Dr. Bill Dorfman® Podcast presents Meet the Mentor® Series

Get ready for a fun, inspiring conversation with visionary mentor Jordan Kavana! In this episode of Meet the Mentor, Dr. Bill chats with Jordan about his unexpected journey, from creating high-tech toys in Asia to launching innovative health and wellness ventures in the U.S. Jordan also pulls back the curtain on LEAP Week, an entrepreneurial bootcamp where young people learn from influential mentors like Anthony Hopkins and Paula Abdul. Jordan shares why finding joy in what you do matters just as much as hustle, why perseverance sometimes looks like simply “SOYA—Sit On Your Ass,” and how real human connection still moves business forward in big ways. It’s a relaxed, motivating conversation full of stories, laughter, and hard-earned wisdom—perfect for anyone ready to level up their entrepreneurial game. LEAP Foundation www.leapfoundation.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Meet the Mentor, Dr. Bill Dorfman sits down with powerhouse music executive Livia Tortella, founder of Black Box and former Co-President of Warner Bros Records for an inside look at the music industry’s evolution and what it really takes to make it today. From starting in the mailroom to shaping the careers of global superstars like Bruno Mars, Livia shares her incredible journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She and Dr. Bill discuss the art of authentic storytelling, the importance of hard work and humility, and how strategic networking can open doors for aspiring professionals. They also explore the future of artist development, including insights for young artists like Dr. Bill’s daughter, Ana, who are finding their voice in today’s fast-changing music landscape. Tune in for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation that blends inspiration, mentorship, and practical wisdom for anyone chasing their creative dreams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From LEAP Week 2025 from Pepperdine University, Dr. Bill Dorfman welcomes inventor and founder of Not Impossible Labs - Mick Ebeling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From LEAP Week 2025 from Pepperdine University, Dr. Bill Dorfman welcomes legendary TV personality and sales guru - Forbes Riley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From LEAP Week 2025 from Pepperdine University, Dr. Bill Dorfman welcomes market agency guru (including campaigns for Dollar Shave Club and Liquid Death) - Mike Jones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From LEAP Week 2025 from Pepperdine University, Dr. Bill Dorfman interviews celebrity and executive mindset coach and a co-founder of the health and wellness brand Flip My Life - Laura St. John. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From LEAP Week at Pepperdine University, Dr. Bill Dorfman has a conversation with mega social media influencer and media mogul, Rob Dyrdek. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Bill welcomes legendary producer Stuart Krasnow, whose career spans CNN, CBS This Morning, The Joan Rivers Show, Dateline NBC and nearly every reality format imaginable. They dive into Stuart’s journey through television’s changing landscape; discuss how young creators can break in today; and share powerful lessons on opportunity and resilience. Key takeaways: - Why gratitude - even when facing setbacks - can open unexpected doors - How mastering your craft beats waiting for “the universe” to deliver success - Insider advice for students: build experience anywhere you can (even for free), make yourself visible, and embrace diverse perspectives Don’t miss these invaluable insights! Hit play now to learn what it really takes to succeed in media and entrepreneurship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of "Meet the Mentor," Dr. Bill introduces us to Elaine Hogue, a seasoned producer whose career spans decades in both news and reality TV. From her early love of baseball to producing heartwarming stories on ABC's Extreme Makeover, Elaine shares her unique path in television. Key insights from this episode: - Discover how storytelling shapes impactful journalism. - Learn about the evolution of news media and its challenges today. - Understand the critical role producers play behind the camera. Don't miss out on this captivating conversation filled with industry secrets and personal anecdotes. Tune in now to be inspired by Elaine's incredible story! www.leapfoundation.