Greatness Machine

334 | 7 Things Stoics Say You Should Never Do

By Darius Mirshahzadeh / February 14, 2025 /

Life is unpredictable, but what if you could face every challenge with unshakable strength and clarity? In this solo episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius Mirshahzadeh dives into Stoicism and shares seven key lessons from the ancient philosophy, inspired by Ryan Holiday and “The Daily Stoic.” From avoiding unnecessary suffering to breaking free from the…

333 | Dr. Kate Balestrieri | What Happened to My Sex Life?: A Sex Therapist’s Guide to Reclaiming Lost Desire, Connection, and Pleasure

By Darius Mirshahzadeh / February 12, 2025 /

After years of helping individuals and couples navigate the complexities of intimacy, renowned clinical psychologist and sex therapist Dr. Kate Balestrieri has seen it all—from the challenges of fostering honest conversations to the powerful transformation that comes with reconnecting to oneself. In this episode, Dr. Kate shares profound insights into why so many people feel…

TGM Classic | Clay Hebert | The Power of Story Math

By Darius Mirshahzadeh / February 10, 2025 /

In this episode, Darius and Clay explore Clay’s journey from selling candy bars to embracing entrepreneurship and creative marketing. They emphasize the power of personal connections over sales pitches, the influence of Seth Godin, strategic customer selection, and the creation of the “Perfect Intro” framework. The conversation underscores how storytelling shapes product value, brand perception,…

332 | The Stoics Response to Anxiety

By Darius Mirshahzadeh / February 7, 2025 /

In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius Mirshahzadeh delves deep into the teachings of Stoicism and how they can help us live with intention and purpose. Drawing inspiration from the timeless wisdom of figures like Marcus Aurelius, he shares insights on how to reduce anxiety, focus on what truly matters, and show up as…

331 | Dr. Michael Gervais | Olympic Team and NFL Mindset Coach Teaches us Mental Peak Performance

By Darius Mirshahzadeh / February 5, 2025 /

When the pressure is on, the difference between success and failure often comes down to the power of the mind. In this episode, Dr. Michael Gervais, a renowned high-performance psychologist, explores the science of mental mastery and how elite athletes and leaders achieve peak performance. Drawing on years of experience working with some of the…

TGM Classic | Shayla Gifford | From College Dropout to Game-Changing Entrepreneur

By Darius Mirshahzadeh / February 3, 2025 /

In this inspiring episode, Darius and Shayla share their invaluable lessons as entrepreneurs. They highlight the importance of persistence, transcending comfort zones for success, being coachable, and thinking bigger. Tune in for motivating insights that will empower your entrepreneurial journey. In this episode, Darius and Shayla will discuss: Meet Shayla: Shayla Gifford is an entrepreneur,…

Darius Classic | Are You A Success or A Failure?

By Darius Mirshahzadeh / January 31, 2025 /

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. In this episode, Darius will discuss:…

330 | Leyla Acaroglu | Innovating for the Future: Sustainability, Profit, and Business Transformation

By Darius Mirshahzadeh / January 29, 2025 /

From transforming industries to advocating for sustainability, Leyla Acaroglu is a trailblazer in the world of circular economy and sustainable design. In this episode, Leyla dives into the principles of the circular economy, sharing how businesses can integrate sustainable practices without compromising profitability. She also explores the role of leadership in creating a more responsible…

TGM Classic | Stacy Spikes | Black Founder: The Hidden Power of Being an Outsider

By Darius Mirshahzadeh / January 27, 2025 /

In this episode, Darius and Stacy discuss Stacy’s entrepreneurial journey, including his experiences with MoviePass and his motivation to start Urbanworld Film Festival. Stacy shares some key takeaways from his book, Black Founder: The Hidden Power of Being an Outsider, offering guidance to fellow founders, and emphasizing the importance of overcoming mental barriers to success.…

329 | How to Play Big – A Tribute to Rick Sapio

By Darius Mirshahzadeh / January 24, 2025 /

In a world of few true visionaries, Darius Mirshahzadeh honors the life of Rick Sapio, a man who redefined living with purpose and passion. In this heartfelt episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius celebrates Rick’s legacy as a mentor, entrepreneur, and founder of the Gathering of Titans at MIT. Rick’s humor, resilience, and commitment to…