74 episodes
I Used to be Somebody Carl Landau
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- Business
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4.9 • 77 Ratings
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I Used to Be Somebody inspires 50+ year olds to build their (Un)Retired good life. Each month we interview cool, inspiring people about their retirement challenges and why and how they figured it out—turning this phase of life into an incredible, rewarding reality.
It's for people who don't want to retire--they just want to do something new that is more fun, less grind, and more meaningful. Our guests have created amazing Second Acts! Oh, and there's a little talk about Pickleball.
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Dat Truong: High Tech Exec to Best Pho and "Grandma's Secret"
This is one of the best interviews we've ever had. Talk about an unlikely story! Dat Truong grew up in Vietnam and at 5 years old escaped just days before the fall of Saigon. He had careers on Wall Street and Silicon Valley but it wasn't until he moved to Portland, OR that he found his way to a life that he feels truly fits who he is today.
What is "Grandma's Secret"? You're going to need to listen to find out!
• More about Dat Truong:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/datlinkedin
• Lela's Bistro: https://www.lelasbistro.com
• Episode Content:
https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Dat-Truong-Interview-High-Tech-Exec-to-Best-Pho-and-Grandmas-Secret
• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:
https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die
• Sponsored by Capital Advantage:
https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide
• Sponsored by Mike Ownbey, COMPASS: https://www.mikeownbey.com
• I Used to be Somebody World Tour -- First Stop Tuscany: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour
• Subscribe to our Newsletter:
https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe -
Steve Israel: Eight Term US Congressman Now Cool Bookstore Owner
It took 72 episodes, but Carl finally got a politician on the show. And he got a big time Congressman in Steve Israel. He was an eight-term congressman out of New York who is proud to have been a bi-partisan representative who brought both sides of the aisle together.
Since leaving congress, Steve has been a political commentator on CNN, MSNBC and HBO and the author of two critically acclaimed political satires. In 2021, he became a first-time entrepreneur and launched a new dream job--as the owner of an independent bookstore, Theodore's Books in Oyster Bay, NY.
Former Congressman Israel is very candid about his political life. He is devastated that his district in New York is currently represented by the infamous George Santos. And he sheds some light on the antics of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis while they both were in Congress together.
Steve ran for office 8 times and won 8 times(!) and has managed to retain his great sense of humor. His slogan when leaving office was "unindicted and undefeated".
• More about Steve Israel: https://government.cornell.edu/steve-israel
• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Steve-Israel-Interview-Eight-Term-Us-Congressman-Now-Cool-Bookstore-Owner
• Sponsored by Mike Ownbey, COMPASS:
https://www.mikeownbey.com/
• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:
https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/
• Sponsored by Capital Advantage:
https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast
• Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter:
https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe -
Maxine Clark: Build-A-Bear Mega Founder Turns to Social Entrepreneurship
We have a celebrity sighting this month on the show......Maxine Clark. She is one of the true innovators in the retail industry. At age 48 she became a first-time entrepreneur and founded Build-A-Bear Workshop. Within just a few years, she took her company public on the New York Stock Exchange. Most importantly, she's had a big impact on millions of children and adults from their Build-A-Bear experience.
What makes her story even more amazing is what Maxine is doing now her 70's...
• More about Maxine Clark: https://clarkfoxstl.com/team/maxine-clark
• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Maxine-Clark-Interview-Build-A-Bear-Mega-Founder-Turns-to-Social-Entrepreneurship
• Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast
• Sponsored by Mike Ownbey, COMPASS: https://www.mikeownbey.com
• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die
• Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter:
https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe -
Donna Apidone: Popular NPR Host Now Helps New Audience Find Purpose
This is a super fun interview with popular NPR radio host and talented interviewer Donna Apidone. Her commitment to her work became a lifestyle, waking up at 1:30am and getting to the studio by 3am and hosting CapRadio's Morning Edition. But, 21 years of hosting the show in a 8 x 8 windowless studio and being consumed by the news led her to a world of meditation. And she is excited now for a new journey and helping others along the way to a calm and complete life.
• More about Donna Apidone: https://www.donnaapidone.com
• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Donna-Apidone-Interview-Popular-NPR-Host-Now-Helps-New-Audience-Find-Purpose
• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die
• Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast
• Sponsored by Mike Ownbey, Compass Real Estate: https://www.mikeownbey.com
• Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe -
Steve Segner: Pet Biz Exec Reinvents Himself, Builds Luxury Hotel
Who moves to Sedona, AZ in. their 50's and without any experience in the hospitality business, builds a luxury hotel? Steve Segner did! The same guy at 21 years old buys his first pet store while he has another day job. And then ends up becoming a pet biz mogul, by starting a line of regional pet stores and creating and selling one of the first all-natural healthy pet food lines.
Whether it's the pet industry or building the El Portal, a top end adobe style hotel -- Steve is the poster child for our (Un)Retirement good life!
• More about Steve Segner: https://elportalsedona.com/the-story-of-el-portal-sedona-hotel-by-steve-segner
• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Steve-Segner-Interview-Pet-Biz-Exec-Reinvents-Himself-Builds-Luxury-Hotel
• Sponsored by Mike Ownbey, Compass Real Estate: https://www.mikeownbey.com
• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die
• Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast
• Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter:
https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe -
Brian Smith: Founder of UGG
What a fun interview with the founder of UGG boots! At 29, Brian Smith left the accounting world and Australia and headed to the beaches in Malibu to surf and look for the next big thing. Ever heard of UGG sheepskin boots?
He first targeted surfers and surf shops. You need to hear about the super-crazy ups and downs Brian faced into building a new cultural movement and a brand that is today a billion dollar operation.
• More about Brian Smith: https://briansmithspeaker.com/about-brian-smith
• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Brian-Smith-Interview-Founder-of-UGG
• Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/podcast
• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die
• Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe
Customer Reviews
I Used to be Somebody
Carl, does an amazing job providing new information for 55 while integrating inspiration for what could be and what is possible for retirement or as we contemplate our second act.
Insightful and entertaining
A well thought out podcast. The flow of the interviews gives your insight to upbringing, background or career choices, leading to to passionate second acts. All done in an entertaining storytelling way. Gives audiences hope to “do their thing” if their not doing it already.
Love listening!
Really love your podcast from start to finish! Also, bought Pickleball for Dummies and enjoying it also!