Driven: Unscripted Success

Michael Mannino Sr. & Nareman Hamdan

Welcome to the Driven: Unscripted Success Podcast, the go-to show for high-performing business owners, executives, and professionals who aspire to elevate their personal, professional, and financial lives. Hosted by Michael Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan, each episode dives deep into the inspiring stories and invaluable insights of top industry leaders who have navigated the complex landscape of success with drive and determination. Michael and Nareman, business owners who are passionate about uncovering the keys to mastery and legacy building, bring you candid conversations that explore the highs and lows of remarkable careers. From leadership strategies and innovative business tactics to personal growth and financial acumen, our guests share their unscripted journeys to success, offering listeners practical advice and motivation to reach new heights. Join us on Driven: Unscripted Success Podcast, where we celebrate the relentless pursuit of excellence and empower you to achieve greatness in every facet of your life. Subscribe now and get ready to be inspired, challenged, and driven to succeed!

  1. 22h ago

    Listen, Let Go, Learn: Leadership Lessons from Lisa Kent

    In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Michael Mannino speaks with Lisa Kent about a career that moved from brand management at major consumer companies to the dot-com world, entrepreneurship, teaching, speaking and advising. Lisa shares why she describes her own journey as opportunistic and unscripted. After launching the Luminations Group and expecting to run it for about a year, she ultimately led the consulting firm for 23 years before selling it. Today, she teaches business, hosts Dauntless Leadership and advises early- and mid-stage companies. The conversation explores Lisa’s belief that great marketing begins with listening, especially in an era when customer information is easier to access but knowing what to ask remains critical. She also explains one of the hardest transitions for a founder: moving from the detail-oriented person who does everything to a leader who trains people, trusts them and lets go. Michael and Lisa also discuss confidence, feedback, lifelong learning, the value of surrounding yourself with smart people, real estate and the advice Lisa inherited from her mother: “You don’t have to know what you want to be when you grow up, just what you want to do next.” Learn more about Lisa Kent: lisa-kent.com Dauntless Leadership: dauntless.works #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Marketing #BusinessLeadership #ContinuousLearning #DauntlessLeadership #DrivenUnscriptedSuccess

    Listen, Let Go, Learn: Leadership Lessons from Lisa Kent

  2. 5d ago

    What the Dot-Com Era Can Teach Us About the AI Era

    What happens to marketing when customers stop searching for information and start asking AI to solve the problem? In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Nareman Hamdan speaks with Len Ward, founder and CEO of Commexis, about the transition from traditional digital marketing into an AI-driven customer journey. Len began his career on Wall Street during the dot-com era before taking a risk on digital marketing. More than 20 years later, he sees parallels between the uncertainty surrounding the early internet and the questions businesses are asking about AI today. Len explains his idea that marketing is moving from a “search and retrieve” world into a “solve my problem” world. He discusses why using AI simply to create blogs, webpages and other existing marketing assets faster may not be enough, and why he believes businesses need to start preparing for a future that may include more agent-to-agent interactions. The conversation also covers Len’s research-first approach to learning, the books that shaped his thinking, his hands-off leadership style, why he values entrepreneurship and customer-service experience when hiring, side hustles and the lesson about decisiveness he received years ago from Charles Barkley. Connect with Len Ward: Find Len on LinkedIn or visit the Commexis website. #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalMarketing #MarketingStrategy #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #AI #BusinessGrowth #DrivenUnscriptedSuccess

    What the Dot-Com Era Can Teach Us About the AI Era

  3. Oct 13

    President Clinton’s White House Doctor: Dr. Robert Darling on Leadership

    What does more than four decades in high-stakes medicine teach you about leadership, technology and resilience? In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Nareman Hamdan speaks with Rob Darling, MD, a retired Navy captain and physician whose career has included naval aviation medicine, emergency medicine, service on the White House medical team and global medical support. Rob shares how attending the Uniformed Services University led to a 25-year Navy career, including work as a flight surgeon caring for naval aviators. He also discusses the decision-making demands of emergency medicine and the importance of giving professional advice with both confidence and respect, even when caring for powerful people. The conversation explores AI’s growing role in healthcare and Rob’s belief that technological capability should not cause medicine to lose its human side. Rob also discusses his leadership approach, what he looks for when building a team, his habit of asking people to bring solutions rather than problems alone, and why face-to-face discussion still matters. Rob also opens up about the failure of his first concierge practice, the financial and personal impact it had on his family, and why that experience ultimately became one of the most important learning moments of his career. Connect with Rob Darling, MD: Robert.Darling@crisis24.com #HealthcareLeadership #Medicine #AIInHealthcare #Leadership #Resilience #MilitaryMedicine #DrivenUnscriptedSuccess

    President Clinton’s White House Doctor: Dr. Robert Darling on Leadership

  4. Oct 8

    Functional Capacity Over Vanity Metrics with Dr. Kenneth Spielvogel

    What if the most useful longevity question is not “How old is my body?” but “What can my body actually do?” In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Nareman Hamdan speaks with Dr. Kenneth “Kenny” Spielvogel, a board-certified physician and founder of Vexon Med, about functional capacity, healthspan, exercise, entrepreneurship and career reinvention. Dr. Spielvogel explains why he is cautious about interpreting biological-age scores as lifespan predictions and describes his own performance-focused approach to making functional data more relatable. He discusses combining traditional medical information with assessments involving areas such as body composition, pulmonary function, cognition, reaction time, balance, power, movement and recovery. The conversation also explores his work in addiction and recovery, his transition away from academic and inpatient medicine after decades in the field, his technology background and the process of building and programming systems for Vexon Med. Nareman and Dr. Spielvogel also discuss entrepreneurship, failed partnerships, knowing when to abandon an idea, collaborative leadership, lifelong learning, AI-assisted research and why his advice to people looking for new opportunities is often simply to say yes. Learn more about Dr. Spielvogel and Vexon Med: vexonmed.com #Longevity #Healthspan #FunctionalCapacity #HealthcareInnovation #Entrepreneurship #VexonMed #DrivenUnscriptedSuccess Note: This episode is for general informational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice

    Functional Capacity Over Vanity Metrics with Dr. Kenneth Spielvogel

  5. Oct 6

    Don’t Believe Everything You Hear: Dr. Myrto Ashe on Medicine and Curiosity

    What happens when a conventionally trained physician begins questioning the career path and medical framework she has known for decades? In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Nareman Hamdan speaks with Dr. Myrto Ashe, an MD who practiced family medicine for 20 years before transitioning into functional medicine and building a largely virtual micro-practice. Myrto shares how stepping away from medicine to raise her three sons, followed by a personal health experience in her family, led her to read more broadly and eventually return to medicine in a different way. She discusses the uncertainty of moving from salaried physician to entrepreneur and the group of physicians she credits with making that transition possible. The conversation also explores Myrto’s commitment to remaining both critical and curious, her belief that physicians have a responsibility to examine evidence rather than simply accept what they hear, and her approach to creating meaningful work that does not overwhelm the rest of life. Nareman and Myrto also discuss leadership in a small practice, meditation and balance, learning through creating courses, and why a peer group at the same stage of development can sometimes provide a uniquely valuable source of confidence and support. Connect with Dr. Myrto Ashe: unconventionalmedicine.net | dr.myrtoashe@protonmail.com | LinkedIn: Search Dr. Myrto Ashe Note: Her medical practice is limited to California patients, as stated in the interview. Podcast content is educational and is not individualized medical advice. #FunctionalMedicine #PhysicianEntrepreneur #Healthcare #MedicalEducation #CareerReinvention #Entrepreneurship #DrivenUnscriptedSuccess

    Don’t Believe Everything You Hear: Dr. Myrto Ashe on Medicine and Curiosity

  6. Oct 2

    AI Without the Complexity: Helping Small Businesses Compete

    How can small businesses use AI without adding even more complexity to an already demanding operation? In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Nareman Hamdan speaks with Luke Wilson, CEO of Signpost AI, an AI-powered customer communication platform serving small and mid-sized businesses, particularly in the home-service market. Luke explains why Signpost chose to become an AI-first business and why the goal is not to make AI feel complicated or intimidating. Instead, the technology is designed to work alongside the owner and help move customers from lead engagement through scheduling, jobs, invoicing and payments. The conversation also explores Luke’s career transition from sales and go-to-market leadership into running the full business at Signpost. He shares how that experience renewed his understanding of the small-business owner who has to wear many different hats. Nareman and Luke discuss why successful playbooks cannot simply be copied from one company to another, his “seek to understand” mindset, fast and data-informed execution, resilience, building a culture where people can try new ideas, and why leaders need to know what truly motivates them. Connect with Luke Wilson: lwilson@signpost.com | signpost.com | LinkedIn: Search Luke Wilson / Signpost #SmallBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #AIForBusiness #HomeServices #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #SignpostAI #DrivenUnscriptedSuccess

    AI Without the Complexity: Helping Small Businesses Compete

  7. Sep 29

    Why Entrepreneurs Get Stuck and How to Scale Past It

    What keeps an entrepreneur from turning a growing company into a business that can actually operate beyond them? In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Nareman Hamdan speaks with Robert Braiman, a serial entrepreneur and leader of Cogent Analytics, about the systems, people and financial discipline required to scale. Robert explains why entrepreneurs often struggle to let go of responsibilities, how clear roles and structural controls make delegation possible, and why he believes process and systems should drive people rather than the other way around. He also shares his view that profit is engineered and must be actively managed rather than treated as whatever remains at the end. The conversation also explores Robert’s leadership philosophy of empowerment, the six core tenets he associates with Cogent’s culture, and the employees he calls “climbers,” people who naturally seek greater responsibility and make a difference without having to be pushed. Nareman and Robert also discuss responsible AI use, continuous learning, investing in businesses, the realities of entrepreneurship and Cogent Analytics’ continued national growth. Connect with Robert Braiman: rbraiman@cogentanalytics.com #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #ScalingBusiness #SmallBusiness #BusinessConsulting #CogentAnalytics #DrivenUnscriptedSuccess

    Why Entrepreneurs Get Stuck and How to Scale Past It

  8. Sep 24

    Ben Bassett of Ecolens: The Relationships Behind Real Growth

    What happens when a company needs more than a partnership strategy and actually needs a team to execute it? In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Nareman Hamdan speaks with Ben Bassett, co-founder of Ecolens, a fractional partnerships team working largely across ERP ecosystems including NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Acumatica and Microsoft Dynamics. Ben explains why Ecolens was designed to become deeply integrated with clients instead of delivering a strategy document and walking away. He also discusses the company’s deliberate staffing model, the role he plays as an integrator and the lessons he has learned while building the business. The conversation also looks at Ben’s previous experience building a residential solar financing company, the market headwinds that challenged that venture and how those lessons now shape the way he thinks about risk. He shares a reverse-planning exercise that asks a team to imagine the company has already failed and work backward to identify the causes. Nareman and Ben discuss leadership, balancing speed with thoughtful execution, learning outside your comfort zone, resource allocation, personal routines and why relationships and trust remain foundational to long-term business growth. Connect with Ben Bassett: ben@ecolens.io | ecolens.io #Partnerships #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #ERP #DrivenUnscriptedSuccess

    Ben Bassett of Ecolens: The Relationships Behind Real Growth
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5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Driven: Unscripted Success Podcast, the go-to show for high-performing business owners, executives, and professionals who aspire to elevate their personal, professional, and financial lives. Hosted by Michael Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan, each episode dives deep into the inspiring stories and invaluable insights of top industry leaders who have navigated the complex landscape of success with drive and determination. Michael and Nareman, business owners who are passionate about uncovering the keys to mastery and legacy building, bring you candid conversations that explore the highs and lows of remarkable careers. From leadership strategies and innovative business tactics to personal growth and financial acumen, our guests share their unscripted journeys to success, offering listeners practical advice and motivation to reach new heights. Join us on Driven: Unscripted Success Podcast, where we celebrate the relentless pursuit of excellence and empower you to achieve greatness in every facet of your life. Subscribe now and get ready to be inspired, challenged, and driven to succeed!

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Mannino Sr. & Nareman Hamdan
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Driven: Unscripted Success