Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino

Saturday, February 14, 2026

China-born, New York-based Arranger & Composer Zhengtao Pan

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series 🎼 On this episode, we talk with Shanghai, China-born, New York-based arranger and composer Zhengtao Pan about his third studio album Air With Layers, released on Pinch Records.

At just 22 years old, Zhengtao dives into his first fully orchestrated Symphony and Piano Concerto — marking his bold entry into contemporary classical music. The album showcases his versatility, cinematic sensibilities, and global musical perspective.

We discuss:

The creative process behind Air With Layers
Writing his first Symphony and Piano Concerto
His musical beginnings in Shanghai, China
Growth and evolution in New York
Influences from video game soundtracks and film scoring
His studies at Berklee College of Music, the Gabriela Ortiz Composing Studio, and the Film Scoring Academy of Europe

This is a powerful story of international artistry, youth, and creative ambition bridging contemporary classical, orchestral music, and cinematic sound.

🎧 Get the album:
https://www.zhengtaopan.com/music

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Author & Founder of Virx-Leonatus Culture Keenan Lee McBride 

Welcome to a new edition of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino 🎙️ On this episode, we talk with Author, Founder & Leadership Developer Keenan Lee McBride, founder of Virx-Leonatus Culture.

With over 20 years in corporate learning and leadership development, Keenan has worked across manufacturing, education, and executive training — helping professionals refine confidence, image, and character. His latest work, Virx-Leonatus Culture: The Codex, presents a quieter form of power built on discipline, empathy, culture, and presence.

In this conversation, we explore:

The philosophy behind Virx-Leonatus Culture
Leadership rooted in emotional intelligence
Building executive presence without force
How art, history, and culture shape powerful leaders
Commanding respect through discipline and character

This episode is ideal for executives, entrepreneurs, managers, and aspiring leaders seeking a refined, thoughtful approach to influence and impact.

📘 Learn more about Keenan:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G64JRLYP
Website: https://vxculture.com/

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Austin, TX-based Career Musician, Songwriter, Recording Artist & Author Fletch Wiley

Welcome to a new edition of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino 🎙️ On this episode, we talk with Austin-based career musician, songwriter, recording artist, and author Fletch Wiley about his remarkable late-career musical renaissance.

After releasing his 2000 album Songs From My Window Seat, Fletch continued writing — believing he might return to the studio soon. But 18 years passed without a new recording, leaving him with a deep catalog of unreleased songs.

Then came an unexpected turning point. Long-time Little River Band guitarist and producer Rich Herring heard one of Fletch’s songs and offered to produce it. That collaboration led to the 2021 album What Love Makes Us Do, which landed on the first Grammy ballot in five categories.

In this conversation, we cover:

His early career and 2000 release
The 18-year creative gap
The breakthrough moment with Rich Herring
Recording What Love Makes Us Do
The Grammy ballot recognition
Why it’s never too late to create

This is an inspiring story of persistence, artistry, and second chances in music.

🎵 Learn more about Fletch:
https://fletchwiley.com/

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Author & Speaker Jim Carlough on The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership

Welcome to a new edition of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino 🎙️ On this episode, we talk with Author & Professional Speaker Jim Carlough about his powerful book, The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership: A Roadmap to Success.

Jim brings depth of wisdom, humility, and a heart-centered approach to leadership that resonates at every level. His message is clear: leadership isn’t about authority — it’s about integrity, consistency, authenticity, and genuine care for others.

In this conversation, we explore:

The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership
Why authenticity is essential for modern leaders
Leading with courage and compassion
Building trust through integrity and consistency
Practical strategies for leadership growth

Jim walks his talk. His roadmap is both timeless and actionable — making this a must-watch for executives, entrepreneurs, managers, team leaders, and anyone striving to grow as a leader.

📘 Learn more about Jim:
http://www.jimcarlough.com/

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Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Engagency Stephen Baer

Welcome to a new edition of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino 🎙️ On this episode, we talk with Stephen Baer, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Engagency.

Stephen leads a firm built on the belief that human engagement is the engine of business performance. With a 30-year career focused on the science of connection, motivation, and activation, he helps organizations build meaningful, measurable connections with both their workforce and customers.

Before Engagency, Stephen co-founded and led The Game Agency, which was later acquired by ELB Learning. He also held sales and marketing leadership roles at Atari and General Electric, where he became a Six Sigma Black Belt Certified leader and received GE’s Global Marketing Excellence Award.

In this conversation, we discuss:

The science behind employee and customer engagement
Behavioral insights that drive performance
How organizations can activate motivation at scale
Lessons from leadership roles at Atari and GE
Building measurable, sustainable business growth

If you're a business leader, HR professional, marketer, or entrepreneur interested in motivation, engagement strategy, and performance culture, this episode delivers practical and high-level insight.

🔎 Learn more about Stephen:
https://stephenbaer.com/

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Friday, February 13, 2026

Culinary Herbalist, Business Strategist, Speaker & Author Samantha Jones

Welcome to a new edition of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino 🎙️ On this episode, we talk with Samantha Jones — Culinary Herbalist, Business Strategist, Speaker & Author.

Samantha teaches high-performing women and business owners how to scale with ease, lead with humanity, and nourish their bodies without sacrificing ambition. She is the founder of Cre8Wise Movement, a consulting and operations company serving dental practices, and Bloom & Bee Wellness, a lifestyle brand centered on culinary herbalism, well-being, and retreat experiences.

Blending operational excellence with wellness fluency, Samantha bridges strategy with intuition and business growth with nourishment. From her base in Bonner Springs, Kansas, she shares a powerful story of vision, leadership, and sustainable success.

In this episode, we discuss:

Scaling a business without burnout
Leadership rooted in humanity
Culinary herbalism and holistic wellness
Supporting high-performing women entrepreneurs
Her upcoming April 2026 book Stirred By Earth

This conversation is perfect for entrepreneurs, women in leadership, wellness advocates, and business owners seeking balance and long-term growth.

🌿 Learn more about Samantha:
https://www.cre8wise.com/

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Workplace Learning and Performance Improvement Consultant Deborah Laurel

Welcome to a new edition of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino 🎙️ On this episode, we talk with Deborah Laurel, Workplace Learning and Performance Improvement Consultant and founder of Laurel and Associates.

For over 40 years, Deborah has helped organizations across the globe build stronger teams and more effective workplaces. Her consulting work has taken her to Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, Jordan, Croatia, and the United Arab Emirates — delivering leadership development, performance improvement, and workplace culture transformation strategies worldwide.

In this conversation, we discuss:

How to create and maintain a positive workplace culture
Strategies to improve employee retention
Building supportive environments where people want to stay
Leadership development and performance improvement
Lessons learned from four decades of global consulting

If you're a leader, HR professional, entrepreneur, manager, or team builder looking to improve workplace culture and performance, this episode is packed with practical insights.

🌍 Learn more about Deborah:
https://www.laurelandassociates.com/

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