In this episode, we sit down with Pedro Avila Jr, a Chicago-born, Miami-based podcaster and content creator, to discuss the relentless pursuit of growth in your 20s. From his transition from a psychology major to a full-time interviewer, Pedro explores the "speed kills" mentality of the Miami networking scene and the discipline required to build a digital brand from scratch. We dive deep into the mechanics of viral clipping, the monetization of bilingual content, and why the biggest risk in your youth is playing it safe.

What to Expect:

- The "Speed Kills" Networking Strategy: How Pedro landed a podcast with Cousin Jay (Nelk Boys) within 10 minutes of a TikTok Live interaction by being authentic and fast.

- The Quantity vs. Quality Debate: Why Pedro advocates for a "quantity first" approach for new creators to build consistency and find their voice before obsessing over production value.

- Monetizing the Niche: Insights into the lucrative bilingual market, the reality of TikTok's Creativity Program payouts, and how to scale a clipping business.

- The Psychology of the "Inner Circle": A breakdown of the Miami mindset vs. Chicago's "quiet money" and why your energy level is more valuable than your bank account at 25.

The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey, hosted by Alex Thiakos.

Guest – Pedro

INSTAGRAM: @inyour20sofficial & @vote_4pedrooo

YOUTUBE: In Your 20s Show

TIKTOK: @inyour20s_

Host – Alex Thiakos

INSTAGRAM: @alexthiakos

Members Room

INSTAGRAM: @membersroom

TIKTOK: @membersroom

In this episode, we sit down with Jesse Hoffman, a performance psychologist and mental coach for C-suite executives, to discuss upgrading your "internal operating system" for elite success. From his roots in sports psychology to mentoring high-ticket entrepreneurs, Jesse explores how identity-based growth and the "Being to Become" framework can bridge the gap between your current reality and your idealized self. We dive deep into the biological power of visualization and why the fear of success is often more paralyzing than the fear of failure.

What to Expect:

The "Being to Become" Framework: Why you must exist as the person you want to be in the present tense to wire your brain for future achievements.

The Science of High-Ticket Sales: Mastering the 90% of non-verbal communication,including tone, silence, and posture, to convert through clarity and conviction rather than pressure.

Energy Management vs. Burnout: A breakdown of the four quadrants of energy (Physical, Emotional, Cognitive, and Social) and why "burnout" is often just stagnant energy that needs to flow.

The Motivation Loop: Why dopamine-driven motivation is more powerful than raw discipline, and how to use operant conditioning to spark massive action in your daily routine.

The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey, hosted by Alex Thiakos.

Guest – Jesse Hoffman

INSTAGRAM: @jessehhoffman

YOUTUBE: Jesse Hoffman

Host – Alex Thiakos

INSTAGRAM: @alexthiakos

Members Room

INSTAGRAM: @membersroom

TIKTOK: @membersroom

In this episode, we sit down with Aurelio Licata, a strategic real estate entrepreneur and property management expert, to break down the formula for scaling a short-term rental empire. Aurelio shares how he moved beyond the "side-hustle" mentality to build a business rooted in high-level automation and data-driven property selection.

Aurelio walks us through the mechanics of modern Airbnb hosting, replacing guesswork with his core blueprint: The Right Property + The Right System. From identifying high-demand markets to implementing "hands-off" management, he reveals how founders can achieve real success and operational freedom.

We dive deep into market arbitrage, leveraging technology to maximize revenue, and professionalizing the guest experience. Aurelio’s insights prove that the most successful entrepreneurs are those who build systems that work while they sleep.

What to Expect

• The Success Formula: A deep dive into Aurelio’s guiding principle: why the intersection of the right asset and a rigorous system is the only way to scale.
• Market Arbitrage: How to identify high-demand pockets and secure properties that guarantee consistent cash flow.
• The Automation Stack: The specific tools and software Aurelio uses to handle guest communication, cleaning schedules, and dynamic pricing.
• Professionalized Hospitality: Moving from "amateur host" to a high-end property manager, and why professional standards drive five-star reviews.
• Scalability vs. Self-Employment: How to stop trading time for money by building SOPs that allow your business to function as a turnkey asset.
• Relationship Capital: The art of pitching landlords and developers to secure long-term partnerships and multiple units.

The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey—hosted by Alex Thiakos. Subscribe for more real conversations with people making it happen.

Guest – Aurelio Licata

INSTAGRAM: /aureliolicataa

Host – Alex Thiakos

INSTAGRAM: /alexthiakos

Members Room

INSTAGRAM: /membersroom

FACEBOOK: /membersroom 

TIKTOK: /membersroom

In this episode, we sit down with Jonnie Parsons—entrepreneur, construction executive, podcast host, and faith-driven leader—to unpack a life defined by redemption, discipline, and purpose. Jonnie opens up about his journey from addiction, homelessness, jail, and losing custody of his son, to rebuilding his life through faith, family, fitness, and focused leadership.

