#277: Laura G. Patac — Whole, Not Perfect: Reinventing and Reclaiming Yourself
Release Date: 11/24/2025
#300: Reimagining Mike’D Up! What’s Next for the Show?
MIKE'D UP!
In this episode, Mike marks a monumental milestone: 300 episodes of Mike’D Up! and shares something that's been on his heart: it's time to reset. Not walk away. Reset. After six and a half years, hundreds of conversations, and a show that started as a passion project and grew into something far bigger than he ever imagined, Mike is stepping back to reset, reflect, and reimagine what Mike’D Up! looks like next. With a cross-country move to Houston on the horizon, his daughter Izzy's scoliosis surgery approaching, and his podcast agency, Social Chameleon, entering a major new chapter, Mike...
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#299: Neal Foard — Why Stories Sell (And How to Pitch Anything Like a Pro)
MIKE'D UP!
Most ideas don't fail because they're bad. They fail because nobody saw the genius. This week, Mike welcomes Neal Foard, a 25-year advertising veteran who has crafted award-winning campaigns for Budweiser, Lexus, Sony, and Toyota. His international work earned him a spot among the top 10 most decorated creative directors in the world. Today, Neal advises Fortune 500 companies, universities, and even governments on the art of persuasive messaging, has graced the TEDx stage multiple times, and has built a massive following with viral videos that have moved millions with stories of everyday human...
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#298: Lisa Woodruff — Why Running Your Household Is a Business (And How to Actually Get Organized)
MIKE'D UP!
Running your household is a full-time job. And most of us are winging it. This week, Mike welcomes Lisa Woodruff, founder and CEO of and host of the top-rated podcast Organized 365 with over 24 million downloads. Here’s the scoop: 87% of Americans believe organization is a learnable skill, yet fewer than 18% actually feel organized. Lisa is here to fix that, breaking down why the household is a real business and why so many of us feel buried by it. Lisa shares her rock bottom story of being told she wasn't a good teacher, quitting the next day, and accidentally building a company that...
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#297: Alisa Sparks — From Garage Startup to 22 Locations: How She Built a Luxury Franchise
MIKE'D UP!
This week, Mike welcomes Alisa Sparks, Founder & CEO of Linden Creek, a luxury interior design and home staging franchise that has scaled to 22 locations across the country in only three years. Alisa shares how she made the leap from managing military finance budgets to launching a design business out of her garage, and the mindset shift required to go from talented designer to true business owner. The conversation unpacks what it really takes to franchise a business, including the painful process of documenting a 327-page operations manual and why proof of concept matters more than...
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#296: Doug Bolton, PhD — Why Kids Are More Anxious Than Ever (What Parents Are Missing)
MIKE'D UP!
This week, Mike welcomes back clinical psychologist and author to break down the growing youth mental health crisis. They explore why kids feel more disconnected than ever despite constant connectivity, and how stress is impacting not only children, but parents and teachers as well. From over-scheduled lives to over-parenting, Doug explains how today’s environment is limiting independence and resilience. The conversation also highlights rising anxiety and depression trends, along with key lessons learned from the pandemic, where reduced pressure improved mental health for some students....
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#295: Jennifer Chambers — Directing Theater & Film and Telling Stories That Connect
MIKE'D UP!
What makes a story truly stick? This week on Mike’D Up!, I sit down with Los Angeles–based director , whose work spans theater, film, and voiceover, including productions at the Geffen Playhouse, Barrington Stage Company, and the Kennedy Center. Jennifer shares what draws her to a script…powerful moments, a unique voice, or a visceral connection that tells her the story needs to be told. We talk about collaborating with playwrights, balancing creative vision with honoring the writer’s intent, and the differences between live theater’s immediacy and film’s longevity. She gives us...
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#294: Bishop Kevin Foreman — Your Past Doesn’t Define You. Your Purpose Does.
MIKE'D UP!
This week, Mike welcomes ., pastor of , author, entrepreneur, and leader impacting tens of thousands across the globe. From humble beginnings in Orange Mound, one of the toughest neighborhoods in Memphis, to building thriving churches and mentoring leaders worldwide, Bishop Foreman’s story is a powerful testament to faith, resilience, and purpose. Growing up surrounded by violence, instability, and adversity, Bishop Foreman experienced moments that could have easily defined his future. Instead, he made a decision early on: this would not be his story. That mindset became the foundation for...
