

In Search Of Excellence
Randall Kaplan
We all have dreams of being successful and achieving excellence in our lives. But we inevitably experience resistance, challenges, and obstacles in the pursuit of our dreams. In Search of Excellence provides us with the inspiration we need to overcome these obstacles and accomplish our goals. In Search of Excellence takes us through the stories, routes, and strategies of people from hundreds of different backgrounds who have achieved excellence in both their professional and personal lives. Guest features include Sharon Stone, Kevin O'Leary, Sammy Hagar, Lara Logan, Sam Zell, and many more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 21, 2025 • 1h 60min
Dean Graziosi: What I Learned from Going from Poverty to Extreme Wealth | E163
Dean Graziosi shares his incredible rags-to-riches journey from growing up with an abusive and violent dad, being evicted from a trailer park, sleeping on floors, moving 19 times before turning 20 years old, not going to college, working in a collision shop, starting to invest in real estate in his early 20s, creating an infomercial business despite having no experience, watching a Tony Robbins video on TV and then becoming his best friend years later, earning enough money to retire in his 20’s, and owning 14 different companies – as well as becoming a world-class entrepreneur, real estate investor, self-education leader, and one of the most successful motivational speakers in the world. In this inspiring episode, Dean discusses the power of mentorship, work ethic, and taking bold risks — from borrowing money to buy rundown apartments to turning a small income into millions. He reveals lessons learned from his parents, the importance of confidence, gratitude, and building strong relationships, including his partnership with Tony Robbins. Dean also discusses why self-education beats traditional college, how to achieve financial freedom, and what it really takes to succeed in life and business. Don’t miss this powerful conversation packed with actionable insights for entrepreneurs, dreamers, and anyone in search of excellence.Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

May 6, 2025 • 1h 9min
Sammy Hagar: How Rock 'n' Roll Changed My Life | E162
Sammy Hagar is one of the most prolific artists in the history of Rock and Roll. Playing in bands like Montrose and Van Halen, and with a successful solo career that included the rock anthem “I Can’t Drive 55,” Sammy has had 25 platinum albums and has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide. Sammy is also an extremely successful serial entrepreneur and was the first celebrity to create his own tequila brand which he sold more than 20 years ago for nearly $100 million. He is also devoted to giving back and is a generous philanthropist. Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Apr 29, 2025 • 48min
Sammy Hagar: From Broken Childhood to Living Legend | E161
Sammy Hagar is one of the most prolific artists in the history of Rock and Roll. Playing in bands like Montrose and Van Halen, and with a successful solo career that included the rock anthem “I Can’t Drive 55,” Sammy has had 25 platinum albums and has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide. Sammy is also an extremely successful serial entrepreneur and was the first celebrity to create his own tequila brand which he sold more than 20 years ago for nearly $100 million. He is also devoted to giving back and is a generous philanthropist. Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 28min
Mark Cuban: Stop Wasting Time on Investments with Low Returns | E160
Mark Cuban was born a serial entrepreneur. At age 12, he sold trash bags door to door. By age 16, he had a business selling stamps. During college at Indiana University, he taught disco lessons at sorority houses and opened a popular bar before he turned 21. So how does an average kid growing up in Pittsburgh go on to become a self-made billionaire?For some of us, it may be hard to imagine the person that we know today as Mark Cuban quit a job, was fired from another, had a business that closed down because somebody who worked there was on probation for prostitution, and slept on the floor of an apartment for many months after moving to Dallas. But it was these experiences that made Mark the businessman, investor, philanthropist, and billionaire that he is today. Mark’s journey is one of incredibly hard work, determination and perseverance, adapting to change, and learning from failure.In this episode, Randall and Mark talk about challenges on Mark’s path to excellence, the role Mark played in the early days of the internet with MicroSolutions, the story behind AudioNet/ Broadcast.com, taking it public, selling it to Yahoo for $5.7 billion, and how he sold his stock in what is considered one of the most brilliant business decisions of all-time. Randall and Mark also discuss Mark’s latest company The Mark Cuban Cost-Plus Drug Company, and his very sage advice for young entrepreneurs.Topics Include:- How his college