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Meet the Mentor Series®, Dr. Bill Dorfman sits down with actor, writer, and producer Ryan Powers, whose journey from small-town Massachusetts to the film sets of Los Angeles is filled with grit, creativity, and resourcefulness. Ryan shares how a love for theater led him from the University of Miami to singing and dancing aboard cruise ships—and ultimately to the film industry. Along the way, he met his husband, Jason, and saved enough to take a chance on moving to LA. Ryan opens up about the challenges of breaking into Hollywood and why waiting for opportunities wasn't an option. Instead, he chose to create his own—writing and producing short films like Broken Heart, which gained traction at festivals. His work on titles like Sidney vs. Shawn and Disney’s She-Hulk reflect a career shaped by collaboration and self-driven momentum. He also shares a glimpse into his next project, a psychological horror film rooted in his hometown. Dr. Bill also gives an exciting update on the LEAP program at Pepperdine University in 2025 from July 13th to 19th. Ryan, a passionate mentor, talks about the importance of programs like LEAP and his continued involvement beyond the summer through their “Meet the Mentor” series. To learn more or get involved, visit leapfoundation.com, and follow Ryan at @ryanpowerz on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Meet the Mentor, celebrity dentist and LEAP founder Dr. Bill Dorfman sits down with bestselling author, actress, and entrepreneur Autumn Chiklis for an unfiltered conversation about creativity, imposter syndrome, and building a brand that breaks the mold. From her early days starring on The Shield alongside her dad, to turning hilarious real-life text exchanges with her mom into the hit novel Smothered—now in development as a TV comedy—Autumn shares her journey of navigating Hollywood, publishing, and launching the female-forward Pink Pig Tequila. Listeners will learn how she leveraged social media to land a literary agent, turned personal stories into mass appeal, and built a multi-award-winning spirits brand from scratch—all while staying true to her voice. Whether you're an aspiring writer, entrepreneur, or just love a good mother-daughter dynamic, this episode delivers laughs, life lessons, and inspiration with a twist of lime. LEAP Foundation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered how a casting director shapes the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Discover the journey of Emmy-nominated casting director Jason Stamey, from his humble beginnings in North Carolina to working with Hollywood's elite. In this episode, Dr. Bill and Jason explore the transformative power of change, the importance of mentors like Sarah Finn in shaping careers, and why LEAP is more than just a summer program. Key Takeaways: - Learn how embracing change can lead to unexpected career paths. - Understand the role mentorship plays in personal and professional growth. - Discover why experiencing diverse cultures enriches your worldview. www.leapfoundation.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlock the secrets to entrepreneurial success with Dr. Bill Dorfman and special guest Mazzy Eckel. Dive into an inspiring discussion as the former Miss Washington USA shares her journey from pageant queen to successful entrepreneur in digital brand management. Discover how she turned career setbacks into opportunities and built a thriving business by leveraging her skills in social media and storytelling. Key takeaways include: - How to start a digital brand management company from scratch - The importance of networking and seizing unexpected opportunities - Tips for aspiring entrepreneurs on building a personal brand ABOUT THE HOST Dr. Bill Dorfman “America’s Dentist” ChatGPT ranked Dr. Bill Dorfman as the #1 most well-known and respected dentist in the USA. Dr. Bill Dorfman is not just a famous cosmetic and general dentist, he is THE most famous cosmetic dentist world wide. Affectionately known as “America’s Dentist,” Dr. Bill is widely recognized world-wide as a leading dentist who is responsible for creating smiles for many of Hollywood’s brightest stars. In fact, Dr. Dorfman has become a star in his own right as the featured dentist on the hit ABC series, “Extreme Makeover,” where he performed amazing dental transformations on the show’s participants as well as a recurring guest co-host on the new Emmy Winning daytime CBS talk show, “The Doctors.” In addition, Dr. Dorfman is a world-renowned lecturer & author of the best-selling cosmetic dentistry book, The Smile Guide and the NY Times bestseller Billion Dollar Smile. The innovative & accomplished doctor is also renowned in his field as an energy-brimming inventor & brilliant entrepreneur who has brought award-winning innovations to the world of dentistry. Dr. Bill Dorfman has been interviewed extensively for numerous television shows & magazines including ABC’s Good Morning America, The View, Oprah, CNN’s Larry King Live, NBC’s The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Dr. Phil, The Rachael Ray Show, Steve Harvey Show, FABLife, The Doctors, The Tyra Banks Show, Ricki Lake Show, Entertainment Tonight, MTV’s The Osbournes & Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica, The Wayne Brady Show, The Sharon Osbourne Show, Living It Up! With Ali & Jack, EXTRA, Soap Talk, Access Hollywood & E! Entertainment Television. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Albert Preciado is the Founder and CEO of The Mortgage Guys, Ambiance Realty and Driven Enterprises. Albert is also a Real Estate Investor. In 2013 Albert bought a 3 unit property and like everything else Albert does he went all in and acquired as many multi-units as possible. This would end up being a Life Changer. Albert’s original company was The Mortgage Guy and after mentorship sessions the company’s name changed to The Mortgage Guys. This was another Life Changer. Albert has been in the mortgage industry since 2005, he is a licensed Broker and Mortgage Originator. Albert went through the toughest times of his life in 2008 when we had a market recession and Mortgage Meltdown but decided to weather the storm and not quit the industry he believed in. The reason why Albert started a mortgage company was because of the pain endured by his parents and himself when they got turned down for a mortgage time after time in the early 90s. Albert always had a dream; to have a house with a big yard and a dog since he was a kid, and it never happened because of unprofessional Real Estate and Mortgage Agents. Looking back, Albert realized how his parents did qualify for a home loan but due to the incompetence of the Real Estate and Mortgage Agents helping at the time, nothing ever happened. Albert committed to start a Mortgage Company from scratch and create a company that will help humble families make their American Dream a reality. ABOUT THE HOST Dr. Bill Dorfman “America’s Dentist” ChatGPT ranked Dr. Bill Dorfman as the #1 most well-known and respected dentist in the USA. Dr. Bill Dorfman is not just a famous cosmetic and general dentist, he is THE most famous cosmetic dentist world wide. Affectionately known as “America’s Dentist,” Dr. Bill is widely recognized world-wide as a leading dentist who is responsible for creating smiles for many of Hollywood’s brightest stars. In fact, Dr. Dorfman has become a star in his own right as the featured dentist on the hit ABC series, “Extreme Makeover,” where he performed amazing dental transformations on the show’s participants as well as a recurring guest co-host on the new Emmy Winning daytime CBS talk show, “The Doctors.” In addition, Dr. Dorfman is a world-renowned lecturer & author of the best-selling cosmetic dentistry book, The Smile Guide and the NY Times bestseller Billion Dollar Smile. The innovative & accomplished doctor is also renowned in his field as an energy-brimming inventor & brilliant entrepreneur who has brought award-winning innovations to the world of dentistry. Dr. Bill Dorfman has been interviewed extensively for numerous television shows & magazines including ABC’s Good Morning America, The View, Oprah, CNN’s Larry King Live, NBC’s The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Dr. Phil, The Rachael Ray Show, Steve Harvey Show, FABLife, The Doctors, The Tyra Banks Show, Ricki Lake Show, Entertainment Tonight, MTV’s The Osbournes & Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica, The Wayne Brady Show, The Sharon Osbourne Show, Living It Up! With Ali & Jack, EXTRA, Soap Talk, Access Hollywood & E! Entertainment Television. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ken Schmidt, the visionary who revolutionized Harley-Davidson's brand image is Dr. Bill Dorfman's special guest on this week's episode. Dive into a captivating conversation about how passion and strategic thinking can redefine success for any business or individual. Key Takeaways: - Learn the three pivotal questions that redefined Harley-Davidson’s market strategy. - Uncover why being interested is more powerful than being interesting in building connections. - Explore how visible passion and delight create lasting impressions and loyalty. ABOUT THE GUEST Ken Schmidt’s career in the motorcycle industry began in 1985 as a specialist in corporate positioning and media relations for the then-struggling Harley-Davidson. He was tasked with helping the company restore its image, improve its competitiveness,and create demand for its motorcycles. Within a few short years, sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles skyrocketed, and the company returned to prominence as one of the most respected, profitable, and frequently reported-on companies in the world. In 1990, Ken became director of Harley-Davidson’s corporate and financial communications, serving as its primary spokesperson to the media and the financial communities. He frequently appeared in mainstream and business media to offer insights on nontraditional communications, customer attraction, and brand-building. His expertise and success at Harley- Davidson ultimately led to consulting assignments and speaking invitations from all over the world. In addition to speaking and consulting, Ken is co-founder of Torque Sessions Leadership Training. Through a combination of hands-on training and interactive workshops, these sessions help individuals and organizations re-position themselves to become dominant competitors, maximize leadership effectiveness, build a