Dante Royster, a seasoned mortgage broker and the author behind the book "The Ultimate Mortgage Guide," is a dynamic professional dedicated to transforming lives through financial empowerment. With a career spanning over two decades, Dante's journey in the mortgage industry began in 2002, and he wants to share his knowledge with you. With licensing in nine states, Dante interacts with individuals from diverse backgrounds and financial situations, utilizing his expertise to make the dream of ...
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Introducing Ryan Weiss, the visionary President of EPS and the dynamic host of the Optics in Action podcast. With a track record of successful leadership spanning over two decades, Ryan has consistently driven business results and profitability in teams, programs, and operations. His profound appreciation for diverse cultures has been nurtured through extensive international work across three countries, where he led global teams in over 20 nations. Don't miss a moment of our daily podcast, w ...
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Mindful Moments with Dr. Matt aims to educate the public on various aspects of mental health and wellness that range from individual to familial, and larger community considerations. Whether seeking specific information on debilitating conditions or a little guidance to go from surviving to thriving, this podcast will provide the insights to help you achieve your best life.
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Erika J. Kendrick is a bestselling author, national speaker, and mental fitness expert. With a psychology degree from Stanford and an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Erika's diverse career includes being an NBA cheerleader for the Chicago Bulls and writing novels like Confessions of a Rookie Cheerleader and Appetite. She’s currently…
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Joshua Mercer is a true Chicago visionary with a heart for the community and a knack for entrepreneurship. A graduate of Howard University with a degree in marketing, he later received a master's in elementary education. His journey has been marked by impactful ventures, from founding Swish Dreams Sports and Educational Foundation to pioneering the…
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In this insightful episode of OPTICS™ in Action, host Ryan Weiss interviews Andy Pace, the founder of the Green Design Center and a leading voice in the healthy home movement. Andy shares his transformative journey from a traditional career in construction to becoming a passionate advocate for non-toxic, environmentally conscious building practices…
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Trent Ehrlich is a seasoned insurance professional dedicated to providing personalized coverage solutions throughout Colorado. With over a decade of experience, Trent is known for his attentive customer service, unwavering integrity, and ability to simplify complex insurance concepts. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a c…
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Jesse Pettway is a Husband, Father, Firefighter Paramedic, and Licensed Funeral Director. He is a dedicated professional with a passion for guiding aspiring Funeral Directors on their journey to obtaining licensure. As an honors graduate of Malcolm X College's Mortuary Science Program, Jesse brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field.…
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From Startup to Scale: Effective Strategies for Managing a Diverse Portfolio of 28 Businesses
25:40
In this episode of OPTIC(S)™ in Action host Ryan Weiss interviews Allan Draper, an entrepreneur managing a portfolio of 28 diverse businesses, including pest control, software, product companies, a law firm, and more. Draper shares his passion for the startup phase of businesses and the importance of people and processes in scaling operations. He e…
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Welcome to "Mindful Mornings with Dr. Matt," where we explore the depths of mental wellness and personal growth. Today, we have extra special guest, Ivana Miranda, where we discuss work-life balance as a busy professional, particularly in respect to working women. Ivana H. Miranda is a Project Manager with the Department of Commerce and National Co…
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Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Insights from Spencer Padway's Journey in Transforming Strategies
15:48
In this episode of OPTIC(S)™ in Action, Ryan Weiss interviews Spencer Padway, CEO of Search Nurture and Project FBA. Spencer shares his marketing journey, highlighting how his agency, Search Nurture, focuses on turning negative business inflection points into positives. He explains that Search Nurture initially addressed a common industry issue by …
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Dr. Shadae Booker-Shelton is a distinguished Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in primary care, with a doctoral degree in nursing from Northern Kentucky University, earned in 2022. She holds a master’s degree in nursing from Governor State University and is nationally board-certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She is l…
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Welcome to "Mindful Mornings with Dr. Matt," where we explore the depths of mental wellness and personal growth. Today, we are fortunate to have special guest, Dante Royster, where we discuss some of the common stressors people experience around finances, purchasing a home, making mortgage payments, and maintaining (atop a plethora of other fun bil…
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Balancing Innovation and Workforce: Insights from EnPro and AmeriChem on the Future of U.S. Manufacturing with Grant Cook and Michael Perry
20:35
In this episode of the OPTICS™ in Action podcast, Ryan Weiss interviews Grant Cook, president of EnPro, and Michael Perry, national sales manager for AmeriChem Systems. They discuss the critical role of manufacturing in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of keeping manufacturing jobs local and supporting American industries. Grant and Michael sha…
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Sharon E. Buck, an Amazon best-selling author renowned for her humorous cozy mysteries with a Florida twist, balances her creative endeavors with the meticulous work of editing, formatting, and ghostwriting business books. She lives in northeast Florida close enough to the Atlantic Ocean to smell the salt air but far enough away that she doesn’t ha…
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46 - Revolutionizing the Homebuying Experience with Knowledge and Support with Epic Mortgage's Dante Royster
19:39
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the President of Epic Mortgage, Dante Royster. Epic Mortgage, is driven by a mission to educate and support individuals in achieving the American dream of owning a home, which is particularly important in the current market with its high interest rates and limited housing availability. Dante emphasized the importan…
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Damon Royster, originally from Chicago and now residing in Los Angeles, has made a name for himself in the world of comedy. He has written and directed sketch comedy for both Second City in Chicago and the Pack Theater in L.A. His writing has been featured on The Gag, a Comedy Central-owned LGBTQ Instagram account, the tabletop game Cards Against H…
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Welcome to "Mindful Mornings with Dr. Matt," where we explore the depths of mental wellness and personal growth. This morning we are fortunate to have special guest, Nira Goyal, founder of Teen Mental Reset Inc., who is pioneering the pathway for other high schoolers interested in partaking in the work toward destigmatizing and advocating on mental…
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Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Leadership Expert, Author, Strategic Advisor, Coach, Educator, Mentor, and Speaker, Thomas Kereszti. Thamas' brainchild, Culture Force, was born out of a need to bridge the gap between the substantial investments companies make in leadership training and the alarming rate of employee turnover due to poor manage…
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47 - The Power of EOS: How Documented Processes Can Revolutionize Your Business with EOS Worldwide's Chris Castillo
20:39
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Certified EOS Implementer of EOS Worldwide, Chris Castillo. Chris's journey is a testament to the power of passion and the drive to help others succeed. Starting a coaching company with his wife in 2010, Chris encountered firsthand the challenges that come with entrepreneurship. Struggling to maintain a work-li…
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44 - The Future of Infrastructure: Smart, Sustainable, and Interconnected with Hampton, Lenzini, Renwick's Ryan Livingston
17:43
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Vice President, Director of Engineering, and Construction Department Manager of Hampton, Lenzini, Renwick, Ryan Livingston. Ryan's journey is a testament to the power of childhood curiosity. He recounted how his early fascination with construction and the iconic Hoover Dam steered him toward a career in civil e…
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Osazee Thompson is a passionate motivator who believes that everyone has a specific unique purpose to fulfill in life, and a part of his purpose is to educate, empower, train, and equip business owners and their employees to be most effective, proficient, and efficient in their respective industries and fields of work. He accomplishes this through …
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43 - Simplifying Cybersecurity and Driving Business Transformation: with Kyndryl's Onofrio Pirrotta
22:08
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Senior Vice President and Managing Partner of Kyndryl, Onofrio Pirrotta. With over two decades in the tech industry, Onofrio's motivation stems from witnessing the tangible changes technology can bring to businesses. He likens his work to that of an architect or a builder, finding immense satisfaction in design…
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Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the President of Team ODEA, Patty Rioux. Patty's journey is a testament to the power of passion and curiosity. With a background in journalism and a natural affinity for the creative aspects of marketing, Patty has built a career on her love of words and her desire to stand out in the market. In working with variou…
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Welcome to "Mindful Mornings with Dr. Matt," where we explore the depths of mental wellness and personal growth. Today, we are fortunate to have special guest, Dr. Anne Metz, where we discuss applicable considerations insofar as the use of psychedelics in clinical mental health. Dr. Anne Metz LPC has been a therapist, educator, and researcher for m…
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41 - Revolutionizing Software Development: Unveiling the Art of User Story Mapping with Change Healthcare's Alexander Dawson
23:27
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Director of Product Management of Change Healthcare, Alexander Dawson. Alex recounted his journey into the realm of software product management. Raised by a father who was a software engineer, Alex's childhood was steeped in technology. He fondly recalled how his early experiences with coding and game developme…
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Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Global Credibility Expert of, Mitchell Levy. Ryan's journey began with a simple yet profound question: Why credibility? Mitchell's response was deeply personal. He traced his focus on credibility back to his childhood, specifically to the time when his parents divorced. This event led him to ponder the role and…
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Stephen Searles II, a construction pro with nearly 30 years of experience. From his early days on job sites with his father's company to full-time trade school and advanced studies in project management and civil engineering, Stephen's passion for construction runs deep. He's dabbled in real estate investing and served as a trusted general contract…
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39 - Pioneering Sustainable Practices and Empowering Teams with Chicago Glue & Machine's Nirel Inman
27:07
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Co-President of Chicago Glue & Machine, Nirel Inman. Nirel is someone who truly understands the value of a positive work environment. She shared her passion for finding purpose and happiness, both in her personal life and within her role at Chicago Glue & Machine. She stressed the importance of setting boundari…
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38 - The Power of Differentiation on Employee Engagement and Business Growth with LaBov & Beyond Marketing Communications' Barry LaBov
28:21
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the President of LaBov & Beyond Marketing Communications, Barry LaBov. Barry's passion for marketing is rooted in a profound understanding of what makes each company unique. His firm specializes in working with manufacturers to unearth the distinctiveness of their products and services. But what sets Barry's approa…
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Kim Kriel has been in the mortgage industry in a variety of sales and operational roles for over 20 years. She began her mortgage career as a Loan Officer in Arizona working primarily in new construction lending. She transitioned over to Wholesale Operations and ultimately became an Account Executive. She is currently an Account Executive at TPO Go…
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37 - Understanding Family Dynamics and Leadership Challenges in Business with Dr. Donna Marino
23:54
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the President, Dr. Donna Marino. Donna's story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The loss of her father in the tragic events of 9/11 became a catalyst for her to make a positive impact in the world. This profound experience shaped her mission to work with family businesses and leadership, fostering an environm…
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36 - Exploring the Revolutionary Benefits of Pickle Juice with The Pickle Juice Company's Filip Keuppens
18:49
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Executive Vice President of The Pickle Juice Company, Filip Keuppens. For Filip and his team at the Pickle Juice Company, their mission is to create sustainable, relevant solutions that genuinely matter. Their unique go-to-market strategy blends traditional consumer packaged goods (CPG) theories with mission-ba…
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John Rogers is a seasoned professional with decades of experience in the Mortgage Lending Industry. Joining ACRAnet in 2016, his passion for the industry and keen attention to detail have always driven him to find the best product solutions for every situation. He delves into the complexities of the credit system and its profound impact on consumer…
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Welcome to "Mindful Mornings with Dr. Matt," where we explore the depths of mental wellness and personal growth. Today, we have special guest, Faust Ruggiero. Faust A. Ruggiero’s professional career spans almost 40 years, and is diversified and compelling, as it has consistently established new and exciting cutting-edge counseling programs in its p…
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35 - Revolutionizing Workforce Solutions through Data and Analytics with Labor Titan's Jason Krantz
20:16
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder of Labor Titan, Jason Krantz. Jason's journey from a corporate role to entrepreneurship was fueled by a deep-seated desire to help others. He recognized early on that while many sought assistance, few knew how to effectively harness the power of information. His career blossomed around the concept of le…
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34 - Understanding the Impact of Legislative Decisions with Illinois Manufacturers' Association's Maria Moran
18:41
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Member Engagement of Illinois Manufacturers' Association, Maria Moran. Maria's journey to the IMA is fascinating, starting from her days as a respiratory therapist, which she humorously notes was "before it was cool." Her transition into the manufacturing space and dive into lean methodology showcases a career…
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Welcome to "Mindful Mornings with Dr. Matt," where we explore the depths of mental wellness and personal growth. Today, we have special guest, Dr. Trinaa' Copeland. Beyond being a colleague and personal close friend of mine, Dr. Copeland is truly a helping professional in every sense of the term. While many believe that their purpose lies in titles…
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Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Chief Growth Officer of NaviStone, Ted Bray. Ted's philosophy is simple yet profound: it's all about people, teams, alignment, and achievement. His passion for working with amazing people to accomplish amazing things is what drives him. This ethos was evident from his days playing basketball, where the joy came…
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John Andrade, a seasoned entrepreneur and commercial relationship manager in the banking industry, brings a wealth of expertise in small to medium-sized business financing strategies. With a background in owning and selling businesses, including a successful online car buying service, he offers valuable insights into maximizing cash flow and access…
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Welcome to "Mindful Mornings with Dr. Matt," where we explore the depths of mental wellness and personal growth. Today, we have special guest, Dr. Shaquala Reese. Dr. Reese’s passion for helping people feel better inside and out led her to found "In Good Hands" in 2013. She has over 10 years of experience in chiropractic care and over 20 years in m…
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32 - The Future of Packaging: Navigating Innovation and Mentorship with PTIS Global's Brian Wagner
26:39
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Co-Founder and Principal of PTIS Global, Brian Wagner. Mentorship is a powerful tool, and Ryan has been incredibly fortunate to have Brian as his mentor. His expertise in packaging, business, and strategy has been invaluable to Ryan's growth. Reflecting on their relationship, Ryan is reminded of a mentoring wee…
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Welcome to "Mindful Mornings with Dr. Matt," where we explore the depths of mental wellness and personal growth. Today, we have special guest, Dr. Rita Rios: owner of Brazilian Lash Doctor & Brazilian Spa Suites, licensed aesthetician, celebrity lash guru, and breast cancer survivor. Dr. Rita is one I consider a friend, role model, and inspiration.…
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31 - Revolutionizing the Future of Real Estate with AI with Mogul Realty Group's James Knull
21:58
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the CEO of Mogul Realty Group, James Knull. James' story is one of evolution and passion. He began as an investor, which gave him a unique perspective on the real estate industry. This experience was the catalyst for his transition into becoming a realtor, eventually leading to the establishment of Mogul Realty Gro…
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Martha Chavez is an experienced financial coach with a passion for simplifying complex financial concepts. As an immigrant who moved to the US at a young age, Martha has a deep understanding of the challenges individuals face in achieving financial stability. With a natural affinity for mathematics and systems, she found her calling in the finance …
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Welcome to "Mindful Mornings with Dr. Matt," where we explore the depths of mental wellness and personal growth. Today, we have special guest, Leslie Urbas, who helps professional women defeat overwhelm, erase guilt, achieve optimal health, and reach their unattainable goals with ease. As one who "tells it like it is," Leslie shares from her person…
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Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with Infrastructure Technology Leader, Brian Hale. Brian's path into technology is a story of passion and purpose. From his early experiences tinkering with technology to his drive to help people, Brian's career is a testament to where curiosity and a service mindset can lead. His journey reminds us that at the heart of…
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Welcome to "Mindful Mornings with Dr. Matt," where we explore the depths of mental wellness and personal growth. Today, we have special guest, Bryan Kuhn, a local musician, mental health advocate, and personal friend. In this week's episode, Bryan graciously shares his emotional journey encompassing music and mental health. Together, we navigate th…
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29 - The Future of Housing: Redefining Construction and Affordability with Norhart's Mike Kaeding
24:50
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the CEO and Project Manager of Norhart, Mike Kaeding. Mike unveiled the ambitious goal of Norhart: to achieve a staggering 50% reduction in construction costs. This isn't just a lofty dream; it's a necessary response to America's escalating housing affordability crisis. Norhart isn't just building apartments; they'…
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Lola Jefferson, a licensed real estate agent at RE/MAX Realty for 17 years, specializes in providing expert guidance to first-time homebuyers navigating the intricate real estate market. With a comprehensive understanding of strategies for winning bidding wars, the critical importance of credit scores in home buying, and the benefits of obtaining p…
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Welcome to "Mindful Mornings with Dr. Matt," where we explore the depths of mental wellness and personal growth. Today, we have special guest, Sonia Chand, a licensed clinical professional, distinguished voice on the topic of autism spectrum disorder, and podcast host of "On the Spectrum with Sonia." In this episode, Sonia graciously shares her emo…
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28 - Revolutionizing Financial Clarity for Entrepreneurs: A Shift in Perspective with Shift Financial Insights' Spencer Sheinin
24:28
Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder and CEO of Shift Financial Insights, Spencer Sheinin. Spencer's journey is nothing short of inspiring. With a rich background as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Spencer has navigated various entrepreneurial waters, owning and managing businesses across diverse industries, from manufacturing to cons…
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Welcome to "Mindful Mornings with Dr. Matt," where we explore the depths of mental wellness and personal growth. Today, we have a very special pilot episode as I'm joined by Brandy Brock, a licensed clinical professional and up and coming voice in the realm of grief counseling. Together, we navigate the complexities of loss, uncover the healing pow…
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