experience prepared him for success- The lessons about sales Mark learned as a 12-year-old selling trash bags door to door- Why you can learn just as much from the bad companies as the good ones- The interview answer that got him a job with no experience- Mark’s brief career as an actor and reading for Stephen Spielberg- Why owning a sports team is unique from owning a business- Mark’s powerful Shark Tank episode with Tania Speaks Organic Skincare- The importance of preparation and learning from failure- Mark’s thoughts on parenting- How his work-life balance has changed over time- Mark’s charitable work through the Mark Cuban Foundation and Fallen Patriots Fund- And other topics…Mark Cuban is a serial entrepreneur, investor, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and a host of Shark Tank on NBC. Mark made his initial fortune through the sales of his startups MicroSolutions and Broadcast.com in the 1990s, and he was was ranked #177 on the 2020 Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest residents in the United States.Mark is also the best-selling author of How to Win at the Sport of Business. Among many ventures, Cuban is also involved in the world of film and television and occasionally appears on popular television shows including Entourage, Dancing with the Stars, and The League.Mark graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University with a degree in management. He lives with his wife and children in Dallas, Texas.Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Apr 15, 2025 • 60min
Robert Greene: The Secret Psychology Behind Attraction and Influence | E159
Robert Greene is a globally renowned author and thinker best known for his groundbreaking books on power, strategy, and human behavior, including the international bestsellers The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, and Mastery. But before becoming a literary icon, Robert struggled through decades of uncertainty—working over 50 different jobs, battling self-doubt, and feeling lost in his 30s. It wasn’t until age 37, after years of rejection and frustration, that his life changed with the release of The 48 Laws of Power, a book that would go on to sell millions of copies and influence everyone from CEOs to world leaders and hip-hop legends. In this episode, Robert opens up about the real pain behind his rise, the dangerous truths about power, and the deeply human experiences that shaped his work.Timestamps:00:00 – The Psychology of Seduction11:45 – Overcoming Insecurity and Finding Real Confidence Through Action19:40 – Modern Dating and Human Disconnection32:00 – Finding Your Life's Task and Mastery44:15 – Mentorship and Preparation51:05 – Final Reflections: Leadership, Regret, and His Most Personal Life LessonsResources:Robert's InstagramRobert's WebsiteSneak Peak of Robert's New Book, The Law of the SublimeCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Apr 8, 2025 • 53min
Robert Greene: The Untold Story Behind The 48 Laws of Power | E158
Robert Greene is a globally renowned author and thinker best known for his groundbreaking books on power, strategy, and human behavior, including the international bestsellers The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, and Mastery. But before becoming a literary icon, Robert struggled through decades of uncertainty—working over 50 different jobs, battling self-doubt, and feeling lost in his 30s. It wasn’t until age 37, after years of rejection and frustration, that his life changed with the release of The 48 Laws of Power, a book that would go on to sell millions of copies and influence everyone from CEOs to world leaders and hip-hop legends. In this episode, Robert opens up about the real pain behind his rise, the dangerous truths about power, and the deeply human experiences that shaped his work.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro and Robert's Get Rich or Die Trying Moment06:25 – 50 Jobs, Self-Doubt, and a Dream to Write13:37 – Suicidal Thoughts and The Emotional Cost of Unfulfilled Potential25:11 – How to Become Powerful and Master Relationships35:54 – Why You Shouldn’t Follow All 48 Laws—and Who Actually Did48:49 – Surreal Moments, Paparazzi, and the Prime Minister of ItalyResources:Robert's InstagramRobert's WebsiteSneak Peak of Robert's New Book, The Law of the SublimeCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Apr 1, 2025 • 1h 9min
John Terzian: Bottle Service, Billionaires, and the Business of Cool | E157
