#278: Ben Johnson — Building Teams, Products, and the Future of Tech
Release Date: 12/01/2025
#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...
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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...
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#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....
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#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...
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#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...
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#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...
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#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...
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#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...
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#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...
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#283: Eli Igra Serfaty — Turn LinkedIn Into Your Most Powerful Growth Engine
MIKE'D UP!
What if the platform you’ve been using casually is actually your most powerful growth engine? In this episode, Mike sits down with , co-founder and CEO of , one of the world’s leading LinkedIn growth agencies. MAIA helps B2B founders and executives turn visibility into real trust, relationships, and revenue. With a background in venture capital and deep roots in Israel’s startup ecosystem, Eli brings a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on how influence is actually built in today’s professional world. Eli walks through his journey from venture capital at to founding MAIA...
info_outlineThis week, Mike is joined by Ben Johnson, CEO and Founder of Particle 41, for a sharp, energizing look at what it really takes to lead in today’s tech world. With more than 20 years of software experience and over $30 million raised across five startups, Ben brings the hard-earned lessons only a seasoned builder can offer.
Ben breaks down the traits of effective tech leadership—setting a clear vision, empowering teams, and avoiding micromanagement. He shares candid stories from his early days as a founder, including a memorable misunderstanding of “burn rate.” He explains why learning to speak the language of investors is essential for every entrepreneur.
The conversation dives into what it takes to build strong, predictable teams through communication, structure, and proven frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, and the “Cone of Certainty.” Ben also highlights the importance of starting with an MVP, validating demand, and iterating quickly—illustrated through the growth of Forte, an online music lesson platform that found success through smart, agile execution.
Ben also opens up about the four pillars that ground his life—faith, family, fitness, and finance—and shares a touching story about helping his son conquer a fear of heights, a moment that shaped his own philosophy on courage and leadership.
Ben then previews Particle 41’s new AI Transformation service, designed to help companies integrate AI through smarter workflows and human-like digital agents. His perspective is clear: AI isn’t a threat—it’s a tool every business can harness to unlock its next level of performance.
Packed with practical insights and inspiring lessons, this episode is a must-listen for anyone building products, leading teams, or stepping into the future of tech.
IN THIS EPISODE:
🚀 Vision-Driven Leadership: Why the Best Tech Leaders Empower Teams
🧠 Using Smarter, Faster Workflows: Unpacking Scrum, Kanban, and the “Cone of Certainty”
💡 Building What Customers Want: The Power of MVPs, Validation, and Product-Market Fit
🤖 AI as Your Advantage: How AI-Augmented Workflows Can Transform Business Operations
📘 BONUS TAKEAWAY:
Leadership isn’t only a professional skill—it’s a personal practice. The same principles that build strong teams also shape strong families: clear communication, guiding without micromanaging, and creating space for others to grow. Ben’s story about helping his son face a fear of heights shows that the best leaders don’t only develop products or companies—they develop people, starting at home.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Forte: Live Online Music Lessons
“Measure What Matters” by John Doerr
Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box
The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results
Connect with Ben & Particle 41:
Connect with Mike:
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Riverside | This interview was recorded on Riverside
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Copyright © 2025 Mike’D Up! with Mike DiCioccio | For permission to use this content in any way, please email mike@socialchameleon.us