Today's conversation is with Billionaire businessman David Rubenstein. David started his career as a lawyer before working at the White House under President Jimmy Carter. He now spends his time hosting two shows on Television, "The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer Conversations" on Bloomberg TV and History with David Rubenstein on PBS. He is also focused on philanthropic endeavors with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Gallery of Art, the Council on Foreign Relations, and The Economic Club of Washington, D.C.In his recently released book 'The American Experiment: Dialogues On A Dream,' David Rubenstein explores the American Experiment into democracy, culture, innovation, and ideas through conversations with those impacting our country in various ways. As I sat down with David, we discussed various topics from this book and his life. Ultimately this leads to one question, 'Is the American Experiment and Dream dead?'Early in our conversation David recalls telling Jeff Bezos that Amazon wasn't going anywhere and didn't have a big future. As we continue the discussion we chat about the January 6th insurrection, Diversity, the medium and craft of interviews/conversations, Ken Burns and his insights into history, what it takes to have longevity in what you do, Wynton Marsalis and his views on Jazz and the American Story, Faith in America, and much more. Later in the interview, we look at David's success in the world of business. He gives us a look into what it took to build the Carlyle Group, what the life of a billionaire is actually like, and why philanthropy is so important to him.Join us as we explore the importance of The American Experiment and it's future.LinksWebsite: https://www.davidrubenstein.comThe American Experiment Book: https://amzn.to/3JlwezT
The last few years have been rough for everyone, but it especially hit the world of Broadway hard. After touring the world with the hit musical 'Hamilton' today's guest Fergie Philippe was set to start staring on the On-Broadway production of the show. As he moved from the touring version of Hamilton and started to perform as Hercules Mulligan and James Madison on the Broadway production the pandemic hit and the show was shut down.But the shutdown didn't slow down Fergie. He got the creative juices going and came up with another hit idea. A podcast about The Muppets. He pitched the idea to 'The Broadway Podcast Network.' They loved the concept of creating a show all about The Muppets to correspond to the release on Disney +. 'It's Time to Meet the Muppets' is an in-depth look into each episode of this beloved franchise.Now that Broadway is reopened, Fergie is back performing on the stage. In today's conversation, Fergie shares his very unique journey from Miami, Florida to the stages of Broadway. We also discuss Jim Henson's Muppets, how he fell in love with them, why the Muppets connect with generations of people, and why 'The Broadway Podcast Network' would want a show not about Broadway on their platform.Later in the episode, we dive deeper into the future of Broadway, race and diversity, and how Broadway is reenvisioning the type of shows they create.LinksIt's Time to Meet the Muppets: https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/podcast/its-time-to-meet-the-muppets/The Broadway Podcast Network: https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.comFergie's Website: https://www.fergiephilippe.comPodcast Magazine Article: https://podcastmagazine.com/its-time-to-meet-the-muppetsHamilton Website: http://www.broadway.com/shows/hamilton-broadway/
Very few people reach the pinnacle of their dreams only to walk away from it. Tom Bancroft reached the top of the animation world by becoming one of the top animators and character designers. He worked on projects including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, Mulan, and Brother Bear. But he is best know for creating the character Mushu for Milan and for animating Young Simba for The Lion King.After thirteen years at Disney and working on approximately nine features, Tom left Disney to pursue another adventure working at Big Idea Productions as a Supervising Director/Co-creator. Most recently Tom has been Artist in Residence at Lipscomb University in Nashville Tennessee. Tom's most recent adventure is launching a brand new animation studio, PENCILISH ANIMATION STUDIOS using crowd investing where everyday people can be an owner in the new studio. In today's episode, we discuss how you can own an Animation Studio and be a part of Pencilish, his time at Disney and Big Idea, Disney's second golden age of animation, teaching animation, crowd investing, faith in media, and much more.Pencilish Animation Studio: https://www.pencilish.comInvest at WeFunder: https://wefunder.com/pencilishThe Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bancroft-brothers-animation-podcast/id911802874
Ask any American about our health system and they will tell you the same thing. 'It's broken.' The system seems to be rigged against the consumer only to benefit the insurance companies and health care systems.Steve Neeleman has spent years working in this system as a doctor and seen how the system treats people. But his story is much more personal on how the health care system even failed him. In today's episode, Dr. Neeleman gives us a look into how his company 'Health Equity' is helping individuals, families, and businesses to truly invest into their health through HSA, FSA, HRA programs. These programs help every day people to invest into their long term health.Beyond talking about health, we also discuss his family and their entrepreneurial endeavors, building startups, how personal experience sparks ideas, the impacts of health and finance, and much more.Linkshttps://healthequity.comAbout SteveStephen Neeleman is the CEO and founder of HealthEquity (www.healthequity.com), a personal healthcare financial service and health savings account company based in Draper, UT. Dr. Neeleman founded HealthEquity to repair the fractured relationship between patients and their physicians and to help more people obtain quality health insurance by re-introducing consumerism into healthcare.As a board-certified physician, Dr. Neeleman brings to HealthEquity passion and firsthand knowledge for the practice of medicine.Prior to his medical training, Dr. Neeleman worked as general manager for Morris Air (later acquired by Southwest Airlines), in Utah.Dr. Neeleman combined efficiency, technology and excellent customer service to succeed in a rocky industry. This innovative business model allowed Morris Air to rise above financially struggling competitors. Dr. Neeleman's goal is to use this model to help save another struggling industry: American healthcare.In addition to his duties as CEO of HealthEquity, Dr. Neeleman is currently a practicing general and trauma surgeon for Intermountain Healthcare at American Fork Hospital and Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Utah. Dr. Neeleman was appointed by Governor Gary Herbert to serve as a board member of HIP Utah, Utah’s high-risk insurance pool. He also serves on the Council for Affordable Health Insurance HSA Working Group and on America’s Health Insurance Plans’ HSA Leadership Council. Dr. Neeleman is a former assistant professor of surgery at the University of Arizona and the co-author of The Complete HSA Guidebook—How to make health savings accounts work for you!Dr. Neeleman completed his undergraduate degree and played football at Utah State University. He attended medical school at the University of Utah and completed his surgical training at the University of Arizona.
Routines may seem boring or outdated. In today's age we love spontaneity, going with the flow, and changing things up. But what if this kind of lifestyle is actually killing our productivity, shortening our lives, and steeling the possibility of success in both the work place and in life?After years of studying Routine, Dr. Angel Iscovich set out to learn how these healthy patterns of life can unlock the the potential in our lives and help us find the longevity, happiness, and make us more productive.In his new book 'Routineology: 'The Art of Routine,' Dr. I shares the lessons he has learned and how we can live a more fulfilled life through creating healthy routines. Throughout the episode we talk about the power of routine, survival and success, time bubbles, how Covid has impacted our daily patterns, finding out the places that your life is disrupted, and much more.Dr. Angel Iscovich, “Dr. I” was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina to survivors from World War II. Growing up in the shadow of this devastating conflict, he and his family struggled financially with little to call their own. As a young immigrant to the United States, a world of opportunity led him to explore Philosophy and Medicine. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Puget Sound brought him to the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, and post graduate training in Psychiatry, and his interest in Human Behavior; most notably the focus Emergency Medicine. He served as a part-time teacher and mentor as Associate Clinical Professor at USC Keck School of Medicine over a period of ten years at Los Angeles County Medical Center. Interest in leadership, organizational development, and strategy was exercised in the corporate health care sector over many years, as well as in philanthropy, serving most recently as the Chair of Direct Relief, the top-rated charity in the United States. This broad experience affords Dr. I with a unique view into human behavior, aiding in his continual search for meaning and purpose in our lives.LinksBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510764550/Website: https://www.angeliscovich.com/
