Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino: February 2026

Monday, February 23, 2026

John Hampsey Interview – Award-Winning Professor on Soda Lake (2025) & Kaufman’s Hill | Famous Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with award-winning professor and distinguished author John Hampsey.

Dr. Hampsey is a Professor of Romantic and Classical Literature at California Polytechnic State University, where he received the University Distinguished Teaching Award. Earlier in his career, he taught at Boston University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

His acclaimed memoir Kaufman's Hill was called the “best book written on American boyhood in decades” by historian Howard Zinn. In 2025, he completed an international book tour for his latest release, Soda Lake, further cementing his reputation as a powerful literary voice.

Over the course of his career, Hampsey has published more than thirty stories and essays in prestigious literary journals and magazines. Born in Pittsburgh, his life story and literary journey are as compelling as the works he writes.

In this conversation, we explore literature, teaching, memoir writing, American identity, and the creative process behind his celebrated books.

All Things John Hampsey:

https://www.johnchampsey.com/

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Naomi Asher Interview – Burnout Prevention & Healthy Workplace Culture | Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with leadership expert, burnout-prevention strategist, and the force behind Maven Consulting, Naomi Asher.

Naomi works with organizations ready to stop bleeding talent and start building sustainable, healthy workplace cultures. She helps executives communicate clearly without spiraling into chaos, understand their teams instead of managing by guesswork, and retain top performers in competitive markets.

Blending research, humor, and bold candor, Naomi challenges leaders to get real, get strategic, and get measurable results—without sacrificing their wellbeing in the process. Her work focuses on leadership communication, employee retention, culture strategy, burnout prevention, and executive clarity.

If you're a CEO, founder, HR leader, or manager looking to improve company culture, reduce turnover, and build high-performing teams without burnout, this conversation is packed with practical insight.

More Naomi Asher:
https://naomithemaven.com/

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Warren Williams Interview – Energetic Alchemy® & ADHD Leadership Strategy | Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with UK-based performance strategist Warren Williams, creator of Energetic Alchemy®.

Warren’s work bridges cognitive performance and energetic regulation, helping high-performing and neurodivergent leaders transform scattered focus into structured flow. Through Energetic Alchemy®, he reframes ADHD as a strategic advantage—unlocking intuition-led decision-making, creative expansion, and scalable leadership.

His framework integrates nervous system regulation, energetic coherence, and Tier 1–5 leadership diagnostics to support executives—particularly those with ADHD or heightened sensitivity—in building sustainable success without sacrificing fulfillment or wellbeing.

From his base in the UK, we dive into leadership performance, neurodiversity in business, executive function, nervous system mastery, and how to turn cognitive intensity into clarity and scale.

If you’re an entrepreneur, executive, coach, or creative leader navigating ADHD or high sensitivity, this conversation delivers powerful insights into building sustainable, high-level success.

More Warren Williams:
https://warrenwilliamscoaching.com/

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Glenn Makos Interview – Arrowsic (2025) | NYC Jazz Trumpeter on Stop Time Records | Neon Jazz

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with NYC-based jazz trumpeter and composer Glenn Makos. We caught up with this seasoned New York player to talk about his new 2025 CD Arrowsic, released on Stop Time Records, and his lifelong journey through the world of jazz.

Inspired by Glenn’s passion for coffee roasting, Arrowsic reflects the distinctive flavors of beans sourced from around the globe. As he explored the unique regional characteristics of different coffees, those nuances found their way into his compositions—resulting in a richly textured album where aroma, rhythm, and melody intersect.

Over the years, Glenn has performed at many of New York City’s premier jazz venues, building a reputation as a thoughtful composer and dynamic trumpeter deeply rooted in the tradition while pushing forward creatively. In this in-depth conversation, we dive into the inspiration behind the record, the intersection of art and everyday ritual, and a life dedicated to jazz.

🎺 If you love modern jazz, trumpet masters, behind-the-scenes album stories, and artist interviews — this one is for you.

More on Glenn Makos:
https://www.glennmakos.com/

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Saturday, February 21, 2026

Cultural Historian, Educator & Author of The Jazz Barn John Gennari

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring cultural historian, educator, and author John Gennari.

