The Greatness Machine

On today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Jason Feifer, Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, host of the Build for Tomorrow and Problem Solvers podcasts, and the author of Mr. Nice Guy and Build for Tomorrow. He's also worked as Editor of Men's Health, Fast Company, Maxim, and Boston Magazine, and has written about business technology for The Washington Post, Slate, and others. Jason is best known as the guy who gets you excited for the future. He's passionate about helping people become more resilient in a world of constant change, so they can seize new opportunities before anyone else does.  You'll discover how Jason made the decision about what he wanted to do with his life. You'll learn the one crucial mistake people make when writing for a publication. You'll also discover why you need to be bad at something, in order to be good at it.  Topics include: How Jason made the decision about what he wanted to do with his life The one crucial mistake people make when writing for a publication Why you need to be bad at something, in order to be good at it And other topics… Connect with Jason: Website: https://www.jasonfeifer.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonfeifer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyfeifer/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/heyfeifer/ Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you feeling bogged down by the monotony of your daily life? On today’s show, Darius talks about enjoying the journey rather than incessantly worrying about the end results.  Like many of us, Darius loves his cup of morning coffee. And he obsesses about getting the right beans, the temperature, and adding the correct amount of milk.  Recently, a friend of Darius’s bought an expensive coffee machine that automated the entire process. While this made it extremely easy to make the perfect cup of coffee, Darius realized that he enjoyed the process of making his cup of coffee way more than drinking the coffee itself. On today’s show, you will learn why you need to fully immerse yourself in the process to enjoy the outcome.  Darius also shares how the simple act of making a cup of coffee aligns with his SIX Core Values. And why you should strive to apply this same passion and love to all your aspects of life. Topics include: Enjoying the journey rather than incessantly worrying about the outcome Finding joy in the mundane chores that typically bog us down How to approach every aspect of your life with love and passion And other topics… Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered how some artists achieve extraordinary success in the music industry against all odds? Embarking on a creative journey in the music industry can be an unpredictable and daunting endeavor, much like the path followed by the renowned artist, Moby. His journey stands out as a shining example of unwavering dedication and ingenuity in the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry. Moby, the sonic visionary renowned for his genre-defying soundscapes, has multiple Grammy nominations and a career spanning several decades. Best known for his hit songs “Porcelain,” “Natural Blues,” and “South Side,” he carved out a niche for himself, capturing the hearts of millions worldwide and he continues to be a prominent figure in the music industry, leaving an indelible mark on the world of electronic music and beyond.  In this episode, Darius, Moby, and Lindsay engage in a candid conversation, delving into Moby's decision to pursue music over becoming a philosophy professor. They explore the concept of the "hungry ghost" and achieve true fulfillment, touching upon the pursuit of happiness in entrepreneurial endeavors. Together, they discuss the role of ego in their lives, the need for open-mindedness, and the significance of being receptive to different perspectives, leaving listeners with profound insights into purpose, fulfillment, and self-discovery. Topics include: What made Moby decide to pursue music instead of becoming a philosophy professor Moby reflects on his journey from poverty to material success, fame, and debauchery The importance of finding meaning, purpose, and value in life The concept of the “hungry ghost” and how to achieve true fulfillment What it takes to achieve true happiness in entrepreneurialism Lindsay discusses the constant striving in her career The importance of learning from both successes and failures Moby and Lindsay discuss the role of ego in their lives The value of being willing to look at the evidence and avoid clinging to preconceived notions beliefs or ideas The need for curiosity, open-mindedness, and a willingness to listen to different perspectives And other topics… Resources mentioned: The Almanac of Naval Ravikant: https://www.amazon.com/Almanack-Naval-Ravikant-Wealth-Happiness/dp/1544514212  The Power of One More: https://www.amazon.com/Power-One-More-Ed-Mylett/dp/1119815363  Connect with Moby and Lindsay: Moby Website: https://moby.com/  Moby Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moby/ Lindsay Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linzhicks/  Lindsay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-hicks-6b392550/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Cat Hoke, founder of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program and Defy Ventures, entrepreneur, author, and speaker. As a Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter, Cat mastered the art of “breakfall”: how to prevent injury when you get taken down. Cat works with gang leaders in the most notorious prisons, leading gang intervention programs. Her Hustle 2.0 initiative reduces crime, violence, and recidivism by providing evidence-based rehabilitation programs that equip incarcerated people with the tools to transform their lives by changing their thoughts and behaviors. You'll discover how Cat started wrestling at a young age and ended up as the only girl on the team. You'll learn what you can learn working with incarcerated people. You'll also discover details of Cat's Hustle 2.0 program. Topics include: How Cat started wrestling at a young age and ended up as the only girl on the team What you can learn working with incarcerated people Details on the Hustle 2.0 initiative And other topics… Connect with Cat: Website: https://www.cathoke.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinehokeny/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_hoke/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever found yourself wandering amidst the chaos, yearning for a guiding light of clarity? Life often presents us with moments of uncertainty and chaos, leaving us feeling adrift and in need of direction. Like travelers in a dense fog, we stumble forward, desperately seeking clarity and a sense of purpose. It is during these times that having confidence becomes paramount, for it is the beacon that guides us through the storm. Peter Atwater, a renowned author, speaker, and consultant in the field of behavioral finance and investor sentiment, delves into the profound impact of confidence on our decision-making, resilience, and overall well-being in his latest book, The Confidence Map: Charting a Path from Chaos to Clarity.  