Discovery Channel stars “Dirty Water Don” and John “Gannimal Gann are professional divers currently leading the search of up to 500,000 mammoth bones in NYC’s East River, reportedly worth up to $1 BILLION! Their excursions and projects have been the focal point of Discovery Channel’s hit show, “Sewer Divers,” which premieres on Sunday nights. The Gann brothers spent the day down here at the Jersey Shore and brought an energetic conversation that touched on everything from life in the trade union...
Apr 20, 2023•48 min
Eric Swan is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Swan Productions. Hailing from California, Eric was introduced to Fireside America through a construction worker on one of his projects and immediately reached out to share some of his story. He has launched a series of businesses, from wedding and event planning to design studios spearheading the development of ultra-high end restaurants exceeding $20M buildouts. Enjoy! ⬇️ FOLLOW MORE HERE ⬇️ 📲 RYAN'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ryandr...
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 21 min
Scott “The Red Suit Realtor" Orison is a Utah-based, Amazon best-selling author on a mission to help 1,000 people fix and flip real estate. Bringing an electric personality, unique brand and 15 years of investing experience to the table, Scott is a top-producing Realtor who specializes in helping clients purchase and develop land, fixer-uppers, investment properties and luxury estates in the greater Salt Lake City, Utah region. Scott is a master connector who hosts various meet-ups, connecting i...
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 18 min
Michael and Elizabeth Sauls are the owners of Raleigh-based BKFX Studios, a multimedia production company that specializes in cinematic storytelling of small businesses, individuals and corporations. They made the trip from North Carolina to the beaches of the Jersey Shore for an awesome conversation, where we dug into growing up homeschooled, our opinions on marital roles, imposter syndrome and the process of telling a brand’s story effectively. It was an effortless conversation with two young ...
Mar 30, 2023•1 hr 18 min
Scott Kirk is the second generation owner of Nova Heating & Air Conditioning, based out of the Jersey Shore here in Howell, New Jersey. A notable family name, The Kirk Family has held a strong presence in the Monmouth and Ocean County communities for decades through various local businesses, with Nova’s inception dating back to 1987. Scott swung by to dive deep into his roots of the wrestling world, share the lessons learned from losses and exchange principles of fatherhood. He has been an a...
Mar 23, 2023•56 min
Christian Coronato is the founder/operator of Coronato’s Lean Cuisine and Coronato’s Kitchen. A nationally ranked power lifter and bodybuilder, Christian is a Jersey Shore native who, together with his wife and Kristi, has built multiple successful and regionally renown businesses in the fitness and nutrition industries. Christian and I have ran in similar circles for decades and even rubbed elbows at Powerhouse Gym back in the day, but have never sat down to chop it up! I can vividly remember C...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Ian Smith is a South Jersey native and former co-owner of The Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, New Jersey, best known for his defiance of court orders that demanded he close the doors to his gym amidst COVID shutdowns. This was a captivating conversation with a figure who experienced a meteoric rise to fame during the pandemic, where we peeled back many layers of one of the most recognizable faces in the conservative movement — a reckless youth, the tragic accident that landed him behind bars, a chance a...
Feb 23, 2023•1 hr 44 min
Sajid Ali is the founder and operator of Patriot Limousine, a luxury limousine service with a state-of-the-art fleet of vehicles, driven by a team of professional drivers with over twenty years of experience in transporting VIP clientele, from executives to medical professionals and even organ transplants. I was introduced to Ali just weeks ago as he drove my team and me to the airport for our trip to Utah, and in the short 60-minute drive to Newark, we were captivated by his story of emigration...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Tom Simpson is the founder and operator of Chisel & Loom, which specializes in new and reclaimed wood flooring, solid and hollow beams, cladding and Millboard decking and siding. A rapidly up-and-coming Chatham-based business, their sourced materials are imported from Europe and have rarely ever been offered in the United States. Tom swung by The Pit to tell his story, geek out on wood and share some of his most valuable lessons learned along the way, from previous jobs, to fatherhood and fi...
Feb 09, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Robert Nagel is a Jersey Shore native and the founder of Surf Taco, New Jersey's preeminent Mexi-Cali cuisine-style restaurant, founded in 2001 and now with 11 locations across New Jersey and Florida (Jupiter). Rob has a fascinating life story that brought him to each coast of the United States, from living in tents to directing non-profits in California, and ultimately returning back to his roots at the NJ shore to bartend, lifeguard and work in other restaurants prior to launching Surf Taco. H...
Feb 01, 2023•55 min
Alexis Smith is the owner and operator of Embellish U, a luxury spa and boutique based out of Point Pleasant (New Jersey), offering the finest treatments and products in the beauty industry. Starting her own nail salon at the age of 15 out of her parents’ house, entrepreneurship is embedded in Alexis’ DNA and she has built a mini-empire in the industry. Embellish U is a true one-of-a-kind experience and one of the most notable beauty establishments in New Jersey among women. In this episode we d...
Jan 18, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Matt Vincent is the MOST INTERESTING MAN ON THE INTERNET! A 2X Highland Games world champion turned serial entrepreneur and psychonaut, Matt’s roots were dug in southwest Louisiana where he was a high school indoor and outdoor state champion in the shot, before competing for the LSU Tigers and standing upon the SEC podium multiple times. After college, Matt took an outside sales job in the oil industry, where he was on pace to earn close to $200K in total comp at a young age. While training for ...
Jan 11, 2023•1 hr 14 min
WE’RE BACK! Hope everyone had a tremendous Christmas and New Year and is as fired up for 2023 as I am! 🔥 Ringing in the New Year with a monumental Episode 50, joined by guest Dr. Ilan Gamburg, the Israeli-born owner of “Brielle Dentistry,” who emigrated to New Jersey from Jerusalem at the age of 12 with his brother and Russian-born parents. A graduate of the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Ilan Gamburg went onto complete his General Practice Residency at Jersey Shore University Medical C...
Jan 04, 2023•58 min
Nick Hoffer, AKA “The Holster Guy” is the founder/CEO of HofTac Industries and Patriot Trays. Based out of Idaho, USA, Nick has built an impressive business that includes his ultra-popular “OMNICARRY” holster, which comfortably accommodates more than 200 handguns. Nick and I connected through Sean Whalen’s “The Lion’s Den” and hit it off immediately, so I was super excited when we were able to put together this cross-country hang. We discussed quitting unfulfilling jobs, taking chances on oursel...
Dec 07, 2022•1 hr 30 min
Keaton Hoskins is a serial entrepreneur best known for his role as “The Muscle” on The Discovery Channel’s hit TV show, “Diesel Brothers”. A wildly successful entrepreneur in his own right hailing from Utah, Keaton has built, operated and sold dozens of successful businesses since his 20’s across a variety of industries, from fitness to medicine and everything in between. He has never invested more than $7,500 to launch a business and has led each venture to meteoric success. While continuing to...
Nov 30, 2022•1 hr 11 min
Sean Grevy is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, impact investor and most notably, the CEO of 43 Oak Advertising. His agency has dominated the advertising game across the Tri-State area, from the airwaves of radio to the airspace that billboards of Eat Clean Bro, Pond LeHockey and others command. Sean has a captivating story and a relentless self-belief that has allowed him to continually bet on himself, bringing him from the projects of Philadelphia to the top of the advertising industry. A lifel...
Nov 23, 2022•1 hr 16 min
Mia and Carla Jung are South Jersey natives and two of the most dynamic women in healthcare! These powerful twin sisters joined me fireside for a beautiful evening of conversation, sharing stories from childhood, through college at Villanova and Columbia, to their prominent positions in healthcare and finance today. A Talent Partner on the Healthcare team at WCAS, Mia focuses on executive talent strategy and management, and is responsible for helping the world's leading healthcare companies buil...
Nov 18, 2022•1 hr 5 min
Matt Rega is a serial entrepreneur based out of Monmouth County, New Jersey, with ventures including the Beach Shack Deli, Straw Dock (https://strawdock.com/) and a budding boutique marketing agency. A former NCAA D1 wrestler, Matt brings a relentless grit to business and a passion for community, which was amplified after locals rallied around his business and countless others at the Jersey Shore post Hurricane Sandy. Matt has limitless potential and was a great hang on a beautiful fall evening!...
Nov 09, 2022•1 hr 3 min
Paul Altero is a New Jersey Native and the co-founder of Bubbakoo’s Burritos. Along with his partner, Bill Hart, Bubbakoo’s has grown into a nationwide brand, with more than 100 locations and a goal of 250 within five years. A former fellow Point Pleasant resident, Paul joined me at the pit in his return to New Jersey after moving to Naples, Florida with his wife and two daughters. We discussed the inception of Bubbakoo’s, his Ghanaian professor’s encouragement which triggered a change in his se...
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Tobias is a professional eater, drinker and one of the most prolific partiers in America. He is ALSO a highly intelligent, strategic and dedicated entrepreneur, with a self-produced show “Tobias Eats” available on Apple TV! Tobias joined me fireside on a calm, autumn night, and the pit would never be the same! Bourbon, beers from local breweries and some of my favorite cigars were shared, as were stories about the rise and future of Tobias Eats. It was a fun one! Enjoy 🥃 ⬇️ FOLLOW MORE HERE ⬇️ ...
Oct 19, 2022•1 hr 6 min
Chef James Avery worked his way from a pizza delivery boy to sous-chef, under the tutelage of iconic chefs including David Burke and Gordon Ramsay. In 2010, James jumped on a TV opportunity to work on the culinary production team for Gordon Ramsay’s hit FOX television show “Kitchen Nightmares.” CJA stayed on as a Consulting Chef for one of the show’s renovated New Jersey restaurants before making his way back to Michael Mina’s Sea Blue. In 2011, James joined BR Guest Hospitality helping to open ...
Oct 12, 2022•55 min
Melina Bradley is the daughter of immigrants and one of the top Realtors in the greater Jersey Shore region. A trained opera singer, Melina traveled the world pursuing music, living multiple states and nations before ultimately settling in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. In a few short years, Melina has built a real estate machine that sells tens of millions of dollars in real estate per year, and provides her with the financial freedom and future that can only be achieved through "walking THROU...
Oct 05, 2022•1 hr 8 min
Matt Cangialosi is the co-owner of Jersey Freeze, founded in 1952 by the Blackmore family before being purchased by Matt and his partner Katie DiNonno in 2014. Matt is a retired police officer who rose through the ranks for 10 years before taking the dive into entrepreneurship with CKO Kickboxing and Jersey Freeze. A community staple, Jersey Freeze is heavily involved in local organizations and has been a comforting constant in Monmouth County for decades. Matt swung by the pit to walk us throug...
Sep 28, 2022•1 hr 7 min
AJ Adamczyk is the founder of Thrive Spine and Sports Rehab as well as Electro-Acupuncture Medicine. Our first ever repeat guest, AJ swung by The Pit to discuss the opening of Thrive's new state-of-the-art facility in Belmar, New Jersey, as well as the meteoric rise and success of his online business, Electro-Acupuncture Medicine. While AJ is one of the most accomplished individuals in the acupuncture industry, his business IQ is what truly sets him apart as a force in brand building and scaling...
Sep 06, 2022•1 hr 50 min
Sean DeDeyn is the co-founder and managing partner of The Axel Group, one of New Jersey's top staffing firms for environmental, architecture, construction, engineering, accounting, finance and marketing placement services. A former Division 1 wrestler at Rutgers University, Sean brings a dialed-in approach to entrepreneurship and operates the agency as a true team. He swung by The Pit to share his story, from humble beginnings in Bayville, chasing down what he wanted in collegiate athletics and ...
Aug 31, 2022•57 min
Steve Cortopassi is a serial entrepreneur with a decorated portfolio of work. He built a successful careers in the mortgage industry, before moving on to a hedge fund which he ultimately left to open a CKO Kickboxing franchise. Since then, Steve has opened multiple gym locations, expanded his holdings with Lukoil gas stations, and is a boots-on-the-ground owner of So Fresh So Clean Meal Prep. Steve swung by The Pit to discuss grabbing yourself by the balls and chasing down your dreams, not being...
Aug 24, 2022•1 hr 35 min
Andrew Zihmer is the Vice President and Lead Strategist at the Zihmer Law Firm, alongside his co-founder wife, Tracy. Andrew and I were connected through Sean Whalen's coaching group "The Lion's Den" and have bonded over our love of freedom, business and reaching back to pull others up. Andrew made the drive from Pittsburgh, PA to the Jersey Shore to be our first out-of-state guest, so we had to roll out the red carpet! We enjoyed dinner and drinks at the iconic Charlie's of Bay Head, drove some...
Aug 17, 2022•1 hr 24 min
Joe Hughes is the founder and team leader at Contractor Dynamics, the roofing industry's top marketing training company. After spending over a decade in construction, Joe founded Contractor Dynamics in 2013 to help builders, contractors and related professionals grow their businesses strategically by leveraging the Internet. He's a local guy with a powerful business that spans 40+ states, and was a genuinely good hang around the pit. We discussed the concept of being "five mile famous", Joe's ex...
Jul 27, 2022•1 hr 8 min
Chris DeCresce is the owner and operator of Fratello's Italian Restaurant & Lounge in Sea Girt, New Jersey. Chris brings decades of success to the table as a restaurateur, getting his start with his purchase of the Sand Bar in Brielle. We discussed the not overextending yourself in tumultuous times (like today), marketing in the 90’s versus 2022, advice for blue collar workers looking to generate business, and why you NEED a business plan! Chris DeCresce, ladies and gentlemen — enjoy 🥃 ⬇️ F...
Jul 20, 2022•1 hr 10 min
Leslie Konsig is a senior representative at Federated Mutual Insurance Company, based out of Monmouth County, New Jersey. She specializes in business insurance, life and disability income, and is one of the most savage "intrapreneurs" in my circle. Leslie came fireside to talk college sports, working with blue collar clientele, the new American Dream, and why you should interview the spouse before paying the employee $100K! It was a great hang on a beautiful night - enjoy! 🥃 ⬇️ FOLLOW MORE HERE...
Jul 06, 2022•1 hr
