Michael Goldberg's career defies convention—weaving through refugee camps, post-apartheid South Africa, AOL's China expansion, and Cleveland's medical innovation ecosystem. His pioneering Massive Open Online Course "Beyond Silicon Valley" unexpectedly became a global phenomenon, resonating in places from Iran to Kosovo with its uniquely Cleveland-inspired model of entrepreneurial development that blends government support, philanthropy, and private investment.

Now leading the Veale Institute, Goldberg observes how today's students arrive with entrepreneurial mindsets already formed, while he continues his passion for building bridges between entrepreneurs across continents—proving that innovation ecosystems can flourish far beyond traditional tech hubs when communities leverage their distinctive strengths.

The episode begins with Congedo's early career in broadcast journalism, starting in Washington DC at age 21 before moving to Lexington, Kentucky to develop her reporting skills. She discusses the challenges of building confidence as a young reporter in demanding environments and the valuable experiences that shaped her professional development. Congedo then reflects on her Jewish identity journey, explaining how her interfaith family background influenced her understanding of community and belonging, which led to her work at the Jewish Community Relations Council focusing on Jewish security through coalition-building.

The conversation explores the Holocaust & Humanity Center's unique approach as both a Holocaust museum and humanity center at Cincinnati's Union Terminal. Congedo emphasizes their "story forward" rather than "history forward" approach, focusing not just on tragedy but on resilience, rebuilding, and inspiring action today. She details the center's innovative Humanity Gallery and its character strengths framework that encourages visitors to connect personally with upstander stories.

The episode concludes with a discussion of the center's Upstander Awards, which recognize everyday people who exemplify character strengths shared with Holocaust survivors. Congedo shares a powerful story about an award recipient who discovered unexpected common ground with a survivor's family member, illustrating how universal human themes transcend time and circumstance.

Gary Henson's career exemplifies resilience and reinvention across multiple phases of the financial services industry. The episode begins with his humble roots in Jefferson City, Missouri, and chronicles his early banking career where a demanding mentor helped unleash his competitive nature. Henson details his rapid rise through asset management, from managing billions in fixed income at a young age to navigating the challenges of single parenthood while building his professional reputation.

The conversation explores Henson's pivotal role in the growth of Mariner Wealth Advisors and Montage Investments alongside entrepreneur Marty Bicknell, which helped transform them into financial powerhouses. He shares insights from being early adopters of innovative investment approaches and democratizing alternative assets for high-net-worth clients.

In the most poignant segment, Henson opens up about losing his son Garrett to addiction in 2015, and how this devastating loss led to his involvement with Shatterproof, a national nonprofit fighting addiction. He discusses the importance of understanding addiction as a disease and removing the stigma that prevents effective treatment. The episode concludes with Henson explaining how his new venture, 503 Capital Partners, allows him to "do well by doing good" through private credit investments in charter schools, senior living facilities, and waste transition projects.

Jeff Berding's career exemplifies the intersection of civic leadership and sports business innovation. The episode begins with his roots as a fifth-generation Cincinnatian and first-generation college graduate, shaped by his Jesuit education's "men for others" philosophy. Berding details his path from political roles in DC and Cincinnati to 19 years as a Bengals executive, before identifying the opportunity to bring major league soccer to Cincinnati.

The conversation explores how Berding developed FC Cincinnati from a business plan into a record-breaking success, drawing unprecedented attendance for a third-division team before earning an MLS expansion bid in just four years. He shares critical insights about building the right ownership group, securing community support, and transitioning from entrepreneurial startup to mature organization. Berding discusses the challenges of constructing TQL Stadium during the pandemic and the club's commitment to the West End neighborhood through the first-ever Community Benefits Agreement in Cincinnati's history.

In the final segment, Berding reflects on his continued civic leadership, from championing a new downtown arena to serving on numerous community boards. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes the importance of persistence, authentic community engagement, and the unique role sports teams play in civic pride and unity

In this episode of SuperPerformers, host Rob Herman speaks with Michele Forman, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and Assistant Professor and Director of the Media Studies Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), which she co-founded in 2003. From her early work as director of development at Spike Lee's 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks to building Birmingham's film ecosystem, Forman shares insights from her journey as a storyteller, educator, and community builder.

The episode begins with Weir's immigrant story and the foundational values instilled by her Scottish parents—education, community service, and helping others. These principles guided her transition from corporate real estate to social services, catalyzed by her experience mentoring a foster child in Philadelphia.

The conversation delves into Weir's twelve-year tenure as director of Hamilton County Job and Family Services, where she annually oversaw 800 employees, managed a $2.5 billion annual budget, and served 500,000 residents. Her experience there informed her current approach at United Way of Greater Cincinnati, where she's implementing data-driven strategies to combat poverty and promote economic mobility through housing, education, and financial stability initiatives.

The discussion culminates with Weir's innovative leadership at United Way, including the transformation of the 211 call center, the strategic deployment of MacKenzie Scott's $25 million grant, and her approach to building public-private partnerships. Throughout the episode, Weir emphasizes the importance of running nonprofits with business acumen while maintaining a deep commitment to community impact and transformation

In this episode of SuperPerformers, host Rob Herman speaks with Dr. Jordan Bonomo, a pioneering neurointensivist at the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute and co-owner of CrossFit Cincinnati. Dr. Bonomo shares his journey from emergency medicine to becoming one of the first physicians to bridge emergency and critical care, while also discussing his role in developing the nation's first Flex ICU.

Listeners will hear about Dr. Bonomo's experiences as a flight physician, tactical physician with Cincinnati Police SWAT, and his international medical missions. The conversation explores the challenges of critical care medicine, the importance of mental health in high-pressure environments, and how physical fitness builds resilient communities. This episode offers valuable insights into medical innovation, work-life balance, and the pursuit of excellence across multiple domains.

To learn more about Rob Herman and 4100FS, please visit 4100FS.com.

Gifford Miller's diverse career path is a testament to his adaptability and willingness to take on new challenges. The episode begins with a look at his early political career, where he became the youngest Speaker of the New York City Council at age 32. Gifford discusses the strategies he employed to build consensus and navigate the complexities of city politics, particularly in the aftermath of 9/11.

The conversation then shifts to Gifford's transition from public office to the private sector. He shares insights into founding Signature Urban Properties, a company focused on affordable housing development in the Bronx. Gifford explains how his experience in city government informed his approach to urban development and community revitalization.

In the final segment, Gifford discusses his latest venture as the majority shareholder and chairman of Atlético CP, a Portuguese football club. He details the serendipitous circumstances that led to this opportunity and his vision for transforming the club into a lifestyle brand and community hub in Lisbon. Throughout the episode, Gifford emphasizes the importance of decisiveness, understanding others' perspectives, and investing in oneself during career transitions.