The Motivation Show

Dion Dimucci has been a Rock 'N' Roll pioneer since the late 1950's with his iconic band Dion and the Belmonts. They scored hit after hit including The Wanderer, Runaround Sue, A Teenager in Love and Abraham, Martin and John making them Rock 'N' Roll royalty. Dion co-wrote a stunningly gorgeous coffee table sized book with his pal Adam Jablin called Dion The Rock 'N' Roll Philosopher: Conversations on Life, Recovery, Faith and Music. There are one-of-a-kind photos in the book with music legends Pail Simon, Eric Clapton, Tony Bennett, Bruce Springsteen, Clive Davis, Lou Reed and more. We discuss: 1. How did you come up with the name Dion and the Belmonts? 2. How was it like growing up in Da Bronx being part of the gang the Fordham baldies? Thanks to you guys I have this beautiful coffee table sized book beautifying…my coffee table. Adam 3. How did Dion and Adam get hooked up with each other & what inspired the co-creation of this book? 4. What Dion feels are the reasons for his early success. 5. What gave him the self-confidence that he was a great singer & the ability to sing to millions of people? 6. As with many Rock Legends, Dion seemingly had it all from an outsider’s perspective. The hit songs, the fame, the adulation, screaming girls, the power & money…did he feel he had it all and why does he think he turned to a debilitating addiction and what helped him to overcome it? 7. Paul Simon in the books Forward said they don’t see each other often but their phone conversations can go on for an hour & usually drift into the spiritual. What does he mean by that? 8. Was there an Aha moment where all of a sudden he found God? How did his spirituality emerge and sustain over all these years? 9. Eric Clapton in the book’s prologue says Dion has an essential ingredient: SOUL…buckets of it. How did this soul start & evolve? 10. In 2020 hindsight, what would Dion change if he had to do it all over again? 10. When did Dion first start wearing the berets he is iconically known for and why do you like that signature look? 11.On Feb. 2, 1959 at the Winter Dance Party, there were 4 groups on the bill. Buddy Holly & The Crickets, Big Bopper, Richie Valens & Dion & The Belmonts. The plane didn’t make it home and some like Don Maclean called it "The Day the Music Died." What did those guys mean to Dion and why wasn't he on that fatal plane?

Dr. Robin Hills is a highly esteemed business psychologist and the director of Ei4Change - awarded "International Impact Company of the Year," by Dotcom Magazine in 2024. He is the author of The Authority Guide to Emotional Resilience in Business. Robin has taught and empowered more than 500,000 individuals across 195+ countries, with the most comprehensive and detailed courses around the topic of emotional intelligence. He was awarded “Best Transformative Emotional Intelligence Coach” - of the Year 2024, by The CIO Times, and “Men Leaders to Look Up To” by Passion Vista magazine. Early 2024, Robin was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Advanced Studies in Psychology in recognition of his contribution to emotional intelligence training. He also has over 200,000+ avid followers who are always hungry for quality content!   Some of the topics Robin covers include: The Future of Emotional Intelligence: Advancing Skills for Success Emotional Intelligence in the Changing World: Strategies for Personal and Professional Growth The Resilient Professional: Strategies for Managing Stress and Overcoming Setbacks Emotional Intelligence in Action: Building Sustainable Success for the Future Building Emotional Strength in the Workplace Navigating Workplace Challenges with Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Resilience Slow Down to Speed Up: Increasing Workflow Efficiencies through Mindfulness Practices Mindfulness in Action: Techniques to Achieve Clarity and Productivity at Work

Emmy Award winning comedy writers and performers Carol Leifer (writer for Saturday Night Live, Hacks, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Modern Family, The Larry Sanders Show, Seinfeld, and...10 Academy Awards shows!) and Rick Mitchell (writer and producer for Ellen Degeneres and TMZ) are the co-authors of How to Write a Funny Speech...for a Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn't Want to Go to in the First Place. The foreword is written by Carol Burnett...so just imagine how funny this book is. They teach you how to write and give a flawlessly funny speech for any occasion so you can look awesome, make some people laugh, and get it over with. They have the best tips and tricks up their sleeves like advice for making tasteful jokes that charm your audience and flatter the socks off your honoree. We discuss: -How did the two of them get to know each other and collaborate -How hard is it to break in as a comedy writer? -How did the idea for this book originate and how did they arrive at the long and unique book title?    -How many iterations of a comedy sketch do you typically go through before they feel they have reached the holy grail for that skit. -Carols favorite comedy skits she is most proud of? -Do they have any stage fright or jitters and how do they handle it and advise the rest of to? -Did they ever struggle in the business? -How long should a speech be and what are some of the signs that someone’s special occasion speech is just too darn long? -What you should never do in your special occasion speech -The #1 mistake people make right out of the gate at a special event speech and how should a great speech start -A writing trick you can do when you first start writing a speech but are not really in a gung ho mood to write -What should the meat of the speech consist of? (stories) -What are some of the reasons you should feel good after the speech?

Masood Boomgaard is an internationally renowned comedian who is probably your favorite alternative life coach also known by his alter ego “Self-Help Singh.”   The comedian, & (de)motivational speaker and parody expert discovered his inner alter ego when as rumor has it, he fell & hit his head as he rushed to the toilet after some bad lamb vindaloo.  In this interview, Boomgaard provides simple, yet "common sense wisdom" on how to get your life together...without mincing words...and beware...some of those words are blue. Boomgard describes his Self-help Singh alter ego, who has been enjoyed by millions on the internet, as a comedic alternative life coach and de-motivational speaker. Now, Self-help Singh is LIVE with a hilarious and thought-provoking juxtaposition of stand-up comedy, parody & motivational speaking. This event contains adult content.  Masood Boomgaard Presents: Self-Help Singh Live in the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale as part of the TRUIST Comedy Series on Friday, February 9 at 7 p.m. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Broward Center & The Parker. Buy tickets online at BrowardCenter.org, or Ticketmaster.com; by phone at 954.462.0222; in person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office.  The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Self-help Singh is the alter ego of international comedian Masood Boomgaard. Self-help Singh, described as a comedic alternative life coach and de-motivational speaker, first appeared to Boomgaard in a vision after he fell and hit his head while rushing to the bathroom in an attempt to outrun the gastric consequences of bad lamb vindaloo. Boomgaard has since been sharing the "common sense wisdom" and de-motivational teachings of Self-help Singh to millions of people on the internet. The Self-help Singh live show is a hilarious yet thought provoking juxtaposition of stand-up comedy, parody and motivational speaking. Boomgaard lives in South Africa with his cat...for now

I believe this is the most important podcast episode ever done in history! Big words for sure...now let me back them up Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn is a world renowned cardiologist who was a surgeon at the famed Cleveland Clinic, the top Heart Hospital in the world.  He is the author of the best selling book Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease and was also prominently featured in the groundbreaking documentary Forks Over Knives.  His pioneering work with Coronary Artery Disease has saved countless lives. We explore: Who has heart disease? What percentage of people? Why in his 9th decade of life does Dr. Esselstyn continue to talk about eradicating or slowing the progression of heart disease. What’s is the mission that’s still driving him. When he speaks of Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease is he primarily speaking about Coronary Artery Disease or all Heart Disease? The internet is filled with Drs & others promoting Keto and low Carb Diets and they swear by their research. How do we explain the claimed successes of those diets...or are they really successful? Why are ALL oils bad, especially for those with coronary artery disease?  Are there any oils that are good for those that don't have heart disease? Should everyone have a Calcium Score and when should they be alarmed? How important is it to lower LDL and raise HDL? What does he think of Statins? Why should there never be a reason to develop heart disease. At what point should someone have an angiogram and stents placed or bypass surgery? How does someone track their progress after a positive stress test and starting a Whole Food plant -based diet Why a Whole Food Plant Based Diet is Different than a Vegan diet Why do leafy greens eaten 6x a day help to mitigate or reverse further coronary artery disease? Which are the best greens to eat? Which are the next best foods after greens? How about Nightshades? Good or Bad? Can this diet prevent event the most serious heart blockages and circumvent even a quadruple bypass? How much fat is recommended for those with coronary artery disease and how much of that in saturated fat?  Is all saturated fat equal? What three Whole Foods are bad for Coronary Artery Disease patients?  How about sweeteners?

John Schneider's extensive acting career includes the iconic roles of "Bo Duke" on The Dukes of Hazzard, “Jonathan Kent” on Smallville and "Jim Cryer" on Tyler Perry's The Haves and the Have Nots, along with recurring appearances on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Nip/Tuck, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Dancing with the Stars, and most recently, The Masked Singer. As an independent filmmaker, John continues to write, direct and star in his own movies, including Christmas Cars (2019), Stand On It (2020), Poker Run (2021) and To Die For (2022). He also co-starred with Reba McEntire in Lifetime’s 2021 holiday hit, Christmas In Tune, which follows several cross-generational smashes, from Smokey and the Bandit (Burt Reynolds) to Felicity: An American Girl Adventure (Shailene Woodley) and Sydney White (Amanda Bynes). John is now appearing til February 4, 2025 in the longest run off-Broadway show of all-time Perfect Crime. Get tickets here: www.perfect-crime.com.

