Coffee with Closers

Joining us on this week’s episode of Coffee with Closers is elite ultra runner Michael Wardian. Described as “one of the best-and maybe craziest-runners in the world,” Wardian discusses his recent life changing trek across America, which he completed in just 62 days, to raise awareness and funds for clean water access around the world. Having also run seven marathons on seven continents in just seven days, this endurance athlete tells us what challenges and opportunities he next wants to tackle in the future. 

It is the 40th Anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Joining us on this week’s episode of Coffee with Closers is Vietnam Veterans Memorial co-founder Robert Doubek. He retells the fascinating behind-the-scenes story of how The Wall was created and how the public controversy over its design almost doomed the project. He also shares with us the daunting challenges he went through to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the 58,000 names inscribed on the Memorial's granite wall. 

Joining us on this week’s episode of Coffee with Closers is philanthropist, New York Times bestselling author and anti-human trafficking advocate, Mitzi Perdue. 

The heiress of Sheraton Hotels and widow of former Perdue Farms CEO Frank Perdue, Mitzi discusses her recent trip to Ukraine, and warns of an emerging global health crisis sparked by a major security problem in Chernobyl. 

She also talks about her new book Relentless, which chronicles the life of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series co-author, Mark Victor Hansen, and how he overcame failure and challenges and became a successful author and motivational speaker.

Associated Press national hockey writer Stephen Whyno. He gives us a preview of the upcoming NHL season, weighing in on some of the biggest news that took place this offseason, including trades. He also gives us his take on some burning questions. Can the Colorado Avalanche win back-to-back Cups and the Washington Capitals make another championship run? And, which dark horse teams should fans be watching from both conferences? We also discuss his new book, "Odd Man In: Hockey's Emergency Goalies and the Wildest One-Day Job in Sports," due out on October 25th.

Joining us on this week’s episode of Coffee with Closers is #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brad Thor. He discusses his latest thriller, Rising Tiger, in which protagonist Scot Harvath is sent to India to investigate the murder of an American diplomat. It’s a race against time as danger awaits him in a new and unfamiliar place. Thor also talks about what he sees as some of the biggest national security problems facing the U.S. We also ask him if a movie or television series based on his work is forthcoming. 

Joining us on this week’s episode of Coffee with Closers is former three-time NFL All-Pro Linebacker Shawne Merriman. He discusses his new business venture, working with a team of more than 200 agents selling life insurance at Family First Life. He also offers a few NFL preseason predictions and recalls a memorable conversation he had with Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder. 

Joining us on this week’s episode of Coffee with Closers is Dan Boggio, founding architect and Executive Chairman of PBK, the largest K-12 design firm in the United States. He shares with us how school modernization and innovative designs are critical to transforming education. Research shows children are more likely to excel in the classroom and in life if schools deliver immersive and engaging learning environments. He also gives us a sneak peak into a groundbreaking initiative he’s driving with education and technology experts across the country to create the School of the Future.

Joining us on this week’s episode of Coffee with Closers is international business leader and Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, Steve Forbes. He talks about the current economic crisis and the way forward in the context of his new book: INFLATION, in which he argues that we can end inflation quickly-by stabilizing the value of money and returning to a gold-standard. He also calls on Major League Baseball to enact changes to speed up the game!

Recently retired Southwest Airlines Captain Buzz Collins joins Coffee with Closers to discuss possible solutions to the current nationwide pilot shortage, including ending probation pay for new pilots. Collins, a former Naval aviator, shares additional thoughts on a crisis nobody saw coming and a little known secret about mask wearing on planes.

On this week’s episode, we talk with John Winner, co-founder and CEO of Kizen, a workforce solutions company. John shares his thoughts on the future of work and explains why a 25-hour work week is a better alternative to a 40-hour one, especially in terms of helping employees pursue a healthier, happier and more balanced life. He also credits advancements in intelligent automation with making us more efficient than ever before.