The Playhard Podcast

#66. War Stories, Writing Dark Comedies, and Choosing Role Models Wisely with Danny Maher (founder of Veteran TV)

Danny Maher was a Marine Lieutenant and is currently the founder of Veteran TV and Irreverent Warriors.  After fighting in the Afghanistan War, Danny decided he was going to live out his dream of starting a production company.  In this episode, we talk about chasing your passion, choosing role models, and beating up your high school bullies! ----- Quick note: THIS IS THE LAST EPISODE!! Thanks to everyone who listened and enjoyed the show. I hope at least one of youse out there learned something about habits, hobbies, and the hardships of starting a business. I know I did! ----- Show Notes: (05:11) - Returning CEO, life in the Marines, and chasing your dreams (20:46) - Starting a non-profit for vet suicide prevention (31:56) - Military story of being stranded by a helicopter on a night raid (54:46) - Beating up his highschool bully and confronting his fears changed him ----- Links: * veterantv.com * irreverantwarriors.com * Youtube and Insta @dannydanceparty * His pseudonym: Donny O’Mally * https://www.amazon.com/Embarrassing-Confessions-Marine-Lieutenant-Operation-ebook/dp/B010MYG7QE ---- Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com

#65. Mastering Marketing, Multiple Languages, and a Formula for Adventure with Lauren “The Sherpa of Fun” Petrullo (founder of Mongoose Media)

Lauren Petrullo lives the kind of life you wanna live. Her dog, Alexander Hamilpup, is a celebrity. She races dragon boats and drinks mysterious Vietnamese herb teas. She even looks like a Disney hero. In this episode, we talk about marketing, e-comm, and Facebook ads, as well as traveling, tea, and how to have unique experiences. This episode is great for people interested in learning marketing, new cultures, and who love living adventurous lives.  ----- Show Notes: (03:40) - Laurens Dog, Alexander Hamilpup, is a LEGEND (18:20) - How to know if your offer/product is ready for the market (33:08) - Recommendations for world travelers (57:02) - The “Dollar-to-Fun” ratio for unique experiences and having a good time ----- Links: * https://mongoosemedia.us/ * https://asianbeautyessentials.com/ [https://asianbeautyessentials.com/] * Type “PLAYHARD” at checkout for a limited 20% off discount  * @laurenepetrullo

#64. From Death Row Prison Guard to 40+ Exits, While Still Traveling the World by Motorcycle with Ron Douglas (founder of Mentoring Giants)

Ron Douglas has the soul of an adventurer, the heart of a Texan, and enough stories to leave you inspired and left wondering, “How the hell did he do all that.” At 18, Ron broke his back and had to learn how to walk again.  That’s where he discovered grit. Then, he worked as a prison guard on death row, where he discovered irony.  After that, he worked in a junkyard where he discovered his purpose: entrepreneurship. Ron was a business coach on Discover Channel’s “Blue Collar Backers” and has exited an incredible 40 businesses.  Not to mention how he’s traveled the world on a motorcycle.  This episode is great for people with adventurous spirits and entrepreneurial minds.  ----- Show Notes: (02:47) - Napoleon Hill mastermind group, Discovery Channel TV star, and breaking his back at 18 (15:09) - How to gain clarity when setting goals (25:54) - Death row prison guard (1:00:09) - Future journaling ----- Links: * https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-douglas/ * https://www.mentoringgiants.com/ * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDgTivLS3k8&t=1819s

#63. The Largest Rage Room Company in the US, Dopamine Regulation, and Personal Development with Steven Shortino (founder of iSmash)

At 21, Steven opened up his first rage room. You know, those places where you go in and break shit. Now, at 26, Steven is the owner of the largest rage room company in the US. They’re opening 1-2 franchises a month. In this episode, we talk about personal development, and how health is involved in EVERYTHING you do. This episode is excellent for people who feel like they get treated differently because of their age. Also, for those interested in dopamine regulation, transforming themselves by starting a business, and those who need room for their RAGE. ----- Show Notes: (06:30) - Opening a rage room and fighting the pandemic  (20:30) - Looking to end 2023 with 15-20 franchises (27:53) - Health impacts everything you do  (55:00) - Dopamine regulation and ADHD ----- Links: * https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-shortino-41183818b/ * https://ismashusa.com/ * https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/aw1a09/running_a_very_successful_rage_room/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/aw1a09/running_a_very_successful_rage_room/] * https://open.spotify.com/episode/708LCwBsClaNFKkOsBikFP?si=dc5788761b204b41 ---- Quotes I Enjoyed “I truthfully don't think that there is a single person on this planet that has worked more hours in this industry.” ---- If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!  Reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com

#62. Predatory Marketing, Finding Resources in Healthcare, and a Mission to Help New Parents with Andrea Ippolito (founder of SimpliFed)

Today’s guest is an incredibly smart & talented founder — who did this interview 2 weeks after having a baby! Andrea Ippolito is the founder of SimpliFed, a telehealth company offering support for baby feeding. This company comes from real problems Andrea has faced while being a mom to (now) 3 little kiddos. She previously started a company in 2012, it got acquired in 2016, and she has a Master of Engineering from both Cornell and MIT. We talk about how to sort through research (and avoid targeted/predatory marketing), starting multiple companies, and her career in the healthcare space. There’s so much to learn in this one! Give it a listen.  ----- Show Notes: (04:03) - SimpliFed, founded on lived experience (11:30) - Predatory marketing, validating research, and working through the noise  (25:45) - Andrea’s relationship with her health, having worked in healthcare for a while (34:45) - Hobbies around networking ----- Links: * simplifed.com * Insta/Twitter: @simplifedbaby * https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreakippolito/ ---- If you liked the episode, subscribe for more!  Let’s chat: reach me at armand@playhardpodcast.com