Today's conversation is with Billionaire businessman David Rubenstein. David started his career as a lawyer before working at the White House under President Jimmy Carter. He now spends his time hosting two shows on Television, "The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer Conversations" on Bloomberg TV and History with David Rubenstein on PBS. He is also focused on philanthropic endeavors with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Gallery of Art, the Council on Foreign Relations, and The Economic Club of Washington, D.C.In his recently released book 'The American Experiment: Dialogues On A Dream,' David Rubenstein explores the American Experiment into democracy, culture, innovation, and ideas through conversations with those impacting our country in various ways. As I sat down with David, we discussed various topics from this book and his life. Ultimately this leads to one question, 'Is the American Experiment and Dream dead?'Early in our conversation David recalls telling Jeff Bezos that Amazon wasn't going anywhere and didn't have a big future. As we continue the discussion we chat about the January 6th insurrection, Diversity, the medium and craft of interviews/conversations, Ken Burns and his insights into history, what it takes to have longevity in what you do, Wynton Marsalis and his views on Jazz and the American Story, Faith in America, and much more. Later in the interview, we look at David's success in the world of business. He gives us a look into what it took to build the Carlyle Group, what the life of a billionaire is actually like, and why philanthropy is so important to him.Join us as we explore the importance of The American Experiment and it's future.LinksWebsite: https://www.davidrubenstein.comThe American Experiment Book: https://amzn.to/3JlwezT

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The American Experiment with David Rubenstein

The last few years have been rough for everyone, but it especially hit the world of Broadway hard. After touring the world with the hit musical 'Hamilton' today's guest Fergie Philippe was set to start staring on the On-Broadway production of the show. As he moved from the touring version of Hamilton and started to perform as Hercules Mulligan and James Madison on the Broadway production the pandemic hit and the show was shut down.But the shutdown didn't slow down Fergie. He got the creative juices going and came up with another hit idea. A podcast about The Muppets. He pitched the idea to 'The Broadway Podcast Network.' They loved the concept of creating a show all about The Muppets to correspond to the release on Disney +. 'It's Time to Meet the Muppets' is an in-depth look into each episode of this beloved franchise.Now that Broadway is reopened, Fergie is back performing on the stage. In today's conversation, Fergie shares his very unique journey from Miami, Florida to the stages of Broadway. We also discuss Jim Henson's Muppets, how he fell in love with them, why the Muppets connect with generations of people, and why 'The Broadway Podcast Network' would want a show not about Broadway on their platform.Later in the episode, we dive deeper into the future of Broadway, race and diversity, and how Broadway is reenvisioning the type of shows they create.LinksIt's Time to Meet the Muppets: https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/podcast/its-time-to-meet-the-muppets/The Broadway Podcast Network: https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.comFergie's Website: https://www.fergiephilippe.comPodcast Magazine Article: https://podcastmagazine.com/its-time-to-meet-the-muppetsHamilton Website: http://www.broadway.com/shows/hamilton-broadway/

The Road to Broadway with Fergie Philippe of Hamilton

Very few people reach the pinnacle of their dreams only to walk away from it. Tom Bancroft reached the top of the animation world by becoming one of the top animators and character designers. He worked on projects including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, Mulan, and Brother Bear. But he is best know for creating the character Mushu for Milan and for animating Young Simba for The Lion King.After thirteen years at Disney and working on approximately nine features, Tom left Disney to pursue another adventure working at Big Idea Productions as a Supervising Director/Co-creator. Most recently Tom has been Artist in Residence at Lipscomb University in Nashville Tennessee. Tom's most recent adventure is launching a brand new animation studio, PENCILISH ANIMATION STUDIOS using crowd investing where everyday people can be an owner in the new studio. In today's episode, we discuss how you can own an Animation Studio and be a part of Pencilish, his time at Disney and Big Idea, Disney's second golden age of animation, teaching animation, crowd investing, faith in media, and much more.Pencilish Animation Studio: https://www.pencilish.comInvest at WeFunder: https://wefunder.com/pencilishThe Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bancroft-brothers-animation-podcast/id911802874

Animating at Disney with Tom Bancroft

Ask any American about our health system and they will tell you the same thing. 'It's broken.' The system seems to be rigged against the consumer only to benefit the insurance companies and health care systems.Steve Neeleman has spent years working in this system as a doctor and seen how the system treats people. But his story is much more personal on how the health care system even failed him. In today's episode, Dr. Neeleman gives us a look into how his company 'Health Equity' is helping individuals, families, and businesses to truly invest into their health through HSA, FSA, HRA programs. These programs help every day people to invest into their long term health.Beyond talking about health, we also discuss his family and their entrepreneurial endeavors, building startups, how personal experience sparks ideas, the impacts of health and finance, and much more.Linkshttps://healthequity.comAbout SteveStephen Neeleman is the CEO and founder of HealthEquity (www.healthequity.com), a personal healthcare financial service and health savings account company based in Draper, UT. Dr. Neeleman founded HealthEquity to repair the fractured relationship between patients and their physicians and to help more people obtain quality health insurance by re-introducing consumerism into healthcare.As a board-certified physician, Dr. Neeleman brings to HealthEquity passion and firsthand knowledge for the practice of medicine.Prior to his medical training, Dr. Neeleman worked as general manager for Morris Air (later acquired by Southwest Airlines), in Utah.Dr. Neeleman combined efficiency, technology and excellent customer service to succeed in a rocky industry. This innovative business model allowed Morris Air to rise above financially struggling competitors. Dr. Neeleman's goal is to use this model to help save another struggling industry: American healthcare.In addition to his duties as CEO of HealthEquity, Dr. Neeleman is currently a practicing general and trauma surgeon for Intermountain Healthcare at American Fork Hospital and Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Utah. Dr. Neeleman was appointed by Governor Gary Herbert to serve as a board member of HIP Utah, Utah’s high-risk insurance pool. He also serves on the Council for Affordable Health Insurance HSA Working Group and on America’s Health Insurance Plans’ HSA Leadership Council. Dr. Neeleman is a former assistant professor of surgery at the University of Arizona and the co-author of The Complete HSA Guidebook—How to make health savings accounts work for you!Dr. Neeleman completed his undergraduate degree and played football at Utah State University. He attended medical school at the University of Utah and completed his surgical training at the University of Arizona.

Investing in Your Health with Steve Neeleman

Routines may seem boring or outdated. In today's age we love spontaneity, going with the flow, and changing things up. But what if this kind of lifestyle is actually killing our productivity, shortening our lives, and steeling the possibility of success in both the work place and in life?After years of studying Routine, Dr. Angel Iscovich set out to learn how these healthy patterns of life can unlock the the potential in our lives and help us find the longevity, happiness, and make us more productive.In his new book 'Routineology: 'The Art of Routine,' Dr. I shares the lessons he has learned and how we can live a more fulfilled life through creating healthy routines. Throughout the episode we talk about the power of routine, survival and success, time bubbles, how Covid has impacted our daily patterns, finding out the places that your life is disrupted, and much more.Dr. Angel Iscovich, “Dr. I” was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina to survivors from World War II. Growing up in the shadow of this devastating conflict, he and his family struggled financially with little to call their own. As a young immigrant to the United States, a world of opportunity led him to explore Philosophy and Medicine. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Puget Sound brought him to the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, and post graduate training in Psychiatry, and his interest in Human Behavior; most notably the focus Emergency Medicine. He served as a part-time teacher and mentor as Associate Clinical Professor at USC Keck School of Medicine over a period of ten years at Los Angeles County Medical Center. Interest in leadership, organizational development, and strategy was exercised in the corporate health care sector over many years, as well as in philanthropy, serving most recently as the Chair of Direct Relief, the top-rated charity in the United States. This broad experience affords Dr. I with a unique view into human behavior, aiding in his continual search for meaning and purpose in our lives.LinksBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510764550/Website: https://www.angeliscovich.com/

