The Launchcast

In our best Barry Manilow voice, "looks like we made it!" No, we haven't made it past quarantine, we've made it to 20 episodes. In this behind the scenes retrospective on Episode 120 of The Launchcast , George discusses how this podcast came into existence, the logistics of designing the show (from the strategy to the intro to his interview influences from Howard Stern). We're playing some of our...

Remember that time that Tom Hanks was in a plane crash and was stranded on a desert island and felt such isolation that he personified a human friend in his volleyball, which he named Wilson? Well imagine that except instead of Tom Hanks, it's us. And instead of a dessert island, it's coronavirus quarantine. And instead of a volleyball named Wilson, it's this week's guest on Episode 119 of The Lau...

Do priests like Game of Thrones and the Yankees? The short answer is, yes. The long answer is on Episode 118 of The Launchcast as we sit down with Fr. Demetrios Kazakis, a New York based priest from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church who is a shining example of leadership through adversity. The LaunchDad finally gets another Greek on the show, but it’s not all gyros and opas. George and Father D t...

Yes, you read that right. That's Manila, but with 2 L's...why? Simple, this interview is as sweet as vanilla and as imperfect as a misspelled word on a vocabulary test. It’s being billed as the greatest rematch of all time. The people knew how special their chemistry was when they sparred on a few episodes of The Golden Mic Live, but their first epic battle happened on the now LEGENDARY episode 20...

It’s not our usual show, but then again, this is an unusual time. Four guests (count ‘em, FOUR) are joining us today as we braved the mean corona-ridden (virtual) streets to piece together Episode 116 of The Launchcast with one theme in mind: what can we do to keep the world turning in a time of crisis? You’ll hear from educator Jen Klock, two of the co-hosts of the Sanity is Overrated podcast Jen...

Have you heard this one yet? A young man on the Autism spectrum and an educator/advocate walk into a bar. But instead of a bar, it's the world. And instead walking into it, they ran full speed with full body armor and destroyed everything in their path. And when I say everything, I mean the stigmas that surround the Autism community and the narrative that has hindered their inclusion. Join Episode...

40 years ago, sick children all over the world lay in hospital beds with no hope left in their lives...and then an Arizona Highway Patrol motorcycle officer changed the world by granting the dying wish of a 7 year old boy. Join The Launchcast on Episode 114 with special guest Frank Shankwitz, the creator and co-founder of the Make-A-Wish Foundation . This is a big one folks, which means we're taki...

Only one man can lay claim to the following things: lost almost 200lbs, ran a marathon, received a compliment from Oprah Winfrey, convinced Howard Stern Show writer Sal Governale that he was a turtle and that his *cough, cough* was missing (2 different instances), oh and also helped COUNTLESS people change their lives. Join The Launchcast on Episode 113 as we interview the great Scott Schmaren, wo...

Time to get down to brass tacks. There is no such thing as leadership unless we stand up and say, "I'll do it." The Launchcast  takes a raw and emotional dive on a "ripped from the headlines" Episode 112 as we discuss the tragic case of Thomas Valva and the emotional plea of Quaden Bayles and his family. George lets out an emotional monologue that speaks to leadership from the perspective of a fat...

Sometimes, the plights of the world can affect someone so deeply that they dedicate their lives to shining a light on those plights. Enter the documentarian. Join The Launchcast on Episode 111 as we interview director, editor, and documentarian Ben Duffy. We're talking about his life as a filmmaker, all of his projects, and the unexpected role in leadership that he has found himself in. See you la...

All rise...the Chef has entered the building. TV personality, keynote speaker, and Executive Chef Allison Fasano joins us on Episode 110 of  The Launchcast for a dollop of leadership, a dash of business, some julienne life and growth, and much more. From her beginnings in Williamsburg, Brooklyn all the way to her rise through the culinary ranks and her eventual television appearances on Food Netwo...

Yes, you read that that right. Remain calm, stop squinting your eyes, and quit cleaning your bifocals. The Launchcast is coming at you on Episode 109 with the one and only best selling author, Dr. Greg Reid . We're talking writing, servant leadership, producing a movie (that's on Netflix!), and much more. Leadership, business, life, and growth with the author of Three Feet From Gold , Wealth Made...

The Launchcast pays tribute in episode 108 to Kobe Bean Bryant, legendary Los Angeles Lakers guard, future NBA Hall of Famer, husband, and father of four girls. George discusses his thoughts on Kobe’s unconventional life, growth, leadership, and everything in-between (including his career, businesses, family, his impact, and more). Hosted by entrepreneur and keynote/TEDx speaker George Andriopoulo...

The Launchcast goes Hollywood on episode 107! Our guest this week is Bobby Rubio, the writer & director of Float from Pixar , streaming now on Disney+ . We're talking life, growth, leadership, and everything in-between (including his previous movies, his work as a Marvel Comics cover artist, growing up Filipino-American, the influence of his son's autism diagnosis on Float, and more)! Hosted by en...

"Damn it, there is no shame in cancer." - Carol Silva Hey, hey everybody...it's The Launchcast with Episode 106: A Christmas Carol (Part 2). Our guest this week , again for part 2 of her incredible interview, is the legendary (and recently retired) News 12 Long Island news anchor Carol Silva. We're talking life, growth, leadership, and everything in-between. Part 2 includes Carol's move to televis...

The Launchcast begins 2020 with our 2 part "A Christmas Carol" episode, but not the kind of carol that you’re thinking of. Our guest this week is the legendary (and recently retired) News 12 Long Island news anchor Carol Silva. We're talking life, growth, leadership, and everything in-between. Part 1 delves into growing up on Long Island, NY, the roots of faith in her life, the beginning of her in...

The Launchcast closes out 2019 with Episode 104. Our guest this week is 1LT First Lieutenant Robby Plotkin of the U.S. Army (Army Ranger qualified Infantry Officer), home fresh off of his deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. We're talking life, growth, leadership, and everything in-between (including his former life as a pro MMA fighter, the influence of martial...

The Launchcast rolls on with with Episode 103 from the December 23, 2019 interview with guest Matt Campo, the incredible CEO of the Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro. We're talking life, growth, leadership, and everything in-between. George and Matt discuss the accident that changed his life, the power of giving, running (for fun...can you believe it), and servant leadership. The Laun...

The Launchcast continues with Episode 102 from the December 16, 2019 interview with guest Tricia Brouk, award winning writer/director/choreographer/TEDx producer. George and Tricia talk life, growth, leadership, and everything in-between. They discuss Tricia's humble beginnings in Arnold, Missouri and her move to New York where she took the city by storm with her dancing, choreography, entrepreneu...

The Launchcast premieres with Episode 101 from the December 12, 2019 interview with guest Mike Delguidice, solo singer/songwriter, vocalist/guitarist in Billy Joel's band, and New York music legend. George and Mike talk life, growth, leadership, and everything in-between. The Launchcast is hosted by entrepreneur and keynote/TEDx speaker George Andriopoulos. Follow @launchpadceo on Facebook, Twitte...