The Matt Balaker Podcast

The Matt Balaker Podcast

By The Matt Balaker PodcastBusiness
Download on the App Store

The Matt Balaker Podcast episodes

  • Loren DeFalco on Seizures, CBD, & More

    Loren DeFalco cured himself of epileptic seizures through a regime of CBD and cannabinoids

    Loren’s Story
    In 2008, I had a massive seizure at the airport while waiting curbside for my ride home after a business trip. I woke up in an ambulance and had no idea where I was or where I had come from. It was quite scary. I went to a neurologist who ran tests on me. I was told that I had a “seizure disorder” and would need to take anti-seizure drugs or I would not be allowed to drive my car.
    This was all very disturbing as I felt broken. The medication began to take its toll on me right away and the side effects were debilitating. The solution I was provided for the side effects of the medication was…MORE medication. I ended up taking five different prescription drugs that caused my body to break down even more to the point that I was no longer able to work.
    I decided that it was time to take matters into my own hands and I started to research to find alternate ways of handling my new situation. This is when I came across the endocannabinoid system. My discovery was nothing short of revolutionary for my mind and body. I started to learn how diet and cannabinoids influenced disease in the body and completely changed my lifestyle. I started on a diet that was based on making sure I was balancing the omega 6 and omega 3 levels in my body as well as ingesting cannabinoids through hemp plant seeds and other sources.
    Six months after I started my new lifestyle, focusing on the endocannabinoid system, I was cleared by my neurologist after my EEG showed no more seizure activity in my brain. Finally, I was able to shed all of my prescription drugs. Not only did my seizures stop, but I started to experience relief from other physical issues that I had been dealing with, such as sleeping issues and arthritic knee pain. This was amazing to me and I strived to learn more about this system that I had never heard of before and that had only been recently discovered.

    38 min
  • Climate, Sea Squirts & Science - Dr Patrick Frank

    Patrick Frank's curiosity motivated his interest in sea squirts and science. After earning a PhD in physical science, Frank became a chemist at Stanford University. Hear his story about analyzing climate models and scrutinizing ideas where others are afraid.

    MORE ABOUT DR. PATRICK FRANK
    Patrick Frank is a physical methods experimental chemist. BS, MS, San Francisco State University; PhD, Stanford University; Bergmann Postdoctoral Fellow, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. As scientific staff at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and the Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, he has 67 peer-reviewed publications in bioinorganic chemistry. Achievements include explaining the unusual metal active site in blue copper electron transport proteins, falsification of rack-induced bonding theory, solving the 20-year problem of ligand binding in the iron-molybdenum cofactor of Nitrogenase, revision of 60 years of accepted wisdom about the solvation structure of dissolved cupric ion, and illuminating the ancient (Cambrian) biological chemistry of vanadium and sulfuric acid in blood cells of the sea squirt Ascidia ceratodes. He has also published peer-reviewed papers on the intelligent design myth, the science is philosophy myth, the noble savage myth, the human-caused global warming myth, the toxic masculinity myth, and the culture of sexual harassment among STEM academics myth.

    1 hr 3 min
  • Boxing Stalking and More with Ed Steinfeld

    Ed Steinfeld lived in Vegas before mass commercialization. His boxing skills helped launch Oscar De Hoya's career. A scary incident with a stalker changed his life. Now he's a radio and comedy stalwart. Hear his story.

    38 min
  • Smoke Wallin on Entrepreneurship

    Smoke Wallin is a beverage expert, Eagle Scout, proud father, and a seriel risk taker. Hear his story about building businesses, strengthening resilience, and combatting homelessness.

    MORE ABOUT SMOKE
    Smoke is an accomplished leader and international business builder focused on M&A in the CPG, cannabis, health & wellness, food & beverage, distribution, hospitality & technology industries. He has frequently served as CEO for new and existing businesses. He has been directly involved in $1.7 billion in M&A and financings and acquired, created, or sold 50+ brands and companies. A primary strength is in building teams and creating the conditions for success with employees, boards, investors, customers, and other stakeholders. He is committed to giving back and making a difference in our world through transitional housing for the homeless at @Dignitymoves.org and other important initiatives.

    43 min
  • The Future of Family Offices - Ron Diamond

    Ron Diamond witnessed the effects of mass layoffs. He's become a leading voice in the family office sphere. Hear his insights on the future of family offices.

    Longtime investor and entrepreneur Ronald Diamond is the Founder and Chairman of Diamond Wealth. He represents over 100 Family Offices ranging in size from $250 million and $30 billion. Diamond Wealth invests in private markets (private equity, venture capital, real estate). In addition, Diamond Wealth has divisions that focus on philanthropy, wealth transfer, investment banking, social impact, and governance.
    Ronald serves on the Advisory Board of 10 privately held companies and acts as Chairman for 4 of them. Ronald is also the Chair of two TIGER 21 chapters in Chicago and Chairs a newly created Family Office Group for TIGER 21.
    A frequent speaker at Family Office and Alternative Investment Conferences, Diamond has spoken at over 100 conferences around the globe. Mr. Diamond is also the Founder of Family Office World — (www.familyofficeworldpodcast.com) a podcast whose mission is to educate the market about Family Offices.
    Earlier in his career, Mr. Diamond founded Pinnacle Capital — a $250 million hedge fund that outperformed the S & P index 10 out of 10 years — before ultimately selling his company to an international investment firm. Previously, Diamond served as a Senior Managing Director at Bear Stearns. He began his career as an analyst at Drexel Burnham Lambert.
    Deeply committed to giving back, Diamond is an active philanthropist and civic leader. He serves on the Leadership Circle of the Aspen Institute and sits on the Board of several other charities and non profit organizations in his community.
    Diamond studied at Northwestern University, graduating Magna Cum Laude and earning his degree in Economics.

    39 min
  • Everloving Comedy - Cory Riojas

    Cory Riojas is a skateboarder, martial artist, comedian who has developed his own path in the standup world while being a loving father. Hear his story.

    https://www.facebook.com/Everlovingcomedy/

    47 min
  • Louisiana Comedian - JP Leonard

    Jason "JP" Leonard is a comedy festival veteran, a columnist, producer, and founder of Lafayette Comedy.

    More about Jason Leonard:
    He is the founder of Lafayette Comedy and has written comedy columns for The Laugh Button, The Daily Advertiser, and The Times of Acadiana. He has performed at the following comedy festivals: Hell Yes Fest! (New Orleans, LA 2014, 2015, 2017) Scruffy City Comedy Festival (Knoxville, TN 2015) Come and Take It Comedy Takeover Fest (Houston, TX 2016) Birmingham Comedy Fest (2017) Altercation Comedy Fest (Austin, TX 2017, 2018 2021)
    https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/

    42 min
  • Food and Comedy - Tom Riehl

    Tom Riehl is a cook, producer, and comedian. Learn how his passions have helped make Orange County, CA funnier and better fed.

    MORE ABOUT TOM RIEHL

    Tom has been performing stand-up since the early nineties. He performs at private and corporate events as well as The Improv, The Ice House, and The Comedy Store to name a few. Through the years Tom has worked with a variety of performers including comedians Bob Saget, Paula Poundstone, Rita Rudner, Jimmy Brogan, Fritz Coleman and Shawn Wayans, as well as musical acts Berlin, Three Dog Night and David Pack of Ambrosia. He has been a finalist in “Orange County’s Funniest Person Contest” numerous times as well as winning “Best Clean Comic” in the Eagle Rock Comedy Festival in Los Angeles.

    Tom also has been producing shows and live events for over thirty years throughout southern California. Currently he produces Lass Your Aff Off! a monthly stand-up comedy show at the Z Playhouse in Mission Viejo. He also produces Laughs for Leathernecks, a yearly fundraiser held at the Irvine Improv benefitting the Dana Point Marines and their families.

    In addition to performing, Tom has been teaching stand-up comedy in the OC since 2012. His workshops, Students of Stand-up has earned him praise from students and professional comedians alike. His simple yet effective approach to understanding comedy creates a fun and positive atmosphere no matter what your age or skill level may be.

    https://riehlfood.com

    https://www.youtube.com/riehlfood

    https://studentsofstandup.com

    https://tomriehl.com

    https://comedyintheoc.com

    52 min

About The Matt Balaker Podcast

From the publisher's feed

We interview experts in business, comedy, and literature in hopes of free riding off their knowledge.