Shift Happens: Recent Episodes
Joe Mechlinski
Joe Mechlinski and the most prolific icons and influencers talk productivity, politics, climate change, work-life balance, being mortal and everything in between. Hosted by Joe Mechlinski, New York Times bestselling author and CEO of SHIFT, the only organization daring to transform what happens between 9:00 to 5:00.
Todd Marks, CEO and Founder of Mindgrub Technologies recognizes that we are now in the era of modern business. Now, more than ever, it’s important for leaders to build and/or implement digital systems that contribute to a sustainable and agile organization. Todd understands that being digitally fit isn’t the reality for most organizations and a lack of digital tools during this pandemic has actually exacerbated the digital divide for businesses, schools, and even individuals. But, there is a clear path forward to establishing a strong digital model for your business.
Ieasha Taitano, Head of Innovation and Jay Smith, Chief Innovation Officer of Tracfone Wireless attribute much of their business success to their team innovation sector. As a company of 12,000 employees, they’ve created a dynamic and cooperative organization united around one vision and mission (not an easy task). So, despite the current disruption from COVID-19, they’re leveraging this as a moment to evaporate what’s not contributing towards growth and implement new programs to move their organization forward.And encouraging all leaders to do the same
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with 2020 Baltimore Mayoral candidate Mary Miller, who is looking to bring about the positive change residents seek, while ensuring it’s seamlessly executed, carefully measured, and designed to factor in genuine human connection. Mary is the former Obama Administration Official and a woman eager to transform Baltimore’s prominent struggles with inequality. In this episode, she shares how the Coronavirus crisis has provided the opportunity to think more boldly, break through the “glass ceiling,” and solve pressing world problems. During our conversation, we explore ways in which Baltimore is underperforming, and Mary shares her inspiring plans to grow the local economy, better position businesses for success, and engage city residents.
Oren Harris, a pioneer in human consciousness and potential, and one of the world’s leading experts on flow states, describes tactics you can implement during today’s chaos to unlock your infinite potential and create a profound impact through the full expression of your innate gifts. His easy tips will allow you to have your most organized and productive week, month, and even year.
Arjuna Ardah, writer, public speaker, and executive coach, shares four proven, unique, and essential kinds of practice for people in positions of leadership. When consistently integrated into your daily routine, these will help you experience immediate, sustainable, and lasting results.
David Stein, the former Head of Global Strategy and Innovation at Siemens Healthineers, is no stranger to leading transformation and innovative efforts for various industries. He’s even been coined an “intrapreneur” who helps build future-fit teams, develop people with no barriers, and create sustainable forward-thinking cultures that thrive on innovation.
Dr. Doug Brackman, fear expert, joins me and my good friend Dereck Coburn for an unscripted conversation on how to help people through the shock of COVID-19, and level-set their mind, body, and spirit. He understands that it’s more important than ever for leaders to help their employees process their physical and mental reactions stemming from fear, while remaining hopeful and optimistic for better days ahead.
Dr. Diva Nagula, President of Executive Health and Wellness and CEO of DMV Hydration Therapy was handed a diagnosis that inspired him to cease this type of behavior and integrate modern and functional approaches to medicine to heal. He shares his personal battle with stage 4 non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (now in remission) and how it motivated him to educate and help others capitalize on better physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Jonathan Hutcherson, Founder and CEO of Exclamation Labs, who realized 20 plus years into leading his company that it was time to step back and allow other people to run his business units. He shares how micromanaging all departments was a faulty approach that was obstructing individual, team, and company innovation. His solution was to create an internal rebellion─an orchestrated uprising─by removing himself from operating the company he had carefully built, creating space for others to rise, and spending his time working “on” the business, rather than “in” it.
Derek Viveiros, founder of Uomo D'oro, a hand-crafted luxury Iitalian sneaker company, is crafting more than just shoes. He’s building an empire that inspires the champion inside every man. There are many young men who live their lives without proper role models, and in this episode, Derek shares how he is striving to suppress that gap one step at a time
David Houle, one of the foremost futurist speakers in the world, shares exactly why in this week’s episode of Shift Happens. As an expert on future, David’s delivered more than 1,000 speeches on six continents, published eight books, and devoted his adult life to researching humanity, our impact on the world, and the influence of modern technology. He recognizes that we’ve exited the Information Age and entered the Shift Age━a period marked by its promise to disrupt all former thought and action and force us to face and resolve our self-created havoc.
