She’s a mom, a lawyer, and a first-time candidate taking on the entrenched politics of Miami Beach - and she’s not backing down.

Monique Pardo Pope’s decision to run for Miami Beach Commission was sparked by seeing firsthand the challenges facing her neighborhood, schools, and community. With the December 9 runoff approaching, Monique shares with me her vision for a “Safer • Smarter • Stronger Miami Beach” - and the real, practical solutions she believes are long overdue.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

- Why Miami Beach’s public safety problem is bigger than headlines suggest

- The truth about homelessness on the Beach, and the policies that actually work

- What’s happening inside local schools like Nautilus, and why parents are sounding alarms

- How the affordability crisis is pushing out the next generation of residents

- Whether the Live Local Act is a solution or a political talking point

- The real cost of unchecked development—and the opportunity to rebuild smarter

- Why she’s betting her first-ever political run on a Safer • Smarter • Stronger Miami Beach

Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator

Timestamps: 

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

01:00 – The Runoff Election

03:00 – Monique’s Miami Beach Commissioner Run 

05:00 – Top Priorities as Commissioner

08:00 – Homelessness & Practical Solutions

12:00 – Affordable Housing Crisis

16:00 – Balancing Development & History

19:30 – Personal Journey & Law Career

24:00 – Guardian ad Litem Work

26:30 – Childhood Trauma & Life Lessons

31:00 – Airborne Foundation & Giving Back

34:00 – Overcoming Opposition & Election Challenges

37:30 – Rapid Fire: Favorites & Habits

39:00 – Key Takeaway for Listeners

40:00 – Closing Remarks

Learn more about Monique Pardo Pope: 

Monique for Miami Beach: https://moniqueformiamibeach.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquepardopope/?hl=en

🎙 Common Denominator Podcast

Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/

YouTube: @mpopack

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Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

Is now really the best time to buy real estate, despite high interest rates and market uncertainty?

 I’m not here to sell hype. I’m here to help you think clearly about the data, the incentives, and the long-term logic behind wealth-building.

From an upcoming shift in Federal Reserve leadership, to the mathematical reality of what happens when rates drop, to the long-term dynamics of inflation and asset pricing, this is a moment serious investors should be paying attention to.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why elevated interest rates create better buying opportunities

- The simple math behind “buy now, refinance later”

- How real estate hedges inflation better than almost any other asset

- The framework I use to evaluate long-term real estate plays

- Why this window may be one we look back on with gratitude

Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator

🎙 Common Denominator Podcast

Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/

YouTube: @mpopack

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack

Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

What does it really take to leave Wall Street, take massive risks, and help shape the future of innovation?

For Jeff Ransdell, Founding Partner and Managing Director of Fuel Venture Capital and CEO of Maquia Capital, the journey started with $138 billion under management at Merrill Lynch, and a decision to walk away. Since then, he’s invested over $150 million into South Florida startups, helping build Miami into a global tech hub while navigating the most unpredictable era in venture capital.

In this episode of Common Denominator, we unpack Jeff’s transition from Wall Street to venture, his take on the AI revolution, and what it means to invest in founders who can lead through chaos and change.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How Jeff left corporate stability to build one of Miami’s top venture firms

- Why the “AI meta-shift” will redefine work, wealth, and the human condition

- How Fuel Venture Capital turned South Florida into a startup destination

- The founder traits investors look for before writing a check

- Why emotional intelligence matters as much as financial acumen

- What the next five years will look like for startups, investors, and innovation

Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Risk, Mindset & Why Venture Capital Matters

05:00 – How Jeff Assesses Risk & Why VC Isn’t What You Think

10:00 – Coachability, Pivoting & The Founder Traits Fuel VC Looks For

15:00 – Jeff’s Leap From Wall Street to Venture Capital

20:00 – The AI Meta-Shift: What’s Coming in the Next 5 Years

25:00 – Jobs, Humanity & The Future Economic Reality

30:00 – Why Tech Might Push Us Back to Simpler Living

35:00 – Jeff’s Favorite Investments & Lessons From Miami’s Startup Scene

Follow Jeff:  http://linkin.bio/jeffransdellvc 

Fuel Venture Capital: https://fuelventurecapital.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffransdellvc/

🎙 Common Denominator Podcast

Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/

YouTube: @mpopack

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack

Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

I love diving into projects that excite me—and sometimes they take me to unexpected places. From raising 4,000 happy chickens on our Ocala family farm and producing 20,000 eggs a week, to building a 2,500 sq. ft. content studio in Miami Beach, I’m sharing the passion projects that make life interesting. 

Farming wasn’t something I planned—it started as curiosity and quickly grew into a way to support healthy eating education through Neighborhood Farms USA (NFUSA). Our vision with NFUSA is to establish a national network that connects neighborhood gardens to shared resources: advice, planning, opportunities, and best practices, to educate children and young families about the relationship between nutrient-rich food and living healthier lives. There is a growing need to build a national network of nutritional awareness through community engagement at the neighborhood level. That’s our goal with Neighborhood Farms USA.

Learn more about Neighborhood Farms USA and become a member today: https://membership.neighborhoodfarmsusa.org/

Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator:

🎙 Common Denominator Podcast

Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/

YouTube: @mpopack

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack

Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

What does it really take to challenge the status quo, fight for truth, and defend your values in a system built to silence dissent?

For Aaron Siri, attorney and advocate, it began in courtrooms and regulatory filings, standing up for parental rights, informed consent, and transparent systems, even when the odds were stacked against him. Today, he navigates litigation, policy, and public trust in one of the most contentious debates of our time: vaccines.

In this episode of Common Denominator, we unpack Aaron’s journey from legal underdog to vocal defender of transparency, how he analyzes systems most ignore, and why courage isn’t loud, it’s consistent.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- What it looks like when regulatory systems prioritize power over process

- Why informed consent and transparency matter more today than ever

- The mindset shifts required to challenge conventional wisdom and speak truth to power

- How to stay true to your values when pressure to conform is constant

- What freedom of speech really means when you’re up against the establishment

Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator

Learn more about Aaron Siri: 

Siri & Glimstad Law Firm: https://www.sirillp.com/aaron-siri/

Book: "Vaccines, Amen: The Religion of Vaccines" 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0FQ4JMV3M

🎙️ About Common Denominator:

Hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Moshe Popack, Common Denominator is where extraordinary people share the universal values that make us all human — perseverance, kindness, curiosity, and courage.

🎙 Common Denominator Podcast

Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/

YouTube: @mpopack

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack

Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Background

3:00 - The Book 'Vaccines, Amen'

09:00 - Vaccine Safety and Legal Framework

15:00 - Clinical Trials and FDA Approval

21:00 - mRNA Technology and Vaccine Development

27:00 - Public Perception and Lobbying

33:00 - Informed Consent and Personal Choice

39:00 - Courage and Integrity in Advocacy

Is Artificial Intelligence the next great revolution, or the next big bubble?

In this episode, I break down the striking parallels between today’s AI boom and the dot-com bubble of the late 90s, when trillions were invested in internet startups that never turned a profit. Just like back then, we’re seeing money pour into companies with big ideas, lofty promises, and no clear business models.

I’m not anti-AI, I believe it will reshape our world. But we have to separate hype from history and understand what truly drives lasting innovation and value.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How the current AI craze mirrors the dot-com era—and what’s different this time

- Why most AI startups won’t survive the next few years

- What makes a company or investor resilient when the hype fades

Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator:

🎙 Common Denominator Podcast

Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/

YouTube: @mpopack

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack

Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

When life knocks you down, do you get up and fight — or give in?

Florida’s Lieutenant Governor, Jay Collins is a former Green Beret, amputee, and decorated veteran whose life story defines grit, service, and purpose.

From growing up on a small family farm to surviving life-altering injuries in Afghanistan, Jay shares how faith, family, and resilience shaped his journey from soldier to statesman, serving as second-in-command of one of America’s most influential states. He opens up about losing his leg, rebuilding his life, and proving that anything valuable in life isn’t given — it’s earned.

Could a future run for Governor be on the horizon?

What you'll learn in this episode of Common Denominator: 

- The mindset that carried Jay through combat and loss

- Lessons in resilience, leadership, and faith

- The meaning of service and sacrifice

- How to raise the next generation with purpose and accountability

- The importance of community, family, and freedom

Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator

Learn more about Lt. Gov. Jay Collins: 

https://www.flgov.com/eog/leadership/people/jay-collins

https://www.senatorjaycollins.com/

@jaycollinsfl https://www.instagram.com/jaycollinsfl

🎙️ About Common Denominator:

Hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Moshe Popack, Common Denominator is where extraordinary people share the universal values that make us all human — perseverance, kindness, curiosity, and courage.

Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/

YouTube: @mpopack

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack

Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & initial thoughts

01:03 – Jay Collins’ path to Lieutenant Governor

02:13 – Growing up on a family farm & early life lessons

04:25 – Military service: Korea, Colorado, California & RAF Molesworth

06:30 – Surviving combat & amputations, returning to active duty

08:53 – Requalifying as a Green Beret: lessons in perseverance

13:49 – Leadership priorities: faith, family, freedom

15:42 – Veterans & government accountability

21:35 – The role of family & community support

22:15 – Transitioning to Florida & nonprofit work

29:22 – Leading during crisis: Israeli evacuations

30:50 – Economy, insurance & property tax priorities

34:49 – Education: tailored solutions & critical thinking

36:36 – Gratitude, resilience & lessons for all

What if the only thing standing between you and your biggest goals… is your mindset?

In this solo episode, let's dive deep into the power of perspective — and how one small mental shift can change the entire trajectory of your life.

The 3 P's that change everything: Positivity → Probability → Possibility — a simple but transformative framework for creating real momentum toward your dreams. It helps reframe negativity, redirect your energy from fear into action, and build a mindset that makes the improbable feel inevitable.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why your mindset is the true first step toward any goal

- How one negative frame can spiral into stagnation

- How positivity opens the door to real opportunities

- Why probability compounds over time

- A simple daily mindset shift that creates momentum

Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator

🎙 Common Denominator Podcast

Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/

YouTube: @mpopack

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack

Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

What does it really take to become unshakable - mentally, emotionally, and in business?

For Gary Vaynerchuk, serial entrepreneur and CEO of VaynerX, it started with fear. Growing up an immigrant in a small New Jersey home, he battled the constant anxiety of losing his parents. That fear became fuel. Today, Gary is one of the most influential voices in entrepreneurship, and a leading advocate for emotional strength, self-awareness, and detachment from external validation.

Gary and I unpack how early trauma shaped his resilience, how he stays grounded while operating billion-dollar ventures, and why chasing admiration is the surest way to lose yourself.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction & Childhood Fear

01:19 – Taking Responsibility in Life

01:44 – Gary Vee’s Daily Life Post-COVID

05:16 – Fatherhood & Work-Life Balance

08:51 – Roots, Immigrant Backgrounds & Drive

12:06 – Emotional Intelligence & Detachment from Material Validation

14:18 – Thriving in Adversity & Emotional Strength

16:20 – Childhood Fear as a Superpower

19:54 – Trauma, Adversity & Growth

23:32 – Taking the Wheel of Your Life

27:59 – Spirituality & Oneness

32:30 – Gratitude & Practical Life Lessons

35:26 – Growth, Loneliness & Imposter Syndrome

36:53 – Empathy, Perspective & Closing Thoughts

Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator

Common Denominator Podcast

Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/

YouTube: @mpopack

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack

Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

What if the biggest opportunity in AI isn’t in the tech itself… but in the real estate behind it?

As the AI boom accelerates, one thing is becoming crystal clear: every chatbot, every model, every breakthrough needs one thing to exist, power and space. That’s why I’m all in on developing data centers in Florida.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why data centers are the backbone of the AI revolution

- What major companies like Google and OpenAI are paying to lease space

- How proximity to power plants creates a massive competitive advantage

- The difference between hype investing and infrastructure investing

- How developers can win when the AI bubble pops

Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator

🎙 Common Denominator Podcast

Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/

YouTube: @mpopack

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack

Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/