#277: Laura G. Patac — Whole, Not Perfect: Reinventing and Reclaiming Yourself
Release Date: 11/24/2025
#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...
info_outline
#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_outline
Mike'D Up! with Mike DiCioccio Trailer
MIKE'D UP!
Welcome to Mike’D Up!, I’m your host, Mike DiCioccio, and I created this podcast back in 2019 with a mission to inspire other early-stage entrepreneurs to follow their dreams, level up in every way possible, personally and professionally, and to give them real, applicable advice and wisdom from experts who have actually done it before. No empty rah rah from people who haven’t walked the walk. And since launching, I have interviewed over 275 experts, award-winning authors, business leaders, high-performance athletes, talented performers, and people who have never given up on themselves...
info_outline
#290: Russ Hedge — Life Happens…And Then You Choose!
MIKE'D UP!
This week on Mike’D Up!, Russ Hedge returns with a story of resilience, faith, and redemption. After facing stage four melanoma and the brutal realities of treatment, Russ shares how his strong faith helped him navigate through uncertainty and battle fear. He recently received the incredible news that he is cancer-free. But this is not only a story about surviving cancer. It’s about choosing perspective when everything feels out of control. Rooted in the message of his book Russ reveals how adversity can become fuel, how mindset shapes meaning, and why hope is a decision we make daily....
info_outline
#289: Bill Blankschaen — Your Story Isn’t About You. It’s About THEM.
MIKE'D UP!
Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in leadership and business. It is also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of Mike’D Up!, Mike sits down with Bill Blankschaen, founder and Chief Story Architect of Story Builders, for a practical and eye-opening conversation about how to tell stories that actually connect, influence, and move people to action. Drawing on principles popularized by John Maxwell and refined through years of coaching leaders, Bill explains why effective communication requires flipping the focus from me to THEM. Great storytelling is not about showcasing...
info_outline
#288: The Real ROI of Podcasting: How Relationships Rebuilt My Business | Mike DiCioccio
MIKE'D UP!
In this solo episode, I reveal the truth most people completely miss about podcasting. The real ROI isn’t downloads. It isn’t sponsorships. It isn’t vanity metrics. It’s access. It’s trust. It’s relationships. It’s the ability to sit down with people you admire, build genuine connections, and create opportunities that would have been impossible otherwise. And over time, those relationships compound into something far greater than any single episode. During one of the most challenging financial periods of my life, I felt a tug from God to launch this podcast. It became a way to...
info_outline
#287: Kevin Anderson — The #1 New York Times Editor Behind 50+ National Bestsellers
MIKE'D UP!
In this episode, Mike welcomes , New York Times bestselling editor and founder of , the world's largest and most prestigious book-writing firm, for a candid conversation about growth, delegation, and the hidden power of publishing. Kevin brings decades of experience working behind the scenes with top entrepreneurs, executives, and thought leaders to help them scale their impact through books. Kevin breaks down the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make, including trying to do everything themselves and waiting too long to bring in professional support. He explains why delegation isn’t...
info_outline
#286: Fred Joyal — Superbold: From Under-Confident to Charismatic in 90 Days
MIKE'D UP!
What if confidence isn’t something you’re born with, but something you build? This week, Mike welcomes , bestselling author, international keynote speaker, and co-founder of 1-800-DENTIST, the nation’s leading dentist referral service, which generated more than $1 billion in revenue under his leadership. Once deeply introverted, Fred transformed his life through one powerful realization: bold action creates confidence, not the other way around. Now the author of , Fred reveals how boldness is not a personality trait; it’s a learnable life skill. Through personal stories and practical...
info_outline
#285: Yun Rhee — Awakening Your Potential: Energy Alignment & Nervous System Regulation
MIKE'D UP!
What if everything you’ve been taught about success is wrong? In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Mike sits down with —a visionary leader, community builder, human potential catalyst, and founder of —for a conversation that bridges ancient spiritual wisdom with cutting-edge science. Yun brings a rare perspective on personal transformation, blending deep intuition with modern research to challenge conventional definitions of achievement and fulfillment. From her early journey as a Korean immigrant shaped by discipline, sacrifice, and perseverance, Yun reveals how the traditional...
info_outline
#284: Derek Strokon — Escaping Hero Culture: Embracing Authenticity and Generosity
MIKE'D UP!
When the wins keep coming, but fulfillment fades, what’s really missing? In this unforgettable episode, Mike welcomes , CEO of , three-time international , , and philanthropic force, for a raw, inspiring conversation about redefining success and living with intention. Derek opens up about his journey from the high-pressure world of corporate finance and material excess to a life grounded in gratitude, service, and authentic connection. After downsizing from a 5,100-square-foot home, he discovered that less can truly become more…more impact, more meaning, and more fulfillment. At the heart...
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