Legends - Extraordinary Lives

This is our special podcast honoring CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) featuring Justin Osmond of the Osmond Family sharing the incredible story of overcoming deafness. Hear the sacrifices of his parents and the sheer fortitude to become a musician.

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On this Memorial Day, few World War II veterans remain. 75 years after the end of the conflict, the ranks of the so-called Greatest Generation are dwindling. Among those still able to tell their stories, is Lieutenant Colonel Harry Stewart Jr.

Turning 96 on the Fourth of July, Stewart was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen and is featured in National Geographic’s coverage of the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II in 2020. Enjoy this interview with Success' Tim Moore and with this living legend.

Stewart: I remember when I was coming from Sunday school, I guess it was on that fateful day, or infamous day, and I was living near LaGuardia Airport, New York at the time and these aircrafts, fighter aircrafts are taking off. They were P-39 Airacobras, taking off from the LaGuardia Airport. There were 30 of them. They got into formation and they were flying very, very low over the city of New York there. And I was curious as to what was going on. But when I did get from Sunday school, I went upstairs. And of course, the news was on at the time then that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. I immediately felt that it wouldn't be long before I would be called into the service because the draft had started. Even though I was only 16 or 17. At the time, it wouldn't be long before the draft would call me up.

To teach the next generation to honor soldiers on Memorial Day, gather them around this podcast and listen to this hero of 43 missions.

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Shawn Davis, Chef Big Shake, started cooking in a professional kitchen when he was just 12 years old. His mother decided her son needed a healthy distraction over the summer break.
In just seven years in his seasonal position, Shawn had worked his way from up from dishwasher to head chef. Under Gio Palermo’s mentorship at the C. J. Palermo restaurant, Shawn learned the ins and outs of the restaurant business.Little did Shawn know that his experience at the Palermo restaurant would prove to be life-changing not only for his passion for food, but also for the inspirational, entrepreneurial journey he would take.
In 1983, when Shawn Davis, a Bayshore, New York native was a mere 12-years old, his mother decided that her tween son needed a healthy distraction when school let out. So, when a co-worker told her about a job opening in Ocean Beach, Fire Island at C.J. Palermo’s restaurant, she got Shawn onto the ferry. That 30-minute trip turned into a seasonal post for Shawn and within seven years he worked his way up from Dishwasher to Head Chef. Under Giovanni “Gio” Palermo’s mentorship, Shawn learned the ins and outs of the restaurant business and was even affectionately referred to as a “black son” by Gio himself. Since Shawn lived with Gio and his family every summer and worked side-by-side with him each day, the title was more than fitting. When Shawn left C.J. Palermo’s in 1990, he realized his experience there proved to be life-changing; it not only ignited his passion for food but also laid the groundwork for his inspirational, entrepreneurial journey ahead.
From 1989 to 1991, Davis attended Norfolk State University in Virginia, wherein he studied Hotel and Restaurant Management. In 1994, he accepted a job with G.E. Capital. Working in various roles from Project Management to Collection Center Manager, he completed DMAIC process training and even received a Black Belt certification. It was at G.E. Capital that he met his now-wife, Robin. On their first date, they realized they shared a passion for entrepreneurship and decided to start a business. The next day, they did just that. Shawn and Robin had several businesses, and a catering company was always one of them.
Years later and married with kids, Shawn’s daughter, then age 10, received a pamphlet at school promoting vegetarianism and when she got home, she declared that she wanted to eliminate all meats, except seafood from her diet thereon. Shawn knew that in order to keep her protein intake at an optimum level, he would need to get creative and crafty in the kitchen. And, so he did. Hence, his first creation, the “Original Shrimp Burger,” was born. The kids loved it, friends and neighbors loved it too. Realizing that there was a vast market for his succulent beef burger alternative, Robin suggested that they head into the food industry full-time. CBS Foods Incorporated was formed in 2007.
In May of 2011, Shawn appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank, giving his shrimp burgers and the company national exposure. ABC has since re-aired his countless times further igniting consumer brand recognition. In September of 2011, the show’s producers filmed a follow-up segment on Shawn’s success. That episode aired in 2012.
In 2013, Shawn and Robin signed a lease on their first restaurant in Franklin, TN. Big Shake’s Hot Chicken and Fish was quickly embraced by the community. The small family-owned restaurant became very popular and within months they knew they would need a bigger location. In December of the same year, they signed a lease for their second location in Franklin, TN. Soon after, they opened locations in Goodlettsville, TN, Madison, AL, and Huntsville, AL.
Today, Big Shake’s Hot Chicken is a franchise concept with locations opening soon in Columbia, TN, Nashville, TN, Tuscaloosa, AL, and Tampa, FL.


