
The road to success is full of hard work and determination. It is never easy - you just learn to handle hard... Here, I interview people who "make it look easy" but leave it all on the field daily to do so.
10

Ever wonder how your body signals inflammation? This video explains the role of a specific "protein complex" called the inflammasome, which initiates the "inflammatory response" leading to issues like "joint pain". Understanding these "inflammation triggers" is key to managing conditions such as "rheumatoid arthritis" and maintaining a healthy "immune system". We discuss how the body's protein complex, the inflammasome, can act as an inflammatory trigger, leading to various issues. This process is key in understanding conditions like joint pain. Learn more about the body's immune system and its inflammatory response. https://www.linkedin.com/in/annelise-e-barron-a152547/ Please Comment, Like, Share...

Vic Pepe sits down with Coach Riley Dodge to talk about the leadership lessons that football teaches long after the final whistle. Riley shares what it was like growing up in a Texas football family, handling pressure as the coach’s kid and starting quarterback at Southlake Carroll, and learning mental toughness through adversity, injuries, and identity shifts. The conversation expands into leadership styles, self-regulation under pressure, building culture for every player on the roster, and why the “arena” of competition is one of the best training grounds for life. Riley closes by discussing his move to SMU and what he is...

https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithmattd/ For this special episode, Vic Pepe sits down with Major General (Two-Star) (Ret.) Matt Smith whose journey spans more than three decades of military service and a remarkable transition into higher education and veteran advocacy. Matt shares his story from a Long Island upbringing rooted in community service to leading soldiers in complex global environments. He opens up about pivotal life decisions, the impact of 9/11, returning to active duty, and ultimately finding his next mission helping veterans succeed in business and beyond. Today, Matt serves as Executive Director of Veteran Initiatives at Emory University’s...

https://www.linkedin.com/in/briahnforster/ In this episode, I sit down with Bri Forster, Channel Director at Avant Communications, and one of those rare professionals who immediately stand out through execution, urgency, and care for the people she works with. Bri shares her journey from earning a psychology degree at Rider University and originally planning a career in healthcare, to pivoting into medical sales, then technology through SHI, and ultimately finding her home at Avant, starting in March of 2020, right as the world shut down. We unpack: • Where Bri’s strong sense of urgency comes from and how competitive chee...

https://www.instagram.com/joelhoekstra13 https://www.youtube.com/@joelhoekstra13 http://www.joelhoekstra.com/ In this episode, Vic Pepe interviews renowned guitarist Joel Hoekstra to explore his journey from classical music to rock stardom. Joel shares his early influences, the pivotal moments that shaped his career, and the challenges he faced along the way. He discusses his experiences in various bands, his time at GIT, and the transition to Broadway, highlighting the importance of preparation and musicianship in achieving success in the music industry. In this engaging conversation, Joel Hoekstra shares his remarkable journey through the music industry, detailing his...

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcjorgensen/ In this episode, Vic Pepe and Marc Jorgensen delve into the journey of self-learning and personal growth, reflecting on their 24-year professional relationship. They discuss how their early experiences in technology shaped their careers, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and the willingness to embrace new challenges. Marc shares his mantra, 'How hard can it be?', inspired by a British TV personality, which encapsulates his approach to tackling unfamiliar tasks. The conversation highlights the significance of metacognition—understanding one's own learning processes—and how it can lead to greater independence and confidence in problem-solving. They...

https://a.co/d/hkAKbck https://a.co/d/e3E9Gir In this episode, Vic Pepe shares his personal journey of navigating change and how it has shaped his life and career. He reflects on his early aspirations of becoming a musician, the challenges he faced in college, and his eventual transition into the music industry. Through storytelling, he illustrates how he embraced change, learned from experience, and leveraged his passion for music to build a successful career in technology. Vic emphasizes the importance of adaptability and the mindset required to thrive in a rapidly changing world, especially amid...

In this solo episode, Vic changes up the format and answers a question he gets all the time: why did you start a podcast? Recording from Aruba, Vic pulls back the curtain on the real story behind launching the show. He shares how a conversation with Adam Curry, known as the Podfather and one of the original pioneers of podcasting, planted the seed. From there, Vic walks through how the podcast came to life, the early gear choices, the learning curve, and why consistency and what he calls stickability matter more than perfection. Vic dives into the realities of podcasting...

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-palmucci-b0a8a3103/ https://twrmindset.com/ Do you pass the Sunday Test? In Part Two of this conversation, Vic Pepe sits down with Coach T to explore one of the most overlooked, but most revealing indicators of career alignment and personal wellbeing. Inspired by a scene from A Bronx Tale and the famous “door test,” Vic introduces a powerful modern version for professionals. The Sunday Test. It is simple, but brutal: How do you feel on Sunday morning? Do you wake up calm and ready for the week? Or do you wake up with anxiety, drea...

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-palmucci-b0a8a3103/ https://twrmindset.com/ In this conversation, Vic Pepe and Coach T. delve into the concept of executive presence, exploring its definition, importance, and the various components that contribute to it. They discuss the significance of communication, self-regulation, and storytelling in enhancing one's executive presence. The dialogue also touches on the debate surrounding the validity of executive presence and the role of emotional intelligence in leadership. Practical tips for improvement and the impact of personal stories on gravitas are highlighted, culminating in a reflection on the journey of self-awareness and growth in professional...