Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Zurich Jazz Guitarist Mareille Merck on Kaleidoskop (2026) | Neon Jazz Interview

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring Zurich-based jazz guitarist, composer, and teacher Mareille Merck.

In this conversation, Mareille joins us to talk about her new 2026 album Kaleidoskop, her fast-rising career on the European jazz scene, and how she’s beginning to make waves across the Atlantic. We dive into her work as an educator, her compositional approach, and the musical journey that began when she discovered jazz guitar as a teenager.

Kaleidoskop features a fresh arrangement of “My Favorite Things” along with a heartfelt tribute to Bill Frisell, reflecting her deep roots in jazz tradition while pushing into new sonic territory. Mareille has studied with jazz titans, earned multiple awards, and continues to build a career that is clearly on the rise.

🎸 Get the album:
https://www.mareillemerck.com/records/kaleidoskop

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Monday, February 2, 2026

Author & Leader Amy McKiernan on Healing, Empowerment & More Than a Survivor

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with teacher, speaker, leader, mother, and author Amy McKiernan, the author of the powerful book More Than a Survivor: Eight Keys to Overcoming Sexual Assault and Finding a Path to Living a Fulfilled Life.

Drawing from her personal experience, Amy offers transformative guidance designed to help survivors reclaim their power and move toward a life of authentic peace. Her book presents eight practical keys to healing and includes a reflective journal with prompts that actively guide readers through their own recovery journey. By incorporating perspectives from her support system, Amy creates a rare and valuable resource not only for survivors, but also for family members and friends seeking understanding.

Professionally, Amy has built a successful career in Early Childhood Education, with a focus on nurturing positive, supportive environments for both children and adults. As the Director of Employee Relations for five early learning schools, her leadership reflects deep empathy, collaborative problem-solving, and strong team-building skills.

From her base in Connecticut, we get into a moving and inspiring conversation about healing, leadership, and choosing a fulfilled life beyond trauma.

📘 Learn more about Amy McKiernan:
https://amymckiernan.com/

Enjoy this conversation.

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Entrepreneur William Holsten on Startup Mistakes, Innovation & Smart Growth

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Entrepreneur, Corporate Innovator, Author, Speaker, and Workshop Leader William Holsten. William is a business mistake prevention specialist and mentor who helps entrepreneurs and small business owners avoid the costly, preventable blunders that derail long-term success.

After inventing and launching his own small business — and making more than a few “uh-ohs” along the way — William spent nearly four decades leading innovation inside a global corporation. He now applies those lessons to help startups, founders, and business leaders see mistakes differently: not as shameful failures, but as preventable hazards and valuable learning opportunities.

Blending real-world entrepreneurial experience, corporate insight, and humor, William brings clarity to innovation, risk, and decision-making. From his base in Delaware, we get into a thoughtful and engaging conversation about building smarter, more resilient businesses.

📘 Learn more about William Holsten:
https://williamholsten.com/

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iReAwake Founder Mridula Agarwal on Trauma Recovery & Lasting Transformation

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Trauma Recovery Expert, Reiki Grand Master, Energy Scientist, Subconscious Rewiring Specialist, and Founder of iReAwake, Mridula Agarwal.

For more than 23 years, Mridula has helped people radically transform their lives — from individuals battling lifelong depression, trauma, and psychosomatic illness, to doctors, entrepreneurs, and working professionals feeling burnt out, stuck, or lost. Her work also extends to children struggling with aggression, focus, and emotional overwhelm.

Her mission is singular: to create permanent, measurable transformation, often within 24–72 hours, by addressing the energetic and subconscious root causes of emotional and physical suffering. Drawing from her own personal journey and extensive professional experience, Mridula shares a powerful and deeply human story from her base in India.

This is a fascinating conversation about healing, awareness, and what true transformation can look like when approached at the root level.

🌱 Learn more about Mridula Agarwal & iReAwake:
http://www.ireawake.com/

Enjoy this conversation.

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Jazz Vocalist Martin Bonventre & Arranger Jackie Presti on Swinging in a New Dimension

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring acclaimed jazz singer Martin Bonventre and arranger/music director Jackie Presti. We caught up with this dynamic New York City duo to talk about their 2025 release Swinging in a New Dimension, their creative partnership, the current state of jazz, and where the music is headed next.

Martin Bonventre is a true old-school showman—boasting a rich baritone voice, smooth stage presence, and a big, open-hearted personality. With a career rooted deeply in musical theatre, he has appeared in some of the most memorable musical comedy productions, performing in regional and summer stock theaters from coast to coast. His journey began at the City Lights Youth Theatre in New York City, where his passion for the stage first took hold.

Alongside arranger and music director Jackie Presti, Martin brings classic swing energy into a modern frame, blending tradition with fresh perspective. We get into the album, the artistry, their working relationship, and much more.
Enjoy this conversation.

🎶 Get the album:
https://www.martinbonventre.com/

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Saturday, January 31, 2026

NYC Big Band Leader George Gee & Producer/Bassist Clyde Bullard on Flushing Town Hall 2.7.26 Festivities

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring NYC Big Band Leader George Gee and Producer/Bassist Clyde Bullard. We caught up with them to talk about a rare, one-time-only jazz event bringing together two major forces in contemporary jazz.

Multi-Grammy Award winner Arturo O’Farrill and the George Gee Swing Orchestra unite for a special performance at Flushing Town Hall on Saturday, February 7, 2026, as part of the venue’s acclaimed Global Mashup series. The historic night blends ballroom swing and Afro-Latin jazz as O’Farrill’s Afro-Latin Octet and Gee’s long-running swing orchestra each perform a set before joining forces for a grand finale.

While both artists are staples of the New York jazz scene, this marks the first time they will ever share the same stage. George and Clyde break down the collaboration, the music, the vision behind the show, and much more.
Dig this conversation.

🎟️ Tickets & Info:
https://www.flushingtownhall.org/show-details/global-mashup-the-george-gee-swing-orchestra-meets-the-arturo-ofarrill-afro-latin-octet-ballroom-dance-meets-mambo

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Successful Real Estate Investor, Coach & Former Army Officer Brent Bowers

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Brent Bowers, a successful real estate investor, coach, and former U.S. Army officer who made a powerful transition from military service to entrepreneurial freedom. After more than eight years in the Army, Brent pivoted into real estate investing, intentionally building a business that supports both financial independence and family-first living.

Brent specializes in buying and selling vacant land, a real estate niche that many investors overlook. Through years of hands-on experience, he mastered this strategy and now teaches others how to build sustainable income through land investing without the headaches of traditional real estate. As a coach, Brent is passionate about empowering people to create wealth while staying aligned with their values and lifestyle goals.

From his base in Florida, we dive into his military background, real estate journey, coaching philosophy, and how land investing can be a powerful path to freedom. It’s a stellar story filled with insight, discipline, and purpose. Enjoy this conversation.

🔗 More Brent:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent1/

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