The Zero Hour

Buck the system! That's what these two entrepreneurs have done. Meet Kierin, who, instead of paying full college tuition to be remote, learning what he was already doing, said, "No thanks!  I'm starting my own business and will acquire the life experience I need to succeed. He and his long-time friend and recent business partner, Mitch Marcou, have done just that!

These two lifelong friends decided to combine forces after Mitch served his country and Kieran was starting what will probably be the first of many entrepreneurial endeavors. These young men took a different approach to education and service, and used what they learned in life to build a thriving business. 

Meet The Varsity Movers, whose commitment to using their hospitality methodology, ultimately ensures their clients will receive top-notch service with a smile, sweat, and maybe even a few tears!

Cheerio! 

Christine and Marc welcome Marc's old friend Dan Swift, or “Swifty,” as his mom calls him, about the zero hour when Dan’s father stepped away from the family while Dan was still a young lad. This hard moment in his own life inspired Dan to become the man, dad and entrepreneur he is today. 

What's Dan’s secret weapon? Kindness and treating people the way you want to be treated. Swifty, arguably the tallest man in Britain, lover of Winston Churchil quotes and passionate mental health advocate, takes us on his journey from The United Kingdom to NYC.

Join Christine and Marc as they interview Eloise McIntosh, founder and CEO of the Good Hood Club, co-founder of The Gold Standard,.and former student of Christine’s. Please join us on the Zero Hour as we learn and listen to Eloise share her zero hour moments and how they brought her to where she is today. 

Christine and Marc joyously celebrate their 15th episode together, riffing on the 80’s because as we all know, it’s the greatest decade of them all! Marc tells his story of how he and his best friend were arrested (the 1st time) by truancy officers in NYC while skipping school to get tickets at Madison Square Garden to watch Duran Duran. 

Join these two crazy kids who grew up in the ‘80s as they reminisce about those seminal years and take a quick but funny trip down memory lane.

Join Christine and Marc as we connect with the one and only “Pesh!”  As Marc would say, “I pick things up and put them down– Jersey in da house. Meet Milke “The People Builder,” Mike Peshler aka Pesh or who Marc has now dubbed as “The Viking.” He reminds us that not everything you see is exactly as it seems. Mike tells his story, that of a D1 college athlete who struggled with his own insecurity. Who would imagine that at 6’4, 240, he would feel insecure about anything? 

Pesh talks to us about the journey he took to jump out of corporate America to live out his dream to become a People Builder, starting Athletic Strength Training (AST) out of a shed and how he built it and got to where and who he is today.

Join Christine and her co-host Marc, as they explore those serendipitous zero hour moments that launch us into new experiences and connections. Paul is a lover of soccer who still plays weekly, and he and his wife Claudette are amazing parents to their two boys. Join us, as we speak with Paul and the trajectory of his life and career as a result of one phone call that might have been completely missed.

Meet Zero Hour friend, Peter Baron, and take a trip down memory lane as he and Christine catch up on their respective life journeys. Peter and Christine have known each other for over twenty years (since before they were married!) and Christine will always be grateful to Peter for being there for her during some of her most difficult times. 

Peter shares with us the inspiring story of how he confronted the zero hour in his life that led him to Brewster Academy, a boarding school in Wolfeboro, NH, that transformed his life and started him on a life’s journey to support independent schools (and families seeking independent schools.) He has been a teacher, an administrator, and an entrepreneur. Peter is a respected educational and business leader, having worked in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors and in product development, sales, marketing, and business operations. He is currently CEO of Erin Kent Consulting, impacting the world of international schools, as well. 

Please join us as we connect with Peter, learn about his zero-hour moment, and discuss everything from self-care, parenting, and the importance of those champions in our lives who support, guide, and believe in us!   

Meet Zero Hour friend Jordan Rochelson, a “Strong Island” man with many talents and passions. He is an actor, a comedian, and a singer. He found his way to teaching and found that through his work at Salisbury School in CT, he would understand what it means to juggle the intricate balance of teaching, managing dorm life, coaching, and contributing to a boarding school community. As the pandemic hit, he decided to take the leap that took him, as a teacher, across the world and back, to work with private families. 

Teaching has taught Jordan so much about the power of education, and what it means to connect and engage deeply with his students and their families in a home-schooled setting. Jordan has witnessed lives of privilege and prominence but has also experienced firsthand the universality of human existence. He has, in his role, as a private teacher, assisted parents by creating curriculum, managing expectations, and setting goals as he delivered curriculum and worked not only to educate but to empower. Jordan is a firm believer that all young people need the guidance of teachers, coaches, mentors, and/or family members to become their greatest cheerleaders and champions. And with Jordan’s wisdom and diverse experience, he is an unbelievable resource to all of us as we strive to become the best versions of ourselves possible. 

Come meet Jordan Rochelson and learn about his zero-hour moment–the one that led him to his calling.

Meet friend of the Zero Hour, Mr. Bob Gallagher, thespian, and soon-to-be renowned actor. He’s a Massachusetts local, proud father, gifted hockey player and coach, and former business owner who struggled with addiction and loss only to find his way back. Today, he’s an inspiration to young, up and coming actors and to all who believe that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.

Join us for a real and inspirational zero hour story as we get to know Bob (www.bobgallagheractor.com) learn his story, and learn about his plans, not only to continue to pursue his passion for acting but also to complement his love for characters, character development and stories as an aspiring screenwriter who hopes to share his life story, and the stories of those he loves and cares for with the world.  

Marc’s old friend David Boller, also known as DB, Dave and Boller.... but never (or rarely) David, joins us to share about his zero hour.  He is a dedicated father of three, an entrepreneur and restaurateur from…yes, you guessed it, Strong Island!  

Dave's friendship with Marc spans well over a decade; they used to practice their sales pitches on each other (Marc claims he always won.)

Dave always stood out as someone always thinking about his next greatest entrepreneurial idea:

"Hey Marc, how do you think a Subway restaurant would do here?” 

DB shares how he decided to take the plunge and pursue his entrepreneurial idea: Garden Social: www.GardenSocialli.com....the best beer and food on Long Island and how his mom Kathy was his inspiration.  We’d also like to give a shout-out to his kids, Molly, Alex and his doppelganger Mason, who also inspire him to be his best, every day.