Adventures In Business

What separates a great DJ from someone who simply knows how to play music?

Amani Roberts breaks down the art of DJing with Mandi Graziano, from reading the room and controlling energy through BPMs to blending genres and understanding what different audiences need. They discuss the current state of DJ culture, why music should never be an afterthought at events, and how the right music can create connection and shape the entire experience.

What's the wild idea you can't stop thinking about? And what would happen if you actually went for it?

Shelby Stanger has built a career around adventure, storytelling, and helping people find the courage to pursue the ideas that excite and scare them. As the host of Wild Ideas Worth Living and author of Will to Wild, she has seen firsthand how stepping outside your comfort zone can change the direction of your life.

Shelby joins Amani Roberts and Mandi Graziano to share how she turned a love of journalism and adventure into an unconventional career, why getting a "no" doesn't always mean the opportunity is gone, and how an independent podcast eventually became a partnership with REI. Along the way, surfing, travel, failure, and plenty of unexpected turns taught her that you can't experience much from the sidelines. Sometimes you have to get into the "mosh pit," take the chance, and see where the adventure leads.

Episode Links

🔗 Check Out Shelby's book: Wild To Wild

🔗 Listen to Shelby's podcast: Wild Ideas Worth Living

🔗 Find Shelby's first podcast: Vitamin Joy

🔗 Connect with Shelby! What is your "Wild Idea?"

🔗 Find Shelby on LinkedIn & Instagram

What does it take to pull off a secret international trip for 50 people? And how do you prepare when one mistake could derail the entire experience?

Nicole Matthews is the founder of The Henley Company, an event and lifestyle management agency she has led for 19 years. Her career has taken her from corporate and nonprofit events to some of the world's biggest sporting events, including the Olympics and World Cup.

Nicole joins Amani Roberts and Mandi Graziano to share how she helped get 50 people to a secret destination in New Zealand, why one email led to an unexpected NASCAR partnership, and what 19 years in business has taught her about choosing the right clients. From handwritten notes and making the most of opportunities to the growing demand for phone-free experiences, Nicole explains why genuine human connection still matters in business.

Episode Links

🔗 Check out Nicole Matthews Website

🔗 Find Nicole on Instagram & LinkedIn

🔗 Email Nicole: [email protected]

What does it really mean to put yourself first? And why is that so difficult for so many people?

Kim O'Hara is the founder of Delicious Life™, a lifestyle brand that inspires women to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and create more joy through intentional experiences, curiosity, and community. Her mission is to help women stop putting themselves last and start building lives that feel more fulfilling.

Kim joins Amani Roberts and Mandi Graziano to share why so many people struggle to prioritize themselves, what she's learned from building a business centered on meaningful human connection, and how small acts of self-kindness can create lasting change.

Episode Links

🔗 Learn more about Live Your Delicious Life

🔗 Find Kim on LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook

What happens when you spend four days teaching the next generation of DJs and music creators?

Amani Roberts shares his experience volunteering at Camp Spin Off, a summer camp for aspiring DJs and producers ages 12 to 17. He and Mandi Graziano discuss the lessons campers taught him about creativity, mentorship, and leadership, why giving back can make you better at your own career, and how one week at camp left him inspired for the future.

Learn more about Camp Spin Off

What makes a city truly unforgettable? Is it the attractions, the restaurants, or the people who bring it to life?

Wendy Roberts has spent more than 25 years helping destinations tell their stories. As President and CEO of Travel Santa Ana, she believes the best places aren't defined by famous landmarks, but by local businesses, authentic experiences, and the people who make visitors feel welcome.

Wendy joins Amani Roberts and Mandi Graziano to share how a career in public relations led her to destination marketing, why she left Milwaukee for California, what it took to build Travel Santa Ana from the ground up, and how leaders navigate challenges without losing sight of their community. She also explains why everyone should be a tourist in their own backyard and why trusting your gut can be one of the best career decisions you'll ever make.

Episode Links

🔗 Follow Wendy on LinkedIn & Instagram

🔗 Travel to Santa Ana

🔗 Rate, review, and subscribe to our channel on YouTube!

What happens when you show up every week for four years?

In this special "Ask Us Anything" episode, Mandi Graziano and Amani Roberts celebrate four years of Adventures in Business by looking back at the moments that shaped them both on and off the microphone. They share how the show has evolved from its earliest episodes, the guests who left a lasting impression, and the lessons they've learned from hundreds of conversations with entrepreneurs, executives, and industry leaders.

Along the way, they reflect on becoming better interviewers, embracing curiosity, and why consistency has been one of the biggest keys to their growth.

What if the same mental skills that help athletes perform under pressure could help you succeed in everyday life?

In this episode of Adventures in Business, Amani Roberts and Mandi Graziano sit down with Morgan Brons, founder of Winning Edge Coaching, to talk about the mental side of performance. A former Division I athlete and Big 12 Champion, Morgan shares how her experience in competitive sports led her to become a mental performance coach, helping athletes of all ages strengthen their mindset.

Morgan explains how negative self-talk affects performance, why learning from failure is essential to growth, and the practical tools she uses to help athletes build a stronger mindset. Whether you're competing in sports, leading a team, building a business, or simply trying to perform at your best, this conversation offers practical ways to build resilience, stay present, and train your mind for the moments that matter most.

Episode Links

🔗 Check out Morgan Brons on LinkedIn

🔗 Winning Edge Coaching on Instagram

🔗 Learn more about Winning Edge Coaching

What separates a good speaker from one that audiences remember long after the event ends?

In this episode of Adventures in Business, Amani Roberts and Mandi Graziano sit down with Zach Nadler, co-founder and CEO of VaynerSpeakers, to talk about the business of professional speaking and what it takes to build a lasting career on stage.

Since co-founding VaynerSpeakers with Gary Vaynerchuk in 2018, Zach has helped reimagine the traditional speaker bureau by building every event around one simple belief: no two events are the same. Zach shares why trust matters more than transactions, what separates great speakers from everyone else, and why the best presentations continue making an impact long after the audience leaves the room. He also offers practical advice for aspiring speakers, discusses the power of storytelling, and explains why experience, preparation, and repetition are still the biggest advantages anyone can have.

Episode Links

Follow Zach Nadler on Instagram & LinkedIn

Checkout VaynerSpeakers

Book Time With Zach Nadler

When was the last time you actually checked in on your goals? Halfway through the year is the perfect time to stop, reflect, and celebrate your wins. Mandi Graziano and Amani Roberts share what's already on their bingo cards, what they're still chasing, and why turning goals into a game makes it easier to stay motivated and accountable.