What happens when a dedicated teacher decides to build a business on the side, one lunch break at a time? In this episode, Patrick talks with Anthony Passalacqua, founder of Shootin’ School, who transformed a passion for basketball into a thriving training company, multiple inclusive sports ventures, and a nonprofit serving kids with special needs. Anthony shares how the 10% Entrepreneur framework gave him the confidence to go full-time, the systems he built to scale while teaching, the risks he took during the pandemic, and the mindset that keeps him grounded as a father, business owner, and community leader.Guest bio:Anthony Passalacqua is the founder of Shootin' School, one of the fastest-growing basketball instruction programs in the region, known for its emphasis on skill development, coaching quality, and player mindset. A former teacher turned entrepreneur, Anthony built Shootin’ School using the 10% Entrepreneur approach: starting small, systemizing early, and scaling sustainably while still working full-time in education.After transitioning into entrepreneurship, Anthony expanded his impact by co-founding Because We Can Sports, an inclusive sports instruction program for kids of all abilities, including those with special needs. During the pandemic, he and his team took a bold step by building their own training facility, Jump Shots, allowing them to continue serving athletes at a time when most gyms were closed.Anthony is also the founder of the Integrated Athletic Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive leagues and providing high-quality uniforms for children with special needs. His commitment to community development recently led to a donation of 2.5 acres of land for a future accessible sports complex.Known for his process-driven mindset, relentless work ethic, and customer-first philosophy, Anthony brings a unique blend of teaching, leadership, and entrepreneurial creativity to every venture he builds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this inspiring conversation, Patrick sits down with Goldie Chan, the “Oprah of LinkedIn” and author of Personal Branding for Introverts, to unpack how introverts can thrive in the noisy world of online self-promotion. Goldie shares how she became one of LinkedIn’s first video creators—posting over 800 consecutive daily videos—and built a global reputation for her creative authenticity and consistency. She breaks down the difference between ego and confidence, the art of storytelling over bragging, and why a strong personal brand starts with understanding your audience. Whether you’re an introvert looking to grow your influence or simply want to build a brand that feels real, this episode is a masterclass in sustainable visibility and authentic connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if courage isn’t about being fearless, but about taking action despite fear? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis speaks with Ranjay Gulati, Harvard Business School professor and author of How to Be Bold. Ranjay shares why our cultural myth of the “fearless hero” is misleading and explains how courage is a learnable skill that anyone can practice, whether as an individual, a team, or an organization. He explores the dangers of analysis paralysis in business, why acting boldly is often safer than standing still, and how leaders can use sense-making and storytelling to reframe adversity into opportunity. Drawing on vivid examples, from nuclear plant managers to Antarctic explorers, Ranjay shows how courage is collective, not solo, and why a strong support system is essential to bold decision-making. Packed with practical insights and inspiring stories, this conversation serves as a playbook for anyone seeking to replace fear with bold, decisive action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this conversation, Patrick talks with Mo Edjlali, founder and CEO of Mindful Leader and author of Open MBSR, about the future of mindfulness in an age defined by distraction, polarization, and artificial intelligence. Edjlali reflects on his journey from tech entrepreneur to mindfulness advocate after the 2008 financial crisis, and offers a powerful critique of how popular meditation apps have turned mindfulness into “comfortainment.” He argues for a new era of deep, secular, and community-based mindfulness, one that embraces discomfort, fosters genuine human connection, and helps us navigate the mental health challenges of the AI age. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in authentic practice, critical thinking, and emotional clarity in a world that’s changing faster than ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this FOMO Sapiens episode, Patrick McGinnis speaks with Byron Loflin, Global Head of Board Advisory at NASDAQ and co-author of CEO Ready, about how to build better boards, smarter leaders, and more resilient organizations. Loflin’s career was shaped by the 2008 financial crisis, when he saw firsthand the cost of poor governance and weak risk oversight. Since then, he’s made it his mission to elevate board standards and prepare future CEOs for the realities of leadership.He argues that true readiness goes beyond qualifications; it’s about humility, process, and the courage to ask the right questions. Loflin explains how succession planning should be a continuous improvement cycle, not a last-minute search, and why boards must proactively manage stakeholder dynamics to avoid surprises like the OpenAI leadership crisis. Through case studies and practical frameworks, Loflin offers a playbook for leaders who want to build excellence at every level, from boardrooms to executive suites. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis sits down with Mark Barrocas, CEO of SharkNinja, to explore how the company transformed from a small appliance player into a global innovation powerhouse. Barrocas explains how SharkNinja’s consumer-obsessed culture drives every breakthrough—from identifying overlooked frustrations to designing products that cross the “threshold of viral.” He also shares how lessons from failure, like the Shark MultiVac, led to some of their biggest wins, and why adaptability is their competitive advantage. This conversation offers a rare look inside one of the world’s most agile and creative consumer brands, and the leadership mindset that keeps it growing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Caroline Hirsch, the legendary founder of Carolines on Broadway and the New York Comedy Festival, has spent four decades shaping the world of stand-up comedy. In this episode, she shares how she turned a small cabaret into the most influential comedy club in America, and how strategic instincts, resilience, and love for the art form built an empire. From discovering future stars to navigating Times Square’s rebirth, Hirsch reveals the business principles and bold decisions that made her one of entertainment’s great visionaries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What does it really mean to live a “rich” life? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis talks with Morgan Housel, bestselling author of The Psychology of Money and The Art of Spending Money. Morgan shares a deeply personal and counterintuitive perspective on wealth, exploring not only what money can do, but, more importantly, what it can’t. He reflects on why the drivers of true happiness (love, health, sleep, admiration) aren’t for sale, and why chasing status can leave us unfulfilled. Instead, Morgan offers practical insights into the “art” of spending: how to avoid expectations debt, how to tell utility from status, and why happiness is best defined as what you have minus what you want. From parenting lessons about money to the hidden risks of financial FOMO, Morgan challenges the conventional wisdom of wealth. This episode will change the way you think about money, happiness, and the choices that shape a meaningful life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis welcomes Gregg Renfrew, the visionary founder behind BeautyCounter and now Counter, for an honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, leadership, and reinvention. Gregg shares how a deep concern for health and the environment led her to pioneer the clean beauty movement, building one of the most trusted brands in the industry. But after selling BeautyCounter to The Carlyle Group at a $1 billion valuation, she faced a painful collapse that forced her to rebuild—personally and professionally. Now, with Counter, Gregg is redefining what “clean” means, focusing on performance, integrity, and community. She discusses how she learned to navigate failure, reframe success, and reclaim her company through grit and empathy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, resilience, and the power of starting over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if the biggest solution to climate change is the one we fear the most? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis speaks with Isabelle Boemeke—known online as Isodope—a climate influencer and creative technologist who has become one of the most visible advocates for nuclear energy. Isabelle shares her unconventional journey from fashion model to climate activist, why the public perception of nuclear energy is so misaligned with reality, and how her futuristic persona, Isodope, helps communicate complex data in a way that sparks curiosity. She reframes the history of nuclear incidents, breaks down the myths that fuel our fears, and paints a compelling vision of a future powered by safe, abundant, and clean energy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What really makes a team successful? Is it star power, charisma, sheer talent, or something else entirely? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis talks with behavioral scientist and author Jon Levy about his groundbreaking work on leadership and team intelligence. Levy challenges conventional wisdom by debunking the “alpha leader” myth, tracing its roots back to a misinterpretation of wolf behavior, and exposing how toxic individualism can undermine entire organizations. Levy also introduces the idea of “glue players”—individuals who may not have standout stats but dramatically elevate everyone else’s performance. From the pitfalls of too much talent to the benefits of “bursty communication,” this episode reframes how we should think about leadership and teamwork. If you’ve ever led a team or been part of one, you’ll want to hear these unconventional rules for unlocking collective genius. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if the bottles in your pantry could tell the story of your heritage and your health? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis sits down with Katina Mountanos, founder of Kosterina, to explore what it takes to move from corporate finance and retail roles into leading a mission-driven wellness brand. Raised between Greece and the U.S., Katina’s passion for early-harvest, high-polyphenol extra virgin olive oil began in her childhood in Southern Greece, where she tasted first-press oils full of flavor and health. Disappointed by what she found in the states, she committed to bringing that “real stuff” to American tables. She reveals the behind-the-scenes challenges in quality control, packaging, and marketing in the saturated olive oil and wellness space. She also shares her strategy for balancing direct-to-consumer education and major retail partnerships like Whole Foods and Target. Whether you’re into health, food, lifestyle brands, or entrepreneurship, this episode offers insights on purpose, pivoting, and bringing heritage into every bottle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What would make you leave a thriving Wall Street career to start something completely new? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis speaks with Nancy Twine, founder of Briogeo and one of the most influential voices in clean beauty. After seven years at Goldman Sachs, Nancy walked away to build a brand rooted in authenticity and passion. She shares the personal loss that sparked her entrepreneurial journey, how she carved out a unique niche with Briogeo, and what she learned about leadership and letting go of control. Today, after a successful exit, Nancy is focused on mentorship and philanthropy through the Makers Mindset accelerator and the DreamMakers Founders Grant. A must-listen on resilience, innovation, and leading with purpose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if the cure for deadly diseases is already sitting on a pharmacy shelf? Dr. David Fajgenbaum, a physician, scientist, and co-founder of Every Cure, nearly died five times from Castleman disease before finding an existing drug that saved his life. Now in remission, he’s leading a global mission to unlock hidden uses for thousands of forgotten medicines with the help of AI. In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, David shares his incredible patient-to-scientist journey, the breakthroughs Every Cure is driving, and what it means to turn hope into action, whether in medicine, business, or life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are you stuck believing you must pick just one path? Cathy Heller, host of Abundant Ever After and best-selling author, returns to FOMO Sapiens to break that illusion wide open. In this episode, Cathy shares how embracing a multi-hyphenate identity, from music to real estate to coaching, unlocked more freedom, creativity, and abundance than she ever imagined. She reveals her surprising discovery that she’s an introvert who needs sacred alone time to fuel big ideas, plus the rituals she uses to stay in flow. Patrick and Cathy explore how creativity, not perfection, is your real unfair advantage, why every career “detour” secretly prepares you for the next leap, and how generative AI can free you to do more of what only humans can: build community, nurture connections, and live with true equanimity. If you’re ready to be messy, follow your breadcrumbs, and multiply your impact, this conversation is your permission slip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if your biggest entrepreneurial edge wasn’t your skills or network, but your capacity to endure setbacks and keep innovating anyway? This week on FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis talks to Ankur Gopal, founder and CEO of Interapt, named one of the “100 Most Meaningful Businesses in the World.” Ankur shares how discovering his own resilience reshaped his journey from Kentucky to nationwide impact. He explains how Interapt’s paid tech apprenticeships train and launch talent from underserved communities into high-demand careers, delivering a “win-win-win” for individuals, families, and companies tackling talent shortages. He breaks down how Interapt grew from one training track to over 70, how they stay ahead of AI disruption with constant upskilling, and why human skills matter now more than ever. If you’re building against the odds, this conversation is your proof that profit and purpose don’t just coexist: they power each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ever feel like your digital life has turned into a mind-bending simulation? This week on FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis sits down with Hannah Koizumi and Hugh Jones, co-founders of Drumbeat Labs and the nonprofit Civic Attention, to dissect how today’s online platforms hijack our attention and warp our sense of reality. Hannah, a data scientist and civic organizer, and Hugh, a self-taught developer and digital strategist, break down the evolution from genuine social connection to endless scrolling, the addictive dopamine loops baked into every feed, and how AI is amplifying it all. Drawing from their own journeys and fresh polling, they reveal why growing up in this system is fueling anxiety and civic breakdown, and what we can do about it. Tune in for real-world strategies: how to add friction to your feeds, choose healthier online spaces, and build deeper offline connections without going full “Luddite.” If you’ve ever scrolled yourself into a stupor and wondered how to snap out of it, this episode is your antidote. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How does a company as massive as Microsoft keep innovating year after year? Patrick McGinnis sits down with 20-year Microsoft veteran Dean Carignan, co-author of The Insider's Guide to Innovation at Microsoft, to find out. Dean reveals the surprisingly learnable and scalable strategies behind the tech giant’s transformation, from launching Xbox to navigating the AI frontier. You’ll learn why innovation isn’t just about invention, how a growth mindset reshaped Microsoft’s culture, and why the company’s “innovate with everyone” approach actually works. Plus, Dean shares lessons from Microsoft’s biggest misses—and how they paved the way for its biggest wins. Whether you’re leading a startup or driving change inside a big company, this episode offers a real-world roadmap to sustainable innovation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What drives someone to turn down the 9-to-5 path before it even begins? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis talks to Firat İşbecer, CEO of Commencis and one of Turkey’s most active angel investors, about how he knew early on that he would never work for someone else. Firat recounts the founding of Pozitron, a mobile banking startup launched before smartphones became ubiquitous, and how he scaled and sold it to Monitise, setting off a new chapter in venture building. Now at the helm of Commencis, a digital transformation powerhouse, Firat discusses the evolution of the Turkish tech ecosystem, the psychology behind great founders, and why angel investors should think of themselves as collaborators, not just check-writers. It’s a rare look into the mindset of someone who's helped shape an entire region’s startup future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Forget the glossy startup story. This week, serial entrepreneurs Kass and Mike Lazerow join Patrick J. McGinnis to blow up the myths of effortless success. These two built and sold Golf.com and Buddy Media (to Salesforce for $745M)—but not without near-death experiences, crippling anxiety, and plenty of shoveling $h!t along the way. In this raw and often hilarious conversation, they share the real playbook: how to lead with emotional honesty, use anxiety as a superpower, raise capital when everyone says no, and stay obsessed with customers through every pivot. If you’re tired of startup hype and want hard-earned, practical lessons from people who’ve been through it all, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
km
#YangGang America's best hope.
kWide Vidsb
whenever anyone from the USA says "the rest of the world" what they really mean is the USA only lol
km
#yanggang