Jeff Cherry, CEO of SHIFT Ventures and CEO and Founder of Conscious Venture Lab, cares and believes in all cities, communities and leaders who are using business as a conduit for societal good. He has transformed hundreds of startups through CVLab's 16 week immersive accelerator program and prepared them to generate interest and revenue when competing on a local, national and even global scale.
Dmitry Buterin, Serial Tech Entrepreneur, founder of 3 multi million dollar businesses, and I had the chance to meet at Jayson Gaignard’s Mastermind Talks a few years ago and I was intrigued by his thoughts and expertise on AI, Blockchain, and overall perspective of managing life as a busy entrepreneur.
Lola Manekin, founder of Movement Lab and creator of the Heroine’s Journey transported herself from her home country in Brazil and moved to America to fulfill her calling and embrace her truth. At a very young age Lola embraced her her rebellious nature to always challenge the status quo, and commit to being a continuous learner, asking questions to better herself and the world.
Cameron Herold, Founder of COO Alliance (the only membership group in the world that focuses on COO’s and second in command) and expert in building relationships amongst leadership to create a strong business culture where employees thrive. As a bestselling author and host of Second In Command Podcast, he is known around the world as THE CEO Whisperer.
Aaron Velkey and Josh Massey, CEO and COO (respectively) of Ortus Academy - a financial intelligence education company focus on the emotional and behavioral side of money. Their financial literacy training has empowered over 1200 students to think about their earning, spending, investing and budgeting based on their personality type and self-awareness exercises. They are on a mission to make financial intelligence not just a common vocational standard, but a direct line to employment and financial opportunity.
Chris Kresser, M.S., L.Ac. is the founder of the ADAPT Framework & Training Program━a collaborative model of care and fully integrated training for practitioners━based on his expertise in functional medicine. He is the creator of the ADAPT Practitioner and Health Coach Training Programs. He is one of the most respected clinicians and educators in the fields of Functional Medicine and ancestral health and has trained over 1,300 health professionals around the world in his unique approach.
Dr. Sara Johnson, Co-president and CEO of Pro-Change Behavior Systems, helps individuals and teams maximize health, well-being, and performance with the use of behavioral change science and innovative technologies. Her partnership with clients results in long-term and lasting positive change... even if it means being uncomfortable for a little while.
Shelly Blake, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Yet Analytics, begins this episode with a frightening story on Slaughter Bots from the video, Future of Life. He showcases what AI could do to our society if used improperly. Although the story of these drones is hypothetical, it showcases how technology can be misused if placed in the wrong hands. Shelly showcases all aspects of AI (good and bad) and how as humans, it’s our job to identify the link between human and technology interaction.
Robert Hanegraaff, Global Sales Director, Digital Advisory Services at Microsoft, is transforming the way organizations think about technological and brand integration. In this episode, Robert shares how companies like Snaphcat and Uber capitalized on technology to support their business models, optimize efficiency, and improve product effectiveness.
Jeremy Epstein, CEO of Never Stop Marketing and blockchain expert, is on a mission to help companies better understand the integration of AI systems to drive smart business decisions. In this episode, Jeremy explores our digital footprints, facial recognition, and the prevalence of AI and its ability to mimic human thought to complete tasks better, faster, and cheaper.
Trey Downes is a blue collar, hard worker turned entrepreneur. Founder of, Your Superior Self Podcast, he’s creating art through audio and connecting with people and influencers who inspire him as a means to inspire others. Through thought-provoking interviews, Trey learns what motivates leaders and artists in various industries and shares their stories with his listeners. As an innate introvert, hosting a podcast and interviewing his idols hasn’t come naturally; but, Trey shares how pushing his limits has taught him many lessons and has been both humbling and empowering. He has now launched 64 episodes with some prolific guests like, JJ Virgin, John Gordon, Jerrick Robins, and Chris Schafer.
Mack McGee talks about how he has transformed companies from startups to million-dollar businesses and taken budding ideas through to fruition, despite doubt and resistance. He also opens up about his passions outside of work and how charity work has actually given him a professional edge. His volunteer work with organizations he’s passionate about (tune in to find out his top two) have enabled him to learn how different audiences are receptive to brand positioning and help other organizations move their mission forward.
Todd Herman, Best Selling Author of The Alter Ego Effect is not here to fix you, but here to subtract the things in your life that are holding you back. Todd has dedicated 16,000 hours with people learning what it’s going to take to release their ‘old self’ and welcome their ‘new self’ to build a impenetrable mindset. He has worked with olympic athletes, public figures, and entertainers, and business leaders to help them achieve their highest goals by building up their confidence, embracing vulnerability, and becoming more resilient.
Ron Klabunde, CEO and founder of Generosity Feeds– a National For-Purpose organization is igniting a movement of generosity across the country and encouraging leaders and organizations to be an ongoing force for good. Ron’s taking corporate social responsibility to an entirely new level by mobilizing businesses, schools, and nonprofits to help address the current and prolonged hunger epidemic in America by providing organic, healthy, and pre-packaged meals to children and families living in poverty.
Steven Kotler, best selling author shares his years of research on the human brain and the inspiration behind his first fiction book, Last Tango in Cyberspace. We are amongst a biodiversity crisis where our 36 largest ecosystems including; food production, pollution control, disease management, and climate change are all on the verge of dying off. Steven shares that many humans are blind to these issues and reveals the harsh reality that without these ecosystems, the human species as we know it will be non-existent.
Brock Yetso, President and CEO of Ulman House has made it his life’s mission to help young adults and their families throughout their cancer journey and beyond, ensuring that they don’t have to fight one of the hardest battles alone. Brock has created a movement that is helping to solve one of the worlds largest problems, while raising awareness of rising cancer rates among young adults. Ulman House’s impact has spread across all 50 states, helping over 8,000 patients and their families, and engages approximately 150 college volunteers in over 100 schools across the country on a yearly basis.
Sahand Dilmaghani, Founder and CEO of Terra Kaffe, is disrupting the coffee industry by providing an at-home speciality cup of coffee that isn’t packed in a plastic pod. After spending a year and a half in Europe developing his company and witnessing the categorical shifts in the the coffee consumption industry, Sahand developed an alternative and healthier cup of coffee. In this episode, Sahand unlocks the emotional experience people associate with sipping coffee and how Terra Kaffe’s is fulfilling the desire to have a fresh, convenient cup of speciality coffee anytime. As one of the only products of their kind on the market
David Abitol, a Web Designer and Digital Strategist based in Jerusalem, Israel, shares how a Twitter feud based on this very premise led to an improbable friendship with a member of the Westboro Baptist Church. In this very personal interview, David illustrates how an openness to others beliefs and the willingness to challenge others to consider a different point-of-view can lead us down unexpected paths and even towards mutual respect. In this uniquely controversial episode of Shift Happens, David shares how he interacts with people online whose beliefs fall on the opposite side of the spectrum, and how he uses facts to help transform their hate speech into something far more productive, and unlock social justice.
Aaron Hinde, President and Co-founder of Lifeaid Beverage is obsessed with producing high quality lifestyle drinks to replace the high sugar, high caffeine and artificially laden energy and “sports” drinks, LIFEAID garnered tremendous traction with CrossFitters and Spartan Racers concerned about clean recovery. Today, the entire LIFEAID line continues to gain significant traction in conventional channels such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Safeway, Kroger, HEB, Vitamin Shoppe and GNC among many others.
Emily Fletcher, founder of Ziva Meditation, former broadway dancer, and Author of Stress Less, Accomplish More shares her journey to find meditation as a daily practice to reignite her health and happiness. Emily identifies her ability to transform into a different state of consciousness as her superpower that she has shared with over 15,000 people including━Oscar, Grammy, Tony, Emmy, and NBA players. Tune in to discover tips to unlock your true happiness, importance of waking your internal pharmacy, and an inspirational perspective on failure, health, and your true potential.
Cassie Whitlock, Director of Human Resources at Bamboo HR says that she strives to humanize human resources and create an environment within companies that builds a culture of care━focused around their people. Cassie helps organizations recognize that Human Resources is an uphill climb in any industry, where people have to work each day to perfect and alter their processes in order to achieve business growth, keep up with ever-changing trends, and create a people-focused culture. In this episode Cassie reveals how an organization’s vision, mission, and values are key components in helping create a high-functioning team that produces results.
Philip McKernan, inspirational speaker, coach, and writer says pain stems from everyone looking for validation and positivity from others, but in reality, your validation and truth are already within you. In his latest book, One Last Talk, Philip asks the thought-provoking question, “if you only had one thing left to say in your lifetime, what would you say?” He recognizes that everyone suffers from a lack of self-worth to a certain extent, but strives to push people to discover their truth and speak it out loud to the world.
Andrew Yang, 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidate visited our studio again. This time he Skyped LIVE with our Shift Society group to discuss innovative topics like automation, AI, blockchain, and the future of our workforce. Andrew shared with our 30 entrepreneurs the impact of digital transformation and how it is revolutionizing all of our industries.
This episode was recorded with a live audience. Audio quality may be impacted throughout this episode
Tom Dutta author of bestselling book, The Way of The Quiet Warrior shares his solutions on how to think about life from a different perspective. In this episode Tom reveals how he overcame his personal childhood trauma and transformed those hardships into strengths to propel him toward success in his professional career and beyond. Tune in to hear how he prepares himself for all of life's positive and negative transitions, and how to not let past experiences be the definition of your future.
Michel Falcon, entrepreneur, keynote speaker and author says he is emotionless when it comes to money, what he truly cares about are how he makes his people feel. In this episode of Shift Happens, Michel realizes this and has given his all into his career, putting him on the fast-track to successfully growing organization's employee base from single digits to hundreds!
Todd White, CEO and Founder of Dry Farm Wines, explains that they are the only health-focused, natural wine club in the world that focuses on low alcohol and sugar free wines. In this episode, Todd reveals the truth behind alcohol and the secrets behind the industry, his experience and growth in business, and how companies should create products that provide benefits to the world.
Interested in trying out a bottle of your own? Visit www.dryfarmwines.com/shift
David Hassel, Founder and CEO of 15Five is an expert in employee engagement and culture management. His company is creating a wave of new leadership and management that focuses on people first. Their strategy and tool, 15Five, helps shift the mindset and perspective of how people do business and think about their work. In this episode David will reveal his journey as a entrepreneur and how he and his team are striving to reach their goal of positively impacting the way the world views work and unlocking employees full potential.
Jamie McDonald, Founder of Generosity Inc. and The Courage.US is not a stranger to driving large scale change. She has a vision to transform the social sector and help people, organizations, and leaders think about giving back and providing support to other people, groups, and organizations from a different perspective. In this episode Jamie will discuss how to build and establish a movement, give back within your community, and the next generation of philanthropy.
Craig Handley, CEO and founder of ListenTrust recognizes that society and business culture is changing. He looks at his business model and high performing employees from an entirely different perspective, where the main focus is helping his employees pursue their dreams and finding what makes their heart beat faster. Check out his latest and bestselling book, Hired to Quit.
Amy Dufrane, HR extraordinaire discusses her journey throughout Human Resources and its evolution amongst prominent social movements and events. As CEO of Human Resource Institute, Amy digs deep into the importance of establishing a strong HR department to propel your company forward, achieve long term success, and instill strong values within your organization.
BONUS: Within this episode, Joe and Amy share a BIG announcement with listeners that will help organizations and HR come to fruition! Tune in to hear our big surprise!
Richard Saul Wurman, founder of TED, discusses the one constant in the universe: change.
Jack and Suzy Welch make an appearance on the podcast to talk about performing work that matters to us and matters to the world.
Dave Asprey, entrepreneur, businessman, and founder of Bulletproof Coffee Dave knows about the importance of energy production and energy distribution in order to be our best selves.
Chris Wilson is an author, a businessman, an artist, and a world traveler. He's making the best of everyday he has because he knows the value of every 24 hours he gets. Listen to this episode to learn how being sentenced to life in prison lead to a brand new life plan.
Nicole Casanova has been in the tech game longer than Google. If there's one thing she's learned it's that money alone won't get you were you need to go. Check out this episode to learn how to find the right venture partner and structure for you.
Dr. Stephanie Estima knows we use our brains all day and that we have to take care of our entire being if we're going to properly fuel it. Through fasting and a clean ketogenic diet Dr. Estima can help you fight the battle against inflammation, the number one cause of disease.
Greg Cangialosi takes you step by step through his entrepreneurial journey from working to a volunteer EMT to breaking news about this year's Betamore event BETA CITY on Oct. 4th!
Andre Robinson is a man in search of equality. He's a man with a vision of offices, and restaurants, and parks full of a diverse cross section of people. He's a man that know's Baltimore is a city on the verge of truly being the greatest city in America, and it's diversity is what's going to make that happen.
Jay Steinmetz is the CEO of Barcoding Inc and he wants our politicians to have a better understanding of what it takes to run a business.
Benjamin Hardy won't tell you that change comes from within. In fact, he'll tell you that if you want to change your inside you often need to start by changing your environment. Check out this episode to learn more about why willpower doesn't work.
Jim Sheils let's it be known if all you're doing is winning in the board room then you're not really all-in on life. Winning at home with your family is even more important. Think about it, you only really have 18 summers with your children from the time they’re born. Check out this episode to learn how you can use Jim's rhythms to make the most of your time with your family.
Marissa Levin grew up with a dad that spent 40 years as a NASA rocket scientist; it's hard to not feel like an underachiever. However, Marissa is anything but. Long ago she learned to never let anyone dictate her value, so when a boss told her she'd never be worth more than $34,000 a year, she quit and stared her own business. If you're looking to learn how to bring the best out of your self and your people this is the episode for you.
Freeway Rick Ross schools us on the number one lesson you learn when sentenced to life in prison? Former drug kingpin, now activist and speaker, Freeway Rick Ross visited our last SHIFT Society session at Open Works providing our group with an enlightening and eye-opening discussion on overcoming challenges, being resilient, and having the drive to always find the better you.
"You should never depend on someone to do something for you that you can do for yourself." - Rick Ross
Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang knows we're facing the biggest economical and technological shift in human history. Billions of dollars might be saved, but what's the cost going to be in human misery? Andrew believes he's the man to usher in this new American era. He's also the only candidate offering you a $1,000 dollars a month.
Alan Stein Jr. knows Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Steph Curry all have one major thing in common. If you're thinking talent, you're only half right. If you're looking to bring the same caliber of excellence to your work day these superstars bring to the court, this is the episode for you.
Jeremy Epstein knows the future is here, it's just unevenly distributed. Listen to as he gives not only his predictions but real world use cases of why block chain and crypto are the future. As for your privacy concerns, Jeremy addresses those too.
John Ruhlin knows the number one mistake people make when giving a business gift? What about the gift giving mistake which is actually doing more damage than good? If you're trying to deliver extra value to your clients through gift giving don't send out another present until you listen to John Ruhlin of Giftology.
Dr. Steve Young knows willpower is finite but love is abundant. That is why he's spreading the word on how to love your way to 150. Do you have eat healthy all the time? Actually, what does eating healthy even mean? Is happiness really better for your health than skipping that cupcake?
Brett Hagler, founder and CEO of New Story, knows impact is more important than dollars. Almost ten years after the earthquake in Haiti, babies are still been born in emergency tents. The number one objection donors give when asked to help, they don’t know where their money’s going.
Brett is changing that. Where his life used to be based on the 3 G’s (Girls, Gold, and Glory) a trip to Haiti taught him that the world was about a lot more.
However, helping one person at a time was not going to be enough for this socially minded entrepreneur. In this episode we learn all about how social impact at scale can only be achieved through innovation. Brett and New Story are leading the way here by using using 3D printing technology to bring homes to those in need in a number of developing nations.
Michael Rosenbaum has not one company, but two, introducing employers to a better way. Resumes are a poor predictor of an employees potential for longevity or success. Catalyte and Arena both use artificial intelligence to identify the best of the best, regardless of background in the tech and health care service spaces respectively.