people-first culture of innovation and foster loyalty among customers and employees. Ken is also the host of the popular podcast Tailgating with Geniuses, wherein he talks with some of the most innovative and successful leaders in a variety of industries to discuss their unique perspectives on leadership, major challenges, and success. Ken authored Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance, which gives business leaders an easy-to-follow roadmap for improving their competitiveness, using many of the techniques he championed at Harley-Davidson. He considers his work on 100 Years of Harley-Davidson, a global best seller, to be one of his greatest and most rewarding achievements. WWW.KENSPEAKS.COM WWW.TAILGATINGWITHGENIUSES.COM WWW.TORQUESESSIONS.COM ABOUT THE HOST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the world of bio-aesthetics with Dr. Bill Dorfman and Chairman of Carmell Corporation, Rajiv Shukla Raj Shu on this episode of Meet the Mentor, Discover Carmel Corporation's innovative approach to skincare as Rajiv Shukla shares insights from his illustrious career, spanning leadership roles in major healthcare companies like Pfizer and Morgan Stanley. Explore how Carmell is revolutionizing skincare by using biological proteins instead of chemicals for a more natural rejuvenation process. Key Takeaways: - Understand the science behind Carmell’s pioneering biological skincare products - Learn about their strategic focus on doctors over retail markets - Gain insights into leveraging technology platforms for business growth Join us for an engaging conversation that blends science, strategy, and innovation. ABOUT THE GUEST Rajiv Shukla is Chairman of Carmell Corporation, a revolutionary bio-aesthetics company. Over his 20+ year career, he has served as CEO of 4 public companies, and as Director on the boards of 14 companies. He has led 3 Nasdaq IPOs and multiple PIPEs that have collectively raised over $650 million in financing. He has been involved with over 45 healthcare investments and over $65 billion in M&A. Rajiv has served as Managing Director/Portfolio Manager at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Private Equity Director at Citi Venture Capital International and led Global M&A at Pfizer’s R&D division. He graduated with a Master’s in Healthcare Management from Harvard University and a Bachelors in Pharmaceutics from the Indian Institute of Technology. ABOUT THE HOST Dr. Bill Dorfman is not just a famous cosmetic and general dentist, he is THE most famous cosmetic dentist world wide. Affectionately known as “America’s Dentist,” Dr. Bill is widely recognized world-wide as a leading dentist who is responsible for creating smiles for many of Hollywood’s brightest stars. In fact, Dr. Dorfman has become a star in his own right as the featured dentist on the hit ABC series, “Extreme Makeover,” where he performed amazing dental transformations on the show’s participants as well as a recurring guest co-host on the new Emmy Winning daytime CBS talk show, “The Doctors.” In addition, Dr. Dorfman is a world-renowned lecturer & author of the best-selling cosmetic dentistry book, The Smile Guide and the NY Times bestseller Billion Dollar Smile. The innovative & accomplished doctor is also renowned in his field as an energy-brimming inventor & brilliant entrepreneur who has brought award-winning innovations to the world of dentistry. Dr. Bill Dorfman has been interviewed extensively for numerous television shows & magazines including ABC’s Good Morning America, The View, Oprah, CNN’s Larry King Live, NBC’s The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Dr. Phil, The Rachael Ray Show, Steve Harvey Show, FABLife, The Doctors, The Tyra Banks Show, Ricki Lake Show, Entertainment Tonight, MTV’s The Osbournes & Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica, The Wayne Brady Show, The Sharon Osbourne Show, Living It Up! With Ali & Jack, EXTRA, Soap Talk, Access Hollywood & E! Entertainment Television. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Alexander, is an American actor and comedian. Over the course of his career he has received an Emmy Award and a Tony Award as well as nominations for four Golden Globe Awards. He gained stardom for his role as George Costanza in the NBC sitcom Seinfeld (1989–1998), for which he won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series and was nominated for seven consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and four Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actor in Television. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lil Mosey, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Seattle, Washington. His 2017 single, "Pull Up", received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and led him to sign with Interscope Records. His 2018 single, "Noticed", became his first Billboard Hot 100 entry and preceded his debut studio album, Northsbest (2018). His second studio album, Certified Hitmaker (2019) peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and spawned the single "Stuck in a Dream" (featuring Gunna). The album's 2020 re-issue spawned the single "Blueberry Faygo", which peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and yielded Mosey's furthest commercial success. www.lilmosey.