How would you feel if you were diagnosed with a life-threatening illness at the prime of your life? One minute you’re at the top of the world, and the next thing you know, you’re about to undergo two brain surgeries. Do you get bitter? Scared? No one could blame you if you did. Yet some people manage to see the silver lining and continue to appreciate life in any situation. That’s the story we have for you today.

Welcome to another episode of The Gift of Failure Podcast. Today’s guest is Jennifer Lee, known professionally as TOKiMONSTA. She is a Korean-American record producer and DJ based in Los Angeles. While at the peak of her career, TOKiMONSTA was diagnosed with the debilitating disease Moyamoya, which affected her ability to speak, understand language, and make music. She then had two delicate surgeries and a tough time recovering. But she did it and came back stronger with more appreciation for life.

Join us today as we discuss how to find strength and inspiration in a difficult situation. This episode will give you a glimpse into TOKiMONSTA’s incredible battle with a rare brain disease and how the experience changed her.

“If you listen to a song of mine and it touches you in some kind of way, there’s some unspoken bond that we already have.”

- TOKiMONSTA

In This Episode:

- What does the word FAILURE mean to TOKi?

- TOKi talks about her battle with the Moyamoya disease and its effect on her abilities as a musician.

- How did TOKi find inspiration in life for the difficulties she had to endure every day while battling the disease?

- What does TOKi define as SUCCESS? Would she see things differently if she didn't have the challenges of having a rare disease?

- Is there a universal truth to the belief that every difficulty has a silver lining? What does TOKi have to say about this?

- What’s one thing TOKi wishes everyone knew about?

And more…

Connect with TOKiMONSTA:

- Website

- Instagram

Connect with Ari:

- Website

- Instagram

- Facebook

- LinkedIn

Have you ever tried investing in cryptocurrencies and other digital assets? Do you have any idea how they work? 

Welcome to The Gift of Failure Podcast. Today’s guest is Parul Gujral, Founder and CEO of Snowball Money, the first smart crypto investment automation platform. His mission is to provide global financial equality by enabling access to crypto portfolios and strategies previously only available to a select group of investors. Parul believes that “the secret to living is giving,” a philosophy that is deeply rooted in his family's culture. 

Join us today as Ari and Parul talk about technological innovation, the future of investing, and life lessons that define one's clarity of purpose. 

“Who you are is defined by what you're willing to struggle for.”

- Parul Gujral

In This Episode:

- Meet Parul Gujral, philanthropist and entrepreneur with a purpose

- Why Parul created Snowball Money and the lessons he learned along the way

- 3 Things you need to achieve success in business 

- Do you need to fail first before you experience success?

- The one thing Parul wishes everyone in the world knew

And more…

Connect with Parul Gujral:

- Website

- Instagram

- Twitter

Connect with Ari:

- Website

- Instagram

- Facebook

- LinkedIn

How do you go from poverty to success? That's the question we're going to ponder in this conversation. 

Welcome to another episode of The Gift of Failure Podcast. Today we have Chris Olexa, Founder and CEO of Aspire2B Hospitality Group. His name is synonymous with Buffalo Wild Wings, Rusty Taco, and Arby’s. Chris has a remarkable work ethic and perspective that has brought him from humble beginnings to becoming a multi-brand franchise owner. He joins Ari in today's episode to share his journey filled with wins, losses, and the many lessons he learned along the way.

“Stop focusing on the wins. Focus on the losses and use them as momentum to push you through things.”

- Chris Olexa

In This Episode:

- Meet Chris Olexa, a resilient family man and successful entrepreneur

- What were some of the failures Chris experienced, and how do they relate to his success?

- Why does Chris focus on the losses instead of the wins?

- Chris shares his battle and victory over cancer and how it has impacted his life

- If there’s one thing you wish everyone knew, what would it be? Chris shares his thoughts…

And more…

Connect with Chris Olexa:

- Website

- Instagram

Connect with Ari:

- Website

- Instagram

- Facebook

- LinkedIn

How do you escape from violence and poverty? Where do you go for refuge and the chance to have a better future? 

Welcome to another episode of The Gift of Failure Podcast. Today we have Ahmad Balshe, professionally known as Belly. He is a Palestinian-Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His family migrated to Canada to seek opportunities for a better life. But it's not that easy, as many immigrants would attest. At first, Belly expressed anger over his situation by rapping, which sparked the beginning of his career. However, over the years, his negative emotions drifted away. Ari refers to Belly as "The Walt Whitman of Rap." Tune in to this episode to understand why and to draw inspiration from Belly's exciting journey and transformation to the man he is now.

“Your ego is your worst enemy.” - Belly

In This Episode:

- Meet Belly, “The Walt Whitman of Rap”

- How Belly crafts his music and the source of his inspiration

- Belly talks about his fondest memories and other issues like mental health, cultural pressure, etc.

- If there’s one thing you wish everyone knew, what would it be? Belly shares his thoughts…

And more…

Connect with Belly:

- Website

- Instagram

- Twitter

Connect with Ari:

- Website

- Instagram

- Facebook

- LinkedIn

When given a choice between two very important things, which one would you choose? While touring for Drake, this young musician's college teacher demanded he show up for class—or fail it. How do you think he reacted? What impact did that have on his future?

Welcome to another episode of The Gift of Failure Podcast. Today’s guest is Gerald Earl Gillum, professionally known by his stage name G-Eazy. He is an American Rapper and Music Producer. G learned early in life that if you want something, you have to work for it. He has collaborated with artists like Lil Wayne and Drake and has built deep connections with his audience. Discover his passion for music and how he's building a legacy by sharing his gift with the world. 

“Love what you do, find joy in life and just chase it. Live passionately.” - G-Eazy

In This Episode:

- Meet American Rapper and Music Producer G-Eazy

- Listen to some personal stories that served as defining moments in G’s life.

- What does success mean to Gerald, the person within G-Eazy?

- Why G’s fans feel a deep connection with him

- What exciting things can we expect from G?

- If there’s one thing you wish everyone knew, what would it be? G shares his thoughts…

And more…

Connect with G-Eazy:

- Website

- Instagram

- Facebook

Connect with Ari:

- Website

- Instagram

- Facebook

- LinkedIn

American football is perhaps one of the most complex sports. Although some might argue that the fundamentals of the game are easy to understand, the game becomes complex when all players compete passionately to win. It takes strength, discipline and a combination of other skills to become an elite football player. The same skills will serve an athlete well long after he has left the playing field. 

Welcome to another episode of The Gift of Failure Podcast. Today's guest is Brian Urlacher, former gridiron football player and Pro Football Hall of Famer. Tune in to hear his story and how the discipline he learned in the field has developed his character and helped him become successful. 

"No matter how hard I played or how hard I didn't play, I always think about the plays I didn't make. Those were the ones that kept me awake at night." - Brian Urlacher

In This Episode:

- Meet Brian Urlacher, Pro Football Hall of Famer

- Brian talks about the things that didn't work out initially, the obstacles he had to overcome to become successful, and the lessons he learned along the way

- People expect elite performance from top athletes. What level of pressure did Brian have to face from such expectation, and how was he able to handle it?

- How does Brian deal with trolls and detractors?

- What do success and failure mean for Brian? Obviously, he has achieved success, but how does he see himself 30 years from now?

- How do you differentiate rituals from routines?

- If there's one thing you wish everyone knew, what would it be? Brian shares his thoughts…

And more…

Connect with Brian Urlacher:

- Instagram

- Facebook

Connect with Ari:

- Website

- Instagram

- Facebook

- LinkedIn

They say that the hair is a person’s crowning glory. It’s because our hairstyle can significantly impact our personality and our mood. Try having a fabulous haircut, and you instantly feel good about yourself. But what about those who cannot even afford the cost of a haircut? 

Welcome to another episode of The Gift of Failure Podcast. Today’s guest is a Top NYC Hairstylist who uses his gift to serve others. With scissors and hair clippers, Mark walks the streets of New York on Sundays to give free haircuts to homeless people. He aims to make the world better, one haircut at a time. 

“It wasn’t until I stopped looking for success that I found it.”

- Mark Bustos

In This Episode:

- Meet Mark Bustos, hairstylist and philanthropist

- What triggered Mark’s desire to give free haircuts? 

- What do success and failure mean for Mark?

- What it means to “learn before you serve” and how Mark transcended beyond being a hairstylist to become a humanitarian

- Why Mark values his health 

- If there’s one thing you wish everyone knew, what would it be? Mark shares his answer.

And more…

Connect with Mark Bustos:

- Instagram

- Facebook

- Twitter

Connect with Ari:

- Website

- Instagram

- Facebook

- LinkedIn

How can one person do so much good in the same amount of time each of us has? It all depends on how you choose to thrive under the most challenging circumstances instead of giving up.

Welcome to another episode of The Gift of Failure Podcast. Today’s guest is Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter, author of Black Citymakers: How The Philadelphia Negro Changed Urban America. He is also a professor and the Chair of the Department of African American Studies at UCLA. Dr. Hunter coined the phrase #blacklivesmatter. Ari calls him “a remarkable human being.” If you want to know why, tune in to this episode and hear the man speak. 

“Instead of focusing on the word FAIL, think of it as Forward Attitude Inspired by Lessons.” - Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter

In This Episode:

- Who is Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter? Here’s a brief background about this great man.

- What do success and failure mean for Dr. Hunter?

- Was there a failure in his life that Dr. Hunter considers a blessing?

- If there’s one thing you wish everyone knew, what would it be? Let’s hear Dr. Hunter’s view on this.

And more…

Connect with Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter:

- Website

- Instagram

- Facebook

Connect with Ari:

- Website

- Instagram

- Facebook

- LinkedIn