Driven: Unscripted Success

In this episode, Mike Mannino sits down with Claudine Beron, CEO and Founder of Initiate Government Solutions, to discuss the power of relationships in business, and how they’ve helped her lead a company for over 18 years. From starting as a consultant in biotech to implementing massive government tech projects, Claudine’s journey is filled with practical wisdom and perseverance.

She opens up about transitioning from employee to en...

In this powerful episode, hosts Mike Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan sit down with Paula Melo, an attorney who brings grit, humility, and vision to her legal career. Paula opens up about leaving behind an established law firm in Brazil to pursue a new chapter in the U.S., starting over by attending law school all over again.

Now practicing construction litigation in Florida, Paula shares what it takes to succeed in a field filled wi...

In this episode, Nareman Hamdan sits down with Armando Ferreira — former professional tennis player turned CEO of MySportJobs.org — to uncover the incredible journey of an athlete who turned his gift for connecting people into a groundbreaking business.

Armando shares how his humble beginnings in rural Brazil laid the foundation for a lifetime of leadership and entrepreneurship. From creating a platform that mentors and certifies p...

In this episode, host Michael Mannino sits down with Jim Rhubart, a third-generation roofer whose life journey is anything but typical. From working summers on rooftops as a kid to exiting his company for eight figures, Jim shares the mindset shifts, hard choices, and key systems that fueled his explosive business growth.

You’ll hear how Jim left the comfort of his family’s traditional business to work for a larger competitor—only ...

In this episode of the Driven Podcast, Mike Mannino welcomes Dean Bartles, CEO of the Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group (MTDG), a not-for-profit leading efforts in advanced manufacturing and defense innovation.

Dean shares his powerful journey—from making A-10 Warthogs at Fairchild Republic to leading a nonprofit group driving high-tech manufacturing advancements. He dives into what it means to lead with purpose, the realit...

In this powerful episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Mike Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan sit down with August Biniaz, co-founder of CPI Capital, to explore the journey from humble beginnings to real estate thought leadership. August shares how his early exposure to real estate through family history and his own grit fueled a career that spans custom home building, large-scale development, and multifamily investments across the U...

What happens when discipline meets grit and direction? In this episode, Anthony Phillips, Director of Attorney Recruiting at one of the fastest-growing litigation firms in the country, joins Mike Mannino for a raw and honest conversation about the road to professional success—and how it rarely follows a straight line.

From his early days in healthcare to building a career in legal recruiting, Anthony shares how stepping into discom...

What does it really take to build a global business? Sarah Martin shares the raw, real, and refreshing truth about entrepreneurship — there are no shortcuts. From building a boutique destination events empire to navigating cash flow challenges, Sarah opens up about what it means to grow something meaningful, step by step.

• Why in-person events still matter—and how they create powerful bonds

• How Epic Events cra...

If you've ever had an idea and wondered how to take it from concept to action, Dillon's journey will inspire you. He walks us through the scrappy early days, grant wins, and the real R&D challenges of building something the world hasn’t seen before—recycled pickleballs.

From chasing down cryogenic milling companies to managing international logistics and navigating the manufacturing realities of the U.S. vs. China, Dillon lays ...

Joseph Copley’s journey isn’t your typical real estate success story. After spending much of his career in insurance—covering everything from claims to litigation—Joseph pivoted to real estate investment later in life. From early experiences in mortgages to his deep roots in construction through his father, Joseph opens up about what it took to transition careers, the power of experimentation, and how important it is to learn by do...

Joe Goldstein joins the show to unpack how he turned career uncertainty into a thriving IT business that now serves ENT practices across the country. From wiping viruses off PCs to becoming a sought-after speaker on AI and cybersecurity, Joe’s story is one of grit, trust, and leadership.

In this powerful episode, Joe shares his journey from working as a CIO for a Fortune 500 healthcare system to launching OCSIT during the 2008 down...

Thomas St. John didn’t start with a fund, a team, or a fancy investor pitch—he started by reading books and buying one single-family home. In this candid conversation, Thomas walks us through his journey from self-managing properties to building a syndication business that prioritizes investor trust above all.

He opens up about lessons learned during the 2008 crash, the risks he took (and wouldn’t recommend), and why being conserva...

In this episode, Jason Cherry shares his unconventional path from aspiring forensic psychologist to leading IT infrastructure in healthcare. From dropping out of college to landing a pivotal internship, Jason’s story is about grit, learning from mistakes, and adapting with purpose.

He talks about the culture shock of moving from urban Chicago to West Columbia, the mission-critical nature of hospital IT systems, and how staying calm...

What happens when a frustrated pet parent decides there has to be a better way to care for our furry friends? You get Maya Shaposhnik, the passionate founder behind Vetted, a mobile app that's transforming the way we approach pet health.

In this episode, Maya shares how her experience as a French Bulldog mom—feeling rushed at vet visits and left with more questions than answers—inspired her to flip the script. Instead of pet parent...

In this inspiring and eye-opening episode, Stanley Adwell—serial entrepreneur and founder of IntelliSteel Group—joins Nareman Hamdan to share how cold-formed steel frames are revolutionizing construction by replacing traditional lumber. Broadcasting from his Texas facility, Stanley discusses how his company uses cutting-edge technology to manufacture precision-engineered steel frames that are faster, stronger, lighter, and more aff...

Josh opens up about the unexpected path that led him into business ownership, sharing how he went from civil engineering graduate to buying into the very company where he worked. He discusses the highs, the uncertainties of making payroll in the early days, and how his introverted nature shaped — and challenged — his leadership style.

Listeners will hear insights into site civil engineering, the importance of being a problem solver...

What does it take to stay mentally strong while building a business from the ground up? In this episode, we sit down with serial entrepreneur Steve Spiro, one of the original minds behind Audible, to dive into the unfiltered reality of startup life—from sleepless nights and risky decisions to building a billion-dollar exit.

Steve shares the wild origin story of Audible, including how the idea came from a kitchen table conversation,...

Michael Berdan brings an inspiring story of grit, innovation, and adaptability. From his beginnings in Toronto to working with elite aerospace companies like Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney, Bell Helicopter, and even NASA, Michael shares how he navigated a career full of complex engineering challenges.

He reveals what it’s like to work on billion-dollar aircraft for Saudi royalty and secret government projects, as well as how he st...

What happens when a simple hobby turns into a booming business? Guillermo Wenzel joins us to share how he went from flying drones for fun during COVID lockdowns to launching Drone Sky Visuals, a thriving drone services company serving Miami and beyond.

You’ll hear how Guillermo navigated the early days of entrepreneurship without a business background, how Google Ads helped scale his brand, and why flying drones has taken him from ...