bcjr Podcast

This episode is personal. And after 5.5 years of doing this show, it’s time to close one chapter and step into another. But before that, I wanted to share what this journey really gave me — the lessons it taught me about myself, the people around me, and the cost of always keepin' it real.

I’ve carried these lessons through every win, loss, and doubt. What comes next will be different, but if you’ve been with me this far, I...

What if nearly every major disease — from diabetes to Alzheimer’s — came down to one root cause?
Jason Shugart, Chief Science Officer at FeastFast, breaks down the science behind insulin resistance, fasting, and how when you eat matters far more than what you eat.

In this episode:
🔥 The shocking link between insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Heart Disease & Cancer
🧠 How your brain and body actu...

With more than 50 million Americans living with diabetes—and an additional 100 million pre-diabetic—the demand for smarter, healthier food choices has never been greater. Josh Sizemore brings 20+ years of consumer packaged goods (CPG) experience, pairing expert go-to-market (GTM) strategy with cutting-edge innovation in health and wellness. In this episode, Josh dives into scaling direct-to-consumer brands and the launch o...

What does success really mean when the traditional markers—titles, money, status—don’t bring fulfillment? Adam McGraw knows this firsthand. After years as a top-performing executive at American Express, he faced the limits of conventional leadership and personal burnout. That experience led him to co-found CREW, a community designed to support senior leaders in building meaningful, resilient connections that go beyond busi...

Discover how Chef Jonathon Merrick ‪turned his obsession for cooking into a powerful creative outlet that reshaped his life and career. In this episode, Chef Merrick breaks down how passion fuels progress—from making a new city home to launching Chef Dust, a bold spice brand built on authentic global flavors.

💼 In this episode, we cover:
🔥 Cooking as a path to mental clarity and strength
🏡 Taking risks and turning ...

What does it take to build a multi-purpose AI assistant from scratch—and get it working inside actual businesses? In this episode, Mat Giordano and Justin Ballen share the story behind AIDEN, a telecom-grade AI assistant they built for businesses and Managed Service Providers (MSPs). AIDEN isn’t a concept. It’s already in the market—answering calls, syncing with CRMs like Salesforce and Monday.com, integrating into Microso...

Coaches, creators, and entrepreneurs — if you're stuck in hustle mode or trying to scale your business with scattered systems, this episode is your blueprint. In this value-packed conversation, digital marketer, business coach, and videographer Chaz Bademan breaks down how to grow with soul-aligned strategies that feel good and convert.

🎤 In this episode, we cover:

🔥 How Chaz helped 20+ wellness coaches hit consistent $10K...

Mark Harris had lost everything—his kids, his marriage, his business, and his will to live. Addicted to opioids and fresh out of the hospital, he collapsed at his sister’s house after nearly overdosing. What followed was a supernatural moment, a cry for help, and the beginning of the greatest comeback of his life.

In this episode:
🙏🏼 What rock bottom really looks like.
🛏️ The night he nearly overdosed at his sister...

“Don’t forget to be creative.” Those were some of the last words Edward Crowe’s mother told him before she passed. Years later, during a sacred psychedelic ceremony on his land, the world-renowned artist, Rime, spoke the exact same words to Edward—without ever knowing that story.

That moment changed everything. In this episode, Edward opens up about his journey back to creativity, spirit, and self after being lost in the no...

Mix Harlem hustle, deep-rooted family ties, and relentless work ethic—and you don’t just get a clothing line. You get a streetwear brand that’s built different—one rooted in culture, powered by community, and delivered with a touch of luxury. In this episode, Carlos Betances returns to the podcast to share how he took Jazrae from hand-pressed tees to a full-scale operation—with custom sneakers, elevated drops, and a team t...

What happens when a group of passionate photographers, videographers, and storytellers unite to build a youth sports media platform fueled by community, not clout? In this episode, Justin Bradley, co-founder of SportzWire, shares the grassroots origin story behind one of the fastest-growing sports content platforms in Northeast Pennsylvania. Now celebrating their 1-year anniversary, SportzWire has built a loyal following t...

Is climate crisis a hoax or reality? Are dire wolves back from extinction? Do the Giza Pyramids hide ancient tech? Is the stock market crashing? Join us for a raw, no-filter dive into these bold questions! Our exploration doesn’t stop there; we dive into the philosophical implications of humanity’s delicate dance with nature, questioning climate shifts, ancient tech, revived species, and recent stock market chaos. Meet Mar...

What’s it like to stare into the eyes of a killer—and win? For 20 years, Jarrett Ferentino prosecuted some of the most dangerous murderers as a DA, dismantling their defenses one case at a time. This episode drops you into the raw, unfiltered world of a homicide prosecutor who’s seen it all. Jarrett’s no stranger to ruthless killers; he learned their moves, their lies, and how to break them. Now, he’s unpacking those lesso...

What does it take to rise from rookie EMT to full-time firefighter—while also leading Luzerne County Council through tough calls? John Lombardo lives that path—and he shares it straight with first-responder grit and hard-earned perspective. I have an insightful conversation with John, a Pittston City firefighter who also chairs Luzerne County Council. John upholds a family tradition of service—his uncle perished in a 1993 ...

What does it take to go from sitting on the bench in high school to a 9-year pro basketball career—and then build a business that impacts millions? Dre Baldwin has lived that journey—and in this episode, he breaks it all down with raw honesty and game-ready mindset. I chat with Dre Baldwin, the Founder and CEO of Work On Your Game Inc. He’s a four-time TEDx speaker and the author of 40 books. After a 9-year professional ba...

In today's episode, I chat with Bill Ostroski, Assistant Principal at Nazareth Area High School. In this episode, we unpack how tech is reshaping education, the challenges of ensuring student safety, contemporary issues like vaping and mental health, and how unity plays a crucial role in strengthening the bond between schools and society. Expect unfiltered takes on digital-age learning, leadership, and bouncing back from l...

Passion, grit, and consistency—these are the real secrets to success, whether you're in podcasting, business, or any creative field. In this episode, I sit down with Chris Johnson, host of Passion Pod, to discuss the relentless pursuit of doing what you love, even when the money isn’t there (yet). We dive into why most people fail before they even start, the real reason big names take you seriously, and how making mistakes...

This week, I chat with Janelle Rushton, Gift Officer at King's College to discuss the impact of higher education, the power of alumni connections, and the often-overlooked skill of active listening. Janelle shares her journey from being a phone-a-thon caller during her time as a student at Penn State to making a lasting difference in higher education and alumni engagement. We discuss the role of alumni in shaping universit...

In this episode, I sit down with Ricky Robinson, host of the If You Alive Subscribe Show! Ricky's life reads like a Hollywood script—fast money, high risks, and connections that stretched from the streets to the studio. In this raw and unfiltered episode, he takes us inside the world of hustling at the highest level, from moving weight with the Mexican drug cartel to rubbing shoulders with rap industry heavyweights. He ope...