Make a Difference! – The Mentors Radio

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Robert Parker, a man widely considered the most powerful critic of any genre in history, about changing careers to pursue a passion. Pulitzer-prize winning media critic David Shaw, in his two-part Front Page profile for the Los Angeles Times, called wine critic Robert Parker “the most powerful critic of any kind, anywhere.” Parker’s impact on the wine world has been unrivaled, and many others agree that no critic of any genre, be it theatre, movies, music, art or fashion, has been as influential in their industry as Robert Parker has been in wine. Internationally acclaimed and recognized, Parker is the only wine critic ever awarded France’s highest Presidential honor, which he received twice, from France’s Presidents Chirac and Mitterrand. Robert was the first critic given Italy’s top honor by Italy’s President Berlusconi. He was also the first critic given Spain’s highest civilian honor by King Juan Carlos. Even though his influence is global, being hounded by paparazzi when he’d visit places like Japan, Robert Parker is an American writer who has had an enormous impact on America’s interest in and fascination with wine, and many say he’s been a major influence on how wine tastes and is made today. Listen to the show broadcast on Salem Radio in San Francisco, via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide or anytime, on ANY podcast platform, including Apple Podcast, Spotify, iTunes, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

Robert Parker:

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with Annie Duke, a world champion poker player and best-selling book author. We are all too familiar with the phrase “you’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em,” but how DO we know? How can we be sure? Annie Duke is a decision-making expert, a cognitive science expert and a former professional poker player with a PhD in Cognitive Psychology who knows a think or two about high-stakes decisions. As the best-selling author of “QUIT: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away,” Annie challenges the stigma around quitting and reveals how mastering this skill can lead to greater success and fulfillment in work in life. Her contrarian point-of-view provides a compelling argument for the virtues of quitting. Listen to the show broadcast on Salem Radio in San Francisco, via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide or anytime, on ANY podcast platform, including Apple Podcast, Spotify, iTunes, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

ANNIE DUKE:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Sister Donna Markham, PhD., an Adrian Dominican Sister and immediate past-president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA.  During her ministry there, she led the implementation of national initiatives directed at alleviating the suffering of vulnerable people in the United States.  Donna has dedicated the majority of her life as a licensed and board-certified clinical psychologist to the ministry of personal and global healing.  A writer, speaker and faith-driven leader, she is actively engaged in global peace initiatives and processes of reconciliation that have taken her across the world. Sister Donna received a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Detroit.  She is also the recipient of ten (10) honorary doctorates and has been named each year for the past eight years, as one of the Top 50 nonprofit leaders in the U.S. by The NonProfit Times.  Most recently, Sister Donna was honored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for her extraordinary leadership on behalf of humanity.  In August 2023, she received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. And perhaps most impressive of all, Sister Markham was the answer to a question on Jeopardy! Listen to the show broadcast on Salem Radio in San Francisco, via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide or anytime, on ANY podcast platform, including Apple Podcast, Spotify, iTunes, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

SISTER DONNA MARKHAM, OP, PhD:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Filippo Silvestri and Enzo Rosano, two restaurant entrepreneurs who talk about their journey from Italy to San Francisco, and from nothing to becoming celebrated restaurant entrepreneurs in one of the most competitive and diverse restaurant markets. Today’s topic is about The American Dream and how a group of Italian entrepreneurs are emblematic of it. Theirs is a story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and success. Joining us are Filippo Silvestri and his partner Enzo Rosano, who both immigrated from Italy and have built a thriving restaurant business in the San Francisco Bay Area. Today, we delve into their journey, the challenges they faced and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Listen to the show broadcast on Salem Radio in San Francisco, via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide or anytime, on ANY podcast platform, including Apple Podcast, Spotify, iTunes, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

FILIPPO SILVESTRI and ENZO ROSANO:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with New York Times #1 Best-Selling author Gretchen Rubin as she provides lessons and tips on how to live a better life by being happier and making those around us happier. 

Gretchen Rubin is one of today’s most influential and thought-provoking observers of happiness and human nature. She’s a highly acclaimed writer, known for her ability to distill and convey complex ideas—from science to literature to stories from her own life—with levity and clarity.
Gretchen has an affinity for new tools and platforms, and has cultivated a vast, passionate audience who actively engages with her and her work across many channels. With millions of copies of her New York Times bestselling books sold, more than 220 million downloads of her Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast, an enthusiastic following on her newsletters and social media, helpful and beautifully designed products, and the award-winning Happier app, Rubin engages her audience wherever they are and wherever they want to be. An experienced and sought-after speaker, she makes regular appearances across the media landscape. 
As the founder of The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin has helped create an ecosystem of imaginative products and tools to help people become happier, healthier, more productive and more creative. “There’s no one-size-fits-all solution,” she explains, “so there’s no ‘right’ way or ‘best’ way. We have to choose the way that work for us.”
She’s been interviewed by Oprah, eaten dinner with Nobel Prize-winner Daniel Kahneman, walked arm-in-arm with the Dalai Lama, had her work reported on in a medical journal, been written up in the New Yorker, and been an answer on Jeopardy!
After starting her career in law, Gretchen realized she wanted to be a writer while clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Raised in Kansas City, she lives in New York City with her family. Listen to the show broadcast on Salem Radio in San Francisco or via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide… You can also listen on ANY podcast platform, including Apple podcast, iTunes, Spotify, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

GRETCHEN RUBIN:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Daniel Hawkins, inventor of intravascular lithotripsy and visionary founder of Shockwave Medical Inc. As the company’s founding CEO for nearly 11 years, Daniel led Shockwave through a remarkable journey that culminated in 2024 with an acquisition by Johnson & Johnson for an astounding $13 Billion; the largest acquisition of a medical technology company in history! With a track record that includes being the #6 employee at Intuitive Surgical and driving the first-ever sale of the DaVinci surgical robot, Daniel is a true pioneer in the medical technology field. Join us as we delve into the brutal backstory of creating breakthrough medical technologies, and the personal and professional challenges that come with it. Listen to the show on Salem Radio in San Francisco or via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide… You can also listen on ANY podcast platform, including Apple podcast, iTunes, Spotify, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

DANIEL HAWKINS:

In this episode, The Mentors Radio host Dan Hesse talks with David Foster, one of the most illustrious composers of our time. With 16 Grammy Awards, including three for Producer of the Year, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe and Three Oscar nominations for “Best Original Songs,” Foster has earned a reputation as a keen spotter of new talent, playing a key role in the discovery and career launches of Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé and more.

Few other individuals can claim to have their fingerprints on more major moments in all of popular music than David Foster. He has created hit songs for a diverse array of artists including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, Seal, Chaka Khan, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Chicago, Hall & Oates, Brandy, ’N Sync, Boz Scaggs and Gloria Estefan, to name a few.

Currently, Foster is gearing up to take on Broadway with several projects, including writing the music for a new musical about iconic animated character “Betty Boop.” He is also writing music for a musical based on the Amy Bloom novel and New York Times bestseller Lucky Us.

Listen to the show live on Salem Radio in San Francisco or via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide… You can also listen on ANY podcast platform, including Apple podcast, iTunes, Spotify, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

DAVID FOSTER:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Ambassador John Negroponte. Few diplomats in history have served our country so well, for so long, and in so many key positions as today’s guest, Ambassador John Negroponte. Ambassador Negroponte has been U.S. Ambassador to Honduras, Mexico, the Philippines and Iraq and he has also been U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. He held a cabinet level position as America’s first Director of National Intelligence under President George W. Bush. His most recent position in government was as Deputy Secretary of State, where he served as the State Department’s Chief Operating Officer. John has received numerous awards in recognition of his more than four decades of public service, including the State Department’s Distinguished Service Medal on two separate occasions, the highest award which can be conferred by the Secretary of State, and in 2009 President Bush awarded him the National Security Medal for his outstanding contributions to U.S. national security. Since then, John has held teaching positions at Yale, the George Washington University, the University of Virginia, and Georgetown. Ambassador Negroponte shares personal stories and anecdotes of working with U.S. Presidents and cabinet officials along with America’s successes and mistakes, drawing from his rich and varied career as one of our country’s top diplomats. Listen to The Mentors Radio show on the radio or via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide… You can also listen on ANY podcast platform, including Apple podcast, iTunes, Spotify, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

AMBASSADOR JOHN NEGROPONTE:

In this encore episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Horst Schulze, the legendary founder of the Ritz Carlton hotel group. You’ll learn Horst’s journey first-hand—from busboy to founder, how it all began with a dream at age five, why setting the gold standard for customer service was so important to him, and how his pursuit–and achievement–of a ‘culture of excellence’ set his hotel brand apart from the rest. Horst talks about the influence and mentorship of his first boss, his defining vision for himself and how this came about, the founding of the Ritz Carlton, its founding principles and overcoming some of the challenges and struggles through the years. What kept Horst motivated? How did Horst teach his team to address ANY complaints? You’ll learn how setting the gold standard for customer service ultimately led to the creation of the most iconic hotel brand in the world…truly inspiring, and worthy of imitation. Listen to The Mentors Radio show on the radio or via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide… You can also listen on ANY podcast platform, including Apple podcast, iTunes, Spotify, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

HORST SCHULZE :

In today’s episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Brandon Steiner, a successful entrepreneur who pioneered the sports collectible industry. He’s a kid from Brooklyn who started from scratch and ended up buying Yankee Stadium (yes, you read that correctly!), ultimately creating a sports empire. Brandon started entrepreneurship young, driven by an absolute love of bagels. At age 14, he invented the “The Everything Bagel”! Today he is the CEO of CollectiblesXChange and The Steiner Agency, and is the author of three books: The Business Playbook; You Gotta Have Balls; and Living on Purpose. In this episode, you’ll hear first-hand how Brandon went from a kid in Brooklyn to creating a sports empire; with lots of AHA! moments for your own life and business along the way. Listen to The Mentors Radio show live in San Francisco or via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide… You can also listen on ANY podcast platform, including Apple podcast, iTunes, Spotify, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

BRANDON STEINER: