Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino: January 2026

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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President, Founder at NoteSchool, Coach, Discount Note Expert & Author Eddie Speed

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Eddie Speed — President and Founder of NoteSchool, coach, discount note expert, and author. For more than 40 years, Eddie has been one of the most influential leaders in the note-investing industry, educating thousands of investors and helping redefine how people think about real estate beyond traditional ownership.

Eddie built and led Colonial Funding Group LLC and played a key role in private equity funds acquiring bulk note portfolios. Through NoteSchool, he has helped investors understand the overlooked world of performing and non-performing notes, turning complex concepts into clear, repeatable strategies that create predictable income.

What truly sets Eddie apart is his approach to education and problem-solving. He has a rare ability to identify hidden opportunities, navigate shifting markets, and help investors rethink what’s possible in today’s evolving real estate and finance landscape. While most people understand traditional real estate, very few truly understand notes — and Eddie Speed is one of the best teachers in the business.

From his base in Dallas, Texas, we get into a visionary conversation about note investing, market cycles, education, and long-term strategy. Enjoy this conversation.

🔗 More Eddie & NoteSchool:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddiespeed/
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/614582372930484057?source=famous

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Friday, January 30, 2026

Honoring Anita Dixon-Brown: Kansas City Jazz Icon & UNESCO Visionary | Neon Jazz

Welcome to a very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. Today, we honor a true titan, visionary, and cultural force who will be sorely missed in Kansas City and far beyond—Mrs. Anita Dixon-Brown.

Anita Dixon-Brown served as the former Executive Director of the legendary Mutual Musicians Foundation, and she played a pivotal role in securing Kansas City’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Music—a global recognition rooted in decades of jazz excellence and cultural preservation.

Born on September 26, 1956, Anita left us suddenly on January 4, 2026, at the age of 69. Though her time was far too short, her influence on jazz, arts advocacy, cultural equity, and historic preservation was towering and enduring. Her work ensured that Kansas City’s jazz legacy was not only honored, but protected and amplified on the world stage.

In this retrospective, we reflect on Anita’s life and legacy through the voices of Kansas City musicians and cultural leaders, including Lonnie McFadden, along with friends and collaborators from near and far. Their words paint a portrait of a woman whose leadership, grace, and unwavering dedication shaped generations of artists and preserved one of America’s most vital jazz institutions.

Long live Anita Dixon-Brown.
Her legacy resonates.
Her impact endures.
And she will never, ever be forgotten.

🎷 Dig this tribute to a Kansas City force.

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From Private to Lieutenant Colonel: Author Kenny Dupar’s Journey

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with former U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, retired construction professional, and author Kenny Dupar. His journey from Private Kenny to Lieutenant Colonel Kenny took 30 years, shaped by leadership, loss, resilience, and discovery.

Raised in Milwaukee, Kenny enjoyed college life at the University of Wisconsin until the music stopped. Joining the Army during college gave him a tribe, structure, and a backstop that would define the next three decades of his life.

In a whirlwind three-month span in 1999, Kenny got married, welcomed a honeymoon baby, was promoted to Captain, took command of over 100 Soldiers, and went into heart failure—a crucible moment that reshaped his understanding of leadership and mortality.

Now retired from both the military and construction, Kenny has embraced life on his own terms. As an independent author, his creative journey is filled with discovery learning. His latest novel—interrupted by COVID—took unexpected turns as love stories collided with real-world upheaval.

We dive deep into military leadership, health, reinvention, writing, and what comes after structured careers end.

🎧 Enjoy this candid and compelling conversation.

More Kenny:
https://kennydupar.com/

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Freedom Coach Karen Theimer on Healing, Confidence & Reinventing Life After 50

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Freedom Coach, Breathwork Facilitator, Massage Therapist, and Laughter Yoga Leader Karen Theimer, a health and wellness professional with nearly 20 years of experience helping women reconnect with their confidence and joy.

After navigating major life challenges—including divorce and a powerful wake-up call with cancer—Karen found herself stuck. In 2018, she chose transformation, embarking on a deep healing journey through coaching and plant-medicine ceremonies. That journey reshaped her relationship with herself and unlocked new ways to heal the past and reclaim personal freedom.

Today, Karen empowers women in their 50s and beyond—whether single, divorced, or starting fresh—to 10x their confidence, rediscover self-worth, and step into their next chapter with clarity, excitement, and purpose. As the creator of the 10x Confidence Journey, she helps women thrive without burnout, guilt, or self-doubt.

From her base in cold and snowy Canada, we dive into healing, breathwork, laughter yoga, confidence, and what it truly means to start over—stronger than ever.

🎧 Enjoy this powerful and inspiring conversation.

More Karen:
https://www.karentheimer.com/

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Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Kansas City Real Estate & New Home Sales with Brooke Marsalla

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Brooke Marsalla, a Real Estate Agent with ReeceNichols Real Estate in Kansas City, who thrives on delivering top-tier service in new home and new construction sales. Her work reflects a shared commitment with ReeceNichols to excellence, client trust, and long-term relationships.

Brooke has carved out a niche in new construction home sales, where her deep market knowledge and client-first approach truly shine. Alongside her real estate career, she founded Haven Designs, a venture that blends her passion for art and design with her real estate expertise—bringing a creative edge to every project she touches.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of Brooke’s professional philosophy. She is deeply committed to guiding new agents, helping shape the next generation of real estate professionals through education, support, and leadership. From her base in Kansas City, we talk about her Kansas roots, real estate trends, design, mentorship, and where she’s headed next. Enjoy this interview.

👉 More Brooke:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-marsalla-8b119330a/

https://www.instagram.com/brookemarsalla/

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Salvatore J. Manzi on Clear Leadership Communication & Influence

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Author and Leadership Communications Coach Salvatore J. Manzi, who specializes in helping quiet, data-driven leaders turn complexity into clarity and insight into influence.

Salvatore is the author of Clear and Compelling, a powerful guide that blends 20+ years of research in neuroscience, psychology, and organizational behavior with decades of hands-on communication coaching. His work delivers practical, actionable strategies for leaders who want to communicate with confidence, credibility, and impact—without sacrificing substance or authenticity.

From his base in California, living a digital-nomad lifestyle, we dig into leadership communication, executive presence, neuroscience-backed influence, and how thoughtful leaders can be heard in fast-moving organizations. It’s a fascinating and timely conversation. Enjoy this interview.

👉 More Salvatore: https://www.salvatoremanzi.com/

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Hall of Fame Speaker David McNally on Purpose, Resilience & Vital Aging

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Bestselling Author, Hall of Fame Speaker, and expert on Vital Aging, David McNally. For decades, David has been fascinated by human potential—the ability for each of us, regardless of where we begin, to rise, adapt, and soar.

David is the author of the bestselling books Even Eagles Need a Push: Learning to Soar in a Changing World, The Eagle’s Secret: Success Strategies for Thriving at Work and in Life, and Be Your Own Brand: Achieving More of What You Want by Being More of Who You Are. He is also the producer of the award-winning documentary The Power of Purpose and a proud member of the Speakers Hall of Fame, having inspired thousands of audiences worldwide.

His personal life has been marked by profound challenges and resilience. David lost his first wife, the mother of his five children, to ovarian cancer. His second wife later succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease. He has also survived head and neck cancer himself. These experiences deeply inform his work on purpose, vitality, and aging well.

From his base in Minnesota, we dive into purpose, resilience, leadership, vital aging, and what it means to live fully through life’s greatest challenges. It’s a powerful and meaningful conversation. Enjoy this interview.

👉 More David: https://www.davidmcnally.com

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Rutherford John Pascal on Transformative Leadership & Glass Walls Leadership

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Rutherford John Pascal, Founder and CEO of Glass Walls Leadership. Rutherford helps good leaders become great—and great leaders become even better through keynote presentations, leadership training sessions, and one-on-one coaching.

Drawing on over 30 years of experience with three Fortune 100 pharmaceutical companies, Rutherford held key executive leadership roles, including Head of Sales, where he led teams to achieve outsized results. His leadership philosophy centers on people development, culture, retention, and diversity, ensuring that both individuals and organizations reach their full potential.

From his base in Arizona, we dive into transformative leadership strategies, executive growth, inclusive cultures, and what it takes to lead with purpose and impact in today’s organizations. Dig this conversation.

👉 More Rutherford: https://glasswallsleadership.com/

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Therapist Turned Coach Mary Eldridge on Workplace Burnout & Healing

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Mary Eldridge, a licensed therapist turned empowerment coach who helps high-achieving women break free from burnout, emotional exhaustion, and toxic workplace patterns.

After years in the therapy chair, Mary noticed a powerful and troubling pattern: brilliant, capable women were blaming themselves for systems that overworked them, dismissed their contributions, and conditioned them to stay silent. Today, through her compassionate presence and no-nonsense guidance, Mary helps women reclaim their voice, rebuild self-trust, and create careers that feel both successful and sustainable.

We dig into burnout recovery, emotional resilience, workplace dynamics, empowerment coaching, and redefining success on healthier terms. It’s quite a story and an important conversation. Enjoy.

👉 More Mary: https://julzcreativemarketing.com/

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Brooklyn Jazz Bassist Kelsey Mines on New Albums & Creative Freedom

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we sit down with Brooklyn-based jazz bassist, composer, and vocalist Kelsey Mines to explore her latest 2025 releases, including Everything Sacred, Nothing Serious and Collusion and Collaboration—a powerful project created with the mighty Vinny Golia—along with a life fully dedicated to music.

Originally from Seattle, Kelsey grew up immersed in jazz, with a father who was also a jazz musician. That foundation helped shape her wide-ranging musical path, which spans jazz, classical, and experimental music, blending structure with risk and deep expression. Her work reflects a fearless artistic voice grounded in tradition while constantly pushing forward.

We talk about her creative process, collaboration, compositional vision, the Brooklyn jazz scene, and what it means to build a sustainable artistic life in today’s musical world.

🎶 Everything Kelsey Mines:
https://www.kelseyminesbass.com/

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Con Chapman on Kansas City Jazz History & His Book “A Little Evil Will Do You Good” | Neon Jazz

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with Journalist and Author Con Chapman about his 2023 book Kansas City Jazz: A Little Evil Will Do You Good. This acclaimed Boston-area writer joins us for his second appearance on Neon Jazz, and as always, brings a deep well of insight, research, and storytelling.

The book is the first comprehensive study of Kansas City jazz in more than 15 years, drawing on new research to explore how this uniquely American sound emerged from the Midwest and evolved into a defining jazz sub-genre. Chapman profiles the musicians who shaped the scene, many of whom developed distinct styles within—and far beyond—the Kansas City jazz framework.

From Andy Kirk and the Twelve Clouds of Joy to Charlie Parker, we dig into the personalities, cultural forces, and musical innovations that created Kansas City’s unmistakable jazz identity. We cover the broader themes, the hot-button topics, and the human stories that brought this music to life. It’s always a wealth of wisdom and knowledge. Dig this conversation.

📘 Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Kansas-City-Jazz-Popular-History/dp/1800502826

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Marina Morgan on Founder Resilience, Business Psychology & High-Performance Cultures

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Business Psychologist, Founder, Entrepreneur & Speaker Marina Morgan, the visionary founder of The Morgan Impact, a Silicon Valley-based agency that partners with founders and business leaders to cultivate mental resilience, strategic clarity, and high-performance cultures.

With over 15 years of experience in corporate leadership and entrepreneurship, Marina has worked alongside both startups and large organizations, helping leaders navigate scaling challenges, founder burnout, and high-stakes decision-making under pressure. Before launching her own company, she led HR strategy, leadership development, and organizational transformation for companies ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of employees.

Originally from Russia and now based in Silicon Valley, Marina brings a global perspective to leadership psychology, organizational growth, and human performance. We dig into business psychology, leadership resilience, startup culture, and what it takes to lead with clarity in fast-moving environments. It’s a story you’ll love. Enjoy this conversation.

👉 More Marina: https://themorganimpact.com/#doing

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Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Dylan Bost on SunnyHQ, WordPress, Business Systems & The Seven Mirrors

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with author, entrepreneur, and visionary founder of SunnyHQ, Dylan Bost. He leads a human-first WordPress hosting and support company designed to take website stress off business owners’ plates—so they can focus on what truly grows their business.

With 30+ years in digital systems, Dylan helps teams build clarity, stability, and focus in environments often overwhelmed by complexity and noise. Before founding SunnyHQ, he ran a successful creative agency for over a decade. On the surface, everything looked great—but behind the scenes, he was trapped in cycles of reactive work, subjective deliverables, and systems that drained more energy than they returned.

Now based in Mexico, Dylan is also writing The Seven Mirrors, a book exploring how memory, leadership, and business intersect—and how clarity becomes a powerful tool for personal and organizational transformation.

We dive into entrepreneurship, human-first technology, leadership evolution, burnout, business systems, and what it means to build companies that actually serve the people inside them. It’s a story you won’t forget. Enjoy this conversation.

👉 More Dylan:
https://dylanclaytonbost.com/

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Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins on Leadership, Learning & Human Skills

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins, Podcaster and Leadership Skills Facilitator at Learnit. She is not your average leadership facilitator. With a PhD in Leadership in Higher Education and a career spanning academia, educational technology, and corporate training, Mickey brings a rare blend of insight and real-world experience to leadership development.

At Learnit, she specializes in transforming essential human skills—communication, empathy, resilience, and adaptability—into actionable strategies that drive organizational success from the individual outward. Drawing from a wide range of L&D “goods, bads, and uglies,” her approach is both profound and practical.

From her base in Wisconsin, we get into leadership, learning and development, facilitation, podcasting, modern workplace skills, and the human side of organizational growth. From bass fishing to breakout rooms, it’s an incredible story. Enjoy this conversation.

👉 More Mickey: https://www.learnit.com/mickey

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