Drawing from his extensive expertise in behavioral finance and investor sentiment, Peter presents a compelling framework that illuminates the intricate relationship between confidence and chaos. In this episode, Darius and Peter discuss the vital role of confidence in decision-making and behavior across various aspects of life. Peter shares the journey behind his book, The Confidence Map: Charting a Path from Chaos to Clarity, emphasizing resilience in facing uncertainty and embracing growth from failure. They explore making financial decisions with uncertainty, avoiding gut-driven choices, and the importance of seeking help and feedback for personal and professional development. Topics include: The crucial role of confidence in driving decisions and behaviors in various aspects of life Peter explains the story behind The Confidence Map: Charting a Path from Chaos to Clarity How resilience plays a role in dealing with uncertainty and lack of control Why it is important to embrace uncertainty and powerlessness The benefits of seeing failure as an opportunity for learning and growth Making financial decisions with an understanding that the future is uncertain Why you should avoid making decisions solely based on gut feelings Why it matters to be willing to ask for help and seek feedback to improve and grow in personal and professional endeavors And other topics… Connect with Peter: Website: https://peteratwater.com/  Book: https://peteratwater.com/books-2/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Peter_Atwater  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-atwater-08467034/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered what it takes for someone to seamlessly transition from the electrifying realm of sports announcing to the cutthroat world of business, conquering both with remarkable finesse? Bruce Buffer, an iconic figure in the world of sports announcing and business, joins us on The Greatness Machine to share his story of venturing into the world of business while captivating sports fans with his booming voice on stage.  Leveraging his brand and recognizability, he has successfully built a thriving business empire. Bruce ventures include merchandise, licensing deals, public appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. His business acumen and strategic mindset have allowed him to transcend the confines of sports announcing, establishing himself as a savvy entrepreneur. In this episode, Darius and Bruce dive into various intriguing topics, starting with Bruce's journey of how he began managing his half-brother, Michael Buffer, and the lessons he learned along the way. They also explore the future of personal branding, emphasizing the significance of values and purpose in establishing a strong personal brand. Bruce shares his insights on the future of combat sports, providing a unique perspective on what lies ahead. Moreover, they unravel the secret to following one's passions and achieving success, delving into the mindset and strategies required. Topics include: How Bruce started managing his half-brother Michael Buffer The future of personal branding The importance of values and purpose in leading a personal brand What the future looks like for combat sports according to Bruce The secret to following your passions and achieving success And other topics… Connect with Bruce: Website: https://brucebuffer.com/  Website: https://puncherschancebourbon.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brucebufferufc/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brucebuffer/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Sam Penny, who with his wife operates Artisans Bend (Cheese Therapy), Australia's largest artisan cheese retailer. Sam is passionate about strategy, marketing, and the pursuit of the perfect cheese.  In the sports world, Sam made the first attempt to swim the English Channel in Winter, has run 87km in 13 hours, and swam an Ice Mile in 3.9-degree celsius water. You'll discover what life looks like as a serial entrepreneur. You'll learn about Sam's passion for cheese and how he became the "Cheese Monger." You'll also discover what it was like to swim the English Channel... in Winter! Join Darius and Sam as they explore the tasty world of cheese, entrepreneurship, and how it feels to swim in essentially frozen water. Topics include: Life as a serial entrepreneur How and why Sam shifted from running a medical device company to the role of "Cheese Monger” What it was like to be the 191st Australian to swim the English Channel And other topics... Connect with Sam: Website: https://cheesetherapy.com.au/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sampenny Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can you foster an ownership mindset within your organization that catapults you miles ahead of the competition? In today’s show, Darius shares how the Core Equation Value Equation Process can help you cultivate this much-prized mindset which will have your employees treating your business as if it was theirs. When you do so, you can extract that extra 20% - that extra bit that separates the winners from the losers. Learn how you can discover, design, and roll out your own core equation value process to make all this happen.  Topics include: Cultivating an ownership mindset within your organization How to discover, design, and roll out your core equation value process How to incentivize employees in the correct manner And other topics… Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What steps can you take to turn your aspirations into reality and move from where you are right now to where you truly want to be? Reaching your desired destination from your current position is an exciting and transformative endeavor. It requires a combination of vision, determination, effective decision-making, and actionable techniques. Katy Milkman, through her book How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, introduces various psychological concepts, such as habits, motivation, and self-control, and explains how these factors impact our ability to make lasting changes. Drawing from her expertise as a behavioral scientist and professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Katy provides readers with practical insights and techniques for transforming their lives. Throughout the book, she highlights the significance of self-reflection and self-awareness in the change process. Katy also encourages readers to identify their own patterns, biases, and obstacles, offering strategies to overcome them and cultivate new habits that align with their aspirations. In this episode, Darius and Katy engage in a captivating conversation covering a range of topics. They explore how Katy's passion for research ignited during her undergraduate studies and delve into the motivations behind her pursuit of behavioral economics. Katy opens up about her purpose in writing her book, How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. They discuss the power of fresh starts and how they can enhance motivation, the importance of well-planned methodologies and tools for achieving success, the benefits of temptation bundling, and the effectiveness of commitment devices in increasing productivity. Topics include: How Katy discovered her passion for research during her undergraduate studies What motivated Katy to pursue and embrace research and behavioral economics Katy shares her purpose for writing How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be The power of fresh starts and how they boost your motivation The importance of having a well-planned methodology and tools to achieve success Substantial benefits of temptation bundling Using a commitment device to get more things done And other topics… Connect with Katy: Website: https://www.katymilkman.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-milkman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katymilkman/ Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 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! Topics include: 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… Connect with Brian: Website: https://www.holacracy.org/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-robertson-517182/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/h1brian Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices