Common Denominator with Moshe Popack

Moshe Popack
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What values truly drive meaningful success—in business, leadership, and life? Common Denominator with Moshe Popack dives deep into the mindset, habits, and principles that connect us all. Each week, Moshe sits down with bold thinkers, entrepreneurs, and everyday heroes to share real stories and actionable insights that inspire personal growth, mental wellness, and purpose-driven success.

  1. What the Best Founders Do Differently (From a Former Google Chief Evangelist)

    4D AGO

    What the Best Founders Do Differently (From a Former Google Chief Evangelist)

    What separates the companies that win from the ones that quietly fade away? Nicolas Darveau-Garneau — former Google Chief Evangelist, multi-time founder, angel investor, and author — joins me to unpack what he’s learned after advising over 1,000 CEOs and investing in more than 25 companies. Nicolas breaks down why product-market fit is everything, why most founders misunderstand who their best customers really are, and how a single clear metric can align an entire organization. Drawing on stories from Google, SpaceX, Amazon, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, he reveals why speed, clarity, and purpose consistently outperform complexity and brute force. They explore why storytelling is not a talent but a practiced skill, why timing matters as much as the idea itself, and why the ability to “get better at getting better” may be the only sustainable competitive advantage in the age of AI. This conversation is essential listening for founders, operators, investors, and anyone building something that matters.  In this episode, you'll learn: - The three traits great founders consistently share - Why 10% of customers often drive 80–90% of profits  - Why speed and operational cadence beat perfection  - How great companies build systems that improve without the CEO  - The biggest mistakes founders make when scaling  - Why purpose—not profit alone—sustains founders through hard times  Check out Nicolas’ new book: ⁠Be a Sequoia, Not a Bonsai: The Seven Growth Secrets of the World’s Most Successful Companies⁠ https://www.amazon.com/Sequoia-Not-Bonsai-Successful-Companies/dp/1400254248 Like this episode? Leave a review here:https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator 🎙 Common Denominator Podcast  Website:⁠ https://moshepopack.com/podcast/⁠  YouTube: @mpopack  Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/mpopack ⁠ Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack⁠  Newsletter:⁠ https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/⁠

    43 min
  2. Retirement, AI, Housing & the Next Financial Crisis | Economist Laurence Kotlikoff

    JAN 21

    Retirement, AI, Housing & the Next Financial Crisis | Economist Laurence Kotlikoff

    Most people don’t have a money problem — they have a thinking problem. In this episode of Common Denominator, I sit down with economist Laurence Kotlikoff – Boston University professor and creator of MaxiFi financial planning –  to unpack the biggest lie we tell ourselves about our financial lives: that we don’t need to look… and it’ll all work out. Laurence explains why so many of us avoid our numbers (fear, superstition, math phobia), why much of Wall Street’s “standard advice” conflicts with real economics, and why personal finance is far more complicated than people realize — from taxes and inflation to Social Security’s 22,000-page rulebook. We talk through what it actually takes to answer the simplest question that drives everything: How much can I safely spend — and keep spending — without running out? We also zoom out to the macro questions people feel every day: whether Social Security could be cut, whether AI has created a market bubble, how panic can move markets even when fundamentals don’t, what housing really means as an inflation hedge, and why inflation hurts households so differently depending on how their income and assets are structured. This conversation is a reminder that “having your finances straight” isn’t about luck, hype, or perfect timing — it’s about getting clear, making sustainable decisions, and using the right tools to avoid leaving massive money on the table. In this episode you’ll learn: - The biggest lie people tell themselves about money — and why it’s so common - Why personal finance isn’t “simple math” (and why most people freeze anyway) - How to think about spending safely if you live to 100 - What a 23% Social Security benefit cut could mean — and how to plan around it - Why many households make the wrong Social Security decision and lose big - Whether AI stocks are overvalued — and how bubbles (and panic) form - How the market can drop hard even without “fundamental” reasons - When buying a home makes sense vs. renting — and what people miss - Why inflation burns some people and spares others (and how to protect yourself) - The “common denominator” of people who actually stay financially secure Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator Chapters: 00:00 The Biggest Lie We Tell Ourselves About Money 02:23 Welcome + Why We Avoid Our Finances 05:10 Why Financial Planning Is So Complicated 07:34 Math Phobia, Behavioral Avoidance, and Real Solutions 11:23 Social Security “Running Out” + Planning for Benefit Cuts 14:54 AI, Market Valuations, and Bubble Risk 19:50 Panic, Multiple Equilibria, and Why Markets Crash 22:06 Real Estate: When to Buy and How to Think About Risk 25:22 Housing as an Inflation Hedge 27:26 Money Supply, Inflation, and What People Feel Day-to-Day 32:13 America’s Debt, Fiscal Solvency, and Unfunded Liabilities 34:44 Practical Solutions + “You’re Hired” Reforms 41:50 The Common Denominator of Financial Stability 44:11 Final Takeaways + Where to Find Laurence Follow Laurence: Website: Kotlikoff.net Newsletter: https://larrykotlikoff.substack.com/  MaxiFi: https://www.maxifi.com/  Book: Money Magic https://www.amazon.com/Money-Magic-Economists-Secrets-Better/dp/0316541958  🎙 Common Denominator Podcast Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/ YouTube: @mpopack Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

    41 min
  3. Freedom Goes Both Ways | Why Honesty, Community & Values Matter

    JAN 19

    Freedom Goes Both Ways | Why Honesty, Community & Values Matter

    In this solo episode of Common Denominator, I speak honestly—without tiptoeing, without trying to provoke, and without apologizing for having values. I believe in morality. I believe in freedom. And I don’t believe those things are supposed to be at odds with each other. Somewhere along the way, “live and let live” started to mean staying silent, hiding your beliefs, or walking on eggshells to avoid disagreement. I don’t agree with that. Freedom goes both ways—you get to be you, and I get to be me—and neither of us has to cancel the other out for that to work. This episode isn’t about politics. It’s about how we’re actually living. I talk about the loss of real community in a world that’s more connected than ever, and why performative connection, social media, and constant screens are leaving people lonelier, not closer. I share a powerful experience through my 17-year-old son, who organically brought together over 100 people—no phones, no agenda, no branding—just real human connection. What happened that night says a lot about what we’re missing. We don’t need more content. We need more context. We don’t need more outrage. We need more grounding. And we don’t need more rules about what we’re allowed to say—we need more spaces where people are allowed to be human. This episode is about honesty, freedom, community, and why avoiding hard conversations is more dangerous than having them. It’s about listening instead of trying to win—and finding the overlap that connects us all. If you believe you shouldn’t have to hide who you are to respect others, this conversation is for you. Timestamps: 00:00 Why honesty feels controversial 02:20 What real community actually looks like 04:50 The cost of performative connection 07:15 Freedom, values, and the common denominator Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator 🎙 Common Denominator Podcast Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/ YouTube: @mpopack Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

    8 min
  4. Grief Is a Common Denominator: Finding Hope After Unimaginable Loss | Theo Boyd

    JAN 14

    Grief Is a Common Denominator: Finding Hope After Unimaginable Loss | Theo Boyd

    What happens when life shatters — and there’s no roadmap for putting it back together? Theo Boyd, author, grief educator, and host of the Think Theo podcast, joins me to explore grief not as something to “get over,” but as something we learn to live with. Theo shares her personal story of devastating loss — the tragic accident that took her mother’s life, followed years later by her father’s suicide — and how those experiences reshaped her faith, identity, and understanding of hope. We unpack why grief looks different for everyone, why comparison silences healing, and how presence may be the most sacred response to pain. Theo reframes hope not as optimism or positivity, but as a practice that arrives in its own time. From learning to “say the words that carry the weight of pain,” to finding meaning through service, hobbies, and love after loss, this conversation is a powerful reminder that grief may be one of humanity’s truest common denominators. In this episode you’ll learn: - Why grief is not something you move past — but something you learn to live with - How comparison and advice can unintentionally silence grievers - Why hope doesn’t show up early — and why that’s okay - The difference between meaning and purpose after loss - How presence can be the most powerful form of healing - Why serving others is often the doorway back to life - How love, faith, and purpose can exist after devastation - Why grief may be one of our greatest shared human experiences Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator Chapters: 00:00 The Journey of Grief and Resilience 03:09 Understanding Grief as a Constant Companion 05:52 The Impact of Loss on Life and Relationships 08:51 Finding Purpose Through Pain 12:08 The Importance of Individual Grief Experiences 14:48 Hope: A Journey from Darkness to Light 17:45 Integrating Hope into Daily Life 21:02 Spirituality and Grief: Finding Meaning 23:50 The Role of Presence in Healing 27:11 Encouragement and Moving Forward Follow Theo: Website: Thinktheo.com Instagram: @think_theo  🎙 Common Denominator Podcast Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/ YouTube: @mpopack Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

    34 min
  5. Inside Miami's Premium Podcast Studio | The Chat Room

    JAN 12

    Inside Miami's Premium Podcast Studio | The Chat Room

    A behind-the-scenes look at our brand-new custom-built podcast studio in Miami Beach, Florida. Introducing The Chat Room.  See the vision, design, and creative workflow behind building a studio that’s made for high-quality podcast production, real conversations, and next-level content.  Book Your Session at The Chat Room: https://thechatroomstudios.com/

    2 min
  6. Living With Intention: Fear, Purpose, and Designing a Meaningful Life | Sanni McCandless Honnold

    JAN 7

    Living With Intention: Fear, Purpose, and Designing a Meaningful Life | Sanni McCandless Honnold

    What if the goal of life wasn’t comfort, success, or even happiness – but meaning? In this episode of Common Denominator, I sit down with Sanni McCandless Honnold, a life and career coach who helps people design lives rooted in courage, intention, and self-trust. We explore why fear isn’t something to overcome but something to walk alongside, how imposter syndrome is actually a sign of growth, and why the most meaningful lives are built in chapters – not linear paths. Sanni shares how intentional living starts with honest self-check-ins, why confidence isn’t about ability but self-acceptance, and how nature plays a powerful role in regulating our nervous system and reconnecting us to presence. We also dive into relationships with high performers, parenting, and what it really means to live with perspective when life feels short and precious. This conversation is for anyone feeling stuck, burned out, or quietly craving a life that feels richer, braver, and more alive. In this episode you’ll learn: - Why fear doesn’t go away, and why that’s okay - The real antidote to imposter syndrome - Why confidence is about self-acceptance, not competence - How nature restores presence and regulates the nervous system - The difference between comfort, meaning, and peak experiences - What courageous, intentional people truly have in common - How to live intentionally without being reckless or selfish If you’re questioning your path, your priorities, or what you actually want out of life — this episode will meet you right where you are. Like this episode? Leave a review here:https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & The Power of the Mind and Reality 02:15 – Intentional Living: Crafting Meaningful Lives 06:10 – Courage and Overcoming Fear 10:12 – Navigating Imposter Syndrome 13:04 – The Dynamics of High-Performance Relationships 25:29 – Creating Community with OutWild 28:37 – The Importance of Nature in Our Lives 32:18 – Living with Courage and Intention Follow Sanni:  Instagram: @sannimccandless Learn more about her work: linktr.ee/sannihonnold 🎙 Common Denominator Podcast Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/ YouTube: @mpopack Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

    33 min
  7. Why Traveling Made Me Realize How Lucky We Are to Live in America (and Florida)

    12/22/2025

    Why Traveling Made Me Realize How Lucky We Are to Live in America (and Florida)

    After traveling through Japan, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Europe, I came home with a powerful realization: the United States—especially Florida—offers a level of opportunity, freedom, and growth that’s hard to match anywhere else in the world. In this solo episode of Common Denominator, I reflect on what global travel revealed about: - Why economic conservatism can lead to stagnation - How Japan’s financial system became a cautionary tale - Why parts of Europe feel stable but stuck - The realities of property investment, taxes, and growth abroad - And why Florida stands out with no state income tax, business-friendly policies, and massive inbound migration We talk GDP, global economies, population growth, and what it really means to live in a system designed for upward mobility and innovation. If you’re thinking about where to live, invest, build a business, or raise a family, this episode offers perspective you can’t get without stepping outside the U.S. bubble. Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator 🎙 Common Denominator Podcast Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/ YouTube: @mpopack Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

    5 min
  8. Natural Healing for Chronic Stress, Anxiety, Burnout, and Pain | Jason van Blerk

    12/17/2025

    Natural Healing for Chronic Stress, Anxiety, Burnout, and Pain | Jason van Blerk

    What if you could reduce chronic pain, stress, and tension in just 15 minutes a day—without pills, surgeries, or endless appointments? In this conversation, I sit down with Jason van Blerk, former professional soccer player and co-founder of the Human Garage fascia method. Jason shares why he and his team closed their successful Los Angeles clinic after nearly a decade and shifted to one mission: democratizing self-healing so people can learn to heal their own bodies. He also opens up about his own breaking point—doing everything “right” in life and still ending up miserable—and how that moment pushed him to completely redesign his health, career, and purpose. In this episode you’ll learn: - Why Jason believes the traditional “fix the patient” model is broken - How habits become locked in at the subconscious level after 28–40 days - Why so many young people now have health issues that used to show up at 60-70 Like this episode? Leave a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/commondenominator Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & What Are “Facial/Fascia Maneuvers” 05:00 – Why the “Fix the Patient” Health Model Is Broken 10:00 – Jason’s Personal Breaking Point as a Professional Athlete 15:00 – How Chronic Stress and Emotions Get Stored in the Body 20:00 – Why We’re Seeing Burnout and Chronic Illness at Younger Ages 25:00 – What Truly Healthy People Have in Common 30:00 – From Fighting the Medical System to Collaboration 35:00 – Gratitude, Community, and Living a Life That’s Truly Yours 40:00 – Final Reflections & Closing Thoughts Follow  @jason.vanblerk : https://www.instagram.com/jasonvanblerk/?hl=en Learn more about Human Garage: https://www.instagram.com/humangarage/?hl=en https://linktr.ee/HumanGarage 🎙 Common Denominator Podcast Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/ YouTube: @mpopack Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack Newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/

    23 min
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5
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About

What values truly drive meaningful success—in business, leadership, and life? Common Denominator with Moshe Popack dives deep into the mindset, habits, and principles that connect us all. Each week, Moshe sits down with bold thinkers, entrepreneurs, and everyday heroes to share real stories and actionable insights that inspire personal growth, mental wellness, and purpose-driven success.

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