real truth about busyness and the importance of figuring out what’s truly important to you. With her trademark...

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 savi...