Today's guest, John Svedese , found a comfortable place to be himself, and it happens to be his basement in Brooklyn, New York. John is a podcaster, a family man, and someone who took care of his grandparents. He even had his dad intro Reena on his podcast. In this episode, John shares his journey from growing up in a family of serial entrepreneurs to starting his own ventures and building an empire from his basement. John talks about his early involvement in his father's background screening co...
Aug 26, 2024•44 min•Ep 388•Transcript available on Metacast People relate better to those who have gone through similar experiences. Today, Reena Friedman Watts brings a heartfelt rebroadcast of an interview with Jey Young from the Young Dad Podcast. Jey opens up about his tough beginnings, wrongful termination, and the resilience it takes to choose love over hate. This episode is a raw and candid conversation about overcoming adversity, the importance of family, and the lessons learned along the way. Jey shares his journey through wrongful termination, ...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep 387•Transcript available on Metacast "At the end of the day, podcasting is a medium to communicate, and you need to be present in the way people like to consume." Today's guest, Manali Bhat, is a podcaster and podcast producer who has worked on over 500 episodes and four top-ranking shows with 18 clients. Reena and Manali compare notes on the podcasting journey, discussing the importance of building rapport with guests, the challenges of managing multiple shows, and the art of engaging conversations. Manali shares her unique perspe...
Aug 12, 2024•50 min•Ep 386•Transcript available on Metacast "Parenting is one of those things that takes time." "Our job as parents is to be there as much as we can for our kids." "The opposite of trauma in general is connection." "We want to create an environment for our kids where instead of it being I can’t tell my parents about that to the world of I can’t wait to tell my parents." “Parenting is easy,” said no one ever. Today’s guest, Chananya Abraham, is a parent of five, a podcaster, and a therapist specializing in working with teens, young adults,...
Aug 05, 2024•56 min•Ep 385•Transcript available on Metacast "Focus on who you serve, not just what you do." Today's guest, Daniel Andrews, is a chief instigator who specializes in creating new and meaningful connections. Daniel joins us to discuss the true value of networking and why your network is indeed your net worth. He shares his insights on the importance of mutual support, the pitfalls of over-giving, and how to properly follow up with people to build lasting professional relationships. Daniel illustrates his points with personal anecdotes, inclu...
Jul 29, 2024•53 min•Ep 384•Transcript available on Metacast "You can't edit a blank page, right? You have to write the damn thing down and then you can make it better." "Courage is doing it anyway. Courage is not having the fear." "I want a big life. I want my dreams. And I'm not just wanting them, I'm going about getting them." "It's like, we're all just trying to do our best. I think good people are. Most people." Today's guest is Anne Alexander Sieder , an American actress, screenwriter, and podcaster based in Germany. Anne takes us through her incred...
Jul 22, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep 383•Transcript available on Metacast Today we have a truly special guest, Karina Acosta , someone who's stepping into the spotlight for the very first time. When someone introduces you to their friends or family, you know those connections deserve a little bit of extra care. Today's guest is no exception. She's the daughter of a very memorable past guest, Enrique Acosta Gonzalez . Her father not only encouraged her but also instilled in her the faith to believe in herself. Confidence is hard to impart on a daughter, but Enrique sho...
Jul 15, 2024•44 min•Ep 382•Transcript available on Metacast Today's guest, Dorothy Graham O'Dell, is the epitome of resilience and determination. From overcoming bullying and abusive relationships to celebrating her "Freedom Day," Dorothy's journey is a testament to the power of self-worth and perseverance. Join us as she shares her story of healing, standing up against bullies, and finding her voice through writing and podcasting. Dorothy opens up about her struggles with low self-esteem, the impact of bullying on her mental health, and how she managed ...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 381•Transcript available on Metacast "You have to believe you can do what you don't believe you can do." "Life is coincidences, luck is what you make of it when you're prepared." "It's really just the courage to do it." "You can't control the past, so focus on what's important and what you can control." Today, we're diving into the world of entrepreneurship, resilience, and the power of podcasting with our guest, Brandon C. White , from The Brandon White Show who's been podcasting since 1997. Brandon shares his remarkable journey f...
Jul 01, 2024•58 min•Ep 380•Transcript available on Metacast "When we take the poisons out and we grow food instead of lawns, we grow the Garden of Eden all around us." "The idea is simply going back to nature, going back to God, going back to service and love and joy and stewardship of our land." "Permaculture is not only the most loving and logical strategy on how we end hunger globally, but this is also the only way we are going to defeat tyranny." "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve." "Faith and courage have no boundaries." "The...
