Communication is complex. While most people associate it solely with talking or speaking, a good communicator must also have the ability to listen, question, and provide constructive input. The act of communicating not only allows one to convey information but also helps build relationships, enhances engagement, fuels innovation, and fosters trust.

But just like any other skill, learning to be better at communicating comes with challenges. 

Matt Abrahams, author of “Speaking Up without Freaking Out” and host of the “Think Fast, Talk Smart” podcast, names anxiety as one of the challenges on why it can be hard for some people to express their thoughts and ideas. He believes that it is normal to be nervous and goes on to share some helpful tips and routines that can help manage public speaking anxiety.

In this episode, Darius and Matt discuss the types of communication, the ways to become a great communicator, the challenges of public speaking and how to overcome them, the importance of structuring communication plans, and how to leverage and manage public speaking anxiety.

Topics include:

Connect with Matt:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams/

Website: https://nofreakingspeaking.com/ 

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-fast-talk-smart-communication-techniques/id1494989268 

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/   

YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube 

Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 

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Have you ever experienced a moment where success brought praise and recognition, only to find yourself alone when faced with failure?

Today, I am flying solo to delve into a profound quote that encapsulates the essence of these contrasting moments: “Success has many fathers, failure is an orphan.” Drawing from my entrepreneurial journey, I will dive deep into the dynamics of success, failure, and the impact these have on personal identity.

In this episode, I will embark on a personal narrative, recounting the highs and lows of starting a mortgage lending business at a young age, the emotional rollercoaster, the attachment to success, and what I have come to realize after facing a severe setback during the 2007-2008 financial crisis.

Topics include:

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/   

YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube 

Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 

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What if calories aren’t the whole story?

In the realm of nutrition and health, the traditional belief has been that counting calories is the ultimate key to managing one’s diet effectively. But what if we told you calories might not be the key to a healthy diet? Delving beyond the calorie count, this question encourages us to explore the multifaceted elements that influence our health and well-being, such as food quality, nutrient content, and individual genetic factors.

Giles Yeo, a biologist and professor of molecular neuroendocrinology at the Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, and scientific director of the Genomics/Transcriptomics Core at the University of Cambridge, challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding weight management. 

In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius is joined by Giles to shed light on the importance of food quality, nutrient partitioning, and the role of genetics in our individual responses to diet and exercise. His perspective invites us to reevaluate our approach to nutrition, weight loss, considering a more holistic view of health that goes beyond calorie counting.

Topics include:

Connect with Giles:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/giles-yeo-2062969

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gilesyeo/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GilesYeo 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giles.yeo/ 

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/   

YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube 

Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 

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Today I’m talking with Michael Arrieta, who currently serves as the Founder and CEO of Garden City, a purpose-driven holding company that buys, grows, and permanently holds family-owned companies. 

He was an early employee at DocuSign and served as Global Vice President, General Manager, and Chief of Staff to the CEO before he founded MAV Ventures in 2016. Michael also co-founded New Story, a non-profit organization that has built over 2,000 homes in developing countries. 

Following his success as a young sales representative at Cutco and after seeking wise counsel, Michael made the decision to move to Silicon Valley, where he joined a startup called Wyse before his path led him to DocuSign in 2014. 

With his passion to make small things flourish, Michael started investing in small companies with a mission to help them grow, which later resulted in the creation of Garden City. Michael, through the holding company, envisions enriching the lives of the working class by acquiring family-owned service businesses and putting a culture that’s all about purpose, belonging, and excellence. 

In this episode, you will learn the advantages of seeking wise counsel, why hard work is necessary to be successful in life and business, and the importance of knowing your ‘why’ and purpose.

Topics include:

Connect with Michael:

Website: https://gardencityequity.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelarrieta

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikearrieta/ 

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/   

YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube 

Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 

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Do you believe that affirmations and goal-setting have the power to transform your life?

Today, I am flying solo for a year-end episode where I unpack my thoughts on the transformative power of affirmations, highlighting a particular affirmation that stands out to me – growing a private equity business in the next 36 months. 

This episode will delve into the unexpected success and challenges of this goal, showcasing the transformative journey from setting affirmations to realizing them. I will also underscore the belief in affirmations as a driving force, demonstrating the power of speaking intentions into the universe. 

In this episode of The Greatness Machine, I embark on a soul-searching journey to encapsulate the essence of the transformative year that was 2023. I will also share some personal insights, scoring myself on affirmations, from being a loving father to the audacious goal of growing a private equity business. 

Topics include:

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/   

YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube 

Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 

This episode is sponsored by the Harvard Business Review: Go to www.hbr.org/subscriptions and enter promo code: GREATNESS, for unlimited content starting at only $10 a month.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered how burning the boats can lead to extracting more value than you ever thought possible?

In this episode of The Greatness Machine, we welcome back Matt Higgins, the author of the groundbreaking book Burn the Boats: Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential. 

Matt delves into the art of setting and achieving goals, sharing his unique four-step matrix. He emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from the right individuals when developing a business idea, highlighting how relationships can profoundly impact professional success.

During the conversation, Darius and Matt explore the transformative concepts from Burn the Boats, discussing how these principles can reshape one’s approach to challenges, turning them into stepping stones for unprecedented success. They also delve into the intricate dynamics of co-founder relationships, shedding light on both the challenges and strategies in navigating this crucial aspect of entrepreneurship.

Join us for a discussion as Matt revisits the show, bringing forth a wealth of strategic wisdom, actionable insights and profound impact of Burn the Boats on your journey to success. 

Topics include:

Connect with Matt:

Website: https://rseventures.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mhiggins/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mhiggins/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-higgins-rse

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/   

YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube 

Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 

Check out Matt Higgins’ first interview: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/196-matt-higgins-burn-the-boats-toss-plan-b-overboard/id1555334180?i=1000611559474 

This episode is sponsored by the Harvard Business Review: Go to www.hbr.org/subscriptions and enter promo code: GREATNESS, for unlimited content starting at only $10 a month.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are values important to succeed in business and in life? Today's guest shows us what really happens behind the scenes of a successful company and how values factor into the equation.

In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius is joined by Matthew Stewart, co-founder and CEO of National Service Group (NSG), which operates College Works Painting, Empire Community Construction, Home Genius Exteriors, and SMJJ Investments. From a small Southern California company, NSG has grown into an international company with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. Matthew currently serves on the boards of several organizations in addition to his role at NSG. In his past role, he was chairman of the global board of Entrepreneur's Organization (EO), a worldwide business network representing more than 142 chapters across 46 countries.

In this episode you'll discover:

- The entrepreneurial advice Matthew would give to his younger self.

- How values help his company succeed.

- The secrets to running a successful business.

Join Darius and Matthew for this fascinating discussion as they explore how our values and even our mistakes provide lessons that we can use to create success. They also discuss the reasons why being patient and having a strategy are vital to achieving greatness.

Topics include:

Connect with Matt:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-stewart-5257314

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/   

YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube 

Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s holding you back? What’s stopping you from achieving the life you have always wanted?

Unfortunately, many people experience regret for the things they never did. Perhaps they rejected a wonderful job offer, passed up an opportunity to expand their business, or missed the chance to travel the world. 

While there are plenty of reasons for missed opportunities, choosing to live a life in a box is what stops most people from dreaming big dreams. 

Today, I am flying solo to talk about how constraints and limitations affect our way of life, how we see ourselves, and how they hold us back from becoming the best version of ourselves. I will also talk about my personal journey of finding success after removing the constraints I previously put around myself. 

In this episode, I will discuss the benefits of having a no-constraints mindset and how it taught me to raise the bar higher every time I reach a goal without beating myself up. 

Topics include:

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/   

YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube 

Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can you align your values with wealth management, lead authentically in business and navigate life's challenges with resilience?

Joe Duran, a known figure in the field of wealth management, is highly regarded for his approach that goes beyond traditional financial strategies. As the founder and former CEO of United Capital, he consistently emphasizes the significance of aligning one's values with wealth management, recognizing that true prosperity extends beyond measures.

His philosophy surpasses wealth management by integrating values, authenticity and resilience into an approach. Through this approach, Joe not only revolutionizes people's perception of wealth, but also empowers them to lead more fulfilling lives rooted in their genuine aspirations and values.

In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Joe joins Darius to share his journey from Zimbabwe to becoming an entrepreneur. He highlights the importance of kindness and belief in the universe, discusses his experience building and selling United Capital, leaving Goldman Sachs for impact as well as providing insights on wealth management and personal growth. Additionally, Joe delves into topics such as aligning choices with values, bridging the gap between personal and professional identities, and the significance of leadership.

Topics include:

Connect with Joe:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-duran-711167

Twitter: https://twitter.com/duranmoney/

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/   

YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube 

Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I’m talking with John Jackson, Director of Correctional Partnerships for Hustle 2.0, an evidence-based, trauma-informed curriculum used in more than 450 jails and prisons across the country. He is a co-author of ten books, a TEDx speaker, and a keynote speaker for multiple organizations advocating for second chances.

After spending 18 years incarcerated, John earned four SHU terms before coming to one of California's most notorious supermax prisons, Pelican Bay. He also earned his GED, a Baylor University certificate, and led networking events for top executives and investors in prison. 

His life changed when he was hired to work for Hustle 2.0 in 2019, where they help corrections departments to effectively program more of their population with minimal impact on facility staff and space resources. Now, John works with gang leaders nationwide to interrupt generational cycles of violence and incarceration.

In this episode, you will learn how John was subjected to crimes at an early age, how he became a gang member in prison, and how the “worst of the worst” found a second chance in life. 

Topics include:

Connect with John:

Website: https://www.hustle20.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjackson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmjacksonca/

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/   

YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube 

Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices