A team of professional storytellers dedicated to highlighting how ordinary people can be capable of such extraordinary things. We are always on the lookout for unsung heroes and emerging leaders that are transforming the world around them each and every day. Our guests range from the world of sports and medicine to business and entrepreneurship. Each episode offers you insights into how these amazing humans have managed to conquer fear and persevere through seemingly insurmountable challenge ...
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Rethinking Youth Education: Design Thinking, Community Engagement, and Cultivating Empathy with Joel from TomTod Ideas
1:01:49
1:01:49
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Have you ever considered the profound impact design thinking could have on the development of middle schoolers? Join Jan as he chats with Joel from TomTod Ideas and uncover how revolutionizing the education system through co-learning and innovation can reshape not only individual lives but also entire communities. This episode is full of insights f…
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Embracing the Journey: Parental Wisdom for Nurturing Neurodiverse Children with Dr. Inna Rozentsvit
1:09:55
1:09:55
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Embark on a transformative journey with us as we sit down with the renowned Dr. Inna Rozentsvit to uncover the triumphs and trials of parenting neurodiverse children. Through our in-depth discussion, you'll gain invaluable insights into how to shift from feeling unqualified to embracing the profound role of being your child's confident, mentor, and…
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Building Bridges Beyond the Business Plan: Entrepreneurship, Social Harmony, and the Power of Events w/ Mercedes McElley
59:11
59:11
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59:11
Have you ever wondered how a leap of faith into entrepreneurship can redefine not just a career but a life? My friend Mercedes joins us to unravel her transformative journey, a tale that ebbs from the allure of the courtroom to the dynamic pulse of event planning. She lays bare the trials and triumphs of her path, from coordinating weddings to over…
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Mastery of the Mind: Exploring Neuroplasticity, Neurodiversity, and the Art of Self-Directed Cognitive Development w/ Dr. Inna Rozentsvit
1:20:35
1:20:35
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Unlock the mysteries of your mind with Dr. Ina Rozentsvit, a visionary in the convergence of neurology, psychology, and holistic healthcare. Our conversation takes you on a transformative journey, illustrating how a compassionate approach to patient care that integrates medical, psychological, and social dimensions can profoundly impact healing and…
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Empowering Holistic Health: Unpacking Chiropractic Wisdom, Nutrition Secrets, and the Art of Natural Wellness
54:01
54:01
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Step away from the medicine cabinet and into the world of holistic healing with Dr. Lexie Taylor, who brings a wealth of knowledge from the chiropractic field, focused on nutrition and natural wellness. Imagine a world where your diet is your prescription and your lifestyle your therapy. This episode promises an enlightening exploration into altern…
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Navigating Life's Paradoxes: Analysis Paralysis, The Power of Spontaneity, and Embracing Positivity Amid Chaos
45:44
45:44
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45:44
Join us, as we weave through the winding paths of surrender, fate, and the surprising power of spontaneity. Inspired by the inventive genius, Dr. Forrest Bird, we unpack the role of fate, time, and circumstance, and share thought-provoking insights into how sometimes, just showing up and being open to opportunities can unlock unforeseen paths to su…
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Changing Traditions: Black Friday Memories, Gaming Evolution, and Tech Industry Adventures
39:54
39:54
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Remember the days when Black Friday was all about elbowing your way through crowded stores? Well, we've come a long way from that, and in this episode, we're taking a trip down memory lane to reminisce about the evolution of Black Friday and its undeniable impact on our holiday shopping and gaming culture. You might find it amusing to hear our tale…
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Digital Detox: The Reality of Technology, Promoting Mindful Usage, and Enhancing Human Connection in a Screen-Driven World
52:43
52:43
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52:43
Are you feeling overwhelmed by technology? Have you ever wondered if there could be a healthier balance between our digital and physical lives? Join us in this powerful dialogue with our guest, Forrest Bronson from Digital Detox, an organization that sparks a healthier relationship and balance with technology. Get ready to be inspired by Levi Felix…
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Anime Insights and More: Dissecting One Piece, Manga Versus Anime, the Curiosities of Weather, and Diving into Simulated Reality
28:39
28:39
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Ever wondered how One Piece's animation has evolved since the Timeskip, and how it stacks up against the buzzworthy Jujutsu Kaisen? We've got you covered. As we embark on our journey, we dissect the current arc, warlords, and Yonko in One Piece, and share our thoughts on navigating the nuanced differences between manga and anime. We also compare th…
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Inked Chronicles: Unraveling Tattoo Artistry, Travel Hacks, Social Media Trends, and Celebrating Podcast Growth
29:10
29:10
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Ever wondered what goes into creating a tattoo sleeve? Join us as we unwrap the fascinating world of tattoo artistry, alongside our co-host, RJ, a human canvas for the talented Chris House from Nimbus Tattoo. RJ takes us on a journey through his sleeve-creation process, from mapping characters and villains on Google Sheets, to enduring long hours i…
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Navigating Life's Path: The Value of Stepping-Stone Jobs, Dealing with Stress, and Embracing Personal Growth
32:26
32:26
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32:26
After years of working two full-time jobs while simultaneously studying for his nursing degree, Jan can attest that not every job has to be a dream job to serve as a stepping stone for achieving your dreams. Jan and RJ explore this very notion in this episode, recounting personal experiences with jobs that didn't quite fit the long-term vision, yet…
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Harnessing Anger for Growth: Personal Accountability, Boxing, and the Power of Instincts in Business and Life
31:34
31:34
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Did you know that the intense emotions you feel when your temper flares could actually be harnessed for your growth? This episode offers a fascinating exploration into the correlation between managing anger and the sport of boxing. We share our personal lessons and talk about how controlling and directing anger towards productivity has benefited us…
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Global Escapades: Unpacking Travel Tips, Cultural Insights, and Tattoo Adventures, Plus Upcoming Podcast Excitement
17:49
17:49
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Come along as Jan unpacks the suitcase of his recent global escapades! From the charming streets of Slovakia to the historic grandeur of Italy, London, and Ireland, he has a few travel tips and cultural insights. Discover how Toronto can be your secret weapon in booking flights and why Google Maps is the ultimate co-pilot abroad. And if you've ever…
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Exploring the Wellness Traditions of Eastern Europe and Retail Spaces Turned Pickleball Courts in the US
37:06
37:06
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What if we told you that the secret to robust health and vigor at 85 years old could be found in the rural landscapes of Slovakia? Join Jan and RJ on a journey as Jan discusses the lifestyle and wellness differences between America and his family deep within the heart of his home country - Slovakia. He shares his personal experiences, from witnessi…
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Redefining Success: Breaking Societal Norms to Forge Your Own Path
40:42
40:42
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In these episodes, Jan and RJ jump between talking about their weekends, what it's like growing a marketing agency, and other show types. For the next few months, they will be working their way through 52 pieces of advice to live by. Today's pieces of advice include: 1. You are the only person that can determine your definition of "success." 2. Goa…
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Casual Tuesday: A First-Gen Entrepreneur's Journey, The Growing Trend of Pickleball, and Google's Medical AI Innovation
28:18
28:18
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28:18
You think you've got grit? Wait till you hear Andrew's journey of blazing the entrepreneurial trail as a first-gen business founder in our latest episode. Offering a fresh perspective on the challenges and victories that come with being the pioneer in your family to venture into the world of business. Speaking of firsts, we have an exciting discuss…
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Apex Interview: Cultivating Community and Support for First-Generation Business Owners
50:04
50:04
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Can you remember the excitement of earning your very first paycheck? In this captivating episode, Andrew McIntosh from 1stGen and Jan reminisce about their early entrepreneurial ventures, from delivering newspapers to starting a grass-cutting business. These formative experiences shaped their understanding of the power of entrepreneurship and drove…
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Casual Tuesday: How to Save Time, Enjoy Life, and The Importance of Kindness
47:01
47:01
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Welcome to Casual Tuesdays. In these episodes, Jan and RJ jump between talking about their weekends, what it's like growing a marketing agency, and other show types. For the next few months, they will be working their way through 52 pieces of advice to live by. Today's pieces of advice include: 1. To save time, do things right the first time. 2. En…
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Casual Tuesday: 52 Pieces of Advice To Live By - Part 1
40:32
40:32
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Welcome to Casual Tuesdays. Yes, Jan finally got tired of explaining why they were called "Casual Mondays" even though we release the episodes on Tuesday. You live and you learn. In these episodes, Jan and RJ will be working their way through 52 pieces of advice to live by. Today's pieces of advice include: 1. Never Half Ass Two Things, Whole Ass O…
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Casual Monday: Things We Learned While Starting Our Podcast
31:08
31:08
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31:08
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes, we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today Jan and RJ talk about a question that pops up in Jan's DM's pretty frequently. How do I start a podcast? In thi…
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Casual Monday: The Fine Line Between Being a Rebel and Being an A**hole
28:17
28:17
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28:17
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes, we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today Jan and RJ talk about a question that pops up in Jan's DM's pretty frequently. Sometimes being an entrepreneur …
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Apex Interview: Ignore the Noise, Build Your Business and Be Philanthropic w/ Wil Reynolds
48:50
48:50
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From a reluctant entrepreneur to a trailblazer in marketing, Wil Reynolds' story from knocking on doors to having 150+ employees is quite the inspiration - especially because he's managed to stay rooted in his passion for philanthropy and giving back to his community. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the significance of choosing good …
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Casual Monday: Leveraging Mentorship and Building Self-Worth
35:44
35:44
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Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes, we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today Jan and RJ talk about their approaches to mentorship and building self-worth. They use stories and examples fro…
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Apex Interview: Getting Your Business Focused w/ Chris Troka
59:31
59:31
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In today's interview, Jan sits down with Chris Troka, founder of Focused Biz and someone with an amazing vision of what it actually takes to "get shit done" as an entrepreneur. Chris was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. From pizza cook to healthcare receptionist, car sales, and failed attempts at other business ventures, his mind kept focusing on …
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Casual Monday: Short Kings, Disney Dragons, and Scaling a Business
25:57
25:57
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25:57
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today Jan and RJ talk about the shoe company Conzuri and their Instagram ad campaign targeted towards making "short ki…
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Casual Monday: Accessibility Certifications, Tattoo Balms and IndeCollective
28:40
28:40
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28:40
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today Jan and RJ talk about RJ's upcoming test that will leave him as a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core C…
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Casual Monday: Banning Tik-Tok, The Restrict Act, and Government Overreach
40:10
40:10
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40:10
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today they spend time talking about something that not only could drastically affect the tech industry but also the Am…
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Casual Monday: Elon Musk, Artificial Intelligence, and Quantum Computing
38:32
38:32
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38:32
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today we talk about a letter that was signed by 1,100+ people requesting that AI companies halt the development of new…
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Casual Monday: Crazy Storms, Wood Elves, and Making Things Easy To Repair
21:40
21:40
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21:40
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today they talk about the crazy wind storms that came through Northeast Ohio last week, The President of Mexico postin…
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Casual Monday: What To Do When You Want To Quit
27:05
27:05
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27:05
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today, they take a deep dive into what to do when accomplishing your goals gets hard. How do you know when to keep pus…
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Casual Monday: Technical Difficulties and Jocko Willink's Discipline = Freedom
32:46
32:46
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32:46
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today, they spend a little bit of time complaining about technical difficulties, because who doesn't love when tech do…
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Apex Interview: From Chemotherapy to Spartan Races w/ Dom Dundee and Jan Almasy
1:07:57
1:07:57
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In today's interview, Jan sits down with Dom Dundee, one of the original members of the JJD Thoughts blog. For those of you that are unaware of Apex Communications Network's history, the JJD Thoughts Blog was a blog dedicated to mental, physical, and spiritual health written by Jan Almasy, Dom Dundee, and Jacob Sowers. Although the original blog cr…
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Casual Monday: Puxatony Phil, The Future of Creative and AI and The Cleveland Car Show
37:01
37:01
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37:01
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today, they start off their conversation discussing legends that the groundhog celebrated for groundhogs day (aka Puxa…
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Train Derailment in East Palestine Ohio: What We Know So Far w/ Jan and RJ
32:20
32:20
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On Feb. 3, just before 9 p.m. ET, a Norfolk Southern train derailed near East Palestine, Ohio, a town of about 4,800 people near the border with Pennsylvania. Nobody was hurt in the accident, officials say. Most of the train's 150 rail cars were carrying cargo that was not hazardous, officials say, such as cement and frozen vegetables, according to…
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Casual Monday: Building Character in Your Early 20s
14:08
14:08
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14:08
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Unfortunately, RJ got into an accident over the weekend so he couldn't make this episode - but don't worry everyone is…
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Casual Monday: Building Yourself a Workout Routine + Diet Plan
41:30
41:30
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41:30
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today Jan starts off by talking about the Young Professionals of Stark County and their networking events. Check out t…
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Casual Monday: Caffeine, Avoiding BS Supplements, and Cold Plunges
41:09
41:09
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41:09
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today, Jan kicked off the conversation by talking about his caffeine addiction, and how much worse it used to be while…
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Apex Interview: Blowing Glass and Taming Lightning with Percy Echols
51:04
51:04
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In today's interview, Jan sits down with Percy Echols II. Percy is a Pittsburgh-based Artist, Alchemist, and Educator who pioneers the development of Neon and Plasma Light Art at the Pittsburgh Glass Center and is the creator and host of the Podcast Taming Lightning. In this episode, Percy and Jan reminisce about where they were in their entreprene…
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Casual Monday: Morning Routines, Optimizing Nutrition for Workouts, and How Working Out Impacts Mental Health
45:34
45:34
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45:34
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today, we're talking about Jan testing out a new morning routine with a 5:45 am Kickboxing Class, and continue by talk…
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Casual Monday: RJ Goes to Atlanta, and Tips For Flying on a Budget
31:57
31:57
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31:57
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today, we're talking about RJ's trip to Atlanta and back in 24hrs - specifically for a visit to the Nimbus Tattoo shop…
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Apex Interview: Personalized Health with Elo featuring Ari Tulla and Jan Almasy
1:01:03
1:01:03
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In today's interview, Jan sits down with Ari Tulla. Ari is an entrepreneur, dad, wannabe surfer, and avid rock climber living in San Francisco. He has been a part of multiple ventures, founding his own company that raised over 30m in venture backing and was eventually acquired. He is a member of byFounders venture capital fund, which is a 200 milli…
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Casual Monday: Traveling, Exercise, and Flow States w/ Jan and RJ
38:59
38:59
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38:59
Welcome to Casual Mondays. Yes we know they are being released on Tuesdays - but we record them every Monday so... deal with it. In these episodes, Jan and RJ talk about their weekends and whatever adventure is coming up that week. Today, they kick off by talking about Jan's traveling from Chicago to Ohio, to New Jersey - all in two weeks! If you l…
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Neuroscience, High Performance Psychology, and Neuroplasticity w/ Jen Hill
54:25
54:25
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Jenifer (Haller) Hill, M.A., P.C.C., B.C.C., P.C.C.-S. is an International Coaching Federation (I.C.F.) Professional Certified Coach (P.C.C.), and Board Certified Executive Career & Leadership Coach (B.C.C.), Certified Healthcare Coach, Professional Clinical Counselor- Supervisor, meditation and mindfulness teacher, leadership development consultan…
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The Meaning of Meaning w/Dr. John Trapani
1:36:16
1:36:16
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In this podcast episode, Jan and Jacob interview Dr. John Trapani Jr. Dr. Trapani was a professor of philosophy at Walsh University for 40+ years. He served as chair of the Philosophy Department and Humanities Division, along with founding and directing the University’s annual Philosophy-Theology Symposium which hosted conversations for over 40 yea…
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The Future of Freelancer Operations w/ Harlow Co Founders
57:00
57:00
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In this episode of The Apex Podcast, Jan interviews Samantha and Andrea, the co-founders of Harlow. Harlow is a platform form that helps freelancers get organized, save time, and look professional with automated invoicing, proposal templates, and much more—all from one centralized hub. After working together for an international company, Andrea and…
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From Google Doc to Draper University w/Blake Faulkner
1:01:11
1:01:11
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In this episode, Jan interviews Blake Faulkner. Blake is an entrepreneur that is currently a student at Miami University (in Ohio) and whose latest project is called Bloxsmith, a marketplace for game developers building virtual worlds in the metaverse. Blake has participated in both scouting startups for investment through multiple students who ran…
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In this episode, Jan interviews Susa Breese. Jan and Susa met at a Summer Camp hosted by Third Nature and talked about Susa’s aspirations of leaving her full-time job and entering the journey of entrepreneurship. After an amazing conversation at camp, Susa reached out and asked if she could ask Jan more questions. This podcast episode is a recordin…
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Interview w/ Reporter Mike Popovich
1:01:20
1:01:20
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In this episode, Jan interviews a local legend in high school and collegiate sports. Mike Popovich has been a reporter with the Canton Repository for multiple decades and has seen the Canton area grow and change a lot over the years. A writer with experience covering all levels of sports, including four seasons on an NBA beat. Mike has a heavy focu…
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Max Kelbly is a multi-lingual, 23-year-old writer & graduate of Walsh University. Max double majored in History, & Government & Foreign Affairs in the pursuit of promoting humanities education & a cultural ambassador related career. Max has brought his interest in history, science, and language to the world of educational, non-fiction & fiction wri…
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Adventures with a Master Storyteller Alyssa Greenfield
57:44
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In this episode, Jan sits down with Alyssa Greenfield. Alyssa has over a decade of writing and content strategy experience. She's worked on storytelling projects with solopreneurs, tech startup CEOs, Fortune 500 executives, and more. Her superpower is seeing amazing stories where other people see pages of information or bullet points on a resume. S…
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