Best Jim Sparrow Podcasts (2025)

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Lessons Learned from Losing $50 Million: Rod Khleif on the Art of True Fulfillment 39:19

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2d ago39:19

39:19

In this episode, real estate legend Rod Khleif sits down with host Dave to share a powerful story of entrepreneurial grit, transformation, and fulfillment spanning nearly five decades. Rod reveals his journey from humble immigrant beginnings, shopping at expired food stores and wearing hand-me-downs, to building an empire of thousands of rental uni…

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Inside IAAPA 2025: Big Rides, Bold Tech, and the Industry’s Next Moves (Ep. 559) 42:56

4d ago42:56

42:56

Len Testa, Jim Hill, and veteran Imagineer Jim Shull hit the IAAPA Expo show floor in Orlando, exploring the newest ride systems, vendor innovations, and behind-the-scenes stories fueling the future of themed entertainment. NEWS A look at how IAAPA blends professional showcase, industry reunion, and pop-up amusement park—complete with traffic, park…

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Making the Leap: How Tad Nelson Left the DA’s Office to Build His Legal Empire 33:26

7d ago33:26

33:26

In this episode, Texas-based criminal defense attorney Tad Nelson shares his remarkable journey from bored accountant to thriving law firm owner, delivering invaluable lessons for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and startup founders. Listen as Tad Nelson reveals how he pivoted from a traditional legal career path to carve his own space in the…

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From surviving terminal cancer to thriving coach, Tom LeNoble’s journey of Resilience 28:54

9d ago28:54

28:54

In this episode, hear the inspiring journey of Tom LeNoble, a dynamic entrepreneur who found massive success after building a stellar corporate career in Silicon Valley and beyond. Dave digs into Tom’s rise from a part-time customer service rep at MCI to pivotal leadership roles at major companies like Walmart.com, Palm, and even being one of the e…

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When Luggage Flies & Presidents Fume: Disney’s New Travel Perks and the Nixon Moment at the Contemporary (Ep. 558) 53:20

11d ago53:20

53:20

Jim Hill and Len Testa unpack Disney’s expanding multimodal transportation plans, field listener questions on “Dwarfgate” and the state of restaurant seating, and dig into the remarkable story of how Richard Nixon ended up declaring “I am not a crook” at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort. NEWS Disney expands its airport luggage transfer progr…

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The Reality of Going All-In: How Cary Sparrow Built Wagescape Against The Odds 35:56

15d ago35:56

35:56

In this episode, seasoned entrepreneur Cary Sparrow shares his insightful journey from U.S. Navy submarine officer to founding Wagescape, a global leader in labor market data. Host Dave dives deep with Cary on the realities of starting a business, bootstrapping, and landing major clients despite industry roadblocks. Cary reveals the importance of a…

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Finding Strength After Losing Everything: Bianca D’Alessio’s Bold Comeback Story 31:56

17d ago31:56

31:56

In this episode, Dave sits down with Bianca D'Alessio, star of HBO Max’s “Selling the Hamptons” and CEO overseeing a $10 billion real estate portfolio, to dive deep into the true entrepreneurial journey behind her success. Bianca D'Alessio shares how she transitioned from nonprofit work to building a thriving business in New York City’s competitive…

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From Zootopia to the Matterhorn: Disney’s Big Swings and Small Details (Ep. 557) 49:27

18d ago49:27

49:27

Len Testa and Jim Hill continue No Negative November with a look at Zootopia’s new 4D adventure, listener trip-planning wisdom, and the surprising book that inspired Disneyland’s first mountain. NEWS Zootopia: Better Zoo-gether debuts at Animal Kingdom — The Tree of Life theater gets a major refresh with a new story, water gags, and a charming Benj…

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From Hollow Success to Heartfelt Impact: Lin Yuan Su's Leap into Entrepreneurship 25:52

22d ago25:52

25:52

In this episode, Dave sits down with Lin Yuan Su, founder of Enlightened Success Institute, to discuss the real-world journey from secure employee to thriving entrepreneur. Lin Yuan Su dives into her story—from childhood lessons witnessing her mother’s relentless work ethic, to feeling unfulfilled as a registered dietitian, and finally, the pivotal…

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From Courtship to Clarity: The Trump-Xi US-China Trade Saga Explained with Jim Tompkins 23:06

