Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein

David Anderson is a seasoned entrepreneur and leadership strategist with a dynamic career spanning public relations, behavioral marketing, and executive coaching. Growing up in New Jersey, he developed an early passion for business while working at a country club surrounded by successful entrepreneurs. ⁣ After earning his degree from Arizona State University, David worked in Washington, D.C., serving under Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush before transitioning into public relations. ⁣ David is the author of Leader's Not a Title and a sought-after executive coach. Through his work, he emphasizes adaptability, strategic growth, and customer engagement, helping businesses navigate evolving markets.

Keith Kong is a world-class mentalist who blends psychology, influence, and showmanship to create mind-bending experiences. Initially aspiring to be a hostage negotiator, he became fascinated with magic at age 10 and later discovered mentalism through his studies in psychology and criminal profiling. ⁣ After years of performing in Orlando's entertainment scene—sometimes even underage—he turned his passion into a full-time career. His journey includes a triumphant return to Penn & Teller: Fool Us, where he successfully fooled the legendary duo. ⁣ Today, Kong captivates audiences at corporate and private events worldwide, using mentalism to explore the mysteries of human behavior. He's currently expanding into keynote speaking and writing a book on situational psychology.

Emily Schneider is a creatively curious branding and presentation designer who helps businesses communicate with clarity and impact. Growing up in the Midwest, she was always fascinated by how things work and how people connect—an interest that led her to study visual communications at the University of Kansas. ⁣ After starting her career in marketing and agency work, Emily discovered her passion for PowerPoint design, recognizing its power in storytelling and branding. Now, with nearly a decade of freelance experience, she specializes in helping C-suite executives and business leaders craft compelling presentations that engage audiences. ⁣ Beyond design, Emily shares her expertise through masterclasses and free resources, empowering professionals to improve their communication skills.

Lior Weinstein is an entrepreneur and fractional CTO/CRO based in Atlanta, Georgia. Born and raised in Israel in an entrepreneurial family, Lior developed an early passion for business and finance, launching his first company at 14 and trading stocks as a child. After serving in the Israeli special forces and intelligence, he transitioned into affiliate marketing and technology, founding one of Israel's first mobile app development companies. This venture led to the creation of successful apps like Baby First Mobile and the founding of Epoxy, a mobile marketing automation company that sold in 2014. ⁣ Lior's entrepreneurial journey also includes buying and selling businesses, focusing on optimizing operations to drive growth. He now helps companies scale by identifying growth opportunities and streamlining processes as a fractional CTOx or Chief Revenue Officer for companies with revenues between $20 million to $100 million. Additionally, he mentors CTOx through his venture CTOx and supports anti-human trafficking initiatives. ⁣ A father and passionate about education, Lior homeschools his three children while traveling globally, spending seven to eight months per year on the road. Lior is also deeply connected to his roots in Israel, using his platform to foster understanding amidst the region's complex political landscape.

Dave Behar is a visionary entrepreneur with a passion for branding, technology, and business development. Growing up in Southern California, he was inspired by his father's entrepreneurial spirit, leading him to create and sell successful ventures like Team Greek, a fraternity/sorority merchandising brand, and IDIG, a beach volleyball lifestyle company. During the tech boom, Behar moved to San Francisco, where he played a key role in Pac-10 (now Pac-12) branding and worked on early-stage Silicon Valley ventures, including Hotmail. His expertise in brand development and licensing has helped shape multiple industries. ⁣ Currently, Behar leads ION, a hyper-local, hyper-targeted content distribution network that empowers creators by integrating production, distribution, and monetization across multiple platforms, including Apple TV and Roku. He also spearheads IONTELLIGENCE, a sports-focused platform supporting a "network of champions." ⁣ With a focus on innovation, scalability, and the evolving digital landscape, Behar continues to build brands, mentor entrepreneurs, and explore the intersection of AI, media, and business growth—all while embracing a flexible, travel-friendly work lifestyle.

Matt Drago is a Los Angeles-based actor known for standout roles like Fabian in Somewhere in Montana and appearances in Disney's Counting Scars, What Would Jesus Do: The Journey Continues, and the podcast No Other Way. A versatile performer, 4th-degree black belt, and creative entrepreneur, Matt balances acting, producing, and an active lifestyle. Represented by HRI Talent and Ignite Talent Management, he is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actor's Equity.

Zach Tidwell is a Marine Corps veteran and suicide survivor who, after a self-inflicted gunshot wound left him blind and deaf in one ear, found a renewed perspective on life. Now 28, he uses his story of resilience to inspire others, proving that even the darkest moments can lead to incredible growth. In addition to sharing his journey, Zach founded a software company focused on creating inclusive technology accessible to everyone. He is passionate about breaking barriers and advocating for accessibility in the tech world. Zach actively pursues adventurous activities like skiing, rock climbing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, defying expectations for people with disabilities. His message centers on the power of perseverance, mental health awareness, and the ability to achieve despite any challenges.

Bruce Whitfield empowers leaders to cut through the noise of the news cycle and focus on what truly drives long-term growth and sustainability. With a knack for delivering impactful, memorable narratives, he transforms the way audiences consume and engage with information. Over two decades, Whitfield has analyzed ambitious companies and their leaders, conducting over 50,000 interviews with top decision-makers.

Cody Hofhine, founder of Real Estate Freedom Formula and co-founder of Utah Sell Now, is a successful real estate investor, mentor, and high-performance coach recognized as a multiple Inc. 5000 business owner. Using his sales expertise, he built a 7-figure real estate business rooted in clarity, energy, and productivity. Cody has coached many to succeed in real estate and reach peak performance through his training and coaching programs.

David Griffiths uses music and media to share the Gospel, inspiring his online community to transform their lives for the better. A talented gospel recording artist, minister, and coach, David uplifts others through prayer, song, strategy, and inspiration. With over 1.4 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, David is a leading voice in faith-based content creation and runs Content Creating Academy, helping Christian creators expand their reach.