Former NYC Firefighter Brian Williams on Protecting Young Football Players & His Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with inventor, former NYC firefighter, safety professional, and sports safety advocate Brian Williams.

After spending more than four decades in safety-critical professions—including construction, firefighting, and private security—Brian turned his attention to one of the most serious challenges in youth sports: catastrophic head and cervical spine injuries in tackle football.

Motivated by the tragic deaths and life-altering injuries suffered by young athletes, Brian dedicated years to developing a patented football safety system designed to address injuries that traditional helmets cannot prevent. His innovative protection technology was validated through NASA-related testing methodologies and represents a different approach to player safety, focusing on mechanisms that contribute to severe head and neck trauma.

In this compelling conversation, we discuss football safety, youth sports, concussion awareness, cervical spine injuries, sports innovation, athlete protection, product development, and the challenges of bringing new safety technologies to market. Brian also shares why he believes the sports equipment industry has been slow to adopt innovations that could potentially improve player safety and what parents should know when evaluating protective equipment for young athletes.

This is a fascinating discussion about innovation, persistence, safety, and the future of contact sports.

Learn more about Brian's work:
Tri-Axis Protection System Official Website

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Therapist Andrew Parr on The Real You, Transformation & Lasting Change

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with UK-based therapist, trainer, author, and transformational coach Andrew Parr.

With more than 33 years of clinical practice and over 20,000 one-to-one client sessions, Andrew has devoted his career to understanding what creates lasting personal transformation. He is the author of the acclaimed book The Real You, published by Penguin Life, and has trained more than 500 practitioners in his innovative root-cause approach to emotional healing and personal growth.

Andrew believes that true transformation is not simply about managing symptoms or endlessly analyzing problems. Instead, it involves recognizing and releasing the invisible conditioning that shapes our beliefs, behaviors, emotions, and sense of identity. His work helps people understand why they remain stuck despite years of therapy, self-help programs, or personal development efforts—and what actually creates lasting change.

In this conversation, we discuss emotional healing, personal transformation, mental well-being, self-awareness, human behavior, therapy, coaching, psychology, personal growth, and the deeper causes behind the challenges many people face. We also explore Andrew's fascinating life journey, from early dreams of becoming a rock star to helping thousands of people transform their lives.

Learn more about Andrew Parr:
Andrew Parr Official Website

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Workplace Health Coach Katie Jean Hadiaris on Burnout, Stress & Boundaries

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with workplace health coach, strategist, founder, and creator of the Work Is Not Family movement Katie Jean Hadiaris.

With more than 20 years of experience working within corporate systems across multiple industries, Katie has developed a unique perspective on workplace well-being, leadership, stress management, and professional performance. Drawing from her background in corporate leadership, human resources, and trauma-informed coaching, she helps high-performing professionals understand why work stress often follows them home and how to create healthier boundaries between career and personal life.

Katie's work focuses on a concept she calls workplace absorption—the tendency to internalize workplace stress, urgency, dysfunction, and emotional pressure long after the workday ends. While many discussions focus on burnout, Katie explores the deeper psychological and physiological patterns that cause professionals to carry work into their relationships, health, thoughts, and daily lives.

As the founder of the Work Is Not Family movement, she challenges common workplace narratives and helps individuals create sustainable success without sacrificing their well-being.

In this conversation, we discuss workplace culture, leadership, burnout prevention, emotional resilience, stress management, professional boundaries, corporate wellness, trauma-informed coaching, personal growth, and creating a healthier relationship with work.

Learn more about Katie and her work:
Work Is Not Family Official Website

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Brooklyn Jazz Saxophonist Luke Norris Talks Jazz, Broadway & His 2026 Album

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Brooklyn-based jazz saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer, educator, and performer Luke Norris.

We caught up with Luke to discuss his new 2026 album, Moment from the Past, and his ongoing journey through the diverse worlds of jazz, Broadway, commercial music, composition, and education.

A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Berklee College of Music, Luke has built an impressive career as a versatile performer and creative artist. He maintains an active schedule performing across multiple musical genres while also operating a successful private teaching studio.

As a sideman, Luke has shared the stage with celebrated artists including Danilo Pérez, Luciana Souza, and David Binney. He has also performed in the acclaimed Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, demonstrating his versatility across jazz and theatrical performance.

In this conversation, we explore the creation of Moment from the Past, his development as a composer and improviser, balancing multiple musical careers, jazz education, Broadway experiences, and the creative influences that continue to shape his evolving sound.

Learn more about Luke:
Luke Norris Instagram

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Executive Recruiter John Pezoulas on Entrepreneurship, Modern Hiring & Leadership

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with executive search co-founder, entrepreneur, and recruitment expert John Pezoulas.

Based in Canada, John plays a key role in leading an executive search firm that recruits top talent across the United States and Canada. With extensive experience in talent acquisition, executive recruiting, human resources, sales, marketing, operations, entrepreneurship, and startup growth, he brings a unique perspective on what it takes to build successful organizations.

John combines executive search expertise with real-world business experience, helping leaders attract exceptional talent, develop high-performing teams, align key business functions, and create company cultures where people and organizations can thrive. His work spans leadership development, recruitment strategy, organizational growth, and business performance.

In this conversation, we discuss hiring trends, leadership, entrepreneurship, company culture, talent acquisition, startup life, business growth, fatherhood, work-life balance, and the evolving challenges facing organizations today.

John also shares practical insights for business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, managers, and professionals seeking to build stronger teams and achieve long-term success.

Learn more about John and his work:
Ready Set Exec Official Website 

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Ray Jozwiak Interview | Contemporary Jazz, Improvisation & Artistic Independence

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring veteran Delaware-based jazz pianist, composer, and improviser Ray Jozwiak.

We caught up with Ray to discuss his latest 2025 album, Ray's Music, and his fascinating lifelong relationship with jazz, improvisation, and creative expression.

The album features a collection of instrumental compositions filled with deep improvisation, adventurous musical ideas, and a personal artistic vision that reflects decades of musical exploration. While music was not his sole profession throughout his life, Ray has remained deeply committed to the art form and is now creating some of his most inspired work in retirement.

In this conversation, Ray reflects on his musical journey, his unique approach to creativity, and his willingness to follow his own artistic instincts rather than popular trends. We also discuss his years performing with OHO, the influential Baltimore-area musical collective that played a significant role in shaping his musical identity and continues to inspire his work today.

From jazz improvisation and composition to artistic independence and lifelong creativity, this interview offers a thoughtful look at a musician who has always followed his own path.

Learn more about Ray and his music:
Ray Jozwiak Official Website

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Jazz Bassist Matt Dwonszyk Talks New Album Live at the Side Door & His Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring accomplished jazz bassist, composer, arranger, and educator Matt Dwonszyk.

We caught up with Matt to discuss his outstanding 2026 release, Live at the Side Door, and his remarkable journey through the world of jazz.

Based in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, Matt has become one of the most sought-after bassists in New England. A graduate of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and holder of a master's degree from SUNY Purchase College, he has built a respected career as both a performer and educator. Today, he serves on the faculty of Manchester Community College and Central Connecticut State University while maintaining a busy performance schedule.

Matt began playing electric bass at age eleven before transitioning to upright bass during his time at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. That decision launched a lifelong dedication to jazz, improvisation, composition, and musical excellence.

In this conversation, we discuss the making of Live at the Side Door, the experience of recording live jazz, his development as a bassist and bandleader, the importance of jazz education, and the lessons learned from years of performing with some of the region's finest musicians.

Get the album:
Live at the Side Door on Bandcamp

Learn more about Matt:
Matt Dwonszyk Official Website

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