HawkeTalk

Horror, adventure, comedy, name any genre of movie or entertainment you can think of, and they’ll all take a backseat to a great spy thriller! From James Bond to Jason Bourne to Mission Impossible, on and on, there is nothing like sitting back and getting lost in a piece of work that centers on espionage and spies. The combination of storytelling, strategy, cat, and mouse and so many other elements make it a must-see for any entertainment enthusiast!

Our guest today knows a little bit, make that a lot, about spying, espionage, and real-life thrills and dangers. Over the course of his illustrious 32-year career, Darrell M. Blocker has served his country well and, in the process, walked away as one of the most respected members of our nation’s military apparatus. Today he sits down to discuss his childhood, career in the armed forces, Black Hawk Down, and the hunting of notorious drug lord Manuel Noriega. This is one incredible conversation with an equally incredible man. If espionage, counterintelligence, or spying is your thing, this interview is definitely one you won’t want to miss!

In This Episode: 

• (1:00) – How being a middle child impacted Darrell.
• (2:47) – Not Black enough, not accepted by Whites. 
• (4:24) – Darrell discusses how confidence played a role in his success. 
• (8:13) – First experience with CIA people. 
• (13:41) – Captain in USAF or moving to the CIA?
• (15:00) – Joins the CIA and reads every negative book he could find. 
• (16:40) – Reveals his true identity to Peace for Kids. 
• (21:30) – Manipulation is in all of us.
• (24:35) – It’s about trusting the person you bring in to be an asset.
• (29:21) – Arrives on the desk shortly before Black Hawk Down. 
• (35:53) – Nigeria becomes a strong ally after 9/11.
• (39:12) – Using children as weapons was part of Al-Qaeda. 
• (46:00) – Finding his path after 32 years of service. 
• (48:03) – Most of his heroes are females.
• (49:20) – Business begins to gain traction. 
• (52:14) – Balancing anger and ego.

Our Guest

Darrell Blocker is a 28-year veteran of the CIA’s Clandestine Service. A recipient of the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, Darrell served multiple tours as a station chief, and was the most senior black Directorate of Operations officer when he retired in October 2018 with the rank equivalent to a three-star general.

Resources and Links

Hawke Media

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/
• https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en 
• https://hawkemedia.com/
• https://twitter.com/hawkemedia
• https://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/

Darrell M. Blocker

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrell-m-blocker-3492a4b
• https://www.fpri.org/contributor/darrell-m-blocker/
• https://www.spyex.com/expert/darrell-blocker

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Horror, adventure, comedy, name any genre of movie or entertainment you can think of, and they’ll all take a backseat to a great spy thriller! From James Bond to Jason Bourne to Mission Impossible, on and on, there is nothing like sitting back and getting lost in a piece of work that centers on espionage and spies. The combination of storytelling, strategy, cat, and mouse and so many other elements make it a must-see for any entertainment enthusiast!

Our guest today knows a little bit, make that a lot, about spying, espionage, and real-life thrills and dangers. Over the course of his illustrious 32-year career, Darrell M. Blocker has served his country well and, in the process, walked away as one of the most respected members of our nation’s military apparatus. Today he sits down to discuss his childhood, career in the armed forces, Black Hawk Down, and the hunting of notorious drug lord Manuel Noriega. This is one incredible conversation with an equally incredible man. If espionage, counterintelligence, or spying is your thing, this interview is definitely one you won’t want to miss!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world of medicine is fascinating, to say the least. To date, we’ve learned so much about the human body, how to treat it, and the various challenges we’ve encountered and will encounter in the years to come. But in reality, we’ve only scratched the surface and there’s so much more. The good news is that with each passing day, bright minds from all over the world are driving the medical profession forward.

Our guest today is one of those great minds and a true treasure in the field of medicine. Bob Langer is a professor at MIT and for more than four decades he has stood on the forefront, authoring groundbreaking discoveries that have consistently improved lives. Today, Bob sits down to discuss his journey to date, the innovative efforts he’s currently engaged in, and the advice he offers to all people regardless of their chosen profession. This is an awesome conversation with an awe-inspiring man that you definitely will want to be a part of!

In This Episode

• (1:00) – Bob outlines his household and the background of his family. 
• (2:30) – The chemistry set was the start of something for Bob.
• (3:27) – Bob discloses that he has ADD.
• (5:10) – Why Bob was drawn to math. 
• (11:30) – The two most important things a teacher needs to know.
• (14:30) – The medical interest comes from wanting to help people.
• (17:39) – He attributes his teaching success to the fact that he genuinely cares. 
• (21:15) – Career regrets are discussed.
• (22:08) – Bob and Dr. Folkman develop a revolutionary Cancer treatment. 
• (24:12) – The lengthy approval process of medicine is questioned and discussed. 
• (26:17) – Skepticism and costs in the medical community. 
• (30:01) – Making better liver transplants becomes a mission. 
• (35:02) – It’s not about how often you’re turned down, it’s about how many times you get something. 
• (37:02) – The value of confidence and credibility. 
• (41:45) – The piece of advice he always gives.

Our Guest

Bob Langer completed his undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering at Cornell University and obtained his Sc.D in Chemical Engineering at MIT. He joined MIT as Assistant Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry in 1978. Dr. Langer has written over 1,250 articles and also has nearly 1,050 patents worldwide. Dr. Langer’s patents have been licensed or sublicensed to over 250 pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnology and medical device companies.

Resources and Links

Hawke Media

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/
• https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en 
• https://hawkemedia.com/
• https://twitter.com/hawkemedia
• https://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/

Bob Langer

• https://be.mit.edu/directory/robert-langer
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/robert-langer-top-mit-biomedical-engineer-father-30-how-ahmad-lone

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world of medicine is fascinating, to say the least. To date, we’ve learned so much about the human body, how to treat it, and the various challenges we’ve encountered and will encounter in the years to come. But in reality, we’ve only scratched the surface and there’s so much more. The good news is that with each passing day, bright minds from all over the world are driving the medical profession forward.

Our guest today is one of those great minds and a true treasure in the field of medicine. Bob Langer is a professor at MIT and for more than four decades he has stood on the forefront, authoring groundbreaking discoveries that have consistently improved lives. Today, Bob sits down to discuss his journey to date, the innovative efforts he’s currently engaged in, and the advice he offers to all people regardless of their chosen profession. This is an awesome conversation with an awe-inspiring man that you definitely will want to be a part of!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say the opportunity of a lifetime only lasts for the lifetime of that opportunity. Think about it and realize how many opportunities have been missed because somebody, somewhere didn’t understand what was standing in front of them. Now stop and understand how many people have built empires because they realized they were in the midst of something special … a moment … that opportunity of a lifetime!

Our guest today embodies the principle of capitalizing on opportunities and has become a cultural phenomenon and global brand in the process! DJ Skee is a source of energy and a marketing icon who has blazed a trail throughout the industry. His forward-thinking, innovative approach, and willingness to evolve have helped make him one of the most in-demand entertainment influencers in the world. Join us today as he talks about his road to success and how remaining flexible, open, and always believing in himself helped pave the way for him. It’s an amazing conversation with one of the most amazing men I’ve ever met!

In This Episode:

• (2:00) – Skee discusses how he has always been a big music fan.
• (4:06) – Skee thought he would be a professional athlete. 
• (6:58) – Life as a DJ begins as Skee realizes it’s his calling.
• (12:25) – Marketing, not DJ’ing was his first gig. 
• (16:53) – Skee tells how he remained humble when all accolades came his way. 
• (19:23) – Skee launches his own marketing agency at 20.
• (24:03) – Choosing sides is a pivotal move.
• (27:33) – Going all in as a DJ.
• (29:15) – Skee begins broadening his horizons and gaining more traction.
• (34:27) – Skee discusses re-inventing the way music videos are done. 
• (41:55) – Life at iHeart Radio. 
• (46:38) – Creating a game-changing experience. 
• (51:40) – Generating energy and entertainment for the Minnesota Vikings and other teams. 
• (55:40) – Take input but always believe in yourself. 

Our Guest

DJ Skee built an empire by consistently identifying trends in music, sport, and culture first.

As a founder, Skee launched Dash Radio and DXSH Metaverse Studios, building them into leaders in the digital radio and metaverse experience spaces while raising $20 million dollars to build from A-List investors and powering radio and experiences for brands and influencers, including Kylie Jenner, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Tyler The Creator, Paris Hilton, The GRAMMY’s, Xbox, Discord, and more.

Hawke Media

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/
• https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en 
• https://hawkemedia.com/
• https://twitter.com/hawkemedia
• https://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/

About DJ Skee

• https://djskee.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/djskee/
• https://www.youtube.com/c/djskee
• https://www.facebook.com/djskee/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say the opportunity of a lifetime only lasts for the lifetime of that opportunity. Think about it and realize how many opportunities have been missed because somebody, somewhere didn’t understand what was standing in front of them. Now stop and understand how many people have built empires because they realized they were in the midst of something special … a moment … that opportunity of a lifetime!

Our guest today embodies the principle of capitalizing on opportunities and has become a cultural phenomenon and global brand in the process! DJ Skee is a source of energy and a marketing icon who has blazed a trail throughout the industry. His forward-thinking, innovative approach, and willingness to evolve have helped make him one of the most in-demand entertainment influencers in the world. Join us today as he talks about his road to success and how remaining flexible, open, and always believing in himself helped pave the way for him. It’s an amazing conversation with one of the most amazing men I’ve ever met!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Texas High School football is one of the greatest sports spectacles in the nation. The term Friday Night Lights was coined there, and it so aptly applies. Each Friday, stadiums throughout the state are bursting at the seams with friends, family members, and adoring fans all cheering for their side to bring the W home. Our guest today knows a little bit about those things and more.

Coming out of Texas, Chase Griffin was one of the most heavily recruited athletes in the nation. He chose UCLA and has never looked back. He’s always been a multi-layered kind of guy, but with the advent of NIL, he’s become even more layered. A man of many talents, today he shares his journey to football stardom, how he leverages NIL, and the goals he has for life beyond the playing field. He’s more than a ballplayer and his experiences will no doubt inspire you to chase your dreams and make life happen!

In This Episode

• (1:46) – Born in California, moved to Texas because his parents favored the pace of Austin over Los Angeles.
• (3:12) – Soccer was his first love, not football, but playing the violin taught him how to train.
• (4:15) – His interest in football caused his music participation to trend down.
• (5:52) – The big switch from soccer to football occurs. 
• (7:01) – Chase discusses the role of faith in his life.
• (8:42) – His father helps him get over Pop Warner Blues. 
• (11:00) – Friday Night Lights prepared him for the big time.
• (16:20) – Chase discusses how he positioned himself as someone a major brand could trust. 
• (17:48) – Remaining humble when the world tells you you’re the greatest.
• (18:10) – How Chase shares the wealth of opportunity. 
• (20:33) – Instead of just doing NIL, Chase wants to be THE NIL choice of brands.
• (21:20) – NIL money and how it impacts life is subjective.
• (23:23) – Teaching financial literacy with a current NFL star. 
• (24:08) – Revenue sharing is on the way according to Chase. 
• (25:00) – His NFL dreams.
• (27:04) – Chase delivers a message to young dreamers.

Our Guest

Coming out of Texas, Chase Griffin was widely recognized as one of the premier talents in the nation and signed to play at UCLA. He dreams of one day playing in the NFL, but he also has other ambitions beyond the playing field. His broad perspective and the ability to see the big picture consistently make him one of the top targets for major brands, looking to capitalize in this new NIL environment. 

Hawke Media

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/
• https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en 
• https://hawkemedia.com/
• https://twitter.com/hawkemedia
• https://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/

Chase Griffin

• https://www.instagram.com/chaseqb11/?hl=en
• https://www.tiktok.com/@chaseqb11?lang=en
• https://twitter.com/ChaseQB11

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Texas High School football is one of the greatest sports spectacles in the nation. The term Friday Night Lights was coined there, and it so aptly applies. Each Friday, stadiums throughout the state are bursting at the seams with friends, family members, and adoring fans all cheering for their side to bring the W home. Our guest today knows a little bit about those things and more.

Coming out of Texas, Chase Griffin was one of the most heavily recruited athletes in the nation. He chose UCLA and has never looked back. He’s always been a multi-layered kind of guy, but with the advent of NIL, he’s become even more layered. A man of many talents, today he shares his journey to football stardom, how he leverages NIL, and the goals he has for life beyond the playing field. He’s more than a ballplayer and his experiences will no doubt inspire you to chase your dreams and make life happen!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone has a story. A story of how they got their start, how they almost decided to stop, and what ultimately kept them going. Life is truly a journey and the lessons you learn along the way, how you apply them, and the people you’re blessed to meet at every stage are what make living in this crazy world of ours so beautiful. No one got here by accident, and we all have a purpose, a role we were sent to play, and finding those things is a doorway that leads to something truly special. 

Our guest today has an amazing story of evolution and how he arrived at an incredible place in his life. Erwin McManus is a man of many talents. From being a best-selling author to fashion designer, in-demand business coach public speaker, and pastor at Mosaic, the church he founded. Today he sits down to talk about his unlikely journey and how he found truth and meaning in life as well as his passion for helping others find the same things. This is an amazing conversation with an equally amazing man!

In This Episode

• (2:18) – Erwin never knew his real father, but he struggled with addiction.
• (4:26) – Civil war in El Salvador made his move to the US permanent. 
• (5:37) – Erwin talks about how his home country is steeped in violence, but he remains hopeful. 
• (8:30) – Erwin falls in love with contraband and lives in a fantasy world by the first grade.
• (11:38) – Being born into poverty limits your ability to dream. 
• (14:51) – Living with a brain that’s both awake and asleep.
• (18:14) – He never felt like he belonged at the age he was. 
• (23:00) – Searching for the meaning of life at the age of 17.
• (29:54) – Erwin becomes a student of faith while studying at UNC. 
• (34:27) – Erwin outlines what love and marriage became for him, because of her. 
• (44:14) – A fair world doesn’t exist. 
• (50:03) – The interesting dynamic of entrepreneurs. 
• (51:40) – Make it a hobby, until it becomes a craft, then monetize it.

Our Guest

Erwin McManus is an iconoclast, artist, and cultural thought leader known for his integration of creativity and spirituality.

He is the founder and lead pastor of Mosaic, a Los Angeles-based church of faith recognized as one of America’s most influential and innovative churches.

Resources and Links

Hawke Media

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/
• https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en 
• https://hawkemedia.com/
• https://twitter.com/hawkemedia
• https://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/

Erwin McManus

• https://mosaic.org/
• https://www.youtube.com/mosaiclosangeles
• https://www.facebook.com/erwinmcmanus
• https://www.instagram.com/erwinmcmanus/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone has a story. A story of how they got their start, how they almost decided to stop, and what ultimately kept them going. Life is truly a journey and the lessons you learn along the way, how you apply them, and the people you’re blessed to meet at every stage are what make living in this crazy world of ours so beautiful. No one got here by accident, and we all have a purpose, a role we were sent to play, and finding those things is a doorway that leads to something truly special. 

Our guest today has an amazing story of evolution and how he arrived at an incredible place in his life. Erwin McManus is a man of many talents. From being a best-selling author to fashion designer, in-demand business coach public speaker, and pastor at Mosaic, the church he founded. Today he sits down to talk about his unlikely journey and how he found truth and meaning in life as well as his passion for helping others find the same things. This is an amazing conversation with an equally amazing man!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.