Jonnie walks us through his childhood in South Florida, his early exposure to partying and drugs, and the pivotal moments where he hit rock bottom—and chose to surrender control. From getting clean at 21, relapsing years later, and ultimately finding lasting transformation through faith while incarcerated at 33, Jonnie’s story is a raw and honest look at what real change requires.

Now a 50/50 partner in a growing land development business, a husband, father, coach, and host of the Discipline & Legacy podcast, Jonnie shares the principles that helped him rebuild his life from the inside out. We dive into entrepreneurship, leadership, construction, personal development, and why faith—not motivation—is the foundation for lasting success.

Whether you’re battling addiction, building a business, trying to become a better leader, or searching for meaning beyond material success, this episode delivers hard-earned wisdom and a real blueprint for what it means to show up every day.

What to Expect

- Redemption & Reality: Jonnie’s path through addiction, relapse, jail, and the turning point that changed everything.

- Faith Over Fear: Why Jonnie says faith is the #1 driver of his personal development—and how he sees fear as “lack of faith.”

- Discipline & Legacy: The mindset shift from surviving day-to-day to living with long-term purpose, impact, and accountability.

- From Rock Bottom to Leadership: How rebuilding his life made him a better husband, father, and leader—and why serving others is real leadership.

- Fitness as a Reset Button: Losing nearly 80 pounds, overcoming sleep apnea and high blood pressure, and why physical health became part of his transformation.

- Entrepreneurship & Construction: How Jonnie grew from hands-on heavy equipment work to estimating, business development, and partnership—plus why relationships matter more than being the lowest bidder.

The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey—hosted by Alex Thiakos. Subscribe for more real conversations with people making it happen.

Guest – Jonnie Parsons

INSTAGRAM: /jonnie_parsons_official

 TIKTOK: /@jonnie_parsons_official

PODCAST: Discipline & Legacy

Host – Alex Thiakos

INSTAGRAM: /alexthiakos

Members Room

INSTAGRAM: /membersroom

TIKTOK: /membersroom

In this episode, we sit down with Stefanos Spiliotis—a Greek-American content creator, FIU student, and aspiring online personal trainer—to discuss the cultural shift of moving from Athens to Miami and building a lifestyle around discipline. Stefanos shares his journey from working in his father’s water sports business in Greece to finding his obsession with fitness and entrepreneurship in the U.S.

From navigating the differences between the Greek and American education systems to the reality of building a following by "nicheing down," Stefanos details the mindset required to stay consistent in a fast-paced world. We dive into the "Blue Zones" of Greece, the importance of faith in personal development, and why hybrid training (balancing lifting with endurance) is the key to long-term health.

Whether you are looking to improve your physical health, start your own content journey, or understand the power of cultural adaptability, this episode provides a fresh perspective on what it means to show up every day.

What to Expect:
- Cultural Crossroads: The transition from the capital of Greece to Miami at 16, and how the American "extracurricular" system sparked his entrepreneurial drive.

- The Hybrid Athlete: Why Stefanos is pivotting to a Half Ironman split and his philosophy on "Hybrid Physics"—balancing muscle mass with cardiovascular health and flexibility.

- The Content Niche: Why he chose to target a Greek-speaking audience while living in Miami, and the "Million View" lesson on why consistency beats quality in the early stages.

- Discipline & Fasting: Insights from his 36-hour fast and the 75 Hard challenge, and how keeping promises to yourself is the ultimate foundation for self-confidence.

The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey—hosted by Alex Thiakos. Subscribe for more real conversations with people making it happen.

Guest – Stefanos Spiliotis
INSTAGRAM: /@stefano_spiliotis
TIKTOK: /@stefano_spiliotis

Host – Alex Thiakos
INSTAGRAM: /alexthiakos

Members Room
INSTAGRAM: /membersroom 
TIKTOK: /membersroom

Guest – Jean Reyes 

INSTAGRAM: / solebyjc 

Host – Alex Thiakos 

INSTAGRAM: / alexthiakos

Members Room 

INSTAGRAM: / membersroom

TIKTOK: /membersroom

In this episode, we sit down with Gabe Lullo - Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alleyoop, a premier sales development agency working with industry giants like ZoomInfo, Salesloft, and Adobe. Gabe shares his journey, beginning with a blue-collar upbringing that instilled a deep understanding of “profit versus wages” a lesson he learned at age 11 selling T-shirts. This early realization fueled his transition from a traditional career path to building a future in business development and sales leadership.

From being taught the ropes by a successful entrepreneur (his best friend’s dad) to making a major life shift to be home with his newborn daughter, Gabe walks through the pivotal decisions that shaped his trajectory. We dig into how he left companies on such strong terms that he was eventually re-recruited back to Alleyoop as CEO, along with his framework for high-volume, human-centric sales, his philosophy on content as a revenue driver, and his method for training high-grit, high-output sales teams.

What to Expect

- Profit Over Wages: How early lessons in profit and a strong mentor redirected Gabe from a blue-collar mindset into sales training and business development.
- The Professional Exit: His strategy for leaving companies the right way—leading to being re-recruited as CEO and shaping Alleyoop’s “Allup Alumni” culture.
- Manager to CEO: How he scaled through finance, operations, and his “train the trainers” philosophy to build repeatable, high-performing teams.
- Content That Sells: Why he became the face of the company, how 400+ podcasts built authority, and how content now drives 40% of new business.
- The 90-Day System: His 4-step training model and why hiring for grit creates independent, high-output reps.
- High-Volume, Human Outreach: Why Alleyoop prioritizes 250–850 calls a day and leans into calls, voice notes, and video as AI floods email and LinkedIn.
- Handling the 10 Objections: His go-to responses for the most common objections, including the “email me” deflection and the “bad steak” analogy.

The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey—hosted by Alex Thiakos.

Guest – Gabe Lullo

INSTAGRAM: / @gabelullo 

LINKEDIN: / @Gabe Lullo

Host – Alex Thiakos

INSTAGRAM: /alexthiakos

Members Room

INSTAGRAM: /membersroom 

TIKTOK: /membersroom

In this episode, we sit down with Adebayo Kuye—a real estate investor, licensed counselor (CADC), and professional mentor—to talk about the foundational principles that drive success in both personal development and business ventures. Adebayo shares his journey from overcoming social awkwardness using psychological theories learned online, to transitioning from a basketball path into a dual career in real estate and counseling.

From establishing his first property via house hacking to feeling a calling to help youth struggling with difficult home environments, Adebayo details the crucial role of finding real-life mentors and the need to prioritize life for minimal regret. We dig into the philosophy of why selfishness is the root of all evil (not money), and the strategy of providing value first to secure life-changing opportunities.

What to Expect:

• Pivot to Purpose: Overcoming social isolation by learning charisma online, leading to his mission of mentoring youth in confidence and communication.
• Real Estate Foundation: The strategy behind house hacking his first multi-family property and why in-person mentors are essential to navigating the high-risk "reach ideas" taught on YouTube.
• Ethics & Growth: Why selfishness is the root of all evil, and how to optimize life for minimal regret by taking massive action and saying yes early in your career.
• Coaching Resilience: His full-time calling as a counselor and the complex challenge of building resilience in youth who lack functional home support and positive community examples.

The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey—hosted by Alex Thiakos.

Guest – Adebayo Kuye

INSTAGRAM: /@itskuye 

TIKTOK: /@itskuye 

Host – Alex Thiakos

INSTAGRAM: /alexthiakos

Members Room

INSTAGRAM: /membersroom 

TIKTOK: /membersroom

In this episode, we sit down with Darryl Torres—Co-Founder of DNA Productions—to talk about building a premium media agency that specializes in cinematic corporate storytelling. Darryl shares his unexpected path from a career-ending baseball injury to becoming an entrepreneur who transforms the media presence of Fortune 500 companies.

From taking high-risk leaps after dropping out of college to strategically merging corporate discipline with creative production, Darryl details the mindset and systems that fueled their rapid growth. We dig into the necessity of in-person networking, the philosophy of pricing for value, and how they leverage technology (AI) to run a modern, high-ticket service business that operates across the country.

What to Expect:

• Unexpected Origin & Portfolio Hustle: A career-ending injury led to learning film via "YouTube University." He built his initial portfolio through a high-risk networking trip by leveraging a temporary driving job for free shoots.
• High-Value Niche: Founded DNA Productions to offer premium, cinematic "corporate media storytelling" (like 3-minute documentaries) specifically to Fortune 500 companies.
• Sales & Pricing Strategy: Prioritizes in-person networking and genuine relationships over cold outreach. Prices services based on value delivered, targeting clients who can afford a premium ticket price.
• Scaling & Leadership: Utilizes AI (Chat GPT-5) for efficiency while maintaining momentum through travel. Transitioned from being behind the camera to a leadership role in production management.

The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey—hosted by Alex Thiakos.

Guest – Darryl Torres

INSTAGRAM: /dbankzfilms

Host – Alex Thiakos

INSTAGRAM: /alexthiakos

Members Room

INSTAGRAM: /membersroom

TIKTOK: /membersroom

In this episode of Members Room, host Alex Thiakos sits down with Anthony Kasper, a young entrepreneur who has launched a personal coaching business focused on Christian men's fitness and faith. Anthony shares his powerful journey from hitting rock bottom in college to finding radical life change through faith, which ultimately inspired his mission to help other men transform their lives.

What to Expect:

• How Anthony turned a season of addiction and self-destruction into a story of faith, discipline, and redemption
• The biblical principles that guide his daily life — and why surrendering to God is the ultimate act of strength
• Inside his one-on-one coaching model: content strategy, community funnel, and accountability systems
• Lessons in patience, consistency, and embracing setbacks as part of the entrepreneurial journey
• A deeper look into his philosophy on comfort, self-control, and the pursuit of truth in a distracted world

The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey — hosted by Alex Thiakos. Subscribe for more real conversations with people making it happen.

Guest – Anthony Kasper

INSTAGRAM: @anthonykasper

TIKTOK: @anthonyjkasper

HOST – Alex Thiakos

INSTAGRAM: @alexthiakos

Members Room

INSTAGRAM: @membersroom

TIKTOK: @membersroom