Episodi

  • #287: Kevin Anderson — The #1 New York Times Editor Behind 50+ National Bestsellers

    #287: Kevin Anderson — The #1 New York Times Editor Behind 50+ National Bestsellers
    Feb 9 2026
    In this episode, Mike welcomes Kevin Anderson, New York Times bestselling editor and founder of Kevin Anderson & Associates, the world's largest and most prestigious book-writing firm, for a candid conversation about growth, delegation, and the hidden power of publishing. Kevin brings decades of experience working behind the scenes with top entrepreneurs, executives, and thought leaders to help them scale their impact through books. Kevin breaks down the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make, including trying to do everything themselves and waiting too long to bring in professional support. He explains why delegation isn't optional for scaling and how letting go of control is often the pivotal shift that unlocks real growth. The conversation then turns to Kevin's unexpected path into ghostwriting, which evolved into a firm that now collaborates on nearly 500 books each year. He pulls back the curtain on how high-level ghostwriting actually works, how collaborative teams preserve an author's voice and credibility, and why books remain unmatched as authority and marketing assets. Mike and Kevin also tackle the role of AI in publishing, exploring why technology hasn't replaced human storytelling, and the risks authors face when they rely on it too heavily. Smart, sharp, and packed with real-world insight, this episode is essential for entrepreneurs, authors, and anyone ready to scale their business with intention. IN THIS EPISODE: ➡️ THE AUTHORITY ADVANTAGE: How publishing a book transforms credibility into long-term influence and opportunity ➡️ HUMAN OVER HYPE: How AI hasn't replaced authentic storytelling or strategic thinking ➡️ BUILT TO LAST: Creating teams, systems, and leadership structures that support expansion without burnout ➡️ SCALING WITH INTENTION: Why delegation—not hustle—is the true catalyst for sustainable business growth 📘 BONUS TAKEAWAY: The sooner you take action, whether publishing a book or hiring the right experts, the sooner your work compounds, builds authority, and opens doors that you won't access by waiting. 🚀 PERFECT FOR: Entrepreneurs, business owners, thought leaders, and aspiring authors who want their book to build real authority. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Thesis Editor Read Your Mind: Proven Habits for Success from the World's Greatest Mentalist Brené Brown's Books Simon Sinek's Books Connect with Kevin: Kevin Anderson & Associates UK Office LinkedIn Connect with Mike: Linktree SPONSORS: Social Chameleon | Transform Your Podcast AFFILIATES: Libsyn: First Month FREE with Promo Code BEGREAT Riverside | This interview was recorded on Riverside Want to become a show sponsor or affiliate? Email mike@socialchameleon.us Copyright © 2026 Mike'D Up! with Mike DiCioccio | For permission to use this content in any way, please email mike@socialchameleon.us
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    1 ora
  • #286: Fred Joyal — Superbold: From Under-Confident to Charismatic in 90 Days

    #286: Fred Joyal — Superbold: From Under-Confident to Charismatic in 90 Days
    Feb 2 2026

    What if confidence isn't something you're born with, but something you build?

    This week, Mike welcomes Fred Joyal, bestselling author, international keynote speaker, and co-founder of 1-800-DENTIST, the nation's leading dentist referral service, which generated more than $1 billion in revenue under his leadership. Once deeply introverted, Fred transformed his life through one powerful realization: bold action creates confidence, not the other way around. Now the author of Superbold: From Under Confident to Charismatic in 90 Days, Fred reveals how boldness is not a personality trait; it's a learnable life skill.

    Through personal stories and practical strategies, Fred shows how small, intentional acts of courage can create massive momentum in both life and business. Listeners are taken behind the scenes of the rise of 1-800-DENTIST, from early risk-taking to national expansion, including the leadership pivots, economic challenges, and cultural foundations that fueled its success. He explains how transparency, adaptability, and trust became the pillars of long-term growth.