Over the span of four years, one afternoon at a time, professional biographer Rhonda Lauritzen sat across from Heidi Posnien, now an 88-year-old woman who spent her childhood in the heart of Berlin, just a stone’s throw from Hitler’s seat of power. Posnien shared strikingly clear memories of the fear and uncertainty that permeated Nazi-infested Berlin during World War II as well as memories of her mother, Käthe, a rising star in Germany’s opera scene. But perhaps the most remarkable part of Posnien’s story is her survival in a bombed-out apartment during the final weeks of the war when she was just 9 years old.    A Child in Berlin is the remarkable true story of Heidi Posnien, her mother and their courage in the face of Nazi terror as told to Lauritzen. Käthe is a mother who must choose between her conscience and her dreams of becoming an opera star. She discovers the truth about what is happening to her Jewish friends around the time she attends a dinner party presided by Adolf Hitler himself. She realizes she cannot remain among Nazi society and makes the gut-wrenching choice to leave the opera. To support herself and young Heidi, she joins Berlin’s black-market network and ends up dealing in more than just food. As others evacuate the capital, Käthe harbors a secret that anchors them in the epicenter of danger.   While Käthe becomes ever more preoccupied with survival, Heidi and a roving pack of friends make mischief in Berlin’s rubble. The war devolves, and she braves hunger, cold and feelings of abandonment as she shuttles between Berlin and the Polish countryside. Heidi’s ultimate test comes when she must survive alone in a bombed-out apartment during the final weeks of World War II. Her moxie shows how children are capable of far more than adults realize.   Heidi Posnien married an American soldier after the war. She now lives in Huntsville, Utah. Her story serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit, even in the darkest of times. Her firsthand account of life in Nazi-occupied Berlin offers a unique perspective on a pivotal moment in world history. As she nears her 90th birthday, Posnien continues to share her story in the hopes of educating future generations about the horrors of war and the importance of standing up against tyranny.   “I’ve been down in the deepest sorrows, but I’ve also been on the best of highs too,” Posnien said. “I’ve eaten this big, beautiful life; I never let it eat me.”

Austin C. Wright is the son of the late Jordan M. Wright & serves as Chairman of the Museum of Democracy. In this capacity, he has been able to share his father's ginormous collection with the world through the Museum & its national exhibitions. As Wright continues to grow his father’s collection, his emphasis is on ensuring it remains accessible to all, particularly the younger generations, to educate them about freedom & democracy & inspire them to engage in the political process. The book he co-wrote with his father, CAMPAIGNING FOR PRESIDENT is a comprehensive look at 'campaign paraphernalia" through the ages. Nixon; Reagan; Obama; Biden; Trump; RFK JR. & Harris. It is NOT political. Austin's father started the process and after he passed, he continued. In this fascinating interview we discuss: *What motivated your father to begin collecting? *When was the museum founded, and where were its objects displayed? *What was it like growing up surrounded by all the memorabilia? *Describe some of the most unique items in the collection. *How were most items obtained? *How did the situation with the LIU (Long Island University) collection display come about? *Why do you believe this museum is of importance to the American public? *What are the plans for the collection in 2024 and 2025

Sue Cameron has known, interviewed and befriended a plethora of Hollywood and Music A Listers.   In fact they are so famous, they would belong in an A+ list category if there was one. She has been a daily columnist & TV editor for The Hollywood Reporter, Hamptons & a Cosmo contributor.   She is an original founder of Women in Film, an organization of 25,000 members.  Sue has written a riveting, just can’t put it down book called “Hollywood Secrets and Scandals: the truth behind stars closed doors.”  Sue has been a consultant for various entertainment people like Teri Hatcher, Joely Fisher, Suzanne Somers, Valerie Harper, Carole King, Kim Novak, Debbie Reynolds and many others who don’t want their names revealed.  In her book’s dedication, she mentions Kim Novak, Debbie Reynolds and Joan Rivers as MY SUPREMES.   No other reporter has ever had her of access to celebrities.  We discuss: -Why so many of these A Listers allowed her so closely into their lives -What was her motivation for writing such an intriguing, juicy book of 361 pages -Do famous people regret being famous or do they mostly enjoy & embrace it?  -Any that didn’t enjoy or couldn’t handle their fame?  -She has written over 2,5000 columns & interviews reporting on Hollywood celebrities & social and political events.  Which interviews & stories stand out the most? -Jimi Hendrix.   The Mama Cass Ham Sandwich story.   Richard Simmons.    OJ Simpson.   Sonny & Cher.   Wonder Woman Lynda Carter.   Her blog, www.cameroncolumn.blogspot.com is widely read and generates attention everywhere

