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🎙️ The Open Exchange: Best of Year One!

As I wrap up an incredible first year of The Open Exchange, I am bringing you the most powerful, thought-provoking, and entertaining moments from the diverse lineup of guests. This episode features standout clips from some of the best conversations.

🔥 Lauren Bergeron – Discusses fitness, overcoming social media distractions, and building sustainable health habits.
🔥 Dom Williams – A passionate debate on WrestleMania, Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns, and the evolving landscape of professional wrestling.
🔥 Joe Delacruz – Shares the heart-wrenching yet inspiring story of his family's battle with addiction and the mission behind Community Speaks Out.
🔥 Jennifer Finan – Breaks down leadership, mentorship, and the importance of setting high expectations in business and personal growth.
🔥 Rajai Davis – Former MLB star reflects on his journey, from minor league struggles to his iconic home run in the 2016 World Series.
🔥 Samer Delgado – Talks about personal transformation, cutting bad habits, and the discipline required to change your life.
🔥 Geoff Smith – Discusses the evolving role of real estate agents and how technology is shifting the industry landscape.
🔥 CJ Satti – Explores work-life balance, faith, and building a legacy for his family.
🔥 Walter Cloud – Opens up about the weight men carry, the power of faith, and the importance of vulnerability in leadership.
🔥 Jose Rojas – Talks about his journey in barbering, learning from hip-hop culture, and balancing business success with personal sacrifices.
🔥 Danny Garcia – A deep dive into mentorship, breaking generational patterns, and embracing personal and professional growth.
🔥 Maurice Steele – Discusses faith, navigating life's highs and lows, and the ever-present battle between worldly distractions and spiritual fulfillment.

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In this episode, Paul sits down with Frank Colmenares, founder and owner of ReelEMedia and artist of the new album Beautiful Trama 2. Frank shares his journey from working in a middle school to running a full-time media company, all while staying true to his musical roots and passion for storytelling.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe for more!

📲 Follow Frank Colmenares & ReelEMedia:
🎵 Stream Beautiful Trama: https://music.apple.com/us/album/beautiful-trauma-2-the-ugly-in-the-healing/1800382379
📸 Instagram: @iAmFrankColmenares @Reelemedia
🎥 ReelEMedia Website: https://www.reelemedia.com/

Chapters
[00:00] Intro & Birthday Shoutout
[02:30] The Origin of ReelEMedia
[09:00] Taking the Leap: Entrepreneurship & Faith
[16:00] The Creative Process: Music & Film
[28:00] The Meaning Behind Beautiful Trama
[36:30] Family, Relationships & Emotional Barriers
[44:30] The Hustle Never Stops: Future Projects & Closing Thoughts

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In this episode of The Open Exchange, Paul sits down with Brandon Gidicson, an entrepreneur, real estate investor, and master networker. Brandon shares his journey from Sweden to New York to Connecticut, how he built a thriving networking event, and the mindset shifts that fuel his business growth.

We explore: Entrepreneurship & Scaling – Lessons from working in a fast-growing franchise & how to build a scalable business

Networking Hacks – How Brandon grew his professional network from scratch & filled events with 40+ attendees

Cold Exposure & Mental Toughness – The benefits of ice baths, pushing past discomfort, and embracing failure

Cultural Differences & Lessons from Sweden – How his time abroad shaped his perspective on food, health, and success

Pressure Washing Business – Why he started Under Pressure Water Pros & the $10 billion pressure-washing industry

Follow Brandon:
Instagram: @brandoncashflow @underpressurewashingpros
Business: Under Pressure Washing Pros
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-m-gidicsin/

Subscribe to the show: https://www.youtube.com/ @TheOpenExchangePodcast
Follow on Instagram: @TheOpenExchangePodcast

Chapters:
00:00 - Welcome & First Impressions – How Brandon knew this would be a great conversation
02:00 - From Sweden to New York – Family history, moving between countries, and how it shaped his mindset
06:00 - Lessons from Living in Sweden – Food, health, education, and differences in lifestyle
10:30 - The Reality of Networking – How Brandon built a thriving networking event from scratch
15:00 - Entrepreneurship & Business Failures – E-commerce coffee business, lessons learned, and why failure isn’t the end
20:00 - The Pressure Washing Industry – How he identified a $10 billion business opportunity
23:30 - Scaling & Business Growth – What he learned from working in a fast-growing franchise
27:00 - Ice Baths & Mental Toughness – Why pushing through discomfort creates massive growth
31:00 - The Power of Relationship Building – Networking beyond events & how to stay top-of-mind
36:00 - Comfort vs. Growth Mindset – Why comfort is the enemy of success
40:00 - Why LinkedIn is a Goldmine – How professionals can use LinkedIn to grow their business
44:00 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Brandon

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In this episode of The Open Exchange, I sit down with Kelly Lichtenberger, author of Prospect Like a Girl, to break down the fundamentals of sales, confidence, and emotional intelligence in a world increasingly driven by AI.

We discuss:

Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt in sales
Why emotional intelligence beats artificial intelligence in building relationships.

Kelly’s journey from door-to-door encyclopedia sales to industry-leading success.

How to handle rejection and sales slumps like a pro.

Why the human touch will always be valuable in business.

Kelly shares insights from her book, her experiences in technology and insurance sales, and her belief in the power of being human in a digital world.

📖 Get Kelly’s book, “Prospect Like a Girl” [ https://www.amazon.com/Prospect-Like-Girl-Intelligence-Artificial/dp/B0DDBP43SF/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 ]

Book a Consultation
https://www.prospectlikeagirl.com/booking

Connect With Kelly

WEBSITE(S)
https://www.prospectlikeagirl.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA(S)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellylichtenberger/

Chapters
00:00 - Intro & How Kelly Got on the Podcast
03:00 - Kelly’s Sales Journey & Early Struggles
06:30 - The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Sales
10:45 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Self-Doubt
15:20 - The Habit Loop & Breaking Comfort Zones
19:50 - Why Sales Slumps Happen & How to Get Out
24:40 - AI vs Human Connection in Sales
30:00 - Social Media, Validation, & Sales Strategies
35:20 - The Science of Prospecting & Sales Psychology
40:10 - Kelly’s Book Writing Journey & Personal Motivation
43:00 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Kelly

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In this episode of The Open Exchange, Dorothy Satti, owner of Gateway Mortgage in Waterford, CT, joins the show to talk about her incredible 38-year journey in the mortgage industry. Dorothy shares her early struggles, the challenges of 2008’s housing crash, and how she navigated COVID-19 to grow her business by 25-30% in 2024.

We dive into the power of mindset, leadership, and the importance of personal development. Dorothy also reveals how she overcame anxiety, fear, and burnout, the role of therapy, coaching, and acupuncture in her life, and why she is passionate about mentoring the next generation.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction & Dorothy’s Family History
04:00 - The Satti Family's Legacy of Helping Others
08:30 - Dorothy’s Early Career & Becoming a Mortgage Broker
12:00 - Lessons from the 2008 Financial Crisis
17:30 - COVID-19’s Unexpected Impact on Real Estate
21:45 - The Power of Mindset & Overcoming Fear
27:10 - How Leadership & Teamwork Built a #1 Mortgage Business
33:00 - Balancing Business, Personal Growth & Mental Wellness
38:45 - Why Dorothy Invests in Therapy & Personal Development
44:20 - Mentorship & Supporting the Next Generation
49:30 - “This Too Shall Pass” – A Life Lesson from Dorothy’s Mother
52:00 - Where to Find Dorothy & Closing Thoughts

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Travis Beausoleil is the former head coach of Mitchell College Baseball, where he led the program from 2012 to 2023, amassing 306 wins and securing seven conference championships (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023). Under his leadership, Mitchell College consistently earned NCAA regional bids and developed a culture of accountability, discipline, and player development.

A former All-American player at Avery Point, Travis played in the Cape Cod League before transitioning into coaching. Originally pursuing a career in law enforcement, he shifted his focus to baseball, earning his master's degree while coaching at UConn, where he worked with future MLB stars like George Springer, Nick Ahmed, and Matt Barnes.

Beyond his success on the field, Travis is known for instilling a winning mindset, prioritizing player growth both on and off the diamond. He is now working to bring a Connecticut collegiate baseball league team to Eastern Connecticut, continuing his passion for developing young athletes and growing the game.

Chapters:
Introduction & Why This Conversation Matters (00:00 - 04:30)
Travis' Journey: From Player to Coach (04:31 - 12:15)
The Role of Accountability in Coaching (12:16 - 18:45)
Turning a Losing Team into Champions (18:46 - 25:10)
The Biggest Lessons Baseball Teaches About Life (25:11 - 31:30)
The Evolution of Baseball & Where the Game is Going (31:31 - 38:00)
How Baseball Prepares You for Success Beyond Sports (38:01 - 44:00)
Final Thoughts & Advice for Young Athletes (44:01 - 50:00)

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In this episode, Paul sits down with Christos Provistalis, a hospitality expert, keynote speaker, and Disney alum, to explore the art of customer experience and human connection. Christos shares his journey from running a family pizzeria to leading at Disney, where he learned that the most successful businesses sell emotions, not just products. Tune in to hear practical tips on improving communication, self-awareness, and creating memorable customer experiences that resonate deeply.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction and Reconnection with Christos
02:41 - Who Is Christos Provistalis? Background in Hospitality
05:05 - Lessons from Disney: What Do You Really Sell?
09:30 - The Power of Emotional Connection in Business
15:20 - Self-Awareness and Its Impact on Communication
22:45 - The Human Need for Significance in Business
30:10 - The Family Business: Selling a Sense of Community
38:03 - Personal Reflection: When Community Support Comes Full Circle
44:08 - Current Projects and Goals for Christos
50:00 - Storytelling: The Key to Effective Speaking
55:12 - Closing Thoughts: The Importance of Human Connection


Website: https://christosspeaks.com/

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In this episode of The Open Exchange, Maurice (Moe) Steele shares his powerful story of transformation, faith, and redemption. Growing up in a in the church, he was surrounded by faith but eventually drifted away, chasing success, status, and validation in ways that led him further from his purpose. As he built a name for himself in the music industry and his personal life, he found himself entangled in pride, destructive habits, and an identity that no longer aligned with the deeper calling he had ignored for years.

Everything changed when he hit rock bottom. Faced with personal loss, strained relationships, and a future that felt uncertain, Moe experienced a spiritual reckoning that forced him to confront the emptiness he had been masking. In a moment of surrender, he cried out to God, leading to a profound shift in his life. He made the difficult decision to walk away from his old ways, including habits and relationships that no longer served his faith. Through prayer, scripture, and self-discipline, he rebuilt his foundation, prioritizing his relationship with God over everything else.

This conversation explores the struggles of walking in faith, the misconceptions about God and the church, and the battle between the flesh and the spirit. Paul and Moe discuss the modern challenges of faith, how media and culture shape perceptions of Christianity, and why so many people struggle with surrendering control.


Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction and Setting the Stage
03:15 – Moe Steele’s Background: Growing Up in Church and Hip-Hop Beginnings
08:45 – Running from the Calling: Struggles with Identity and Purpose
13:30 – Hitting Rock Bottom: Losing Everything and Facing Reality
18:55 – The Breaking Point: Crying Out to God in Desperation
23:40 – Walking Away from the Old Life: Leaving Weed, Alcohol, and Sin Behind
29:15 – The Power of Prayer and Scripture: Rebuilding Through Faith
34:50 – Spiritual Battles: The War Between Flesh and Spirit
40:20 – The Role of Church in America: Where It’s Failing and What Needs to Change
46:15 – Why Many Struggle with Faith and the Concept of Surrender
51:40 – Overcoming Trauma and Healing from the Past
57:20 – The Power of Testimony: Helping Others Find Their Way to God
01:03:10 – Final Thoughts and Advice for Those Seeking a Faith-Driven Life


Instagram: @MoeSteele
TikTok: MoeSteeleNL

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