
Permission To Shine
The premier podcast dedicated to highlighting humble, inspiring people. Hosted by Andrew Namanny. Guests include Joey Gonzalez CEO of Barry's Bootcamp, billionaire Jay Adair, blind Mt. Everest Summiter Erik Weihenmayer, Ex-Russian Sex Spy Aliia Roza, and more.
Latest episodes

13 snips
Oct 8, 2024 • 39min
47. Dan Ni | Building TLDR into 5M Subscribers
Dan Ni, Founder and CEO of TLDR, shares his journey from Yale to culinary school and ultimately to leading a tech newsletter with over 5 million subscribers. He discusses the changing landscape of media, particularly the influence of AI and TikTok on how we consume content. The conversation also explores the importance of action over thought, the necessity of remote work, and his reflections on personal growth while navigating challenges. Plus, hear about his childhood in Missouri and the entrepreneurial spark from his parents.

Sep 26, 2024 • 44min
46. Jonny Imerman | How He Started a Cancer Network 15,000+ Strong
Jonny Imerman is the Co-Founder of Imerman Angels, a global network of 15,000 cancer survivors.
After battling testicular cancer in his 20s, Jonny felt compelled to create a platform where individuals battling cancer can connect 1:1 with a mentor who has faced the same diagnosis.
Additionally, he co-founded CLOZTALK (pronounced "Clothes Talk"), where they are building brand awareness for over 500 nonprofits.
In this episode, we discuss:
Living a life of purpose and fulfillment
How cancer turned him into a minimalist
His emphasis on diet as it's the #1 contributor to cancer diagnoses
Daily meditation practices
Life in New York City
Please enjoy this insightful conversation with Jonny Imerman. I know you’ll love it!
Feedback & Sponsorship Opportunities: andrew@permissiontoshine.orgJonny Imerman LinkedIn: Jonny Imerman LinkedInAndrew Namanny LinkedIn: Andrew Namanny LinkedIn

Sep 17, 2024 • 34min
45. Cy Wakeman | How To Eliminate Drama From Your Work and Personal Life
Cy Wakeman, a drama researcher, NY Times bestselling author, and Hall of Fame Speaker, shares her insights on eliminating unnecessary drama from our lives. She reveals that the average person wastefully spends 2.5 hours daily feeling bad due to false narratives. Cy discusses the power of understanding ego, advocating for inquiry to reduce its impact on our well-being. She emphasizes authentic leadership and the need to modernize business practices, encouraging listeners to become more accountable and focused on results.

Sep 10, 2024 • 36min
44. Garrett Madison | 14x Mt. Everest Summiter
Garrett Madison is one of the most accomplished mountain climbers in the world. He's summited Mt. Everest 14 times. Summited K2, known as the SAVAGE mountain, 4 times. The most of any westerner. He runs Madison Mountaineering where he has an unparalleled track record of guiding his clients to the highest points on earth. His calm nature, kind heart, strong spirit, and track record of success make him a really special individual. I was stoked to sit down for a chat with someone who has seen so much of the world -- I know you are going to love this! These episodes take a lot of work to produce, if you enjoy it please share with a friend, colleague, or loved one! Sponsorship & Feedback: andrew@permissiotonshine.org Garrett Madison Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garrettmadison1?igsh=MXRuZDZhZmE4dTV5Nw==Permission to Shine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoshine_?igsh=bndtZDN0MjEweDAy&utm_source=qrAndrew Namanny LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-namanny?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Sep 3, 2024 • 52min
43. Daniel Dart | How To Go From Homeless to MIT
Hi thanks for joining, it's Andrew Namanny and we've got another incredible episode you do not want to miss. Daniel Dart is the founder of Solo GP fund Rock Yard Ventures. His journey from homelessness and incarceration to where he is today shows how powerful second chances can be. A leader and advocate for underserved and underprivileged communities, he has worked on the ground, helping build equity and social movements on both a local and global scale.A rare talent, he matriculated to the London School of Economics graduate school without ever having received an undergraduate degree. In addition to being published in Harvard Business Review and the World Economic Forum, he has presented his academic and economic research worldwide, including in Sri Lanka, China, Ireland, Japan, and the United States.Daniel's journey to where he is today is anything but typical. He was born in the Bay Area but spent most of his youth in Southern California. He experienced homelessness on the streets of San Diego and Los Angeles between 1999-2001, a chapter of time that shapes everything he does today. Daniel was also the brainchild of a prominent punk-rock band, Time Again, where he wrote and sang about social issues, poverty, and getting through life one day at a time. In 2011, he was sentenced to 6 years in prison. Upon release, with a new perspective of owning his flaws while being true to himself, he made amends and launched the second chapter of his life – one that focuses on the altruistic value of helping others. He also holds an MBA from MIT, where he is the first formerly incarcerated student in the school's history and a recipient of the Dean's Fellowship, Sloan Leadership Fellowship, and Pechacek Fellowship awards and scholarships.He is an active member of Milken Institute's Young Leaders Circle, an Advisory Board Member of Village Capital, and a Fellow of the Salzburg Global ForumFollow Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-dart/Follow Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-namanny/