The Art of Routine with Dr. Angel Iscovich

Acting is an art that is learned through experience and good teachers. The art of acting is a representation of humanity. Often those outside 'Hollywood' and the stage overlook the complexity of what makes a great actor. That's where Michelle Danner comes in. She is one of the leading acting coaches helping the 'A-list' of actors from the stage to the TV Shows and Movies we watch. As a teacher, she co-founded the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory and the Edgar Center for the Arts. Her students have included Christian Slater, Salma Hayek, Gerard Butler, Seth MacFarlane, Gabrielle Union, Zooey Deschanel, James Franco, and Chris Martin.Beyond teaching the next generation of leading actors, Michelle is also creating and directing her own movies. She can often be found at leading film festivals around the world. Her new film 'The Runner' premiered at the Conquest Film Festival in March. What makes this movie special is while it was filmed prior to Covid, all the editing and final production were finished after the lockdowns of the pandemics.In today's show we talk about what it was like growing up in the world of European Cinema, teaching actors, creating and directing movies, The Golden Box of Acting, the world of film festivals, and some personal stories of working with the leading actors and actresses in the world.Michelle's LinksWebsite: https://www.michelledanner.comThe Runner: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5886520/

Teaching the Art of Acting with Michelle Danner

Poetry seems to be a lost art. For many it's a side passion, hobby, or something they simply like to read in their spare time. The age of Walt Whitman, John Keats, Robert Frost, William Blake, Langston Hughes, E.E. Cummings have all come to their end. Even the great Maya Angelou has passed away leaving us wonder if the life of a professional poet is possible in our current age. How would one even be able to build a career as a poet today?Fortunately a new generation of poets are rising up to use written and spoken word to communicate powerful messages and reconnect us with humanity and the world around us. One of those poets is IN-Q. IN-Q is a National Poetry Slam champion, award-winning poet, and multi-platinum songwriter. His groundbreaking achievements include being named to Oprah's SuperSoul 100 list of the world's most influential thought leaders, being the first spoken word artist to perform with Cirque Du Soleil, and being featured on A&E, ESPN, and HBO's Def Poetry Jam. He's inspired audiences around the world through his live performances and storytelling workshops. Many of his recent poetry videos have gone viral with over 70 million views combined. In today's conversation IN-Q joins us to share his insights into the life of a modern poet, how he became a poet, using the language of poetry to communicate powerful messages, the importance of the muse, and how to craft a story.IN-Q’s LinksWebsite: https://in-q.comBook: https://amzn.to/2UCCwXCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/inqlife/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/INQonline

Making a Career out of Poetry with IN-Q

Innovative tech often defined by either the hardware or the software. In the last few years it seems like the big names in tech are being driven by the software they develop often looking like SaaS. While software and apps can be trendy its typically the changes in hardware partnered with software that brings systemic changes in our lives.Now a lot of that tech is experienced in our daily lives without truly knowing how it works or all the pieces that bring it together. Today's guest Todd Eckler is the Chief Revenue Officer of Piezo Motion. Their pumps and engines are impacting a wide range of sectors including robotics, avionics and aeronautics, med-tech, smart homes, drones, and beyond. Not only is Piezo Motion creating incredible tech, they are partnering with world changing organizations to implement these piezo technologies in precise tools.Throughout the conversation we discuss the research and development process, what piezo technology does and where it is found, identifying and building the right opportunities, how strategic partnerships are significant for your business growth, why precision matters, and much more.If you think this technology is only impacting high tech, you would be surprised to learn that it impacts your own life. Piezo technology can be found in your grill, acoustic guitar pickups, and much more. So join us as we dive deep into an overlooked and often unknown world of tech hardware.LinksPiezo Motion Website: https://piezomotion.com

Creating Innovative Technologies with Todd Eckler

'Innovation Happens at the Edges.' This is a quote that I often reference from today's guest, Jeff DeGraff. Jeff has spent his life exploring, teaching, and sparking creativity and innovation in the lives of those around him. As a teacher at Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan he has helped students understand the practical tools to that unlock that innovation and creativity in their careers. As the co-founder of Innovatriums he helps startups and leading global corporations apply those principles in their product and service development.His new book 'The Creative Mindset: Mastering the Six Skills that Empower Innovation' is quickly becoming a practical handbook and guide to bring those principles from the Ross School of Business and Innovatriums to creators around the world. In the book, Jeff and his business partner / wife Staney take the reader through six skills to move them from the theory of innovation and creativity to the application of these skills in their own daily lives and businesses. This new creator class is redefining the future through positive deviant ideas. Throughtout the interview we learn about the 'CREATE' skills from the book: concentrate, replicate, elaborate, associate, translate, evaluate.Beyond exploring the concepts from the book in today's conversation we also take a look at the differences between Innovation and Creativity, how to find 'Ideas that catch you', Why putting the 'New' into the 'Old' will always fail, finding your stream of consciousness..better known as flow, tools to game the system, and why we need to rethink what we are teaching the next generation of creators.My favorite quote from the conversation: 'What if the key to creativity in your life isn't about starting something new? What if it's stopping something old?'Helpful LinksJeff's Website: https://jeffdegraff.comThe Book: https://amzn.to/2TLVBpXJeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/degraffjeff/Episode 12 of jumbleThink with Jeff: https://www.jumblethink.com/podcast/episodes/2017/3/3/ep-12-jeff-degraff

The Deviance of Ideas with Jeff DeGraff

There are many things that young kids dream of growing up to be. One of the dreams of countless kids is to grow up and be a professional basketball player. I know for me, there were few things I liked to do more than shoot hoops in the basketball court behind our house. For many kids born in the 70s and 80s they spent their time watching their favorite teams and players compete in aggressive games. Maybe it was Magic Johnson and the L.A. Lakers. It could have been Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics. As the 90s hit there seemed to be a new powerhouse emerge with Michael Jordan in the Chicago Bulls. I feel fortunate to have grown up with those memories of a time before the internet and the excitement to watch the next great matchup live on TV.There were many big players on the Bulls. Many people quickly think of Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen. But the 'big guy' on the team was center Bill Cartwright. His career in the NBA started with the New York Knicks but what he is known for is his time with the Bulls and his coaching. Bill won 3 NBA Championships with the Bulls as a player and 2 more as a coach.In today's episode we talk about what it was like to play in the NBA, to play on the NBA Champion Chicago Bulls, playing with Michael Jordan, the difference between playing and coaching, what it takes to be an elite athlete, the power to team, and life beyond the game.

Playing, Winning, and Coaching in the NBA with Bill Cartwright

Over the last few years the reputation of Journalists and Media Outlets has taken a real hit. The question of agenda, integrity, and honesty has come to the forefront as the daily news is covered. So what does it take to be a rock solid journalist in a modern on demand world?Host Michael Woodward sat down with 'To Catch A Predator' creator and host Chris Hansen to hear his story into journalism and why he continues to be passionate about telling the true story in a compelling way. While Chris is best known for his work on 'To Catch a Predator,' the show only highlights a small portion of his career. He has covered breaking stories including the 9/11 Attacks, Columbine High School Massacre, the Oklahoma City Bombing, the Unabomber, and much more.Not only do we talk about his impressive career, but Chris gives us a look into new stories he is telling through Discovery+, his YouTube Channel, and his new podcast 'Predictors I've Caught with Chris Hansen.' While the stories and the news changes, Chris's passion for doing the hard work of journalism continues to push him to explore the untold and often hidden stories around us every day. Later in the conversation Chris shares some tips on how podcasts and other content creators can step up their game and become better journalists and storytellers too.Links to Chris's Projects & Social LinksChris's Projects on Discovery+: https://www.discoveryplus.comUnseamly: The Investigation of Peter NygårdOnision: In Real LifePodcast: Predators I've Caught with Chris Hansenhttps://toppodcast.com/podcast_feeds/predators-ive-caught-with-chris-hansen/Chris on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgKTJAN-IrVyX-jIJ5INEhAChris on Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrishansen

The Power of Journalism with Chris Hansen

Everyone has an opinion on why Trump won the election. It had to be race or sexism. It had to be about electing an outsider. I had to do with not wanting a woman president. Racist, Sexist, Misogyny, Bigotry, Bully, Liar are all words that have been used to define Trump and his followers.But emotions and assumptions are not the way you find truth. You much use research, data, interviews, true journalism, and an honest look at not only Tump but also our culture. Cliff Oxford started to question the popular narrative and wanted to discover the truth about the election of Donald Trump. Was it racism, sexism, or something else?His book 'A Redneck Reverie:The Rationale for the Trump Phenomenon' which combines data-driven insights and real life experiences to explain Donald Trump’s election to the White House and the intersection with rural cultures across America. Having lived his life among both country folk and the elite, Cliff has the exact insights needed to not only help explain how we got here, but to provide guidance on the road moving forward.In today's conversation we dive deeper into the discoveries outlined in the book and how over 40 years of changes really led to the election of 2016. Cliff Oxford is founder of CliffCo., an international think tank symposium, and author of A Redneck Reverie: The Rationale for the Trump Phenomenon. A Redneck Reverie is Cliff’s third book. His two previous books, LAMBS (Liberal Arts Majors in Business Society) to Leaders and KNOW GROW EXIT-How Entrepreneurs Start and Finish Fast, continue his unique leadership roles in academia, journalism, and real-world entrepreneurship. Oxford started, built, and sold two national brands: Oxford Center for Entrepreneurs, which sold to Advantage Media and STI Knowledge, an Inc 13 company. Cliff won the Atlanta Entrepreneur of the Year award and landed the highly coveted spot as Visionary and Execution leader in the Gartner Group Magic Quadrant. He has been a featured columnist for The New York Times and Forbes and was named Atlanta’s Entrepreneur of the Year by the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Later this year, Oxford will be awarded the 2020 Men Impact Change Award by Dr. George E. Holmes of the Black Caucus Foundation ALC.LinksThe Book: https://amzn.to/32RRGtcTwitter: https://twitter.com/cliffatcliffcoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliffoxford/

Understanding the Election of Donald Trump with Cliff Oxford

We all have the 'dream' career. The one that seems just a little too impossible to become reality. But what if your ideas could be the foundation for the dream job? What if you could make a living off your ideas? Jeffrey Madoff believes it is possible to turn make a living off your ideas. He recently released a new book 'Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas' to explore that idea. By weaving the stories of successful creatives and lessons in his own life, he helps to teach us how ideas can be the foundation for the life of your dreams.In today's conversation we talk about the power of wonder, creativity, living a fulfilled life, and how you too can create your ideas. Quote: In business, a brand is a story well told. ‘ Jeffrey Madoff.Jeffrey Madoff is the founder of Madoff Productions, based in New York City. Jeff is considered a storyteller and incisive interviewer. He has used those talents to help position major brands such as Ralph Lauren, Victoria’s Secret, Radio City Music Hall, and the Harvard School for Public Health. Jeff began his career as a fashion designer. He was chosen one of the top 10 designers in the U.S. then switched careers to film and video production. He has since expanded his reach to include teaching, book and playwriting, and theatrical producing.He is an adjunct professor at Parsons School for Design, teaching a course he developed called “Creativity: Making a Living with Your Ideas”. Every week Madoff has a conversation with a guest from a wide variety of fields, from artists and entrepreneurs to venture capitalists and business leaders. A book about his class, entitled “Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas”, was published by Hachette.Jeff has been a featured speaker at Wharton School, NYU Steinhardt, North Carolina State, SXSW Brazil, Google Next and many others.He has written and is producing a play based on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend, Lloyd Price. Its world premiere will be at People’s Light Theater.Jeff graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin with degrees in philosophy & psychology. Madoff was also on the wrestling team, which combined with his academic studies prepared him for a life in the film and theater business.LinksMadoff Productions: https://madoffproductions.com/Book: https://amzn.to/3rGliU9

