The Greatness Machine

What does it mean to surrender and let go of control? Letting go and surrendering can be a difficult task, but it is often the only way to truly move forward. It takes courage to relinquish control and accept that sometimes life has its own path for us.  But with this courage comes great rewards; when we let go of our worries, fears, doubts, and expectations we open ourselves up to new possibilities in life. By surrendering, we are going with the flow of life while working towards our goals.  Kute Blackson, world-renowned teacher, author, leader, and speaker in the world of personal development, joins us on the Greatness Machine to dive deep into his bestselling book, The Magic of Surrender: Finding the Courage to Let Go. In this episode, Darius and Kute talk about how people can break free from self-imposed conditions by surrendering and letting go of control. They also discuss how painful experiences and traumas can lead us into finding our purpose in life. Topics include: Kute shares what it feels like growing up in a long line of spiritual leaders Kute looks back coming to the US for the first time to live his calling How to turn painful experiences into purpose What it means to surrender and how to do it Kute shares the story behind writing The Magic of Surrender Letting go and breaking conditioned patterns Moving away from ego to seek the truth And other topics… Sources mentioned: Power of One More: https://www.amazon.com/Power-One-More-Ed-Mylett/dp/1119815363 Connect with Kute: Website: https://kuteblackson.com/  Website: https://www.boundlessblissbali.com/  Book: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Surrender-Finding-Courage-Let-ebook/dp/B08LMJ8YQF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kuteblackson/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever feel like there’s just not enough time in the day to get everything done? We all have dreams of working less and making more, but it can seem impractical. Whether it’s getting through our to-do list at work or completing household chores, finding ways to maximize efficiency and productivity can be difficult. Although it can be challenging, the good news is it’s possible! Working half as much and making twice as much may sound like an impossible feat, but it’s actually not that hard.  Denise Gosnell, CEO, entrepreneur, strategist, attorney, investor, and the author of the bestselling book The Vacation Effect for Entrepreneurs, joins us on the Greatness Machine to share her secret to running three companies while working on an average of just three days a week.  In this episode, Darius and Denise talk about workaholicism, the American “grind” culture,” and how it is possible to break free from these mentalities and achieve the freedom mindset. They also discuss how to eliminate the feeling of guilt when pursuing the life you have always dreamed of.  Topics include: How Denise became a seven-figure entrepreneur from humble beginnings What workaholism taught Denise about money, life, and family How a tragic fire incident changed Denise’s mindset to be truly happy What working 80 hours a week look like, its benefits, and challenges What motivated Denise to do a three-day workweek test for 30 days Evaluating team members based on results versus hours spent Some of the stumbling blocks Denise experienced around the framework How to increase productivity and get more done in less time How Denise spends her “freedom days” How to overcome the grind culture and workaholic mentality And other topics… Connect with Denise: Website: https://denisegosnell.com/ Website: https://growbysubtraction.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisegosnell/  Book: https://denisegosnell.com/book  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If asked, there's one ability most of us would like to have - the ability to see into the future and prepare for what's to come.  While no one can truly predict the future, we've gotten very good at using data and technology to make educated guesses about what's coming next.  In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Jeff Booth, an entrepreneur, tech leader, strategic advisor, proud family man, and the author of The Price of Tomorrow: Why Deflation is the Key to an Abundant Future.  Jeff draws on his 20 years of experience at the forefront of technological change to provide an enlightening look at what's to come. You'll discover why the entrepreneurial mindset and understanding your own impact on the world will be key to creating a better future.  You'll learn why technology is a deflationary force, and why the current political and financial system impedes that deflationary effect. You'll also discover some of the challenges facing currencies around the world, such as the inflation/deflation cycle, and the manipulation of global currencies to gain trade advantages.  Topics include: Why it's essential to focus on an entrepreneurial mindset and realize how much your impact in the world matters Why technology is a deflationary force and what the rapid growth of technology means for the future The future of currency, including a true understanding of inflation and deflation, as well as the political realities that affect them  And other topics… Connect with Jeff: Website: https://www.jeffreybooth.