GiveAWay of Life

My new friend, Salvatore Ponzio, is an author, entrepreneur, financial consultant, and an overall brilliant human being working hard to improve the lives of others. Sal’s book, F.I.T. Finance, was written to better inform millennials about their personal finances and accumulation of wealth over the course of their lifetime. During our interview, Sal emphasizes the importance of feedback loops, compound interest, and spending less than what you make. All of these could be analyzed on a deeper level by first recognizing one’s financial goals, then planning out a path that will allow those goals to be met without having to overthink personal financial decisions on a daily basis. Do you feel that your finances could appear more F.I.T. relative to your lifestyle? Or maybe you know a millennial in search of a new resource to better improve their financial situation. Click here to learn more about F.I.T. Finance by Salvatore Ponzio.

I interview a cannabis expert and enthusiast, Douglas, about his life that includes stories of rolling and growing.   Doug has taken big jumps in his life that involve moving cross country, finding work in medicinal dispensaries, and then building trust in a new environment.  More, we talk about the social stigmas surrounding cannabis and how those may be shifting.  Doug gives us plenty of insight into what it's like to be in his shoes as a cannabis grower and consultant.   

Mark Johnson is an Ohio born meteorologist, news weatherman, and media personality.  Most importantly, he's leaving a positive mark (😁) on the city of Cleveland by consistently engaging with fans across all platforms.   I Interview about him: interest in meteorology, social media, engaging with younger audiences, Gary Vee, ADD before it was cool, being a member of the Power 5 Weather Team, gardening peas as a child with his grandfather, mother nature, and harvesting tomatoes, the definition of success, and the price of bitcoin in the future (not financial advice).  Follow Mark on his social channels! Twitter: @MarkJWeather Facebook: facebook.com/MarkJohnsonWeather Instagram: @markjweather

Tommy Walsh joins GiveAway of Life to share a glimpse into his life of managing and co-owning Dina's Pizza and Pub with his mother and owner, Dina Walsh.  I was excited about this interview because I worked at Dina's Pizza and Pub for over 5 years alongside my guest, Tommy.   In this episode, I ask Tommy to share with me what it was like growing up with his family owning a pizza shop.  He's experienced the pizza business throughout his entire life, and now he's in a position to help guide that business for many years to come.   More than just pizza, Tommy discusses what he's learned having to manage a business with family members.  It's one thing to maintain peace in the home, but this could be even more challenging while operating a family business together.  Listen to some fun stories (💩) Tommy shares about owning a restaurant.  By the end, we laugh often and I fire a few random rapid-fire questions for us to learn more about Tommy.   @dinaspizzacle www.dinaspizzaandpub.com

One of Cleveland's up and coming comedians, Bryan Sternik, joins the GiveAWay of Life podcast.   Bryan is a long time friend of mine reaching back to high school.  I've had the opportunity to witness Bryan contribute to the growing comedy scene here in Cleveland.   In this episode, we speak on a range of topics.  Bryan discusses how challenging the pandemic has been on him, but also how it has helped him realize his true passion for comedy.  He recounts times in his life reaching as far back to grade school where he thought that he may be funny.  I recount times in my life filled with embarrassment (and 💩).    Follow Bryan on Instagram and Twitter @thebryansternik. Bryan could also be heard on The Guiltless Podcast with Joe, the show's host.   

Cleveland's finest nutritionist, Abigail Taft, joins GiveAWay of Life to share her journey of becoming a Registered Dietitian.   Otherwise known as Spoonful of Abby, Abigail discusses her experience of starting a food blog, transforming the lives of her clients, and small tips people should be aware of when it comes to their nutrition.   Abby's education spans from New York to Cleveland and includes some interesting stops along the way before she settled as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.   Follow Abigail on Instagram @spoonfulofabby Visit Abigail's practice at www.abigailtaftnutrition.com

Nick drops in to share his entrepreneurial experience that includes starting the company, ChangEd, with his brother and then appearing on Sharktank to pitch ChangEd to the shark investors.  ChangEd helps student loan borrowers pay back their student loan debt more quickly and effectively.  For Nick to help develop ChangEd, he had to experience the burden of student loan debt himself.  Nick shares his personal story with managing student loan debt that led to him and his brother, Daniel, to building the ChangEd from the ground up.   More than that, Nick offers valuable information relating to student loan debt that current and potential borrowers should be more aware of.  He discusses the lack of accountability found in universities, determining the value of one's degree, and how to avoid feeling overwhelmed during the student loan repayment period.     Visit www.gochanged.com for the most reliable information on student loan debt or to get started using it yourself.   Follow the company on Instagram at @changedapp.

The Dirty Traveler joins GiveAWay of Life to share his crazy adventures traveling the globe.   Tim is a passionate explorer who quit his full-time engineering gig to journey the world.   More than that, Tim has been a full-time friend of mine and we recount the paths that brought both of us together.   Here's a taste of what Tim shares with me relating to his travel experiences: -budget traveling -living with a nudist in Hawaii -exploring the Hawaiian Islands, volcanoes, snorkeling, and more -WWOOFing -making new friends while traveling to new environments -working in other countries -vanlifing it through America -moving to Australia -visiting me in Las Vegas during WSOP -quitting his job to pursue traveling the globe -the most amazing scenic spots in the Western US -pursuing your passions and your dreams   Follow Tim on Instagram @the_dirty_traveler Youtube: The Dirty Traveler

Isaiah 'Starbeing' Williams shares the remarkable journey he's endured on his way to becoming a leading artist and activist. Many recognize Isaiah for producing the most exceptional murals found in Cleveland. Star's murals include one of a kind paintings planted in local businesses and neighborhoods throughout the city. Outside all the accolades that Isaiah has painted for himself, he contributes an inspirational message to anyone fighting to discover their purpose. Whether its somebody aspiring to become an artist or someone searching for a voice to be heard in this universe. Listen to Isaiah's perspective on this unknown universe. It may just open up your mind to something new. More, Star details how we can make the best of our time here regardless of your passion. @starbeing

Katie Brown is a yoga instructor at Inner Bliss Yoga studio in Cleveland, Ohio.  She discusses her experience of becoming a yoga instructor and the exciting moments she finds helping others discover their purpose through yoga.   Follow Katie on Instagram @katiebrown313 Spotify @kjjmu Katie's Yoga Studio that she teaches at @innerblisssyoga

Keeping episode eight short and sweet with a simple thank you to the person who made me into who I am today.  

One of the most positive and energetic people I know joins me on Episode 7- Megan Flynn.  Experience my nervousness as I interview Meg about her career as a sports orthopedic surgeon, becoming a fitness instructor, and how being kind could help lift us up through this pandemic.  For additional information on the topic relating to women in the field of orthopedic surgery, please visit www.giveawayoflife.com and find the episode with Meg for a link to the corresponding sources.   

A long-time friend and talented chef, Luis Ocasio, talks with me about current challenges he and other chef’s are experiencing during a slowing world. Luis discusses abandoning high school to cook and the lessons that working in a kitchen has taught him about himself and others. He also shares some positive thoughts and helpful tips on how others could find time to improve inside and outside of the kitchen. 

Dan Badders joins the Lifeology Podcast to discuss how he's pushing through a world that is shutdown.  This includes his previous job experience working for the Cleveland Indians and solving new problems at his current company, Groupmatics.  Dan also offers insight into his meditation practices, workout routines, and ways he is continuing to become better in all aspects of life. 

I've known Pat since before he became a professional poker player.  On this episode, we discuss how Pat won over $200,000 playing in a recent poker tournament and the journey up until that point.  Side by side with poker, Egption streams his poker playing on Twitch to hundreds of followers.  

Danny Justham drops by to discuss the struggles of building his brand, Why Fitness + Apparel, from the ground up.  Danny knows me a bit better than past guests, so he and I ask each other questions that not many others may know about our personal brands.  

Bennett Bylerey is the co-founder of Verb Energy Co. along with his college buddies and other co-founders, Matt and Andre.  We talk about taking an idea in college to a start-up company that is now shipping nutritional energy bars all across the country.  Visit verbenergy.co to how Bennett and his team are keeping America moving!

Jeff Ragan is the owner of KizeConcepts and can be found changing the world one community at a time.