Aug 20, 2024 • 1h 3min
42. Jeffrey Deskovic | Wrongly Convicted For 16 Years
Jeffrey Deskovic is a lawyer dedicated to freeing wrongly convicted inmates. At 17, Jeffrey was wrongly convicted of murder and rape. He spent 16 years in maximum security prison before DNA evidence proved his innocence. After prison, Jeffrey started the Deskovic Foundation, where they have freed 14 wrongly convicted people and counting. Jeffrey is 1 of 3,200 exonerations since 1989. He discusses: -Why we was wrongly convicted -How he got out-The state of life in prison and what he missed most-Integrating back into the real world with a large amount of money-What he's doing to help people with a story like his You can get involved with his work here: https://www.deskovicfoundation.orgThank you for listening! Feedback & Sponsorship: andrew@permissiontoshine.orgWebsite: permissiontoshine.org

Aug 13, 2024 • 44min
41. Jimmy Yeager | The Art of Hospitality
Jimmy Yeager owned and operated Aspen, CO local restaurant Jimmy's for 25 years, resulting in a successful sell out. We sat down for a conversation during Aspen Food & Wine Festival. Jimmy's was a place for billionaires and scrap workers alike to bond. It was an institution built through hard work and intention. Jimmy discusses:-How he built a strong culture resulting in very low turnover. -His upbringing as a New Jersey/NYC chef. -What he's learned to be the core tenants of a good party. -What he did after his restaurant was purchased -- sneak peak: he bought a Rolex (not for himself!) and embarked on a solo motorcycle adventure through Latin America. Jimmy shares the challenges and triumphs of running a successful restaurant for 25 years, his philosophy on creating a strong team culture, and the importance of education in the hospitality industry.This episode is brought to you by PARC Aspen: a premier dining destination made for locals, by locals in Aspen, Colorado. Inspired by the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of their beloved town, Maryanne and Harley Sefton embarked on a remarkable journey to create a dining experience that reflects the essence of Aspen.PARC Aspen is my favorite restaurant and a must hit when you are passing through paradise (Aspen, CO). More info: https://www.parcaspen.comPermission To Shine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoshine_?igsh=bndtZDN0MjEweDAy&utm_source=qrPARC Aspen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parcaspen?igsh=YndmdDBzZTJvMDdlJimmy Yeager Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmyyea?igsh=MzB0NmFkc25oajls

