Vegas Circle

The Vegas Circle

Step into the electrifying world of The Vegas Circle, a dynamic American podcast based in the vibrant city of Las Vegas. Guided by the infectious energy of Co-Founders Paki Phillips, hailing from Chicago, and Chris Smith, a proud Detroit native, this podcast burst onto the scene in July 2018 with a mission—to amplify the voices of those with extraordinary stories shaping the cultural landscape not only in Las Vegas but across the globe. Picture this: A podcast that doesn't just talk, but roars with life. The Vegas Circle Podcast has played host to an impressive lineup of trailblazers, from the charismatic Global Keynote Speaker Nick Santonastasso to the gridiron legend and Hall of Fame hopeful Steven Jackson. The excitement doesn't stop there—Wellness Coach Kelley Fertitta-Nemiro, NBA Players CJ Watson and Marcus Banks, Amazon Web Services Co-Founder Robert Frederick, Nike Master Trainer Traci Copeland, and even "The Last Dance" Producer Matt Maxson have all graced the podcast with their presence. But wait, there's more! Prepare to be spellbound as the podcast delves into the magical world of Magician & Illusionist Jay Owenhouse, explores the seasoned insights of MLB Veteran James Loney, and hears from entrepreneurial maestros like Blake Wynn, Dean Grey, and Del Wayne. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. The Vegas Circle Podcast isn't just a podcast; it's a pulsating force that transcends boundaries. You can catch the excitement on all major platforms, including Apple and Google Podcasts, Anchor, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Dive into the thrill at TheVegasCircle.com or connect with them via email at admin@thevegascircle.com. Feel the pulse of The Vegas Circle across social media: Instagram: @vegascirclepodcastFacebook: @TheVegasCirclePodcastLinkedIn: Vegas Circle PodcastX: @CircleVegas Don't just listen—immerse yourself in the whirlwind of stories that redefine the podcast experience. The Vegas Circle Podcast: where the energy never sleeps.

  1. 12H AGO

    Miesha Tate Gets Brutally Honest About UFC, Motherhood & Hormones

    Send us Fan Mail Your training plan might be solid, your work ethic might be elite, and you still might be playing the wrong game for your body. Former UFC champion, entrepreneur, and mom Miesha Tate joins us on Vegas Circle Podcast and takes us from cage-level mindset to day-to-day life, starting with parenting in the real world: sports drop-offs, busy schedules, and the belief that our job is to challenge our kids and guide them through pressure, not remove it.  From there, we get into what combat sports actually teach: problem-solving under stress, self-defence confidence, and the kind of calm posture and situational awareness that makes you a harder target in any environment. Miesha breaks down how she prepares mentally before a fight using visualisation, naming intrusive thoughts, and reframing fear toward what she can control. That same mental toughness shows up again when she talks about transitions, entrepreneurship, and why “safe is not where you grow.”  Then the conversation goes deep on women’s health, female athlete training, and hormone cycles. We talk progesterone, the luteal phase, why weight cutting can hit women differently, and how training like a “male model” can lead to burnout, injury, and even amenorrhea. Miesha also shares how better communication at home changes everything and closes with hard-earned honesty about strength, vulnerability, and leaving toxic relationships when endurance turns into self-erasure.  If you care about mindset, resilience, women’s hormone health, self-defence, and building a personal brand with integrity, you will get a lot from this one. Subscribe, share this with someone who trains hard, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you are applying this week.

    52 min
  2. APR 24

    From Local Kid to Congress—Now He Represents HALF of NV | Inside the Mind of Rep. Steven Horsford

    Send us Fan Mail Rent up, groceries up, wages stretched thin and somehow the “American Dream” keeps moving farther away. We sat down with Congressman Steven Horsford to talk about what that pressure looks like on the ground in Las Vegas and across Nevada’s 4th District, and what government can actually do when working families feel boxed in. He shares his own path from being raised here by an immigrant mother to leading major job training programs, then taking that fight for opportunity to Congress.  We get specific about housing affordability in Southern Nevada: how institutional investors and corporate hedge funds can buy homes with cash, outbid first-time buyers and veterans, convert neighborhoods into high-rent portfolios, and leave communities paying the price. Horsford breaks down his role as a representative, including constituent services many people never realize exist, like helping with VA problems, cutting through federal bureaucracy, and pointing small business owners toward SBA resources and capital.  The conversation also goes bigger than policy. We talk about the sacrifice and scrutiny of public office, why he calls this a moral moment, what accountability should look like even for the powerful, and how the legacy of leaders like Jesse Jackson connects voting rights to economic justice today. If you care about Las Vegas, Nevada politics, small business, or the housing market, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with the one issue you want leaders to fix first.

    45 min
  3. APR 10

    Ed Pizzarello: The Man Behind the Most Unique Five Guys Ever Built

    Send us Fan Mail Vegas can make a normal business model look impossible, and that’s why we wanted this conversation. We’re joined by Ed “Pizza” Pizzarello, a longtime Five Guys franchise owner and operator who went from four-diamond hospitality and consulting to helping open the third Five Guys franchise store back in 2002. He tells us what it felt like to bet on a small “cult burger” brand before it had the systems and scale it’s known for today, and what changes when a franchise grows into a global name. Then we go full Las Vegas. Ed breaks down the thinking behind a true flagship Five Guys on the Strip near the Venetian, including what it takes to build a 10,000-square-foot destination with a bar, late-night energy, and menu ideas you won’t find back home. We talk boozy milkshakes, how alcohol changes shake texture, and why seasonal R&D matters when your brand promise is “fresh.” If you’re curious about restaurant tech, you’ll love the details on ordering kiosks loaded with 35 languages for international guests, plus the “Brand Ambassador” role that keeps service human and helps customers order the right amount. We also get real about restaurant ownership: construction costs in Las Vegas, why an $8 million build can happen fast, and how a rare 50-50 joint venture with the Five Guys founding family changes the usual franchise fee structure. Along the way, Ed shares leadership lessons on culture, loyalty, and staying steady through lumpy demand tied to travel and big events. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves business stories, and leave a review with your biggest question about franchising or building a brand in Las Vegas.

    31 min
  4. MAR 27

    She Rebuilt Healthcare Without Insurance—And It’s Working | Dr. Jade Norris

    Send us Fan Mail The healthcare system feels expensive, confusing, and slow for a reason and Dr. Jade Norris isn’t afraid to say it out loud. We sit down with the founder and CEO of Inspire Primary Care in Las Vegas to talk about Direct Primary Care (DPC), a membership medicine model that skips the insurance middleman for most everyday needs and brings back what people actually want: time, access, and a real relationship with their primary care doctor. We get specific about how DPC works, what a typical monthly membership costs, and why transparent pricing changes everything. Dr. Jade breaks down cash-pay labs and imaging, the hidden inflation inside insurance billing, and how people can keep insurance for the big stuff while using membership-based primary care for the 90% that happens under one roof. If you’ve ever been told to “go see three specialists” or waited months for approvals, this conversation will feel like someone finally translated the system into plain English. Then we go beyond the business model. Dr. Jade shares what it took to open her practice straight from residency while eight weeks postpartum, how she learned entrepreneurship like an MBA at night, and why mentors matter. We also talk medical weight loss, obesity stigma, and GLP-1 medications through the lens of outcomes that matter like energy, sleep apnea, and chronic disease risk. To round it out, she reflects on Las Vegas as a medical desert, her children’s books (You Can Call Me Queen / King), and practical ways to protect your energy while building a big life. If you got value from this, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s fed up with healthcare, and leave a review. What’s the biggest barrier keeping you from getting consistent primary care?

    38 min
  5. MAR 14

    Beyond The Game Live Podcast with Morris Jackson | Ricardo Laguna | Ron Johnson | Vegas Circle

    Send us Fan Mail We took “Beyond the Game” live, and the biggest theme that keeps showing up is simple: talent is common, structure is rare. So we brought in three people who’ve actually built systems around talent and turned it into careers, community, and ownership right here in Las Vegas and far beyond. Morris Jackson breaks down how esports goes way past “kids playing video games.” We talk youth esports training, discipline, coaching, teamwork, and why the new third space for young people is digital. He shares how Valhalla builds an 18 month development pathway, why off screen learning matters as much as game time, and how branding and professionalism can make or break sponsorships. If you’ve ever wondered whether esports careers are real, this conversation puts numbers, process, and accountability behind it. Ricardo Laguna connects BMX risk to entrepreneurship, networking, and investing. He gets real about failing fast, protecting your time, and why some “easy” businesses cost more than money. Then Ron “The American Dream” Johnson brings the boxing promoter perspective: how he learned discipline early, what influencer boxing changes for the sport, and why athletes have to stop chasing relevance and start building ownership. We close with a message on unity, respect, and building something that lasts. If you got value from this, subscribe, share it with someone building their next chapter, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

    1h 6m
  6. JAN 30

    The Judge behind million-dollar business battles | Judge Joanna Kishner

    Send us Fan Mail Justice doesn’t happen by accident; it’s built on preparation, clarity, and access. We sit with Judge Joanna Kishner, a lifelong Nevadan and veteran district court judge, to unpack how Las Vegas handles business court disputes, construction defect claims, and the everyday civil cases that shape our city’s growth. From the first filing to appeals, she explains how disciplined reading, careful analysis, and open hearings produce decisions people can trust. We dig into the realities behind the robe: what a district judge actually does, how trials and motions differ, and why volunteer settlement conferences often save litigants years of time and money. Joanna breaks down Nevada’s evolving legal landscape—where precedent is still maturing—and how judges adapt by drawing smart analogies from other jurisdictions. She shares candid insights on jurisdiction battles, complex multi-party matters, and the sheer diligence it takes to manage thousands of pages without losing the thread of fairness. Entrepreneurs get clear, actionable advice. Handshakes aren’t enough. Define ownership and roles, write operating agreements, track orders and changes, and know your timelines because statutes of limitations can make or break a case. “Good” lawyers are the ones who prepare and advocate clearly, regardless of seniority. We also talk about jury duty as a civic education, mentoring and community work at Boyd Law, and the importance of pro bono service to support neighbors across Clark County. This is a grounded, human look at how courts protect consumers and businesses while strengthening a fast-growing city. If you value smart conversations about law, business, and community, hit follow, share this with a friend who’s building something, and leave a quick review with your biggest takeaway. Your feedback helps more listeners find the show and join the circle.

    33 min
  7. JAN 16

    From Soles to Souls: How Al Baker Turned Jordans Into Art

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when you take a beloved sneaker, dissect it with surgical care, and present it like a museum specimen? We sat down with Al Baker, the artist behind Deadstock Anatomies, to unpack how an entomology display at home inspired a breakout art form that sneakerheads, athletes, and brands can’t stop talking about. From a carefully pared-back booth at ComplexCon to commissions for high-profile clients, Al shows us why restraint and intention can draw bigger crowds than flashy builds ever could. Al breaks down the craft with clarity. Some silhouettes like the Jordan 1 come apart cleanly, but modern foams and rubbers fight back, forcing slow, blade-by-blade work to preserve both sole and upper. That discipline protects the shoe’s story while creating a striking frame that reveals design lines, textures, and engineering choices. He talks authenticity checks, why he refuses to work with replicas, and what it feels like to cut into a $12,000 grail without flinching. We also get the origin story: years of sketching sneakers as a kid, a detour through competitive billiards that taught focus, and a move to Las Vegas for outdoor access and a rising arts scene. We cover growth, too: scaling from single-shoe frames to multi-pair pieces, navigating the business basics, and the dream of a future collaboration with a major brand. Al shares a grounded take on AI—useful for research and light marketing, but no replacement for the tactile honesty of hand-built art. Along the way we spotlight Vegas culture, from the Arts District to food gems worth a detour, and the idea of a gallery model that lowers the barrier for new artists. If you care about sneakers, design, or building something original in a noisy world, this one’s for you. Follow Deadstock Anatomies for the latest builds, then tell us which silhouette you’d want framed next. If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show.

    32 min
5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Step into the electrifying world of The Vegas Circle, a dynamic American podcast based in the vibrant city of Las Vegas. Guided by the infectious energy of Co-Founders Paki Phillips, hailing from Chicago, and Chris Smith, a proud Detroit native, this podcast burst onto the scene in July 2018 with a mission—to amplify the voices of those with extraordinary stories shaping the cultural landscape not only in Las Vegas but across the globe. Picture this: A podcast that doesn't just talk, but roars with life. The Vegas Circle Podcast has played host to an impressive lineup of trailblazers, from the charismatic Global Keynote Speaker Nick Santonastasso to the gridiron legend and Hall of Fame hopeful Steven Jackson. The excitement doesn't stop there—Wellness Coach Kelley Fertitta-Nemiro, NBA Players CJ Watson and Marcus Banks, Amazon Web Services Co-Founder Robert Frederick, Nike Master Trainer Traci Copeland, and even "The Last Dance" Producer Matt Maxson have all graced the podcast with their presence. But wait, there's more! Prepare to be spellbound as the podcast delves into the magical world of Magician & Illusionist Jay Owenhouse, explores the seasoned insights of MLB Veteran James Loney, and hears from entrepreneurial maestros like Blake Wynn, Dean Grey, and Del Wayne. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. The Vegas Circle Podcast isn't just a podcast; it's a pulsating force that transcends boundaries. You can catch the excitement on all major platforms, including Apple and Google Podcasts, Anchor, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Dive into the thrill at TheVegasCircle.com or connect with them via email at admin@thevegascircle.com. Feel the pulse of The Vegas Circle across social media: Instagram: @vegascirclepodcastFacebook: @TheVegasCirclePodcastLinkedIn: Vegas Circle PodcastX: @CircleVegas Don't just listen—immerse yourself in the whirlwind of stories that redefine the podcast experience. The Vegas Circle Podcast: where the energy never sleeps.