Former Google Sales Leader, Author & Coach Chris Woods Talks Courage & Leadership

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with certified professional coach, leadership expert, former Google sales leader, and author of Balls & Brains, Chris Woods.

His powerful book delivers a practical framework for living your best life by overcoming fear, maximizing strengths, and stepping beyond self-imposed limitations. Combining personal storytelling, psychological insight, leadership wisdom, and actionable exercises, Balls & Brains challenges readers to stop playing small and start leading with courage, clarity, and confidence.

Chris brings decades of real-world experience to the conversation as a four-time global C-suite executive and former sales leader at Google. His approach to coaching and leadership development focuses on helping individuals unlock their full potential, embrace discomfort, strengthen mindset, and create meaningful transformation in both life and business.

In this interview, we discuss personal growth, executive leadership, mindset, overcoming fear, confidence, coaching, emotional intelligence, success habits, business leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, courage, self-awareness, and the inspiration behind Balls & Brains. From his home in South Carolina, Chris shares hard-earned wisdom, practical advice, and inspiring stories from his personal and professional journey.

This is an insightful conversation for entrepreneurs, executives, leaders, and anyone looking to live with more purpose and boldness. Enjoy this interview.

More Chris Woods:
https://chriswoodscoach.com/

For More Famous Interviews: Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgi6GpDDDrc_PgOzaERGbLQ Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-with-joe-dimino/id1660256991
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews: http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:                    https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_b

Russian-Born, NYC Jazz Singer Anna Kolchina on 2026 Album & Her Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Russian-born, NYC-based jazz vocalist Anna Kolchina.

We caught up with this rising jazz vocalist to discuss her beautiful new 2026 album Reach for Tomorrow and her remarkable journey through the world of jazz music. Born in the Soviet Union nearly 18 hours from Moscow, Anna’s early life was shaped by a deep fascination with horses — symbols of strength, grace, movement, and poetic freedom that would later influence her artistic voice and musical expression.

Her path led through the music conservatory in St. Petersburg and eventually to Italy, where a life-changing meeting with legendary jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan encouraged her to pursue jazz more deeply and ultimately move to New York City. After releasing her debut album on the acclaimed Japanese Venus label with her Italian ensemble, Anna relocated to NYC in 2017 and has continued building an impressive international jazz career ever since.

Reach for Tomorrow showcases Anna Kolchina’s emotional depth, vocal sophistication, storytelling ability, and evolving artistry within the modern jazz landscape. In this interview, we discuss jazz vocals, improvisation, international jazz culture, artistic growth, moving to New York, musical mentorship, creativity, European jazz influences, and the inspiration behind her latest album.

Her journey and music are inspiring. Enjoy this interview.

Get the album:
https://originarts.com/oa2/recordings/recording.php?TitleID=22247

Subscribe for more Neon Jazz interviews fe

For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/
Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkc
Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-joe-dimino/id546432639?mt=2

The Home of Neon Jazz: http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                    https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER 

Faroese Jazz Bassist Arnold Ludvig Talks Live @ Maggies '18, Career & Nordic Jazz

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with veteran Faroe Islands-based jazz bassist and composer Arnold Ludvig.

We caught up with Arnold to discuss the 2025 release of his quintet album Live @ Maggies '18, his remarkable journey through the music world, and winning the 2026 Faroese Music Award for Special Release of the Year.

This powerful live recording documents music Arnold Ludvig composed across different chapters of his life, with songs written between 1993 and 2014 in Reykjavik, Montreal, Copenhagen, and Torshavn. The album beautifully weaves together Celtic folk traditions, modern Nordic jazz, blues influences, and African-American jazz into a deeply personal and expansive musical statement.

A bassist since 1980 and composer since 1991, Arnold has spent decades developing a distinctive sound rooted in storytelling, atmosphere, improvisation, and cultural connection. His music reflects the landscapes and experiences of the Faroe Islands while embracing the broader global traditions of jazz and folk music.

In this interview, we discuss composition, Nordic jazz, live performance, bass playing, jazz improvisation, European jazz culture, blues influence, the Faroese music scene, and the inspiration behind Live @ Maggies '18.

It’s a stellar musical journey full of wisdom, artistry, and global perspective. Dig this interview.

Get music & more:
https://arnoldludvig.com/
https://www.tutlrecords.com/

For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/
Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkc
Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-joe-dimino/id546432639?mt=2

The Home of Neon Jazz: http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                    https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER 

Chicago Jazz Pianist Julian Davis Reid Talks New Album Vocation & His Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with up-and-coming Chicago-based jazz pianist, writer, and composer Julian Davis Reid.

We dive deep into his outstanding 2026 album Vocation and his evolving journey in the world of jazz. Known for his acclaimed work with The Ju Ju Exchange and Isaiah Collier, Julian is steadily building a powerful artistic identity of his own through music that blends jazz, gospel, spirituality, storytelling, and emotional depth.

Vocation is an immersive and richly layered exploration of sound and narrative rooted in jazz while reaching deeply into gospel traditions and collective human experience. The album highlights the depth and versatility of Reid’s ensemble, with each musician contributing meaningfully to the project’s lush emotional arc and dynamic musical textures.

At his core, Julian Davis Reid is an artist-theologian whose work invites listeners to rejoice, lament, reflect, and hope together through music. His creative voice bridges improvisation, faith, social consciousness, and modern jazz expression in ways that feel deeply personal and universally resonant.

Having toured throughout Asia, Europe, and North America, Julian continues expanding his reach as one of the compelling emerging voices in contemporary jazz. In this conversation, we discuss composition, spirituality, gospel influences, improvisation, jazz piano, touring, collaboration, creative identity, and the inspiration behind Vocation.

Enjoy this artist and conversation.

Get the album:
https://juliandavisreid.bandcamp.com/album/vocation

For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/
Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkc
Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-joe-dimino/id546432639?mt=2

The Home of Neon Jazz: http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                    https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER 

Joey Devassy & Interplay Jazz Orchestra on New Album Bite Your Tongue, Band History & More

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with jazz trombonist Joey Devassy of the Interplay Jazz Orchestra.

We caught up with Joey to talk about the orchestra’s outstanding new 2026 album Bite Your Tongue, his personal journey into jazz, and the continuing evolution of the Interplay Jazz Orchestra.

Formed in 2013 as an offshoot of the Hofstra Alumni Jazz Orchestra, the Interplay Jazz Orchestra emerged from a shared desire to create a more composer-driven vision for the modern jazz orchestra. Led by Joey Devassy and Gary Henderson, the ensemble operates as a true collective — showcasing original compositions and arrangements that reflect the unique voices of its members while giving nearly every musician an opportunity to shine as a soloist.

The new album Bite Your Tongue moves effortlessly through a wide range of jazz styles and textures, including straight-ahead swing, samba, ballads, slow blues, hard bop, and funk. It’s a dynamic and richly layered recording that highlights both ensemble precision and adventurous improvisation.

In this interview, we discuss jazz composition, arranging, big band leadership, improvisation, modern jazz orchestra culture, trombone performance, ensemble collaboration, New York jazz, and the creative process behind this exciting new release.

This is a conversation jazz fans, musicians, composers, and lovers of big band innovation will truly appreciate. Dig this interview.

Get the album and more:
https://interplayjazzorchestra.com/

For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/
Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkc
Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-joe-dimino/id546432639?mt=2

The Home of Neon Jazz: http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                    https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER 

Regina Linke Returns with Little Helper | Famous Interviews Part 2

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we welcome author and artist Regina Linke back to the show for Part 2 to discuss her new 2026 book Little Helper.

Regina Linke is a Taiwanese American artist known for her stunning Chinese gongbi-style painting — an ancient and highly detailed form of brush painting celebrated for its colorful precision, narrative depth, and timeless beauty. Through both her visual art and storytelling, Regina brings East Asian folklore, philosophy, and cultural traditions into a modern and accessible light.

Her latest book, Little Helper, follows the character Ah-Fu as he discovers creative ways to help friends, family, and community through thoughtful problem-solving and compassion. Inspired by traditional Chinese philosophy and values, this modern fable encourages readers of all ages to think creatively, support others, and approach challenges with kindness and ingenuity.

In this interview, we discuss Chinese gongbi painting, storytelling, illustration, creativity, East Asian folklore, philosophy, Taiwanese American identity, children’s literature, visual art, cultural heritage, imaginative thinking, and the inspiration behind Little Helper. Regina also reflects on her artistic journey and the growing appreciation for traditional Asian art forms in contemporary culture.

It’s wonderful to have her back on the show. Enjoy this inspiring interview with Regina Linke.

Get Little Helper:
https://oxherdboy.org/pages/little-helper

For More Famous Interviews: Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgi6GpDDDrc_PgOzaERGbLQ Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-with-joe-dimino/id1660256991
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews: http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:                    https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_b

Jairek Robbins on AI, Entrepreneurship, Leadership Strategy & Productivity

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with entrepreneur, executive coach, speaker, podcast host, and founder of Executive Office AI, Jairek Robbins.

Jairek comes from one of the most recognized success-oriented families in the world — the first family ever featured on the cover of SUCCESS Magazine. For more than 20 years, he has coached founders, executives, and CEOs ranging from startups to companies generating over $100 million in revenue, with active clients in 137 countries worldwide.

At just 23 years old, Jairek received the Congressional Award Gold Medal from the United States Congress. Over the years, he has trained teams and leaders at Harvard, the U.S. Marines, U.S. Air Force Special Forces, BMW, UBS, Keller Williams, Major League Baseball, and members of the U.S. Olympic Team.

Today, through Executive Office AI, Jairek is helping business owners revolutionize productivity by building over 265 AI agents designed to replace expensive consultants and reclaim valuable time. His systems help entrepreneurs automate operations, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and free up more than 20 hours a week for leadership and growth.

In this interview, we discuss artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, leadership development, productivity, automation, executive coaching, business systems, scaling companies, mindset, innovation, the future of AI in business, and his podcast Beyond the Bottleneck. From his home in Puerto Rico, Jairek shares wisdom, strategy, and insight from decades of experience helping leaders grow.

Enjoy this interview with Jairek Robbins.

More Jairek Robbins:
https://www.executiveoffice.ai/ 

For More Famous Interviews: Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgi6GpDDDrc_PgOzaERGbLQ Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-with-joe-dimino/id1660256991
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews: http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:                    https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_b