Remarkable! (A Podcast)

Yesterday I interviewed my friend, Jeff Gould. I’ve known him professionally for a couple of years; I produce his podcast. Though I knew a bit of his story, I had never heard the full tale, the arc. And it was stunning.Jeff had a bike accident as a pre-teen and because this was before the time when every child wears a helmet, Jeff suffered a concussion. He knew something didn’t feel right but he shook it off. A few years later while staying at a friend’s house, a door — taken off its hinges — was knocked loose and fell into Jeff’s head. It broke his jaw. It also gave him another concussion. That’s two.And in the midst of all of this, Jeff learned that alcohol could numb those bad feelings he had as a teen — and who hasn’t struggled with those — as well as the weirdness he was feeling after the concussions.Spin the tape forward a few years and this combination of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), addiction, and poor life choices would drive Jeff out of his home to life on the streets living under a bridge.A little over twenty years later Jeff is married, owns a home, and works as a coach providing help for people suffering from TBIs and addiction. Coming soon, hear Jeff’s story of “a life concussed.”Remarkable! (A Podcast) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgoode.substack.com

Cleveland has been at the forefront of a transformative movement aimed at reshaping how development projects interact with the communities they impact. Recently, I had the opportunity to engage in a detailed conversation with Jessica Colombi and Chris Nance – two pivotal figures in the passage and implementation of Cleveland's Community Benefits Ordinance (CBO). Their insights provide a compelling look into a city collaborating with industry to create a brighter, more inclusive future. The Genesis of Change:The story begins in the heart of Cleveland, a city known for its resilience and vibrant community. The CBO germinated from a collective realization of the long-standing market failures that marginalized minority and women-owned businesses and contributed to widening socio-economic disparities. As Jessica points out, "from 2014 to 2018, only a minuscule percentage of prime contract spending in Cuyahoga County was awarded to minority and/or women-owned businesses."This data underscored an urgent need for intervention - an initiative to correct systemic inequities and forge a new path for economic inclusion.A Community First Approach:The essence of the CBO is not in the legal language it's codified in but the ethos it embodies – putting the community first. This ordinance wasn't conceived in isolation; it involved rigorous engagements with the community, developers, policymakers, and various stakeholders through focus groups, surveys, and discussions. These engagements illuminated the residents' desire for developments that happened with them, not to them.Chris beautifully articulates the long-term vision, "Fast forward to 2040... what would it mean if people living in neighborhoods like East Cleveland had more money in their pockets? It means local talent stays, contributes, and grows the community."Building the Future, Today:The ordinance serves as a catalyst for tangible, systemic change. It mandates developers to engage with and directly benefit the communities they build in, from improving public spaces to creating job opportunities. However, both Jessica and Chris emphasize that the ordinance is but one tool in a broader strategy aimed at economic mobility and equitable development.The establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) following the ordinance is a testament to the commitment stakeholders have towards embracing its spirit, beyond just complying with its letter. The MOU, as detailed by Jessica, is a pledge from developers, businesses, and institutions to uphold the principles of community benefit, recognizing the intrinsic value of doing business in a way that elevates all sections of society.Challenges and the Road Ahead:Navigating the complexities of implementing such a groundbreaking policy is not without its challenges. Resistance from traditional sectors accustomed to a laissez-faire approach loomed large. Yet, the ordinance, designed with flexibility and accountability, aims to transform skepticism into collaboration, guiding Cleveland towards a future where development is synonymous with community prosperity.Conclusion:The journey of Cleveland's Community Benefit Ordinance from conception to enactment is a beacon of hope, not just for this city but for any community striving towards inclusivity and economic justice. As Jessica and Chris envision a Cleveland that harnesses the full potential of its residents, it's clear that the real success of the CBO will be measured not by the projects it regulates but by the lives it uplifts and the communities it revitalizes.In echoing their optimism and commitment, it's evident that while the path ahead may be fraught with challenges, the direction is paved with promise. Cleveland is not just building structures; it's building a legacy of community, equity, and shared prosperity for generations to come.Links to Resources:* If you have any questions or interest about the CBO, contact:Tyson Mitchell, Director, or Terrell Knight, Office of Equal Opportunity at this location.* For copies of the CBO, the MOU, and the Process Map, go here* To read coverage of the CBO by the local press, go here* And to watch the ceremony celebrating the signing of the MOU, go hereChapters:00:00 Cleveland's Transformative Movement: The Community Benefits Ordinance00:12 Insights from Jessica Columbi and Chris Nance: Shaping Cleveland's Future01:24 The Genesis of Cleveland's Community Benefits Ordinance02:54 The Impact and Vision of the Community Benefits Ordinance06:22 Jessica and Chris: Personal Journeys and Professional Insights12:53 Exploring Cleveland's Rich History and Economic Landscape26:02 The Community Benefits Ordinance: A New Paradigm for Development39:04 Addressing Market Failures: The Role of Government in Economic Inclusion40:42 The Market's Ebb and Flow: Urban Development and Economic Factors41:45 Government Intervention in Market Failures42:01 Navigating Global Economic Shifts and Personal Narratives43:02 COVID-19's Impact on Supply Chains and Economic Rebalancing44:51 Legislative Innovations: The Community Benefits Ordinance45:24 Crafting the Ordinance: Community Engagement and Focus Groups50:03 The Ordinance in Action: Expectations and Real-World Applications01:00:41 The Future of Cleveland: Economic Development and Civic Engagement01:15:21 Closing Thoughts: The Impact of Collective Effort This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgoode.substack.com

