Tag: Podcast
The Importance of Your Personal Style in Making a First Impression with Omor Okagbare (Ep. 61)

The Importance of Your Personal Style in Making a First Impression with Omor Okagbare (Ep. 61)

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You only have one chance to make a good first impression on your clients. How can upping your personal style create a better image of yourself?

In this episode, Brent Mekosh explores the importance of personal style and presentation in professional settings with Omor Okagbare, a personal stylist at Nordstrom’s Fashion Square in Scottsdale. 

Tune in as Omor shares his journey from starting at Nordstrom in 1998 to becoming a personal stylist, touching on how different professions impact the style needed.

Omor discusses:

  • His journey from Wall Street to Nordstrom
  • The value of dressing for your audience 
  • Why personal style is essential for making a good first impression
  • The current fashion trends
  • The impact of online retail on personal stylists
  • What you should know about ‘quiet luxury’
  • And more!

Connect with Omor Okagbare:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Omor Okagbare is very passionate about fashion and image consulting. He understands how confidence can give one a competitive advantage. Omor is all about helping you be a game changer by defining and unlocking your creative spirits through fashion and style.

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Navigating the Fatherhood Journey with Tyler Graham (Ep. 60)

Navigating the Fatherhood Journey with Tyler Graham (Ep. 60)

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The approach you take when raising your children may vary based on their unique personalities and traits, but how can you be sure you’re raising them according to their needs?

Let’s discover how Tyler Graham’s Burn Untamed framework is helping fathers find the answer.

In this episode, Tyler joins Brent Mekosh to explore the challenges and rewards of fatherhood. They emphasize the importance of having a clear vision for fatherhood while highlighting the value of being emotionally available and spending quality time with children. 

Listen in as Tyler and Brent shed light on societal stereotypes of fathers and the need for men to prioritize their role as fathers. 

Tyler discusses:

  • His Burn Untamed framework and how it’s transforming the way fathers connect with their kids
  • Ways his framework can guide fathers in crafting a vision for their family life, creating a margin for quality time, and establishing rhythms to bring that vision to reality
  • How to build your unique and ideal vision of fatherhood
  • How to create emotional availability 
  • The current portrayal of fathers in society 
  • Strategies to balance fatherhood and work life
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Tyler Graham:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Tyler Graham is passionate about helping other dads be intentional and present with their kids. Tyler is the husband to an amazing wife and a father to 6 beautiful kids. He and his family live in Greenville, SC.

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Retrain Your Brain for Greater Longevity & Quality of Life with Bill McManus (Ep. 59)

Retrain Your Brain for Greater Longevity & Quality of Life with Bill McManus (Ep. 59)

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What are the financial implications of cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia? 

What proactive steps can you take to safeguard your longevity and cognitive well-being?

Join Brent Mekosh and guest Bill McManus from Hartford Funds as they discuss the importance of maintaining good health and a positive outlook on aging.  

Brent and Bill emphasize the importance of brain health and how our lifestyle choices can significantly impact it while highlighting the value of social connectivity and lifestyle when it comes to cognitive decline and overall well-being.

Main talking points include:

  • How does longevity impact financial and lifestyle planning
  • What are the financial costs associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia
  • The lifestyle factors that contribute to cognitive health
  • The value of maintaining good health and energy as we age
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Bill McManus:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

With nearly 20 years of experience in financial services, Bill McManus has worked with countless financial professionals and their clients. He’s got a knack for simplifying complex financial planning and investing strategies to engage and educate clients and prospects. He’s also passionate about helping them look toward the future to anticipate and prepare for lifestyle changes that lay ahead.

Among other practice-management strategies, Bill shows financial professionals how they can optimize their prospecting strategies in a tech-driven world.

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Navigating Global Tensions: An Insightful Journey across Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, and Africa with Semaj McDowell (Ep. 58)

Navigating Global Tensions: An Insightful Journey across Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, and Africa with Semaj McDowell (Ep. 58)

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How do developments between Africa and Russia influence global politics? 

What unseen forces drive these geopolitical tensions?

 How can cautious realism guide us through these intricate global politics and uncertainties?

Find out in this week’s episode of SMART MONEY. SIMPLIFIED as Brent Mekosh interviews geopolitical risk practitioner, podcast host, and published author Semaj McDowell. 

Semaj explains the potential for a continental-based currency and recent developments in Niger. Brent and Semaj’s conversation covers various geopolitical issues, from the Russia-Ukraine tensions to the Israel-Hamas conflict and the geopolitical situation in North Africa.

Main talking points include: 

  • How did Semaj enter the geopolitical space
  • The potential development of a continental-based currency in Africa
  • Russia’s interests in Africa and the involvement of private military contractors
  • Some of the implications of the strategic partnership between China and Russia
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Semaj McDowell:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Geopolitical Enthusiast – National Security, Defense, Foreign Policy, and International Politics. 

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Semaj McDowell has been interested in politics since a young age. While growing up, he witnessed events both in his community and around the world that informed his views on equity and justice.

Semaj firmly believes leadership is crafted through service and empowering others to succeed.

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Cracking the Permian Code: Oil’s Ground Zero with David Messler (Ep. 57)

Cracking the Permian Code: Oil’s Ground Zero with David Messler (Ep. 57)

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Ever wondered how shale technology is reshaping oil production?

Are you intrigued about the economic impact on oil companies?

Get ready to explore this and more in this week’s episode of SMART MONEY. SIMPLIFIED with David Messler, an oil industry veteran with a 38-year career.

This week, David covers the current state of the oil industry, focusing on the Permian Basin and the impact of shale technology on oil production. David also shares his insight on the changes within the arena while shedding light on what the future holds for oil and alternative energy sources.

David explores:

  • The current state of the industry and how it will likely change
  • How oil production has evolved over the years
  • How the geopolitical landscape impacts oil production
  • What alternative energy sources are most viable for the future
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with David Messler:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

David Messler is an oilfield veteran who recently retired from a major service company. During his thirty-eight-year career, David worked in six continents (field and office assignments). He currently maintains an independent training and consulting practice while writing energy-related topics.

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What Happens When We Die? – A Conversation with Dr. Raymond Moody and Paul Perry (Ep. 56)

What Happens When We Die? – A Conversation with Dr. Raymond Moody and Paul Perry (Ep. 56)

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Even with all the advancements in technology and the knowledge we have gained, we still know little about near-death experiences and the afterlife.

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Paul Perry, best-selling author and founder of Sakkara Productions, and Dr. Raymond Moody, renowned author, professor, public speaker, and creator of the term ‘near-death experience.’ Together, they explore what happens after death, the concept of near-death experiences, and the idea of an afterlife.

Dr. Moody and Paul discuss:

  • How Dr. Moody was introduced to the study of near-death experiences and the afterlife
  • What are some common themes in near-death experiences
  • How shared death experiences can occur to those near someone who may pass away
  • How has their research changed their worldview
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Paul Perry:

Connect with Dr. Raymond Moody:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Paul Perry:

Paul Perry is the co-author of several New York Times bestsellers, including Closer to the Light, Transformed by the Light, and Saved by the Light, which was made into a popular movie by Fox-TV. His work has appeared in National Geographic Adventure, Outside Magazine, Reader’s Digest, and several other popular periodicals. His books have been published in more than 30 languages around the world. Paul is also a documentary filmmaker whose work has appeared on worldwide television.

In 1986, Paul’s interest in the effects and meaning of near-death experiences led him to a professional involvement with Dr. Raymond Moody, considered to be the founder of near-death studies. 

About Dr. Raymond Moody:

In 1975, Dr. Raymond Moody coined the term ‘near-death experience’ in his book Life After Life. For half a century, he has researched some of life’s greatest mysteries. As both a Ph.D. in philosophy and an MD, Dr. Raymond has had a strong interest in how medical realities intersect with the ineffable realm of philosophy. In his multiple roles as author, professor, public speaker, and grief counselor, he has heard thousands of accounts of near-death, shared death, and after-death experiences. Dr. Raymond never expected that his interest in the afterlife would become such a focus of his life’s work, but it has led him to great associations, friendships, and insights.

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Revisiting ‘Fast and Furious’ with Peter Forcelli – A Whistleblower’s Perspective (Ep. 55)

Revisiting ‘Fast and Furious’ with Peter Forcelli – A Whistleblower’s Perspective (Ep. 55)

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No matter how clean or nice a company or group looks from the outside, there could be something not-so-good happening on the inside. 

Whistleblowers looking to do what they think is right can face immense backlash, especially when it comes from someone with a higher authority.

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Peter Forcelli, retired Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Justice with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and a former police officer and detective. Together, they explore Operation Fast and Furious, government whistleblowing, and the challenges faced by law enforcement in different districts.

Peter discusses:

  • How his law enforcement career in New York City led him to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
  • The challenge with prosecuting gun-related crimes when Operation Fast and Furious started 
  • His actions against the wrongdoings he witnessed at the ATF
  • What he learned as a whistleblower and his advice for others looking to become whistleblowers
  • And more!

Connect with Peter Forcelli:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Peter J. Forcelli is a retired Deputy Assistant Director from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Before joining ATF, he served for 15 years with the N.Y.P.D. before retiring from the Bronx Homicide Task Force.

He is now an author, public speaker, and advocate for law enforcement and government accountability. He is a volunteer at Empower Oversight, a government watchdog organization.

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The Road to Rebuilding Institutional Trust: Lessons from the Frontline with Geoff Hudson-Searle, Douglas Lines, and Karen Jones (Ep. 54)

The Road to Rebuilding Institutional Trust: Lessons from the Frontline with Geoff Hudson-Searle, Douglas Lines, and Karen Jones (Ep. 54)

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With trust declining in existing institutions, what can corporations do better? 

At the end of the day, it’s all about slowing down to speed up.

Would you agree?

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Geoff Hudson-Searle, Douglas Lines, and Karen Jones to talk about the lack of trust in institutions. Join in as they cover the role of politics and the media and ways we can work together as a society to rebuild trust within corporations. 

Brent, Geoff, Douglas, and Karen discuss:

  • Reasons trust has declined in larger institutions
  • Toxic leadership and how it impacts different organizations 
  • The value of embracing long-term strategies, feedback, and new perspectives as a team leader
  • How to incorporate self-awareness, empowerment, and purpose to achieve company success
  • And more! 

Connect with Geoff Hudson-Searle:

Connect with Karen Jones:

Connect with Douglas Lines:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Geoff Hudson-Searle:

Geoff Hudson-Searle is an independent non-executive director across regulation, technology, and internet security, a C-Suite executive on private and listed companies, and a serial business advisor for growth-phase tech companies.

With more than 30 years of experience in international business and management, he is the author of five books and lectures at business forums, conferences, and universities. He has been the focus of TEDx and RT Europe’s business documentaries across various thought leadership topics and his authorisms.

About Karen Jones:

Using data that indicates where to focus attention, Karen Jones specializes in high-impact development programs for teams and one-to-one coaching that operate at the deep level of attitudes and habits. This work leads to effective management and leadership styles that drive compassionate accountability and progress.

About Douglas Lines:

Douglas Lines is a digital-first leader with a successful track record of growing and transforming businesses as well as innovating and commercializing new digital business models, including successfully launching a global EdTech start-up, amongst others. Douglas has been enabled by building a design thinking school in collaboration with Duke and Stanford Universities, appreciating the application of new technologies and having mastered business model innovation and cultural transformation practices.

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Rethinking Medicine: Dr. Lufkin’s Quest for Authentic Health Wisdom (Ep. 53)

Rethinking Medicine: Dr. Lufkin’s Quest for Authentic Health Wisdom (Ep. 53)

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With an unprecedented rise in cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, health and wellness are on everyone’s minds. 

What has led to the increase of these chronic diseases? How to change our lifestyle to improve our health? 

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Dr. Robert Lufkin, a physician and medical professor at UCLA and USC, in discussing the role of our metabolism and its connection to chronic diseases, the impact of nutrition on health, and the benefits of a low-carb diet. 

Dr. Lufkin stresses the value of steering clear of junk food, going back to the basics with unprocessed foods, and making those little everyday changes that can really boost our health.

Dr. Lufkin explores:

  • The current health scenario in the United States 
  • The role of our metabolism in the development of chronic diseases
  • Ways our diet influences certain types of diseases 
  • Reasons exercise is crucial for our overall health
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Robert Lufkin:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Dr. Robert Lufkin is a physician/medical school professor (UCLA & USC) focusing on the applied science of health, longevity, and consciousness. Dr. Lufkin helps to reimagine the conventional healthcare model with evidence-based, clinically proven lifestyle modifications and other tools. Through this, we prevent/reverse chronic diseases, cultivate consciousness, and live life to the fullest.

Author of over 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers, 32 chapters, and 13 books translated into five languages on medical imaging. Dr. Lufkin has been elected President of the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology and President of the Society for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and awarded the society’s highest honor for his research. 

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Life’s Turning Points: Aric’s Farewell, Podcasting’s Rise, and the Mission of Boys Town (Ep. 52)

Life’s Turning Points: Aric’s Farewell, Podcasting’s Rise, and the Mission of Boys Town (Ep. 52)

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After 20 months of working with Brent Mekosh as his podcast host, Aric Johnson is passing the torch as he starts the next phase of his life with a not-so-new career path.

In this episode, Brent speaks with Aric as he prepares to embark on the next phase of life. Brent and Aric reflect on the joy and sadness of Aric’s departure while navigating the journey that led him to podcasting, including his involvement with Boys Town, an organization that helps at-risk youth and families. 

Aric and Brent discuss:

  • The background and purpose of Brent’s podcast
  • Why podcasting has risen in popularity
  • How Aric became involved in Boys Town
  • The value of family teachers 
  • The struggle many of the boys face and how Boys Town works to help them
  • The importance of self-worth for young men from challenging backgrounds
  • And more!

Connect with Aric Johnson:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Aric Johnson is extremely passionate about helping others find success and fulfillment in all they do. He has been coaching and mentoring for over 20 years and finds his greatest fulfillment when helping others achieve more. Aric started his own coaching and consulting company in 2015, a second company focused on teaching BRI to advisors and joined ProudMouth as one of their podcast producers.

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