Unlike 'Billions' Brian Rathjen's Veteran Run Wall Street Firm 'Gives' vs 'Takes'
Release Date: 11/14/2024
Sometimes a Simple Act of Kindness Is the Miracle Someone Needs to Move Forward
The Debbie Nigro Show
On this week’s Keeping the “Live” in Alive segment of The Debbie Nigro Show, I was joined by my longtime gal pal (though we’ve never actually met in person!) Linda Arroz, who’s on an inspiring new mission in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Linda is helping raise funds for a short social impact film called Awakening Georgie — a powerful narrative about the hidden struggles of traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors and the miracles that can come from compassion. “Thirty percent of injury-related deaths in the U.S. are caused by a traumatic brain injury. That’s a lot. We need to...
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Ozempic Teeth? My Dentist Weighs In On This Surprising Side Effect
The Debbie Nigro Show
On The Debbie Nigro Show, I like to dig into stories that make you go, “Wait, what?!” This week’s head-turner: “Ozempic Teeth.” Yep, that’s the headline making waves, and I knew I had to call in my go-to expert, Dr. John Castanaro of Castanaro Dental in Yonkers, NY, to help get to ‘the tooth of the matter’. What Are “Ozempic Teeth”? GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have taken the world by storm for their weight-loss benefits. But dentists are warning about side effects showing up in the mouth. According to Dr. Castanaro: “It’s not the drug...
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Montaukila Tequila —a Textbook Case of Entrepreneurial Grit!
The Debbie Nigro Show
On The Debbie Nigro Show, I had the pleasure of spotlighting Simon Cascante, founder of Montaukila Tequila. Boy oh boy his story sure is a shining example of one of my favorite sayings - “Risk It! or Regret It!" Simon skipped college, started bussing tables at the Lobster Roll in East Hampton, and took the long road to launching his own spirit’s brand. No investors. No celebrity endorsements. Just grit, Google, and a dream. That persistence led him to cold-call nearly a dozen distilleries in Mexico until one finally said yes—thanks to a VP who had once vacationed in...
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Riptide Wisdom from the “James Bond of Lifeguards”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Happy summer, friends! You know I love the beach, but nothing freaks me out more than riptides. With Hurricane Erin stirring up the East Coast, I called in my go-to water safety guy — Wyatt Werneth, spokesperson for the American Lifeguard Association. I call him the James Bond of lifeguards … because, well, he is. Wyatt literally jumped off the beach in Cocoa Beach, Florida to join me on the show. His first tip? “Everywhere there’s a dip, there’s a rip.” Translation: If the water keeps rushing in and your blanket, toys, and beach bag get soaked while...
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Never Underestimate the Lasting Power of “Good Energy”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Good energy is like a secret superpower. You can’t see it—but you feel it. It uplifts, comforts, and lingers long after the moment has passed. I’ve been told I carry that kind of energy—and if you do too, you know it’s not something you turn on, it’s just who you are. But here’s the best part: when two people with good energy meet along life’s path, something special happens. It’s like the universe nods and says… 'Yep, this connection matters.' That’s the vibe of today’s post and podcast. I’d like you to meet Marcus John. He is ‘good energy’. He and I go...
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Inside America’s First 'In-Hotel' Luxury Movie Theater at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich
The Debbie Nigro Show
Luxury, Innovation, and Popcorn? Yes, Please. On this Trending Tuesday episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I’m spilling the popcorn on a jaw-dropping new addition to one of my longtime favorite iconic hotels, the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, Connecticut. Shawn Nayyar, the hotel’s new General Manager, joined me in studio to talk about the Townsend Cinema, a first-of-its-kind 40-seat luxury movie theater built right inside the hotel—a concept developed by Monoplex and Trinity Investments, now brought to life at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. "We’re the first in the country to have...
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Rock Your Dreams: Inside David Fishof’s Legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp
The Debbie Nigro Show
Ever dreamed of jamming with rock legends like Ringo Starr, Gene Simmons, or Alice Cooper? David Fishof — legendary music producer, sports agent, and founder of Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp has been making those dreams come true for 25 years and counting. On this episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, it was an absolute blast welcoming David to share his wild ride from managing NFL stars to organizing epic jam sessions for everyday rockers. (And yes, he created Ringo’s All-Starr Band!) “It’s my fantasy to change people’s lives through the power of music,” David said. And wow, he...
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Creating the Future of Live Theater—Together: Inside the iStage Movement
The Debbie Nigro Show
Live Theater Is Having a Wonderful Resurgence - Wait Till You Hear About Its Next Act! On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I caught up with longtime pal, producer and innovator Paul Lambert about an exciting new chapter in entertainment: iStage. What makes iStage so unique? It’s the first community-first approach to building musicals—blending digital engagement with the magic of live performance. Instead of starting with a script and hoping people show up, iStage builds a community around a topic first, then creates a...
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“The Future of Entrepreneurship Is Female, 50+, and AI-Powered”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Kathy McShane is Empowering Women Entrepreneurs 50+ to Embrace the Future On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I was thrilled to welcome back longtime friend and unstoppable force in women’s entrepreneurship, Kathy McShane. Kathy is the founder of Ladies Launch with AI, a three-time business founder, and the former head of the U.S. SBA Office of Women’s Business Ownership. These days, she’s on a mission to help women—especially over 50—leverage AI to start and scale businesses faster, smarter, and with more confidence. “AI doesn’t have emotions,” Kathy...
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Ever heard of Shareapy? It's like therapy but with people going through the same thing
The Debbie Nigro Show
As heard on The Debbie Nigro Show Sometimes it really helps to just talk to other caring people about whatever you’re going through. Now there’s a place where you can. I had a talk with Scott Kelsey, the incredibly resilient Founder & CEO of Shareapy—about his groundbreaking wellness platform born from personal tragedy and built to foster connection, healing, and personal growth. After a life-altering fall down a staircase left him with a traumatic brain injury, Scott found himself forced to hit pause—and reflect. "I had to isolate, be in a dark room, and let my brain...
info_outlineCelebrating True Heroes: Brian Rathjen & Roberts and Ryan's Mission to Serve Veterans
In honor of Veterans Day, I turned the spotlight on someone who embodies selfless service: Brian Rathjen of Roberts and Ryan, America’s first service-disabled veteran-owned broker-dealer.
If there was a show about this Wall Street firm, it would be the opposite of the show “Billions”—highlighting generosity and patriotism instead of greed.
Brian, a proud Navy veteran and the non-executive chairman of Roberts and Ryan, has made it his mission to give back. His firm has grown impressively since we first connected, now boasting 42 employees, many of whom are military and Wall Street veterans.
The most inspiring part? Roberts and Ryan donates a significant portion of its financial transaction profits to support veteran organizations and youth programs.
To date, they’ve donated $2.3 million to over 50 initiatives, covering everything from health and wellness to career transitions for veterans.
We discussed their support for Boulder Crest Retreat, an incredible place helping veterans overcome PTSD (or PTS, as Brian prefers—removing the "D" for disorder). With serene properties and life-changing programs, they promote post-traumatic growth and empower heroes to reclaim joy and purpose.
Roberts and Ryan also partners with the Robert Irvine Foundation, funding high-tech I-Bot wheelchairs that restore independence to veterans who’ve lost mobility. Each chair is a $40,000 game-changer, and so far, they’ve donated ten!
Beyond veterans, Brian and his team invest in uplifting underserved youth, like their recent internships and support initiatives in Harlem. Roberts and Ryan is a stellar example of business excellence fused with heart and integrity.
Here’s a company checking all the boxes: world-class financial service, diversity and inclusion, and an unwavering commitment to giving back.
So, to all the companies out there: consider joining forces with Roberts and Ryan and be part of a mission that truly changes lives.
As Brian says, “What we do for ourselves dies with us, but what we do for others, lives forever.”
Thank you, Brian, for your service and heart. And Thank You Always and Forever to All Our Veterans.
Let’s keep serving those who served!