The Culture Matters Podcast

"Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence." - PlatoWe've got the founder of EPM Eddy Perez back on the show today and on this go around, we're talking about fatherhood.  Eddy and Jay unpack Eddy's relationship with his own father, how that relationship helped shape him as a man and father in his own right, and what it was like having a father who worked hard and sacrificed for his family as an immigrant from Cuba.  Eddy's father had a huge impact on him in life and after his passing and we talk about honoring someone who was such a major influence.  Relationships with fathers come in all shapes and sizes and all have their own challenges and dynamics.  Eddy shares his story and his thoughts on all things fatherhood on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Although it's easy to forget sometimes, a share is not a lottery ticket.  It's part ownership of a business." - Peter LynchFinancial consultant and advisor Gary Nash stops by the show today and we are off to the races talking about the stock market.  Gary is a wealth of knowledge on the subject and we are tackling a basic lesson on how the market works, what shareholders are and what it means to be one, and the role a board of directors plays and who they should be looking out for.  This man has seen and done it all to Wall Street and beyond, so if you are interested in learning more about stocks and investing, this is the episode for you!

"We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence then is not an act, but a habit." - AristotleOn today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, Jay sits down with his good friend Raphael Mavi, the president and founder of Unplugged Influence, Inc. and, boy, do we have a lot to cover!  Raphael takes us through his mindset when it comes to training and investing time into the improvement of the people on his team and what he is looking for when it comes to hiring.  Jay and Raphael are also cutting it up about poor corporate culture leading Raphael down his own path, the proper percentage of attrition, and the characteristics of a good employer.  We're always happy to have Raphael on the show and we hope you are too!

"Be careful lest in casting out your demon you exercise the best thing in you." - Friedrich NietzscheGreg Rushin is a real estate entrepreneur, life coach, and founder of Rush-In Motivation and believe it or not we are starting this episode out with 20 push-ups!  Now that the blood is flowing, Jay and Greg are ready to get into it.  Topics today are ranging from powering through obstacles, accountability partners, mentor and mentee relationships, and it wouldn't be The Culture Matters Podcast if we didn't talk about culture!  If you're somewhere safe and able, join in the push-ups and then get ready for a very healthy chat with Greg Rushin.

"He who risks and fails can be forgiven.  He who never risks and never fails is a failure in his whole being." - Paul TillichPhilosopher and artisan contractor with Vision Stone and Tile Nathan Merrill is back on the program today and we are going deep.  We're starting off discussing Nathan's experiences on podcasts and exactly what he does with his work with tile and some of its practical applications.  After that, we're getting into materialism vs. idealism, the idea of "worshipping" your process, and even dipping our toes into the pool of existential angst.  We're running the gambit of topics today and we hope you enjoy this conversation with Nathan Merrill.

"We now accept the fact that learning is a life-long process of keep abreast of change and the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn." - Peter DruckerConsultant, advisor, and the founder of Social CSM Carl Eppolito is back on the show today and we running through a bunch of different topics, so hang onto your seats!  Carl and Jay are digging into success on social media, the idea of leveraging a podcast as a means to an end, and Jay even asks Carl for some advice on how to improve his social media presence.  We're spending the back half of this conversation on the role of faith in Carl's life and how finding his faith has helped make him a more successful businessman and father.  There may even be a little talk on what kind of host or guest Jesus would have been on a podcast.  We're unpacking a lot today and we're glad to have you along for this conversation with Carl Eppolito.

"The first duty of love is to listen." - Paul TillichAndrew Berman is an advisor, mentor, and the Head of Engagement and Outreach at American Business Media and he is back today so that we can lean on his expertise in the mortgage and insurance spaces.  Are those industries in trouble in this topsy-turvy economic climate?  The short answer is yes, but Andrew is here to shed a little light on what could be conceived as a dark situation.  Andrew and Jay are discussing the benefits of focusing on one thing instead of trying be amazing at 50 things, becoming a legit "grown-up", and the value and responsibility that come with owning your home.  It's always a treat to have Andrew on the show so we hope you enjoy this discussion on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast!

"The only cure for vanity is laughter and the only fault that is laughable is vanity." - Henri BergsonGreat friend to the show and the founder of South Fork Business Ventures Tony Capullo is back today and is taking a break from his series of episodes interviewing Jay and Jay is back to asking the questions!  Today's conversation dives deep into value over vanity, what a "dabbler" is and how they can affect your business, and why setting your ego aside will only serve to make you better in business and in life no matter what rung of that ladder you are standing on.  Not only is Tony a top notch interviewer, but he is a wealth of knowledge in so many areas and we're over the moon to have him back on the show!

"If you want something done, ask a busy person."Real estate advisor and good friend of the Culture Matters family Sam Akif is on the show today and we are excited for him to drop some knowledge on our listeners today!  In a world of instant gratification, Sam is here to tell you that truly great things take time to develop and you need to be willing to give that time.  We're unpacking the world of commercial real estate, different types of investors, why it is important to maintain your properties if real estate investment is on your horizon.  This episode is chock full of useful real estate tips and strategies so please enjoy this chat with Sam Akif!

"Sometimes people don't want to hear the truth because they don't want their illusions destroyed." - Friedrich NietzscheDr. David Yerkes, managing partner with Lion Oakes Healthcare Consulting, is back on the program and today we are talking about stress.  Dr. David and Jay discuss stress management in depth and how people tend to deal with that stress.  Some people avoid stressful situations altogether if they can, some people avoid the stress of bad news by not seeking help, and others know to de-program for a while and recharge.  Dr. Dave talks about his own physical manifestation of stress while in residency and we even dip our toes into the stress that come to employees when a culture in a company is off balance.  If you are feeling stressed and not sure quite how to handle it, Dr. David Yerkes has got you covered.