Up2

Dan Richards is a true entrepreneur, having started numerous businesses and considering many more.  After nearly 30 years of building his chemical testing business, why did he decide to sell his largest company?  Meet yet another super-successful human being who has remained humble throughout his journey... And how extreme stress almost derailed him along the way.   

San-Diego-based Mark Tager, MD, has practiced medicine, been a successful entrepreneur and is a global leader in creative marketing. He's the author of 10 books and has given more than 1,000 speeches. He even created his own personality profile system and is a recognized expert in anti-aging. This wide-ranging discussion will be valuable to anyone hoping to become the best possible versions of the...

What does it feel like to negotiate deals with some of the biggest names in Hollywood and in business? And how do you decide, 'what's next?" after achieving major success at a young age?  This Washington D.C. power broker authentically shares on the importance of knowing your own strengths (and weaknesses), and the influential role honest mentors can play in your life, during this meaningful episo...

Rick Goings: How does a man who left home at 16; quit college; and sold encyclopedias door-to-door end up running a successful $2 billion enterprise with worldwide reach? Our latest Up2 guest is a U.S. Navy veteran; has served as the global chairman of 4,000 Boys and Girls Clubs; and he is such a passionate leader that he became known for sweating through multiple shirts when he pumped up his team...

Washington, D.C.-based Jodie McLean leads Edens, a national retail real estate development company with more than 115 properties. Also a member of the Federal Reserve Board; a catalyst for female founders; and so much more, this Up2 guest authentically shares about her mission to enrich communities through bringing people together, and how she 'sorts' through initiatives to lean on her strengths t...

Palo Alto, California-based Pankaj Shah, lives and works in the heart of Silicon Valley. He has founded several companies and has invested directly in even more. A new social network focusing on emotion rather than accomplishment; an innovative insurance company; even a new gin business! Our guest today builds bridges between the hyper-fast world of NBA players, music superstars, and some of the b...

Washington, D.C. based David Ciccone and his family epitomize the American Dream.  Both his parents grew up in modest Western European villages and came to America with huge hearts and big ideas for a bright future. Just one generation later, David is now leading his family and an extremely successful business of his own, serving CEOs and high net worth individuals throughout the U.S.  In spite of...

Philippe Bourguignon has travelled constantly since his early twenties. Only recently has he been forced to stay in one place for any length of time and even this is propelling him forward. Always one to learn and seek new adventures and challenges, Philippe has always risen to the occasion and as a result has served as the CEO of Euro Disney, Chairman and CEO of Club Med, and as the co-CEO of the...

Kalika Joy Nacion Yap is a three-peat entrepreneur; a published author and true influencer.  Based in Santa Monica, California this successful founder recently had her "Little Brand Book" published by HarperCollins, and she's been featured in many of the nation's most-respected publications.  Born in the Philippines; university in New York; and businesses in SoCal and Hawaii -- this global citizen...

Jean-Claude Kihn, Ph. D, is a renaissance man. A true global citizen, Jean-Claude speaks six languages and has lived all over the world. Jean-Claude’s professional successes are a result of his dedication and willingness to learn as well as his steady evaluation of self in order to improve. His constant learning and practice in leadership eventually led to his having held 17 different positions at...

A man who went from being an All-American high school football star, to homeless and on drugs in less than a year. Waverly Willis has overcome so much: drug addiction; chronic homelessness, and at one point, running for his life; severe obesity and cancer too... Yet with seemingly limitless resilience and with faith and persistence, today's Up2 guest is a successful entrepreneur, community leader,...

Dr. David Agus is one of the most sought after physicians in the world. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs had Dr. Agus lead his medical team for years; More recently, Larry Ellison, the billionaire chairman of Oracle, asked Dr. Agus to create the most innovative medical research center in the U.S. And Howard Stern even calls our Up2 guest, his doctor! Most importantly, Dr. Agus deploys his passion for h...

John DiJulius travels the globe working with the most-respected companies on their customer experience. Starbucks. Disney. The Ritz Carlton.... Having overcome significant challenges in his own life -- like being asked to retake every year of elementary school -- John ultimately failed out of college, and also dealt with major family challenges.  Successfully navigating these curves in the road, J...

Brigadier General Lenderman became the youngest general in the Air Force two years ago, after serving as a war-time pilot and on the Joint Chiefs staff. Today she is responsible for thousands of people and billions in our Defense budget, yet she is convinced that leadership still comes down to relationships and love. Tune in as Gen. Lenderman gives Adam a rare glimpse into the daily life of an act...

Ted Souder has spent his career on the leading edge of information technology. His ability to understand the importance that tech plays in the lives of individuals and businesses has led him to work at some of the most well known companies in the world, including America Online and Google for the past 20 years. Listen in to discover what Ted sees next on the tech horizon.

Season 2 saw another full lineup of remarkably accomplished and humble leaders, -- a Heisman Trophy winner; a world-renowned heart surgeon; and several business leaders. Join Adam Kaufman, Dave Douglas (producer), and special guest, Madison Cichocki as they reflect on some of their favorite moments from the season.

Doug Holladay has spent his career focusing on Meaning, Authenticity and becoming 'a better version of ourselves.' Hoping to fill some of the void now present in everyone's lives as we find ourselves coping with a society nearly shut down during the Coronavirus outbreak, we invited this former Ambassador, White House advisor, current Georgetown professor and founder of PathNorth, to discuss the po...

Fred Koury started his business career by subcontracting weekly chores to kids in the neighborhood. Today, his list of accomplishments and business success stories have become extensive. Fred Koury is the President and CEO of Smart Business Network, a multi-faceted company serving the business community nationwide. Listen as he freely shares on how he makes big decisions, on the importance of ment...

Dr Marc Gillinov is the chairman of Heart Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, ranked #1 in the U.S. for more than 20 straight years. Considered by many to be the most sought-after heart surgeon in the world, today's guest is the epitome of humble. This revealing conversation delves into Dr Gillinov's remarkable achievements; how he manages stress while saving the lives of his patients; and an authent...

Bernie Moreno was born in Colombia and moved to the United States at just 5 years old. Mom and Dad, along with 6 siblings crammed into a 2 bedroom condo and began a new life. They took a risk to reinvent themselves. That same determination, belief in self, and tenacity was passed on to Bernie. As an adult, he risked everything to purchase an underperforming car dealership, eventually having over 1...

In this episode of Up2, Adam sits down with Heisman Trophy-winner and Cleveland Browns quarterback, Baker Mayfield. The former #1 draft pick reflects authentically on family; on goal-setting; and on handling the pressures of life in the NFL. Special appearances by his wife, Emily Mayfield, and entrepreneur Bobby George, make this a rare conversation you won't want to miss.

Usually the one asking all the questions, there have been inquiries to learn more about Adam. How does he meet the people he knows? What has his career path been? And what makes him the perfect host for a podcast about success and humility?

Scott Wolstein has presided over a real estate empire with billions invested in the ground all over the United States. However, his legacy is about investment in people. Scott has always strived to be a compassionate person, but in recent years, his focus has shifted further toward his family and his philanthropic efforts. Listen in to find out how his faith both informs and confirms his drive for...

Joe Pulizzi is known as the Godfather of content marketing, but he knows the value in setting work aside from time to time. He has helped some of the biggest companies in the world with their marketing efforts and now, his concepts are heard in classrooms all over the world, helping to shape the next generation of marketing professionals. In recent years, a large portion of Joe’s attention has shi...

Philippe Bourguignon meanders and dreams. His creativity and passion has led him on adventures around the world and placed him at the top of many successful companies and renowned organizations. He has served as the CEO of Euro Disney, Chairman and CEO of Club Med, and the co-CEO of the World Economic Forum. Listen in to find out what Philippe Bourguignon has been Up2 and what can be learned from...