Driven: Unscripted Success

Nikki Mendonça brings her powerhouse energy and bold insights to the show as she shares stories from her decades-long career at the forefront of tech and marketing. From navigating billion-dollar restructures during the financial crisis to leading platform strategy for global giants like Google, Microsoft, and Uber, Nikki has seen it all.

Now based in Miami and building her fractional career, she dives into why she believes AI isn’...

In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, hosts Mike Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan welcome real estate powerhouse Nick Bobzien, former President of the Naples Area Board of Realtors and Realtor of the Year. With over two decades of experience in the Southwest Florida market, Nick shares how he built a career rooted in professionalism, personal relationships, and time-tested leadership strategies.

From leaving a stable golf pr...

From flunking high school to becoming a top national performer at IBM, Marty Jacknis shares an inspiring and deeply human journey that challenges the idea of traditional success. In this power-packed conversation, Marty talks about the importance of mindset, asking the right questions, and thinking differently in order to maximize every opportunity—whether you're cold-calling a CEO or giving your first big keynote.

He reveals how h...

What happens when you stop following the expected path and start building a career that aligns with your purpose? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with product leader, coach, and speaker Naxis Prado, whose story spans countries, industries, and personal transformation.

Naxis shares her evolution from civil engineer in Venezuela and Chile to a thriving tech leader in Miami. Along the way, she opens up about navigating language...

From the Army to acting to addiction recovery—Dr. Will Horton’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this raw, insightful episode, Dr. Horton shares how addiction derailed his early ambitions, and how healing, hypnosis, and NLP brought him back stronger.

You’ll hear how he “walks the walk” every day—living what he teaches, blending decades of experience as a clinical psychologist, NLP trainer, and actor. Dr. Horton’s candid take on...

In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Michael Mannino sits down with Michael Critelli—a multi-time reinventor, former Pitney Bowes CEO, and AI entrepreneur—to talk about transformation, leadership, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in business.

Michael shares how he rose through the ranks of Pitney Bowes by embracing change, taking risks (like jumping from legal counsel to HR), and keeping a human-first lead...

What if everything your family needed to thrive during a crisis was just one click away? In this episode, Marine Corps veteran and cybersecurity expert Michael Lester joins us to talk about legacy, digital safety, and enjoying life while preparing for the unexpected.

From flying helicopters in the Marines to launching IronClad Family, Michael shares how a passion for technology and protecting people inspired him to build a company ...

In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Chef Ricardo Lory joins hosts Mike Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan to share his incredible evolution from humble beginnings in Naples, Florida to becoming the culinary mind behind Chef Global and Creative Catering Naples. Ricardo opens up about the pivotal experiences that shaped his culinary perspective—from working at Walt Disney World and living with international roommates, to solo ...

Monte Vacarelli joins the Driven podcast to share the highs and lows of living life like a rock star while building entrepreneurial empires. From growing up in upstate New York to launching multi-pronged energy ventures in Florida, Monte’s story is one of resilience, vision, and unwavering faith.

Monte opens up about his near-fatal motorcycle accident, his powerful spiritual experiences while in a coma, and how he found strength th...

In this conversation with Debbie Wildrick, a seasoned executive in the food and beverage world, we explore the secrets behind launching, scaling, and surviving in the ultra-competitive beverage industry. Debbie’s experience—from leading beverage strategy at 7-Eleven to consulting early-stage brands—gives listeners a masterclass in what it takes to stand out and succeed.

We discuss the importance of starting at the ground level, und...

In this inspiring episode, Doreen shares her journey from growing up behind the Berlin Wall to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur in the U.S. She discusses launching a niche communication automation company, bridging critical tech and human response, and thriving in a competitive American market.

Mike and Doreen dive deep into the immigrant advantage, the life lessons of martial arts, and how real growth comes from stepping ou...

In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Mike Mannino sits down with global telecom executive Pablo Mlikota for a raw and inspiring conversation about leading international expansion in a rapidly evolving industry. From building cross-cultural teams in the Middle East to navigating the intense telecom downturn of the early 2000s, Pablo shares what it really takes to thrive as a leader on the global stage.

Pablo reflects on th...

In this episode, Dr. Shan Nair, founder of Nucleus, shares how his company acts as a "one-stop shop" for startups expanding overseas. From payroll and taxes to legal compliance across borders, Nucleus does the heavy lifting so entrepreneurs can focus on scaling—without stepping into financial or legal landmines abroad.

You’ll learn the overlooked risks of hiring contractors internationally, why cutting corners on global setup can c...

From the dugouts of professional baseball to the high-stakes world of real estate syndication, Chris Caffrey brings a story of grit, reinvention, and growth. In this candid conversation with host Nareman Hamdan, Chris opens up about the transition from athlete to investor, the mindset needed to overcome personal and professional setbacks, and how strategic relationships shape his success.

Listeners will hear how a double shoulder s...

What drives someone to run a marathon in every single U.S. state? Meet Elizabeth Simon, a marathon enthusiast, author, compliance executive, and adoptive mom, who shares her powerful journey of grit, perseverance, and purpose. In this episode, Elizabeth opens up about how a single 5K sparked a decade-long goal that ended with her running 50 marathons across all 50 states—even doing two in one weekend!

She also gives us a behind-the...

In this thought-provoking episode, Mike Mannino and Nareman Hamdan dive into the trillion-dollar world of procurement with Keith McFarlane, CTO of Globality. Keith breaks down how AI is transforming enterprise spending, helping companies make smarter purchasing decisions, and optimizing supplier relationships at scale.

Listeners will get an insider's look at how Globality’s AI-driven platform is reshaping the future of procurement—...

In this episode, Mike sits down with Benjamin Macgowen, Chief Operating Officer at Hi ABA, to dive into the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. Ben shares how his extensive business experience led him to this impactful field—one that’s helping children on the autism spectrum manage behavioral challenges and lead more independent lives.

Ben unpacks how ABA works, from diagnosis to treatment, explaining how insurance fu...

In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Mike and Nareman sit down with Jennifer Ann Johnson, the powerhouse behind True Fashionistas, Florida’s largest lifestyle resale store. A former model and actress turned serial entrepreneur, Jennifer shares how her humble roots shaped her passion for fashion and entrepreneurship.

You’ll hear how she went from a bridal shop in her house to launching a multimillion-dollar resale brand, a...

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Brian Bass, founder of Bass Global, Inc., to explore the world of medical communications—a field many don’t even know exists. From writing educational content for healthcare professionals to developing patient-facing materials seen in doctors’ offices, Brian’s journey into medical writing is as surprising as it is inspiring.

Brian shares how he transformed a freelancing gig into a full-...