Eddie Wilson is a businessman who is known as the “King of Exits.” He has owned over 125 companies and exited over 120 of them successfully. His current private equity firm Collective Influence has significant holdings as well. Of those holdings, the Private Equity firm owns – Think Realty, American Association of Private Lenders, Apticode, FitCon, Tax Free Crypto, Because Coffee, The Power Room, Money Is…and about 10 other companies.  He is also known for creating an operating system that manages the growth of his companies systematically allowing him the greatest odds for success. His operating system is known as the Empire Operating System. With all of his success in his 40s he has turned his efforts to humanitarian non-profit activities with his foundation Impact Others.  In this episode, you will learn: -Exactly what an Exit Strategy means and why you absolutely have to have one when you start a business  -How Eddie become so proficient in exit strategies to earn him the title of the King of Exits  -How to grow and scale your business without working 7 days  -Advice for new entrepreneurs. What are the musts they should do and what are the common pitfalls they should look to avoid?  -How do you find the best employees and what traits do you look for when hiring? -The Aspire Tour – How these new tours are taking the country by storm. Inspire your growth Financially, Professionally, Personally.  May 17 in Miami from 7 til 7pm.  Mr. Wonderful Kevin O’Leary, Marcus Lemonis from The Profit TV Show, Alex Rodriguez, Gary V and others. July 20 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Bob Burg has been successfully showing entrepreneurs, leaders, & sales pros for over 30 yrs, how to build relationships, communicate their value, & accelerate their business growth as one of the top Sales and Entrepreneur trainers in the world.  Though for years he was best known for his sales classic, Endless Referrals, it’s his business parable he co-authored, The Go-Giver, that has created a worldwide movement.  While part of a four-book series, The Go-Giver itself has sold well over a million copies & been translated into 30 languages. It was rated #10 on Inc. Magazine’s list of The Most Motivational Books Ever Written, & was on HubSpot’s 20 Most Highly Rated Sales Books of All Time.  An advocate, supporter, & defender of the Free Enterprise system, Bob believes that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve. In this interview, hear about: -Most people just laugh when they hear that the secret to success is giving…Then again, most people are nowhere near as successful as they wish they were.”  -Examples of what a salesperson or entrepreneur can give a prospective client -Change focus from getting to giving...putting others interests first & adding value to their lives ultimately leads to unexpected returns. Give & You Shall Receive.”  -“Don’t give as a quid pro quo, not as a strategy to get ahead, but because it is, in & of itself, a satisfying & fulfilling way to be.” -Five Laws of Stratospheric Success. -How do you turn a Cold Call into a Warm Call? -How can you have business organically flow to you instead of always trying to push, persuade, cajole, hype or any other artificial way of making a sale? -How do you deal with the prospect you know is your perfect client, but just won’t give you the time of day.  They don’t return your email, phone calls or texts. -One golden nugget of advice from a “drive-by mentor” totally shifted Bob’s perspective and played a big role in his success. -One thing to absolutely AVOID doing when seeking out a mentor.  -What’s the best way to find a mentor? -Why being a “Go-Giver” is absolutely congruent with — and even honors — human nature.

Nigel Holland is a founder of the world class band Evil Woman “The American ELO.” The Electric Light Orchestra, known around the world as the “Premier Orchestral Rock & Roll Band," pumped out many great hits in the 1970’s like Can't Get It Out of My Head, Strange Magic & Evil Woman. There was no other band quite like them. They combined the beat of disco thumpers, outlandish space-age iconography, triumphant classical orchestral arrangements, and gentle, intricate harmonies influenced by the Beatles. In this podcast, Nigel discusses: Why they are called the American ELO What should we expect at an ELO concert What attracted him most to the Electric Light Orchestra music Who were his musical influences What Success principals he feels contribute to his success What makes Evil different than other bands in your same genre Why they chose to go with the name Evil Woman and what does that iconic ELO song mean to him

