Conversations with Cohen

Andy White: From Wire Fraud to Fintech Success

What would you do if you almost wired your entire life savings to a scammer? For Andy White, Ph.D., that near-disaster didn’t just spark outrage—it inspired a groundbreaking fintech company. In this episode of Conversations with Cohen, Gregg Cohen sits down with Andy White, Founder and CEO of Closinglock, to explore how an email spoof almost cost him everything and why that moment of vulnerability led to building one of the most trusted platforms in real estate fraud prevention. Andy’s journey is anything but typical. With a Ph.D. in computer engineering and early experience in machine learning before it became mainstream, Andy shares how he transitioned from working at a startup and Samsung Research to founding Closinglock on nights and weekends—all while navigating the challenges of a young family and financial uncertainty. He discusses the grit it takes to bootstrap a business in a highly traditional industry, where moving millions of dollars still depends on outdated systems like email and wire transfers. In this conversation, you’ll learn: The real-life origin story behind Closinglock and how a personal encounter with wire fraud exposed deep vulnerabilities in the real estate transaction process. Why disrupting the centuries-old real estate industry was like turning an oil tanker, and how Andy overcame resistance from title companies wary of change. The power of relationship-building and trust in early-stage sales, and how Andy and his wife won over their first customers—often armed with just lunch and a lot of persistence. The emotional toll and personal sacrifices behind the scenes: cashing out savings, dealing with financial stress, and navigating self-doubt in the face of entrepreneurial risk. How Andy approached hiring the right team (after some painful missteps), bringing on a COO who helped elevate the company’s sales strategy and scale Closinglock beyond its initial limitations. The decision to take outside investment and how Andy balanced investor expectations with the personal drive to grow Closinglock on his own terms. This episode offers an honest, unfiltered look at what it really takes to build a fintech startup from the ground up—especially when you're tackling one of the most sensitive pain points in real estate: protecting people’s life savings. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, fintech enthusiast, real estate professional, or just love hearing the story behind the story, this conversation is filled with insights on resilience, leadership, and the evolving intersection of technology and trust. 🔗 Learn more about Closinglock: https://www.closinglock.com 📧 Connect with Andy White: andy@closinglock.com Subscribe to Conversations with Cohen for more founder stories, leadership insights, and candid conversations from the front lines of business.

Frank Carone: Building a Legacy Through Empathy and Grit

🎙️ In this episode of Conversations with Cohen, Gregg sits down with Frank Carone—an accomplished attorney, Marine Corps veteran, former Chief of Staff to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, and co-author of Everyone Wins. His path from growing up in Canarsie, Brooklyn to leading legal and political strategy at the highest levels of city government is nothing short of remarkable. Frank shares how his early life experiences and time in the Marine Corps shaped his mindset around leadership, resilience, and overcoming perceived limitations. His military training instilled a discipline and mental toughness that later helped him navigate the pressures of law, politics, and business—whether it was passing the bar, leading teams through chaos, or keeping a firm vision in high-stakes environments. As managing partner at Abrams Fensterman, Frank helped grow the firm from a modest Long Island presence to the largest law firm in Brooklyn, fueled by his focus on authentic relationships and community-first values. He opens up about the importance of credibility, listening, and integrity in building influence—and how these principles became the foundation of his book Everyone Wins, which offers a roadmap for relationship-based success in business. The conversation also dives into Frank’s philosophy of “Nodal Networking,” a strategic way of nurturing connections and growing your referral-based network with intention. It’s about giving without expectation, operating with empathy, and playing the long game—concepts that resonate deeply for business owners and professionals at any stage. Gregg and Frank also explore Frank’s post–City Hall venture, Oaktree Solutions, a firm that helps clients navigate the complex intersection of law, politics, and regulation. Frank shares real-world examples of how his team helps startups and organizations break through bureaucratic walls to create real impact—whether it’s government procurement, messaging strategy, or regulatory compliance. They round out the episode by reflecting on the City of Yes initiative, the cultural mindset of getting things done, and the leadership lessons Frank continues to live by: stay calm, stay present, and remove ego from the equation. If you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or aspiring changemaker, this conversation is a masterclass in tactical empathy, long-term thinking, and building meaningful influence that lasts. 📘 Learn more about the book: https://everyonewinsbook.com Subscribe for more candid conversations with leaders, visionaries, and builders on Conversations with Cohen.

Saad Alam: Redefining Men's Health and Building a Mission-Driven Business

In this insightful episode of Conversations with Cohen, Gregg Cohen sits down with Saad Alam, CEO & founder of Hone Health, to discuss the groundbreaking journey of building the largest men's hormone clinic in the U.S. and transforming it into a platform for holistic longevity care. Saad shares his deeply personal story of overcoming fear, navigating the complexities of a highly regulated industry, and his mission to empower individuals to reclaim their health and identity. Saad opens up about the challenges of securing venture capital, prioritizing patient safety over growth, and assembling a team aligned with shared values. He dives into the importance of resilience, continuous self-improvement, and how his immigrant upbringing shaped his drive to give back. This conversation is packed with valuable insights for entrepreneurs, healthcare innovators, and anyone seeking to build a meaningful, mission-driven business. Don’t miss this compelling discussion on redefining wellness, navigating adversity, and building a life that integrates family, business, and purpose.

Dilip Rao: From Wall Street to Fighting Food Insecurity

In today’s powerful episode, Gregg Cohen sits down with Dilip Rao, CEO & founder of Sharebite, for a deeply inspiring conversation about resilience, second chances, and the power of overcoming adversity. From his unconventional journey into Wall Street to a life-altering car accident that reshaped his life and career, Dilip’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Dilip opens up about his recovery process after the accident and how it completely shifted his perspective on life. He reflects on the importance of gratitude, neuroplasticity, and the human brain’s incredible ability to heal. His story is not just about surviving a near-death experience, but about using that experience to fuel a mission that helps others. As the founder of Sharebite, Dilip is on a mission to tackle food insecurity in the workplace. He shares how his journey, which started in the challenging world of finance, led him to launch a platform that ensures workers in America have access to meal benefits, regardless of their circumstances. ️ In this candid conversation, Dilip emphasizes how food insecurity affects hard-working professionals, many of whom go hungry without anyone ever knowing. He believes that by incentivizing meal benefits as part of employee well-being, companies can make a world of difference. With Sharebite already seeing a 95% utilization rate for meal benefits, Dilip’s vision for the future is clear: food insecurity is solvable, and it starts with us. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to be inspired by a story of perseverance, vision, and the power of second chances. Dilip's belief in using setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow shines through every part of this conversation. Don’t miss out on this motivating and heartwarming episode about the resilience of the human spirit and the power of innovative thinking to solve real-world problems.

Larry Hutcher: The Evolution of Law in the AI Era

Gregg Cohen Interviews Larry Hutcher: The Evolution of Law in the AI Era  Welcome back to my channel! It's been four years since I last had Larry Hutcher on the podcast, and so much has changed in the legal industry. Larry, the Co-Managing Partner at Davidoff, Hutcher, and Citron, joins us to discuss the transformative role of AI, the firm’s culture, and the ever-changing landscape of law. Larry shares his insights on AI, noting that while it's a buzzword, many attorneys are cautious due to instances of inaccurate case citations. He emphasizes the importance of double-checking AI-generated content and sees AI as a useful starting tool, not a finished product. Although some attorneys at Larry’s firm are exploring AI, Larry himself remains wary. He advises using available resources cautiously and emphasizes mindful implementation. Larry's firm boasts a 50-year history as a quintessential New York middle-market firm with a strong culture. They pride themselves on being a "scrappy Knicks" team, with a hard-nosed, aggressive approach that attracts clients. The firm operates on a collegiate, face-to-face basis, fostering a cohesive team environment. They value a well-rounded life for their attorneys and staff, accommodating personal needs like attending children’s games and ensuring that work on weekends is only when necessary. Clear expectations about in-office work foster a team-oriented atmosphere. Larry discusses the rise in M&A activity, the reasons behind firm breakups, and the complexities of integrating new attorneys or entire firms. He prefers bringing in individual attorneys over entire firms to maintain cultural cohesion. Networking and referrals are crucial, and Larry highlights the importance of building relationships with other attorneys and the value of referrals. His two most successful relationships stem from networking with attorneys in complementary practice areas. For those considering starting their own firms, Larry stresses the importance of financial preparation, having a comprehensive setup, and partnering with someone else rather than going solo. Larry reflects on the challenges and scrutiny in the legal profession, especially with high-profile cases like the Trump trial. Despite the pressures, he remains passionate about the law after 50 years in the field. Stay tuned for my next episode as I explore more topics in the legal field among managing partners!