Extraordinary Stories

Extraordinary Collaborative

Conversations with Extraordinary people about the moments that changed how they think, lead, and live.

  1. Jul 20

    Sandy Martinez: Find Your People

    Sandy Martinez has spent her life stepping into rooms where no one in her family had gone before. A first-generation Mexican immigrant, the first in her family to graduate high school, earn a master's degree, and build a career in emerging technology, Sandy shares how community—not individual achievement—became the foundation of every milestone in her journey. Rather than treating technology as an end in itself, Sandy sees blockchain, AI, and Web3 as tools for expanding opportunity, preserving culture, and ensuring more voices are represented in the future being built today. From launching a Spanish-language Web3 radio show to leading global initiatives at the United Nations, she explains why someone has to be willing to go first—and why fear can't be the deciding factor. This conversation is ultimately about identity. It's about unlearning limiting beliefs, finding people who truly see you, and discovering that extraordinary lives are rarely built alone. Sandy reminds us that the right community doesn't just celebrate your successes—it helps you become the person capable of creating them. As new technologies reshape the world, Sandy offers a refreshing perspective: the future isn't only about innovation. It's about making sure more people have a voice in creating it. What You'll Learn• Why finding the right community can change the trajectory of your life• How first-generation leaders navigate invisible barriers and limiting beliefs• Why blockchain is about more than cryptocurrency—it can preserve culture and expand opportunity• The importance of learning emerging technologies before they become mainstream• How surrounding yourself with people who believe in you creates new opportunities• A practical mindset for overcoming fear when stepping into unfamiliar spaces• Why investing in yourself requires intentional learning, relationships, and experiences• Sandy's philosophy of "dream big, but intentionally"About Sandy MartinezSandy Martinez is a community architect, entrepreneur, author, and founder of Women of Web3. A first-generation Mexican immigrant, she has dedicated her career to expanding access to emerging technologies, empowering women in innovation, and creating global platforms that elevate underrepresented voices—from Arizona to the United Nations. About Extraordinary StoriesExtraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    Sandy Martinez: Find Your People

  2. Jul 14

    Jason Applewhite: “Life Doesn’t Care. It Keeps Moving.”

    Jason Applewhite never planned on becoming an entrepreneur. He was trying to help his father walk without pain. That simple act of caring led him from engineering and product development into building a company around one of the most overlooked essentials of human life: oxygen. But this conversation isn't really about technology—it's about purpose, perseverance, and the quiet decisions that change the course of a life. Jason reflects on leaving a stable career, supporting a growing family through years of uncertainty, and learning that building something meaningful requires far more than a good idea. It demands resilience, humility, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when progress feels invisible. Along the way, he shares the lessons he's learning as a husband, father, founder, and leader. At its heart, this episode explores the difference between consuming the world and contributing to it. Jason believes extraordinary lives are built through small, intentional choices: responding instead of reacting, prioritizing recovery as much as performance, and ending each day by asking one simple question—how can I be a little better tomorrow than I was today? In a culture obsessed with speed and constant achievement, this conversation is a reminder that lasting impact is usually built slowly, one decision, one relationship, and one ordinary day at a time. What You'll LearnWhy solving one person's problem can become a life's purposeHow resilience is built through difficult seasons—not after themWhy recovery is just as important as performanceThe difference between reacting to life and responding with intentionHow daily self-reflection creates long-term growthWhy entrepreneurs need purpose more than motivationLessons Jason is teaching his children about work, money, and contributionA practical mindset for balancing ambition, family, and healthWhy becoming a producer changes the people you surround yourself withHow small improvements compound into an extraordinary lifeAbout Jason ApplewhiteJason Applewhite is the founder of Bimini Nano and Bimini Pure O₂, companies developing oxygen-based recovery technologies used by professional athletes, wellness practitioners, and families alike. With a background in biology, engineering, and product development, Jason brings a uniquely practical perspective on innovation, leadership, and building businesses that begin by solving deeply personal problems. About Extraordinary StoriesExtraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    Jason Applewhite: “Life Doesn’t Care. It Keeps Moving.”

  3. Jul 9

    Isabelle Cutuli: "Learning to Trust What You Can't Control"

    Some people seem unusually grounded long before life expects them to be. Isabelle Cutuli is one of those people. As Director of Canyon Angels and a student preparing to graduate into an uncertain future, she reflects on leadership, ambition, faith, and what it means to keep moving forward without having all the answers. Throughout the conversation, Isabelle shares how disappointment reshaped her understanding of leadership, why she stopped seeing leaders as simply the most talented people in the room, and how studying abroad in Rome became an unexpected lesson in surrender. From navigating unfamiliar cities with a dying phone battery to rebuilding an organization that outgrew its own systems, she reveals how uncertainty slowly became something she could carry instead of fear. Together, Forbes Shannon and Christine Butler explore Isabelle's love of ideas, literature, communication, and human nature. The discussion moves from Jane Austen to negotiation, from argument to curiosity, and from achievement to purpose. Rather than offering easy answers, Isabelle makes the case that extraordinary lives are built by learning to hold both intellect and humility, confidence and uncertainty, ambition and faith. Whether you're stepping into leadership, facing an unknown season, or simply wondering what comes next, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes growth begins the moment you stop demanding certainty. What You'll LearnWhy leadership begins with caring more than being the smartest person in the roomHow uncertainty can become a source of confidence instead of anxietyLessons from rebuilding an organization through better systems and successionWhy healthy conflict starts with understanding before persuasionThe connection between curiosity, communication, and lifelong learningHow literature can deepen our understanding of people and relationshipsThe role faith played in navigating fear, ambiguity, and the futureWhy purpose—not achievement—is what ultimately brings fulfillmentAbout Isabelle CutuliIsabelle Cutuli is the Director of Canyon Angels, where she has helped develop student leaders, strengthen organizational systems, and connect emerging entrepreneurs with early-stage investment opportunities. With a passion for communication, economics, leadership, and lifelong learning, Isabelle brings together analytical thinking, deep curiosity, and a people-first approach to solving meaningful problems. About Extraordinary StoriesExtraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    Isabelle Cutuli: "Learning to Trust What You Can't Control"

  4. Jul 4

    B. Taylor: “Don’t Be About Yourself. Be About Others.”

    B. Taylor has lived a life that almost sounds impossible. A college athlete turned Navy sailor, he expected his future to be defined by football. Instead, one split-second decision—blocking the Secretary of the Navy's shot during a basketball game—set off a chain of events that carried him from military service to Motown, Snoop Dogg's family, and a career built on music, philanthropy, and service. But beneath the remarkable stories is something much more universal. B. reflects on the mentors who shaped him—from his parents and military leaders to the legends of Motown—and why discipline, consistency, and character mattered more than talent alone. He shares why he refused to compromise his values, even when the entertainment industry encouraged him to become someone else. Throughout the conversation, B. makes the case that extraordinary leadership isn't about status or recognition. It's about using your story to create opportunities for other people. Whether serving veterans, building wellness programs, mentoring artists, or leading with humility, his philosophy remains remarkably simple: success has little meaning if it only serves yourself. At a time when so much attention is focused on personal brands and individual achievement, B. offers a different model—one rooted in service, gratitude, and the belief that the people around you are part of your success. It's a conversation about becoming the kind of leader whose influence lasts because of how they treat others. What You'll LearnWhy one moment of competition changed the course of B. Taylor's lifeHow military discipline shaped his approach to music, leadership, and serviceWhy great mentors teach systems and character—not just skillsThe connection between storytelling and creating hope for othersWhy staying authentic often takes longer, but creates lasting influenceLessons from Motown about excellence, preparation, and timeless workHow servant leadership creates stronger teams and stronger communitiesWhy your greatest opportunities often come from helping someone else succeedPractical ways to build a life centered on purpose instead of recognitionAbout B. TaylorB. Taylor is a musician, philanthropist, military advocate, and founder whose work bridges entertainment, service, and leadership. Drawing from experiences that span the U.S. Navy, Motown, professional athletics, and decades of charitable work, he offers a perspective grounded in discipline, gratitude, and the belief that the most meaningful success is measured by the lives you impact. About Extraordinary StoriesExtraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    B. Taylor: “Don’t Be About Yourself. Be About Others.”

  5. Jul 3

    Dr. Velma Trayham: "You Can Be Fired From Your Job, Never Your Purpose"

    Dr. Velma Trayham knows what it means to build from nothing. Raised in poverty by her grandmother, she became the first entrepreneur, first college graduate, and first millionaire in her family. In this conversation, she shares why those accomplishments were never the destination—they were preparation for a larger purpose: helping others create opportunity through entrepreneurship. Rather than hiding her failures, Dr. Trayham explains how losing her first three businesses became the foundation for everything that followed. She reflects on learning to ask for help, building teams instead of trying to do everything alone, and separating identity from job titles in a world where careers and industries are changing faster than ever. The conversation explores the relationship between purpose, leadership, and mindset. Dr. Trayham argues that poverty is more than a financial condition—it can become a way of thinking that spreads through communities if left unchallenged. She discusses discernment, intentional communication, protecting what we allow into our minds, and why solving meaningful problems is one of the surest paths toward creating lasting value. Whether you're building a business, navigating career uncertainty, or simply asking yourself what you're here to contribute, this episode offers a thoughtful reminder that while titles may come and go, purpose is something no one can take away. What You'll LearnWhy Dr. Trayham believes purpose should never be attached to a job titleHow failing three businesses prepared her to build successful onesThe difference between being broke and living with a poverty mindsetWhy solving problems creates more opportunity than chasing moneyThe leadership shift from doing everything yourself to building great teamsHow intentional communication reduces misunderstandingWhy discernment is a skill built through pattern recognitionPractical ways to protect your attention and mental environmentHow entrepreneurship can become a vehicle for creating generational opportunityWhy resilience is built through purpose rather than circumstanceAbout Dr. Velma TrayhamDr. Velma Trayham is an entrepreneur, bestselling author of Unfirable, and President & CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona. Through her businesses, community leadership, and advocacy for entrepreneurship, she works to expand economic opportunity and help others build lives rooted in purpose rather than position. About Extraordinary StoriesExtraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    Dr. Velma Trayham: "You Can Be Fired From Your Job, Never Your Purpose"

  6. Jun 30

    Jeremy Barker: "Rock Bottom Is the Best Place to Launch"

    Episode Description Jeremy Barker has built one of the world's most recognizable hidden door companies, but his story didn't begin with success. Before Murphy Door became an industry-defining brand, Jeremy had already made—and lost—millions, lived out of his pickup truck, and wrestled with the belief that he had failed at life. In this conversation, he shares how those experiences reshaped the way he sees failure, ambition, and what it means to build something that lasts. Instead of running from rock bottom, Jeremy learned to embrace it. He opens up about surviving two suicide attempts, the unexpected person who changed the course of his life, and why he believes our biggest setbacks become the strongest foundation for whatever comes next. Along the way, he explains how curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to keep trying eventually led him from firefighting to inventing products that now appear in homes across the world. This conversation isn't really about hidden doors. It's about the doors we choose to walk through after life humbles us. Jeremy challenges the idea that success comes from avoiding mistakes and argues that growth comes from making them, learning from them, and refusing to let the past define what's possible. His perspective offers a refreshing reminder that peace often begins the moment we stop fighting where we are and start appreciating what's directly in front of us. At a time when so many people feel pressure to have life figured out, Jeremy's story is a powerful reminder that extraordinary lives aren't built by people who never fail—they're built by people who keep moving forward anyway. What You'll Learn Why Jeremy believes rock bottom is the strongest foundation you'll ever haveHow gratitude can replace regret when you stop living in the rearview mirrorThe surprising origin story behind Murphy Door and how necessity sparked innovationWhy inventors see opportunities where everyone else sees ordinary problemsA practical mindset for overcoming fear of failure and rejectionHow embracing vulnerability creates freedom instead of weaknessWhy "your comfort zone doesn't pay well"Lessons on resilience from losing everything—and starting overHow to separate your identity from your past mistakesWhy appreciating the present changes how you approach work, relationships, and lifeAbout Jeremy Barker Jeremy Barker is the founder and CEO of Murphy Door, the company that transformed hidden doors from a novelty into a category of its own. A former firefighter and paramedic, Jeremy is an inventor, entrepreneur, and holder of dozens of patents whose journey from bankruptcy and living in his pickup truck to building a nationally recognized manufacturing company has shaped his philosophy on resilience, innovation, and personal responsibility. About Extraordinary Stories Extraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    Jeremy Barker: "Rock Bottom Is the Best Place to Launch"

  7. Jun 30

    Ryan Foland: Be Extra Ordinary

    What makes someone unforgettable? Speaker, author, sailor, and communication coach Ryan Foland believes it has very little to do with expertise and everything to do with embracing what makes you unmistakably human. In this conversation, Ryan shares how the very traits he was teased for growing up became the foundation of his identity, his relationships, and ultimately his life's work. As the conversation unfolds, Ryan and Forbes explore why so many founders, leaders, and professionals struggle to communicate what they do—not because they lack ideas, but because they begin with solutions instead of stories. Ryan breaks down the simple shifts that transform forgettable presentations into memorable conversations, from permission-based pitching to the subtle communication habits that instantly build trust. Along the way, the discussion expands into something much bigger than public speaking. It's about connection. Why shared experiences create faster relationships. Why authenticity is more compelling than polish. And why extraordinary lives are built not by becoming someone else, but by becoming more fully yourself. Listeners will walk away with practical communication tools and a refreshing reminder that the qualities we often hide are frequently the ones people remember most. What You'll Learn Why people care more about the problem you solve than your job titleHow storytelling creates attention before persuasionThe difference between retelling a story and reliving itRyan's "permission-based pitching" approach to networking and conversationsFour communication levers that instantly improve any presentationWhy shared experiences accelerate trust and relationshipsHow embracing what once made you different can become your greatest advantageWhy experience often matters more than expertiseAbout Ryan Foland Ryan Foland is a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and Director of the ANTrepreneur Center at UC Irvine. Through his Getting Your Ship Together book series and years of coaching founders and leaders, he helps people communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and authenticity by turning their lived experiences into compelling stories. About Extraordinary Stories Extraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    Ryan Foland: Be Extra Ordinary

  8. Jun 24

    Tom Schneider: Don’t Put It on a Bucket List—Start Today

    Tom Schneider has lived several lives in one lifetime. He’s a four-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, a former World Series of Poker Player of the Year, a songwriter, comedian, author, and fractional CFO. But beneath the résumé is a simple question that has shaped his life: What happens when you stop talking about what you want to do and start doing it? In this conversation, Tom shares how a single question from his father changed the trajectory of his life. When he said he wanted to become a professional poker player, his father didn’t judge the dream. He simply asked, “What are you doing to prepare yourself for that?” That question became a blueprint Tom would use again and again—from poker tables to boardrooms to learning guitar in his fifties. Along the way, Tom reveals the surprising parallels between poker, business, parenting, and creativity. Whether he’s helping a company make a multimillion-dollar decision, reading a poker opponent in seconds, or writing songs inspired by everyday conversations, his approach is rooted in curiosity, discipline, and understanding people. The lesson isn’t about winning every hand. It’s about making good decisions repeatedly with the information you have. This conversation is a reminder that most people don’t regret the things they tried. They regret the things they never started. And sometimes the difference between an ordinary life and an extraordinary one is simply taking the first step. What You’ll Learn• Why poker is less about gambling and more about decision-making • How confidence influences outcomes in business, competition, and life • The role curiosity plays in making better decisions • Why great leaders focus on good decisions instead of being right • The surprising connection between poker strategy and customer experience • A practical framework for turning passions into skills • Why Tom believes most bucket lists are a form of procrastination • Lessons on parenting, resilience, and not panicking when things go wrong • How to identify opportunities by understanding people’s motivations • Why taking action matters more than talking about your goals About Tom SchneiderTom Schneider is a four-time World Series of Poker gold bracelet winner, former World Series of Poker Player of the Year, author of Oops, I Won Too Much Money, songwriter, comedian, and fractional CFO. Drawing from decades of experience in poker, business strategy, and entrepreneurship, Tom helps leaders make better decisions, create value, and see opportunities others miss. About Extraordinary StoriesExtraordinary Stories explores the ideas, people, and experiences that shape extraordinary lives. Hosts Forbes Shannon, Christine Butler, and Aaron Bare sit down with entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and leaders to uncover the moments that changed how they see the world.

    Tom Schneider: Don’t Put It on a Bucket List—Start Today
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Conversations with Extraordinary people about the moments that changed how they think, lead, and live.

Information

  • Creator
    Extraordinary Collaborative
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Extraordinary Collaborative
  • Show Website
    Extraordinary Stories