Aug 6, 2024 • 45min
40. Aliia Roza | Ex-Russian Seduction Spy
Aliia Roza joins the show this week to share what she learned during her time as a Russian Spy, specifically trained on seduction. She was recruited by the Russian government and turned into an agent as her father and grandfather were top generals in the KGB. The government trained her to be a weapon -- Aliia would use seduction tactics to get inside information from top criminals for the Russian government. This is a raw look inside one of the most mysterious and dangerous jobs in the world. Aliia doesn't hold back and shares tactics for seduction on both dating and career advancement. Follow Aliia Roza: https://www.instagram.com/aliiaroza?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==She recently did a 2 season podcast with Neil Strauss which can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/show/0EshU9K5GhVfOFBqWW11dL?si=RJKx4UA8RoWlib1cqUZHIA

Jul 30, 2024 • 52min
39. Victor Vescovo | 3x Ivy League, Hostage Rescuer, Ocean Explorer, Investor
Victor Vescovo is one of the most accomplished humans alive.He is a former naval intelligence officer where he retired as Commander.He co-founded Insight Equity Holdings, a prominent investment fund.He is a Seven Summits Climber by climbing the tallest peak on all seven continents, deep sea diver (went to the bottom of all 5 oceans), outer space visitor, and pilot.In 2019, Victor Vescovo was recognized by Guinness World Records as the person who has covered the greatest vertical distance without leaving Earth's surface. He went to 29,029 atop Mt. Everest and -35,840 at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. He holds a bachelors degree in Political Science and Economics from Stanford, a masters degree in Defense and Arms Control from MIT, and an MBA from Harvard. Please enjoy this insanely interesting conversation. Let me know your takeaways -- there's many! Feedback & Sponsorship: andrew@permissiontoshine.org

Jul 23, 2024 • 40min
38. Joey Gonzalez | From Underdog to CEO @ Barry's
Joey is the global CEO of Barry's Bootcamp, which has 88 high end fitness studios across 14 countries.Barry's was started in 1998 when the founder needed a place to go and have fun without drinking.So how did Joey Gonzalez go from Barry's client to CEO? We unpack it all.We discuss:-How to balance a demanding professional and personal life-Building and maintaining a top tier brand-Organizing meetings to optimize output-The biggest risks he's taken"I always say, there's no such thing as balance. You just have to wake up and choose who you're gonna disappoint." -Joey"You have to take control of the journey and hold your own reins and not lie in idea of being a victim, but actually go out and figure out, like, how to be empowered and how to make the most of your life." -JoeyWhether you're a fitness enthusiast, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone looking for a dose of motivation, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and heartfelt moments.Take a listen and let me know your takeaways!Feedback & Sponsorship Opportunities: andrew@permissiontoshine.orgJoey's Complete Bio: Joey Gonzalez is a change agent, global strategist, entrepreneur, son of a Cuban refugee, gay parent, and the Global CEO of Barry’s, the original cardio and strength interval workout that revolutionized fitness and began the boutique movement.His Barry’s journey started in 2003 as a client in the iconic Red Room. He became an instructor soon after working his way up the ranks before finally taking the helm of the business as CEO in 2015.Since then, Gonzalez has dedicated his life to expanding the brand around the world, fostering diverse communities across 14 countries including US, Europe, Mexico, Australia and South East Asia.Under Gonzalez’s stewardship, and after the business grew exponentially between the years 2015- 2020, COVID-19 took hold and forced studios around the world to shut down. Gonzalez spent the next 18 months innovating, investing in new modalities, launching dozens of outdoor studios, developing a robust digital product (Barry’s X) and the brands first ever loyalty program, The Academy. His leadership through the pandemic set Barry's apart from other fitness organizations and is documented in a Harvard Business School case study written in 2021.In 2018, Gonzalez was named to Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business list and received CEO Award of the Year from North Castle Partners. In 2020, Gonzalez was named EY Of The Year Greater Los Angeles’ Entrepreneur of the Year and in 2022 was honored with STARTOUT’s leadership award.Gonzalez recently earned his OPM degree from Harvard Business School. In 2021 he moved Barry's HQ from Los Angeles to Miami where he currently resides with his husband, daughter, and son.
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