This episode: Telling Stories That Heal: How Steve Seidel Turned Pain into Purpose Through Media and Mentorship.

Here’s what you’ll learn about:

Introduction (0:03)

• Host Drew Deraney thanks the person who introduced him to Guest Steve Seidel and gives a shout-out to Lynn Winter for her work on happiness mapping.
• Drew introduces the concept of life being linear until external circumstances derail it, leading to choices on how to handle adversity.

Types of Men and Adversity (1:16)

• Drew describes three types of men: one who doesn't notice adversity, one who blames others, and one who sees adversity as an opportunity for growth.
• He introduces Steve Seidel as an example of the third type of man who uses adversity to become stronger.
• Steve Seidel shares his background, including his upbringing in a divorced family and his early life as a people pleaser.
• Steve recounts two defining moments: his layoff from Motorola and the death of his father, which led him to pursue a career in storytelling and media.

Personal Growth and Career Transition (21:41)

• Steve talks about his move to New York to pursue a career in creativity and storytelling.
• He shares the impact of his father's death on his personal growth and his role as a father figure to his younger brothers.
• Steve discusses the importance of hard work and problem-solving, influenced by his parents' careers.
• He reflects on his journey from being a people pleaser to developing resilience and finding his voice in media and storytelling.

Building a Media Agency (22:37)

• Steve explains how his experience in storytelling and media led to the creation of his media agency.
• He describes the four-part framework his agency uses: mission, media, movement, and impact.
• Steve shares his experience of moving to Lexington, Kentucky, during the pandemic and the challenges of starting a virtual agency.
• He talks about the support group he started, "Jen's Journey," to help other men navigate adversity and find connection.

Impact of Personal Losses (23:09)

• Steve recounts the loss of his stepfather and father and how it shaped his perspective on life and fatherhood.
• He shares the story of his mother's passing and the emotional impact it had on him and his family.
• Steve reflects on the importance of legacy and leaving a positive impact on his children and others.
• He discusses the role of...

This episode: Murphy’s Law Redefined: Shaun Murphy Turns Setbacks into Comebacks Through Purpose, Music, and Mindset.

Here’s what you’ll learn about:

Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast (0:03)

• Host Drew thanks the group that introduced him to Shaun Murphy, specifically mentioning Wasabi Publicity.
• Drew discusses the concept of life being linear until external circumstances derail the path.
• He introduces the three types of men: those who ignore adversity, those who blame others, and those who see adversity as an opportunity.
• Drew invites Shaun Murphy to share his defining moment that transformed him from his past self to his current self.

Shaun Murphy's Defining Moment (2:31)

• Shaun Murphy shares his transition from the military to civilian life, describing the challenges he faced.
• He recounts his struggle in Missouri, being unemployed and broke, and how he stayed in his house for 30-60 days.
• Shaun reflects on his mother's journey from Barbados and how her sacrifices motivated him to avoid poverty.
• He mentions the support of his brother, who encouraged him to get his life in order and pursue his goals.

Building a Framework for Success (5:20)

• Shaun discusses the importance of mindset, motivation, money management, and massive movement in his framework for success.
• He emphasizes the need to stop chasing money and instead focus on purpose and energy goals.
• Shaun talks about the role of motivation and the importance of finding one's "why."
• He introduces the concept of a SEAL Team Six, consisting of a doubter, taskmaster, accountability partner, cheerleader, and connector.

Transitioning from the Military (8:01)

• Drew and Shaun discuss the challenges veterans face when transitioning out of the military.
• Shaun mentions the resources available but notes the difficulty in accessing them once out of the military.
• He shares his experience of taking accountability and self-awareness as the first steps in his journey.
• Shaun talks about the importance of deciding where you want to be and identifying role models who inspire you.

The Role of Motivation and Music (12:42)

• Shaun explains how he became motivated by a drill sergeant in basic training and how he wanted to inspire others.
• He discusses his transition to becoming a college professor and creating a platform to reach college dropouts.

This episode: Faith, Family, and Fortitude: Jeff Pearson’s Journey to Rise Above Invisible Challenges.

Here’s what you’ll learn about:

Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast (0:00)

• Host Drew Deraney discusses the purpose of the podcast, thanking Mike Wiener for the introduction to Guest Jeff Pearson.
• Drew explains the concept of life being linear and how external circumstances can disrupt this linearity, leading to adversity.
• He introduces three types of men who face adversity: those who are unaware, those who blame others, and those who take massive action to become stronger.
• Drew invites Jeff Pearson to share his defining moment that transformed him from one of the first two types to the third type.

Jeff Pearson's Early Life and Defining Moment (2:08)

• Jeff Pearson recounts his early life, mentioning his parents' supportive approach to his condition, which included having multiple surgeries.
• Jeff shares that his parents encouraged him to live a normal life, despite his condition, which included brain surgeries.
• He describes his involvement in various activities like skateboarding, snowboarding, sports, music, and singing, which helped him maintain a positive outlook.
• Jeff emphasizes the importance of his parents' message that he could do anything he wanted, with God as his strength.

Impact of Surgeries and Parental Support (3:49)

• Drew acknowledges the importance of Jeff's parents' support and asks about the impact of his first surgery.
• Jeff recalls his childhood surgeries and the condition hydrocephalus, which required brain surgery to drain excess fluid.
• He shares that his first major brain surgery was at 18 years old, right after high school graduation, and he traveled the world with a music group shortly after.
• Jeff explains that his mindset of viewing surgeries as opportunities rather than barriers has helped him through each procedure.

Jeff's Career and Personal Life (10:31)

• Jeff discusses his career, including his time as a private investigator and security processor, and how he found fulfillment in this work.
• He mentions that his last brain surgery in 2021 ended his career in security, leading to a new opportunity in television.
• Jeff talks about meeting his wife in seventh grade band class and their journey together, including the impact of his surgeries on their family.
• He shares that his wife, Catherine, was supportive during his surgeries, and they have three children together.

Transition to Television and Advocacy (12:33)

• ...

This episode: Beyond the Badge: How Stefan Bjes Is Changing the Way Police Understand Autism.

Here’s what you’ll learn about:

Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast (0:04)

• Host Drew Deraney and Guest Stefan Bjes discuss the purpose of the podcast, emphasizing the importance of facing adversity and becoming stronger.
• Drew introduces the concept of three types of men: those who ignore adversity, those who become victims, and those who see adversity as an opportunity for growth.
• Drew invites Stefan to share his defining moment that transformed him from a victim to a high performer.

Stefan's Defining Moments (2:12)

• Stefan Bjes recounts the diagnosis of his two youngest sons with autism in 2013, which was a significant turning point in his life.
• He describes the initial struggle and how his wife took the lead in advocating for their sons.
• In 2017, a viral video of a young man with autism interacting poorly with a police officer inspired Stefan to create training programs for law enforcement.
• Stefan explains how he combined his experience as a police officer and a trainer to develop classes on autism and disabilities for law enforcement officers.

Impact of Autism Diagnosis on Family (4:46)

• Drew shares his own experience of having a child diagnosed with autism at 14 and the challenges it brought.
• Stefan discusses the impact of the early diagnosis of his middle son and how his wife took the lead in advocating for their sons.
• Stefan emphasizes the importance of being a voice and advocate for his sons, especially in sports and school environments.
• Drew praises the strength of Stefan and his wife's marriage and how they supported each other through the challenges of raising children with autism.

Balancing Family and Professional Life (7:20)

• Drew asks about the impact of having children with autism on the neurotypical sibling.
• Stefan explains how he balanced supporting his sons with being present for his oldest son in sports and academics.
• He discusses his involvement in coaching adaptive sports for children with disabilities and how it helped his family.
• Drew and Stefan discuss the importance of forgiveness and partnership in their marriage, which has helped them persevere through challenges.

Professional Training and Impact (11:36)

• Drew shifts the conversation to Stefan's professional training and impact on law enforcement.
• Stefan describes his background in law enforcement training a...

