Into the Unknown

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" Launching a podcast can feel daunting—what if no one listens, the tech is confusing, or the first episode flops? In this candid conversation, Tamika Taylor, host of the globally ranked Say More Words, and Jeremy “Sumo” Swick, founder of SwickMedia, and host of this podcast, break down what it really takes to start and sustain a podcast. From battling early doubts to finding her unique...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What does it take to leave a decades-long corporate career and dive into the unknown? In this episode, franchise consultant and entrepreneur Rick Morgin opens up about the moment he walked away from a stable career in the beverage industry—and the spark that led him to franchise consulting. From unexpected networking encounters to gut-level decisions, Rick shares how trusting himself ...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" Most people play it safe. Aaron Smalls didn’t. In this episode, you'll hear how one unexpected audition at Nickelodeon flipped Aaron's path from engineering student to sought-after entertainer, keynote speaker, and warm-up host of The Kelly Clarkson Show's live audience at 30 Rock. But this isn’t just a success story—it’s a roadmap for anyone standing at a crossroad, unsur...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What drives someone in their mid-50s to leave everything behind—friends, family, and familiarity—for a fresh start across the globe? Meet Sid Banerjee, who did exactly that when he uprooted his life in India to take on a CEO role in New York.

In this deeply human episode, Sid opens up to host Jeremy Swick about navigating culture shock, building a business from scratch, and surviv...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What does it take to walk away from Wall Street and redefine success on your own terms? In this heartfelt conversation, Matt Blair shares how the quiet dissatisfaction of corporate life collided with a deeper calling to serve — and how one pivotal moment, encouraged by his wife and driven by fatherhood, changed everything.

He opens up about building a commercial real estate fund with his father...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What if a century-old photograph could rewrite your family history? In this deeply personal episode, host Jeremy Swick speaks with South African actor Lungi Pinda about an extraordinary digital discovery: a picture of Lungi’s great-grandfather, Livingstone Mzimba, an African theology student and American football player at Lincoln University in the early 1900s. Their transcontinental ...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" When the military chapter ends, what comes next? In this raw and powerful conversation, host Jeremy Swick sits down with U.S. Army veteran, author, and medical healer Mindy Dougherty to explore her extraordinary journey through war, survival, systemic failure, and radical reinvention. From the battlefield to being bedbound, Mindy opens up about medical trauma, her fight to reclaim mobility, and...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What do ancient empires, golf scorecards, and corporate archives have in common? For Conor Lehr, they’re chapters in a story he never expected to write. After losing his mother and discovering golf as a form of therapy, Conor's journey took him from Chick-fil-A’s archives to military enlistment—and a life-altering illness that changed it all.

Host Jeremy Swick uncovers how Cono...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What if your donation didn’t just disappear into the void—but actually told a story? In this moving episode of Into the Unknown, Preethi shares how an unexpected emotional connection with a bull during a personal low point reshaped her entire life. As a tech researcher turned nonprofit founder, she’s building a more transparent world for donors, families, and sanctuaries—starting with a single ...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What happens when you trust your gut and take a leap into the unknown? In Part 2 of his conversation with host Jeremy Swick, fintech leader and youth coach Brad Stillman dives into the power of personal risk — from moving states sight unseen to launching creative ventures and preserving generational memories through photography. This episode is a masterclass in leading with curiosity, leaning i...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What if the worst leaders you've worked with taught you the most? In Part 1 of this deeply personal and insightful conversation, host Jeremy Swick sits down with fintech executive and youth coach Brad Stillman to unpack the surprising intersections of leadership, card collecting, and community building. From running tech teams at MasterCard to accidentally becoming a little league coach, Brad s...

In this episode of Into the Unknown, host Jeremy Swick sit down with rising rugby star Aly Cunningham to talk about her wild and winding path through the sport—from chasing her friends in her dad's tag league as a kid in Milwaukee to suiting up for the USA Falcons and heading off to Brazil.

We unpack how the rugby world is both massive and tight-knit, the moment she chose rugby over competitive ski racing, and what it felt like step...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What happens when your entire world shatters — and you're left to rebuild it from the ground up? In this moving and deeply insightful conversation, Amy Pechacek opens up about her journey from classroom teacher to corporate trainer, speaker, and founder of Alpstra. She shares how an unimaginable personal tragedy became the catalyst for a career rooted in intention, resilience, and helping other...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" Grace Redman joins host Jeremy Swick for a powerful, soul-baring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and rising beyond the labels others put on us. At just 19, Grace quietly walked into therapy, unsure if she’d ever make it out of the mental fog she was in. Decades later, the same therapist would confess she never thought Grace would survive — let alone thrive. But thrive she did. Grace...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What do you do when life breaks your plan—and your spirit? For Peter Kofitsas, the answer was to rebuild from the ground up. Peter shares how he went from a lost college athlete battling depression to a nationally respected voice in leadership and wellness.

Rooted in the sacrifices of his Greek immigrant mother and driven by a desire to rewrite his story, Peter reveals the emotional turning poin...

On this episode of Into the Unknown, host Jeremy 'Sumo' Swick talks with rugby standout Emerson Allen about her journey from discovering the sport at Eckerd College to earning her first cap with the USA Eagles. Emerson shares her path through elite rugby, including playing at Life University and in Ireland, and her difficult decision to leave physical therapy school to chase her dream. Their conversation highlights the power of com...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What do addiction recovery, entrepreneurship, and Florida law have in common? For attorney Mark Astor, everything. Mark shares how he went from rock bottom—no money, no office, no clients—to founding a mission-driven law firm that saves families from the brink of crisis.

Fueled by personal loss, raw determination, and a deep-rooted calling, Mark opens up about the hustle behind building a busine...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What happens when football dreams and real-life responsibilities collide? Former NFL tight end Shawn “Tha Postman” Nelson shares the highs and heartbreaks of his journey from Southern Miss to Monday Night Football—and why he ultimately chose family over fame. You’ll hear firsthand how character outlasts talent, why financial literacy matters more than your draft number, and how he’s now buildin...

On this episode of "Into the Unknown" Neeraja Ganesh didn’t just change careers — she changed how she saw herself. In this episode, she opens up about the unplanned life detour that led her from corporate comfort to courageous reinvention. From navigating family illness to learning social media from someone half her age, every moment taught her something deeper about purpose, presence, and personal power.

Whether you're standing at ...