Building Your Dream Ideas with Jeffrey Madoff

Have you ever seen posts about the 'Jet-Setting Lifestyle' and thought to yourself, that looks amazing but I could never do that? Traveling around the world in private jets, staying in the best hotels, freedom at your fingertips. It sounds like luxury and lifestyle only found in your dreams.But more and more business owners, top executives, and families are seeing as more that a luxury, it's about safety. How we travel, where we travel, and how to make that business and vacation travel safe and reliable is at the top of everyone's minds. What once was about is now about safety and convenience.Private aviation is finding a new uptick in a Covid and Post-Covid world. We sat down with Nick Tarascio, the second generation CEO of New York based Ventura Air Services and a license jet pilot to learn how individuals are both using charter services for travel and even taking it a step further and purchasing their own private planes. After seeing a decline in business at the start of Covid, he and the Ventura team are now seeing a rapid growth of private air travel. And while private air travel might not be in everyones reach, it's surprising just how affordable and attainable it can be to take a chartered flight or even make that dream of owing your own plane a reality.For Nick air travel is more than just a lifestyle, being a pilot has taught him how to be a better person. He has taken the lessons he learned and applies what he calls a 'Pilot Mindset' to the aviation, business, and personal world.In today's conversation we talk about travel in the age of Covid, the business of owning a jet (or even a fleet of jets), entrepreneurship, how to have laser focus, and how it's more affordable to own a plane than you could ever imagine.LinksVentura Air Services: https://ventura.aeroFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/venturajet

How You Can Own a Private Jet with Nick Tarascio

We all go through seasons where we question what we believe. Many things can trigger these questions of faith and convictions. Some completely loose their belief structures. Others make a rediscovery into a deeper faith. All who go through this journey struggle with the pain, doubt, depression, and loss that is felt through the process.But what happens when your faith is public and part of your career? What happens when it's a pillar of your message? We sat down with Grammy Award winning rapper Lecrae to hear about the deconstruction of his religion and how he rediscovered a faith in Jesus through the brokenness. Lecrae also shares this journey in his new book 'I Am Restored: How I lost my religion but found my faith' along with documenting his rediscovery journey in his documentary 'The Road to Restoration.'Throughout the episode we weave through his journey covering topics including music, faith, Christianity, race, rediscovery, depression and mental health, and how we can build a better community within our churches across the country.Lecrae has collaborated with John Legend, Tori Kelly, YK Osiris, Hulvey, and countless others. He has won two Grammy Awards and eight Dove Awards. In 2015 he became the first rapper to win the BET Award for Best Gospel Artist. Beyond music, Lecrae is a social activist asking hard questions about race, fatherhood, and homelessness.LinksLecrae's Website: https://lecrae.comLecrae's Book 'I Am Restored' https://amzn.to/3l9xFq3

Losing Religion and Finding Faith with Lecrae

jumbleThink tells the stories of dreamers, makers, innovators, and influencers who are impacting culture and changing the world around them. We interview leading actors, entrepreneurs, authors, athletes, and taught leaders to hear their stories of chasing big dreams. Along the way, we share tips on how you can turn your own dreams into reality too. Our host, Michael Woodward, has worked with hundreds of businesses to help them refine their ideas and create their big dream.

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