Garrett Gunderson gets personal finance is just different when you’re an entrepreneur.
So is being a partner, a parent, a friend, a sibling, a daughter, a son… you get the point.
As a New York Times bestselling author and the CEO and Founder of Wealth Factory, Garrett has built his mission around empowering entrepreneurs to build their financial legacy. But let me backup, because this episode kicks off a little differently…
Instead of jumping right into business, Garrett shares the family feud that triggered his ah-ha moment about financial wealth.
Michael McDevitt has walked the entrepreneurial path more than a few times. While he's found success each time, he has rarely used the same methods twice. From his early days as a 23 year old wonder kid, where he'd throw every-hour he could at his business, to his current role as founder and CEO of Terra's Kitchen, he's had to take along what worked from each experience and build on it. Listen to find out how these days meditation has given him the winning edge he needs when putting in the most hours is no longer an option.
Mario Armstrong, Emmy Award Winner, lays it down like this, "You know you've hit the roughest part when it's the easiest time to quit." An insight that has served him well as he's gone from trials to triumph, turning struggle into strength. To learn more about his award winning show check out https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMarioArmstrong/
Gillian Mandich knows happiness is a science. She's actually well on her way to getting her PhD in Happiness. Yes, it’s real and it’s no laughing matter. In fact, happiness deeply effects your health. If you’re trying to lose weight, or lower cholesterol, actually going out and taking the steps to enjoy yourself might be better than even hitting the gym. And think happiness and sadness are on the same spectrum and mutually exclusive? Guess again.
Giovanni Marsico doesn't want to just help entrepreneurs he wants to change the world. He doesn't put on events, he holds entertainment spectacles. This comic book fan always wanted to lead a team of super heroes, and that's what he's doing this day. However, he didn't gain his powers via an origin story, but a long complicated tale.
Sebastian Africano, over the last twenty years Sebastian hasn't just traveled the world he's actually helped the world. As Executive Director of Trees, Water, and People Sebastian works with marginalized communities in 15 countries, improving rural livelihoods. Has he ever run into trouble in these under privileged areas? You bet. But he's picked up some tips on getting himself out of jams along the way. Here's a hint, pick the biggest toughest guy you see, and gift him your sunglasses.
Yanik Silver, spiritual muse and international man of adventure drops in for some real talk. From zero gravity experiences to flying MIGs in Russia Yanik is checking items off his bucket list faster than most of us can ever hope to catch up to. That being said, what he considers the next adventure, will probably shock you.
Matt Kazam has been studying comedy since before he was born. His dad would blast him with classic laugh filled routines right in womb. Though, that didn't mean his father was going to give him a free pass in life. To get his parent's blessing, and to keep up with his two lawyer brothers and his doctor sister, Matt had to learn the science behind his life's calling. So, what's the secret to comedy? Turns out the answer has more to do with empathy than you might think.
For Akhtar Badshah, M.I.T. was never part of the plan. He applied, figuring what did he have to lose. As he describe's it, he won the lottery, he met his wife, and he went on to live in Seattle. That's where he joined forces with Microsoft as the Senior Director of Microsoft Citizenship and Public Affairs. Now he serves as the founder and Chief Catalyst for the the Catalytic Innovators Group, a new consulting practice focused on accelerating social impact through catalytic innovation.
Joey Coleman, the Lawyer, the Salesman, the Teacher, and the Spy, discusses his new book "Never Lose A Customer Again", along with how working in the CIA has helped him be a better dad. Will he ever run for office? The answer might surprise you.
Jenny Thompson, marketing extraordinaire, and founder of SafetyPIN Technologies, discuses her journey from suspended high school student, to court bailiff, to a woman who can get a yes when she's not even in the room. www.getasafetypin.com
Tucker Max, #1 New York Times bestselling author, discusses the persona he created, putting aside his ego to serve his business and show his children unconditional love.
Derek Coburn, wealth management advisor, Cadre Founder, and long-time friend of Joe, talks about life as a disagreeable giver, being married to his business partner and evolving his views on equality in a changing world.
Dan Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author, discusses the writing process that led to his new book, When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing.