The Thomas Bepko Podcast

homas sits down with his longtime best friend, Elaine Pugliese, for one of his most personal conversations yet.

They talk about growing up together, the reckless years, drinking, addiction, arrests, relapses, sobriety, relationships, loss, grief, becoming a husband and father, and how much life has changed since they first met as kids.

Elaine has seen Thomas through some of the best and worst moments of his life. She's now godmother to his boys, close with his wife and truly part of the family.

This episode is about friendship, loyalty, growing up, getting your life together and the people who somehow stay beside you through all of it.

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Why do so many men accept feeling tired, sluggish, and unhealthy as "just part of getting older"?

In this episode, I sit down with Pat Fahy from Game Day Men's Health to talk about testosterone, men's health, peptides, stress, recovery, mental health, the truth about the "dad bod," and why taking care of yourself makes you a better husband, father, and leader.

If you're a man over 40—or love one—this is a conversation worth hearing. 👊

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What does it really mean to be a strong man?

In this powerful conversation, Thomas Bepko sits down with Jack Yeung to discuss men's health, mental health, testosterone, stress, burnout, fatherhood, therapy, relationships, and why so many men struggle in silence.

They tackle topics most men avoid talking about:

• Low energy and burnout
• Testosterone and hormone health
• Stress, cortisol, and modern life
• Therapy and mental wellness
• Fatherhood and marriage
• Why men struggle to ask for help
• Why men's suicide rates remain so high
• What real strength actually looks like

This isn't just a conversation about hormones. It's a conversation about becoming the healthiest version of yourself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

If you're a man, know a man, love a man, or are raising one, this episode is worth watching.

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Everybody wants the nice car, the Rolex, the dream house…

But almost nobody is talking about how wealth is actually built.

In this episode, Thomas Bepko sits down with barber industry leader Jay “Majors” Raposo to talk about the real money game:
ownership, real estate, leverage, cash flow, and why your first property can completely change your financial future.

This conversation goes way beyond barbering. Whether you’re self-employed, working a 9-5, an entrepreneur, a barber, stylist, creator, or just someone trying to stop feeling financially stuck, this episode breaks down real strategies normal people are using to build long-term wealth.

They cover:
• Why your first home should NOT be your dream home
• How house hacking actually works
• The biggest money mistakes people make in their 20s and 30s
• Why rich people think differently about debt
• FHA loans, low down payments, and first-time buyer programs
• How self-employed people can qualify for mortgages
• Multifamily investing explained simply
• How rental income can help pay your bills
• Why ownership matters more than flexing online
• How to use real estate to create financial freedom

PLUS:
Thomas and the Total Mortgage team will be LIVE at the CT Barber Expo helping attendees understand:
• First-time home buying
• Investment properties
• Mixed-use and commercial real estate
• Credit and pre-approvals
• Building long-term wealth through real estate

If you’re attending the CT Barber Expo, make sure you stop by the Total Mortgage booth 501 and talk to the team.

CT BARBER EXPO
June 6-8, 2026

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT:
https://ctbarberexpo.com/

GET PRE-APPROVED WITH THOMAS BEPKO

FOLLOW THOMAS BEPKO

FOLLOW JAY “MAJORS” RAPOSO:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jay_majors

If you got value from this episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this with somebody who needs to hear it.

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What’s up everybody, welcome back.

This episode hits different.

Thomas sits down with Gabriella Travali, Fairfield salon owner, entrepreneur, mom of four, run club energy, and someone who has been through more than most people talk about out loud.

They get into:

• Raising boys in Fairfield and the real talk about parenting teenagers
• Co-parenting and what happens when life does not go the way you planned
• Divorce, rebuilding financially, and learning lessons the hard way
• Breast cancer, six surgeries, and what it actually feels like to face your own mortality
• Why discipline and routine saved her when everything else was falling apart
• The truth about alcohol, trauma, healing, and acceptance

This is not surface level highlight reel stuff. This is messy, honest, local, and real.

Gabriella shares how she rebuilt herself while running a salon in downtown Fairfield, showing up for four kids, and refusing to quit when most people would have folded.

If you are:

• A parent trying to figure it out
• An entrepreneur juggling too much
• Someone who feels like life punched you in the face
• Or just need proof that you can come back from anything

This one is for you.

Follow Gabriella Travali: @gabrielatravali
 Salon: @gavalisalon – Brick Walk, Downtown Fairfield

Listen, share it with someone who needs it, and let us know what part hit home.

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TJ sits down with his wife, Lila, for a real talk on love, screwups, and doing the work. They cover the early red flags, the breakup, cheating, and why they chose therapy and forgiveness. Lila shares how being a therapist helps and sometimes hurts at home. They get into ADHD in marriage, feeling heard, I-statements, sex vs emotional connection, and why your partner can’t meet every need. Parenting and co-parenting, losing each other after kids, and how to put wood back on the fire. Clear takeaways, no fluff, just what actually helped them stay together.

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In this powerful episode of The Thomas Bepko Podcast, Thomas sits down with returning guest David Condon, owner of And How Graphics, for an unfiltered conversation about sobriety, resilience, and transformation. David opens up about his journey of sobriety, the struggles of breaking free from addiction, and the undeniable truth—sobriety is addicting.

From the brutal withdrawals and emotional rollercoaster to rediscovering purpose and discipline, this episode is a raw, no-BS deep dive into what it really takes to change your life. If you or someone you know is struggling, this conversation is packed with real talk, hard-earned wisdom, and the motivation to take that first step toward a better future.

Hit play now—this one might just change your life.

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Hard work, resilience, and a relentless drive—Greg Whitmire is the definition of what it means to level up in life and business. In this episode, we dive deep into his entrepreneurial journey, his hardcore morning routine (including a 3 AM wake-up and freezing cold plunge), and the grind mentality that keeps him winning.

But it’s not just about business—Greg gets real and raw about overcoming addiction, shifting his identity, and finding true purpose after years of self-destruction. We talk about what it takes to change your life for good, why most people are “consistent” in all the wrong ways, and the non-negotiable mindset shifts that separate the successful from the stuck.

If you’ve ever felt like you were meant for more but just couldn’t break old habits, this episode will hit hard. Tune in, take notes, and get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about success.

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Thomas Bepko sits down with his good buddy Will Testani to kick off a season all about helping others. They get real about their personal journeys through addiction and recovery—sharing raw stories of struggles with sobriety, run-ins with the law, and the tough inner battles they’ve faced.

Thomas and Will also open up about what it’s like growing as dads, staying committed to recovery, and leaning on therapy, community, and even Jiu Jitsu to keep moving forward.

This episode is packed with honest conversations about the sacrifices, growth, and hard work it takes to turn your life around and build something meaningful.

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Thomas Bepko chats with Justin Lopatin, a seasoned loan officer and coach. They discuss the importance of building communities, the value of podcasts, and essential daily routines for maintaining productivity. Justin shares insights into his journey in the mortgage industry, the impact of coaching and mentorship, and the growth of his coaching community, Growth Only Coaching. They delve into strategies for leveraging social media, maintaining work-life balance, and preparing for industry changes. This episode offers valuable tips for new and experienced loan officers and real estate agents alike.

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