My World Cup Runneth Over

I had the pleasure of chopping it up with athlete, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, and all-around creative renaissance man… Aaron Wexler!Aaron is the brainchild behind several creative endeavors. As an author, he wrote a book titled The Inspired Athlete, drawing inspiration from his own experiences as a high-performance athlete at UCLA.But Aaron’s incredible creativity doesn’t stop there! He’s also released an impressive collection of songs on Spotify, where he sings and plays guitar. Mr. Wexler is also the force behind the Within the Game podcast, connecting with like-minded creatives and inspirational folks who are doing good work—or, dare I say, God’s work!Aaron and I mix it up about what it means to be a creative and creativity as a whole. He drops some great gems on the art of authenticity and how our creative expressions can expand human spiritual awareness and inspire personal growth.Tune in for an inspiring conversation about creativity, authenticity, and the power of self-expression!

I had the pleasure of chopping it up with professionally trained actor and Carnage Mellon alumnus Carl De Gregorio. Carl and I discuss the 2026 World Cup, the magical allure of sports, and their unique ability to bring people together. Beyond being a working writer, actor, and comedian in Hollywood, Carl also runs a successful acting coaching business for professional performers. As impressive as those accomplishments are, at heart he's simply an everyday sports fan hoping to catch a Knicks game at The Garden.With the U.S., Mexico, and Canada hosting the 2026 World Cup, I'd love to say World Cup fever is sweeping America. Instead, it feels more like a slight cough. Still, there's noticeably more enthusiasm than in years past, suggesting soccer has found its way into a few million more American hearts—including my sports-obsessed friend, Carl De Gregorio.Carl and I discuss the significance of the U.S. serving as one of the tournament's hosts and what the World Cup could mean for the future of soccer in America. We also share a few confessions about the teams whose skill, heart, and tenacity have moved us emotionally. There may not be any crying in baseball, but I'm not so sure the same can be said for soccer. ⚽️

Teamwork really does make the dream work with this dynamic creative duo. Writer/director Michael Shoob and writer/producer Joe Mealey have been collaborating since the mid-1990s, creating critically acclaimed indie festival favorites such as Driven, Bush's Brain, and now their latest collaboration, Road to Everywhere. The film stars Whip Hubley of Top Gun fame alongside Native American actor, musician, painter, and all-around Renaissance man Robert Mirabal.Road to Everywhere is an indie film that has been cleverly described as a "coming-of-age film for grown-ups." Now, I may be a bit biased, but those seven words capture the heart of this film with remarkable accuracy.What I love about this episode of the podcast is that we get to chop it up with Michael and Joe as they give us the inside scoop on the indie filmmaking scene, along with insights into their successful collaborative process. Michael Shoob and Joe Mealey's passion for storytelling is self-evident as they effortlessly bring us into their world of creative collaboration. Listening to them feels a lot like sitting in on a DVD behind-the-scenes commentary track.Film buffs, beware—you are now in danger of nerding out.At any rate, these two storytellers don't seem to be slowing down on their Road to Everywhere.

Japanese-born, American-based model and content creator Arisa goes by a single name: ARISA. Her beauty, soft-spoken voice, and presence are wrapped in a gentle, calm demeanor. But within seconds of this conversation, those qualities are overshadowed by her passion and intellect.We dive into Arisa’s captivating origin story—one that traces her journey from a tomboy in a small Japanese village to landing modeling gigs around the world. Refusing to rely solely on beauty, Arisa also explores her spiritual side through her podcast, “Heart Glow.”Her passion for serving humanity feels authentic and deeply heartfelt. Throughout our conversation, you can’t help but sense the wisdom she’s gained from her global experiences. I suspect this won’t be the last time you hear from such a magnanimous creative soul.Remember the name: ARISA.

Deon DeAnthony Williams is a man of extraordinary strength, conviction, and creativity. A true multifaceted artist, he expresses himself across countless mediums—comedian, writer, athlete, physical trainer, and spiritual counselor.But now, he carries a new and hard-earned title: cancer survivor.Against the odds, Deon miraculously overcame stage four cancer—a feat he attributes to his unwavering faith in God. In this deeply personal and unfiltered conversation, he opens up about the moments leading up to his diagnosis, the battle that followed, and the mindset that carried him through it.What unfolds is more than just a story of survival—it’s a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and transformation. As you listen, it becomes clear: you’re hearing from a man whose life has been profoundly changed, and who now walks with a renewed sense of purpose and a sharpened understanding of what truly matters.

I sit down with Puerto Rican comedian, writer, actress, and activist Corinne Irizarry for a deep‑dive discussion about Puerto Rico—an unincorporated territory of the United States, an annexed island that gives the U.S. some Caribbean street cred. As a native New Yorker, Corinne brings several nuanced perspectives on the Puerto Rican diaspora, from mainlanders to island‑born Boricuas. She holds nothing back, expressing her deep passion for her culture and her people in the way only truly proud puertorriqueños can.We also discuss the Bad Bunny phenomenon and that incredible cultural benchmark: the Super Bowl LX performance. In that moment, a slice of Puerto Rican lifestyle, history, and culture was on full display for the world to see. Irizarry speaks candidly about what it feels like to be treated as a “semi‑American,” to be seen as non‑citizens when Puerto Ricans are not only U.S. citizens but an integral part of the nation’s culture and identity. Corinne Irizarry is a proud Spanish‑speaking Puerto Rican who also happens to be a proud American.

I had the extreme pleasure of sitting down with the filmmakers and producers behind the newly released film Clika. The film is executive produced by Jimmy Humilde and features stars such as Eric Roberts, Master P, and Peter Greene. It also marks the film debut of its lead actor, Jaydee. While this is his first acting role, he’s no stranger to performing—he’s the lead singer of the group Herencia de Patrones.Clika has been unofficially described as the Latino 8 Mile. I chopped it up with writer/director Michael Greene and writer/producers Ski-ter Jones and Sean McBride. The buzz and energy surrounding this film are palpable. These breakthrough filmmakers were kind enough to walk us through their journey, sharing how this indie project evolved from conception to execution and ultimately to a national Sony release.Their passion for storytelling is infectious and carries a childlike exuberance. Michael Greene, Ski-ter Jones, and Sean McBride are a fun, driven group of creatives clearly on a trajectory toward becoming Hollywood power players—and we’ve got a front-row seat to their launch.

Hip-hop icon Colin Wolfe delivers casual, humble, and unassuming vocals in this interview episode of #SDnR. His down-to-earth manner is both refreshing and surprising, especially considering he’s worked with some of the biggest names in music—Madonna, Michael Jackson, Tupac, and Dr. Dre, just to name a few. Being a major contributor to The Chronic alone earns him lifelong bragging rights, but Colin didn’t stop there.Within the first five minutes of the interview, it becomes clear that we’re speaking with someone who has been instrumental on the ground floor of a cultural shift in music. Wolfe’s fascinating stories and anecdotes place him right in the middle of a musical gumbo, shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the industry’s greatest talents. You can genuinely feel how deeply respected he is among these legends.Colin Wolfe has become a hip-hop legend in his own right, even though he’s well-versed in a wide range of musical styles and genres. It’s that musical diversity that strengthened his artistry and helped shape his genius as one of hip-hop’s greatest composers. This multifaceted musician—producer, composer, and songwriter—has plenty to say about his industry, which honestly made me wonder if a Colin Wolfe TED Talk should be next.

Nigerian-born Ifeoma Fafunwa has been called a social impact theatre maker, and her world-renowned play “Hear Word!” certainly earns her that title. The internationally acclaimed work amplifies women’s voices, stories, and struggles. True to her Naija roots, Ifeoma has embraced many creative roles — playwright, director, actor, activist, and fundraiser — just to name a few. A proud mother of four, she is a true tour de force, gracefully balancing family life and Africa’s entertainment scene.In this real-talk interview, Ifeoma and I chat casually as we reminisce about our early days in Hollywood chasing stardom. We were international fish in a national pond. But at last, Fafunwa broke free from Hollywood’s culturally restrictive box and returned to Nigeria, where she now shines even brighter than the stars on the Walk of Fame. You’ll notice that our nostalgic conversation brings out Ifeoma’s lighter, more playful side — the same energy that we in America and “La-La Land” still miss. Yet we’re proud to share this now-rising global star with the world.

In this episode, I was lucky enough to chat with someone who is a true visionary and storytelling alchemist: Liza May Read. Liza is the creator of the “Go Where You Grow” program, which is geared toward kids. And it’s literally doing just that—it’s growing.Currently, the program consists of a series of five books authored by Liza May Read, all of which fall under the umbrella of Social and Emotional Learning. Liza passionately explains the expansive innovations of the program, and we truly get to feel her love for helping kids and families as a whole.She candidly walks us through her journey of discovery, which includes both triumphs and disappointments. This is a wonderful conversation with a woman who offers a genuine play-by-play of what it feels like to have a calling and a vision—and the fears and inner turmoil one often navigates while in hot pursuit of such endeavors.Much of Liza’s progress and success seems to stem from her own decisive behavioral shifts to literally “go where she grows.”