This solo episode marks a turning point for The Connected Experience.After spending time studying some of the most impactful voices in the podcast space, Greg began to see new opportunities—ways to make conversations more focused, more intentional, and ultimately more meaningful for listeners.In this episode, he shares what’s been shaping that perspective, what he’s learned from creators who truly connect with their audience, and how those insights are influencing the evolution of the show. This isn’t about starting over—it’s about building forward with more clarity and purpose.Greg walks through what you can expect next: a refined format, stronger storytelling, and a deeper emphasis on connection that goes beyond surface-level conversation.If you’re new here, this is the perfect place to start.

In this episode of The Connected Experience, Greg sits down with Lance Hurdle—former professional basketball player, coach, and founder of Excel Basketball in Virginia Beach—to break down what most people get wrong about growth: practice isn’t just repetition, it’s identity, discipline, and the foundation of who you become. Through the lens of Meaning, Clarity, Action, and Connection, Lance shares how purpose gives practice direction, why clarity separates intentional work from wasted reps, and how real progress comes from doing the daily work most people avoid. From building athletes to developing leaders, he explains how the environment at Excel Basketball goes beyond skill development—it creates accountability, mindset, and connection that carries into every area of life. This episode is a reminder that you don’t rise to the moment—you fall back on your preparation, and if you want to grow, lead, and perform at a higher level, it starts with how you practice every single day.

In this episode of The Connected Experience, Greg sits down with Michael Berlucchi to talk about what it really means to build the future of a city—one decision at a time.

From infrastructure and development to leadership under pressure, Michael shares a real look into how today’s choices shape tomorrow’s outcomes for Virginia Beach.

This conversation goes beyond policy—it’s about perspective:

How leaders balance growth with community impact
The weight behind every vote and long-term decision
Why clarity and vision matter when building something that lasts
And what it takes to lead when there’s no perfect answer

Greg and Michael break down the mindset required to move from ideas to action, and why building the future isn’t about comfort—it’s about responsibility.

If you care about leadership, growth, and the decisions that shape communities, this episode will challenge how you think about progress.

In this episode of The Connected Experience, Greg sits down with Caitlin Johnson—CEO and founder of a fast-growing cyber, IT, and talent solutions company built on solving mission-critical problems through strong teams and leadership.

Together, they break down what it really takes to lead with intention using four core pillars: Meaning, Clarity, Action, and Connection.

Caitlin shares how her journey—from a biology graduate to building a company focused on elite teams and national impact—was shaped by aligning purpose with execution.

This conversation goes beyond theory:

Meaning – Defining purpose that actually drives decisions
Clarity – Eliminating noise to focus on what matters most
Action – Turning vision into disciplined execution
Connection – Building teams and relationships that scale impact

Whether you’re building a company, leading a team, or developing yourself, this episode challenges you to ask:
Are you just moving—or are you building with intention?

Real connection doesn’t come from trying to impress people—it comes from being fully yourself.

In this episode, Chef Tony shares the deeper recipe for connection—one built on authenticity, personal growth, and the courage to show up as who you really are. While many people spend years trying to fit expectations, Tony reflects on what happens when you stop performing and start living with honesty and purpose.

The conversation explores how identity, self-awareness, and growth shape the way we connect with others. From navigating personal evolution to embracing the parts of ourselves that make us unique, Chef Tony unpacks why authenticity is often the missing ingredient in both leadership and relationships.

When people are comfortable in who they are, connection stops being forced—and starts becoming natural.

Topics in this episode:
Why authenticity is the foundation of meaningful connection

The personal growth required to show up as your real self

Letting go of expectations and external validation

How self-awareness strengthens relationships and leadership

The courage it takes to live and lead authentically

Growth doesn’t always start with a new opportunity—it often begins with a new way of thinking.

In this episode, Megan Blacksmith joins the conversation to explore what it truly means to expand your mindset. From challenging the assumptions that quietly shape our lives to embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth, Megan shares how shifting perspective can unlock new possibilities in both life and leadership.Together, we unpack how people get stuck in familiar patterns, why expanding your thinking requires intentional effort, and how curiosity, reflection, and courage help create meaningful change.If you’ve ever felt like you’re capable of more but unsure how to break through the limits of your current thinking, this conversation offers practical insight into widening your perspective and reconnecting with what’s possible.Topics include:
Why mindset expansion starts with questioning your assumptions

The hidden beliefs that quietly shape your decisions

How curiosity and reflection unlock personal growth

Moving beyond comfort to discover new opportunities

What it really takes to see life through a broader lens

What happens when the business you built becomes the identity you’re known for… and then you feel called to evolve?

In this episode of The Connected Experience, we sit down with Tony DiSilvestro — entrepreneur, restaurateur, media personality, and keynote speaker — to unpack the deeper layers behind success, reinvention, and connection.

Many know Tony from building iconic hospitality brands like Ynot Italian. Fewer understand the internal shifts required to move from operator to visionary… from personality-driven leadership to purpose-driven impact.

This conversation goes beyond business.

We explore:

How Tony’s definition of connection has changed over time

The tension between achievement and alignment

What version of ourselves struggles most to connect

Why growth often requires shedding old identities

How challenging others publicly (and thoughtfully) can create deeper trust

Tony shares candid reflections on leadership, ego, humility, and the responsibility that comes with influence. From scaling a recognizable brand to stepping into new media ventures, he reveals what it really takes to evolve without disconnecting from your core values.

If you’ve ever built something successful… but felt the pull toward something more meaningful — this conversation will resonate.

Because connection isn’t automatic.
It’s intentional.

Connection isn’t lost in big moments.

It erodes in the small ones.

Spencer returns for his second episode to unpack a hard truth: most of us aren’t struggling to communicate — we’re struggling to truly connect.

With a background rooted in technology, innovation, and navigating complex transitions, Spencer brings a sharp lens to the human side of progress. In fast-moving industries and high-performance environments, efficiency often replaces empathy. Output replaces understanding. And slowly, connection becomes transactional.

In this episode, Greg and Spencer explore:

Why competence can become a barrier to vulnerability

The difference between collaboration and real connection

How rapid change in tech and business reshapes relationships

The internal narratives that keep leaders guarded

What it takes to rebuild trust in a distracted world

This conversation challenges the idea that connection is automatic. It isn’t.
It’s intentional. And when it’s missing, everything else eventually feels it.

Before you can lead outward… you have to listen inward.

In this conversation, Greg sits down with Cary of Waves of Change Coalition,  but this isn’t about programs or initiatives. It’s about the interior journey.

Cary shares how sound, frequency, and the study of the stars became tools for deeper self-awareness. What happens when you slow down enough to hear your own internal rhythm? When you begin to see your life not as random, but patterned ... like constellations forming meaning over time.

To learn more visit: https://www.wavesofchangecoalition.com/

Most entrepreneurs start with a skill.

Few are prepared for what success actually demands of them.
In this conversation, Greg sits down with Eric Svedberg — founder of European Autowerks and now the visionary behind Fuel Coaching — to unpack the real transformation behind the pivot.
Eric didn’t just build a respected automotive shop. He built systems. Teams. Culture.
But somewhere along the way, he realized something most owners eventually face:
You can grow revenue… and still feel stuck.
This episode explores:
The identity crisis that hits after “making it”
Why technical excellence doesn’t equal leadership mastery
The moment Eric realized he was building a job instead of freedom
What it actually takes to step out of day-to-day operations
Why coaching became the next mission

Greg and Eric dive into the mindset shifts required to go from operator to owner… and from owner to leader of leaders.
For business owners feeling the weight of growth, burnout, or plateau — this isn’t theory. It’s the inside look at reinvention.
Because sometimes the next level of business starts with redefining who you are without it.

To learn more visit: https://www.gofuelcoaching.com/