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#293: Mitchell Osmond — Why Successful Men Feel Powerless at Home and How to Fix It
MIKE'D UP!
This week, Mike welcomes Mitchell Osmond, founder of and host of , helping men build legacy-driven success without sacrificing their families. On the outside, Mitchell had it all: career success, leadership roles, and momentum. But behind the scenes, he was overweight, in debt, disconnected in his marriage, and heading toward collapse. For Mitchell, everything changed after two pivotal moments: a devastating fight with his wife and a powerful wake-up call at a funeral that forced him to confront the life he was living and the legacy he was leaving behind. That moment sparked an 18-month...
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#292: Brandon Steiner — Building a Legacy Through Sports Collectibles
MIKE'D UP!
This week Mike welcomes legendary entrepreneur Brandon Steiner, founder of Steiner Sports and the visionary behind . From starting with $4,000 in 1987 to building a 50 million dollar sports collectibles empire, Brandon shares the real story behind his rise, complete with risks, failures, and game-changing partnerships. Brandon takes us inside the early days of athlete marketing, long before social media, where relationships, trust, and hustle were everything. By booking thousands of athlete appearances each year, he built a network that would later fuel one of the most iconic memorabilia...
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#291: Paul Hutchinson — Inside the Fight Against Child Trafficking
MIKE'D UP!
This week on Mike’D Up! Mike catches up with , investor, humanitarian, executive producer of the powerful blockbuster film Sound of Freedom, and author of the book . Paul has participated in more than 70 undercover rescue missions across 15 countries, helping liberate thousands of children from trafficking networks. As the founder of the , his work now focuses heavily on prevention, awareness, and equipping parents with the tools to protect their children in a rapidly changing digital world. In this powerful conversation, Paul explains why the greatest threat to children...
info_outlineIn this powerful episode, Mike welcomes back Laura G. Patac—author, storyteller, and transformation strategist—to explore the ideas behind her latest book, Whole, Not Perfect. Through honest conversation and deep insights, Laura reveals why reinvention isn’t a destination but a lived journey shaped by every experience, every pivot, and every scar earned along the way.
Together, Mike and Laura unpack the beauty of our personal origin stories and the quiet, unseen moments that shape who we become. Laura invites listeners to look beyond the myth of perfection and instead embrace the raw, unfiltered truth of their lives as a source of strength. From learning through failure and success to rediscovering the parts of ourselves we’ve left behind, this episode shows how clarity emerges when we honor our values, talents, and lived experiences.
With warmth and humor, Mike and Laura revisit some memorable moments from a previous episode, including Mike’s failed attempt to write his daily reminder on a sticky note, which sparks a candid reflection that meaningful change starts with small, but sometimes imperfect, steps. He now has the note written on his bathroom mirror: “What is the story YOU want to write TODAY?”
If you’re ready to reclaim your story, rediscover your strengths, and step boldly into the best version of yourself, this episode is your invitation.
IN THIS EPISODE:
📖✨ Embracing Your Story: How Every Experience Shapes Your Unique Journey
💪🎯 Strengths in Action: Aligning Your Talents with Real-Life Impact
🔄🚀 Pivot, Don’t Fail: Turning Setbacks into Forward Momentum
🌟💡 Intentional Growth: Transforming Your Aspirations into Daily Action
📘 BONUS TAKEAWAY:
Your story isn’t something you wait to discover; it’s something you actively write every day. Even the smallest, simplest habits can become catalysts for profound change when practiced with intention.
🚀 PERFECT FOR:
Those navigating life transitions, rebuilding confidence after setbacks, or rediscovering the strengths they’ve forgotten. If you’re seeking clarity, courage, and a deeper connection to your authentic self, this episode will feel like a guidebook, a mirror, and a gentle push forward.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
FREE BOOK: “Stories with Purpose”
NEW BOOK: “Whole, Not Perfect” is only $0.99 on Kindle from Nov 26–30! Don’t miss this Amazon Countdown Deal, perfect for Thanksgiving gratitude gifting.
Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life
Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO Podcast
Connect with Laura:
Connect with Mike:
SPONSORS:
Social Chameleon | Transform Your Podcast
AFFILIATES:
Libsyn: First Month FREE with Promo Code BEGREAT
Riverside | This interview was recorded on Riverside
Want to become a show sponsor or affiliate? Email mike@socialchameleon.us
Copyright © 2025 Mike’D Up! with Mike DiCioccio | For permission to use this content in any way, please email mike@socialchameleon.us