The Greatness Machine

In today's episode of The Greatness Machine Darius chats with Peter Kozodoy, an Inc. 5000 serial entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, business coach and the author of Honest to Greatness. He works with organizations and their leaders to help them overcome self-limiting bullshit and use brutal honesty to achieve massive success. Peter is a former Olympic-hopeful figure skater and black belt in Taekwondo. You'll learn why, in the process of launching a book, the writing isn't necessarily the hardest part. You'll discover the importance of defining not just what honesty is but also what it is not. You'll also learn why it's vital that we acknowledge the differences we show concerning our values. Join Darius and Peter as they discuss the importance of nurturing more honesty in our society. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: Why the process of launching a book isn't what you'd expect, and why the writing isn't necessarily the hardest part. The importance of defining what honesty is NOT. Acknowledging our differences around values. And so much more... Resources: Honest to Greatness book The Greatness Group The Real Darius Darius Class Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Gina Mollicone-Long, an international best-selling author, speaker, peak performance coach and the co-founder of The Greatness Group, a global team building and personal development company. Her mission is to reveal greatness in individuals, teams and organizations. Since 1998, she has trained, coached or spoken to tens of thousands of people on six continents. Her books, Think or Sink and The Secret of Successful Failing are widely read and enjoyed by people around the world. You'll learn the importance of being the most flexible person in any given situation. You'll discover why change cannot begin until you develop the desire to change. You'll learn why successful change must be a continuous process, a pattern of effort that continues until you can't get it wrong. You'll also discover why the difference between great and greatness can be found in that continuous effort - in "the slog." Join Darius and Gina as they explore these subjects and much more in today's episode. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: The importance of being the more flexible person in a situation. Why you must keep practicing until you can't get it wrong. Why the difference between great and GREATNESS is the slog! And so much more... Resources: Gina's website Gina's LinkedIn The Greatness Group The Real Darius Darius Class Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode of The Greatness Machine sees Darius sitting down with Doug Erwin, a serial entrepreneur who has made the shift to nonprofit executive, working as the Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurial Development at the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN). He raised $10 million to build an at-home sperm counting machine from Japanese hedge funds back in the 1990s, founded a company with his Navy Seal brother, and is actively involved in disruptive angel investing. Beyond business, Doug is a maker and buddhist who loves to tour hot springs in his airstream with his family. He believes in healing people through love and supporting men. You'll learn how one of his visits to a hot spring following the election of Donald Trump included "naked hippies," a sign (for Doug) that things were going to be alright. You'll discover the importance of leaving behind the multiple masks we wear (one for work, one for family, etc.) and showing up everywhere as your authentic self. You'll also learn about the multiple thresholds we encounter as we grow, and the fears we must overcome to move closer to our authentic selves. Join Darius and Doug as they explore these subjects and much more in today's episode. Enjoy! What We Discussed in this Show: Hot springs, naked hippies and a cure for the "Trump blues." Showing up as your authentic self. Overcoming fear and moving past the thresholds that hold us back. And so much more... Resources: EDAWN The Real Darius Darius Class Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building and growing a successful business is about more than just having a great idea or product. It's largely about having the right people around you, particularly as you scale. Today's guest discovered this simple truth and is here to share his insights. In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Brian Scudamore, a serial entrepreneur probably best known for pioneering the professional junk hauling industry through 1-800-GOT-JUNK. Since conquering that market, he's gone on to apply his O2E (ordinary to exceptional) formula to the painting and home-detailing industry with Wow 1-Day Painting and Shack Shine. You'll learn exactly what goes into being a so-called "overnight success." You'll discover the one mistake that a great many entrepreneurs make at some point in their journey.  You'll also learn why it's vital to be surrounded by people in your business who share your vision and core values. Join Darius and Brian for this amazing and eye-opening discussion! Enjoy! What You’ll Learn in this Show: The reality of the "overnight success." One common mistake most entrepreneurs make. The importance of having the right people in business. And so much more... Resources: 1-800-GOT-JUNK Brian's LinkedIn The Real Darius Darius Class Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Monique Rhodes, singer/songwriter and mindfulness meditation expert with The 10-minute Mind. She brings her unique insights, calm, cool demeanor and infectiously positive outlook on the world to this discussion. You'll learn the value of taking time to truly reevaluate what's serving you and what isn't) during this "slow-down." You'll discover how shifting our habits is vital to shifting our minds. You'll also learn some team mediation practices you can implement for your organization. Join Darius and Monique for this fun, thoughtful and inspiring discussion. Enjoy! What You’ll Learn in this Show: Taking time to reevaluate during the "slow-down." How to shift our habits in order to shift our minds. Team meditation practices you can try. And so much more...  Resources: The 10-minute Mind The Real Darius Darius Class Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest has faced many challenges in his life - a difficult childhood, trouble with the law as a teenager, parents divorcing, homelessness - and yet he has risen above it all to share his insight with us.  In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Glenn Lundy, Husband, father of eight children, auto industry leader, and a motivational speaker on a mission to change the way you start your day. Glenn is also the pioneer of the 800% Club, host of #riseandgrind, an author, a speaker, and a former GM of Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick. You'll gain some insight into Glenn's background, from his mixed race parentage and difficulties fitting in, to his brief but life-changing struggle with homelessness. You'll learn how you can build an audience in your business, but also, how to build one within yourself. You'll also discover the four key components for creating a movement online. Join Darius and Glenn for this eye-opening and inspiring discussion! Enjoy! What You’ll Learn in this Show: Some insight into Glenn's fascinating life and experiences. How to build an audience in business, but also in oneself. The four key components for creating a movement online. And so much more... Resources: #RiseAndGrind Podcast The Morning Five book The Real Darius Darius Class Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine working in a business with no managers and, seemingly, no structure or hierarchy. A business run on that model would be an exercise in chaos ...or would it?  That's just one of the many misconceptions people have about holacracy, a new form of business management promoted and developed by today's guest. In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Brian Robertson, seasoned entrepreneur, organization builder, recovering CEO, and developer of holacracy, a management practice that promises to embrace people's individual humanity, autonomy, and creative problem-solving capacities. You'll learn what holacracy is, along with some of the most common misconceptions people have about the system. You'll discover a little of Brian's background, as well as how holacracy works within an organization. You'll also learn about the concept of roles and why boundaries are so vital in a business run on the holacracy model. Join Darius and Brian as they explore this exciting new way to do business! Enjoy! What You’ll Learn in this Show: An explanation of what holacracy is, along with some of the most common misconceptions people have about the system. A little of Brian's background, and how he came to develop his work with holacracy. The concept of roles and why boundaries are so vital in a business run on the holacracy model. And so much more... Resources: Holacracy website The Real Darius Darius Class Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you make your investment choices? What philosophies or beliefs do you rely on to select a suitable investment? Everyone seems to have their own way of determining the answer to those questions, and today's guest is here to provide his own insights! In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Christopher M. Schelling, an educator, Director of Alternative Investments for Venturi Private Wealth, and the author of "Better Than Alpha." He holds degrees in psychology, business, and finance and is an expert at incorporating insights from behavioral finance into investment decision-making.  You'll learn how Chris made his way into the world of finance after receiving a degree in psychology, as well as a primer on the various philosophies people use to choose funds. You'll discover the differences between stocks and "alternative" investments (hedge funds, private equity, private real estate, etc.) You'll also learn about the ins and outs of private equities. Join Darius and Chris as they discuss everything you need to know about investing, stocks, funds, and so much more! Enjoy! What You’ll Learn in this Show: A little of Chris' background and the different philosophies that go into investing in funds. Stock market investments vs. alternative investments. The ins and outs of private and public equities. And so much more... Resources: Chris' LinkedIn Better than Alpha book The Real Darius Darius Class Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine hiking and cycling from the northernmost point in Alaska, all the way down the coast to the southernmost tip of Argentina. Now imagine doing it with no experience, little research and no real plan. It sounds crazy, but today's guests decided to embark on that very adventure and are anxious to share their experiences! It's a story of incredible revelations, unforgettable encounters (like being six feet from a mother black bear and her cubs!) human connections and lessons learned. In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Ville and Kristen Jokinen, a dynamic traveling duo who have made the conscious choice to travel. They've just completed a 20-month, 18,000-mile cycling odyssey from Alaska to Argentina - with zero experience.  You'll learn what sparked the decision to give up their traditional lifestyles and travel the world, often in conditions many of us would find impossible. You'll discover why Ville and Kristen believe that life should be lived without hesitation - it's too short not to chase adventure and discovery. You'll also learn why people with the least to give are often the most generous, while those with wealth tend to be more guarded, and what that says about our society. Join Darius, Ville and Kristen as they discuss their epic journey and the revelations they made along the way! Enjoy! What You’ll Learn in this Show: The many lessons Ville and Kristen learned on their epic cycling journey from Alaska to Argentina. Why we should all strive to live without hesitation and embrace the brevity of life. How people who have more tend to be more guarded, while those with nothing are often the most generous and giving people you'll meet. And so much more... Resources: Ville and Kristen's Travel Blog The Real Darius Darius Class Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's no secret that we tend to like to be around people who make us laugh. Whether it's a comedian on a stage, a partner who brings positive energy to a relationship or even a co-worker who makes the work day fun, it's a powerful draw. But do you learn how to be funny? Is there a formula for engaging with people in a way that entertains and amuses? As you're about to learn, there is no secret formula. It's a gift we've all been given - we just need to learn how to embrace it. In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Stephanie Paul, a coach who works with executives, sales teams, TEDx speakers, fundraisers, and experts of all kinds, helping them to become master communicators. Her areas of expertise seem almost endless, having worked as an actress, an improv, stand-up, and sketch comedian, a director and producer for live events, stage and video, a writer, and as a public speaker.  You'll discover some of the secrets of the entertainment industry, and how Stephanie has worked her way through nearly every area of the field, both in front of and behind the camera. You'll learn how a chance meeting with a friend led to her transition from the entertainment industry to the world of corporate coaching, and how many of her skills have successfully transferred over. You'll also learn some of the key components for building and delivering a compelling and engaging talk to any audience - and it's probably not what you think! Join Darius and Stephanie as they discuss the power of being an engaging communicator in all areas of your life. Enjoy! What You’ll Learn in this Show: The in's and out's of the acting business and how Stephanie worked her way through nearly every area of the field, both in front of and behind the camera. Her surprising transition from the acting world to the corporate world. The key components for building and delivering a compelling and powerful talk to any audience. And so much more... Resources: Stephanie's Website Darius Class Website The Real Darius Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices