Laugh With

What happens when the path you've worked your entire life toward suddenly changes? For Alexandra de Roos, who moved to New York City at just 14 years old to train at the prestigious School of American Ballet in pursuit of a professional ballet career, a life-changing traumatic brain injury led her to discover an entirely new purpose.

Now Miss Florida 2026, a brain injury advocate, founder of The Blue Project: Integrating Neuroscience and the Arts Inc., and student at the University of South Florida, Alexandra has turned her personal challenges into opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

In this episode of Laugh With, Alexandra joins Steve Shenbaum for an honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, personal growth, and finding purpose through adversity. She shares how the challenges she's faced have shaped who she is today, what she's learned about competing alongside friends while genuinely cheering them on, and how she's turned her own experiences into opportunities to positively impact others.

It's a powerful conversation about overcoming challenges, celebrating others, and finding purpose in the unexpected. You won't want to miss this one!

Watch the Episode on YouTube!

In this episode, Steve sits down with Adrian McPherson, former multi-sport athlete and Co-Founder of Nexis Advisory Group, to talk about his journey from Southeast High School to Florida State University and ultimately the NFL!

Adrian shares how his experiences as a young athlete, including how his father would take him each summer to basketball camps at the college that had just won the national championship, exposed him to high-level competition and helped shape him as an athlete. He also reflects on how youth sports have changed and how he now uses the lessons from his own journey to advise and support the next generation of athletes as the industry continues to evolve.

In this episode of Laugh With, Steve Shenbaum sits down with longtime friend Clint Hurdle for an honest and vulnerable conversation about life, leadership, baseball, and the lessons learned along the way.

As a former MLB player, coach, and manager, as well as a father, husband, author, speaker, and mentor, Clint brings a wealth of experience and perspective to the conversation. He shares stories from his time in Major League Baseball, but also opens up about the mistakes he’s made, what those experiences have taught him, and how he’s used those lessons to grow, better himself, and connect more meaningfully with others.

More than anything, this is a candid conversation between two friends about the experiences that shape us, the value of owning our mistakes, and what it looks like to continue learning and growing through every season of life.

It’s a conversation you don’t want to miss!

Click here to visit Clint’s website, subscribe to his daily encouragements, and get your copy of Hurdle-isms.

This podcast episode features Trevor Anderson, CSCS. Trevor is the creator of GOLFleticism® and BETTER EVERY DAY High Performance. As an "Excellence Engineer," he connects with individuals from all walks of life - amateur athletes, professional athletes, and elite performers looking to transition into the next best version of themselves.

This conversation is especially meaningful, as a connection that started at IMG Academy over 17 years ago and has grown into a lasting friendship. Today, as husbands and fathers, Trevor and Steve are witnessing the impact of the values and lessons they’ve intentionally invested in their families. That investment came full circle when Trevor’s son stepped in to encourage and support Steve’s daughter during a challenging moment on the flag football field. A reminder that leadership can be demonstrated at any age.

In this episode, Trevor and Steve reflect on Trevor’s journey as an athlete across various sports, their experiences working at IMG Academy, and most importantly, the joys and challenges Trevor and his family have experienced and how they’re using those moments to make an impact.

This episode between two old friends is one you won’t want to miss!

On this episode of Laugh With, Steve Shenbaum is joined in the podcast studio by the Applied Leadership Partners team. Blayne Smith, a former Green Beret, Brandon Young, a former U.S. Army Ranger, and Sarah Holzhalb, a former U.S. Coast Guard Officer, bring a wealth of leadership experience and real-world perspective to this powerful conversation.

Applied Leadership Partners is passionate about building high-performing teams, cultivating cultures of excellence, and sharing hard-earned leadership wisdom gained through more than 45 years of combined experience across military and corporate environments.

In this episode, they discuss an exciting new project they're working on, the beauty of teamwork, and why recognizing one another's strengths and balancing each other's abilities is essential to achieving success.

Check out their website - https://www.appliedleadershippartners.com/

Purchase their book Perservance > Endurance

Applied Leadership Partners LinkedIn

Sarah Holzhalb LinkedIn 

Blayne Smith LinkedIn

Brandon Young LinkedIn 

In this episode, Steve sits down with Kevin Chapman, Associate Superintendent of the School District of Manatee County. Kevin reflects on his journey from a young 20-year-old working in the heart of Washington, D.C., to becoming a leader in education. He shares stories from his time working alongside influential leaders, including former Congressman Norman Mineta, and serving during the administrations of both George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Throughout the conversation, Kevin discusses how those early experiences, long mornings, and lessons learned in our nation's capital helped shape the work ethic, leadership style, and perspective he carries with him today!

Kevin Chapman LinkedIn

In this episode, Steve Shenbaum sits down with Brittany Lamont, President & CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, to explore her journey from Bradenton native to community leader.

Brittany's passion for this work runs deep, rooted in watching her mother's dedication at the Bradenton Herald and participating in chamber events as a child.

Steve and Brittany discuss essential leadership principles: developing talent on your team, showing up for people through every season, and building relationships with people who challenge and elevate you. Hear how the seeds planted in her youth have shaped her approach to leading with loyalty and purpose today!

Check out the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance website - https://www.lwrba.org/

Brittany Lamont LinkedIn

This “Laugh With” episode features a conversation between Tucker Owen and Steve Shenbaum. Tucker shares his journey from working as a valet at The Breakers Palm Beach to becoming the West Bradenton Campus Pastor at Bayside Community Church, where he now regularly speaks to hundreds of people.

Together, they discuss how to connect with a room, prepare with intention, and lead with relatability and vulnerability. Tucker also reminds us that in life, four base hits can be just as significant as a grand slam, and that success is often built incrementally over time. No matter what space you are presenting in, this episode will challenge you and offer great insight into preparing well and appreciating the hard work and sacrifice that comes with it.

Bayside Community Church | West Bradenton Campus website -https://www.mybayside.church/campuses/west-bradenton-campus

Tucker Owen LinkedIn

Anthony Baldo, Executive Director and Private Banker at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, has built a career around helping people navigate their financial lives. In this conversation with Steve Shenbaum, Anthony opens up about the intentionality and discipline that shaped his path, the importance of truly listening to the people you serve, and why caring deeply is at the core of everything he does, from managing finances to holding down the title of neighborhood all-time quarterback.

Tune in for a thoughtful, honest conversation about the lessons Anthony has picked up along the way and the simple but powerful truth he keeps coming back to: people just want to feel cared for!

J.P. Morgan Private Bank website - https://privatebank.jpmorgan.com/nam/en/home

Anthony Baldo LinkedIn

Listen to this episode featuring Kory DeHaan, owner of HitLab Baseball teams and Omnia Sports Academy and former MLB player!⚾️

Joined by host Steve Shenbaum, Kory shares stories from his professional baseball career and the key lessons he learned along the way. Today, he’s applying those experiences to mentor and develop the next generation of athletes, emphasizing discipline, routine, and effective communication.

🎙️Check out the podcast to learn more!

Omnia Sports Academy website - https://www.omniasportsacademy.com/

HitLab Sports Website - https://hitlabbaseball.leagueapps.com/

Kory Dehaan LinkedIn