Dave Of The Dead Podcast

Ep. 8 - Luis Miguel Messianu - Founder & CCO, MEL

In this episode of Dave Of The Dead, I sit down with advertising legend and multicultural marketing pioneer Luis Miguel Messianu, and we go deep. From arriving in the U.S. as an immigrant with an outsider's perspective, to building MEL into one of the most influential multicultural agencies in America, Luis shares what it really took to stay relevant while culture itself was reshaping the business world around him. We talk about identity as strategy, not limitation, and how Luis saw long before most brands did that culture wasn't a niche — it was the future of America itself. What followed was decades of pushing against convention, building through uncertainty, navigating reinvention, and learning how to lead while entire industries were evolving in real time. But the conversation really shifts when we get into legacy, mortality, relevance, and the emotional weight that comes with spending your life building something meant to outlast you. For me, this one is about evolution, conviction, and what it takes to keep reinventing yourself without losing who you are in the process.

Ep. 7 - Gaby Natale - Entrepreneur, Host and 3x Emmy Winner

In this episode of Dave Of The Dead, I sit down with Entrepreneur, TV Host and 3x Emmy Winner, Gaby Natale, and we go deep. From leaving Argentina with a vision of what her life might be, to realizing quickly in the U.S. that no one was coming to choose her. What followed was a series of bets on herself. Building SuperLatina from nothing, choosing ownership over visibility, and pushing through the fear that came with it until the first signs it was actually working. We talk about identity as leverage not something to dilute and how she turned being an outsider into an advantage, ultimately becoming a category of one. But the conversation really shifts when we get into the year everything changed when success collided with a breast cancer diagnosis, forcing her to confront mortality, fear, and who she actually was without all of it. For me, this one is about what it takes to stop waiting, build your own lane, and have the clarity to evolve, letting go of what no longer serves you so something stronger can take its place.

Ep. 6 - Javier Farfan - Founder, J Wolf Advisors

In this episode of Dave of the Dead, I sit down with my longtime friend and powerhouse operator Javier Farfan—an executive who's helped shape culture and commerce from the inside at places like the NFL, Roc Nation, Verizon, Walmart, and beyond. We go deep on what it really means to move at the intersection of culture, brand, and business—and how Javier has consistently stayed ahead of where the world is going, not where it's been. From building game-changing partnerships to navigating some of the biggest platforms in sports, music, and retail, this conversation is about pattern recognition, positioning, and playing the long game. We also talk about the evolution of Latino influence across major institutions, what brands still get wrong about culture, and how the next wave of operators will win by owning both distribution and narrative. Javier shares lessons from inside the rooms where billion-dollar decisions get made—and what it takes to not just get a seat at the table, but to redefine it.

Ep. 5 - Susie Jaramillo - CEO, Encantos

In this episode of Dave of the Dead, I sit down with my longtime friend and colleague Susie Jaramillo—an Emmy-nominated director, artist, and the CEO/co-founder of Encantos, the company behind Canticos, the beloved bilingual kids brand helping families raise confident, culturally rooted children. We go deep on identity, reinvention, and what it really takes to build purpose-driven IP—plus Susie's perspective on fearlessness and the stories that shape who we become. We also talk about growing up "Venezo-gringa," turning art into enterprise, and building culturally rooted children's media at scale. Susie's leap from agency life to entrepreneurship, the role of purpose in building enduring brands, and why authenticity matters even more in the age of AI are also part of this episode of Dave of the Dead.

Ep. 4 - Mark L. Madrid - CEO & Founder, Breakthrough Mavens

Reinvention doesn't always arrive with fanfare. Sometimes it comes through pressure, loss, and moments where the path forward isn't obvious—but staying still isn't an option. My guest on this episode of Dave of the Dead, Mark L. Madrid, knows that kind of reinvention intimately. He's a strategist, a former federal leader, and a lifelong advocate for small business—but more than that, he's someone who has learned how to carry ambition and humility at the same time. Mark's journey stretches from rural Texas and migrant farm worker roots to Wall Street, Stanford, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Along the way, he faced discrimination, isolation, anxiety, and personal tragedy—experiences that quietly reshaped how he defines success. Rather than chasing status, he chose to build a life grounded in discipline, faith, service, and resilience. This conversation isn't about titles or accolades. It's about learning to fuel yourself when no one else can. It's about starting over without bitterness. And it's about understanding that real influence isn't measured by how high you climb—but by how many people you lift as you rise.