• (00:00:00) - Steffan Baez on Autism Safety
• (00:03:13) - Disabled Police Officers on The Challenge
• (00:09:47) - Autism and the journey of diagnosis
• (00:10:56) - One Dad's Reaction to His First Boy's Autism Diagnosis
• (00:17:28) - The Secret to A Married Marriage
• (00:19:53) - One cop's autism training
• (00:22:06) - Autism Trainings
• (00:27:47) - Autism and the Police
• (00:30:02) - Autistic Kids Need Safety
• (00:32:33) - Impactful Lessons for Men
• (00:34:42) - Eat, Sleep, Win
• (00:36:26) - What To Tell The Young Entrepreneur
• (00:38:22) - Stefan On The Ellen Interview
• (00:38:58) - Living the Life You Want to Live

This episode: From the Battlefield to the Boardroom: Chas Sampson on Confidence, Character, and the Power of Service.

Here’s what you’ll learn about:

Life's linear path vs. external circumstances. (0:04)

• Chas Sampson joins the podcast to discuss life's non-linear path.

Overcoming adversity and building confidence through childhood experiences and taking calculated risks. (1:05)

• Chas Sampson shares his personal journey of overcoming adversity and taking massive action to become a stronger person.
• Chas's parents instilled confidence in him from a young age, encouraging him to be brave and try new things.
• His first business venture at 12 years old was a lawn mowing service, which he expanded with the help of friends and lost control of due to lack of proper planning.

Personal growth, overcoming fear, and finding success through hard work and perseverance. (3:25)

• Chas shared his experiences working in various businesses in a small North Carolina town.
• He discussed how he overcame obstacles and built relationships with clients, including a white nationalist who taught him about finance and communication.
• Chas emphasized the importance of respect and persistence in business, citing his successful lawn mowing business and subsequent work at Winn Dixie Grocery Store and Sonic.

Military service, transitioning to civilian life, and sports agency work. (6:54)

• Chas explains how Military service taught him relationships matter, not tough acts.
• War criminals often lack love, attention, and empathy.
• Deployments showed Chas people want to be heard, respected, and loved.
• Chas had multiple career options after leaving the military, including working in finance, football, and sports agency.
• He invested in a pass-through draft for college athletes transitioning to the NFL, earning up to $100,000 in expenses and training.

Managing investment deals and NFL player representation. (11:54)

• Chas faces challenges managing opportunities in his business, including selling the company or focusing on NFL players.
• He prioritizes culture and team fit in hiring and growing his organization, using a strict evaluation process.
• Chas aims to provide balance and solve the mission for clients, while also growing his mentorship programs and organizations.
• He discusses different aspects of his job, including mortgage backed securities, mergers, and VA claims.
• Chas highlights the importance of adapting communication s...

• (00:00:00) - Adversity Is Not a Barrier
• (00:07:45) - Jim Crow on Caring For Others
• (00:10:10) - Working at 14 on a Work Permit
• (00:12:12) - Servants in the Military Speak Out
• (00:13:56) - The Best Lessons Learned While in the Military
• (00:16:17) - What was the biggest challenge coming out of the Military?
• (00:18:28) - NFL agent Damian Knight on becoming an NFL agent
• (00:20:35) - Private Wealth Management: Giving Back to the Community
• (00:21:41) - Have You Got What it Takes to Lead the Fed?
• (00:27:21) - What Do You Wear For Work?
• (00:27:40) - How AI Helped Veterans With Their VA Claims
• (00:30:13) - The VA Claims Process for Veterans
• (00:32:53) - Coach K on Advice For His Kids
• (00:34:24) - Drew Brees on Advice For Young Businessmen
• (00:36:09) - How to Live the Life You Want to Live

This episode: From Rock Bottom to Rebuilding Love: How Mitchell Osmond Transformed His Marriage, Mind, and Mission.

Here’s what you’ll learn about:

Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast (0:03)

• Host Drew Deraney introduces the podcast and mentions that Mitchell is recovering from being sick.
• Drew thanks Jessica Velarde for introducing Mitchell to the podcast.
• Drew discusses the concept of life being linear until external circumstances derail it.
• He introduces the idea of three types of men: those who ignore adversity, those who see it as a barrier, and those who see it as an opportunity for growth.

Mitchell's Turning Points (2:13)

• Mitchell shares his first turning point, a fight with his wife that made him realize he was on the verge of losing his marriage.
• He describes his struggles with depression, weight issues, and financial debt.
• Mitchell recounts a funeral he attended where he was inspired to live a life worthy of admiration.
• He reflects on his difficult childhood and how it affected his marriage and personal life.

Commitment to Change and Seeking Mentorship (6:21)

• Mitchell decides to take ownership of his life, focusing on his marriage, finances, health, and spirituality.
• He seeks out mentors who have successful marriages and lifestyles to guide him.
• Mitchell creates a framework called the Iron Five, which includes a protector, provider, pusher, partner, and pioneer.
• His mentors help him set goals and hold him accountable for his progress.

Starting the Podcast and Coaching Practice (7:28)

• Mitchell starts a podcast to share his story and help other men.
• The podcast quickly gains popularity, and Mitchell begins coaching men to reclaim their lives.
• Mitchell's coaching practice focuses on helping men in areas like finances, fitness, and emotional health.
• His mentors encourage him to use his platform to make a broader impact.

Rebuilding His Marriage (14:28)

• Mitchell returns home from the funeral and has a difficult conversation with his wife about his past mistakes.
• He commits to changing his behavior and rebuilding his marriage over six months.
• Mitchell's wife initially doesn't believe him but eventually sees the changes in him.

• (00:00:00) - Dad Nation Podcast
• (00:01:24) - Poor Mitchell's Sick
• (00:01:45) - All About It
• (00:04:04) - What Made Me Happy: Drew
• (00:06:41) - The Importance of Inspiring A Better Man
• (00:10:08) - How I Changed My Life in 18 Months
• (00:13:49) - How To Salvage Your Marriage
• (00:15:54) - The Iron 5: How to Talk to Your Wife
• (00:20:51) - "Men need to know how to talk about their feelings in a
• (00:22:23) - The Iron 5
• (00:26:39) - 50 Questions to Spark the Connection in Your Marriage
• (00:30:41) - David Brooks on Being a Dad
• (00:32:31) - Mitch McConnell
• (00:34:51) - Living the Life You Want to Live

This episode: The Day Everything Changed: How Hussein Hallak Turned Grief into Growth and Purpose.

Here’s what you’ll learn about:

Introduction and Initial Setup (0:03)

• Host Drew Deraney thanks the person who introduced him to Guest Hussein Hallak, Hussein’s wife Rama, and mentions the introduction came through PodPitch.
• Drew discusses the concept of life being linear until external adversity derails the path, introducing the three types of men who react differently to adversity.

Hussein's Transformational Moment (1:26)

• Drew introduces Hussein Hallak as the third type of man who sees adversity as an opportunity for growth.
• Hussein shares that the most transformational moment in his life was when his uncle died in his arms.
• He describes his uncle as a significant figure in his life, a second father who was well-respected and influential.
• The uncle's sudden death left Hussein feeling uncertain and alone, realizing he had to take control of his life.

Impact of the Uncle's Death (4:49)

• Drew expresses sympathy and asks about the first time Hussein realized the absence of his uncle.
• Hussein explains that it took him a decade to start reaching out for help, initially feeling responsible for his family's future.
• He attended a coaching workshop in 2009, which helped him understand the importance of asking for help and not seeing it as a weakness.
• Drew and Hussein discuss the societal pressure on men to avoid asking for help, emphasizing that it is not a sign of weakness.

Transition to Writing and Personal Growth (6:20)

• Hussein shares that the financial crisis in 2008 led him to reevaluate his life and career, shifting from a creative director to a writer.
• He spent $5,000 on a coaching workshop, which helped him connect with who he truly was and pursue what mattered most to him.
• Hussein discusses the concept of work-life balance, arguing that it is more about fusion and bringing strengths from both areas.
• Drew and Hussein agree that it is important to be authentic and integrate personal and professional aspects of life.

Entrepreneurship and Mentorship (9:42)

• Hussein defines entrepreneurship as the natural state of being human, pursuing ideas with vigor and joy.
• He describes his current focus on helping entrepreneurs grow and become more than they are through mentorship.
• Hussein explains that he prefers the term "mentor" over "coach" because he helps entrepreneurs understand and master principle...

• (00:00:00) - Pod Pitch
• (00:01:45) - When Adversity Hits, Do You Rise or Fall?
• (00:03:23) - The Moment My Uncle Died in My Arms
• (00:08:54) - The Fusion of Work and Life
• (00:11:55) - The Secret to Becoming Successful
• (00:16:05) - How to Win as an Entrepreneur
• (00:17:43) - In the Elevator: A Mentor's Role
• (00:18:50) - Have You Helped Your Entrepreneur?
• (00:21:43) - How to Enhance the Business of a Client?
• (00:25:40) - George Clooney on Advice For Kids
• (00:26:19) - Top 10 tips for business success
• (00:27:33) - A message for the homeless
• (00:28:28) - Living the Life You Want to Live

This episode: From Rock Bottom to Reclaimed Purpose: How Ron Souers Turned Homelessness into Healing.

Here’s what you’ll learn about:

Introduction and Initial Setup (0:04)

• Host Drew Deraney introduces Guest Ronald Souers.
• Drew thanks Christine Blodsdale for introducing Ron to PodPitch, which is how Ron found this show.
• Drew discusses the concept of life being linear until adversity disrupts it, introducing the three types of men: those who ignore adversity, those who blame others, and those who see it as an opportunity.
• Drew introduces Ron Souers and asks him to share his defining moment that transformed him from man number one or two to man number three.

Ron's Transformative Moment (2:06)

• Ron shares his story of waking up homeless in DC, which led him to realize he needed help.
• He describes the cold reality of his situation and his decision to change his life.
• Ron explains the process of admitting his addiction and seeking help, which involved giving up his relationship with drugs.
• He discusses the initial struggle with taking responsibility for his actions and the role of his sponsor in guiding him.

The Journey to Sobriety (6:01)

• Ron talks about his experience in a treatment center and the structure it provided.
• He describes the challenges of maintaining sobriety and the thoughts of using that still lingered.
• Ron emphasizes the importance of the 12-step program and the process of self-acceptance.
• He shares a specific incident where he had to take responsibility for his actions in a shared living situation.

Discovering ADHD (7:01)

• Ron explains how he discovered he had ADHD after his job performance suffered.
• He describes the initial fear of losing his job and seeking help from a therapist.
• Ron shares his experience of being diagnosed with ADHD and the relief it brought.
• He discusses the challenges of managing ADHD and the importance of therapy in his recovery.

Mindfulness and Professional Transformation (11:31)

• Ron talks about his introduction to mindfulness through his coach.
• He describes the initial skepticism and the transformative experience of practicing mindfulness.
• Ron explains how mindfulness helped him manage anxiety and build his business.
• He discusses...

• (00:00:00) - Ron Sowers on From Caving In To Crushing It
• (00:01:50) - What Changed My Life?
• (00:06:53) - Take Responsibility for Your Own Actions
• (00:09:51) - I Was Sobriety For A Week
• (00:13:02) - Teens With Adhd Get Help
• (00:15:40) - Bradley on his ADHD diagnosis and how it helped his job
• (00:19:10) - In the Elevator With an ADHD Coach
• (00:21:40) - Ron Sowers on His ADHD and Character
• (00:24:17) - Ronald Burkle on His 7 Day Challenge
• (00:25:34) - Ron Sowers Gives Advice To His Kids
• (00:26:39) - Ron Sowers on Personal Growth