We dive into his 2025 book The Jazz Barn: Music Inn, the Berkshires, and the Place of Jazz in American Life.

Dr. Gennari is a Professor of English and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies at the University of Vermont and an American Studies–trained U.S. cultural historian specializing in jazz and popular music, race and ethnicity, Italian American culture, food, sports, and cultural criticism. He is also the author of the 2017 book Flavor and Soul: Italian America at Its African American Edge.

In this conversation, we explore how a small New England town — Lenox, Massachusetts — became an unlikely home for jazz in the 1950s. The Jazz Barn chronicles the story of the Music Inn in the Berkshire Hills, where a barn, icehouse, and greenhouse were transformed into a groundbreaking cultural hub for performances, seminars, and cross-cultural exchange.

Set against the backdrop of McCarthyism, the civil rights movement, the Afro-Caribbean diaspora, and postwar tourism, this story challenges assumptions about race and place, art and geography, and the relationship between rural landscapes and urban jazz culture.

This is an essential conversation for anyone interested in jazz history, American cultural studies, race and music, and the evolution of jazz in America.

📚 Get John Gennari’s books here:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/John-Gennari/author/B001HD13RS?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=ccd9f68d-c8af-4cc6-8fd6-2eb7952af8ca

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Friday, February 20, 2026

Author, Longtime Small Business Owner, Marketing Guru & Exceptional Dreamer Rick Tracell

Welcome to a new edition of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino. On this episode, we talk with author, longtime small business owner, marketing mind, and exceptional dreamer Rick Tracewell.

Rick has spent years in that familiar place where you're working hard, staying busy, and still wondering why nothing is truly moving forward. In his short but powerful book, The Uncomfortable Comfort Zone, he explores why “busy” often replaces real progress — and how small, realistic shifts can create meaningful momentum without guilt, pressure, or pretending everything is fine.

Rick doesn’t position himself as a guru or psychologist — just someone who has lived this cycle more than once and discovered the value of clarity over hustle. In this honest and insightful conversation, we dive into entrepreneurship, small business challenges, mindset shifts, marketing realities, and the emotional weight of staying comfortable while feeling stuck.

If you’re an entrepreneur, creative, small business owner, or anyone questioning whether “busy” equals growth, this episode will resonate deeply.

Learn more about Rick Tracewell and The Uncomfortable Comfort Zone:
https://uczbook.com/

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Mental Gym for Leaders | Cory Chadwick of Lyceum on Proactive Mental Health & High Performance

Welcome to a new edition of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino. On this episode, we talk with Founder & CEO of The Mental Gym Lyceum, Cory Chadwick.

Cory is a proud dad, husband, long-suffering Maple Leafs fan, and visionary leader building something powerful: a mental gym for high-performers. Just like we train our bodies, Lyceum trains the mind. It’s a live-online, coach-led, group-based experience designed for smart, growth-driven leaders who want to consistently show up as their best selves.

Based in Toronto, Cory is on a mission to help individuals proactively manage their mental health—not reactively. Through structured mental “workouts,” community, and leadership development, Lyceum creates a ripple effect of resilience, clarity, and positive change.

In this conversation, we dive into leadership mindset, mental fitness, personal growth, high-performance habits, proactive mental health, emotional resilience, and what it really takes to lead well in today’s fast-moving world.

If you're a founder, executive, entrepreneur, coach, or growth-driven professional looking to level up your mindset and leadership, this episode is for you.

Learn more about Cory and Lyceum:
https://www.yourlyceum.com/

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Christian Women Entrepreneur Coach Elaine Lankford | She Steps Forward | Faith-Based Business Leadership

Welcome to a new edition of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino. On this episode, we talk with Founder of She Steps Forward Coaching and She Steps Forward International, Elaine Lankford.

Elaine is a passionate advocate for Christian female entrepreneurs, helping women launch and grow successful businesses, ministries, and nonprofits rooted in faith and purpose. She empowers women to confidently step into their God-sized dreams with clarity, strategy, and bold leadership.

Through She Steps Forward Coaching, Elaine provides strategic planning, individualized support, and faith-based business guidance tailored specifically to Christian women. As a certified John Maxwell Team member, she brings expertise in leadership development, speaking, writing, and entrepreneurial coaching to her transformational approach.

In this inspiring conversation, we explore faith-driven entrepreneurship, leadership principles, purpose-led business growth, women in ministry, nonprofit leadership, and how Christian women can turn vision into action.

If you're interested in Christian entrepreneurship, faith-based leadership, women in business, ministry growth, nonprofit development, or purpose-driven success, this episode is for you.

Learn more about Elaine Lankford:
https://www.shestepsforwardcoaching.com/

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Life Coach & Dream Catalyst Brayden Black | Identity, Purpose & Eliminating Limiting Beliefs | Famous Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino. On this episode, we talk with Utah-based Life Coach, Mentor, Identity Restorer, and Dream Catalyst Brayden Black.

Brayden has spoken to hundreds of youth and young adults across the United States, helping them rediscover their identity, eliminate limiting beliefs, and gain clarity and purpose. He doesn’t just deliver temporary motivation — he helps people see themselves differently, creating lasting transformation long after the coaching session, speaking event, or interaction ends.

In this powerful conversation, we explore Brayden’s journey into life coaching, his passion for empowering the next generation, and his mission to help individuals unlock the potential they can’t yet see in themselves. From mindset shifts to personal development strategies, this episode is packed with insight for anyone seeking clarity, confidence, and purpose.

If you're interested in life coaching, motivational speaking, personal growth, mindset transformation, youth empowerment, leadership development, or overcoming limiting beliefs, this interview is for you.

Follow Brayden Black:
https://www.instagram.com/_brayden.black?igsh=OTZ5ZXAyMzY3OWUw

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Panama Entrepreneur & Author Rich Sherman Ph.D. | You Can’t Go Home Again | Famous Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino. On this episode, we talk with Panama-based entrepreneur, traveler, former professor, and author Rich Sherman, Ph.D., about his powerful and deeply personal book You Can’t Go Home Again.

In this compelling conversation, Rich shares stories from his adventurous youth surfing the beaches of Southern California, Mexico, and Hawaii — and how Hawaii ultimately became the bridge that connected him to a new life in Panama. His journey spans living out of a 1963 VW bus, time in a yoga ashram, sleeping in his brother’s garage, earning a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Development, building a 20-year career as a licensed professional counselor, and teaching graduate students at Webster University in Kansas City for nearly two decades.

Now based in Casco Viejo, Panama, Rich works at the family-owned Casa Sucre Boutique Hotel & Coffeehouse while continuing to write, reflect, and inspire. His story is about reinvention, resilience, travel, spirituality, entrepreneurship, and finding purpose through life’s unexpected turns.

If you’re interested in personal growth, memoir writing, surfing culture, travel stories, psychology, entrepreneurship, or stories of starting over, this interview is for you.

📘 Get the book & learn more:
https://www.youcantgohomeagainbook.com/

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Thursday, February 19, 2026

Leader & Managing Partner at OverLang Venture Partners James Lang

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with leader and Managing Partner at OverLang Venture Partners, James Lang.

James has built a remarkable track record in scaling organizations. Before launching his venture firm, he served as Chief Operating Officer of a MedTech startup, generating more than $20 million in revenue and building a team of 60 from the ground up. Along the way, he developed strong talent pipelines, culture, and operational excellence.

Today, James focuses on helping American companies leverage AI the smart way — blending real-world executive experience with technical insight to empower businesses to compete in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

In this conversation, we explore leadership, venture capital, artificial intelligence strategy, startup scaling, operational growth, and what it takes to build resilient, future-ready companies.

🚀 Learn more about James Lang & OverLang Venture Partners:
https://www.overlang.com/

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Former NFL Player, Mappineering Mentor & Creator of the I AM Mind Map System John Diggs

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with former NFL player, Mappineering mentor, and creator of the I AM Mind Map System, John Diggs.

John leads a transformative approach to personal development that combines mind mapping with powerful self-discovery techniques. Through his system, he helps individuals uncover their unique blueprint for health, wealth, success, and happiness.

Using the power of Mappineering, John has guided students, athletes, parents, and professionals to gain clarity, build resilience, and achieve extraordinary results. From his base in Phoenix, we explore his early dreams of playing college football, lessons learned from the 2008 housing bubble, and the mindset shifts that shaped his journey from professional athlete to transformational mentor.

This is a powerful conversation about discipline, identity, resilience, and designing a life you truly love.

🏈 Learn more about John Diggs:
https://johndiggs.com/

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Clinical Psychologist, Integrative Wellness Expert & Co-Founder of Wellspring 88 Dr. Kelly Waggoner

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with clinical psychologist, integrative wellness expert, and co-founder of Wellspring 88, Dr. Kelly Waggoner.

Based in Southern California, Dr. Waggoner oversees a holistic wellness center where modern psychology meets ancient spiritual wisdom. With over two decades of experience, she has guided thousands of individuals through deep personal transformation — weaving together mindfulness, somatic healing, and soul-centered psychology.

She is the creator of The Tools, a workshop series that transforms complex psychological insights into embodied, everyday practices, and she co-leads The Path of Mastery, a six-month journey designed to help women reclaim their truth and live with soul and purpose.

In this powerful conversation, we explore integrative psychology, trauma healing, mindfulness practices, spiritual growth, emotional regulation, and the path toward embodied leadership and authentic living.

🌿 Learn more about Dr. Kelly Waggoner:

https://kellywaggonertherapy.com/

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Fractional Creative Strategist, Photographer, Founder & Community Leader Jennifer Kornoely

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with fractional creative strategist, photographer, founder, and community leader Jennifer Kornoely.

Jennifer left corporate life in 2015 to launch her own real estate photography business. While she was confident behind the camera, she quickly realized that finances, marketing, confidence, and business growth required an entirely new skill set.

After years of steady growth fueled by personal development books and mastermind groups, she became convinced there had to be a faster — and more accessible — way for women entrepreneurs to gain both the knowledge and confidence to implement what they learn.

That belief led to the creation of the She Reads, She Leads Bookclub, a community where women grow their personal development and business skills while building meaningful connections and accountability.

From her base in Boise, Idaho, we explore entrepreneurship, creative strategy, confidence building, business systems, personal growth, and the power of community in scaling success.

📚 Learn more about Jennifer and She Reads, She Leads:
https://www.shereadssheleads.com/

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Psychotherapist, Metaphysician, Motivational Speaker, Author & Founder Anjalia McGoldrick

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with psychotherapist, metaphysician, motivational speaker, author, and founder Anjalia McGoldrick.

She is the founder and owner of Life In Balance Counseling & Wellness Center and the award-winning author of The Child I Left Behind: A Mother's Journey Toward Healing & Forgiveness.

Her powerful memoir chronicles surviving childhood trauma, teen pregnancy, and emotional abuse — and ultimately finding the courage to forgive, heal, and rise. Catapulted into adulthood at nine, pregnant by thirteen, and navigating an abusive relationship as a young mother at fourteen, Anjalia’s story is one of profound resilience and transformation.

Today, she is thriving — helping others find balance, healing, and empowerment through counseling, speaking, and authorship.

In this deeply moving conversation, we explore trauma recovery, forgiveness, healing generational wounds, resilience, faith, and personal empowerment.

🌿 More on Anjalia McGoldrick:
https://anjaliamcgoldrick.com/

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Lover, Founder, Parent, Business Builder, Creator & Optimistic Healing Human Meghan Higney

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with founder, parent, business builder, creator, and optimistic healing human Meghan Higney.

Meghan is the founder of Message and a mother of two who has built a consumer brand under real pressure — navigating cash-flow uncertainty, financing gaps, leadership strain, and the emotional responsibility of supporting other people’s livelihoods. She has learned that the most demanding parts of entrepreneurship aren’t strategic — they’re personal.

Along the way, Meghan has experienced visible highs and deeply private moments of doubt that required resilience, discernment, and integrity rather than bravado. In 2024, she made the bold decision to move her family to central México, marking a new chapter in both life and leadership.

In this powerful conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, motherhood, risk, reinvention, emotional resilience, leadership under pressure, and the human side of building a brand.

🌎 More on Meghan Higney & Message:
https://www.wearmessage.com/

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