In this episode of my Remarkable podcast, I engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Chris Gay, the CEO and co-founder of Evry Health. Through our discussion, Chris shares valuable insights and lessons learned from his 25-year entrepreneurial journey that shed light on the realities of entrepreneurship.The Hard Truths of Entrepreneurship:Chris emphasizes the challenges of being an entrepreneur, highlighting that it is a path filled with rejection, failure, and uncertainty. He stresses the importance of having a high risk tolerance and the need for spouses to support and tolerate the risks involved in entrepreneurial endeavors.Early Influences and Lessons Learned:Growing up as an army brat in various locations, Chris attributes his predisposition to entrepreneurship to his exposure to diverse cultures and his father's early adoption of technology. These early influences shaped his perspective and equipped him with the resilience needed to navigate the entrepreneurial world.Balancing Risk and Family Life:Chris candidly discusses the impact of entrepreneurship on family life, emphasizing the financial risks involved and the importance of living lean to build a financial cushion before embarking on entrepreneurial ventures. He underscores the need for entrepreneurs to consider the implications on their families and relationships.Social Impact in Entrepreneurship:Unlike traditional notions of entrepreneurship solely driven by financial gain, Chris advocates for a dual focus on technical challenges and social impact. He believes in using entrepreneurship as a platform to make a meaningful difference in the community while also ensuring financial returns for investors.Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:Drawing from his own experiences, Chris Gay offers invaluable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, urging them to carefully assess the risks, live frugally to build financial stability, and prioritize social impact in their ventures. He emphasizes the importance of honesty about the challenges of entrepreneurship and learning from the experiences of seasoned entrepreneurs.Conclusion:As we navigate the complex landscape of entrepreneurship, the insights shared by Chris Gay serve as a guiding light for aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs alike. By embracing risk, prioritizing family well-being, and focusing on social impact, entrepreneurs can carve out a path that not only leads to financial success but also makes a meaningful difference in the world.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurship with Chris Gay00:30 The Hard Truths of Being an Entrepreneur00:55 Navigating Risks and Relationships in Entrepreneurship01:57 Meet the Host: Mark Goode and the Remarkable Podcast02:28 Chris Gay's Entrepreneurial Journey: Early Influences02:55 From Military Brat to Tech-Savvy Entrepreneur05:04 The Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneur07:08 Embracing Risk and Rejection in Entrepreneurship10:26 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs: Financial Prudence and Family Considerations12:36 The Social Impact of Entrepreneurship14:13 Reflecting on the Entrepreneurial Journey15:18 Closing Thoughts and Future ProspectsRemarkable! (A Podcast) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgoode.substack.com

The US health insurance industry is gigantic, often unwieldy, and frequently impersonal and ridiculously expensive. My friend Chris and his co-founders Jay and Mark are changing that.Zero deductibles, no co-pay, no cost Telehealth available 24x7, humans in the loopMy friend Chris Gay is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Evry Health.  Chris started his career at Goldman Sachs but quickly pivoted to his first entrepreneurial venture, Mile Meter.  That was his first venture in the insurance space.  After that he spent time with a venture capital firm but then began to think about health insurance.As he said to me, “I wanted to create a firm whose plans were right for my family, plans that wouldn’t force people to make risky financial decisions as one of my friends did, a decision which cost him his life”So Chris and soon his co-founders Jay and Mark created a business plan for a new kind of health insurance business, one that was technology driven but at it core one whose goal is ”to bring humanity to health insurance.”  Imagine that.Join me in my conversation with Chris as he takes us on his entrepreneurial journey, from idea, to funding through Y Combinator, to nearly failing in the process of scaling, to full funded. And then listen as Chris offers an “inside baseball” look at the health insurance industry.  It’s eye opening . . .Remarkable! (A Podcast) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.To learn more about these podcasts and to get access to premium content, visit markgoode.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgoode.substack.com