    One of the episode's most unexpected insights comes from Fred's experience with improv comedy, which reshaped his communication style and elevated his public-speaking confidence, proving that growth often begins far outside your comfort zone. From lessons learned through his mother's bold parenting to actionable techniques for strengthening your own "boldness muscle," this episode delivers inspiration you can immediately put into action.

    If you've ever hesitated to speak up, take the leap, or trust yourself, this conversation is your invitation to stop waiting and start moving.

    Because confidence isn't discovered. It's built.

    🚀 PERFECT FOR:

    Entrepreneurs, leaders, creatives, and anyone who feels that they are called to do more but are held back by fear or self-doubt.

    Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

    1-800-DENTIST

    Lonesome Dove

    Man's Search for Meaning

    Connect with Fred:

    Website

    Book

    Podcast

    LinkedIn

    Instagram

    Connect with Mike:

    Linktree

    SPONSORS:

    Social Chameleon | Transform Your Podcast

    AFFILIATES:

    Libsyn: First Month FREE with Promo Code BEGREAT

    Riverside | This interview was recorded on Riverside

    Want to become a show sponsor or affiliate? Email mike@socialchameleon.us

    Copyright © 2026 Mike'D Up! with Mike DiCioccio | For permission to use this content in any way, please email mike@socialchameleon.us
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    48 min
  • #285: Yun Rhee — Awakening Your Potential: Energy Alignment & Nervous System Regulation

    #285: Yun Rhee — Awakening Your Potential: Energy Alignment & Nervous System Regulation
    Jan 26 2026
    What if everything you've been taught about success is wrong? In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Mike sits down with Yun Rhee—a visionary leader, community builder, human potential catalyst, and founder of The Elevated Oracle—for a conversation that bridges ancient spiritual wisdom with cutting-edge science. Yun brings a rare perspective on personal transformation, blending deep intuition with modern research to challenge conventional definitions of achievement and fulfillment. From her early journey as a Korean immigrant shaped by discipline, sacrifice, and perseverance, Yun reveals how the traditional model of "work harder to get ahead" left many disconnected from their true gifts. What followed was a profound awakening that led her into the worlds of energy work, paradigm shifting, quantum sound therapy, and conscious creation, reshaping how she approaches purpose, leadership, and human potential. Together, Mike and Yun explore energy alignment, subconscious reprogramming, and the science of quantum thinking, including the role of gamma brainwaves in creativity and peak performance. Yun explains how meditation, breathwork, nervous-system regulation, and quantum sound therapy can unlock hidden potential and restore energetic flow. Insightful, inspiring, and deeply empowering, this episode invites listeners to step beyond conditioning, reconnect with their higher self, and design a life guided by purpose, alignment, and possibility. IN THIS EPISODE: ➡️ QUANTUM AWAKENING: Breaking free from subconscious programming to activate untapped potential ➡️ ENERGY ALIGNED CREATION: How frequency, intention, and breath shape your reality ➡️ NERVES OF GREATNESS: Mastering the nervous system to unlock clarity, calm, and peak performance ➡️ COMMUNITY BY DESIGN: Building environments where technology, connection, and purpose converge 📘 BONUS TAKEAWAY: Personal growth accelerates when inner alignment meets practical application. By combining self-awareness, intentional daily practices, and supportive environments, lasting change becomes not only possible but repeatable across every area of life. 🚀 PERFECT FOR: Entrepreneurs, changemakers, and high-achievers seeking to unlock their full potential. It's also perfect for anyone ready to move beyond outdated "work harder" mindsets, embrace authenticity, align their energy, and create a life of purpose, impact, and meaningful growth. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Bob Proctor Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East The Hidden Messages in Water Connect with Yun & The Elevated Oracle: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Connect with Mike: Linktree SPONSORS: Social Chameleon | Transform Your Podcast AFFILIATES: Libsyn: First Month FREE with Promo Code BEGREAT Riverside | This interview was recorded on Riverside Want to become a show sponsor or affiliate? Email mike@socialchameleon.us Copyright © 2026 Mike'D Up! with Mike DiCioccio | For permission to use this content in any way, please email mike@socialchameleon.us
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    1 ora e 12 min
  • #284: Derek Strokon — Escaping Hero Culture: Embracing Authenticity and Generosity

    #284: Derek Strokon — Escaping Hero Culture: Embracing Authenticity and Generosity
    Jan 19 2026
    When the wins keep coming, but fulfillment fades, what's really missing? In this unforgettable episode, Mike welcomes Derek Strokon, CEO of Soul Summit Ventures, three-time international bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and philanthropic force, for a raw, inspiring conversation about redefining success and living with intention. Derek opens up about his journey from the high-pressure world of corporate finance and material excess to a life grounded in gratitude, service, and authentic connection. After downsizing from a 5,100-square-foot home, he discovered that less can truly become more…more impact, more meaning, and more fulfillment. At the heart of the conversation is Derek's powerful philosophy of "Hero Culture," sparked by a simple yet profound Halloween moment with his son. He also introduces the concept of "tipping time," a mindset shift that allows future goals to be accessed in the present, transforming how we think about success, time, and purpose. Woven throughout the episode are personal stories about family, fatherhood, and the role Derek's wife and children have played in keeping him grounded and aligned. His message is equal parts heart, wisdom, and action. This episode is a powerful reminder that true success isn't measured by what you accumulate, but by the lives you impact along the way. IN THIS EPISODE: ➡️SUCCESS REDEFINED: Trading material excess for purpose, gratitude, and meaningful impact ➡️HERO CULTURE IN ACTION: How everyday moments create leaders who give first ➡️THE TIPPING TIME MINDSET: Accessing future goals by serving others in the present ➡️PHILANTHROPY THAT SCALES: Building community funds that create real, local change 📘 BONUS TAKEAWAY: True wealth isn't defined by accumulation, but by intention. This episode reminds us that abundance already exists; it's a choice rooted in how we share our time, resources, and influence. When success is redirected toward lifting others, it creates deeper fulfillment and a ripple effect of impact that lasts far beyond material gain. 🚀 PERFECT FOR: Purpose-driven entrepreneurs, executives, and high performers who are questioning traditional definitions of success and craving deeper meaning. It's also ideal for anyone interested in personal growth, philanthropy, leadership with heart, and using financial or professional success to create real-world impact, especially those seeking alignment between ambition, authenticity, and service. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Derek's Books Derek's TEDx Talk Sacred Line Consulting The Kindness Cure Foundation Why Work Sucks and How to Fix It Connect with Derek and Soul Summit Ventures: Website Soul Summit Ventures LinkedIn Connect with Mike: Linktree SPONSORS: Social Chameleon | Transform Your Podcast AFFILIATES: Libsyn: First Month FREE with Promo Code BEGREAT Riverside | This interview was recorded on Riverside Want to become a show sponsor or affiliate? Email mike@socialchameleon.us Copyright © 2026 Mike'D Up! with Mike DiCioccio | For permission to use this content in any way, please email mike@socialchameleon.us
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    52 min
  • #283: Eli Igra Serfaty — Turn LinkedIn Into Your Most Powerful Growth Engine

    #283: Eli Igra Serfaty — Turn LinkedIn Into Your Most Powerful Growth Engine
    Jan 12 2026
    What if the platform you've been using casually is actually your most powerful growth engine? In this episode, Mike sits down with Eli Igra Serfaty, co-founder and CEO of MAIA Digital, one of the world's leading LinkedIn growth agencies. MAIA helps B2B founders and executives turn visibility into real trust, relationships, and revenue. With a background in venture capital and deep roots in Israel's startup ecosystem, Eli brings a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on how influence is actually built in today's professional world. Eli walks through his journey from venture capital at iAngels to founding MAIA Digital after spotting a critical gap: brilliant founders and executives were on LinkedIn, but they weren't truly using it. What began as a job-hunting platform has quietly evolved into one of the most powerful tools for credibility, connection, and long-term business growth, especially following Microsoft's acquisition, which fundamentally reshaped the ecosystem. This conversation goes far beyond tactics. Eli breaks down why visibility matters, why most people overthink posting, and how consistent, authentic engagement turns cold audiences into warm conversations. He explains what actually works on LinkedIn today, from content formats and storytelling to outreach strategies that build trust rather than burn bridges. You'll also hear practical guidance on using LinkedIn without letting it consume your life: what to do daily, weekly, and monthly to generate real returns. Eli shares why authenticity beats automation, why vulnerability builds stronger communities, and why playing the long game on LinkedIn pays off in ways most people underestimate. IN THIS EPISODE: ➡️LINKEDIN REIMAGINED: How the platform evolved from job board to trust-building growth engine ➡️VISIBILITY WITHOUT PERFECTION: Why consistency beats overthinking and polished personas ➡️OUTREACH THAT ACTUALLY WORKS: Turning cold connections into warm, human conversations ➡️AUTHENTICITY THAT COMPOUNDS: Building long-term influence through real engagement and community 📘 BONUS TAKEAWAY: LinkedIn success isn't about hacking the algorithm or posting more than everyone else; it's about showing up as a real human, consistently. When you stop treating LinkedIn like a sales tool and start using it as a relationship-building platform, trust compounds quietly, opportunities find you faster, and growth becomes a byproduct rather than the goal. 🚀 PERFECT FOR: Founders, executives, or professionals who know that LinkedIn works but aren't fully utilizing it yet. This episode offers a clear and grounded roadmap for building influence that actually lasts. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future Connect with Eli & MAIA Digital: Eli's LinkedIn MAIA Digital MAIA LinkedIn MAIA YouTube Connect with Mike: Linktree SPONSORS: Social Chameleon | Transform Your Podcast AFFILIATES: Libsyn: First Month FREE with Promo Code BEGREAT Riverside | This interview was recorded on Riverside Want to become a show sponsor or affiliate? Email mike@socialchameleon.us Copyright © 2026 Mike'D Up! with Mike DiCioccio | For permission to use this content in any way, please email mike@socialchameleon.us
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    51 min
  • #282: Katya Karlova — Turning Invisible Pain into Unstoppable Power

    #282: Katya Karlova — Turning Invisible Pain into Unstoppable Power
    Jan 5 2026
    In this powerful episode, Mike welcomes Katya Karlova, former corporate VP, resilience alchemist, author, and endometriosis advocate, for a conversation centered on transforming pain into purpose. Originally from Moldova and educated at UCLA and University College London, Katya spent 15 years in global talent management before a life-altering health journey redirected her calling. During the pandemic, Katya confronted chronic pain, anxiety, and body dysmorphia, eventually receiving a long-overdue diagnosis of endometriosis, a condition affecting millions of women worldwide yet still widely misunderstood and misdiagnosed. She shares the emotional and physical toll of navigating a medical system that often dismisses women's pain, and the resilience required to continue advocating for answers. That experience became the catalyst for her debut book, Invisible Pain, Unstoppable Power, and for her growing advocacy work supporting those living with trauma, chronic illness, and unseen suffering. Katya also opens up about body positivity, self-love, and reclaiming confidence, including her journey into boudoir modeling as a powerful form of healing and self-expression. With more than 500,000 social media followers, Katya discusses authenticity, censorship, bias against curvy women, and the challenge of balancing vulnerability with empowerment online. Recognized as one of Womenpreneur Magazine's Top 20 Empowering Women, her story is a compelling testament to resilience, leadership through empathy, and the transformative power of gratitude. IN THIS EPISODE: ➡️ THE DIAGNOSIS FIGHT: Katya's years-long battle to be diagnosed with endometriosis ➡️ MEDICAL GASLIGHTING EXPOSED: How women's pain is dismissed inside the healthcare system ➡️ PAIN INTO POWER: The personal crisis that sparked Invisible Pain, Unstoppable Power ➡️ THE POWER OF POSITIVE BODY IMAGE: Katya's journey into the world of boudoir modeling ➡️ IMPACT THROUGH AUTHENTICITY: Building a global community by leading with truth and vulnerability 📘 BONUS TAKEAWAY: True healing often begins the moment you stop questioning your pain and start trusting your voice. Katya's story reminds listeners that self-advocacy is not confrontation; it's self-respect, and it can be the turning point that changes everything. 🚀 PERFECT FOR: Those living with chronic pain or searching for answers to unexplained health symptoms, as well as anyone who has felt dismissed or unheard within the healthcare system. Katya's story is also perfect for leaders and professionals seeking to transform personal adversity into purpose-driven impact. Ultimately, this conversation is for anyone looking for hope, resilience, and meaning in the midst of life's most difficult seasons. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Invisible Pain, Unstoppable Power Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Womenpreneur The Endometriosis Association Endometriosis Foundation of America Connect with Katya: Website Instagram Facebook X Connect with Mike: Linktree SPONSORS: Social Chameleon | Transform Your Podcast AFFILIATES: Libsyn: First Month FREE with Promo Code BEGREAT Riverside | This interview was recorded on Riverside Want to become a show sponsor or affiliate? Email mike@socialchameleon.us Copyright © 2025 Mike'D Up! with Mike DiCioccio | For permission to use this content in any way, please email mike@socialchameleon.us
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    47 min
  • #281: Most Impactful Moments of 2025 on #MikedUp

    #281: Most Impactful Moments of 2025 on #MikedUp
    Dec 22 2025
    In this episode, Mike takes listeners behind the scenes of a few of MIKE'D UP's most impactful moments of 2025—a year defined by resilience, truth, healing, courage, and unapologetic self-belief. From life-altering diagnoses to near-death experiences, from entrepreneurship's darkest days to moments of profound clarity, this episode stitches together the stories that didn't only inspire—but changed lives. You'll hear from guests who refused to accept limits, questioned what they were told was "impossible," and chose purpose over fear. These conversations aren't motivational fluff, they're lived experiences from people who stepped into the arena, endured the pain, and came out transformed. This episode isn't only a recap. It's a challenge. A challenge to rethink what's possible. A challenge to stop playing small. A challenge to enter 2026 with clarity, courage, and conviction. If you've ever questioned your purpose, doubted your path, or wondered whether it's too late to change, this episode is your reminder that you're only getting started. IN THIS EPISODE: 🧠 Defying Diagnoses & Rewriting the Rules: Stories of healing and belief beyond medical limitations. 💥 Resilience in the Face of the Impossible: Turning pain into purpose 🦁 The Courage to Step Into the Arena: Entrepreneurship, failure, and why walking away may be the right move. 🎯 Purpose, Legacy & the Final Scorecard: What truly matters when the noise fades and how to live without regret. 📘 BONUS TAKEAWAY: Across every story in this recap, a powerful pattern emerges: the people who changed their lives didn't wait for permission, proof, or perfect conditions. They moved forward with belief before the evidence showed up. Whether it was refusing a diagnosis, choosing joy while dealing with chronic pain, walking away from a business that no longer fit, or redefining greatness on their own terms…each guest trusted their inner voice over external noise. 🚀 PERFECT FOR: Anyone standing at a crossroads—personally, professionally, or emotionally—and looking for clarity, courage, and conviction heading into the new year. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: The Tapping Solution App Joy Through the Journey: Shift Your Mindset, Embrace the Present Moment, and Cultivate Resilience Through Life's Ups and Downs Previous Episodes Mentioned in This Recap: Kaley Z: Heal Your Body With Your Mind! – YouTube Link Amberly Lago: Finding JOY Through the Journey – YouTube Link Gail Jones — Beyond a Statistic: Real Stories of Teens & Young Adults Redefining Themselves – YouTube Link Jeremy Joerger — Lessons Learned from a Blue Collar CEO – YouTube Link Michael Anthony — Life is Dope! – YouTube Link Kurt Avery — How One Mission Has Transformed 30 Million Lives in 80+ Countries – YouTube Link Connect with Mike: Linktree SPONSORS: Social Chameleon | Transform Your Podcast AFFILIATES: Libsyn: First Month FREE with Promo Code BEGREAT Riverside | This interview was recorded on Riverside Want to become a show sponsor or affiliate? Email mike@socialchameleon.us Copyright © 2025 Mike'D Up! with Mike DiCioccio | For permission to use this content in any way, please email mike@socialchameleon.us
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    26 min
  • #280: Chuck Cuda — Betting On Myself: A True Story of Risk, Resilience, and Massive Success

    #280: Chuck Cuda — Betting On Myself: A True Story of Risk, Resilience, and Massive Success
    Dec 15 2025

    This week Mike sits down with entrepreneur Chuck Cuda—a man who transformed a life-altering setback into a multimillion-dollar comeback. Chuck's journey begins with a single decision that landed him in prison after he refused to testify against friends in an illegal sports-betting case. But it was in a prison cell on Thanksgiving Day where he experienced the wake-up call that reshaped his entire life. From that moment, accountability became his superpower.

    Chuck rebuilt everything from the ground up. He went on to close over $200 million in commercial real estate deals, mastering the fundamentals of discipline, prospecting, and relationship-driven success. His ambition then carried him into the fast-evolving cannabis industry, where he expanded an operation from 5 to 22 licenses across three states—turning major financial challenges into profitability.

    Driven by purpose, Chuck also shares his passion for philanthropy, inspired by his father's battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Through the OPES Charitable Foundation, he has helped raise more than $3 million for cancer research. His daily affirmations, leadership philosophy, and belief in limitless potential offer a blueprint for anyone looking to rebuild their life or elevate their mindset.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    🔥 THE TURNING POINT: The moment behind bars that sparked Chuck's transformation

    🏢 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE: How Chuck rebuilt his career, closing over $200 million in deals

    🌱 A BOOMING CANNABIS OPERATION: Bringing a struggling business back to profitability

    🎗 LEADERSHIP FUELED BY PURPOSE: Breaking down Chuck's passion for cancer research

    📘 BONUS TAKEAWAY:

    Beyond the business wins and the comeback story, Chuck's story shows that your mindset is the engine behind every transformation. His daily affirmations, his refusal to stay defined by past mistakes, and his belief that "limitless potential is available to anyone willing to do the work" serve as a powerful reminder: your success begins the moment you decide to believe in yourself more than your circumstances.

    🚀 PERFECT FOR:

    Anyone hungry for growth—entrepreneurs, leaders, and ambitious professionals seeking real-world inspiration and strategic mindset shifts. It's especially powerful for those rebuilding after setbacks, navigating high-stakes industries like real estate or cannabis, or looking to lead with purpose and resilience. If you're driven to level up, give back, and believe your story isn't finished, this conversation will hit home.

    Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

    Ego Strength Book

    Opes Charitable Foundation Website

    Green Tie Gala

    Connect with Chuck:

    LinkedIn

    Chuck's Website

    Connect with Mike:

    Linktree

    SPONSORS:

    Social Chameleon | Transform Your Podcast

    AFFILIATES:

    Libsyn: First Month FREE with Promo Code BEGREAT

    Riverside | This interview was recorded on Riverside

    Want to become a show sponsor or affiliate? Email mike@socialchameleon.us

    Copyright © 2025 Mike'D Up! with Mike DiCioccio | For permission to use this content in any way, please email mike@socialchameleon.us
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    50 min