Davis is still married to his “right arm” and Vice President, Robin. They have two children together and still reside in Tennessee. As a die-hard fans of music, you can find them making food, music and spreading love.

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Legends features our Austin neighbor Larry Telford, storyteller, music producer, former pianist for the Geezinslaw Brothers and others. Larry is a self proclaimed student of the Willie Nelson University from 1976 to 2025. Hear the inside stories of his recording days with Willie Nelson, Kinky Friedman, Lee Roy Parnell, and others. Learn from Larry's tips on listening deeply. "Get into the dynamics of playing....knowing when NOT to play to create space." He goes on to say that piano is a percussion instrument. Bass players have to put up their "left hand" that drives the bass notes. And enjoy Larry's perspective on Bakersfield, Austin and Nashville music.

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Dr. Brian Simmons is back on Legends to celebrate the collaborative work of his translation team for The Passion Translation. Brian is known as a passionate lover of God. After a dramatic conversion to Christ, Brian knew that God was calling him to go to unreached people of the world and present the gospel of God's grace to all who would listen. With his wife Candice, and their three children, they spent nearly eight years in the tropical rain forest of the Darien Province of Panama as a church planter and translator. Hear about some of the new surprises from Brian originating from recent translations of Genesis and Exodus. Visit www.ThePassionTranslation.com.

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Success Legends welcomes Emily Shah, debuting Jungle Cry. This movie debuts May 2022 and is based on a true AND SIGNIFICANT story that follows the journey of 12 underprivileged children, playing sports barefoot, who went on to win the prestigious U14 Rugby World Cup in England. The team came from the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in Orissa, India, which has over 30,000 children from orphaned backgrounds. Emily Shah is an Indian American actress and daughter of famed Bollywood producer Prashant Shah. Hear the backstory on the making of this movie and the casting process of the young rugby players. This is moving podcast that points to "finding a place in your heart to do something of significance."

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Frank Blake is the former CEO of Home Depot, and member of Board of Directors for P&G and Delta Airlines shares his inside mentoring stories on the late Jack Welch along with Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush. All three mentors created the best version of Frank Blake.

Frank Blake is significant not merely because he ran a Fortune 500 company, but because he redefined what leadership could look like at scale.

The True Significance of Frank Blake

1. He Proved Humility Can Win in Business When Frank Blake became CEO of The Home Depot in 2007, he inherited a company facing cultural strain, customer dissatisfaction, and market pressure. Instead of ruling with ego, he led with humility, listening, visibility, and service. He became known for visiting stores, talking with frontline associates, and making people feel seen. Significance: He showed that kindness and strength are not opposites.
2. He Restored Culture, Not Just Profits Many executives focus only on numbers. Blake understood that numbers follow culture. He worked to rebuild Home Depot’s original spirit: customer-first service, empowered employees, and pride in the orange apron. Under his leadership, Home Depot regained momentum and outperformed major competitors. But his deeper contribution was restoring morale. Significance: He knew people are not a line item—they are the engine.
3.  He Led Through Crisis with Steady Hands Blake took over just before the 2008 housing collapse—one of the hardest times imaginable for a home improvement retailer. Yet he stayed calm, focused, and disciplined. He made tough decisions while preserving long-term trust. Significance: Real leaders are revealed in storms, not sunshine.
4. He Modeled Servant Leadership Frank Blake often represented the rare executive who understood the CEO’s role was not to be at the top of the pyramid—but to support everyone else in it. That mindset aligns with truly significant lives: lifting others, sharing credit, and building institutions that outlast personal ambition. Significance: He made leadership about service rather than status.  If significance is measured by how many people grew, believed, and thrived because you led them well—then Frank Blake was truly significant. He reminds us that the best leaders do not demand loyalty, they earn it; They do not chase applause; They create trust; They do not stand above people....they stand with them.

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Learn about how our brains can change from Bob Doyle, a leading expert in the field of re-wiring your brain. Hear this....YOUR BRAIN CAN CHANGE. Visit meetbobdoyle.com to learn more information on re-wiring your brain. Take the quiz today.

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Bill Berloni was denounced as an actor and tasked with finding a dog to play Sandy in the pre-broadway production of a nascent play titled Little Orphan Annie. Hear the origin story of this Tony award winning animal trainer and his further exploits in Legally Blond.

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After 60 leading roles in Broadway, his inner success was never fulfilled by outer success. Hear Ron Baker's story of how he transitioned to a more important life. Twenty five years he has worked with thousands of people around the world helping them shift their course. Listen to his inner struggles and how Ron overcame mental obstacles.

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