I’ll keep this short but I feel like it’s important to share. When presenting Abe’s story about his Uncle Wolf and the song “Won’t Be Silent,” I glossed over an important detail. Abe’s uncle Wolf wrote the music but his good friend, Leyb Rozental, a poet and writer, contributed the lyrics. Abe told me that in the interview but I didn’t give it the proper attention. However, Leyb’s niece, Zola, dropped me a note and gently pointed out my oversight. Her uncle Leyb was a giant in the Vilna community.Now here’s where it gets interesting. Wolf and Leyb were both incarcerated in the Vilna Ghetto but each continued their creative work. That in itself is amazing and inspiring. But Leyb’s lyrics for the song encouraged his fellow Jews to be silent. Why? I suspect it is because vocal protests not only drew unwelcome attention and punitive reprisals but to those who reveled in inflicting pain (the Nazis), the cries of the victim were perversely satisfying. So, Leyb encouraged his fellow Jews to suffer in silence while maintaining their dignity.Seventy-five years later, we live in a different world. When we see oppression, we should speak up! And so when Abe brought Wolf and Leyb’s song back to life in 2017, he collaborated with the Grammy-nominated song writer Kara DioGaurdi to write new lyrics for the song. And her lyrics took the opposite path: don’t be silent! Speak up! If you haven’t seen this short video of the new rendition of the song with DioGaurdi’s lyrics, it’s well worth your time.Now, the “glue” that holds these two lyrical perspectives together begins with Wolf’s composition: it is heart rending and moving.The two sets of lyrics, one from Leyb and the other from DioGuardi, call for two different approaches to oppression and suffering. To lightly paraphrase King Solomon, Pete Seeger, and Judy Collins, “there is a time to speak up and a time for silence.” These two ideas, one for silence and the other for protest, are part of one of life’s many paradoxes. Each makes sense in a particular context.Thank you, Zola, for highlighting the contribution of your uncle Leyb. And thank you Abe for bringing back to life the work of these great artists.Remarkable! (A Podcast) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgoode.substack.com

In a profoundly evocative episode of "My ReMarkable Podcast," host Mark Goode and his guest Abe Gurko explore the depths of history, the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of music and storytelling. This episode provides listeners with a captivating insight into Gurko's life journey, deeply rooted in the profound impacts of his heritage and the lasting legacies of historical trauma.Abe Gurko, an individual shaped by the experiences of his mother, a Holocaust survivor, grew up grappling with feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. His story navigates through the complex terrains of identity, from dealing with weight issues and understanding his sexual orientation to the pivotal realizations in a humorous yet transformative moment in Italy. This episode takes a turn into his mental and emotional metamorphosis, emphasizing his rich life experiences that ultimately led him to find his voice and purpose.The conversation shifts to a stark recollection of the Nazis' march in Charlottesville in 2017, a moment that harrowingly echoed the hateful memories of the past, propelling Abe into action. He shared the moving story of his uncle, Wolf Durmashkin, a composer and conductor lost to the Holocaust, whose music became a symbol of hope and resistance. This rediscovered composition set Abe on a dedicated path to revive his uncle's legacy through the transformative power of music.A critical high point in the discussion focuses on the adaptation of his uncle's musical composition. With the assistance of Kara Diaguardi, who rewrote the lyrics, the song "Won't Be Silent" was born, morphing into a modern anthem of resistance and action against oppression. The endeavor wasn't without challenges, as Abe recounted the struggles of funding and production setbacks exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, his persistence shines through as the project continues to evolve, with various renditions and public service announcements aimed at inspiring community action and voter registration.The emotional weight of the music was felt deeply during a performance in Germany, where the legacy of Abe's uncle was honored in a poignant recital that left an indelible impact on the audience. This moment underscores the episode’s narrative of personal histories interfacing with broader cultural and historical movements.Abe's storytelling doesn't stop at music. His book, "Won't Be Silent," encapsulates his journey from feelings of alienation to a celebration of his identities and experiences. Throughout the podcast, Mark Goode and Abe Gurko discuss the potential of Abe's book to transition into film, engaging with the cinematic allure of Hollywood, yet facing the realistic challenges of adapting real-life narratives into screenplays.Listeners are encouraged to visit Abe Gurko’s website to delve into his book and explore the initiatives born from his quest to ensure that the voices from the past are not just remembered but are part of the catalyst for change today.In this episode of "My ReMarkable Podcast," the intersection of past and present, the convergence of pain and resilience, and the relentless pursuit of meaningful art and storytelling come together to forge a narrative that is not only heard but resonates deeply, urging us all to never be silent.Catch this compelling episode and join us in reflecting on the stories that shape us, and listen to Abe Gurko’s call to use our voices in the resistance against the silences that threaten to engulf our histories.Remarkable! (A Podcast) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Visit my website at markgoode.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgoode.substack.com