BRUCE SUSSMAN received the 2022 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical for the Broadway show Harmony. With Jack Feldman, he co-authored the scores for Ted Tally’s Coming Attractions (Outer Critics Circle Award) and Wendy Wasserstein’s first musical, Miami, both produced by André Bishop at Playwrights Horizons. He also co-authored the score and book for Copacabana: The Musical, (Olivier Award nominee). His half century-long collaboration with Barry Manilow has produced over 200 songs that have been featured in numerous films & have been recorded by an array of artists, earning Grammy Awards & multiple Gold & Platinum records. We discuss:  What is it like collaborating with Barry Manilow and how did that all unfold? When did you first get the desire to write, score & produce music?  Who & what were your inspirations? Does writing the book for a show & scoring the music come naturally to you?  What are the easy parts, what are the hard parts and what does it take to get it all done to your exacting standards? Is there a secret to your success?   What advice would you offer someone else who needs a better roadmap to reach the same pinnacle of success that you have? The show’s slogan is that HARMONY tells the extraordinary true story of the greatest entertainers the world would ever forget.  There were 6 Comedian Harmonists.   What made them so beloved at the time and why were they forgotten? What does the Broadway musical Harmony mean to you and can you tell our listeners exactly your role in the show is as the maestro behind the book and lyrics and also Barry Manilow’s role with his original score in the show? What would you like audiences to take away from the intended meaning & message of the show  & how you would like to see them feeling during & after the show? How long did it take for Harmony to get to Broadway & why the long and winding road that finally landed the show there.  What are you most proud of?  Anything you would change?

Judy Collins has inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, & a firm commitment to social activism. In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism & steely determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Six decades later, her luminescent presence shines brightly as new generations bask in the glow of her iconic 55-album body of work, & heed inspiration from her spiritual discipline to thrive in the music industry for half a century. The award-winning singer-songwriter is esteemed for her imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards & her own poetically poignant original compositions. Her stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell's “Both Sides Now” from her landmark 1967 album, Wildflowers, has been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Judy’s dreamy and sweetly intimate version of “Send in the Clowns,” a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical A Little Night Music, won "Song of the Year” at the 1975 Grammy Awards. She’s garnered several top-ten hits gold- and platinum-selling albums. Recently, contemporary & classic artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, and Leonard Cohen honored her legacy with the album Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins. Judy began her impressive music career at 13 as a piano prodigy dazzling audiences performing Mozart's “Concerto for Two Pianos,” but the hard luck tales & rugged sensitivity of folk revival music by artists such as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger seduced her away from a life as a concert pianist. Her path pointed to a lifelong love affair with the guitar & pursuit of emotional truth in lyrics. The focus and regimented practice of classical music, however, would be a source of strength to her inner core as she navigated the highs and lows of the music business.

Jessica Vosk is one of Broadway's HOTTEST, surging STARS who played Elphaba in WICKED for 2 years & also appeared in Fiddler on the Roof as well as in Finding Neverland & The Bridges of Madison County. This celebrated singer & actress performs all over the US including at The Broadway Concert Series at Broward Center’s Parker Playhouse in Ft. Laud. FL on Jan. 21, 2024 at 7pm which even I don’t want to miss as I plan to attend. After this interview, I know you will want to join me. Here's what Jessica discusses: -What was it like growing up? Did she always want to be a singer & actress and what gave her the inspiration to be a performer? -Who inspired her and continues to inspire her? -How she get such a plum role like Elphaba and how may people did she compete with for the part? -What does performing do for her? What brings her the most joy in performing? -Do she ever experience fear or jitters and if so, how does she handle and overcome it? -What would be her dream performing role or scenario? -Her sold out Carnegie Hall debut in Nov. 2021 and her second sold-out show Get Happy: A Judy Garland Centennial Celebration in Dec 2022. Jessica takes center stage at The Parker on Sun, Jan. 21 at 7 pm accompanied by Grammy- and Emmy Award-winner John McDaniel, who was seen leading the band on the Rosie O'Donnell show for its entire six year run. I am already sold & I am super excited but what is the rest of the potential audience in store for? What should we expect? Buy tickets online at ParkerPlayhouse.com and Ticketmaster.com; by phone at 954.462.0222; and in person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office. Hang in on the interview til the end when Jessica gifts us with an a cappella verse of one of her favorite songs!!!

Neale Donald Walsch is the author of the international best seller Conversations With God, published in 1995, which became a global publishing phenomenon, staying on the New York Times Best Sellers List for 137 weeks. He is the author now of Godtalk: Experiences of Humanity's Connections with a Higher Power In this epic interview, we discuss: -Why Neale feels Conversations With God resonated with so many people -Did he always believe in God and why he is 100% convinced there is a God -Can anyone talk with God -How 2 way communication with this very real God can change your life -How one can be sure the communication is not just one way -What inspired him to write Godtalk and what makes it different from Conversations With God and his other books -Why divine intervention has led you as a listener to choose to listen to this specific interview among the trillions of choices available to you. Why the necessary steps were divinely set up for you so you decide to listen right now when you need to most. Neale says "Don't Look Now, but God is talking to you." -How God is engaging with everyone who actively seeks a conversation & how God is also communicating with us all the time even when we are not actively seeking conversation.

Sean Young was one of Hollywood’s leading actresses. She starred in iconic movies like Blade Runner, No Way Out, Wall Street, Fatal Instinct & showed her comedic chops in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. She is now starring in a one woman play off-Broadway in New York City called Ode to the Wasp Woman. In this exclusive interview we discuss: When did you decide you wanted to become an actress? Why did think you could make it in a profession where most people don’t? Self-confidence or something else? What motivates and drives you to continue to do what you? What challenges did you face in your life, what have you overcome and what have you learned from these setbacks? Any regrets, things you would have liked to have done differently? Tell us about Ode to the Wasp Woman. What intrigued you and sold you on doing this Play? What do you want audiences to feel during and after the Play? What’s next in Sean Young’s fascinating life journey?

John Catsimatidis went from rags to riches to become the CEO of the Red Apple Group where he began his meteoric rise to billionaire status as the founder of the Gristedes supermarket chain in New York City. He started as a child immigrant from very modest beginnings were he had to learn English and where he took one small grocery store and turned it into a sprawling empire. He has gone on to be wildly successful in other industries including real estate, energy, sports and media as the owner of WABC Radio in NYC. His book is How Far Do You Want To Go: Lessons from a Common-Sense Billionaire. If you ever dreamed of hitting the Lotto, dream on...or learn the blueprint from this book on how to get to the top...the very top. Topics we cover in this interview include: What was life like growing up in West Harlem? What inspired you to write a book and what are the main takeaways you wish for our audience to learn from reading it? What do you believe are your secrets or not so secret principles that have enabled you to build not only a successful business empire but a successful personal life as well? What is your idea of common sense that you allude to in the subtitle of your book? There is an incredible quote in your book that was your public school's slogan: Never let it rest until our good gets better and our better gets best. What does that mean to you and how have you applied this lesson? In the book, you say that you were insecure in public school. Insecure that you weren't smart enough. Insecure that your English was not good enough. Insecure that the other kids had more and knew more. Insecure that you did not belong. How did you cope with that at 5 years old & how did you overcome this? What role does collaborating with others play in your life and do you have a prime example that comes to mind of a particularly mutually successful collaboration? Can you tell us what is the sink or swim theory you learned from your cousin in Greece?

Bill Boggs is an Emmy-Award winning TV Talk Show host, producer & author who began his career in comedy. His TV credits include the long running Midday Live out of New York City. He was the executive producer of the groundbreaking The Morton Downey Show and was the co-creator & host of the syndicated Series Comedy Tonite. He has interviewed some of the most notable personalities of all-time, including a rare talk show interview with Frank Sinatra. John Belushi, Martha Stewart, Brooke Shields, Elliot Gould, Carly Simon, Sammy Davis Jr., Yul Brynner, Jerry Lewis, Howard Stern are among the hundreds of bold faced names he has interviewed in his storied on-air career. Bill is the author of the 2023 book Spike Unleashed: The Wonder Dog Returns (sequel to The Adventures of Spike the Wonder Dog).

Joe Pantoliano has starred in numerous films including Risky Business with a 21 yr old Tom Cruise, Midnight Run, The Matrix, Teddy and TV shows like The Sopranos.  He is now starring in the highly entertaining musical Rock & Roll Man in New York City. In this exclusive interview we discuss: -What it was like growing up dirt poor and how that inspired him to go into show business -What it is like having roles in nearly 200 Films/TV shows/stage performances   -How he get into the 1983 movie Risky Business and if he thought Tom Cruise would be the blockbuster star he is today -What he is most proud of among those 200 some odd roles and why -Why did he take his current dual roles in Rock & Roll Man and what intrigued him about the musical's central theme about rock pioneer Alan Freed and the challenges of integrating Rock & Roll for both black and white audiences -What he hopes audiences feels, learns and takes away from the show ultimately