The Underswell with Derek Sabori

This week on The Underswell LIVE!, I sit down with musician, arts advocate, columnist, and community connector Anthony Small—a man who has spent his second act building meaning, identity, and impact through music, storytelling, and arts engagement. From tech sales to releasing his first studio album at 60, from working in minor league baseball to co-executive producing a new documentary on the leg...

This week on The Underswell, I sit down with Monika Kumar — sustainability advisor at Ichcha (“a wish”) and former Sustainability Finance Specialist at The World Bank — for a deep, energizing, and deeply human conversation about what it really takes to drive impact in today’s complex sustainability landscape. At first glance, it may appear to be so, but Monika’s story is anything but linear. Start...

Guest : Jesse Colin Jackson — Artist, Designer, Professor, Associate Dean, Executive Director, and Relentless Builder of Ideas Some careers unfold in a straight line. Jesse Colin Jackson’s career is more like one of his sculptures—layered, iterative, unexpected, and quietly brilliant once you step back and take in the whole form. In this conversation, Jesse, a Canadian-born artist/designer/enginee...

My guest this week, Karimah Hudda, has lived and worked across 40+ countries, guided by a lifelong commitment to equity, purpose, and human flourishing. She’s helped shape the sustainability agendas of some of the world’s most recognized organizations — from Fairtrade and Mondelez to Nike — and today leads IllumineEarth, a purpose-driven leadership and systems-change consultancy that helps executi...

This week, I sit down with Steve Tully, a seasoned executive whose career spans more than three decades in the surf and consumer products industries. From leading at Quiksilver, Roxy, Vix Swimwear, and Neff Headwear to mentoring emerging leaders and coaching executives through pivotal transitions, Steve’s story is one of humility, reinvention, and service. In this conversation, Steve shares how he...

What happens when you say yes to opportunity—even when you don’t see the full path ahead? In this episode of The Underswell w/ Derek Sabori, I chat with Dr. Brian Komoto, PharmD—President & CEO of Komoto Healthcare, President of the UCSF Alumni Association, and Alumni Regent at the University of California. Brian’s career began with a leap of faith: buying a small community pharmacy in Delano,...

In this episode of The Underswell w/ Derek Sabori, I sit down with Nicolai Glazer — Global Real Estate Advisor at Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty, former sponsored surfer, textile sales entrepreneur, and lifelong independent builder. Nicolai’s career has spanned multiple industries, but the throughline is clear: trust, discipline, and a commitment to becoming the best version of himself so...

This week on The Underswell, I sit down with Greg Ehrlich, Director of Business Development at MiiR, former professional musician, private chef, and full-time connector. Greg has lived three very different careers, but as he shares, there’s a common thread running through all of them: people, relationships, and authenticity. Greg’s story is packed with candid lessons, honest reflection, and plenty...

In this episode of The Underswell, I sit down with Alfred Ricci, Vice President of Strategic Relations at Alchemus, a Human Capital Management professional, and UC Irvine alum. Alfred’s story reads like a motivational playbook—equal parts raw honesty, practical advice, and lived experience. Alfred’s path wasn’t easy. At just 14, he walked away from a broken home, entered the foster system, and dec...

What does it look like to build a career with curiosity, creativity, and resilience—before you’ve even hit 30? On this episode of The Underswell, I sit down with Drew Keske, Manager at the K-Bar Ranch in Texas, handyman, project foreman, and supporter of sustainability and social entrepreneurship to find out. Drew brings a younger career perspective, but his story carries timeless lessons for...

What do you do when your career doesn’t follow a straight line? For my guest, Rachel Heussenstamm, the answer has always been: stay curious, say yes to opportunities, and treat every challenge like a problem worth solving. In this episode, Rachel shares her dynamic, “sideways” career journey—from overcoming dyslexia as a kid, to studying music and architecture, dropping out of USC to join a band i...

Guest : Steve Jones — Owner, bettershelter | Creative Visionary | Real Estate Developer Steve Jones has lived many careers in one: surfer, Quiksilver creative, college instructor, boutique developer, and community builder. Along the way, he’s built a reputation for design vision, grit, and a knack for staying relevant. In this episode, Steve shares stories that remind us why creativity, perseveran...

Michael Marckx’s career doesn’t read like a straight ladder climb—it’s a masterclass in following curiosity, saying yes to unexpected detours, and bringing your whole self (athlete, musician, strategist, dad, leader) to the work you do. From his early days as a marathon-running, surf-obsessed econ major at UC Irvine to leading brand turnarounds at Surfing Magazine, Ocean Pacific, Spy, Globe, and b...

Guest : Andrew Kaminski – Digital Marketing Specialist (Entry-Level) 🔗 Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn 🔎 About This Episode: Meet Andrew Kaminski—a recent college graduate with a strong work ethic, a background in hospitality, and a growing skillset in digital marketing. In this Professional Podcast Profile, we explore Andrew’s unique path from restaurant jobs and internships to the world of PPC...

What does a career look like when it doesn’t follow a straight line—but every chapter adds up to something remarkable? In this episode, I sit down with Julia Burton, a dynamic and resilient leader who has reinvented herself time and again across hospitality, finance, corporate events, and now higher education. From her earliest job selling hot dogs and waiting tables at the Four Seasons to managin...

Katrina Cravy has built a dynamic career through the power of story, stage presence, and sincere connection. In this episode, she joins me to talk about executive presence, mastering the art of charisma, and why communication is a learnable power skill—not just something you’re born with. From her early days as a TV anchor and consumer advocate to her current work as a coach for CEOs, speakers, an...

In this episode of The Underswell, I’m joined by Santiago Forero Vega, a sustainability consultant, entrepreneur, and 🥑 avocado farmer on a mission to make sustainability a performance driver—not just a cost center. From launching his own consulting company, ThinkSID, to helping run his family’s avocado farm in Colombia, Santiago blends personal experience with corporate know-how to tackle o...

🤝 Meet Sebastien Marcq, a marketing executive with over 20 years of experience shaping iconic brands across industries—from lifestyle giants like Vans and Volcom to global CPG players like Sambazon, and the U.S. launch of Asia’s premium tea chain, Chagee. Sebastien is currently exploring his next leadership role, and this conversation offers a deep dive into his philosophy, track record, and the...

In this episode, I sit down with David Stover, CEO and Co-founder of Bureo, Inc., for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation on purpose-driven entrepreneurship, systems change, and staying the course—especially when things get messy. David’s path started in a surf and skate shop in Rhode Island, wound through engineering school and corporate consulting, and eventually led him to Australia and the...

In this episode, I sit down with longtime creative leader and newly minted agency founder, Chris D’Amico, to discuss big career moves, the evolving creative landscape, and the power of clarity. Chris has built a standout career in advertising, creative direction, and brand storytelling—working with brands like Taco Bell, Dunkin’, and many more. Now, he's channeling all of that experience into CAPT...

In this inspiring conversation, I'm joined by ocean explorer, environmental advocate, and serial nonprofit founder Tiffany Duong. From law offices in LA to diving remote reefs in Honduras, Tiffany’s career path is anything but traditional—and she wouldn't have it any other way. Tiffany shares her courageous pivot away from corporate law after a life-changing dive in the Galápagos, and wa...

How do you build a successful career and a meaningful life? This week on The Underswell, I sit down with Breene Murphy—former sports writer turned financial strategist—whose career journey took a major turn after delivering his grandmother’s eulogy. That emotional moment led to a powerful realization: he wanted his work to help others live better lives. Since then, Breene has built a path across p...

What happens when you're laid off, have a newborn at home, and decide to build a business from scratch anyway? In this episode of The Underswell, I sit down with Matt Raminick—founder of Sunnyside, a creative and marketing agency helping lifestyle brands grow through strategy, storytelling, and standout creative. Matt walks us through his unconventional career journey—from aspiring touring drummer...

In this special episode of The Underswell, I sit down with my dad, Mike Sabori —a.k.a. Junkyard Mike—for his first-ever podcast appearance. With over 40 years in the automotive core and recycling industry, Mike shares the journey of building a small business from the ground up, working through extreme Arizona heat, navigating evolving technology, and finding purpose in sustainability before it was...

✨ How do you go from scuba diving in the Channel Islands to configuring customer data systems in Salesforce? Alex Warneke did just that—and brought all her storytelling, science, and communication skills along for the ride. In this episode, I chat with Alex, a data storyteller, Salesforce consultant, science communicator, and rock-climbing digital nomad. Her path is anything but linear—and that’s...