Behind the Rise

Coach Cly is a Georgetown grad, basketball coach at Archbishop Spalding, entrepreneur, and now a legal guardian — all at once.

Most people tap out at one. He carries them all.

In this episode of my podcast Behind the Rise, we get into the real story — the darkest moments, the biggest mistakes, who doubted him, and what actually keeps him going when everything gets heavy.

This isn’t a highlight reel. This is what it actually costs to show up for everyone else while still building something of your own.

If you’ve ever felt like you were carrying too much — this one is for you.

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What does it take to build a career that spans decades, earns a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and still feels as alive today as it did in 1982? Richard Blade knows. He didn't just play the music of the 1980s — he lived it alongside the people who made it. From DJing private events for Michael Jackson and Barbra Streisand, to deep personal friendships with the artists who defined new wave, to watching Billy Idol march toward the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — Richard has seen it all from the inside. In this conversation, he opens up about passion, longevity, friendship with Richard Branson, and what it really means to dedicate your entire life to something you truly believe in. This one is for anyone who loves the music, the era, and the stories behind both. Hit play — and share this with someone who needs to hear it.

Episode 36 of Behind the Rise — Real stories. Real rises.

Most people think storytelling is about structure.

But the stories people actually remember usually come from something deeper:
identity, risk, truth, and perspective.

I sat down with Glynn Washington, creator and host of Snap Judgment, to talk about what makes stories land — and why finding your voice matters more than copying what already works.

We also got into:
• The experiences that shaped how he sees the world
• What keeps creative work relevant over time
• The difference between telling a story and telling the truth
• Moments where he questioned whether his perspective would resonate
• What most people misunderstand about storytelling

One thing that stood out:
The strongest voices usually aren’t manufactured — they’re earned through experience.

This conversation wasn’t just about podcasting.
It was about understanding people.

Full episode of Behind the Rise out now.

Most people start. Very few last.

Mike Glick has built winning basketball programs for over 30 years—earning more than 600 career wins along the way.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, we go past the record and get into what actually creates sustained success.

We talk about:

• The standard he sets in every program
• What most teams get wrong about winning
• The reality of coaching for decades without burning out
• What separates coachable players from just talented ones
• What he saw early in Rudy Gay
• How players have changed—and what still matters

This is a conversation about discipline, leadership, and doing things the right way when no one's watching.

If you're building anything—this applies.

Michael Webb and Robert Snell aren't waiting to graduate. They're building right now.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with the co-founders of ClearingBay — two technical founders balancing engineering, school, and the real-world pressure of building something from scratch at the same time.

We get into how ClearingBay started, what the co-founder dynamic actually looks like day to day, why engineering and building a business are two completely different skills, and what people consistently get wrong about starting a company while still in school.

No theory. No hindsight. Just two founders in the middle of it telling you exactly what it feels like.

If you're thinking about building something before you graduate — this episode shows you what it actually looks like from the inside.

This is where it actually starts.

In the first episode of Behind The Rise, I sit down with Seba, who started building his first business at 18. We break down what that really looked like—the early decisions, the risks he took, and what didn’t go as planned.

This isn’t a polished success story. It’s the reality of starting from zero and figuring things out as you go.

If you’re thinking about starting something yourself, this gives you a clear look at what the beginning actually feels like—and what comes next.

Jose Goldner was in the room during one of the most explosive periods in business history. He's spent the decades since helping founders avoid the mistakes he watched others make.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Jose — international business advisor at Briggs Capital — to get into what the telecom boom of the 1990s actually looked like from the inside, how to tell the difference between real opportunity and hype, and what separates companies that last decades from those that disappear after the first wave.

We get into international expansion, the most common mistakes early-stage founders make, and what genuine mentorship looks like — including Jose's work with founders like Jack Moran, who went on to build environmental company Ecological Improvements.

If you want to learn from someone who has seen multiple business cycles up close — this is the perspective most founders never get access to.

Most founders obsess over making money. Almost none of them are ready for what happens when it actually arrives.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Rick Morse — a 30+ year wealth advisor who works with entrepreneurs, artists, and rights-holders navigating major revenue spikes — to get into what most founders get wrong after a big payout, why revenue doesn't equal security, and how to manage rapid financial momentum without losing discipline.

We cover the biggest mistakes after sudden income jumps, how to structure around volatile creative income, preparing for liquidity events the right way, and why making money and keeping money are two completely different skills.

Rick has seen what happens when people get it right — and when they don't.

If you're building something and want it to last beyond the first big win — this is the conversation most people don't have until it's too late.

Sophia Hardesty turned a passion for music into a business that brings entire communities together. Here's how she built it.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Sophia — Owner and Operator of Naptown Sings & Plays — to get into what it really takes to build something meaningful from the ground up. We talk about growing a local brand rooted in creativity and education, the challenges of building a community-based business, and why consistency and authenticity matter more than chasing perfection.

Sophia didn't just build a business. She built a place people belong.

If you're building something rooted in purpose and wondering if impact and profit can coexist — this episode answers that question.

The traditional path isn't broken by accident. Ryan Roe has spent his career helping people find a better one.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Ryan — Tax Planner and CIO at P1 Tax Advisors — to challenge the way most people think about school, careers, and what actually leads to success. We get into why in-demand skills beat degrees in today's market, how to leverage your living situation strategically, and why the trades and alternative paths are having a moment nobody saw coming.

Ryan doesn't just talk about breaking the mold — he helps people do it every day.

If you've been following the traditional path and something feels off — this episode will give you permission to think differently.