Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

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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Executive Development Expert Dr. John Austin on Leadership, Uncertainty & Decision-Making

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with researcher, educator, executive development leader, and author Dr. John Austin.

Dr. Austin is the dean of the Honors College and the P.D. Merrill Endowed Chair of Business at the University of New England. For more than two decades, he has helped professionals, executives, and leaders learn how to lead, adapt, and make effective decisions in uncertain and rapidly changing environments.

He believes that every person has the capacity to thrive in a chaotic world and has dedicated his career to developing techniques, strategies, and leadership frameworks that help people build confidence, resilience, adaptability, and clarity under pressure.

From his home base on Peaks Island, Maine, we discuss leadership, uncertainty, executive development, decision-making, confidence building, business strategy, education, resilience, psychology, and how people can become stronger and more effective during times of disruption and change.

This is a thoughtful and timely conversation filled with practical wisdom and leadership insight. Tune in and enjoy this interview with Dr. John Austin.

More Dr. John Austin:
https://certain-about-uncertainty.com/

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Chief Learning Officer Ana Smith on Leadership & Personal Growth

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Chief Learning Officer, leadership strategist, and human potential expert Ana Smith.

Ana sees what many leaders miss — the untapped brilliance inside individuals, teams, and organizations. As the Chief Learning Officer at BrightFlare, she blends more than 20 years of experience across business, psychology, leadership development, and technology to help organizations unlock the human side of transformation.

Throughout her career, she has coached thousands of executives, led global initiatives for major organizations including Microsoft, GE, HP, and American Express, and spoken on some of the world’s most respected stages, including TED. Her work focuses on leadership, mindset, emotional intelligence, innovation, organizational change, human behavior, and helping people realize their full potential.

In this interview, we discuss executive coaching, leadership development, emotional intelligence, personal growth, business transformation, psychology, workplace culture, innovation, communication, and the incredible journey that took Ana from her roots in Mexico to becoming an internationally respected leadership expert in America.

Enjoy this insightful and inspiring conversation with Ana Smith.

More Ana Smith & BrightFlare:
https://brightflare.com/

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Montréal Jazz Guitarist Mike Bruzzese Talks New Album Another Space & His Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Montréal-based guitarist, composer, and bandleader Mike Bruzzese. We talked about his new 2026 album Another Space and his evolving career in the world of jazz.

This second album stands as a deeply collaborative and expressive project that captures the spirit of imagination, connection, improvisation, and shared artistry that shaped its creation. Another Space features an outstanding ensemble including Ben Solomon on tenor saxophone, Mike De Masi on bass, Adam Arruda on drums, and a special guest appearance by vocalist Laura Anglade performing Billy Strayhorn’s timeless classic Lush Life.

Born and raised in Montréal, Mike was surrounded by music from an early age and began playing guitar at the age of 12. By 17, he discovered a deep passion for jazz guitar, setting him on a path toward composition, performance, collaboration, and artistic exploration in contemporary jazz.

In this interview, we discuss jazz guitar, composition, improvisation, collaboration, recording, Montreal’s jazz scene, musical influences, storytelling through music, and the inspiration behind Another Space.

Enjoy the journey and this thoughtful conversation with Mike Bruzzese.

Get the album & learn more:
https://www.mikebruzzese.ca/

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Grammy-Nominated Cellist Naseem Alatrash Talks Jazz, Arabic Music & Innovation

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Boston-based Grammy-nominated Palestinian cellist, composer, educator, and innovator Naseem Alatrash. We take a deep dive into his debut and new 2026 album Bright Colors On A Dark Canvas along with his remarkable journey through the world of music.

Naseem Alatrash is a groundbreaking artist whose music bridges Arabic traditions, Western classical music, contemporary jazz, improvisation, and cinematic storytelling. Through his work, he reimagines the cello as a leading voice in Arabic music — an instrument capable of lyrical beauty, emotional depth, improvisation, and storytelling beyond conventional boundaries.

Throughout his career, he has toured internationally as a soloist and ensemble performer, collaborating with acclaimed artists and groups including the Global Messengers with Grammy-winning pianist Danilo Pérez and the renowned Turtle Island Quartet, which has toured alongside Grammy-winning composer and trumpeter Terence Blanchard.

In this interview, we discuss jazz composition, Arabic music, cultural fusion, improvisation, contemporary classical influences, education, artistic identity, collaboration, world music, and the inspiration behind Bright Colors On A Dark Canvas. We also explore his personal journey from Jerusalem to America and the experiences that shaped his artistic vision.

Enjoy this thoughtful, inspiring, and musically rich conversation with Naseem Alatrash.

Get the music & learn more:
https://www.alatrashmusic.com/

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Monday, May 11, 2026

SolWomen Founder Nandita Mahadevan Talks Women’s Health & Reinvention

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with founder of SolWomen, Nandita Mahadevan.

She arrived in the United States at 21 with nothing but ambition and spent 25 years building the traditional checklist of success — climbing the corporate ladder, earning a C-suite title, building a home, marriage, and career. But when her 40s arrived, so did the unexpected challenges of perimenopause: exhaustion, brain fog, low libido, weight gain, and emotional overwhelm.

After years of questioning herself and wondering what was wrong, she discovered that countless women were experiencing the same struggles in silence. Instead of accepting dismissal and quick fixes, Nandita chose to speak up — and women everywhere responded with “Me too.”

Today, alongside business partner Lauren Colletti, she has left corporate life behind to build SolWomen, a movement dedicated to empowering women in midlife through functional medicine, mindset work, wellness education, emotional support, and the healing power of authentic sisterhood.

In this interview, we discuss women’s health, midlife transformation, perimenopause, menopause awareness, hormonal health, emotional wellness, functional medicine, entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, corporate burnout, healing, mindset, and creating community during major life transitions.

This is a deeply honest, inspiring, and important conversation. Enjoy this interview with Nandita Mahadevan.

More Nandita Mahadevan & SolWomen:
https://www.solwomen.com/

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