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffBooth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdbooth/ Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corporate spying, also known as industrial espionage, refers to the act of obtaining confidential information about a business or organization for the purpose of gaining a competitive advantage. This can be done through a variety of methods, including computer hacking, physical theft of documents, wiretapping, and infiltrating the organization with undercover agents. One common technique used in corporate spying is social engineering, which involves manipulating individuals into divulging sensitive information. This can be done through phishing scams, pretexting (creating a false identity or pretext in order to obtain sensitive information), or baiting (offering something desirable in exchange for information). Robert Kerbeck, the founder of the Malibu Writers and a three-time Pushcart Prize nominee, joins us on the Greatness Machine to look back at how his career shifted from acting on theater stages to doing his apprenticeship as a corporate spy. In this episode, Darius and Robert dive deep into the world of corporate spying and the most common techniques used in industrial espionage. They also talk about the effects of ransomware attacks on businesses and how these can be prevented.  Topics include: How Robert stumbled into a spying job while working as an actor Robert shares important advice for job seekers The most efficient method for extracting data The most elaborate ruse Robert has ever conducted How do corporate spies get paid The legality of corporate espionage Robert talks about writing his book Ruse: Lying the American Dream from Hollywood to Wall Street How ransomware is a big problem for businesses Ways to protect businesses from ransomware attacks And other topics… Resources mentioned: Andrew Bustamante on TGM: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/101-andrew-bustamante-from-cia-operative-to-ceo/id1555334180?i=1000561746615  Ruse: https://www.amazon.com/Ruse-Lying-American-Hollywood-Street/dp/1586423169  Connect with Robert: Website: https://www.robertkerbeck.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-kerbeck-12aa7a11/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertkerbeck/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/robertkerbeck  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are you grateful for the most? Gratitude leads to greater happiness and joy in life. It allows us to reflect upon our accomplishments and appreciate the things that we have at the moment. The act of gratitude allows us to embrace everything that makes our lives meaningful. Today, I am flying solo to talk about my journey of discovering the gift of gratitude and how it changed my life for the better. In this episode, I will talk about how I managed to fight the voice of discontent in my head, how I turned from being ungrateful to realizing all the good things in my life, and all the lessons I learned from living an ungrateful life for so long. Topics include: How I discovered the gift of gratitude and how that moment changed me What prompted me to almost quit my nine-figure business Why I started writing a list of things I want to accomplish How I realized that I was living a life of ungratefulness Why being ungrateful is costing you happiness And others topics… Resources mentioned: Power of One More: https://www.amazon.com/Power-One-More-Ed-Mylett/dp/1119815363  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From a childhood filled with gang violence and illiteracy resulting in a 100+ year prison sentence to a successful career as a speaker, author, and Harvard Fellow - it sounds like something out of a Hollywood film. In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius sits down with the "Ambassador of Hope," Andre Norman, to discuss his incredible and inspiring journey, as well as the circumstances that shaped his decisions at a young age. You'll learn how he struggled with illiteracy and systemic racism in the inner city of Boston and how they factor into his choices. You'll discover how the path he was on eventually led to a series of convictions, eventually resulting in a sentence of over 100+ years. You'll learn how a two-year stint in solitary confinement led to an epiphany and a new path for Andre's life... one that eventually led to Harvard University. You'll also learn how systemic racism and classism pervade the country and results in a society where 4% of the population makes up 50% of the prison system. Andre's story is powerful and ultimately triumphant. He is living proof that, while we all have the potential to rise above our circumstances, there is still a great deal of work to be done to create a society where every person has the opportunity to discover their greatness.  Topics include: Andre's struggles with poverty and illiteracy growing up in the inner city of Boston How he ended up with a 100+ year prison sentence The epiphany that changed his life and put him on a path that eventually led to becoming the "Ambassador of Hope” The effects of the systemic racism and classism that still pervades the country And other topics… Connect with Andre: Website: https://andrenorman.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrenorman/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-norman/ Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you create a high-performing team? A good leader is someone who empowers their team and focuses on team dynamics, which is crucial in order for the members to perform at their best. When a team has a healthy dynamics, the team members become problem solvers. Dane Espegard, a culture consultant who teaches, assists, and executes the implementation of a culture centered around Dream Achieving, joins us on the Greatness Machine to talk about his book, The Dream Machine: A Leader’s Guide to Creating Teams of High Performers Who Achieve Extraordinary Outcomes. In this episode, Darius and Dane discuss why dreams matter, the benefits of having a dream list, how having a “dream culture” can improve the performance of a team, and how leaders can help their members achieve their dreams. They also touch on the topic of best practices for making dreams a reality. Topics include: How Dane’s book The Dream Machine came about The importance of having a dream list How Dane leads and helps his team achieve their dreams The best practices for making dreams into reality The coolest dream Dane has seen someone turned into reality What the readers can learn from The Dream Machine How businesses can show their appreciation for their team members And other topics… Resources mentioned: The Dream Manager: https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Manager-Matthew-Kelly/dp/1401388442   The Rhythm of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Rhythm-Life-Everyday-Passion-Purpose-ebook/dp/B013GYKKRO?ref_=ast_sto_dp  Connect with Dane: Website: https://daneespegard.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daneespegard Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daneespegard/?hl=en  Book: https://thedreammachinebook.com/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With 2022 coming to an end, why not take this time to do a personal inventory? What are the things you have done this year that you are most proud of? And what goals do you want to achieve in 2023? Today, I am flying solo to take a look back at how this year has gone and what goals have been accomplished.  In this episode, I will talk about my personal goals this year and the things I look forward to next year. I will also share some tips on how I manage to make time for self-care, spend quality time with my family, and do fun things outside of work. Topics include: Making a list of top priorities and goals Taking note of the things you are most proud of Darius shares his four goals this year  The importance of balancing your grind and self-care Darius reveals plan to start a new endeavor And other topics… Resources mentioned: The Family Board Meeting: https://www.amazon.com/Family-Board-Meeting-Connection-Children/dp/1732362912 Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the number ONE reason that people do not hit their body transformation goals? (Hint: It is not a lack of will-power)  On today’s show, we interview international body transformation expert Angelo Poli, who unravels the mysteries of metabolism and data-driven weight loss. At the age of 38, Darius was tipping the scale at 363 pounds and was grappling with multiple health problems as a result. This was when he ran into Angelo, who helped him get his health and life back on track.  On the back of his extensive experience, which involves working with more than 20,000 people (including celebrities like Aaron Rodgers), Angelo dispels some common health and nutrition myths in today’s show. You will learn how to use data to tackle a highly individualized subject like metabolism.  Angelo also reveals the TWO important factors he considers when recommending a diet. If you are frustrated with your fitness levels and your overall health, you must tune in to this show for some valuable insights. Topics include: Why people hit a plateau as they pursue their body transformation Measuring metabolism Understanding the highly complex and individualized subject of metabolism Understanding how your body is responding to your diet And other topics… Connect with Angelo: Website: https://www.metpro.co/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-poli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelopoli/?hl=en  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s one thing to have an idea and be able to raise capital to execute and make it happen but are these enough to guarantee a business’s success? Ron Bauer, the founder of Theseus Capital Ltd. and a Venture Capitalist, joins the Greatness Machine to share the most important elements in building a successful business. With over 20 years of experience under his belt, he is focused on Biotech, Tech, and FinTech and was the co-founder of Turkana Energy, which merged with Africa Oil in 2009. In this episode, Darius and Ron talk about venture capital and how it works, the advantages and disadvantages of a company going public, the realities and future of Metaverse, and what they do at Theseus Capital Ltd. They also discuss what it takes to achieve and appreciate success and the importance of being focused and adaptable. Topics include: Ron shares his own experience of failures and successes as a venture capitalist Why you should not wait out on the market to raise capital The downside of being a publicly traded company How Ron evaluates the people he works with How to achieve and appreciate success What the global pandemic has taught people How the Metaverse will shape the future And other topics… Connect with Ron: Website: www.thescapital.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronbauer888  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices