Built Not Born

Joe Ciccarone
Built Not Born

Welcome to Built Not Born! The story of EVERYDAY PEOPLE creating REMARKABLE LIVES. Each week we bring a REMARKABLE story of an ordinary person that overcame the odds, fought through adversity and impacted the lives of countless people in their community. Subscribe and see why life is BUILT NOT BORN.

  1. 8 DE JUL.

    #169 - In Memory of My Dad - Francis Silvio Ciccarone

    Episode 169: In Memory of Francis Silvio Ciccarone - Life Lessons from The Counselor💔 A Special Memorial Episode - Host Joe Ciccarone honors his father Francis, who passed away July 3rd, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. This deeply personal episode shares the life lessons, wisdom, and legacy of a Department of Defense Hall of Fame engineer who was the family's trusted advisor for 82 years. Key Timestamps & Moments:[0:00-2:30] 🕊️ Opening tribute and episode purpose[2:30-5:00] 👨‍💼 Francis's career: DOD Hall of Fame, Navy Yard, Pentagon meetings[5:00-8:00] 📝 Joe's Facebook tribute post (full reading)[8:00-12:00] 🤝 "The Consigliere" - Francis as family advisor and counselor[12:00-15:00] 🎤 The eulogy master - 25+ eulogies over 30 years[15:00-18:00] 📸 Magical moment: sharing 20 photos together[18:00-20:00] 🌺 The Hawaiian shirt story and promise[20:00-23:00] 🎓 POWERFUL: Career advice to grandson Luca[23:00-25:00] 🙏 Final reflections and gratitude Four Pillars of Career Success (Francis's Wisdom):🎤 Be a Good Public Speaker - Stand up, motivate people, be better than average✍️ Be a Good Writer - Craft emails, memos, connect on the page🤝 Be a Good Teammate - Share credit, show up when inconvenient⭐ Keep Your Nose Clean - High character attracts good people Power Quotes:💪 "Dad, thank you for leading the way"🎯 "He didn't tell you what you wanted to hear. He told you what you had to hear"✨ "There's moments of magic hidden in the hours of misery"🏆 "Good people attract other good people"🔥 "Life is built, not born" Key Themes & Takeaways:Legacy Building - How one person's wisdom impacts generationsGrief & Growth - Finding meaning in loss and celebrating lifeFamily Values - The importance of being present and honestCareer Excellence - Timeless advice for professional successCharacter Matters - Why integrity defines your reputationCommunity Support - How people show up during difficult times SEO Keywords:grief, loss of parent, father tribute, life lessons, career advice, family legacy, memorial podcast, Department of Defense, character building, public speaking, teamwork, writing skills, end of life, cancer journey, eulogy, family values 🎧 This episode will resonate with anyone who has lost a parent, seeks career guidance, or wants to understand what it means to live with character and purpose. 🕊️Francis Silvio Ciccarone - March 26, 1943 to July 3, 2025 🕊️

    13min

  2. 20 DE JUN.

    #168 -GM Michael Lombardi: GRIDIRON GENIUS: A Championship Blueprint | From Bill Walsh to Bill Belichick | 3x Super Bowl Winner (Encore Episode)

    🏆 GRIDIRON GENIUS: GM Michael Lombardi's NFL Championship Blueprint | From Bill Walsh to Bill Belichick | 3x Super Bowl WinnerEpisode DescriptionThe ultimate NFL & College Football insider joins Built Not Born for an incredible conversation. Michael Lombardi, 3x Super Bowl winning GM who now serves as General Manager at the University of North Carolina working alongside the legendary Coach Bill Belichick. Originally aired in September 2022 - a classic episode worth revisiting as Lombardi's insights remain as relevant as ever. In this episode, GM Michael Lombardi takes us behind the scenes of his legendary NFL career, sharing untold stories from his time with coaching legends Bill Walsh, Al Davis, and Bill Belichick. From discovering Hall of Fame talent like Charles Haley to building Super Bowl dynasties, this is the football masterclass you've been waiting for. 🔥 What You'll Discover: How a kid from Ocean City, NJ became one of the NFL's most respected executivesThe real story behind the West Coast Offense creation (hint: it wasn't in San Francisco!)Inside stories of Tom Brady, Joe Montana, and NFL legendsWhy leadership beats organization every timeThe genius scouting methods that found hidden gemsHow Stoic philosophy conquered the NFL (Big thanks to Lombardi!)What's wrong with modern NFL coaching and player evaluation 🎯 Key Topics & Timestamps[0:00-5:00] From Jersey Shore to NFL Dreams Growing up in Ocean City, New JerseyValley Forge Military Academy transformationFollowing Bruce Springsteen's advice to "chase your dreams" [5:00-15:00] The Bill Walsh Era - 49ers Dynasty Begins Becoming Walsh's right-hand man in 1984Driving the legendary coach around San FranciscoBehind-the-scenes of the West Coast Offense creationEXCLUSIVE: How the offense was actually developed in Cincinnati, not San Francisco [15:00-25:00] Scouting Genius - Finding Charles Haley The epic story of discovering the future Hall of FamerWhy one play on film convinced Bill Walsh immediatelyThe art of NFL scouting in the 1980s [25:00-35:00] The John Taylor "Phantom Injury" Story How Lombardi saved a career with creative roster managementTaylor's journey from practice squad to 3x Super Bowl championWhy patience and development matter in team building [35:00-50:00] Al Davis and the Raiders Culture Learning from "The Last Maverick" of footballDavis's legendary work ethic and attention to detailWhy Davis would hang up with his famous "Oh, f*ck!" when disagreeing [50:00-70:00] Bill Belichick - The Early Years First meeting with Belichick in Cleveland (1991)The mysterious "mission statement" paper Lombardi will donate to the Hall of FameHow Belichick developed "confidence without evidence"The Eric Metcalf punt return mastery story [70:00-80:00] Bringing Stoicism to the NFL How Lombardi introduced "The Obstacle Is The Way" to the leagueWhy Marcus Aurelius = Bill BelichickThe book that changed NFL culture forever [80:00-95:00] Modern NFL Analysis Why the fullback disappeared (and won't return)The evolution

    56min

  3. 7 DE JUN.

    #167 - Kyle McDowell - Begin with We: Turning Toxic Culture Into Unstoppable Teams

    🎯 From Toxic Culture to Unstoppable Teams: Kyle McDowell's 10 Principles That Created a Leadership Revolution.💪 Power Quote"We reward people for how busy they are... 'I was triple booked, I had 13 meetings today.' I don't care. What I care about is: can you draw a straight line from any of those activities to the outcome you're actually responsible for?" - Kyle McDowell After 30 years climbing the corporate ladder to manage 15,000+ employees and billions in P&L, Kyle McDowell discovered something that changed everything: the most toxic workplaces weren't broken by accident—they were built that way. Best selling author Kyle McDowell reveals the 10 principles that transformed a failing 7-billion-dollar government program into a powerhouse of excellence and how these strategies became the foundation for his USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling book "Begin with We." 🎧 Episode Timestamps[00:00] 🎸 Pearl Jam bonding & Philly sports culture [04:30] 📈 Kyle's 30-year corporate journey from cubicle to C-suite [08:15] 💔 The toxicity breaking point that changed everything [12:45] 🎯 Defining "Culture of Excellence" (Personal + Professional + Corporate goals) [18:20] 🔬 The MIT study: Why 30 million people really quit their jobs [22:30] 🌟 THE 10 PRINCIPLES DEEP DIVE BEGINS [23:00] ✅ Principle #1: We do the right thing, always [26:15] 👑 Principle #2: We lead by example [29:30] 🤝 Principle #3: We say it, then do it [32:45] ⚡ Principle #4: Taking action > being idle [36:00] 🎯 Principle #5: We own our mistakes [39:15] 🤜🤛 Principle #6: We pick each other up [43:30] 📊 Principle #7: Outcomes > activity (the meeting trap!) [48:45] 💬 Principle #8: We challenge each other diplomatically [53:00] 🚀 Principle #9: We embrace challenge [56:30] 📚 Book recommendations that changed Kyle's life [59:45] 🏃‍♂️ The daily sweat rule & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu philosophy [62:15] 🎯 Lightning round: Ray Dalio, radical transparency & tattoo philosophy 🔥 Best Takeaways🎯 The Culture FormulaIf your team is running in different directions, you're not leading—you're managing chaos. ⚡ The Meeting TrapStop rewarding activity over outcomes. Being "triple-booked" isn't impressive—it's inefficient. Ask yourself: can you draw a straight line from this meeting to an actual outcome you're responsible for? 🛡️ The Leadership Cycle BreakerToxic leaders create toxic leaders. When someone sees their boss taking credit and focusing only on personal advancement, they replicate that behavior. One authentic leader can break this cycle and create momentum in the opposite direction. 💪 The Challenge FrameworkChallenges must be grounded in data OR experience—not just opinions. Create an environment where challenges flow omnidirectionally: peer-to-peer, team-to-boss, boss-to-team. 🎪 The Authenticity AdvantageStop asking people to be someone different at work. When you filter out authenticity, you lose diverse perspectives and end up with vanilla environments where the best ideas don't win. 📊 Key Stats That'll...

    57min

  4. 23 DE MAI.

    #166 - Steve Hordinski - US Navy Diver, BJJ Wisdom, & Mental Toughness

    Built Not Born Podcast: Steve Hordinski - US Navy Diver, BJJ Wisdom, & Mental Toughness"Discipline will take you a long ways, but mental toughness will take you further." - Steve HordinskiEpisode DescriptionIn Built Not Born Episode 166 - We DIVE deep with Steve Hordinski, a 4th-degree black belt under Master Carlos "Caique" Elias and owner of the Katharo Training Center in Colorado. Steve is a veteran US Navy diver and shares wisdom about BJJ principles, grip fighting his teaching methodology and hard lessons learned from training with the legendary founder of Gracie Jiu Jitsu - Helio Gracie. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to BJJ, Steve's insights on longevity, mental toughness, and the evolution of BJJ will transform your approach to the art. Episode Timestamps🥋 [00:00] Introduction to Steve Hordinski, 4th-degree black belt under Master Kaiki🌊 [03:12] Steve's Navy diving career - underwater leverage & challenges🧨 [08:45] The World War II bomber recovery mission in Palau💪 [12:20] Life lessons from Navy diving: "Discipline takes you far, mental toughness takes you further"👨‍🏫 [15:40] Training with Helson and transitioning to Master Kaiki🇧🇷 [19:25] Experience training with Helio Gracie in Brazil🔄 [23:50] The old school BJJ survival approach vs. modern leg lock game📊 [26:15] The four major principles Steve lives by in his BJJ🤝 [29:30] The grip fighting game: "Everything bad happens when you don't control hands"🧠 [31:45] Steve's three concepts of grip fighting that changed his game🧘‍♂️ [36:10] Training strategies for longevity and injury prevention👥 [39:45] Choosing the right training partners as you age🏆 [41:20] The one lesson Steve wants everyone to take away: "Develop toughness"🔍 [43:30] Closing thoughts: "Control and efficiency - that's Jiu-Jitsu" Key TakeawaysNavy Diving Philosophy: Steve's experience as a Navy diver taught him that mental toughness exceeds discipline in importance for long-term success.The Four BJJ Principles: Steve governs his jiu-jitsu by four key principles: Leverage over strength (but use strength at the end of the lever)Timing over speedNatural body movements/flexibilityStreet effectiveness (blocking punches also blocks grips) Grip Fighting System: Steve breaks down his revolutionary approach to grip fighting into three concepts:Training for Longevity: Incorporate Buddha Con movements (jiu-jitsu + yoga), meditation, hot yoga, and targeted strength conditioning to stay on the mats longer.Mental Toughness: The key to longevity in BJJ isn't talent or physical attributes, but developing mental grit and perseverance. Power Quotes"Discipline will take you a long ways, but mental toughness will take you further." - Steve Hordinski"If you're blocking punches, you're also blocking grips - makes you very hard to be controlled." - Steve Hordinski"Control and efficiency. That's Jiu-Jitsu." - Steve...

    45min

  5. 9 DE MAI.

    #165 - Kathryn Gordon - Relationship GRIT: Lessons to Stay Together, Grow Together, & Thrive Together

    Built Not Born Podcast: Kathryn Gordon on Relationship GRIT - How to Stay Together, Grow Together, and Thrive Together"Where there is a void in communication, negativity will fill it. That's why we need to communicate, communicate, communicate." - Kathryn GordonEpisode OverviewKathryn Gordon is the co-author of the bestselling book "Relationship GRIT" and wife of best selling author Jon Gordon. Kathryn discusses her candid journey of nearly 30 years of marriage. Using remarkable vulnerability, Kathryn reveals the framework that helped her and Jon overcome significant challenges and build a thriving relationship that's stood the test of time. 🎧 Listen to the Full Episode[EMBED PLAYER HERE] 📝 Episode Highlights[00:03:15] 👋 Kathryn introduces herself and her journey from behind-the-scenes supporter to author and entrepreneur[00:06:40] 💘 The unexpected and persistent way she and John met (and almost didn't meet!)[00:11:20] 💔 Early marriage challenges and how they navigated having children while building businesses[00:15:30] 🧠 Introduction to the G.R.I.T. framework: God, Resolve, Invest, Together[00:18:45] 💯 Why perfect-looking couples often end up divorced[00:21:10] ⚖️ Why you shouldn't keep score in your relationship[00:24:30] 👏 The transformative power of complimenting your partner[00:28:15] 💪 Focusing on strengths instead of weaknesses[00:32:40] 🗣️ Why "where there is a void in communication, negativity will fill it"[00:35:50] 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The importance of regular family team meetings[00:39:20] 🚶‍♀️ Why walking together transforms difficult conversations[00:43:15] 🎢 Kathryn's one lesson for listeners: "Relationships are like riding a rollercoaster" 🔑 Key TakeawaysThe G.R.I.T. FrameworkG - God: Putting faith at the center of your relationshipR - Resolve: Commitment to work through challenges instead of walking awayI - Invest: Continuously investing time and energy in your relationshipT - Together: Making decisions and facing obstacles as a united team Best Practices for a Thriving RelationshipDon't keep score - relationships have seasons where give and take naturally fluctuateCompliment each other regularly - even (especially) when you don't feel like itFocus on strengths, not weaknesses - appreciate what your partner excels atCommunicate expectations clearly - don't expect mind-readingHave regular family/couple team meetingsWalk and talk - side-by-side communication reduces confrontation 📚 About "Relationship GRIT"a...

    44min

  6. 26 DE ABR.

    #164 - Stephen Marche - On Writing, Failure, and the Enduring Struggle of the Creative Life

    "The struggle is the cost of admission. It is the price of doing business." - Stephen MarcheStephen Marche: On Writing, Failure, and the Enduring Struggle of the Creative Life 📚In this week's conversation, Joe Ciccarone sits down with Stephen Marche, acclaimed Canadian writer and cultural commentator whose work appears in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The New York Times. Stephen shares insights from his book "On Writing and Failure," discussing the inevitable struggles of the creative process, the realities of rejection, and why perseverance might be the only thing that truly matters. Episode Highlights:02:15 - Introduction to Stephen Marche and his diverse writing career 🖋️ 04:30 - The power of short-form books and the Voltaire quote about pocket pamphlets 📖 07:10 - "The first job of a writer is to write. The second is to persevere." 💪 09:45 - Herman Melville's tragic story: how Moby Dick sold fewer than 400 copies 📚 12:30 - James Joyce couldn't even get hired to teach English as a second language 😮 15:20 - "Trying to find fulfillment in writing is like trying to learn how to fly by jumping off a cliff" 🧠 17:40 - Anne Frank's diary was rejected 15 times by publishers 📝 19:25 - The gap between intention, action, and consequence in creative work ⏳ 22:10 - Why success is temporary and often disconnected from quality of work 🏆 24:30 - Margaret Atwood's story about still feeling insecure despite enormous success 🌟 26:15 - Depression as an occupational hazard in writing careers 😔 28:45 - "The quality of your writing has very little effect on the success of your career, but it's the only thing that matters" 💯 31:20 - Stephen's experience writing for Esquire and the intensive editorial process 🔍 35:10 - Why there's no such thing as required reading 📚 37:40 - Cormac McCarthy didn't sell more than 5,000 copies until he was 60 📖 41:35 - Stephen's writing routine: sleep as a creative superpower 💤 46:20 - The myth of alcohol fueling creativity 🍺 48:50 - Stephen's one lesson for aspiring writers 🎯 50:15 - Current projects and spending a day with Shakespeare 🎭 About Stephen Marche:Stephen Marche is a Canadian writer, cultural commentator, and novelist. His work regularly appears in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The New York Times. With a PhD in Shakespeare studies, Marche brings both scholarly depth and journalistic clarity to his writing. His book a...

    1h

  7. 10 DE ABR.

    #163 - Tim Conniff -From Sales Calls to Stand-Up: How to Escape Your Comfort Zone and Find Your True Calling

    "Your comfort zone is no joke - but life gets better when you step outside of it." - Tim ConniffTim Conniff: Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone - From Corporate Sales to Stand-Up Comedian 🎭In this entertaining and inspiring episode, Joe Ciccarone sits down with Tim Conniff, who transitioned from being a healthcare sales director to a full-time stand-up comedian and keynote speaker. Tim shares his remarkable journey from bombing a college speech to becoming a successful comedian, proving it's never too late to try something new. Episode Highlights:01:45 - Introduction to Tim Conniff and his multiple roles in life 🙋‍♂️ 03:20 - Tim's first experience with public speaking in college and how badly it went 😅 05:10 - The 30-year gap between Tim's first comedy experience and his return to the stage 📅 08:15 - How Tim's son quitting basketball opened up time for him to pursue comedy 🏀 10:30 - The moment Tim had his "I can do that" realization at a local comedy club 💡 12:45 - Tim's rapid rise in comedy: from open mic to hosting shows in just six months 🚀 15:20 - The challenge and rewards of being a "clean" comedian in today's landscape 🧼 18:40 - Tim's creative process for writing and refining jokes 📝 21:15 - The structure of jokes and how comedians work to get laughs every 6-15 seconds ⏱️ 23:30 - How Tim balances his corporate career with his comedy pursuits 💼 25:45 - Tim's keynote "Your Comfort Zone Is No Joke" and its message 🎤 27:10 - The powerful question: "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" 🤔 29:45 - Tim's experience performing for patients with traumatic brain injuries 💪 32:20 - Simple ways to get out of your comfort zone that anyone can try 🌱 35:10 - Tim's personal practices for clearing his mind (running and hot yoga) 🧘‍♂️ 38:40 - The ONE lesson Tim hopes listeners take away 🔑 40:15 - Fun closing questions: dream day with Zig Ziglar or Jim Rohn 🌟 About Tim Conniff:Tim Conniff is a former sales director for a large healthcare company who now focuses full-time on his work as a stand-up comedian and keynote speaker. After rediscovering his passion for comedy in 2022, Tim quickly rose from open mic performer to hosting shows and delivering paid gigs across the Philadelphia area. His keynote "Your Comfort Zone Is No Joke" combines clean comedy with inspirational messages about challenging yourself and trying new things. Key Takeaways:It's never too late to try something new - Tim started his comedy career in earnest at middle ageHaving an "I can do that" moment instead of saying "I could never do that" can change your lifeThe iterative process is crucial - in comedy, sports, or any skill, you improve through consistent practiceClean comedy creates more opportunities and challenges you to be a better writerGetting out of your comfort zone leads to growth, new opportunities, and a more fulfilling lifeWhen you help enough people get what they want, you'll get what you want (Zig Ziglar) Connect with Tim Conniff:Website: TimConniff.comInstagram: @TimConniffa href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-conniff-34b17a2/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    47min

  8. 28 DE MAR.

    #162 - Jim Murphy - Inner Excellence

    "Success takes care of itself when you take care of yourself. Your best moments always come from a clear heart and an unburdened mind." - Jim MurphyJim Murphy: #1 NY Times Best Selling Author - How Inner Excellence Creates Champions 🏆In this powerful episode, Joe Ciccarone sits down with Jim Murphy, author of the viral sensation "Inner Excellence" that was famously read by Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown on the sidelines during a game. Jim shares his remarkable journey from minor league baseball player to mental skills coach for elite athletes, and how his book rocketed from Amazon ranking #532,000 to #1 overnight. Episode Highlights:00:05 - Introduction to Jim Murphy and his background in mental skills coaching 🧠 03:12 - The viral moment when AJ Brown was spotted reading "Inner Excellence" on the NFL sidelines 📱 06:45 - Jim's personal journey: from financial struggles to overnight success 💰 09:30 - Understanding "Inner Excellence" philosophy and the concept that "every beginning has an end and every ending has a new beginning" 🔄 12:15 - Jim discusses how losing his baseball vision led to a greater vision for his life 👁️ 15:40 - The core philosophy: "What's essential is invisible to the eye" and focusing on what truly matters ❤️ 18:22 - How to be "unoffendable and unirritatable" in a world full of criticism 🛡️ 21:10 - The importance of understanding that "your opponent is not your enemy, but your partner in the dance" 🤝 23:45 - Freedom to choose your thoughts - breaking negative thought patterns 💭 26:30 - The PALMS acronym for ego: Possessions, Achievements, Looks, Money, and Status 🌴 28:15 - "We do not climb mountains to get to the top. We climb them to see who we can become" 🏔️ 31:40 - Jim's personal practices for clearing his mind and recharging (including cold plunging!) ❄️ 34:10 - The one lesson Jim hopes listeners take away: slow down and ask God how you can grow 🙏 36:25 - Fun closing questions: dream day with the Obamas and tattoo quote "Selfless is Fearless" ✨ About Jim Murphy:Jim Murphy is a #1 NY Times Best Selling author and mental skills coach who works with professional athletes and high-performers. His book "Inner Excellence" focuses on training the mind for extraordinary performance and the best possible life. After Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown was seen reading the book on the sidelines during a January 2025 game, the book skyrocketed from selling 2-3 copies a day to over 100,000 copies in a week, achieving the coveted #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Connect with Jim Murphy:Instagram: @InnerExcellenceJimMurphyTwitter: @InnerExcellenceWebsite: innerexcellence.coma...

    38min
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Sobre

Welcome to Built Not Born! The story of EVERYDAY PEOPLE creating REMARKABLE LIVES. Each week we bring a REMARKABLE story of an ordinary person that overcame the odds, fought through adversity and impacted the lives of countless people in their community. Subscribe and see why life is BUILT NOT BORN.

Informações

  • Criado por
    Joe Ciccarone
  • Anos de atividade
    2021 - 2025
  • Episódios
    170
  • Classificação
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Joe Ciccarone
  • Site do podcast
    Built Not Born

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