Jun 24, 2024•43 min•Ep 379•Transcript available on Metacast Refugee Week takes place every year across the world in the week around World Refugee Day on the 20 June. Today, we are honored to welcome Drocella Mugorewera , a corporate trainer, best selling author, and former refugee with an awe-inspiring story. Drocella takes us on an emotional journey through her tumultuous experiences during the Rwandan genocide, detailing the tragic loss of her sister's husband and the harrowing escape to the Democratic Republic of Congo with her infant son. Join us as ...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr•Ep 378•Transcript available on Metacast "We are all humans here just trying to do God's work. And my dad says, that's the role of a father." Today's guest is doing just that. He's a fatherhood activist, businessman, friend, and dad of five. Join us as David Hirsch shares his inspiring journey of advocating for father involvement, raising awareness about the impact of father absence, and the importance of meeting children where they are. David reflects on his own experiences, from being raised by a single mom and his grandfather's sign...
Jun 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 377•Transcript available on Metacast "We all like to unwind after a crazy day. Whether it's podcasting, writing, or gaming, it's a constructive way for a little bit of mental relief." Today's guest is a daddy's girl, and we're going to talk about closure and healing from trauma. Star joins us to share her journey of self-discovery, the importance of mental health, and the power of writing as a therapeutic outlet. From childhood fan fiction to creating her own universe, Star's love for writing has been a constant in her life. She re...
Jun 10, 2024•53 min•Ep 376•Transcript available on Metacast "If these moss walls could talk!” "It's almost more important to listen to plants than it is to talk to them." "Nature makes people happy. It just does in all of its wonderful forms." Today's guest, Kasey Riley, co-founder of the Fat Plant Society, loves to communicate with nature, kind of like my grandfather used to. My dad says it's discovering an untold story of the way that the world should be. In honor of world environment day I’m bringing you a very special guest! Kasey shares her journey ...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr•Ep 375•Transcript available on Metacast “Every day is a new chance for us to make choices. And sometimes the choices aren’t right. And that’s okay." "If you are going on a long haul flight, make sure to not check all of your toiletries." "I want to be able to lay my head on a matzo ball and go to sleep." "I’m committing to my Judaism right now." Live from the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), Reena Friedman Watts reconnects with Audrey Zinn and Steven Landry for an episode filled with laughs, deep dives into Jewish traditions, and...
Jun 03, 2024•38 min•Ep 374•Transcript available on Metacast "I think that we all have to be comfortable with our relationship with God." "If you spend more time saying, how can I be of service to someone today? Life gets better." "The economy of business development is about actual relationships, not just sales." Live from the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Steven Landry shares his fascinating journey from studying theology to becoming a key player in the travel industry. With a background that includes aspirations of priesthood and a recent ...
May 29, 2024•45 min•Ep 373•Transcript available on Metacast "Find your passion and follow it." "If you follow your passion, you never work a day in your life." Navigating the skies and the seas of corporate travel is no easy feat, but Chris Martin, Senior VP of Wings Global Travel, has mastered the art of movement. In this high-flying episode of Better Call Daddy , Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Chris Martin live from the Offshore Technology Conference to talk about the complex world of travel logistics, where AI meets human touch, and where every j...
May 22, 2024•45 min•Ep 372•Transcript available on Metacast Imagine meeting a true educational trailblazer at your very first podcaster meetup. That’s exactly what happened when I met Doctora Sandra Villarreal Montgomery. During our conversation, I mentioned I’d be working the media booth at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston. To my delight, she drove an hour just to be a guest on the show. Doctora Sandra is not only a passionate advocate for education but also a beacon of hope for countless students and families. In our discussion, she ...
May 17, 2024•28 min•Ep 371•Transcript available on Metacast Collin Strajack takes us on a journey through the unpredictable world of stand-up comedy, sharing his experiences from open mic nights to the importance of a strong social media presence for comedians today. But it's not all laughs and punchlines; Collin opens up about the challenges of mental health and the therapeutic power of comedy. Are you in need of a good laugh coupled with some genuine life insights? In a world where laughter is the best medicine, this week's episode of Better Call Daddy...
May 13, 2024•57 min•Ep 370•Transcript available on Metacast Ever made a mistake and wished you could turn back time? This week on the Better Call Daddy Show, we're diving into the power of embracing our errors with special guest Mark Graban. Discover how to transform mishaps into opportunities and why creating a space for safe failure is key to innovation and growth. Listen in for an episode filled with laughter, learning, and a little bit of daddy wisdom. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation that might just change the way you view your next bl...
May 08, 2024•57 min•Ep 369•Transcript available on Metacast What's life? What kind of world are we leaving for our children? Mazi Keyghobadi shares his battle against muscular dystrophy for his son's future. He believes you need to speak your mind and contribute! He is leading by example. There's only one other person that has the rare form of muscular dystrophy that Mazi Keyghobadi's son has. It wakes up part of you you never knew existed. In this heart-stirring episode of Better Call Daddy, we meet Mazi Keyghobadi, a father whose love knows no bounds. ...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep 368•Transcript available on Metacast How do you envision the collaboration between super-intelligent AI and humans? What steps should humanity start taking now to prepare for a future where this partnership is a reality? Why do we see the limited things that we see? Are the things we actually see, a mirage? Today's guest Rob Greenlee added to my dad's definition of the meaning of life, a veteran in the world of podcasting and technology. This episode takes us on a journey through the intersections of technology, consciousness, and ...
Apr 26, 2024•56 min•Ep 367•Transcript available on Metacast In the latest episode of Better Call Daddy, we venture into the multifaceted world of Cam Sully, a man who guards by night and podcasts by day. Cam takes us through the winding paths of his life, from his unexpected insights as a security guard to his passionate endeavors in podcasting. He shares the importance of assertive communication, the relief of therapy, and the freedom found in speaking one's truth without seeking permission. With a candid reflection on family dynamics and societal expec...
Apr 19, 2024•41 min•Ep 366•Transcript available on Metacast At just 8 years old, Kelly Wallace faced the unimaginable—testifying in court against her own grandfather, a man who committed the heinous act of sexual abuse. Her story is a stark reminder of the silent battles that many face, hidden behind the closed doors of seemingly ordinary homes. Kelly's journey is not just one of survival, but of unwavering courage and the pursuit of healing. As an alcoholic in recovery since 2001, she confronts the overlooked correlation between addiction and the trauma...
Apr 15, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep 365•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever wondered what it's like to walk a mile in someone else's shoes? To drum to the beat of a different life? In this heart-to-heart episode of Better Call Daddy, John, affectionately known as Jive, and one of my favorite podcasters shares his unconventional life journey. From the young age of 14, he found himself navigating the harsh realities of homelessness, which later fueled his passion for helping those on the streets. Despite the trials, John's spirit remains unbreakable as he sh...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep 364•Transcript available on Metacast Can you make a musical about anything? Absolutely! From everyday life experiences to fantastical adventures. Today’s guest talks about creating a hospice musical. Imagine being in your bed at the end of life and reflecting in a meaningful way! Where have you been in your journey? Have you thought about what you want people to say about you when you die? Have you conducted an interview with a loved one, how about adding some music to that? Benjamin Kintisch, a creator who has experienced pain and...
Apr 08, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep 363•Transcript available on Metacast How do you switch things up in your podcast and collaborate with other creators? Is parental support always beneficial or can it have negative effects? Today Mama D and I talk about evaluating one's values, setting boundaries, parenting, mental health, podcasting, trauma, and language learning. Reena emphasized the importance of trust and building it over time in relationships, and how love is a choice that evolves with age and experience. Mama D is the host of Petals of Support podcast https://...
Apr 03, 2024•59 min•Ep 362•Transcript available on Metacast Today's guest, Helene Beck recently celebrated her 100th episode on her very own podcast, Coming from the Heart. I love her enthusiasm for hosting the show, her motivation to inspire exercise, and her profound passion for music. Her love for music began at a young age, as she would sing along to commercials and mimic songs she heard. This passion for music led her to take lessons when she was around 10 or 11 years old. She continued to nurture her musical talent by listening to albums and singin...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep 361•Transcript available on Metacast What skills do you think are most crucial for an actor to learn beyond their performance craft? Jennifer Dean shares the challenges of learning the entire business of acting, including marketing and production. How do you balance the emotional impact of deeply engaging with a role while maintaining a clear line between your character and personal reality? Today Alicia Araujo-Elatassi from the Senora Vibes Podcast and I sit down with Jennifer Dean, the managing director of Fourth Wall Theatre in ...
Mar 22, 2024•36 min•Ep 360•Transcript available on Metacast In today's empowering episode with the remarkable Alesia Galati, we unpack her incredible journey from surviving a cult to mastering the world of podcasting. Alesia shares her poignant story of personal growth, self-discovery, and the power of setting boundaries. She dives into the essence of building authentic relationships with clients and how embracing her unique identity has been pivotal for her business success. Get ready to be inspired by Alesia's transition to a six-figure podcasting powe...
Mar 20, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep 359•Transcript available on Metacast