Rising Jazz Star Shenel Johns on Her Debut Album Stars, Faith, Freedom & Artistic Evolution

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz bandleader, vocalist, and storyteller Shenel Johns. We take a deep dive into her highly anticipated debut album Stars, arriving in Summer 2026, along with her career, upcoming performances, and artistic evolution.

This debut project marks a major milestone in Shenel’s journey following years of celebrated work as a featured jazz vocalist, ensemble leader, and performer with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Produced by Grammy-winning artist Kamau Kenyatta, the new release showcases her powerful voice, emotional storytelling, and bold artistic identity.

On May 16, Shenel celebrates the release of her new EP with a debut performance at the La Jolla Music Society in San Diego, California, followed by an official album release celebration on August 20, 2026, at the legendary Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Originally from Hartford, Connecticut, Shenel was first drawn to jazz as a form of rebellion against her strict religious upbringing in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Since then, she has built an extraordinary career that includes earning the #1 spot on BBC Classical Radio as a vocalist in a jazz ensemble, while The Boston Globe described her as “history in the making.”

In this interview, we discuss jazz vocals, bandleading, creativity, live performance, faith, personal growth, storytelling, contemporary jazz, artistic freedom, collaboration, and the inspiration behind Stars.

We cover the whole story. Enjoy this inspiring and powerful conversation with Shenel Johns.

More Shenel Johns:
https://www.sheneljohns.com/

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Accent Coach Jay Poulton Talks Executive Presence, Communication & The Authority Gap

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with author, former journalist, executive leadership coach, and communication expert Jay Poulton.

This ICF-credentialed executive coach brings more than two decades of experience in communications, journalism, leadership development, and coaching. As founder of The Accent Coach, Jay works one-on-one with senior leaders in more than thirty-five countries, including executives at Apple, Amazon, and FedEx.

At the heart of his work is what he calls “The Authority Gap” — the distance between what a leader is truly capable of and what others actually hear, perceive, and respond to. Through communication coaching, executive presence training, and leadership development, Jay helps leaders strengthen clarity, confidence, influence, and authentic connection.

Growing up in Canada with a father connected to the legendary Montreal Canadiens organization also played a meaningful role in shaping his perspective, communication style, and life journey. From his base in Canada, we dive into his fascinating career, leadership philosophy, coaching work, storytelling, communication strategies, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

In this interview, we discuss executive communication, leadership presence, public speaking, confidence, accent coaching, personal growth, emotional intelligence, coaching, influence, storytelling, career evolution, and professional development.

He’s full of wisdom, insight, and practical strategies for leaders everywhere. Enjoy this interview with Jay Poulton.

More Jay Poulton & The Accent Coach:
https://www.theaccentcoach.com/

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Executive Coach & Consultant Loala McCann Talks HR, Leadership Transitions & Success

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with executive coach, consultant, and leadership strategist Loala McCann.

She is the guiding force behind Intrinsic Consulting, where she specializes in helping leaders successfully navigate career transitions, promotions, organizational change, and pivotal leadership moments. Before launching her coaching and consulting practice, Loala spent years in senior HR leadership roles within the healthcare and medical technology industries, most recently leading HR teams for a global medical device company based in the Seattle area.

Today, she brings that valuable insider perspective to her executive coaching work, helping leaders and teams unlock their potential, strengthen communication, elevate performance, and lead with greater clarity, confidence, and effectiveness.

From her base in Seattle, we discuss executive coaching, leadership development, career transitions, emotional intelligence, workplace culture, organizational leadership, HR strategy, business growth, team performance, mindset, communication, and navigating change in today’s evolving professional world.

This is an insightful conversation filled with leadership wisdom, practical strategies, and inspiring perspectives on growth and transformation. Enjoy this interview with Loala McCann.

More Loala McCann & Intrinsic Consulting:
http://intrinsicnow.com/

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Jazz Guitarist Phil Sargent on New Album Slow Motions & His Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Boston-based veteran jazz guitarist, composer, and educator Phil Sargent. We got into his new 2026 album Slow Motions and his fascinating life in the world of jazz.

This new solo guitar album is less about technical display and more an invitation into stillness, reflection, and deep listening. Slow Motions reimagines jazz standards and original compositions through the lens of classical counterpoint, chromatic harmony, improvisation, and subtle emotional storytelling — capturing the guitar as a complete, breathing ensemble rather than a single instrument.

Over the course of his career, Phil has worked with acclaimed musicians including Dave Liebman, Antonio Sanchez, Jerry Bergonzi, and many others. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he leads his own group whose music draws from a wide range of influences including modern jazz improvisation, odd meters, and the Eastern tonalities of Balkan music traditions.

In this interview, we discuss jazz guitar, improvisation, composition, solo performance, harmony, creative process, contemporary jazz, world music influences, live performance, and the inspiration behind Slow Motions.

It’s a thoughtful and inspiring conversation filled with insight into artistry, creativity, and the evolving language of jazz guitar. Enjoy this interview with Phil Sargent.

Get the album & learn more:
https://www.philsargentmusic.com/

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Former CBS News Journalist Amjad Tadros - New Book 'The Fixer', 60 Minutes, Middle East & Freedom

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with veteran Middle East journalist, former CBS News and 60 Minutes producer, and author Amjad Tadros.

For more than 30 years, Amjad Tadros worked behind the scenes helping international news organizations report from some of the world’s most complex and dangerous conflict zones. His book The Fixer: A Journalist’s Accidental Journey Through the Middle East reveals the hidden and often overlooked world of the “fixer” — the local journalist and producer who guides foreign correspondents through war zones, political upheaval, revolutions, and history in the making.

Throughout his remarkable career, he worked closely with CBS News, 60 Minutes, and other international media outlets, helping journalists navigate conflicts and breaking news across Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, and the wider Middle East and Gulf region. Serving as the crucial bridge between foreign media and realities on the ground, he witnessed decades of global events firsthand.

From his current home base in Jordan, we discuss his book, international journalism, war reporting, storytelling, Middle East history, political conflict, media ethics, life behind the camera, retirement, and the many unforgettable stories gathered throughout his extraordinary career.

This is a fascinating and deeply insightful conversation about journalism, history, courage, and the unseen side of global reporting. Enjoy this interview with Amjad Tadros.

More Amjad Tadros:
https://www.amjadtadros.com/

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Kansas City Organist Chris Hazelton Talks 2026 Album In Rotation, Projects & Shows

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City jazz organist, composer, and bandleader Chris Hazelton. We caught up with this very busy musician to talk about his new 2026 album In Rotation, his work with the Cory Weeds Duo covering Huey Lewis tunes, live performances, and much more.

Following up his acclaimed 2023 release After Dark, In Rotation explores time, texture, groove, improvisation, and mood through a distinctive instrumental lineup featuring Hammond B-3 organ, vibraphone, saxophone, and drums. The album showcases an exceptional lineup of Kansas City jazz talent including Brett Jackson on tenor and baritone saxophone, Peter Schlamb on vibraphone, and John Kizilarmut on drums.

Known for his soulful Hammond organ sound, inventive improvisation, and energetic live performances, Chris Hazelton continues to be a major force in the Kansas City jazz scene and beyond.

In this interview, we discuss jazz organ, composition, live performance, modern jazz, improvisation, Kansas City music, collaboration, recording, touring, Huey Lewis reinterpretations, and the inspiration behind In Rotation.

We dig into all of it and more. Enjoy this interview with Chris Hazelton.

More Chris Hazelton & music:
https://chrishazelton.bandcamp.com/album/chris-hazelton
https://www.chrishazelton.com/ 

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Top Real Estate Advisor Debbi DiMaggio on Success, Mindset & How to Activate Purpose and Peak Performance

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with top-producing real estate advisor, entrepreneur, coach, speaker, podcast host, and bestselling author Debbi DiMaggio.

Based in both San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, Debbi has built a remarkable 35-year career as a top-performing real estate advisor while also becoming a nationally recognized coach, leadership expert, and motivational speaker. She is the bestselling author of five books, including Mindset in Motion: Activate Your Purpose, Power and Peak Performance, and creator of the transformational 5-Step Mindset in Motion Method.

Debbi also happens to be baseball legend Joe DiMaggio’s third cousin, and she believes they share the same relentless drive for excellence, discipline, and achievement. As founder of Foundation for Success and host of the Mastering the Art of Success podcast, she has spent decades empowering entrepreneurs, professionals, leaders, and individuals to achieve breakthrough results through mindset, action, clarity, and purpose-driven living.

In this interview, we discuss real estate success, entrepreneurship, mindset, leadership, coaching, motivation, personal development, business growth, resilience, peak performance, success habits, and building a meaningful and impactful life.

It’s a stellar story filled with inspiration, wisdom, and practical insight. Enjoy this interview with Debbi DiMaggio.

More Debbi DiMaggio:
https://debbidimaggio.com

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