#280: Chuck Cuda — Betting On Myself: A True Story of Risk, Resilience, and Massive Success
Release Date: 12/15/2025
#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 sits down with entrepreneur Chuck Cuda—a man who transformed a life-altering setback into a multimillion-dollar comeback. Chuck’s journey begins with a single decision that landed him in prison after he refused to testify against friends in an illegal sports-betting case. But it was in a prison cell on Thanksgiving Day where he experienced the wake-up call that reshaped his entire life. From that moment, accountability became his superpower.
Chuck rebuilt everything from the ground up. He went on to close over $200 million in commercial real estate deals, mastering the fundamentals of discipline, prospecting, and relationship-driven success. His ambition then carried him into the fast-evolving cannabis industry, where he expanded an operation from 5 to 22 licenses across three states—turning major financial challenges into profitability.
Driven by purpose, Chuck also shares his passion for philanthropy, inspired by his father’s battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Through the OPES Charitable Foundation, he has helped raise more than $3 million for cancer research. His daily affirmations, leadership philosophy, and belief in limitless potential offer a blueprint for anyone looking to rebuild their life or elevate their mindset.
IN THIS EPISODE:
🔥 THE TURNING POINT: The moment behind bars that sparked Chuck’s transformation
🏢 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE: How Chuck rebuilt his career, closing over $200 million in deals
🌱 A BOOMING CANNABIS OPERATION: Bringing a struggling business back to profitability
🎗 LEADERSHIP FUELED BY PURPOSE: Breaking down Chuck’s passion for cancer research
📘 BONUS TAKEAWAY:
Beyond the business wins and the comeback story, Chuck’s story shows that your mindset is the engine behind every transformation. His daily affirmations, his refusal to stay defined by past mistakes, and his belief that “limitless potential is available to anyone willing to do the work” serve as a powerful reminder: your success begins the moment you decide to believe in yourself more than your circumstances.
🚀 PERFECT FOR:
Anyone hungry for growth—entrepreneurs, leaders, and ambitious professionals seeking real-world inspiration and strategic mindset shifts. It’s especially powerful for those rebuilding after setbacks, navigating high-stakes industries like real estate or cannabis, or looking to lead with purpose and resilience. If you’re driven to level up, give back, and believe your story isn’t finished, this conversation will hit home.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Opes Charitable Foundation Website
Connect with Chuck:
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
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