Making A Man

Making A Man

By Kevin & AxelParentingKids & Family
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Making A Man episodes

  • Ep 20: Peaceful or Harmless? The One Thing Every Kid Should Know

     In this heartfelt one-on-one episode, Axel and Kevin sit down for a meaningful father-son chat that covers real family moments and big life lessons. From navigating their family’s first breakup to unpacking the power of asking better questions, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and honest reflection. 

    12 min
  • Ep 19: Never Give Up: Chad Dziedzic on Faith, Family, and Relentless Work Ethic

    🔥 How Chad Dziedzic Went from Warehouse Worker to BlackRock Director | Inspiring Success Story 🔥

    What does it take to rise from humble beginnings to become a leader at one of the world’s largest financial institutions? In this powerful episode of Making a Man, Chad Dziedzic shares his incredible journey—from unloading 18-wheelers at 4 a.m. to leading as a Director at BlackRock.

    🎯 You’ll hear real talk about:
    ◘ The role of sports and discipline in building work ethic 💪
    ◘ Why mentorship can change the trajectory of your life 🤝
    ◘ How faith and family became the foundation for lasting success 🙏👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
    ◘ Lessons from failure, public speaking fears, and bouncing back stronger 

    🧠 Learn how Chad outworked, out-learned, and outlasted the competition—and why he still says, “You only lose if you give up.”

    🚀 Perfect for: aspiring professionals, young leaders, athletes in transition, and anyone hungry for motivation, grit, and wisdom.

    🔔 Subscribe for weekly stories that will inspire you to grow, lead, and win in life.

    #ChadDziedzic #CareerSuccess #MakingAManPodcast #BlackRock #WorkEthic #Mentorship #LifeLessons #FaithAndSuccess #InspiringJourney #PodcastMotivation

    30 min
  • Ep 18: Olympic Dreams to Financial Teams: A Man’s Evolution

    Olympic lifter turned financial powerhouse? Yes, please. 🏋️‍♂️💼

    In this explosive episode of Making a Man, we sit down with Steve Swistak—USA Weightlifting National Team member, CrossFit Games competitor, and 25-year veteran in financial services. From training in his garage with his dad to coaching 500+ athletes through his Barbell Club, Steve shares how discipline, grit, and goal-setting shaped his entire life.

    🚀 What we cover:
    ✅ Steve’s immigrant roots and early mindset shift 💡
    ✅ Competing at an elite level in Olympic weightlifting 🥇
    ✅ Transitioning from athlete to financial advisor 💰
    ✅ Coaching lessons and the power of technique over talent 🎯
    ✅ Real talk on failure, success, and building a legacy 🔥

    🎧 Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or just someone chasing growth, this one is a must-watch. Hit that SUBSCRIBE button and let’s go!

    👇 Drop your biggest takeaway in the comments!

    22 min
  • Episode 17. Building Character Through Commitment with NFL Veteran Paul Moyer

    🏈 In this episode of **Making a Man**, we sit down with **NFL veteran and Seattle Seahawks legend Paul Moyer**, who shares his powerful journey from the gridiron to the boardroom.

    Paul opens up about:
    - Hitting rock bottom in college—and the mentor who pulled him back
    - Going undrafted but making a 7-year career with the **Seattle Seahawks**
    - Coaching, career pivots, and founding a financial services firm
    - Lessons on character, commitment, and fatherhood
    - How faith and family keep him grounded as a grandfather

    📌 Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or just someone striving to grow, this episode is filled with *real talk, deep insights, and practical advice.*

    ---

    📢 **Timestamps & Takeaways**
    0:00 – Intro  
    1:30 – Growing up in Orange County  
    4:45 – Life-changing moment in college  
    7:00 – Transitioning out of the NFL  
    13:15 – Mentors who changed everything  
    16:00 – Life & business advice for young men  
    22:00 – Painful hits, proud moments  
    24:00 – Grandparenting & faith

    ---

    🔔 **Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE** and ring the bell to stay updated!  
    📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @makingamanpodcast  
    👇 Share this episode with someone who needs motivation today!

    27 min
  • Episode 16. Building a Life You Love with Steve Alexander

    Welcome back to Making a Man! In this episode, we sit down with Steve Alexander – former college football captain, entrepreneur, and owner of the Put-in-Bay Resort. 

    Steve shares hard-earned lessons on relationships, business, personal growth, and overcoming adversity. 

    From his humble beginnings to battling and conquering addiction, Steve’s journey is an inspiring testament to grit, gratitude, and growth. 

    This is an episode you don’t want to miss.

    💡 Key Takeaways:
    ✅ Core Values Matter – Honesty, hard work, integrity, and strong relationships are the foundation of success.
    ✅ Overcoming Addiction – Steve's battle with sobriety is a powerful reminder of resilience and the support of loved ones.
    ✅ Mentorship & Influence – Key mentors like his father-in-law and boss played pivotal roles in shaping his life and career.
    ✅ Entrepreneurial Spirit – Taking risks later in life to start his own business shows it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.

    👉 Come hang out with us on social media:
    📲 Facebook: Making A Man Podcast
    📸 Instagram: makingamanpodcast

    Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE and ring the 🔔 so you never miss an episode! Let’s grow and learn together. 🚀

    32 min
  • Ep 15: Back Kicks, Mental Grit, and Building a Man

    In this off-the-cuff episode of Making a Man, Axel and I flip a no-show into a deep and honest convo on everything from spinning back kicks and Fortnite to survival strategies and mental toughness. 

    We talk about how hard work, not talent, is the key to success, why it's important to get comfortable being uncomfortable, and share stories that inspire—like David Goggins and even Colonel Sanders. 

    It's unfiltered, fun, and full of lessons that matter. Tune in!

    💡 Key Takeaways:
    ✅ Success often comes from hard work and persistence, not just natural talent.
    ✅ Discomfort is part of growth—developing tolerance for it builds mental toughness.
    ✅ Having a Plan B is essential when others don't follow through.
    ✅ Life is “front-loaded,” meaning early discipline and effort set up future success.

    👉 Come hang out with us on social media:
    📲 Facebook: Making A Man Podcast
    📸 Instagram: makingamanpodcast

    Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE and ring the 🔔 so you never miss an episode! Let’s grow and learn together. 🚀

    16 min
  • Ep 14: Facing Fear: What We Learn When We Try

    In this heartfelt episode of Making A Man, I get the chance to flip the script and interview my son, Axel. We dive deep into what failure really means and how it can be one of our greatest teachers. From goalkeeping wins to indoor skydiving fears, Axel shares personal stories of growth, courage, and determination. It's a candid conversation about life, mistakes, and learning to bounce back stronger. If you're a parent, a student, or just someone trying to figure things out, this one's for you.

    💡 Key Takeaways:
    ✅ Failure isn’t the end—it’s a valuable stepping stone for growth.
    ✅ Courage often means doing things even when you're afraid (like skydiving or goalkeeping).
    ✅ Personal goals, big or small, help guide self-improvement and resilience.
    ✅ Honest reflection and support from loved ones can turn setbacks into opportunities.

    👉 Come hang out with us on social media:
    📲 Facebook: Making A Man Podcast
    📸 Instagram: makingamanpodcast

    Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE and ring the 🔔 so you never miss an episode! Let’s grow and learn together. 🚀

    20 min
  • Episode 13. Outwill, Outwork, Outlast: Jonathan Tipping's Road to Success

    In this episode of Making a Man, we sit down with Jonathan Tipping, a young professional who has already achieved remarkable success in commercial real estate. 
    From his humble beginnings as a caddie and entrepreneur to working for CIBC Bank and earning invitations to high-profile events, Jonathan shares valuable lessons about hard work, resilience, and networking. 
    Join us as Jonathan reflects on his mentors, his experiences, and his definition of success. This conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone looking to reach their potential.

    💡 Key Takeaways:
    ✅ Jonathan Tipping shares his journey from caddying at a golf course to working in commercial real estate at CIBC Bank.  

    ✅ He highlights the importance of networking, mentorship, and maintaining relationships throughout his career.  

    ✅ Jonathan discusses the challenges he faced when moving to a new city with no connections and how he overcame them.  

    ✅ He emphasizes the value of resilience, hard work, and living life with conviction to achieve success.  

    👉Follow our guest on social media:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-tipping-947949163/

    👉 Come hang out with us on social media:
    📲 Facebook: Making A Man Podcast
    📸 Instagram: makingamanpodcast

    Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE and ring the 🔔 so you never miss an episode! Let’s grow and learn together. 🚀

    25 min
  • Ep 12: Integrity, Hard Work, and the Power of Networking with Michael S. Melfi

    Welcome to Making a Man! 
    In this episode, we sit down with Michael S. Melfi—entrepreneur, attorney, and mentor—who shares his journey from caddying as a kid to building his own law firm. Michael opens up about the importance of faith, integrity, and perseverance in shaping a successful life. He also reveals powerful lessons about overcoming challenges, networking, and making yourself investable in every aspect of life. Whether you're a young man looking for guidance or someone eager to grow, this episode is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss!

    💡 Key Takeaways:
    ✅ **Success comes from perseverance** – Michael shares how challenges shape strong individuals and why embracing failure is key.  

    ✅ **Be investable** – Demonstrating value in relationships, business, and personal growth is crucial for long-term success.  

    ✅ **Integrity and faith matter** – Building a strong foundation in character and values leads to meaningful success.  

    ✅ **Networking is a game-changer** – Michael discusses how meaningful connections have shaped his career and life opportunities.

    👉 Come hang out with us on social media:
    📲 Facebook: Making A Man Podcast
    📸 Instagram: makingamanpodcast

    Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE and ring the 🔔 so you never miss an episode! Let’s grow and learn together. 🚀

    36 min
  • Episode 11. Axel and Kevin Discuss Drones, Elon Musk, and the Future

    Welcome back to Making a Man! 
    In this episode, Kevin and Axel dive deep into problem-solving—why staying calm is key, how problems can be opportunities, and why procrastination makes things worse. They also talk about drones, Elon Musk's new government efficiency project, and the importance of setting goals. Don't miss this insightful and entertaining discussion! 

    💡 Key Takeaways:
    ✔️ Problem-solving mindset – Problems don’t age well, and facing them head-on is key to success.
    ✔️ Leadership and decision-making – The best leaders solve problems and seek smarter people for guidance.
    ✔️ Drones, AI, and technology – Discussion on drone sightings and Elon Musk’s new efficiency project with the government.
    ✔️ Personal growth – Setting goals, being a good role model, and thinking about the future.

    👉 Come hang out with us on social media:
    📲 Facebook: Making A Man Podcast
    📸 Instagram: makingamanpodcast

    Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE and ring the 🔔 so you never miss an episode! Let’s grow and learn together. 🚀

    20 min

About Making A Man

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Making a Man, where we dive into the lessons and stories that shape young men into confident, capable individuals. Through meaningful conversations and powerful insights, they…