The Greatness Machine is on a Quest to Maximize the Human Experience! Join Award Winning CEO and Author, Darius Mirshahzadeh (pron. Mer-shaw-za-day), as he interviews some of the greatest minds in the world―turning their wisdom and experience into learnings and advice you can use in your life so that you can level up and create greatness. Join Darius as he goes deep with guests like: Moby, Seth Godin, Gabby Reece, Amanda Knox, UFC Ring Announcer Bruce Buffer, Former FBI Negotiator Chris Voss, BJ Fogg, Former Spy and CIA Agent Andrew Bustamante, 1-800-Got-Junk CEO Brian Scudamore, NHL Hall of Famer Chris Pronger, and so many more! Our subject matter ranges from entrepreneurial and pro athlete underdog stories, world-class leadership development, and performance development, to wealth creation and more! If you are a learner who wants to level up in your life and learn from experts who have been there and done that, hit the subscribe button. The Greatne
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The Greatness Machine is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 738 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.
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Unknown Host hosts The Greatness Machine, a business show with 738 episodes published.
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The Greatness Machine
Darius Classic | Is Life Happening For You Or To You?
Sep 11, 202617 min
Why is this happening to me? Or Why is this happening for me? Do you ask yourself these questions when faced with adversities? Although both are true, what you focus on will determine how well you react when push comes to shove. After all, life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. And one of the only things we can control is our attitude toward things that happen to us. We can either be happy about them or resent them. Today I am flying solo to talk about how I managed to let go of the “worst case scenario” mindset and why I chose to direct my focus on seeing the struggles as opportunities to learn, grow, and become a better version of myself. In this episode, I will discuss the ways that life is happening for us and not to us. I will talk about my personal struggle in the past, how I acted like I was a victim of my own life, and what made me realize I needed to give up this mindset for good. Topics include: The importance of having a good perspective on life Having a scarcity mindset and how it affects your life Managing your emotional reactions to what happens to you Shifting from victim mentality to creator mindset Cultivating gratitude during difficult times The secret to achieving greatness And other topics… Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.
TGM Classic | Howard Behar | Former Starbucks President on Creating Lasting Impact Through People-First Leadership
Sep 9, 202658 min
What does it truly mean to lead with purpose? In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius sits down with Howard Behar, former President of Starbucks International and a servant leadership icon. Howard shares invaluable lessons on authenticity, vulnerability, and the importance of putting people first. From navigating insecurities to building a personal mission statement, Howard's insights offer a masterclass in leading with integrity. Discover why patience pays, why persistence matters, and how to align your purpose with your passion. Plus, hear his perspective on long-term thinking in business and the impact of shareholder-driven decision-making. In this episode, Darius and Howard will discuss: (00:00) Introduction to Howard Behar (02:16) Howard's Immigrant Roots and Early Influences (06:54) Transitioning to Starbucks: The Journey Begins (10:32) Navigating Exponential Growth at Starbucks (16:59) Leadership and Building a Strong Team (21:30) People-Centric Philosophy at Starbucks (24:51) Partnership Dynamics with Howard Schultz (28:12) The Essence of Servant Leadership (31:23) Navigating Economic Challenges (34:02) The Impact of Public Markets (39:36) Qualities of Great Leaders (41:34) Lessons from Experience Howard Behar is a renowned business leader, author, speaker, and mentor, celebrated for his servant leadership philosophy. As the former President of Starbucks North America and founding President of Starbucks International, he played a pivotal role in the company's growth from 28 stores to over 15,000 across five continents. Howard's leadership principles, like “The Person Who Sweeps the Floor Should Choose the Broom,” continue to inspire leaders globally. He currently serves on several corporate and nonprofit boards and is the author of It’s Not About the Coffee: Lessons on Leadership from a Life at Starbucks. Connect with Howard: Website: http://howardbehar.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-behar-24ba274/ Twitter: https://x.com/NotAboutCoffee Email: hb@howardbehar.com Contact: 206-9727-776 Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.
TGM Classic | Naveen Jain (Part 2) | How to Raise Moonshot Kids
Sep 7, 20261h 4m
How do you raise children to think beyond limits and create meaningful change? Visionary entrepreneur Naveen Jain joins Darius on The Greatness Machine for a fascinating conversation on leadership, innovation, and the power of exponential thinking. He shares how a simple promise led to a $5 billion stock surge, the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship, and why curiosity is the key to solving the world’s biggest challenges. Naveen also reveals his unique approach to parenting—raising children to be problem-solvers rather than rule-followers—and how this mindset has shaped his own success. In this episode, Darius and Naveen will discuss: (00:00) Introduction to Purposeful Living (02:59) Naveen Jain's Journey and Philosophy (06:13) Personalized Health and Nutrition Insights (09:08) Parenting and Raising Entrepreneurial Children (12:00) The Role of Exposure in Child Development (15:00) Fostering Curiosity and Critical Thinking (18:09) Redefining Success and Self-Worth (20:50) The Nature vs. Nurture Debate in Success (33:07) Wealth and Parenting: The Balance of Privilege (35:59) Teaching Kids the Value of Money and Contribution (38:51) Instilling a Sense of Purpose and Service (41:57) Fostering Intellectual Curiosity and Creativity (44:07) The Role of Unconditional Love in Parenting (49:02) Navigating Work-Life Integration as a Parent (51:59) Lessons on Partnerships and Decision-Making (55:04) Final Thoughts: The Importance of Intellectual Curiosity Naveen Jain is an Indian-American entrepreneur and business executive known for founding InfoSpace, which was once one of the largest internet companies in the American Northwest. Following the dot-com bubble crash, he shifted his focus to groundbreaking ventures in space exploration and health technology. He co-founded Moon Express in 2010, where he serves as Executive Chairman, and later founded Viome in 2016, where he is currently the CEO. Listen to the first episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/304-naveen-jain-part-1-moonshots-and-mindset-why-big/id1555334180?i=1000672328585 Connect with Naveen: Website: https://naveenjain.com/ Website: https://www.viome.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naveenjainintelius Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naveenjainceo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Naveen_Jain_CEO Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.
Darius Classic | What Advice Would Future You Give You Today
Sep 4, 202619 min
Do you ever look back and think about the things that you could have done differently? Maybe you have done and said something that you wish you could take back. Maybe you wish you hadn’t worked so hard or wish you could have done better. Most of us, if not all, have regrets. It could be things you did that you hoped you hadn’t or things you wish you had done but didn’t. Today, I am flying solo to share a list of things I would tell my younger self. Looking back, I remember being scared of a lot of things, worrying about what could happen, and spending my time thinking about the future. What I failed to realize was we can never take back whatever time and effort we have expended in the past. In this episode, I will discuss the things I wish I had known when starting out in life and business, the biggest mistake I made as an entrepreneur dad, my realizations looking back in the past, and the things I wish to do now that I am in my 40’s. Topics include: List of things I would tell my younger self The pros of mental time travel Why you should never stress about your businesses, clients, and team members The importance of spending time with your family and friends Why you shouldn’t wait to live your life Living in the now but also preparing for the future Why you should never sweat the small stuff The one big mistake I should never have made in the past Why it matters to live a life of intent And other topics… Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.
446 | Allison Maslan | Scale or Fail by Building a Business That Doesn’t Depend on You
Sep 2, 202657 min
On today’s episode of The Greatness Machine, host Darius Mirshahzadeh sits down with Allison Maslan, founder of Pinnacle Global Network and Wall Street Journal best-selling author of “Scale or Fail,” for a candid conversation about what it truly takes to scale a business. Drawing from her experience building 10 successful companies and mentoring over 150,000 CEOs, Allison shares the pivotal moments, including a near-fatal car accident, that transformed how she thinks about business growth, leadership, and building teams that don't depend on you. The conversation covers everything from meeting structures and core values to hiring mistakes and the critical importance of vision alignment across your entire organization. In this episode, Darius and Allison will discuss: (00:00) Introduction and Background (02:14) Allison's Entrepreneurial Journey (10:41) The Turning Point: From Overwhelm to Clarity (15:30) Scaling Strategies and Leadership (22:18) Navigating Growth Challenges (23:59) Chasing Symptoms vs. Root Causes (26:02) The Importance of Meeting Structure (30:09) Core Values and Team Commitment (33:01) Setting Up Teams for Success (36:09) Vision Beyond Numbers (40:09) Aligning Team and Personal Visions (41:53) Overcoming Personal Barriers to Greatness (44:00) Pinnacle Global Network Overview Allison Maslan is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, the founder of Pinnacle Global Network, and a leading CEO scaling mentor. She has built 10 successful companies, coached more than 150,000 CEOs and leadership teams, and now leads the world’s largest women-owned CEO mentoring and peer advisory network for 7–9 figure founders. Connect with Allison: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allisonmaslan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonmaslan/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/allisonmaslan Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.
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