Our show is building momentum! We’re growing our listener base on Substack, Apple Podcasts, and killing it on YouTube Podcasts (who knew?).In this twelve minute video, I give you an overview of the first six shows and the next six shows to come. It’s been a joy to talk with each of these people and I’m excited to bring their stories to you.Have a great weekend!markgoode.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgoode.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of My Remarkable Podcast. Today, we're thrilled to welcome back Bunny Terry, a truly inspiring figure whose journey through a harrowing cancer diagnosis and recovery led to a profound exploration of gratitude. Bunny initially struggled with the fear of sharing her intensely personal experiences but ultimately shaped these into a compelling narrative that not only charts her survival but emphasizes the transformative power of gratitude.In this episode, we'll dive deep into Bunny's process from maintaining a daily writing habit of a thousand words to confronting and overcoming the challenges of deciding what should be shared publicly. Join us as Bunny shares her insights on how turning a life crisis into a story can impact readers and how embracing vulnerability can change one's life. Get ready for a conversation filled with wisdom, warmth, and the kind of truths that resonate deeply with anyone aiming to use writing as a tool for healing and connection.My Guest: Bunny TerryBunny Terry always dreamed of becoming an author. From her early days as a little girl, she was fascinated by storytelling, crafting her own tales on index cards with her parents' Underwood typewriter. As she grew up, writing became more than just a hobby—it turned into a daily ritual. Despite the varying circumstances throughout her adult life, Bunny committed to writing a thousand words a day, describing this practice as her form of meditation and a substitute for other activities like working out. This discipline and passion for writing eventually led her to fulfill her lifelong ambition of writing a book, a journey that, in her own words, was full of unexpected turns and surprises.Show Sections:00:00 We welcome Bunny Terry, inspiring recovery journey.04:49 Wrote daily during cancer treatment, amassed 365,000 words.08:08 Set aside personal experience, finish writing book.10:25 Reflect, let ideas sit, eliminate unnecessary content.15:35 Book had a positive impact, shared life challenges.17:01 Memoir about loss and family origins. Keep writing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgoode.substack.com

I met Bunny Terry nearly a year ago. My oldest daughter, Kristina, introduced us when I was visiting Santa Fe, NM. A picture of health with a sunny disposition, I never would have guessed that Bunny had faced death with a diagnosis of such severity that her friend even remarked, “You know, this is the end.”But it wasn’t. Bunny not only survived this deadly diagnosis but she did so because of the support of an amazing network of family and friends.And her father who called her daily and asked, “Honey, what are you grateful for today?”As Bunny explains in this episode, most people have no idea how grueling chemotherapy for colon cancer is. The side effects are horrible. And there was surgery too.And yet, with the patient persistence of her father’s calls, Bunny learned that even in the depths of this terrible disease, there is much to be grateful for. Her daily practice of gratitude became an important part of her healing journey. It also became a best-selling book. You can find out more about Bunny and her book here.Join me in my conversation with this remarkable cancer survivor.Remarkable! (A Podcast) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. You can learn more at my website, markgoode.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgoode.substack.com

Happy Monday! This is going to be a busy week!On Tuesday I interview Abe Gurko about his new book, Won’t Be Silent. Shortly after meeting Abe - here, on Substack - I grabbed a copy of his book and read it in two sittings. It is very well written with many powerful insights. I’m looking forward to our conversation tomorrow.On Friday, I’m having a conversation (I hate to call them interviews) with Jessica Colombi and Chris Nance. They are part of a team that drove through ground-breaking legislation in Cleveland that addresses the inequity of building construction supply chains. Their process - assembling all the stakeholders (gov’t, industry) and reaching agreement - is amazing. And points to the kind of collaborative work needed to address some of this country’s biggest problems.Finally, I’ll be publishing later this week my conversations with Bunny Terry, a stage four colon cancer survivor who has a powerful and deep message for all of us.I hope your week unfolds with happy surprises and good outcomes.Remarkable! (A Podcast) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgoode.substack.com