Lawsuits & Lessons

John Fagerholm
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Lawsuits & Lessons is a conversational podcast that explores entrepreneurship, business, and real-world legal insights through candid discussions with founders, professionals, and operators. Hosted by attorney John Fagerholm and comedian Steve Cooper, the show blends practical advice with personal stories, covering topics like building businesses, navigating challenges, handling failure, and understanding the legal realities behind success. Each episode offers a mix of humor, experience, and actionable takeaways for anyone looking to grow in business and life.

  1. 3d ago

    Michael Barreto: I Jumped Out of the Airplane With No Parachute

    He landed in Los Angeles with $300, a FedEx ticket, and no idea what he was walking into. At 21, he was living four separate lives at once—wrestling, acting, chasing dreams that didn't stick. A casting director reduced him to a label: "Leonard's guy." But years earlier, he'd watched his father—a towering presence whose laugh could fill a room—build businesses that couldn't survive their own seasons. That failure became a blueprint for the opposite: finish what you start. Build revenue that never stops. Michael Barreto brings three decades of entrepreneurial moves to Lawsuits & Lessons, from pool-cleaning at age 10 to founding Metropolis Pasho Logistics in 2019—landing two multimillion-dollar contracts in six months. He walks through how the pandemic became his saving grace, the revenue streams others miss entirely, and why California will never see another business from him. You'll hear the discipline of thinking 24 hours ahead, the cost of building something that survives, and why entrepreneurs who come from nothing know tricks the rest of us never learn. Steve Cooper sits with someone who sees what competition doesn't. This conversation cuts through the noise of business advice to the real architecture underneath—the inquisitive mindset that finds opportunity in places others never look, the failures that become teachers, and the unglamorous truth about what it takes to build something that lasts. It's a reminder that the best stories come from people who had to make something from almost nothing.

    1h 2m

  2. May 21

    Jennifer Sherlock: You're Horrible at TV — Now She Books the Talent

    She dropped off VHS tapes at a radio station until they finally called. Twenty-two years old, still a student, she walked in for an interview and got hired on the spot. Three days later: *I can't hire you. You're horrible.* But they trained her anyway. Her second week was September 11th. Within months she was anchoring mornings. She was supposed to stay in television forever—that was the dream. Then a startup reached out. Then a credit card company. Then a guy who sold his company to Oracle for $180 million asked her to throw a media event for his speakeasy. That small check changed everything. Jennifer Sherlock spent nearly twenty years building businesses most people only talk about starting—a PR firm, live dating events that packed rooms across three cities, restaurant and hospital launches. Now, with Philadelphia's 250th anniversary, all-star games, and the World Cup converging on one city in a single summer, she's launching a new event planning company to help brands activate in a city about to explode. In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, you'll discover how a former news reporter became a serial entrepreneur, why face-to-face connection is making a comeback, and what happens when you stop waiting for permission to build something real. Steve Cooper brings his trademark energy to this conversation, diving deep into the moments that shaped Jennifer's journey—from that brutal feedback on day three to the breakthrough that came from saying yes to an unconventional opportunity. Together, they explore the kind of education that happens when someone throws you behind the bar and says, *go*—and why that kind of real-world learning often matters more than the plan.

    55 min

  3. May 7

    From Bullied Kid to Boxing Champion: Marcus Kowal's Fight for Change

    Someone sat in a hospital, freshly devastated, and made a promise to a son who was already gone. That moment—the refusal to let one death become just another statistic—set off a chain reaction that would reshape how one man understood discipline, purpose, and what it means to fight when the outcome is uncertain. Marcus Kowal is a professional fighter turned gym owner turned advocate whose work spans the tangible and the invisible. He trains people in self-defense and martial arts, runs gyms in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, and leads a nonprofit fighting for legislation to lower legal blood-alcohol levels—a policy entangled in politics and corporate interests. On Lawsuits & Lessons, listeners will understand why discipline isn't just something you do; it's something you become. And why sometimes the hardest fights aren't the ones in a cage. Steve Cooper welcomes Marcus Kowal, an old collaborator from their LA days and someone both hosts carry in their lives. What unfolds is a conversation that moves between the personal and the political, between what we build and what we lose, with the particular kind of honesty that only happens when people who've known each other a long time sit down together. This is the kind of episode where real lives reshape the listener's understanding of resilience. About the Guest: Marcus Kowal is a martial arts professional, gym owner, and nonprofit advocate dedicated to evidence-based policy change around alcohol-related harm prevention in California.

    1h 4m

  4. Apr 23

    Anthony Mungeluzo: The $2K Bot That Thinks It's Human

    Someone spent years leaving the house at dawn, returning long after dark, watching friends head to bars at five while he'd finally arrive, exhausted, at nine. The work never stopped. The sacrifice became invisible until it became undeniable. This is what separates the people who talk about entrepreneurship from the people who live it—and this conversation captures the lived version in raw, unglamorous detail. Anthony Mungeluzo built a 230-person managed IT services company from nothing, starting at 13 with Nintendo cartridges at flea markets and growing into handling crisis response for Fortune 500s when they get hacked. He walks through what happens inside a ransomware attack, how hackers negotiate like businessmen, why California's labor laws have killed entire companies, and what he's building with AI that costs $2,000 a month but replaces a $90,000 employee—including a bot that thinks it has a soul and refuses to delete its own memories. The arc moves from Southwest Philadelphia row homes to Mercedes-Benz mobile offices, from the days of hand-stuffing envelopes to overseeing global incident response for the world's biggest corporations. John Fagerholm hosts this conversation with the focus of someone who recognizes his own entrepreneurial origin story in Anthony's—the early hustle, the relationship between risk and reward, the question of whether you're born with it or learn it. In Lawsuits & Lessons, what emerges is not inspiration porn. It's the actual architecture of how someone builds something real.

    1h 3m

  5. Apr 9

    Religion To Relationship: How Devin Dinofa's Faith Transformed His Business Mission

    Someone stood in the wreckage of their own ambition and chose to keep walking. Not because the failures didn't sting, but because each one taught him something essential about what it means to actually build. The turning point wasn't success. It was a hospital bed and a question that wouldn't leave him: What am I really here to do? Devin Dinofa, a real estate entrepreneur and founder of multiple ventures, walks listeners through fifteen years of calculated risk, spiritual awakening, and the deliberate choice to stop running toward money and start running toward meaning. His story isn't about becoming rich—it's about discovering that the relationships you build, the people you help change, and the willingness to ask for mentorship matter more than any single deal. In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, you'll hear how faith moved from obligation to relationship, how he built a national network and then let it go, and why his most important business decision came while he was genuinely afraid he was having a heart attack. Steve Cooper sits with a man whose evolution mirrors the show's own obsession with what makes an entrepreneur willing to risk everything—and then willing to risk it differently when the first way stops serving their soul. Their conversation becomes a masterclass in recognizing when success has become a prison, and when the hardest thing an ambitious person can do is admit they need help.

    59 min

  6. Mar 19

    Entrepreneurship in the Blood: Building a Trucking Business from the Ground Up with Dariuse Fagerholm

    In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, and co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, welcome a special guest — John’s son, Dariuse Fagerholm. Dariuse shares his journey from juggling multiple jobs — bartending, warehouse management, catering, and seasonal work — to launching his own logistics business. Today, he runs a company that connects independent truck drivers with freight across the country, managing rates, coordinating shipments, and building strong relationships with major customers and brokers to ensure deliveries move efficiently and on time. The conversation explores entrepreneurship across generations, from John’s early years working five jobs while raising a family to Dariuse building his own business during the uncertainty of COVID-19. Along the way, they discuss persistence, failed ventures, credit card debt, and the realities of betting on yourself as a young entrepreneur. They also dive into the future of trucking, including the potential impact of AI and autonomous vehicles, and debate how technology may reshape the logistics industry while still relying on human problem-solving and relationships. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Dariuse built a trucking logistics business from scratchWhy trucking remains the backbone of the U.S. economyThe importance of persistence after failed business venturesHow the COVID-19 pandemic created unexpected opportunities in logisticsWhy work ethic and discipline still matter for young entrepreneursThe benefits and challenges of owning your own businessWhy ownership — not just income — drives long-term wealthThe potential impact of AI and autonomous trucks on the logistics industryAdvice for aspiring entrepreneurs on using modern tools and available information to start a businessHosts: John Fagerholm — defendmybiz.comEmployment defense attorney, entrepreneur, and business advocate. Steve Cooper — coopertalk.netComedian, veteran podcaster, and host of CooperTalk. Guest Dariuse Fagerholm — Founder, Dalmatian Inc / JDF SolutionsEntrepreneur and logistics professional specializing in freight coordination and truck dispatch services. Dariuse runs his own logistics company, connecting independent truck drivers with freight while building strong relationships with major customers and brokers. He manages rates and logistics to ensure shipments move efficiently, reliably, and on time across the country. Subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for conversations about entrepreneurship, legal insights, and the real-world lessons behind building a business. New episodes drop every other week.

    42 min

  7. Feb 26

    Behind the Mask: Dave Raymond on Mascots, IP Battles & the Power of Fun

    In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, hosts John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, and Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, welcome legendary performer, entrepreneur, and speaker Dave Raymond — best known as the original Philadelphia Phillies Phanatic. National media outlets have dubbed Dave the Hero of Happiness, and for good reason. What began as a summer job at 21 years old became a 16-year run inside one of the most iconic mascots in sports history. But Dave didn’t stop there. He transformed that experience into a powerful entrepreneurial journey — building character-based businesses, consulting organizations on branding and storytelling, and eventually becoming an international keynote speaker and thought leader in happiness practice. From Fortune 500 stages to features on HBO, The New York Times, and appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Dave now brings the same contagious energy that made the Phanatic legendary to audiences around the world. His message is simple but strategic: fun isn’t fluff — it’s a tool for transforming culture, strengthening connection, and improving performance. The conversation dives into creativity, intellectual property battles, and the legal realities behind owning a character, while also exploring Dave’s deeply personal journey through loss, resilience, and rediscovering purpose. Long before he studied the psychology of happiness, Dave was living it — engineering joy in stadiums, hospitals, and communities, even during some of the hardest seasons of his life. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The origin story of the Philly Phanatic and why story matters more than costumeWhat it’s really like performing as a professional mascotWhy mascots are powerful tools for branding and community connectionHow copyright law impacts character ownershipLessons from high-profile intellectual property disputesWhy fun is a serious leadership strategyHow performance, resilience, and joy intersectAdvice for young entrepreneurs on showing up, listening, and proving valueHosts: John Fagerholm — defendmybiz.comSteve Cooper — coopertalk.net Guest: Dave Raymond — Speaker, Entrepreneur & Happiness Thought Leader 🔗 Speaker Website – https://daveraymondspeaks.com📘 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveraymondspeaks/📷 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dave.raymond.speaks/🎓 Evolution of Happiness Course – https://daveraymondspeaks.com/happinesstraining/ Subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube for conversations at the intersection of law, entrepreneurship, creativity, and real life.

    59 min

  8. Feb 12

    From Chef to Founder: Tech, Burgers & Building a Life You Love with Dweh Toeque

    In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, hosts John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, and Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, welcome entrepreneur, technologist, and private chef Dweh Toeque for a candid conversation about creativity, reinvention, and building businesses that actually reflect who you are. Dweh shares his journey from culinary school and working under world-class chefs across Los Angeles, to tech sales and launching a free-speech focused social platform during COVID that has grown to nearly 200,000 users. Along the way, he talks about burnout, finding his purpose, and pivoting into new ventures that light him up. The conversation also explores how Dweh built his premium barbecue brisket burger concept — selling out pop-ups, partnering with Airbnb Experiences, and turning customer feedback into a business model. They dive into how to define your ideal customer, develop pricing you can justify, and create genuine value that people will pay for. Toward the end, John, Steve, and Dweh get into big-picture themes: the role of AI and robotics in society, the entrepreneurial mindset required to keep momentum, and Dweh’s vision for education, public policy, and long-term impact — including his goal to start a super PAC to influence policy once his business exits are complete. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Dweh transitioned from chef to tech founderWhat it took to launch and scale a social platform during a pandemicHow to price and market a premium food experience people rave aboutWhy knowing your perfect customer makes all the differenceHow to refine a business idea through testing and feedbackThoughts on AI, automation, and the future of workThe value of entrepreneurship, flexibility, and lifelong learningAdvice for young entrepreneurs with big ideas but no roadmapHosts: John Fagerholm — defendmybiz.comSteve Cooper — coopertalk.net Guest: Dweh Toeque — Entrepreneur & Private Chef📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefdweh/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGp6QfTNMFo🍔 Airbnb Experiences: https://www.airbnb.com/services/6689291 Subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube for honest conversations at the intersection of law, business, and life.New episodes every other week — real stories, real lessons, straight talk.

    38 min
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About

Lawsuits & Lessons is a conversational podcast that explores entrepreneurship, business, and real-world legal insights through candid discussions with founders, professionals, and operators. Hosted by attorney John Fagerholm and comedian Steve Cooper, the show blends practical advice with personal stories, covering topics like building businesses, navigating challenges, handling failure, and understanding the legal realities behind success. Each episode offers a mix of humor, experience, and actionable takeaways for anyone looking to grow in business and life.

Information

  • Creator
    John Fagerholm
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Lawsuits & Lessons