John Terzian is the co-founder of The h.wood Group, one of the most influential hospitality companies in the world, known for creating iconic venues like The Nice Guy, Delilah, Bootsy Bellows, and Shore Bar. But before he built an empire in nightlife and dining, John’s path was anything but conventional. From working as a DJ assistant to getting banned from the Queen Mary for throwing an out-of-control college party, John’s journey is filled with unforgettable twists, relentless hustle, and big risks. A former USC walk-on quarterback and Pepperdine law school grad who never passed the bar, John chose to follow his passion for creating experiences over traditional career paths. In this episode, he opens up about growing up in L.A., being harassed by corrupt cops, dealing with failure, and how grit, creativity, and real relationships helped him build a global brand from the ground up.Timestamps:00:00 – Wild Nightlife Stories12:00 – Delilah, Club Economics, and Keeping a Venue Cool21:30 – OnlyFans, Gen Z, and the Decline of Club Culture32:15 – The Chicken in the Nightclub and the 1MDB Scandal45:00 – Brand Loyalty, Extreme Preparation, and Running the Long Game56:30 – Media, Magic Johnson, and the Future of H.WoodResources:The h.wood Group WebsiteThe h.wood Group InstagramJohn's InstagramThe h.wood Group Media InstagramCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Mar 25, 2025 • 1h 3min
John Terzian: The King of LA Nightlife and Building The h.wood Group from Scratch | E156
John Terzian is the co-founder of The h.wood Group, one of the most influential hospitality companies in the world, known for creating iconic venues like The Nice Guy, Delilah, Bootsy Bellows, and Shore Bar. But before he built an empire in nightlife and dining, John’s path was anything but conventional. From working as a DJ assistant to getting banned from the Queen Mary for throwing an out-of-control college party, John’s journey is filled with unforgettable twists, relentless hustle, and big risks. A former USC walk-on quarterback and Pepperdine law school grad who never passed the bar, John chose to follow his passion for creating experiences over traditional career paths. In this episode, he opens up about growing up in L.A., being harassed by corrupt cops, dealing with failure, and how grit, creativity, and real relationships helped him build a global brand from the ground up.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction and John's Childhood10:45 – USC Football, Recruiting, and the Roots of H.Wood’s Culture20:55 – Nightclubs, Celebrities, and the Birth of The h.wood Group35:30 – The Tea Room and Getting Shut Down by Corrupt Cops47:40 – Moving Back Home and Starting Over53:17 – Bootsy Bellows, Katy Perry, and the Breakthrough MomentResources:The h.wood Group WebsiteThe h.wood Group InstagramJohn's InstagramThe h.wood Group Media InstagramCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Mar 18, 2025 • 1h 32min
Grant Ellis: What The Bachelor Taught Me About Life, Love, and Success | E155
Grant Ellis is a reality TV star, entrepreneur, and former professional basketball player whose journey from the courts to prime-time television has captivated millions. Best known as the lead of The Bachelor, Grant's rise to fame began unexpectedly when his mother submitted his application for The Bachelorette, launching him into the national spotlight. However, his story goes far beyond dating on TV—Grant grew up navigating family struggles, a deep love for basketball, and the harsh realities of professional sports before pivoting into the world of finance and trading. From competing in the Dominican Republic’s professional basketball leagues to mastering financial markets, Grant has built a unique career through resilience, risk-taking, and self-belief. In this episode, he opens up about the lessons he’s learned from sports, reality TV, and business, sharing insights on relationships, financial literacy, personal growth, and the power of taking advantage of unexpected opportunities.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction 09:45 – Growing Up in Sports 23:30 – Losing Everything in Day Trading 38:10 – How Grant Became ‘The Bachelor’ 58:20 – The Reality of Fame 1:17:00 – Fill in the Blank to ExcellenceResourcesGrant's InstagramThe Bachelor on ABCCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Mar 11, 2025 • 53min
Andy Elliott: Why 99% of Companies Get Culture Wrong | E154
Andy Elliott is a powerhouse in the world of sales training, leadership, and personal transformation. From a tough childhood filled with hardship and rejection, Andy turned his struggles into the fuel that made him one of the most successful sales coaches in history. As the founder of The Elliott Group, he has trained over 600,000 people and helped more than 13,000 companies scale their businesses through his cutting-edge sales techniques and mindset strategies. With a no-nonsense approach to personal growth, business success, and extreme resilience, Andy has built a career on breaking the mold and pushing people beyond their limits. In this episode, he shares his journey from being the least likely to succeed to becoming a self-made leader in sales and motivation, offering powerful lessons in overcoming adversity, mastering confidence, and taking complete ownership of your success.Timestamps00:00 – Building a Winning Culture 12:28 – The Three Most Important Traits for Success in Sales and Life 28:34 – Handling Criticism and Haters 38:54 – The Secret to Hiring 50:17 – Fill in the Blank to ExcellenceResourcesAndy's InstagramThe Elliott GroupCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn