Join us as we speak with Al Cook—former drill sergeant, business and community leader, and motivational speaker—to unpack how confidence is built under pressure, why leadership is an art, and how attention to detail can shape your life. Al takes us behind the scenes of basic training: the controlled chaos of arrival, the initial shock that flips a mental switch, and the quiet satisfaction of watching a scared 18-year-old become a soldier who trusts themselves when it counts.

From there, we chart Al’s path into retail management and entrepreneurship, where he sharpened his philosophy: thoughts drive emotions, emotions drive actions, actions become habits, habits form character, and character sets destiny. He shares practical tools for business owners feeling stuck, including writing clear goals, expecting struggle before victory, building mental toughness, and gathering a coterie of people who are smarter than they are. We dive into the power of visualization and why most people unintentionally imagine failure more vividly than success. Al shows how to redirect that imagination toward outcomes you actually want.

Al blends tough love with compassionate coaching. You’ll hear how to turn “I can’t” into “Here’s my next step,” how to reduce negative inputs and increase positive ones, and why small, consistent wins beat frantic busyness. We wrap with a gratitude practice that resets your day in minutes and a reminder that your greatest resource is people: align them around a vision and watch momentum build. If you’re ready to swap excuses for execution and turn thought into action, press play, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs the spark.

This episode of There's a Lesson in Here Somewhere features Gregory Mark Hill, a private equity partner and author of the book, "Samsara and Its Impact on the Entrepreneur's Dreams." Gregory discusses the meaning of Samsara, a Sanskrit word that refers to the cycles of suffering when one is attached to the material world. He explains how this concept applies to entrepreneurship and the broader business world, noting that even when professional issues are solved, "if they were suffering on the inside...the businesses I found would ultimately suffer." Gregory shares stories from his work with executives, including a compelling anecdote about a Fortune Ten company, to illustrate how the "self-cherishing ego" and attachments to things like outcomes or preconceived notions can become a roadblock to company and organizational success. He also explores how shifting a leader's mindset can positively impact the entire company.

Gregory’s book is available on Amazon. It’s a true story that shares insights on breaking free from limiting cycles while rediscovering joy, resilience, and purpose. Check it out – we recommend it! https://a.co/d/0sCsvIa

In this episode, Jamie Serino and Peter Carucci speak with Dr. Despina Kontos, a professor and cancer researcher at Columbia University, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming cancer research and patient care. From her roots in engineering to her pioneering work in medical imaging, Dr. Kontos shares how AI is moving from simple computer vision tools to sophisticated predictive analytics that are already saving lives. The conversation dives into the real-world challenges of bringing AI into clinical settings—from legal concerns to integration into existing medical workflows. Dr. Kontos also weighs in on the role of the private sector in driving innovation, the potential of democratizing medical technology to improve access, and why personal responsibility and preventative care are more important than ever. It’s a thought-provoking look at the intersection of technology, medicine, and human decision-making in the era of AI.