Lawsuits & Lessons

John Fagerholm
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Join John Fagerholm, a veteran California employment defense lawyer with over 20 years dedicated solely to defending employers and entrepreneurs from the state’s complex labor regulations. With more than a thousand employer-defense cases under his belt, he knows the laws inside out, and he’s not afraid to tell the stories that hit hardest.Alongside is Steve Cooper, the award-winning host of CooperTalk and The Coop Tank, known for his unscripted, organic conversations with top entertainers and business leaders. With over a decade of podcast experience and a background in stand-up comedy, Steve brings wit, warmth, and a keen ear for storytelling.Together, John and Steve tackle real employment law challenges, from harassment and retaliation to wage disputes, with sharp insight and unexpected humor. Expect true case stories, expert advice, and a conversational tone that keeps it both professional and entertaining.Perfect for business owners, legal professionals, or anyone curious about workplace law, Lawsuits & Lessons delivers clarity, protection tips, and a few laughs along the way.

  1. 3D AGO

    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.com Steve 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

  2. 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.com Steve 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

  3. JAN 29

    From Law to Life Design: Jesse Rosenblatt on Risk, Resilience, and Reinvention

    In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, hosts John Fagerholm and Steve Cooper welcome longtime friend, attorney, and entrepreneur Jesse Rosenblatt for a wide-ranging conversation about reinvention, resilience, and building a life with intention. With more than 20 years as an executive, creative strategist, and business and legal affairs consultant, Jesse has worked at the intersection of entertainment, media, and technology, helping accelerate ventures and close complex deals totaling over $5 billion. His career includes work with major companies such as Netflix, NBCUniversal, Facebook, Disney, Apple, Sony, Amazon, and Google, always focused on creating non-zero-sum outcomes where everyone wins. But Jesse’s story goes far beyond big deals. He opens up about leaving traditional corporate paths, navigating entrepreneurial failures, and redefining success outside of titles and paychecks. The conversation explores how curiosity, stoicism, mentorship, and self-trust play a critical role in long-term fulfillment, especially for entrepreneurs and creatives. John, Steve, and Jesse also dive into digital nomad life, the realities of entrepreneurship post-pandemic, and why valuing your time, energy, and environment may be the most important business decision you ever make. Along the way, Jesse shares how philanthropy and purpose-driven work remain central to his life, including his nonprofit Give Something Bike, which provides new bicycles to foster youth during the holidays. The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion on emerging technology, as Jesse discusses his role as COO of GEN-X, an NFT and Web3-focused community designed to onboard millions of Gen-Xers into Web3 through education, pop culture, and nostalgia. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why entrepreneurship often begins with dissatisfaction, not ambition How failure becomes a competitive advantage over time The mindset shift required when moving from employee to founder Why environment, location, and lifestyle matter more than people admit The dangers of DIY legal work and over-reliance on AI tools How mentorship shapes better decisions in business and life Why fulfillment, not just success, should be the real goalHosts: John Fagerholm — Employment Defense Attorney  🌐 defendmybiz.com Steve Cooper — Comedian & Podcaster  🌐 coopertalk.net Guest: Jesse Rosenblatt — Attorney, Entrepreneur & Coach 🌐 Legal & Consulting: jesserosenblatt.com 🌐 Coaching: coachmejesse.com

    51 min

  4. JAN 15

    From Systems to Self-Made: Stefan Fagerholm on Scaling Smart and Betting on Yourself

    In the first Lawsuits and Lessons episode of 2026, host John Fagerholm and co-host Steve Cooper sit down with entrepreneur and marketer Stefan Fagerholm for a candid conversation about entrepreneurship that doesn’t start with lemonade stands. Stefan shares how he transitioned from senior tech roles at Cedars-Sinai, Fox Studios, and EY into entrepreneurship, building businesses by focusing on efficiency, timing, and experience-driven growth. From scaling a 200K+ lifestyle brand to helping turn a niche hibachi concept into a national powerhouse, this episode explores what it really takes to bet on yourself and win. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be a lifelong calling to become a massive successHow efficiency and time freedom can matter more than raw incomeThe real strategy behind growing LifeHacksLA into a 200K+ influencer brandWhy Stefan chose equity over consulting fees and how that decision paid offHow Let’s Hibachi scaled from 3 cities to 30+ nationwideThe biggest challenges of scaling people-heavy businessesWhy experience, not product alone, drives modern customer loyaltyAdvice for entrepreneurs on delayed gratification and not quitting too early Guest Spotlight: Stefan Fagerholm Stefan Fagerholm is a marketing and technology entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience generating tens of thousands of customers and millions in revenue. After working in senior technology roles at Cedars-Sinai, Fox Studios, and EY, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, helping build three successful ventures: One of the top employer defense law firms in Los AngelesLifeHacksLA, a 200K+ lifestyle and experience-driven influencer brandLet’s Hibachi, now the #1 at-home hibachi catering company in the U.S.He is also the author of The LAHacker Journal, a guide to hacking the best of Los Angeles through experiences, not just destinations. 📘 Book: The LAHacker Journal 🔗 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/169413475X 🔍 Learn more about Stefan: Voyage LA Interview: https://voyagela.com/interview/meet-stefan-fagerholm-of-lifehacksla/ Key Takeaway: You don’t need to be born an entrepreneur. You just need the courage to stop trading time for safety — and the patience to let your bets compound.

    49 min

  5. 12/25/2025

    From the Hood to the Helm: Building Opportunity Through Strategy with Omar Hernandez

    In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, and co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, sit down with longtime friend and entrepreneur Omar Hernandez, President of Global Urban Strategies. Omar shares his powerful journey from growing up in Nickerson Gardens in South Central Los Angeles to serving in the U.S. Marines, earning his MBA from USC, and building a nationally respected consulting firm that has helped secure over $1 billion in grants for municipalities, school districts, and public agencies. The conversation weaves together entrepreneurship, military discipline, marketing, government contracts, and the legal realities of running people-heavy businesses in California. Along the way, John and Omar unpack lessons on risk, hiring, prevailing wage laws, AI’s role in modern work, and what it really means to build something that outlives you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Omar Hernandez used the military as a launchpad to education and entrepreneurship Why entrepreneurship doesn’t shut off, even during holidays The realities of building and scaling a service-based business in California How Global Urban Strategies helps cities and businesses secure federal and state funding Common legal pitfalls in government contracts and prevailing wage work Why hiring slowly and intentionally can save businesses years of pain The human side of leadership, legacy, and transitioning ownership How AI can support work without replacing experience, nuance, or judgment Advice for young entrepreneurs who feel stuck or overwhelmedHosts: John Fagerholm — Employment Defense Attorney & Business Advocate Website: defendmybiz.com Steve Cooper — Comedian & Veteran Podcaster Website: coopertalk.net Guest: Omar Hernandez — President, Global Urban Strategies  Website: www.global-urban.com Subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Every other week, John and Steve break down real business stories, real legal risks, and real lessons entrepreneurs can actually use — with just enough humor to keep it human.

    47 min

  6. 12/11/2025

    From Poverty to Portfolio Power: The Financial Journey of George Nelson

    In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, joins co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, to welcome lifelong friend and financial advisor George Nelson. George shares his remarkable story — from growing up in deep poverty, surrounded by addiction, instability, and hardship, to becoming a successful financial planner who now helps families across the country build lasting wealth. With honesty and insight, he reflects on the early experiences that shaped him, the moment he realized he wanted a different life, and the risks he took to build a career in finance. The conversation spans entrepreneurship, wealth building, mindset, and the realities facing young people today. John and George break down modern financial challenges, the disappearing middle class, and how taxation and regulation affect the ability to build wealth — especially in states like California. They also explore practical tools like life insurance, estate leverage, and disciplined investing, with John sharing how he personally uses his whole life policy as an investment engine for real estate. This episode is full of real talk, hard-earned wisdom, and actionable insight — especially for anyone who didn’t start life with a safety net but is determined to create one. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How George Nelson transformed a childhood shaped by poverty and addiction into a foundation for success Why early adversity can spark lifelong ambition George’s path from day trader to model to financial advisor The truth about term, universal, and whole life insurance How John uses his policy to fund real estate investments without banks Why saving even $50–$100 a month can change your entire financial future The disappearing middle class and why younger generations feel financially hopeless The difference between building wealth in California vs. other states How risk fuels entrepreneurship — and why fear can actually be productive The power of discipline, creativity, and self-belief when starting from nothingHosts: John Fagerholm — defendmybiz.com Steve Cooper — coopertalk.net Guest: George Nelson — Financial Advisor  📩 georgehnelson6@gmail.com  📩 gnelson@ft.nyl.com Subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube for more real-world conversations about entrepreneurship, law, money, and the lessons that shape us. New episodes drop every other week — tune in and learn while you laugh.

    47 min

  7. 11/27/2025

    From Hardship to Hospitality: The Entrepreneurial Rise of Sean Tipton

    In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, joins co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, to sit down with lifelong entrepreneur Sean Tipton. Sean shares his journey from a challenging childhood to building a multimillion-dollar healthcare company, and now, developing Oak Fire Ridge — a stunning social and sports club in Texas that blends hospitality, community, and design. Along the way, the conversation explores resilience, risk-taking, and the realities of building businesses that last. The trio dives deep into entrepreneurship, law, and leadership — from founding Airrosti to navigating bureaucracy, managing legal challenges, and defining what true hospitality really means. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Sean Tipton turned early adversity into entrepreneurial drive The story behind Airrosti and its rise to industry success Why hospitality is more than service — it’s participation What makes Oak Fire Ridge a new model for social and sports clubs Legal insights on permits, liquor licenses, and business regulation Why risk and fear often fuel great entrepreneurs John’s take on bureaucracy in California vs. Texas business environments How empathy and integrity shape great legal partnershipsHosts: John Fagerholm — defendmybiz.com Steve Cooper — coopertalk.net Guest: Sean Tipton — Entrepreneur and founder of Oak Fire Ridge Website: oakfireridge.com Subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube for more real-world stories of entrepreneurship, law, and leadership. Every other week, John and Steve bring the lessons — and the laughs — straight to your feed.

    39 min

  8. 11/13/2025

    From New York Nightlife to Nike Basketball: The Entrepreneurial Journey of Alexander Wilson

    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 longtime entrepreneur and business partner Alexander Wilson. From New York’s private school scene to launching legendary nightclub experiences and eventually building a Nike-sponsored youth basketball academy, Alexander shares how his early experiences in hospitality, entertainment, and networking shaped his unique approach to entrepreneurship. The conversation explores everything from his collaborations with music industry icons to his work helping young athletes develop both on and off the court — and how technology, NIL, and blockchain are changing the future of youth sports. The trio also dive into deeper discussions on the balance between capitalism and socialism, the challenges of operating businesses in different states, and how mindset defines the modern entrepreneur. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Alexander turned New York nightlife connections into lasting business success The origins of his Nike-sponsored Proformance Hawaii basketball academy Why entrepreneurial skills from hospitality translate into sports and tech ventures How NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) deals are reshaping youth sports The role of AI and blockchain in future athlete scouting and sponsorship What socialism vs. capitalism means for business owners today Why California’s business environment differs from states like Texas John’s legal insights on ownership, regulation, and free market systems If you’re an entrepreneur, innovator, or sports business enthusiast, subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. New episodes every other week — tune in for more real stories and legal lessons from the front lines of business. Hosts: John Fagerholm — defendmybiz.com Steve Cooper — coopertalk.net Guest: Alexander Wilson — Founder of Proformance Hawaii and youth basketball entrepreneur Website: proformancehawaii.com

    41 min
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About

Join John Fagerholm, a veteran California employment defense lawyer with over 20 years dedicated solely to defending employers and entrepreneurs from the state’s complex labor regulations. With more than a thousand employer-defense cases under his belt, he knows the laws inside out, and he’s not afraid to tell the stories that hit hardest.Alongside is Steve Cooper, the award-winning host of CooperTalk and The Coop Tank, known for his unscripted, organic conversations with top entertainers and business leaders. With over a decade of podcast experience and a background in stand-up comedy, Steve brings wit, warmth, and a keen ear for storytelling.Together, John and Steve tackle real employment law challenges, from harassment and retaliation to wage disputes, with sharp insight and unexpected humor. Expect true case stories, expert advice, and a conversational tone that keeps it both professional and entertaining.Perfect for business owners, legal professionals, or anyone curious about workplace law, Lawsuits & Lessons delivers clarity, protection tips, and a few laughs along the way.

Information

  • Creator
    John Fagerholm
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lawsuits & Lessons
  • Show Website
    Lawsuits & Lessons