Acting is an art that is learned through experience and good teachers. The art of acting is a representation of humanity. Often those outside 'Hollywood' and the stage overlook the complexity of what makes a great actor. That's where Michelle Danner comes in. She is one of the leading acting coaches helping the 'A-list' of actors from the stage to the TV Shows and Movies we watch. As a teacher, she co-founded the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory and the Edgar Center for the Arts. Her students have included Christian Slater, Salma Hayek, Gerard Butler, Seth MacFarlane, Gabrielle Union, Zooey Deschanel, James Franco, and Chris Martin.Beyond teaching the next generation of leading actors, Michelle is also creating and directing her own movies. She can often be found at leading film festivals around the world. Her new film 'The Runner' premiered at the Conquest Film Festival in March. What makes this movie special is while it was filmed prior to Covid, all the editing and final production were finished after the lockdowns of the pandemics.In today's show we talk about what it was like growing up in the world of European Cinema, teaching actors, creating and directing movies, The Golden Box of Acting, the world of film festivals, and some personal stories of working with the leading actors and actresses in the world.Michelle's LinksWebsite: https://www.michelledanner.comThe Runner: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5886520/
Poetry seems to be a lost art. For many it's a side passion, hobby, or something they simply like to read in their spare time. The age of Walt Whitman, John Keats, Robert Frost, William Blake, Langston Hughes, E.E. Cummings have all come to their end. Even the great Maya Angelou has passed away leaving us wonder if the life of a professional poet is possible in our current age. How would one even be able to build a career as a poet today?Fortunately a new generation of poets are rising up to use written and spoken word to communicate powerful messages and reconnect us with humanity and the world around us. One of those poets is IN-Q. IN-Q is a National Poetry Slam champion, award-winning poet, and multi-platinum songwriter. His groundbreaking achievements include being named to Oprah's SuperSoul 100 list of the world's most influential thought leaders, being the first spoken word artist to perform with Cirque Du Soleil, and being featured on A&E, ESPN, and HBO's Def Poetry Jam. He's...
Innovative tech often defined by either the hardware or the software. In the last few years it seems like the big names in tech are being driven by the software they develop often looking like SaaS. While software and apps can be trendy its typically the changes in hardware partnered with software that brings systemic changes in our lives.Now a lot of that tech is experienced in our daily lives without truly knowing how it works or all the pieces that bring it together. Today's guest Todd Eckler is the Chief Revenue Officer of Piezo Motion. Their pumps and engines are impacting a wide range of sectors including robotics, avionics and aeronautics, med-tech, smart homes, drones, and beyond. Not only is Piezo Motion creating incredible tech, they are partnering with world changing organizations to implement these piezo technologies in precise tools.Throughout the conversation we discuss the research and development process, what piezo technology does and where it is found, identifying ...
'Innovation Happens at the Edges.' This is a quote that I often reference from today's guest, Jeff DeGraff. Jeff has spent his life exploring, teaching, and sparking creativity and innovation in the lives of those around him. As a teacher at Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan he has helped students understand the practical tools to that unlock that innovation and creativity in their careers. As the co-founder of Innovatriums he helps startups and leading global corporations apply those principles in their product and service development.His new book 'The Creative Mindset: Mastering the Six Skills that Empower Innovation' is quickly becoming a practical handbook and guide to bring those principles from the Ross School of Business and Innovatriums to creators around the world. In the book, Jeff and his business partner / wife Staney take the reader through six skills to move them from the theory of innovation and creativity to the application of these skills in thei...
There are many things that young kids dream of growing up to be. One of the dreams of countless kids is to grow up and be a professional basketball player. I know for me, there were few things I liked to do more than shoot hoops in the basketball court behind our house. For many kids born in the 70s and 80s they spent their time watching their favorite teams and players compete in aggressive games. Maybe it was Magic Johnson and the L.A. Lakers. It could have been Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics. As the 90s hit there seemed to be a new powerhouse emerge with Michael Jordan in the Chicago Bulls. I feel fortunate to have grown up with those memories of a time before the internet and the excitement to watch the next great matchup live on TV.There were many big players on the Bulls. Many people quickly think of Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen. But the 'big guy' on the team was center Bill Cartwright. His career in the NBA started with the New York Knicks but what he is known for is his time with the Bulls and his coaching. Bill won 3 NBA Championships with the Bulls as a player and 2 more as a coach.In today's episode we talk about what it was like to play in the NBA, to play on the NBA Champion Chicago Bulls, playing with Michael Jordan, the difference between playing and coaching, what it takes to be an elite athlete, the power to team, and life beyond the game.