The Matt Balaker Podcast

Kris Lezetc started modeling as a child. Then she became and actor and comedian. However, a tragic ski accident forced her into intense rehab and helped find her passion. Hear her story.

Attorney, investor, and best friend of the program Chris Linden joins to share his insights on the debt ceiling and more.

The two authors of Greg Giraldo: A Comedian's Story on one podcast! Wayne Jones, Canadian author of "Greg Giraldo: A Comedian’s Story" discusses his experiences as a writer, academic, and comedy fans. Wayne Jones is a writer and editor in Ottawa, Canada. My passions are writing, film, and standup comedy. https://www.waynejones.ca Greg Giraldo: A Comedian's Story

Instead of just talking about cleaner energy. Brian Jones made it his career. We talk too. Hear his story. Brian Jones, established Windmill Capital Management to broaden the commercial and industrial clean energy capital ecosystem. Mr. Jones spent more than 15 years on Wall Street as a real estate investment banker helping REITs and other real estate operators increase stakeholder value through a...

Brian Fishbach grew up in Wisconsin. His knows sports and the ins-and-outs of music, politics, and entertainment. He left DC to follow his heart. Hear his story. MORE ABOUT BRIAN FISHBACH BRIAN FISHBACH is a music journalist, copywriter, and ghostwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Brian grew up in Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he earned a BA in Politi...

Dave was born and raised in New York City, and now lives in Austin, Texas. In his professional career he has worked in the non-profit arena, and in sports research and journalism. Dave created Cruelty Free Investing because he saw a glaring need for research on companies that have the ethical treatment of animals as part of their corporate philosophy. Dave originally took an interest in animal rig...

Comedian and wrestling aficionado Ryan Niemiller grew up in an Indiana trailer park. He ended up in LA to pursue standup comedy. A unique handicap helped him stand out. Now he's an AGT finalist, national headliner, and new father. Hear his story on the Matt Balaker Podcast. Check out his special Ryan Niemiller: Unarmed and Dangerous: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0BX9F5GMZ To learn m...

Rochelle Jordan grew up in Alaska. A reference from Paul McCartney motivated her to become an animal advocate. But her approach is different. Tune in to discover how she turned her passion into a profession. MORE ABOUT ROCHELLE JORDAN She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Biological Sciences from Lewis and Clark College and worked in both the veterinary and human medicine fields prior to joining GWS. S...

Improv comedy helped Levin O'Conner find purpose, love, and a career. Now he's shaping the Montana comedy scene. Hear his story on the Matt Balaker Podcast. Levin fell backward into improv in winter of 2002. In spite of his shy nature he enrolled and attended an improv class at iO Chicago. One class led to two and a year later he graduated the program a better, happier person convinced tha...

Shrinking actor Matt Knudsen had a non-traditional path to showbiz success. Hear his story. Matt Knudsen was born in Hawaii, raised in the Midwest and sailed around the world as a merchant marine. After trips to Europe, Africa and the Far East, he eventually put down his sea bag, picked up a microphone and began performing stand up comedy all across the country. As an actor, Matt has shared the sc...

Troy Dayton has spent his career working to get people out of physical prisons to getting them out of mental, emotional, and spiritual prisons. He helps people experience more joy, connection, and vitality. Hear his story on the Matt Balaker Podcast. MORE ABOUT TROY DAYTON Co-Founder and former Board Member OF Students for Sensible Drug Policy FounderFounder the Arcview Group Recently created Be W...

Ron Reid was a nationally touring comedian with appearances on Showtime, NBC, and more. He parlayed his expertise to help create Artists West Entertainment. Hear his story. https://artistswest.com/

Newth Morris is an entrepreneur, family man, and above-average snowboarder. He founded a company that employed hundreds. Now he's helping the next generation of business leaders. What are his thoughts on running a business in California? Tune in to find out. MORE ABOUT NEWTH MORRIS Newth is a Managing Director at Ankona. He currently serves as a board member of GoSite. Prior to Ankona, Newth w...

Amy Chambers had a cushy corporate job. But she left it to write books, teach others, get fit, and live the life she wanted. Hear her story on the Matt Balaker Podcast. MORE ABOUT AMY CHAMBERS Amy Chambers has over 21 years of experience in the financial services industry and has spent 15 of those in leadership. By the time she was 28, she was managing 260 people for a large commercial bank and ha...

Brooklyn-born Mike Diamond has led an intriguing life. As a Marine veteran, Diamond confronted his greatest fears and might have discovered the key to race relations. He pushed passed homelessness to become a successful business man. Then standup comedy derailed his political career. He persevered with laughter and drive. Hear his story.    https://www.instagram.com/mikediamond...  ...

Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist and film critic who runs HollywoodinToto.com. He regularly contributes to The Daily Wire, RealClearInvestigations, TheHill.com, and JustTheNews.com. Hear is story about love, movies, and free expression. http://HollywoodInToto.com https://link.chtbl.com/vHZhQUOy?sid=TWITTER

Matthew Nordgren a philanthropist, national champion, television star, and founder of Arcadian Capital Management. He was part of the most exciting game in Rose Bowl history. Now he applied his worth ethic to the business world. Hear his story on the Matt Balaker Podcast. MORE ABOUT MATTHEW NORDGREN Matthew Jason Nordgren is an ambitious executive, dedicated philanthropist, and accomplished athlet...

Carter Williams went from designing aircraft to revolutionizing the future of nutrition and health. Hear his story on the Matt Balaker Podcast. Carter Williams has spent his entire career working on innovation. First as a young engineer at McDonnell Douglas, next in his leadership roles at Boeing managing R&D and starting Boeing Ventures, and later as a successful entrepreneur and venture investor...

Matt Hawkins is a leader in cannabis investing. But he didn't start out that way. Hear his story about entrepreneurship, investing, and advocacy. ABOUT MATT HAWKINS Matt Hawkins entered cannabis as the founder of EEC in 2014. He is known and respected in the industry as one of its foremost and thought-leading investors and has developed invaluable cannabis relationships as a result. Matt has spoke...

From his 75 million-viewed AGT performance to his #1 Amazon comedy album, Alex Hooper blends dark humor with silly positivity. Hear his story about leaving his day job, roasting Simon Cowell, battling cancer, and resiliency.   Check out his new podcast Dirty Briefs: https://www.audible.com/pd/Dirty-Briefs-with-Alex-Hooper-Podcast/B0BSVJYGVF  @hooperhairpuff https://www.hoopercomedy.com/#...

Jordan Youkilis is Wells Scholar, fund manager, and cannabis expert. What are his New Year's Resolutions? He's countering the Drug War. Listen to find out how.   Jordan Youkilis' Resolution:  This year, I’m resolving to write a revolutionary proposal for sensible drug policy.  50+ years into the War on Drugs, and my heart breaks as its devastation continues compounding.  Despit...

Comic Matt Fulchiron took a 9 hour drive for a five minute set at the Hollywood Improv. The chain of events catapulted his career. Hear his story about comedy, marriage, and Brooklyn.   More About Matt Fulchiron Known to those in the know as “The Full Charge,” Matt Fulchiron makes love to the mic with an elevated level of rhythm, vocabulary, and insight.  Matt has appeared on The Joe Rog...

If you're going to invest, pick fun industries.   Marc Bushala is  an entrepreneur experienced in real estate, marketing, media,  and food and beverage. He’s founded  the private equity firm MAB Capital Management and was CEO of Angel’s Envy Bourbon. MORE ABOUT MARC BUSHALA   Marc Bushala founded MAB Capital Management, a closely held private equity firm, to invest in and...

Mike Knox worked as a prison guard and standup comedian. But becoming a dad shifted his focus to epilepsy advocacy. Hear his story on the Matt Balaker Podcast.

Law Smith's dad, played in the NFL but early concussions prevented Law from following his father's footsteps. So he channeled his hustle to grow his comedy and marketing careers. Hear his story and learn how to make more of your time. https://www.lawsmithworks.com MORE ABOUT LAW SMITH Experienced SMB Consultant and Digital Marketer with a demonstrated history of working in the Online Marketing ind...