22d ago23:06

23:06

In this episode, join Dave Gulas and Jim Tompkins as they dive deep into the shifting dynamics between the US and China and what these changes mean for entrepreneurs, startup founders, and small business owners. Titled "From Courtship to Clarity: The Trump-Xi Saga," the conversation breaks down real-world events—from trade wars and tariffs to pivot…

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From Burnout to Breakthrough: Scaling Businesses via Virtual Teams with Alexis Schomer 21:48

2d ago21:48

21:48

In this episode of Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, Dave sits down with Alexis Schomer, an entrepreneur with over a decade of experience building startups and scaling businesses. Alexis shares her honest journey from co-founding a health tech startup in college to overcoming legal battles, burnout, and early hiring mistakes. She dives into the challenge…

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Disney's Game Plan for Epic & The Raglan Road Story (Ep. 556) 52:32

25d ago52:32

52:32

Jim wraps up the story of Raglan Road and explains how one Irish pub helped inspire the full transformation of Pleasure Island into today’s Disney Springs. Along the way, Len kicks off No Negative November and the crew answers listener trip-planning questions with their best “only happy thoughts” energy. The origins of Raglan Road and how authentic…

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Turning Negative Experiences Into a Thriving Brand: The Story of Teton with Scott Holmes 32:56

29d ago32:56

32:56

In this episode, Scott Holmes, founder and CEO of Teton, sits down with host Dave to share the real story of how a childhood plagued by uncomfortable camping experiences led him to build one of the industry’s respected outdoor gear brands. Scott reveals how early mentorship in import/export, prioritizing relationship-building, and focusing on compa…

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Martial Arts Lessons That Shaped a CEO: Laura Armstrong’s Path to Business Fulfillment 23:45

1M ago23:45

23:45

In this episode, Laura Armstrong, founder and CEO of Wealth Mastery Systems, dives deep into her journey from corporate commodities trader to serial entrepreneur and three-time world champion martial artist. Laura shares how her athletic mindset and holistic practices fueled her entrepreneurial success, providing unique perspectives on business res…

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Disney’s Numbers Are In: What the 2024 TEA Attendance Report Tells Us (Ep. 555) 56:12

1M ago56:12

56:12

This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa discuss Disney’s newest attraction update — Soarin’ Across America, debuting at EPCOT and Disney California Adventure in 2026 — and what it means for the company’s strategy ahead of the U.S. 250th anniversary. They also break down the just-released TEA Global Attendance Report and what the latest theme park numbers…

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Why Most Commercial Real Estate Agents Quit and How to Beat the Odds with Joe Killinger 23:31

1M ago23:31

23:31

In this episode, Joe Killinger shares his journey scaling three commercial real estate companies to over $5 million each—no easy feat for any entrepreneur. Joe reveals practical strategies for business growth, stressing the importance of adapting your sales approach, leveraging referrals, and mastering digital marketing and SEO. Learn why commercia…

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A Season Begins 20:54

1M ago20:54

20:54

Fort Wayne Ballet welcomes you to its 69th season! Jim Sparrow and Karen Gibbons-Brown get down to it, filling us in on the ins and outs of the new season lineup: particularly the harrowing Halloween happenings of our Tales In the Dark performances.By Jim Sparrow, John Dawkins

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Why 1 Plus 1 Equals 6: Breaking Down the Tompkins Companies' New Era 22:22

24d ago22:22

22:22

In this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, host Dave Gulas sits down with legendary supply chain entrepreneur Jim Tompkins for a candid conversation about growth, innovation, and the evolution of the Tompkins family of companies. Jim reveals how he built Tompkins Associates from ground up, expanded to Tompkins International, and later launc…

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Disrupting Traditional Finance: How Proxy Financial Puts Clients and Advisors First with CJ Davidson 32:35

1M ago32:35

32:35

In this episode of Beyond Fulfillment, host Dave sits down with CJ Davidson, founder of Proxy Financial, to dive deep into what it takes to build a business that truly disrupts the traditional finance model. CJ shares his firsthand experiences going from the mainstream world of big finance to starting his own independent firm, revealing decisions, …

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When Disney Becomes the Classroom: Teaching Magic, Strategy, and Imagination (Ep. 554) 1:17:42