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tracey Bregman is an American actress. She is best known for the role of Lauren Fenmore on the CBS soap operas The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. Bregman was born in Munich, Germany, to American musical arranger, record producer and composer Buddy Bregman and Canadian-born actress Suzanne Lloyd. She lived in Great Britain until the age of 10 when her family relocated to California. She has been acting since she was 11 years old, and currently resides in Malibu, California. She studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Bregman made her acting debut playing a small part in the 1978 made-for-television movie, Three on a Date. Later that year, she was cast in the NBC daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives portraying troubled teen, Donna Temple Craig. In 1979, she received Young Artist Award for Best Juvenile Actress in A Daytime Series for her performance in soap. She left the soap in 1980. In 1981, she made her big screen debut starring in the slasher film Happy Birthday to Me. She later starred alongside Jill St. John in the prison drama film The Concrete Jungle (1982) and in the Canadian comedy-drama film, The Funny Farm (1983). On television, she guest-starred on The Littlest Hobo, The Love Boat, Fame, and The Fall Guy. In 1983, Bregman returned to daytime television with the role of Lauren Fenmore in the CBS's The Young and the Restless. Bregman initially believed her role as Lauren would be brief, but after six months the soap offered her a contract and she accepted. When it was introduced in 1985, she was the first actress to be awarded the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series (then known as the "Outstanding Ingenue in a Drama Series"), being nominated for the same award again in 1987 and for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in both 2006 and 2008. In 1992, Bregman brought the character to The Bold and the Beautiful, resulting in her migrating there fully in 1995. In 2000, Bregman returned to The Young and the Restless, remaining on a recurring status. From April to June 2010, while still portraying Lauren, Bregman took on double-duty with The Young and the Restless, as she also portrayed Sheila Carter's sister, Sarah. In, 2010, she also appeared alongside her Y&R co-star, Christian LeBlanc, in the music video for Reba McEntire's single, "I Keep On Loving You". Bregman is an active supporter and honorary board member for Chenoa Manor, an animal sanctuary in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Meet the Mentor, host Dr. Bill Dorfman welcomes his guest Ed Renwick to the show. Ed Renwick - a strategic leader at Harbor Freight Tools with diverse career leaps from finance to affordable housing initiatives; he exemplifies seizing opportunities over following a fixed plan. His journey illustrates how embracing curiosity can lead one through varied industries successfully by focusing on what truly matters: understanding customer needs and fostering relationships over mere expertise. Ed’s Insights: Shares his experience as a parent who sent his daughter to LEAP. Discusses his varied career path from Goldman Sachs analyst to strategy head at Harbor Freight Tools. Emphasizes seizing opportunities rather than sticking rigidly to plans. Key Takeaways: The importance of diversifying skills and education. Learning on-the-job by listening attentively and focusing on key facts that drive outcomes. Recognizing customer patterns in business strategy – applying the Pareto principle (80/20 rule). Encouraging youth not just about planning but being open-minded towards new opportunities. Dr. Bill’s Reflections: Importance of mentors in navigating through different industries successfully. Valuing relationships over pure knowledge in business success. The Discussion Explores: How Ed transitioned between diverse roles throughout his career while mastering each domain he entered into. His current role at Harbor Freight Tools where he brings strategic insights focused on customer behavior analysis. Closing Notes: Listeners are encouraged to attend or participate as mentors in the upcoming Leap event hosted at USC – an opportunity for personal growth and networking with industry professionals across various fields. For more information about Leap Foundation programs or events visit www.leapfoundation.com or follow them on social media platforms like Facebook (@leapfoundation) and Instagram (@leapfoundation). Catch future episodes of “Meet the Mentor” podcast featuring Dr. Bill Dorfman available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred podcast platform! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices