A recruiter and coach as she shares her transformative journey through the pandemic that inspired her book Thriving After 40, Jolie Downs.
Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein
Release Date: 10/25/2024
A Cybersecurity expert's journey through the evolution of cybercrime—from the innocent experimentation of the early internet to today’s AI-powered, state-sponsored threats, Joseph Steinberg.
Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein
Joseph Steinberg is a leading cybersecurity expert who has worked in the field since its early days, tracing his journey back to the pre-commercial internet of the 1980s and 90s. With a strong technical foundation and a master’s degree from NYU, he began his career in the mid-1990s, integrating security systems for financial institutions before moving into startups, writing, consulting, and eventually expert witness testimony. Recognized for his ability to demystify complex digital evidence in court, Steinberg now helps legal teams navigate high-stakes cybersecurity litigation. His...
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An extraordinary journey from his humble beginnings in a Canadian oil town to the far reaches of the globe, retracing the paths of legendary explorers and embarking on solo expeditions across challenging terrains, Bert Terhart.
Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein
Bert Terhart is an adventurer, sailor, and lifelong explorer who currently resides on a smaller island off Vancouver Island, Canada, a place with a surprisingly large population of 750,000. Originally from the prairies of Canada near Fargo, North Dakota, Bert grew up in a small, hardworking oil town, shaped by cold landscapes and a strong sense of community. His Dutch heritage, with a family background in the Merchant Marine, ignited his lifelong love of sailing. Bert joined the Canadian Army at 17, attending the Canadian military college, the equivalent of West Point. He served in the...
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Unconventional path took him from coding at age 10 to founding startups, embracing digital nomadism, and pioneering AI-driven business solutions, Matt Leta.
Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein
Matt Leta is a Polish-born entrepreneur, digital artist, and AI innovator. A gifted but rebellious student, he discovered his passion for coding at age 10 and later explored architecture and music. At 19, he founded Dropper, a mobile-first platform for artists, which grew to 250,000 users before securing seven-figure funding and moving to California. Anticipating the remote work revolution, Matt launched multiple ventures, including Table, but faced challenges, including a hostile takeover. After stepping away, he traveled the world, founded Fukui Cool, a successful digital agency, and...
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A retired veteran, pastor, mentor, author, podcaster, and selfless servant earned the nickname "Father Bob" for his dedicated and altruistic service, Robert Jordan.
Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein
Robert Jordan, raised in a small village in Upstate New York, grew up in a hardworking, blue-collar family with strong community ties. After high school, he farmed cattle for nine years before earning a degree from SUNY Albany. Inspired by the 1993 World Trade Center attack, he joined the Navy at age 34, intending to serve briefly before law school but instead committed to a long military career. Jordan served five tours in Afghanistan, rising from Chief Petty Officer to Chief Warrant Officer in elite special operations. Witnessing both the brutality of war and the resilience of the Afghan...
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Her powerful journey from an abusive childhood in New York to building a thriving beauty business and finding inner peace, Amanda Pichardo.
Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein
Amanda Pichardo is a beauty entrepreneur and inspiring storyteller who has transformed adversity into success. Overcoming a childhood marked by severe abuse in New York, she was removed from her home at age eight and later emancipated at 18, forcing her to navigate adulthood on her own. Determined to build a better future, she worked various jobs before dedicating herself to the beauty industry, creating a thriving business that granted her financial independence. Now a mother, Amanda prioritizes faith, personal growth, and inner peace, using her experiences to empower others. She...
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A real estate investor, speaker, and author specializing in private money lending who was once the largest mobile home retailer in the U.S, Jay Conner.
Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein
Jay Conner is a real estate investor, speaker, and author specializing in private money lending. Raised in Eastern North Carolina, he grew up in the mobile home industry, working alongside his father, who was once the largest mobile home retailer in the U.S. After the market collapsed in the early 2000s, Jay pivoted to flipping single-family homes, eventually averaging two to three deals per month with $86,000 in profits per flip. For years, Jay relied on traditional bank loans—until the 2008 financial crisis cut off his funding overnight. Determined to find a better way, he discovered...
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His unconventional path from working in the White House to launching a successful PR firm and entrepreneurial ventures, David Anderson.
Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein
David Anderson is a seasoned entrepreneur and leadership strategist with a dynamic career spanning public relations, behavioral marketing, and executive coaching. Growing up in New Jersey, he developed an early passion for business while working at a country club surrounded by successful entrepreneurs. After earning his degree from Arizona State University, David worked in Washington, D.C., serving under Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush before transitioning into public relations. David is the author of Leader’s Not a Title and a sought-after executive coach. Through his...
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From a childhood fascination with magic to earning a degree in psychology and criminal profiling and hebuilt a career that fuses mentalism with the power of human influence, Keith Kong.
Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein
Keith Kong is a world-class mentalist who blends psychology, influence, and showmanship to create mind-bending experiences. Initially aspiring to be a hostage negotiator, he became fascinated with magic at age 10 and later discovered mentalism through his studies in psychology and criminal profiling. After years of performing in Orlando’s entertainment scene—sometimes even underage—he turned his passion into a full-time career. His journey includes a triumphant return to Penn & Teller: Fool Us, where he successfully fooled the legendary duo. Today, Kong captivates audiences...
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With a background in visual communications and years of marketing and design experience she found her niche in PowerPoint presentation design, Emily Schneider.
Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein
Emily Schneider is a creatively curious branding and presentation designer who helps businesses communicate with clarity and impact. Growing up in the Midwest, she was always fascinated by how things work and how people connect—an interest that led her to study visual communications at the University of Kansas. After starting her career in marketing and agency work, Emily discovered her passion for PowerPoint design, recognizing its power in storytelling and branding. Now, with nearly a decade of freelance experience, she specializes in helping C-suite executives and business leaders...
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With a deep passion for value creation, tech innovation, and mentoring others, they share insights into their diverse career, from software development to building one of the first mobile app firms in Israel, Lior Weinstein.
Long Shot Leaders with Michael Stein
Lior Weinstein is an entrepreneur and fractional CTO/CRO based in Atlanta, Georgia. Born and raised in Israel in an entrepreneurial family, Lior developed an early passion for business and finance, launching his first company at 14 and trading stocks as a child. After serving in the Israeli special forces and intelligence, he transitioned into affiliate marketing and technology, founding one of Israel's first mobile app development companies. This venture led to the creation of successful apps like Baby First Mobile and the founding of Epoxy, a mobile marketing automation company that sold in...
info_outlineJolie Downs is a dynamic recruiter, coach, and author known for her compelling insights into personal growth and resilience. Her experiences during the pandemic inspired her to write Thriving After 40, a transformative book that explores universal principles for leading a fulfilling life. Originally focused on addressing ageism, Jolie shifted her perspective to uncover common traits of success through interviews with individuals who have faced adversity and emerged stronger. In her work, Jolie emphasizes the importance of setting clear personal goals, cultivating gratitude, and reframing challenges as opportunities for growth. She advocates for the philosophy of "Amor Fati," or loving one’s fate, encouraging others to embrace life’s realities and make empowering choices. Her book features poignant stories, including that of a woman with incurable cancer who chose to prioritize a meaningful life over despair, illustrating the power of resilience.
In addition to her writing, Jolie hosts a podcast where she shares her journey and insights. She is also the founder of Paradigm Staffing, where she combines her expertise in recruitment with her passion for coaching. Jolie is currently developing a two-month group coaching program set to launch in early 2025, focusing on practical applications of personal development principles. As she progresses in her endeavors, Jolie is working on an audiobook version of Thriving After 40, set for release in January 2025, aiming to deliver the material with the impactful style of renowned self-help figures. She openly discusses her experiences with imposter syndrome, emphasizing that such barriers should not deter individuals from pursuing their goals.
Jolie Downs remains an accessible and engaging presence on social media, including LinkedIn and Instagram, and her book is available on Amazon and soon on iBooks. Through her work, Jolie aims to inspire others to embrace their unique journeys and foster a mindset of gratitude and positivity.