1M ago1:17:42

1:17:42

This week, Len and Jim welcome Dr. Jill Peterfeso from Guilford College to talk about her new book Why the Magic Matters: Discovering Disney as a Laboratory for Learning. The conversation explores how Disney is studied in college classrooms, how its mix of “magic and strategy” reveals deeper lessons about creativity and culture, and why professors …

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It's For the Kids 12:06

1M ago12:06

12:06

In this special episode, Jim sits down with Youth Company Director Raleigh Sparrow to discuss Fort Wayne Ballet's Family Series shows for the 2025-26 season. First up is Spooky Kooky, this Saturday!By Jim Sparrow, John Dawkins

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Tackling Social Isolation: Building a Safer Social App for Autistic Adults with Jamie Pastrano 22:30

21d ago22:30

22:30

In this episode of Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, host Dave Gulas sits down with Jamie Pastrano, an inspiring first-time founder who leveraged her passion as a mother and licensed social worker to create synchrony, the first-of-its-kind AI-powered social app designed to address real challenges faced by neurodivergent and autistic adults. Jamie shares …

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Turning a Radical Idea Into Reality: The Story of Fringe with Jordan Peace 34:39

1M ago34:39

34:39

In this episode, host Dave Gulas sits down with Jordan Peace, CEO and co-founder of Fringe, to explore the real journey of building a successful startup in the lifestyle benefits industry. Jordan candidly shares how he took Fringe from an idea into a thriving tech company, despite setbacks, funding challenges, and a global pandemic. Jordan dives in…

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From Pleasure Island to Pints of Guinness: Disney’s Nightlife Reinvented (Ep. 553) 58:39

2M ago58:39

58:39

Jim Hill and Len Testa uncover how a single Irish pub reshaped Disney Springs. From the forgotten Pleasure Island Jazz Company to the birth of Raglan Road, this episode reveals how one restaurant sparked a renaissance in Disney dining. Plus, the guys tackle Disney’s latest round of price increases, Universal’s updated safety policies, and a listene…

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Building Businesses Without Burnout: Self-Care for High Performers with David Kubes 28:36

28d ago28:36

28:36

In this episode, host Dave Gulas sits down with David Kubes, an accomplished attorney turned executive coach, for a direct and insightful conversation. David shares his journey from high-stress aviation law to building a thriving coaching practice rooted in Access Consciousness and stress management techniques that prioritize entrepreneur well-bein…

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Action over Fear: Surviving Setbacks & Scaling Fast with Jim McNamara 26:02

2M ago26:02

26:02

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Talking Trash: The Strange History of Disney’s Most Beloved Garbage Can (Ep. 552) 1:03:13

2M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into one of the most unexpectedly heartwarming stories in Disney history, the rise (and fall) of Push, the talking trash can who stole hearts in Tomorrowland. From his humble garage-built beginnings to his mysterious disappearance in 2014, Jim reveals how a simple rolling robot outlasted most of Disney’s high-t…

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Male Strength Redefined: Why vulnerability is man’s most powerful tool for wellbeing, w/ Owen Marcus 27:18

2M ago27:18

27:18

In this episode, host Dave sits down with Owen Marcus, renowned founder of Everyman and Meld, to dive into the actionable lessons behind building and scaling meaningful communities for men and how those insights apply directly to entrepreneurship, start-up culture, and small business leadership. Owen shares his journey from practicing somatic thera…

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From Engineer to Millionaire: How Lane Kawaoka Escaped the 9-to-5 With Real Estate 23:27

2M ago23:27

23:27

In this episode of Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, hosts David Gulas sits down with Lane Kawaoka, founder of The Wealth Elevator and a former civil engineer who shares his practical journey from climbing the corporate ladder to building financial freedom through real estate investing. Lane reveals the strategies he used to transition from a regular pay…

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72 Hours Before a Disney Park Opens (featuring Jim Shull) (Ep. 551) 1:07:49

2M ago1:07:49

1:07:49

With Len Testa away this week, Jim Hill is joined by Imagineer Jim Shull and Eric Hersey. Shull shares first-hand stories of the frantic 72 hours before Disney parks open - from sod being laid overnight at the Contemporary Resort in 1971 to carloads of flowers on Main Street Paris. Meanwhile, Eric helps cover the latest Universal Studios news, incl…

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Embracing the Messy Middle: Career Change, Loss and Finding Purpose with Rachel Burr 30:17

2M ago30:17

30:17

In this episode, Rachel Burr shares her journey from nearly becoming a clinical psychologist to discovering her passion as an executive and team coach. You'll hear Rachel open up about the struggles of realizing she was on the wrong career path, how she made the difficult decision to leave her PhD program, and what happened when her personal life w…

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Ditching Billable Hours: AI, IP, and Entrepreneurial Thinking with Ana Juneja 29:17

2M ago29:17

29:17

In this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, host Dave Gulas sits down with Ana Juneja, founder of Ana Law, to talk about entrepreneurship, modern law firm strategies, and scaling a business in today’s fast-changing market. Ana shares her personal journey from science graduate to intellectual property attorney, revealing how she leveraged soc…

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How Disney Built Cars Land and What It Means for Piston Peak (Ep. 550) 1:06:49

2M ago1:06:49

1:06:49

This week, Imagineer Jim Shull joins Jim Hill and Len Testa to finish the wild story of how Cars Land was built at Disney California Adventure. Along the way, the guys cover everything from gorillas and Muppets to a scuba diver who robbed Paddlefish. Tomorrowland’s Cool Ship replacement that looks suspiciously like a McDonald’s drive-thru The life …

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Tariffs, Trade Wars, and AI: Preparing Your Business for a New Global Supply Chain 29:58

2M ago29:58

29:58

In this episode, Jim Tompkins and Dave Gulas dive deep into global trade shifts and digital supply chain command centers. Jim breaks down how recent U.S. tariffs on Brazil, the evolving USMCA with Canada and Mexico, and India’s delicate position between Russia and China are directly impacting supply chains, costs, and opportunities for American bus…

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Surviving Betrayal and Federal Litigation: How Justin Lund Turned Trauma Into Triumph 39:07

2M ago39:07

39:07

In this episode, we dive into the gripping entrepreneurial journey of Justin Lund, founder and CEO of Propel. Justin shares a raw, behind-the-scenes look at how he went from early career success and addiction to building a nearly nine-figure business, only to face financial betrayal and years of federal litigation. Entrepreneurs, small business own…

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From The Prison Yard to Multi-Millionaire: Ken Miller’s Journey of Resilience & Reinvention 38:06

2M ago38:06

38:06

In this episode, we sit down with Ken Miller, author, speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of multiple thriving businesses, to dive deep into his dramatic journey from addiction and homelessness to building a multimillion-dollar enterprise with operations in multiple countries. Ken's candid conversation shares his real-life strategies for business su…

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Cruise Street? The Alternate Cars Land That Almost Happened (Ep. 549) 56:16

2M ago56:16

56:16

This week, Jim Hill and Len Testa dig into the wild backstory of Disney California Adventure’s Cars Land and the strange “what ifs” that could’ve changed Radiator Springs forever. From Marty's Malt Shop to a road trip attraction fueled by beef jerky and Diet Mountain Dew, the alternate ideas were as quirky as they were ambitious. A new Disneyland t…

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From FIRE to Time Freedom: Building a Life You Love with Brian Herriot 24:58

2M ago24:58

24:58

In this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, host Dave Gulas sits down with Brian Herriot, founder of Herriot Financial and financial advisor to entrepreneurs. Brian shares his unique journey from engineering and management consulting to building a business that empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners to gain real time freedom withou…

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NEW SHOW: The Case For with Chris Cox, Len Testa & Jim Hill 27:17

3M ago27:17

27:17

The Case For (and Against) Park Hopping at Walt Disney World Is park hopping the best way to squeeze every drop of Disney magic out of your vacation - or just an overpriced bus pass with extra steps? In this first episode of The Case For with Chris Cox, mind reader and performer Chris Cox squares off against theme park expert Len Testa, while Disne…

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Iterating Fast and Fearlessly: How Van Tucker Built a National Locker Network 28:17

2M ago28:17

28:17

In this episode, host Dave Gulas sits down with Van Tucker, a seasoned entrepreneur and founding team member of Harbor Locker. Van introduces Harbor Locker as a nationwide public marketplace locker network designed to provide flexible solutions for package delivery, returns, storage, and even unique uses like bag storage at nightclubs. Unlike propr…

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Dinosaur’s Last Ride, Tron Goes Red, and the Cars That Saved California Adventure (Ep. 548) 1:04:03

3M ago1:04:03

1:04:03

Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a Disney Dish full of hard-hitting questions like: is a popcorn bucket a collectible, a food container, or proof of life’s absurdity? Along the way, they tackle Disney’s latest surveys, new overlays, and a franchise that almost stalled out before becoming a billion-dollar juggernaut. Disney sets the closing date f…

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From Fishing Boats to Million Dollar Relationships: Kevin Thompson’s Path to Entrepreneurship 32:57

2M ago32:57

32:57

In this episode of Beyond Fulfillment, host Dave sits down with Kevin Thompson, entrepreneur, connector, and host of the Million Dollar Relationships podcast. Kevin shares his real-world business journey, from saving up as a fisherman in Alaska to launching a cleaning and restoration company, and eventually building a multi-million dollar publishin…

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Solo to CEO: Scaling from Coffee Shops to a $20 Million Dollar Agency with Jason Hennessey 27:03

3M ago27:03

27:03

In this episode, Dave Gulas sits down with Jason Hennessey, founder and CEO of Hennessey Digital, to dive into the real journey of entrepreneurship, from humble beginnings as a mobile DJ to building and selling multiple digital agencies. Jason reveals how he taught himself SEO in the early 2000s, and how this skill evolved from a need into a passio…

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Birds, Booze & The Beak & Barrel: Magic Kingdom’s New Pirate Lounge Sets Sail (Ep. 547) 48:18

3M ago48:18

48:18

Len Testa and Jim Hill return with a packed episode of The Disney Dish to discuss Magic Kingdom’s brand new Beak & Barrel Lounge, an immersive pirate-themed bar near Pirates of the Caribbean. Len shares firsthand impressions of the decor, the elusive animatronic pirate Rummy, and why it’s already drawing Trader Sam’s comparisons. Also in this episo…

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The Power of Release: How Curtis McCollum Helps Entrepreneurs Break Through Self-Sabotage 29:38

3M ago29:38

29:38

In this episode, Curtis McCollum, founder and CEO of Bespoke Human Potential Coaching, sits down with host Dave Gulas to share his inspiring journey from a top financial services sales professional to a sought-after performance coach. Curtis pulls back the curtain on what truly holds entrepreneurs, business owners, and founders back, including the …

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From Tariffs to Technology: Preparing Your Business for Volatile Global Markets 37:51

3M ago37:51

37:51

In this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, Dave Gulas sits down with renowned global supply chain strategist Jim Tompkins for an eye-opening discussion on the current turbulence in trade, tariffs, and international commerce. Dive deep into the global ramifications of USMCA updates, Canada’s tariff changes, and the evolving dynamics between …

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From Failure to Fortune: Amir Haramaty on Resilience, Learning, and Leading aiOla 31:28

3M ago31:28

31:28

In this episode, host Dave Gulas interviews Amir Haramaty, president and co-founder of aiOla, a speech AI company that’s taking the tech and logistics world by storm. With four successful exits and a history as a serial problem solver, Amir shares his journey building aiOla, starting long before AI was a hot topic. Discover how Iola helps Fortune 5…

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The Vanishing Act: David Copperfield’s Lost Disney-MGM Studios Attraction (with Chris Cox) (Ep. 546) 1:02:17

3M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Len Testa and Jim Hill welcome award-winning mind reader and performer Chris Cox (BBC and Broadway) for a deep dive into one of Disney’s most fascinating “what could have been” stories. The ambitious plans for David Copperfield’s Magic Underground restaurant How the New York flagship nearly opened before money troubles pulled the plug Michael Eisne…

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Building a Life You Were Born For: Jonathan Domsky’s Guide to Fulfillment for Entrepreneurs 28:58

3M ago28:58

28:58

In this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, Dave Gulas sits down with Jonathan Domsky, veteran entrepreneur and founder of Untangled Coaching, for an inspiring conversation tailored to fellow entrepreneurs, business owners, and startup founders. Jonathan walks us through his transformative journey—from building a successful children's access…

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Beyond Amazon: The Urgent Ecommerce Shift You Can’t Ignore with Andrew Maffettone 28:11

3M ago28:11

28:11

In this episode, Dave Gulas sits down with Andrew Maffettone, founder and CEO of BlueTuskr, for an insightful conversation tailored for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and start-up founders looking for real-world growth strategies. Andrew dives into the challenges of building and scaling an e-commerce digital marketing agency in today’s fast-…