MIKE'D UP!
Mike'D Up! with Mike DiCioccio features bold conversations with inspiring entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, world-class coaches, thought leaders, entertainers, and high achievers from all walks of life. Each episode delivers powerful personal stories and actionable insights to fuel your growth, ignite your mindset, and help you level up in business and life.
Episodes
In this episode, Mike takes listeners behind the scenes of a few of MIKE'D UP's most impactful moments of 2025—a year defined by resilience, truth, healing, courage, and unapologetic self-belief.
From life-altering diagnoses to near-death experiences, from entrepreneurship's darkest days to moments of profound clarity, this episode stitches together the stories that didn't only inspire—but changed lives.
<...This week Mike sits down with entrepreneur Chuck Cuda—a man who transformed a life-altering setback into a multimillion-dollar comeback. Chuck's journey begins with a single decision that landed him in prison after he refused to testify against friends in an illegal sports-betting case. But it was in a prison cell on Thanksgiving Day where he experienced the wake-up call that reshaped his entire life. From that moment,...
In this inspiring episode, Mike sits down with Adam Mizel, co-founder of US United, to explore how real national healing starts with one simple idea: choose positivity, then pass it on. After leaving a 20-year private equity career, Adam dedicated himself to bridging America's divides through service, storytelling, and connection. He shares how the Sheriff Unity Network, now active in over 100 counties, is quietly stre...
This week, Mike is joined by Ben Johnson, CEO and Founder of Particle 41, for a sharp, energizing look at what it really takes to lead in today's tech world. With more than 20 years of software experience and over $30 million raised across five startups, Ben brings the hard-earned lessons only a seasoned builder can offer.
Ben breaks down the traits of effective tech leadership—setting a clear vision, empo...
In this powerful episode, Mike welcomes back Laura G. Patac—author, storyteller, and transformation strategist—to explore the ideas behind her latest book, Whole, Not Perfect. Through honest conversation and deep insights, Laura reveals why reinvention isn't a destination but a lived journey shaped by every experience, every pivot, and every scar earned along the way.
Together, Mike and Laura unpack the be...
Note: Connor was a 3X World Series of Poker champion when this episode was recorded, and hours before his birthday earlier this month, he won his 4th World Series of Poker circuit championship!
When life dealt him a losing hand, Connor Steinbrook didn't fold. He went all-in and stormed back.
In this episode, Mike welcomes back four-time World Series of Poker champion turned real estate powerho...
This week, Mike sits down with Jay Sapovits, the founder and President of Ink'd Stores, a thriving $5 million e-commerce company that powers over 1,000 online swag stores for brands like DoorDash, Crocs, and Penn Entertainment. Jay opens up about his turbulent journey—from explosive early success and devastating loss to rebuilding his life and business from the ground up.
The conversation explores Jay's st...
This week, Mike sits down with Jane Hanson, an Emmy-winning journalist who spent nearly three decades at NBC New York. From her humble beginnings in a small Minnesota town to becoming a prominent voice in television journalism, Jane reflects on a career filled with powerful storytelling, resilience, and transformation.
Jane opens up about covering pivotal events like 9/11, the emotional weight of live repo...
In this moving and eye-opening conversation, Mike sits down with Kurt Avery, the visionary founder and president of Sawyer, to explore how one man's faith, resilience, and entrepreneurial drive sparked a movement that's transforming global health. After leaving the corporate comfort of Fortune 500 marketing, Kurt took a leap of faith to create a company focused on a single, world-changing mission—to provide safe, clean...
This week, Mike fires up entrepreneurs and business leaders who have been saying, "someday I'll start my podcast." Mike reveals why Q4 is the golden window to plan and launch your show before everyone else even starts thinking about it. He breaks down the strategic advantage of starting now, how to structure your episodes, line up guests, and create content that truly represents your brand, values, and voice.
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This week, Mike steps "behind the scenes" with Graham Kuhn, the creative force behind Focus Films, whose life reads like a screenplay of transformation, grit, and passion. From the wrestling mats of small-town Wisconsin to the world's grand opera stages — and ultimately to the helm of his own film company — Graham's story proves that the path to success is rarely a straight line.
When the pandemic hit days...
In this episode, Mike sits down with renowned author Gail Jones for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about self-worth, mental health, and the untapped potential hiding inside every young person. Released during Bully Prevention Month and with World Mental Health Day right around the corner, this episode isn't only a discussion — it's a rallying cry to rediscover our inner greatness.
This week, we step into the heart and soul of America's pastime. In this nostalgic episode, Mike sits down with Jonna Perlinger, the driving force behind Babe's Babes Media, to explore how baseball isn't only a sport — it's a legacy, a love language, and a way to keep the memories of those we cherish alive.
From childhood living rooms turned into stadiums and sacred Yankees memorabilia that defined family...
What happens when a man living out of his truck at the age of 27 finds the courage to face his demons, embrace his fears, and rise to the top of the business world?
Join Mike as he sits down with Mark Silverman—a bestselling author, podcaster, thought leader, and sought-after coach—for a raw, gripping, and inspiring conversation you won't forget.
Mark's story unfolds like a true comeback drama...
In this solo episode, Mike shifts from his planned recap of the year to address a day that weighs heavily on all our hearts—September 11th. In the wake of tragedy and violence, including the deaths of Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska, Mike reflects on the importance of kindness, empathy, and restoring humanity in our daily lives.
This episode is not about politics—it's about people. Mike explores the urgent...
In this powerful episode, Dr. Cindy Libert takes you behind the scenes of your own biology, uncovering how sex hormones—estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA—are the silent directors of brain health, mood, memory, energy, and even sleep. When these messengers drift out of balance, the ripple effects can feel overwhelming: brain fog clouds your thoughts, irritability takes the spotlight, sleepless nights drag o...
In this electrifying episode, Mike dives deep into the raw and unfiltered journey of a man who built businesses in fitness, nutrition, consulting, and even popcorn… all without outside investors.
From sleeping in his car for six months just to keep a dream alive, to opening multiple retail stores, gyms, and launching Rexius Nutrition, Tim's story is one of resilience, grit, and relentless self-belief. Alon...
What happens when you decide to take control of your thoughts and rewrite your own story?
In this episode, Mike sits down with Angie Wisdom—bestselling author of The Non-Negotiable You, master certified coach, and Fortune 500 keynote speaker—for a conversation that will change the way you think about success and fulfillment.
From her leap out of finance into coaching, to the daily non-negotiab...
He's been to the top… and hit rock bottom. But quitting? Never an option.
In this inspiring episode, Mike spotlights Darren Crosby, an entrepreneur whose story is a case study in the power of resilience. From his teenage start in business to navigating the cutthroat restaurant industry, Darren's career has been a rollercoaster ride through mortgages, franchising, and the unexpected smash-hit success of a g...
What do Amazon, The Rock, and personal branding have in common? More than you might think. This week, Mike welcomes AJ Vaden—CEO of Brand Builders Group, co-author of Wealthy and Well-Known, and a trailblazing entrepreneur—to explore the secrets behind building a powerful personal brand. This dynamic conversation is packed with actionable insights to elevate your influence and success.
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The Burden is a documentary series that takes listeners into the hidden places where justice is done (and undone). It dives deep into the lives of heroes and villains. And it focuses a spotlight on those who triumph even when the odds are against them. Season 5 - The Burden: Death & Deceit in Alliance On April Fools Day 1999, 26-year-old Yvonne Layne was found murdered in her Alliance, Ohio home. David Thorne, her ex-boyfriend and father of one of her children, was instantly a suspect. Another young man admitted to the murder, and David breathed a sigh of relief, until the confessed murderer fingered David; “He paid me to do it.” David was sentenced to life without parole. Two decades later, Pulitzer winner and podcast host, Maggie Freleng (Bone Valley Season 3: Graves County, Wrongful Conviction, Suave) launched a “live” investigation into David's conviction alongside Jason Baldwin (himself wrongfully convicted as a member of the West Memphis Three). Maggie had come to believe that the entire investigation of David was botched by the tiny local police department, or worse, covered up the real killer. Was Maggie correct? Was David’s claim of innocence credible? In Death and Deceit in Alliance, Maggie recounts the case that launched her career, and ultimately, “broke” her.” The results will shock the listener and reduce Maggie to tears and self-doubt. This is not your typical wrongful conviction story. In fact, it turns the genre on its head. It asks the question: What if our champions are foolish? Season 4 - The Burden: Get the Money and Run “Trying to murder my father, this was the thing that put me on the path.” That’s Joe Loya and that path was bank robbery. Bank, bank, bank, bank, bank. In season 4 of The Burden: Get the Money and Run, we hear from Joe who was once the most prolific bank robber in Southern California, and beyond. He used disguises, body doubles, proxies. He leaped over counters, grabbed the money and ran. Even as the FBI was closing in. It was a showdown between a daring bank robber, and a patient FBI agent. Joe was no ordinary bank robber. He was bright, articulate, charismatic, and driven by a dark rage that he summoned up at will. In seven episodes, Joe tells all: the what, the how… and the why. Including why he tried to murder his father. Season 3 - The Burden: Avenger Miriam Lewin is one of Argentina’s leading journalists today. At 19 years old, she was kidnapped off the streets of Buenos Aires for her political activism and thrown into a concentration camp. Thousands of her fellow inmates were executed, tossed alive from a cargo plane into the ocean. Miriam, along with a handful of others, will survive the camp. Then as a journalist, she will wage a decades long campaign to bring her tormentors to justice. Avenger is about one woman’s triumphant battle against unbelievable odds to survive torture, claim justice for the crimes done against her and others like her, and change the future of her country. Season 2 - The Burden: Empire on Blood Empire on Blood is set in the Bronx, NY, in the early 90s, when two young drug dealers ruled an intersection known as “The Corner on Blood.” The boss, Calvin Buari, lived large. He and a protege swore they would build an empire on blood. Then the relationship frayed and the protege accused Calvin of a double homicide which he claimed he didn’t do. But did he? Award-winning journalist Steve Fishman spent seven years to answer that question. This is the story of one man’s last chance to overturn his life sentence. He may prevail, but someone’s gotta pay. The Burden: Empire on Blood is the director’s cut of the true crime classic which reached #1 on the charts when it was first released half a dozen years ago. Season 1 - The Burden In the 1990s, Detective Louis N. Scarcella was legendary. In a city overrun by violent crime, he cracked the toughest cases and put away the worst criminals. “The Hulk” was his nickname. Then the story changed. Scarcella ran into a group of convicted murderers who all say they are innocent. They turned themselves into jailhouse-lawyers and in prison founded a lway firm. When they realized Scarcella helped put many of them away, they set their sights on taking him down. And with the help of a NY Times reporter they have a chance. For years, Scarcella insisted he did nothing wrong. But that’s all he’d say. Until we tracked Scarcella to a sauna in a Russian bathhouse, where he started to talk..and talk and talk. “The guilty have gone free,” he whispered. And then agreed to take us into the belly of the beast. Welcome to The Burden.
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