Built Not Born

Dr. Emily Katz Anhalt — Ancient Wisdom for Polarizing Times | Why Humanity Needs Herodotus 📜🏛️🔥Nearly 2,500 years ago, a Greek historian named Herodotus drew the first line between myth and fact. Herodotus introduced the radical idea that truth must be verified — not just believed. Today, that line is disappearing fast.Dr. Emily Katz Anhalt is a professor of classical languages and literature at Sarah Lawrence College and author of Ancient Wisdom for Polarizing Times: Why Humanity Needs Herodotus, the Man Who Invented History.In this conversation, she makes the case that the father of history has more to say about our polarized modern world than almost anyone writing today.We cover why algorithm-driven news bubbles are just a modern version of an ancient tyrant's trick, what Achilles and Odysseus get wrong about leadership, and the one question Herodotus would demand we ask ourselves every single day.If you've ever felt like the world is splitting into two completely different realities — this episode is for you.📚 Ancient Wisdom for Polarizing Times — available on Amazon 🌐 emilykatzanhalt.com© Copyright - Joe Ciccarone 2026 - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Chris "Bones" Burns - The BJJ Project, Rickson Gracie, Invisible Jiu Jitsu and Why Everyone Needs to Calm the F*ck Down 🥋🔥He's the algorithm's favorite BJJ instructor — equal parts savage wisdom and sarcasm.Chris Burns is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Rickson Gracie's lineage who's been chasing the invisible art for over two decades.His take?The sport is cool, but self-defense is the point. And everyone needs to chill the f*ck out.What You'll Learn:Why his first 10 years of training were "terrible experiences all around"The moment he finally learned jiu-jitsu — from a hip escapeWhat it's like to roll with Rickson Gracie (hint: "He surfs a human being")Why blue belts should focus on survival, not submissionsHow to train smart when you're older, injured, or bothThe difference between being a lion and being a rat — and why both are validWhy the martial arts community needs to "calm all of your tits"Power Quote: "Calm down. It's just a hobby. Stop making this the focal point of your life. The martial arts is the important thing. The community is the important thing. Be happy that you're physically doing something with another human being and you're connecting with them. Calm the fck down."* — Chris BurnsTimestamps:🥋 0:00 - Introduction😤 3:30 - His terrible first experiences on the mat📼 8:00 - VHS tapes, Gracie in Action, and finding the combatives🔥 14:00 - Meeting Jason Robic and learning the hip escape that changed everything🌊 22:00 - What it's like to roll with Rickson ("He surfs a human being")🎯 30:00 - What a blue belt should actually know🤼 38:00 - Flow rolling vs hard sparring — pick your partners wisely🦁 44:00 - Training when you're older: "There's a time you're a lion, there's a time you're a rat"🎨 50:00 - How being an artist shaped his teaching🧘 56:00 - Breath work, whiskey, and coffee by the ocean📚 60:00 - Books that changed his life: Fight Club, Man's Search for Meaning, The Art of War💡 65:00 - One lesson: Calm down, it's just a hobbyConnect with Chris Burns:The BJJ Project (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok)Zero Point Jiu-Jitsu (Podia)Instagram: @chrisbonesburnsSubscribe for more conversations with elite performers who've overcome the odds.#ChrisBonesBurns #RicksonGracie #BJJ #JiuJitsu #GracieJiuJitsu #InvisibleJiuJitsu #SelfDefense #BJJProject #BuiltNotBorn #Podcast #MartialArts© Copyright - Joe Ciccarone 2026 - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved. Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Chef Jose Garces - Iron Chef, James Beard Winner & Restaurant Empire Builder on Beating Bobby Flay, & Scaling Culture 🍳🏆He beat Bobby Flay on national TV. He built a 25-restaurant empire. He's a James Beard Award winner and Iron Chef.But the biggest lesson? It came from watching his mom cook dinner after a factory shift — tired, organized, and making it happen anyway.What You'll Learn:The leadership lessons he learned watching his Ecuadorian mom run the home kitchenHow getting fired from his first chef job became his biggest breakthroughWhat it's like to cook under extreme pressure on Iron Chef AmericaThe moment he almost lost it all — cutting his finger mid-battle, blood everywhere, 45 minutes leftHow to scale culture across 25 restaurants without losing your soulWhy he took a $12/hour line cook job after 10 years in the industryThe wellness shift in his 50s that made him a better leader, dad, and partnerPower Quote: "There are no failures. It's just a function of learning and growing." — Chef Jose GarcesTimestamps:🍳 0:00 - Introduction👨‍👩‍👦 3:00 - Leadership lessons from his mom's kitchen🤼 6:30 - What wrestling taught him about competition and grit💼 10:00 - Working since age 8 and the entrepreneurial mindset🔥 14:30 - Getting fired and taking a $12/hour job to learn from the best🏆 20:00 - Opening Amada and betting everything on Spanish tapas in Philly⚔️ 26:00 - Beating Bobby Flay and becoming an Iron Chef🩸 32:00 - The Indian cuisine battle — cutting his finger, blood won't stop, 45 minutes left📈 36:00 - Scaling culture across 25 restaurants🧘 40:00 - The wellness shift: meditation, sauna, yoga, and Nordic skiing💡 45:00 - One lesson: Be aware and more lovingFeatured Platform: Cook Unity — Chef Garces' meals delivered nationwideConnect with Chef Jose Garces:Website: ChefGarces.comRestaurants: Amada, Volver, Buena Onda, Okatshe & moreCook Unity: Order Chef Garces meals nationwideGarces Foundation / Comida GarcesSubscribe for more conversations with elite performers who've overcome the odds.#ChefJoseGarces #IronChef #JamesBeard #Philadelphia #Amada #CookUnity #Leadership #BuiltNotBorn #Podcast #Restaurant #JoeCiccarone© Copyright - Joe Ciccarone 2026 - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Guy Kawasaki - "Everyone Has Something to Hide" | Apple Evangelist & Canva Chief on Privacy, Signal, and Protecting Your Freedom 📱🔐Guy Kawasaki evangelized the Macintosh. He's Canva's Chief Evangelist.He's written 18 books.Now at 71, Guy Kawasaki says this might be his most important book yet — because it's not about making money.It's about protecting yours.What You'll Learn:The "billboard test" — would you be okay seeing every text you've sent on a highway billboard?Why WhatsApp isn't as secure as you think (and what metadata really reveals)How Signal differs from every other messaging appWhy Guy gave this book away for freeThe $12.95 book that launched his writing careerWhat he'd tell a college grad entering the workforce todayWhy working at Zippy's might be better than Goldman SachsPower Quote: "Everybody has something to hide — not because they've done something wrong, but because privacy equals freedom." — Guy KawasakiTimestamps:📱 0:00 - Introduction🔐 2:30 - Why Guy pivoted to writing about privacy🧪 6:15 - The billboard test for your text messages📊 10:00 - WhatsApp vs Signal: metadata is the real danger💰 15:30 - Why he gave this book away for free at 71✍️ 20:00 - "If You Want to Write" — the $12.95 book that changed everything🎓 24:45 - Advice for college grads: Zippy's vs Goldman Sachs🤖 30:00 - Kawasaki GPT: better at being Guy than Guy🏄 34:30 - Starting surfing at 60 and the 10-foot board rule☕ 38:00 - Best coffee spots in Oahu for remote work💡 41:00 - One lesson: Never ask people to do something you wouldn't doFeatured Book: "Everyone Has Something to Hide: Why and How to Use Signal to Preserve Your Privacy, Security, and Wellbeing" by Guy Kawasaki & Madison NuismerConnect with Guy Kawasaki:Podcast: Remarkable PeopleWebsite: GuyKawasaki.comKawasakiGPT.comBook: Free on Amazon (or $4.04 after launch)Subscribe for more conversations with elite performers who've overcome the odds."Life is Built, Not Born."Joe Ciccarone#GuyKawasaki #Signal #Privacy #Apple #Canva #Cybersecurity #BuiltNotBorn #Podcast #RemarkablePeople #Tech #JoeCiccarone© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved. Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Rob Jones - "Put Your Legs On" | Paralympic Medalist & 31 Marathons in 31 Days on Defeating the Inner Terrorist 🎖️🏃‍♂️He stepped on an IED in Afghanistan and lost both legs above the knee. He asked his teammates to kill him. They refused. Nine months later he won a bronze medal at the Paralympics. Then he biked across America. Then he ran 31 marathons in 31 consecutive days. Now he teaches leadership at Echelon Front.What You'll Learn:The moment the IED exploded — and what went through his mind in the first 60 secondsWhy he skipped the first four stages of grief and went straight to acceptanceHow he convinced Olympic gold medalist Brad Lewis to fly across the country and coach himThe "inner terrorist" — the real enemy that almost defeated himWhy extreme challenges are 90% mental and 10% physicalHow standup comedy makes him a better leadership instructorPower Quote: "The blast took my legs, but it didn't take my mission. You don't need legs to stand up. You just need to decide you're not going to quit." — Rob JonesTimestamps: 🎖️ 0:00 - Introduction📖 4:30 - The book that made him join the Marine Corps💣 12:15 - What it's like to patrol knowing every step could be your last🔥 22:00 - July 22, 2010: The IED explosion🏥 35:45 - Waking up two days later in Germany💪 42:30 - First rep in rehab: lifting his stumps off the bed🦿 48:00 - Getting fitted for prosthetics — and the pain of learning to walk again🥉 55:20 - Emailing Brad Lewis and making the Paralympics🚴 64:00 - Biking 5,181 miles across America through the Rockies in February🏃 72:30 - 31 marathons in 31 days — and the back injury that almost ended it🎭 78:00 - Why standup comedy is scarier than biking across America👹 82:00 - The "inner terrorist" — the real antagonist of his story💡 86:00 - One lesson: Act in the best interest of other peopleFeatured Book: "Put Your Legs On: One Man's Journey to Survive, Recover, and Live" by Rob Jones (Foreword by Jocko Willink)Connect with Rob Jones:Website: RobJonesJourney.comInstagram: @robjonesjourneyLinkedIn: Rob JonesEchelon FrontSubscribe for more conversations with elite performers who've overcome the odds.#RobJones #PutYourLegsOn #EchelonFront #Marines #Paralympic #Leadership #ExtremeOwnership #BuiltNotBorn #Podcast #Veteran #Resilience JoeCiccarone© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Ann E. Butler - "Wife. Mother. Spy." | 27-Year Undercover CIA Officer & Mom of Five on Secret Missions, Going Into Labor During Ops & Hiding It All From Her Kids 🕵️‍♀️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Her kids found out she was a CIA agent the night before her retirement party.For 27 years, Ann E. Butler recruited spies, ran covert operations across four continents, and made it home for dinner — all while raising five children who thought mom was just a diplomat.What You'll Learn:How she went into labor during a clandestine meeting (and still made the handoff)The art of the "bump" — engineering a chance encounter to recruit an assetWhy a pregnant mom of five is the perfect undercover coverHow to build trust fast enough that someone will commit treason for youThe moment her daughter discovered the truth (a mosaic gave it away)What 9/11 was like from inside a European CIA stationPower Quote: "Take advantage of opportunities that come your way. Persevere, even though it's not always easy. And be grateful for those opportunities — because they can turn into extraordinary moments." — Ann E. ButlerTimestamps:🕵️‍♀️ 0:00 - Introduction 📖 3:30 - Why she wrote the book after 27 years of silence🤰 8:45 - Going into labor during a clandestine meeting🚂 15:20 - Almost nine months pregnant on an overnight train in alias🎯 24:00 - The "bump" — how CIA officers engineer chance encounters🤝 32:15 - Building trust: how to get someone to commit treason🏫 40:30 - CIA training: the farm, fake prisons, and pressure tests💥 48:00 - September 11th from inside a European CIA station👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 55:20 - How her kids finally found out (the night before retirement)🎬 62:00 - The Americans TV show: how accurate is it?🏃‍♀️ 68:30 - Running a marathon in Paris (after meeting an asset first)💡 74:00 - One lesson: Take advantage of opportunities and be gratefulFeatured Book: "Wife. Mother. Spy. An Extraordinary Life Filled With Ordinary Days" by Ann E. ButlerConnect with Ann E. Butler:Website: AnnEButler.comBook: "Wife. Mother. Spy" (Amazon)Instagram: Ann E. Butler Subscribe for more conversations with elite performers who've overcome the odds.#AnnEButler #WifeMotherSpy #CIA #Spy #Espionage #Leadership #Motherhood #BuiltNotBorn #Podcast #WomenInLeadership #Undercover #JoeCiccarone #Podcast© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved. Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Built Not Born 2025 Wrap-Up | 100% Audience Growth, Lessons from My Dad & What's Coming in 2026 🎙️🔥No interview this week.Just reflecting on an incredible year and looking ahead to what's next.What's Inside:Spotify stats: almost 100% audience growth and 30% follower increaseThe #1 most downloaded episode of the year (hint: AJ Brown made it happen)Epic guests: Guy Kawasaki, Roger Gracie, Jon Gordon, Dave Berke, Martin Dugard & moreThe hardest episode I've ever recorded — saying goodbye to my dadWhat's coming in 2026: CIA spies, Marine combat vets, and BJJ legendsHighlights from 2024:Jim Murphy (Inner Excellence) — most downloaded episode of the yearRoger Gracie — 10x World Champion, changed how I train and teachJon Gordon & Kathryn Gordon — leadership and relationship gritGuy Kawasaki — Wiser Guy, always deliversDave Berke & Jamie Cochran — Echelon Front leadershipMartin Dugard — Taking Midway, WWII storiesThe episode about my dad — RIP Fran CiccaroneComing in 2026:Ann E. Butler — CIA agent for 20+ years, her kids didn't know until her retirement partyRob Jones — US Marine, Echelon Front instructor, author of "Put Your Legs On"Chris Burns — Black belt under Rickson Gracie, BJJ Instagram legendThe Lesson: You're here, then one day you're not. Let's rock out each and every day. Be present. Be focused. Give your best. Learn from those who came before and share with those who come after.Subscribe and follow for more in 2026.#BuiltNotBorn #Podcast #YearInReview #2024Wrapped #Leadership #NewYear #2026 #Grateful #JoeCiccarone© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.

Coach Gus "Big Dog" Felder - "The Inside Game" | From North Philly High School Dropout to the NFL on Faith, Stoicism & Building Champions 🏈🔥A teacher told him he'd be "dead or in jail." He became an Executive Director of Player Development at the University of Nebraska, earned three degrees from Penn State, and is now building the next generation of champions.Power Quote:"The world will judge you by what it sees on the outside — your title, your status, your resume. But real leadership, real strength, real success — that starts on the inside." — Coach Gus FelderWhat You'll Learn:How a North Philly kid who dropped out of high school ended up with three Penn State degreesWhy the inside game determines how far the outside game can goThe power of being present (and why Coach Gus is available until 2am every night)How Marcus Aurelius and stoic philosophy shaped his approach to adversityWhy he hires people who are the complete opposite of himThe daily habits that keep him sharp: sauna, cold plunge, cigars, Legos, and journalingTimestamps:🏈 0:00 - Introduction & Philly connection🔥 4:30 - From North Philly to Berwick: a whole different world📚 12:15 - How Marcus Aurelius found a kid from Strawberry Mansion💪 18:45 - NCAA non-qualifier: proving yourself as a student first🧠 28:30 - The inside game vs. the outside game🙏 38:00 - Spiritual devotion & faith in the locker room👀 45:20 - Being present: listening to understand, not to respond⚡ 52:40 - NIL, the transfer portal & building loyalty🔥 62:00 - Forged in the fire: letting adversity transform you📖 68:30 - Daily habits: sauna, cold plunge, Legos & journaling❤️ 75:00 - One lesson: Don't let the world make you who it wants you to beFeatured Book: "The Inside Game: Mastering the Mind, Strengthening the Spirit, Leading with Purpose" by Coach Gus FelderConnect with Coach Gus Felder:Book: "The Inside Game" (Amazon)IG: Coach Gus Felder Subscribe for more conversations with elite performers who've overcome the odds.#CoachGusFelder #TheInsideGame #Leadership #PennState #Nebraska #NorthPhilly #Stoicism #MarcusAurelius #Faith #BuiltNotBorn #Football #PlayerDevelopment #Podcast #JoeCiccarone© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Roger Gracie - "The Warrior Mindset" | 10x BJJ World Champion on Conquering Fear, Winning the Mental Game & the Tao of a Champion 🥋🏆Roger Gracie - 10x BJJ World Champion and author of "The Warrior Mindset: The Tao of a Champion" reveals how a kid who was picked last for soccer, afraid to swim, and hid from his sister became the greatest jiu-jitsu fighter of all time.What You'll Learn:Why training smart beats training hard (and how Roger refined white belt techniques to dominate world championships)The mental game that wins fights before they startHow chess thinking transforms your jiu-jitsu strategyRoger's daily meditation practice that changed everythingThe closed guard sweep from knee-up position nobody else usesWhy "don't give up to fear" became his life philosophyPower Quote:"A lot of people think they're not capable of doing something. They see what someone else did and think, 'That person has something I don't.' But you're completely wrong. You have what it takes. You just need to start." — Roger GracieTimestamps:🥋 0:00 - Introduction🏆 2:30 - From scared kid to 10x World Champion💡 8:45 - The moment the Gracie mission became his mission🎯 15:20 - Training smart vs. training hard (skill development over sparring)♟️ 28:40 - How chess transformed his jiu-jitsu thinking⚔️ 38:15 - The legendary Jacaré brown belt match🧠 48:30 - Winning the mental game before the Buchecha fight🎬 55:00 - Watching Braveheart before every competition🧘 62:45 - Daily meditation practice (30-60 minutes)📚 68:20 - Alexander the Great, Buddha & warrior philosophy🔥 75:00 - One lesson: Don't give up to fearFeatured Book: "The Warrior Mindset: The Tao of a Champion" by Roger GracieConnect with Roger Gracie:Website:RrogerGracie.comAcademy: Roger Gracie Academy, LondonBook: Warrior Mindset - Tao of a Champion (Amazon)Subscribe for more conversations with elite performers who've overcome the odds.#RogerGracie #BJJ #JiuJitsu #MartialArts #TheWarriorMindset #Gracie #WorldChampion #BuiltNotBorn #Leadership #MentalToughness #Meditation #ChampionMindset #Podcast #JoeCiccarone © Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Built Not Born Podcast (Episode 179)- Enri Pjetri: Rome Revealed - Gladiators, Emperors & Michelangelo's Secrets ⚔️🏛️🎨Roman art historian and tour guide Enri Pjetri takes us through 3,000 years of history walking the streets of the Eternal City of Rome. From the Sistine Chapel to the Colosseum, from Michelangelo to Marcus Aurelius, Enri reveals why Rome is like a lasagna - layers upon layers of Western civilization all in one city - and shares an epic 3-day itinerary for experiencing the Eternal City.What You'll Learn:• Why Rome is like a lasagna (layers of 3,000 years of history)• The perfect 3-day Rome itinerary (ancient sites, Vatican, and Baroque Rome)• What makes the Sistine Chapel and Colosseum must-see destinations• Why the Trevi Fountain tradition is actually THREE coins, not one• Hidden Rome: Trastevere and authentic neighborhoods tourists miss• Emperor Antoninus Pius: The 24-year reign of total peaceKey Quote:"Rome is the only city in the world where all the story of the past is still here in layers. You can touch it with your hands and feel the smell. From the foundation by Romulus to modern Italy - it's all here, waiting for you to discover." - Enri PjetriTimestamps:🏛️ 00:00 - From Albania to Rome: Following the dream of ancient history🏛️ 08:30 - Why Rome is like a lasagna (layers of civilization)🏛️ 15:20 - The Palatine Hill: Walking where emperors walked🏛️ 22:45 - Victor Emmanuel Monument: Beautiful but controversial🏛️ 28:15 - Mussolini's road that cut the Roman Forum in half🏛️ 35:40 - What makes the Colosseum one of the Seven Wonders🏛️ 42:20 - Vatican City: Where Christianity became a world religion🏛️ 48:50 - The Trevi Fountain myth: It's THREE coins, not one🏛️ 55:30 - Emperor Antoninus Pius: 24 years of peace (161 AD)🏛️ 62:15 - Marcus Aurelius and the tragedy of Commodus🏛️ 68:40 - The Sistine Chapel: Why Michelangelo said no to the Pope🏛️ 75:25 - Michelangelo's revolution: Creating space and time in painting🏛️ 82:10 - The Last Judgment: 25 years after the ceiling🏛️ 88:30 - Perfect 3-day Rome itinerary revealed🏛️ 95:15 - Day 1: Ancient Rome (Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill)🏛️ 101:45 - Day 2: Vatican City (Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's)🏛️ 107:20 - Day 3: Baroque Rome and hidden neighborhoods🏛️ 113:35 - Trastevere: Where authentic Rome comes alive at night🏛️ 119:50 - Caravaggio's free masterpieces in Roman churches🏛️ 125:40 - The church with the ceiling illusion (Sant'Ignazio)🏛️ 131:15 - What Rome teaches the modern world: Learn from the past🏛️ 137:45 - Julius Caesar: The leader every emperor copiedConnect with Enri Pjetri:• IG: Enri Pjetri • What's App Phone #: +39 328 461 6623• Private tours available for Vatican, Colosseum, and custom Rome experiences• Contact for tour bookings and Rome travel adviceSubscribe for more episodes exploring history, culture, and the stories behind iconic people and destinations.#Rome #Vatican #Colosseum #Italy #TravelItaly #ArtHistory #Michelangelo #AncientRome #SistineChapel #RomanEmpire #BuiltNotBorn #JoeCiccarone© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Built Not Born Podcast - Bryan Antonelli: "Seize, Clear, Build Hold" - Transforming America's Most Violent PrisonsFormer Federal Bureau of Prisons Senior Deputy Regional Director Bryan Antonelli shares 25 years of leadership lessons from transforming America's most dangerous prisons. From Hazelton (where Whitey Bulger was murdered) to Coleman (largest prison complex in America), Bryan reveals how he used military counterinsurgency tactics to turn chaos into order and his new book "Seize, Clear, Build and Hold."What You'll Learn:• Why every prison reform starts with fixing the lockup first• How to get staff buy-in when taking over a chaotic facility• The counterinsurgency tactics that work inside maximum security prisons• Why leadership training matters more than security technology• How drones and cell phones are destroying prison security• The parallel between Jiu-Jitsu training and leadership under pressureKey Quote:"There's always one more thing you can do to increase your odds of success. Your jail's gonna go as your lockup goes - if your lockup's a crowded, undisciplined mess, your jail's gonna be a disaster." - Bryan AntonelliTimestamps:🔒 00:00 - From Air Force to 25 years transforming violent prisons🔒 12:30 - Taking over Hazelton after Whitey Bulger's murder🔒 18:45 - Why staff culture beats security technology every time🔒 25:20 - The shower plan that changed everything in 48 hours🔒 32:15 - How contraband (drones, cell phones, soaked mail) fuels prison violence🔒 39:40 - "The storm before the calm" - expect resistance before reform🔒 46:25 - Counterinsurgency tactics: Treating gangs like insurgent groups🔒 52:30 - Always start with the lockup - your foundation for order🔒 58:15 - The Sony Walkman descrambler: How smart inmates really are🔒 64:40 - Incentivizing prisoners: Honor dorms vs restrictive housing🔒 71:20 - First week takeover plan: Observe, listen, don't rush🔒 77:50 - Building systems that outlast the leader🔒 83:30 - The shocking lack of defensive tactics training in corrections🔒 90:15 - Why Jiu-Jitsu makes better leaders and decision makers🔒 96:40 - From elite athlete to "fat slob" and back: Brian's transformation🔒 103:25 - Training at Max's Mixed Martial Arts with the Migliarese brothers🔒 109:30 - Leave your ego at the door or it'll get choked out🔒 115:45 - Extreme Ownership: The leadership bible that changed everything🔒 121:20 - Final lesson: Make time for yourself and family firstFeatured Book: "Seize, Clear, Build and Hold" by Brian AntonelliBrian Antonelli's Background:• 25-year career with Federal Bureau of Prisons• Senior Deputy Regional Director, Northeast Regional Office (Philadelphia)• Transformed Hazelton (WV) after Whitey Bulger murder - 7 murders/year to ZERO• Chief of Emergency Preparedness for entire BOP• Coleman (FL) - Largest federal prison complex in America• 15 prison locations nationwide• 4 years Air Force (1993-1997)• 28 years training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (black belt)• 1996 Olympic Training Center - Greco-Roman wrestlingConnect with Brian Antonelli:• LinkedIn: Brian Antonelli (13,000+ followers)• Company: Forged By Freedom Fit (strength & nutrition coaching)• Book: "Seize, Clear, Build, Hold"Subscribe for more episodes with leaders who've transformed chaos into order.#BrianAntonelli #SeizeClearBuildAndHold #PrisonReform #FederalPrisons #Leadership #ExtremeOwnership #Corrections #LawEnforcement #JiuJitsu #BuiltNotBorn© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Dave Berke: "The Need to Lead" - Former Top Gun Instructor & F-35 Commander on Why Every Problem is a Leadership Problem ✈️Former Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Dave Berke shares his journey from Top Gun instructor to F-35 squadron commander to combat veteran fighting alongside Navy SEALs in Ramadi. Now a leadership instructor at Echelon Front with Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, Dave reveals lessons from his new book "The Need to Lead" - the third in the Extreme Ownership series.What You'll Learn:• Why every problem is a leadership problem (and how that empowers you to solve it)• The difference between extreme ownership and preemptive ownership• Why "someone's gonna do it, it might as well be you" changes everything• How to lead when you're leading your equals and peers• Why good leadership must outlast the leader• The power of being a leader who listens firstKey Quote:"Someone's going to do it, it might as well be you. Every person needs to lead in order to succeed, no matter the environment." - Dave BerkeTimestamps:🛩️ 00:00 - The Star Wars moment that sparked a fighter pilot dream🛩️ 08:15 - Mom's powerful advice: "Someone's gonna do it, might as well be you"🛩️ 15:30 - Growing up in Marine Corps town: El Toro flight path childhood🛩️ 22:45 - First time behind the controls and the road to Top Gun🛩️ 28:20 - Only Marine to fly both F-22 Raptor and F-35B Lightning🛩️ 35:40 - Mom watching his first F-35B vertical landing - full circle moment🛩️ 42:15 - Becoming a Top Gun instructor: Leading your peers🛩️ 48:30 - Humble, credible, approachable: The ultimate teaching framework🛩️ 55:20 - Leaving the cockpit for combat on the ground in Ramadi🛩️ 62:45 - Fighting alongside Jocko and Leif's SEAL Team in 2006🛩️ 68:30 - The dichotomy: Coming home to San Diego after losing a Marine🛩️ 75:10 - Reconnecting with Jocko and Leif to join Echelon Front🛩️ 82:40 - Writing the third book in the Extreme Ownership series🛩️ 88:15 - Every problem is a leadership problem (and every solution is too)🛩️ 94:20 - Preemptive ownership: Solving problems before they happen🛩️ 101:30 - The leader as listener: Why talking less makes you more effective🛩️ 107:45 - Good leadership outlasts the leader - you don't pick when you leave🛩️ 114:20 - Everyone is a leader: Why title and rank don't matter🛩️ 120:15 - The brutal truth about writing: First drafts are humbling🛩️ 125:30 - Final lesson: Leadership is a skill anyone can learnBook: "The Need to Lead" by Dave Berke - Available October 2024Third book in the Extreme Ownership series following "Extreme Ownership" and "The Dichotomy of Leadership"Connect with Dave Berke:• Instagram: @DavidRBerke• Company: Echelon Front (with Jocko Willink & Leif Babin)Subscribe for more episodes with elite performers who've overcome the odds.#DaveBerke #TheNeedToLead #ExtremeOwnership #EchelonFront #JockoWillink #TopGun #Leadership #Marines #F35 #BuiltNotBorn #JoeCiccarone #LeifBabin© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Built Not Born Podcast (#176)- Amy P. Kelly & Julie Nee: "The Gift of Growth" on Daily Micro-Actions, Building Beliefs, and Why Four Minutes Beats Four HoursAmy P. Kelly and Julie Nee share their latest book "The Gift of Growth" - a daily growth guide proving that four minutes of intentional action beats four hours of planning. Both corporate veterans who've worked with Jon Gordon for a decade reveal how 365 days of quotes paired with micro-actions creates sustainable transformation for busy people.What You'll Learn:The formula: Idea + Action = ProgressHow to build a belief that fuels difficult daysWhy appreciating small wins transforms your inner criticCreating physical environments that support growthThe power of daily micro-actions over grand plansKey Quote:"Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so."Timestamps:00:00 - Guest introductions & The Gift of Growth origin story09:15 - How the book works: Quote + micro-action daily18:45 - The CULTIVATE framework explained29:30 - Curating your information diet39:20 - Building your belief garden44:45 - The basement stories: Growth through hardship58:15 - The logistics of self-publishing73:50 - John Gordon's impact on their lives82:30 - Final takeaways: Take action & build your belief gardenFeatured Book: "The Gift of Growth: Plant Presents Every Day" - Available on AmazonConnect with Amy P. Kelly & Julie Nee:Book: Gift of Growth Website: YouGrowGirl.comIG: @YouGrowGirlCommunityWebsite: AmyPKelly.comWebsite: :JulieNee.comSubscribe for more episodes with proven strategies on personal growth, leadership, and sustainable success.#AmyPKelly #JulieNee #TheGiftOfGrowth #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #YouGrowGirl #BuiltNotBorn #JoeCiccarone #JonGordon #DayOfDevlopment © Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Episode: Built Not BornGuest: Guy Kawasaki - Former Apple Chief Evangelist, Author of "Wiser Guy"Host: Joe CiccaroneRelease Date: September 22, 2025🎯 Power Quote"Your true scorecard isn't measured in dollars, followers, or fancy titles. It's measured in lives changed, relationships strengthened and personal growth achieved. I hope you made people's lives better. I hope the world is better for you having lived in it." - Guy Kawasaki📖 Episode OverviewApple's former Chief Evangelist Guy Kawasaki returns to share wisdom from his new book "Wiser Guy" and reveals the leadership lessons learned from Steve Jobs, the power of saying yes early in your career, and why he started surfing at 60. From getting mistaken for Jackie Chan to learning the high road from his father, Guy delivers actionable insights on motivation, sales mastery, and building a remarkable life.Key Topics Covered:Mission-driven leadership vs. being an assholeThe foundation of great teachers and mentorsWhy motivation doesn't matter (but being motivated does)Sales fundamentals and the power of empathyPunch up, never punch down leadership philosophyRegret analysis and taking bold actionLearning new skills later in lifeMeasuring impact over money⏰ Timestamps with Emojis🍎 [00:00] - Opening & Steve Jobs "Think Different" StoryGuy recalls being in the room when the iconic "Think Different" campaign was previewedThe moment Steve Jobs said "Don't give one to Guy" in front of everyoneGuy's response: "Steve, it's okay because I don't trust you either"Why this probably cost him $250 million👔 [08:15] - Mission-Driven Assholes vs. Regular AssholesThe distinction between people who are assholes for themselves vs. for a missionSteve Jobs as the ultimate mission-driven assholeWhy Melanie Perkins from Canva proves you don't need to be an asshole to succeedThe chicken-and-egg question: Does being an asshole make you successful, or does success make people tolerate your behavior?👩‍🏫 [15:30] - The Teacher Who Changed Everything: Trudy AkauHow an elementary school teacher in Hawaii altered Guy's entire life trajectoryThe moment she told Guy's parents he had potential and should leave public schoolFrom potential "ghetto guy" to Stanford graduate because of one teacher's interventionHow to become a "Trudy" in someone else's life🌺 [22:45] - The Gardener Story: Taking the High RoadGetting mistaken for the gardener while trimming his hedge in an affluent SF neighborhoodHis father's surprising reaction: "Statistically, she was right"Why being Japanese American in Hawaii vs. mainland created different perspectivesThe lesson in giving people the benefit of the doubt🏎️ [28:20] - The Jackie Chan MomentDriving a Porsche, feeling like hot stuff, getting asked by teenage girls if he's Jackie ChanGuy's life goal: someday having Jackie Chan get asked if he's Guy KawasakiWhy you've got to get your motivation where you can find it🚗 [32:10] - What Really Motivated Guy: Cars, Not Changing the WorldThe Porsche ride in high school that made him want to study harderGetting robbed twice on the bus and vowing never to live in povertyThe Stanford friend's family with the Rolls Royce, Ferrari, and Arizona Biltmore lifestyle"Forget changing the world, you gotta change the car"✅ [40:25] - The Power of Saying Yes Early in Your CareerWhy Guy said yes to counting diamonds during MBA schoolHow seemingly random experiences (jewelry sales) prepared him for Apple evangelismLearning hand-to-hand combat sales skillsWhen to transition from saying yes to everything to being selective🤝 [46:50] - Sales Fundamentals: Empathy Over EverythingThe one thing that separates great salespeople from mediocre onesWhy great salespeople think about the customer, not their quotaThe importance of believing your product is genuinely good for the other personWhy Guy could never sell Microsoft Windows👆 [52:15] - Punch Up, Never Punch DownTrue strength means challenging those above you, never belittling those with less powerHow you can judge someone's character by how they treat "powerless" peopleThe pragmatic and moral reasons to avoid punching downWhy punching down is a sign of weak ego and overcompensation😔 [58:30] - Regret Analysis: Action vs. InactionDaniel Pink's Regrets Project findingsWhy people regret not taking risks more than taking risks and failingThe evolutionary vs. modern context of risk-takingHow social relationships factor into regret patterns🏄‍♂️ [65:40] - Learning New Skills at 60+: Surfing and HockeyStarted surfing at 60, hockey at 44 (both because his kids were interested)Why he reverses the typical parent approach - he takes up what his kids loveThe mental barriers people create about learning later in lifeStill surfing literally every day at 71🌊 [72:20] - Business Lessons from Surfing"If you don't try to catch a wave, you'll never catch a wave"Why waiting for the perfect wave means never catching any waveThe mental complexity of surfing as a metaphor for business decisionsHow surfing te

Built Not Born Podcast: Jay Papasan - The Rookie Real Estate Agent, Why Busy Means Broke, and Turning Focus Into a Superpower - Episode 174 🏠📈Episode Description 📖Co-author of "The One Thing" Jay Papasan returns to Built Not Born for his third appearance to discuss his latest book "The Rookie Real Estate Agent." In this power-packed conversation, Jay reveals the research-backed strategies that separate successful real estate rookies from those who struggle, why 200 people in your database is the magic number, and how to turn busyness into productivity.Drawing from interviews with 250+ top-performing agents, Jay breaks down the fundamentals that haven't changed in 20 years alongside the modern tools and technology that make everything more effective. Whether you're in real estate, sales, or any service-based business, this episode delivers actionable insights on database management, prospecting strategies, and building sustainable business systems.Key Topics Covered: 🎯🏡 Why treating real estate like a business from day one is crucial📊 The 200-person database rule and 6.5% annual transaction rate🎯 Focus as a superpower in an age of distraction📞 The professional-to-personal call structure that works🏠 How to conduct epic open houses that generate leads💼 When to go part-time vs. full-time in sales careers🔄 The four-touch event marketing systemGuest Bio 👨‍💼Jay Papasan is the co-author of "The One Thing," one of the most popular business books of all time, and VP of Publishing at Keller Williams Realty 📚. Jay's also the author of the newly released "The Rookie Real Estate Agent" and co-host of "The ONE Thing" podcast with Gary Keller. Jay's writing and research have helped millions of professionals focus their efforts and build sustainable, profitable businesses. His newsletter "The 20 Percenter" reaches 13,000+ subscribers with a 65% open rate 📊.Key Quotes 💬"Focus is a superpower. Without delay, how fast can we get people into income-producing activities?" 💪 - Jay Papasan"Your database is your business. 200 people in your database - that's the magic number from our proprietary research." 📈 - Jay Papasan"The biggest mistake rookies make is they don't treat it like a business early enough. The moment you think of it like a business, you start doing things differently." 🏢 - Jay Papasan"Most people's database is just their phone or a spreadsheet and they don't touch it until people reach out to them." 📱 - Jay Papasan"If you're not talking to people about buying and selling real estate today, you probably weren't productive today." 📞 - Jay Papasan"We all want to believe that people, even when we weren't there, were wishing we were." 🎯 - Jay Papasan (on the "missed you" call strategy)Episode Highlights ⏰[00:00] 🎬 Opening discussion about lost luggage and Air Tags [02:30] 📚 Jay's experience with The ONE Thing Domino program[05:15] 🏠 Introduction to "The Rookie Real Estate Agent" book [08:45] 🔄 20 years of real estate: what's changed vs. what stays the same [12:20] 🐕 The Taco Taco success blueprint (Jay's dog as business model) [15:40] ⚡ Focus as a superpower - busyness vs. productivity [19:25] 💼 How to know if you're being impactful vs. just busy [23:10] 📊 The 200-person database magic number revealed [27:35] 🧮 Database math: 6.5% transaction rate breakdown [31:20] 📧 Database cultivation strategies and open rates [35:45] 📞 The professional-to-personal call structure [39:15] 🎉 Four-touch event marketing system [42:50] 🤔 Biggest myths that trip up rookie agents [46:30] 💰 Corner case: what to do with $5K and 90 days left [50:15] 🏠 Epic open house strategies for lead generation [54:40] 🎯 Finding your "One Thing" in multi-faceted real estate business [58:25] ⚡ Rapid fire questions: $100 purchase, worst advice, overwhelm strategies [62:10] 📱 Most used apps and life philosophy [64:35] 🚀 What's next for Jay and Gary KellerResources Mentioned 📚🎯 Website: Jay Papasan 📖 New Book: "The Rookie Real Estate Agent" by Jay Papasan 📚 Classic Book: "The One Thing" by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan💼 Company: Keller Williams RealtyBuilt Not Born Podcast (#122) - Jay Papasan: Think Like a CEOBuilt Not Born Podcast (#81) - Jay Papasan: The ONE ThingKey Insights and Takeaways 💡Database Management:Magic Number: 200 people in your database for sustainable businessTransaction Rate: 6.5% of your database will transact annuallyLong-term View: 65% of people will own a home over 10 yearsTouch Frequency: Connect with database every 10 days maximumQuarterly System: Work through 2 letters of alphabet weekly (A-B, C-D, etc.)Prospecting Strategies:Professional First: Start calls with business, end with personalEvent Marketing: 4 touch

End of Summer Recap, Camera Flashes, and Fall Preview - Episode 173 📸☀️🍂Episode Description 📖Built Not Born host Joe Ciccarone takes a break from guest interviews to share an end-of-summer reflection and preview the exciting lineup of guests coming in the fall season. Joe opens up about the "best of times and worst of times" summer, sharing the loss of his father Fran and celebrating sending his second son off to college.This episode offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast's growth and Joe's personal journey, while building anticipation for upcoming conversations with bestselling authors, Navy Top Gun instructors, Apple executives, and championship coaches.Episode Highlights:Personal reflections on family loss and growthPreview of upcoming bestselling author guestsBehind-the-scenes podcast insightsCall to action for subscriber growthIntroduction to the Built Not Born Blog newsletterHost Personal Update 👨‍👨‍👦The Worst of TimesLoss of Father: Joe's father Fran Ciccarone passed away July 3rd after battling cancerFuneral Impact: 200 people attended the funeral luncheon for the 82-year-old - remarkable turnout that spoke to his father's characterFamily Process: July spent handling funeral arrangements, viewings, and reconnecting with familyEulogy Available: Joe recorded a special eulogy episode available on SpotifyThe Best of TimesCollege Send-off: Dropped second son off at college in upstate New YorkFamily Milestone: Now has two sons in college (senior and freshman) and one middle schooler at homePositive Outlook: Both college sons are "in great spots" and expected to thriveUpcoming Fall Season Guest Preview 🎙️Recently Released:Jon Gordon - Episode 17218-time bestselling authorDiscussed "The 7 Commitments of a Great Team"$100,000 speaking fee performer15-minute conversation packed with leadership insightsComing Soon:Jay PapasanCo-author of "The One Thing" - one of the most popular business books of all timeNew book: "The Rookie Real Estate Agent" (releasing next week)Expert on productivity, focus, and business success principlesSpecializes in thriving during recessions and crowded marketsGuy KawasakiFormer Apple Chief Evangelist who launched the Macintosh with Steve JobsNew book: "Wiser Guy" - follow-up to 2019's "Wise Guy"Joe received early pre-read copyTechnology and entrepreneurship expertiseDave Burke (Echelon Front)Former Navy Top Gun flight instructorCombat veteran who served on ground in Ramadi, Iraq with Jocko Willink and Leif BabinNew book: "The Need The Lead"Currently working with Echelon Front leadership consultingAmy P. Kelly & Julie NeeCo-authors discussing "Gifted Growth"Leadership and business development focusDudley DuncanHall of Fame swimming coachExpert on succeeding in one of the most grueling sportsInsights on mental toughness and athletic excellencePodcast Growth Initiatives 📈Subscription DriveSubscribe to Built Not Born Podcast (Spotify, Apple, Google, Overcast)Why It Matters: Subscriptions drive algorithmic promotion within appsImpact: More subscribers = broader reach and discoverabilityGoal: Automatic episode downloads for loyal listenersBuilt Not Born Blog Launch 📝New Newsletter:Post-episode summaries of best habits, tactics, and strategies3-minute read format for busy professionalsDirect links to guest resources, books, courses, and platformsEasy way to follow and connect with featured guestsSubscription available for regular updatesSEO Keywords 🔍Built Not Born podcast, Joe Ciccarone, end of summer recap, podcast preview, Jon Gordon, Jay Papasan, Guy Kawasaki, Dave Burke, Echelon Front, Top Gun instructor, Apple Macintosh, bestselling authors, leadership podcast, personal development, business success, productivity, focus, military leadership, swimming coaching, Built Not Born blog, podcast newsletter, subscription growthTags 🏷️#BuiltNotBorn #PodcastRecap #JoeCiccarone #JonGordon #JayPapasan #GuyKawasaki #DaveBurke #EchelonFront #Leadership #PersonalDevelopment #BusinessSuccess #Productivity #MilitaryLeadership #Apple #TopGun #Swimming #Newsletter #PodcastGrowth #FallSeason #BestsellingAuthorsAbout Built Not Born 🎙️Built Not Born explores how high achievers in business, sports, and life overcome obstacles to reach peak performance. Hosted by Joe Ciccarone, each episode delivers actionable insights and inspiring stories from leaders who've built something extraordinary.Subscribe to Built Not Born:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOvercastAll major podcast platformsBuilt Not Born Blog: Subscribe for post-episode summaries and guest resources delivered in 3-minute reads.© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Built Not Born Podcast: Jon Gordon - The 7 Commitments of a Great Team, Why Teammates Are Forever, and How Commitments Crush Goals 🚀⚡Episode Description 📖Bestselling author Jon Gordon returns to Built Not Born to discuss his latest book "The 7 Commitments of a Great Team" - a book that took him 16 days to type but 54 years to write 📚. From his days as a Cornell lacrosse player to becoming one of the world's top leadership experts, Jon reveals the framework that transforms ordinary teams into extraordinary ones.In this powerful episode, Jon shares the profound moment when his dying coach said "Teammates are forever" and how that revelation became the foundation for understanding what truly makes teams great. Discover why commitments matter more than goals, how to build unbreakable team bonds, and the secret to staying energized instead of drained by your work 💪.Key Topics Covered: 🎯🏆 The 7 Commitments that separate great teams from good ones💥 Why commitments crush goals every time❤️ The power of "Teammates are forever"🎯 How to align your team around vision and mission🔥 Why love drives grit and commitment drives greatness🥊 Life as a series of sprints combined with a boxing match⚡ How to stay energized instead of drained by your workGuest Bio 👨‍💼Jon Gordon is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and leadership consultant 🏆. Author of 32+ books including "The Energy Bus," "The Power of Positive Leadership," and "The Hard Hat," Jon has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies, sports teams, school districts, and nonprofits around the world 🌍. His practical frameworks for building positive, high-performing teams have transformed organizations from the NFL to Fortune 500 boardrooms ✨ Key Quotes 💬"Teammates are forever, Tim. Teammates are forever." 💫 - Coach Richie (Jon's Cornell lacrosse coach)"Goals are great, but your goals will not take you to where you want to go. It's your commitments that will take you to your goals." 🎯 - Jon Gordon"We don't get burned out because of what we do. We get burned out because we forget why we do it." 🔥 - Jon Gordon"Commitment is really love in action." ❤️ - Jon Gordon"Life is a series of sprints and a marathon combined with a boxing match. You're not just running, but you are getting hit along the way." 🥊 - Jon GordonEpisode Highlights ⏰[00:00] 🎬 Introduction and Jon's incredible writing journey [03:30] 💫 The profound "Teammates are forever" moment with Coach Richie [08:15] 🏆 Cornell lacrosse national championship connections and cosmic timing [12:45] 🎯 Why commitments crush goals - the dirty myth about goal setting [18:20] 📝 The powerful exercise: writing goals then ripping them up [22:10] 🔧 Which of the 7 commitments to start with as a leader [25:40] 🎯 Vision and mission: knowing where you're going and why [28:35] 🤝 Commitment to each other - having each other's backs [32:15] ⚡ Why some work energizes you while the same work drains you [35:50] 🥊 Life as sprints + boxing match - how commitments carry you through [38:45] ❤️ How love drives grit and commitment drives greatness [42:20] 🌟 Jon's mission: developing positive leaders worldwide [45:10] 📚 What's next: "The Energy Bus Rides Again" sequel teaserResources Mentioned 📚📖 Book: "The 7 Commitments of a Great Team" by Jon Gordon📚 Classic: "The Energy Bus" by Jon Gordon🏆 Book: "The Hard Hat" by Jon Gordon📝 Tool: 7 Commitments Checklist (available on Jon's website)🎓 Program: Certified Positive Leader certification🏆 Story: Cornell lacrosse national championship (21 years after George Barardi)📖 Upcoming: "The Energy Bus Rides Again" (sequel)📖 Upcoming: "The Power of Positive Habits"Connect with Jon Gordon 🌐💻 Website: JonGordon.com🎓 Certification: Become a Jon Gordon Certified Leader 📸 Instagram: @JonGordon11🐦 Twitter/X: @JonGordon11About Built Not Born 🎙️Built Not Born explores how high achievers in business, sports, military, and life overcome obstacles to reach peak performance 🚀. Hosted by Joe Ciccarone, each episode delivers actionable insights and inspiring stories from leaders who've built something extraordinary ✨.Subscribe to Built Not Born: 📱🍎 Apple Podcasts🎵 Spotify📱 YouTube Tags 🏷️#JonGordon #7Commitments #TeamBuilding #Leadership #EnergyBus #PositiveLeadership #Goals #Commitments #TeamWork #Cornell #Lacrosse #BuiltNotBorn #JoeCiccarone #Podcast #Motivation #Inspiration #TeamCulture #Vision #Mission #Grit #Love #Success #Mindset #PersonalDevelopmentSEO Keywords 🔍Jon Gordon, 7 commitments great team, team building, leadership development, Energy Bus, positive leadership, commitments vs goals, team culture, vision and mission, teammate relationships, Cornell lacrosse, Built Not Born podcast