Former MLB All-Star Bip Roberts

Empowering Women in the Workplace with Former Fortune Global 500 Executive

In Part 2 of our conversation, former Fortune Global 500 executive, Maria Johnson, and I discuss the challenges faced by many young people & the skills women need as they embark upon their career journeys. We also address the critical importance of the people with whom you spend your time as you navigate the workplace & the influence of family of origin on professional success. In addition, Maria reflects on her experience being bullied as a child & how it impacted her life & career path, fostering resilience, a strong will to succeed, & a desire for taking on "tough things" & winning. Standing at 4'11", Maria explains why her height (the source of the bullying she endured), ultimately became her "superpower". Finally, we talk about work/life balance & whether that is even possible as well as the changes in the workplace culture for both women & men over the past 40 years. 🔹About Maria Johnson:⬇️ Retired Chubb Insurance Executive Former North American Sales & Distribution Leader, Personal Risk Services Before retiring in October 2025, Maria served as the North American Sales & Distribution Leader for Personal Risk Services, driving profitable growth across the US & Canada. Her primary responsibilities included leading & developing the Sales & Distribution team to achieve growth targets, implementing distribution tier strategies & agency/broker partner programs, creating & promoting adoption & measurement of sales initiatives & best practices in all regions, collaborating with internal teams such as product lines, underwriting, & field administration to reach division sales goals, as well as monitoring competitive landscapes, analyzing financial trends, & identifying new growth opportunities locally & regionally. During her 33-year career at Chubb, Maria advanced through a variety of positions offering progressive career growth. Her special skills include strategic planning, project management, driving transformative change, improving individual staff & territory performance, pipeline management, sales execution, & employee development. Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property & casualty (P&C) insurance company, operating in over 50 countries. 🔹To connect with Maria:⬇️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maria-johnson-07b77b18/ [https://linkedin.com/in/maria-johnson-07b77b18/] 🎙️ONCE UPON THE PODCAST Available On:⬇️ Apple Podcasts🔹Spotify🔹YouTube🔹iHeart🔹Amazon Music🔹Audible 🔹 Wherever You Get Your Podcasts🔹

Shattering the Glass Ceiling with Former Fortune Global 500 Executive

In Part 1 of our conversation, former Fortune Global 500 executive, Maria Johnson, joins me to talk about her rise to the top, her early years working in a then male-dominated field, challenges she navigated, the mentors who helped guide her, & the core qualities & factors responsible for her success. In addition to discussing the evolution of women's workplace culture, Maria delves into the essential characteristics & personality traits she looked for when hiring, why EQ is often more important than IQ, & the advice she imparts to women (& men) as they pursue a path to professional success. 🔹About Maria Johnson:⬇️ Retired Chubb Insurance Executive Former North American Sales & Distribution Leader, Personal Risk Services Before retiring in October 2025, Maria served as the North American Sales & Distribution Leader for Personal Risk Services, driving profitable growth across the US & Canada. Her primary responsibilities included leading & developing the Sales & Distribution team to achieve growth targets, implementing distribution tier strategies & agency/broker partner programs, creating & promoting adoption & measurement of sales initiatives & best practices in all regions, collaborating with internal teams such as product lines, underwriting, & field administration to reach division sales goals, as well as monitoring competitive landscapes, analyzing financial trends, & identifying new growth opportunities locally & regionally. During her 33-year career at Chubb, Maria advanced through a variety of positions offering progressive career growth. Her special skills include strategic planning, project management, driving transformative change, improving individual staff & territory performance, pipeline management, sales execution, & employee development. Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property & casualty (P&C) insurance company, operating in over 50 countries.🔹To connect with Maria:⬇️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maria-johnson-07b77b18/ [https://linkedin.com/in/maria-johnson-07b77b18/] 🎙️ONCE UPON THE PODCAST Available On:⬇️ Apple Podcasts🔹Spotify🔹YouTube🔹iHeart🔹Amazon Music🔹Audible 🔹 Wherever You Get Your Podcasts🔹

Former MLB All-Star Bip Roberts

Veteran MLB All-Star Bip Roberts' 12-year Major League career spanned six MLB teams, including, most notably, the San Diego Padres as well as the Oakland Athletics, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals (playing in the 1997 World Series), Cleveland Indians, & Detroit Tigers. A second baseman & outfielder known for his exceptional speed & versatility, Bip twice stole over 40 bases in a single season. In our conversation, Bip traces his MLB career over the years, reflecting on the most memorable moment of his life in the sport & the impact of his former Padres teammate Tony Gwynn on his baseball journey. Bip shares memories of his close friend & former Oakland A's teammate Rickey Henderson, his shock when he first learned of his passing, & emceeing Rickey's Celebration of Life at Oakland Arena alongside former Oakland A's second baseman Shooty Babitt & San Francisco Giants former PA announcer Renel Brooks-Moon. Bip reflects on the changing Bay Area sports scene & how the Golden State Warriors, Raiders, & Athletics all leaving Oakland has affected the city & its people. We delve into the immense importance of professional sports on urban youth & the specific vital benefits that sports offer to young people living in big city environments. Bip & I discuss how his organization Better In Person (named after BIP), is committed to listening to & uplifting the people of Oakland, especially those at risk. Bip explains the wraparound services that they provide & the critical ways that Better In Person supports youth in navigating their educational journey & empowers them to stay on track & thrive, not just survive. Finally, we talk about the role that faith plays in Bip's life & how it continues to guide him in his work, helping to enrich the lives of both youth & adults. To learn more about Better in Person:⬇️ 🌐BetterInPerson10.org To connect with Bip:⬇️ 📧biproberts@betterinperson10.org 🎙️ONCE UPON THE PODCAST Available On:⬇️ Apple Podcasts🔹Spotify🔹YouTube🔹iHeart🔹Amazon Music🔹Audible 🔹Wherever You Get Your Podcasts🔹

Entertainment Tonight Co-Host Kevin Frazier - Part 2

In Part 2 of my conversation with "Entertainment Tonight" co-host Kevin Frazier, Kevin reflects on his relationship with Prince and shares his memories of the musical legend, businessman, and friend he came to know. Kevin and I discuss his deep appreciation and support for Memphis, the impact of Martin Luther King Jr.'s tragic passing on the city, and the civil rights legacy of MLK Jr. that continues to reverberate within the culture of the Bluff City. And we talk about the importance of free speech not only in Hollywood, but in the nation at large, and what the future of Hollywood may look like. To connect with Kevin:⬇️ X: @KevinFrazier Facebook: @KevinFrazierOfficial Instagram: @kevinfrazier 🎙️ONCE UPON THE PODCAST Available On:⬇️ Apple Podcasts🔹Spotify🔹YouTube🔹iHeart🔹Amazon Music🔹Audible 🔹Wherever You Get Your Podcasts🔹

Entertainment Tonight Co-Host Kevin Frazier - Part 1

In Part 1 of our conversation, "Entertainment Tonight" co-host Kevin Frazier joins me to talk about his ascent from FOX Sports to ESPN to the world's #1 entertainment news show. Kevin and I discuss his transition from sports to Hollywood and the evolution and future of reality TV. Kevin opens up about his love for Minnesota, ICE actions in Minneapolis, and why Minnesotans protested so strongly against ICE. And we delve into the damaging impact of social media on our relationships and the culture at large and why your followers are not the same as your friends. To connect with Kevin:⬇️ X: @KevinFrazier Facebook: @KevinFrazierOfficial Instagram: @kevinfrazier 🎙️ONCE UPON THE PODCAST Available On:⬇️ Apple Podcasts🔹Spotify🔹YouTube🔹iHeart🔹Amazon Music🔹Audible 🔹Wherever You Get Your Podcasts🔹