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The Greatness Machine — Business
The Greatness Machine

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 Greatness Machine is your ticket to create Greatness in your life!

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Copyright: © 2021 The Real Darius

Latest Episodes:

277 | Chuck Hall | Crafting a Business with a Heart: The Path to Purpose in Senior Living May 08, 2024

Show notes

Would a purpose-driven approach make a difference in how we care for the elderly?

When it comes to caring for the elderly, a purpose-driven approach can make a big difference. By creating value beyond profits, we focus on the well-being and happiness of those we serve.

There is no better example of this concept than Chuck Hall's journey. After years of success in the construction industry, he recognized an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in senior care. Chuck’s business, Vitality Living, evolved from a fee-for-service model to a vertically integrated structure, providing services that extend beyond basic care.

This transformation underscores the positive outcomes of a purpose-driven approach. Through his leadership, the business shifted focus to not only building facilities for seniors but also providing comprehensive care through a variety of ancillary services.

In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius is joined by Chuck Hall to discuss his journey from the construction industry to the senior care sector. Chuck shares how he transitioned from a fee-for-service model to a vertically integrated approach, focusing on providing high-quality care for the elderly. He explains the importance of conscious leadership, the benefits of vertical integration, and the role of partnerships in building successful businesses.

Topics include:

Chuck talks about his early entrepreneurial influences
Creating vertically integrated system in his senior care business
The benefits of having an entrepreneurial mindset
Chuck looks back working for Turner Construction in New York City
How failure served as a catalyst for Chuck to start his own business
Chuck explains the value of co-investing in projects
Recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of your business partners
And other topics…

Connect with Chuck:

Website: https://www.vitalityseniorliving.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-hall-53a259/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c4build/

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

TGM Classic | Dane Espegard | The Dream Machine: A Leader’s Guide to Creating Teams of High Performers Who Achieve Extraordinary Outcomes May 06, 2024

Show notes

How do you create a high-performing team?

A good leader is someone who empowers their team and focuses on team dynamics, which is crucial in order for the members to perform at their best. When a team has a healthy dynamics, the team members become problem solvers.

Dane Espegard, a culture consultant who teaches, assists, and executes the implementation of a culture centered around Dream Achieving, joins us on the Greatness Machine to talk about his book, The Dream Machine: A Leader’s Guide to Creating Teams of High Performers Who Achieve Extraordinary Outcomes.

In this episode, Darius and Dane discuss why dreams matter, the benefits of having a dream list, how having a “dream culture” can improve the performance of a team, and how leaders can help their members achieve their dreams. They also touch on the topic of best practices for making dreams a reality.

Topics include:

How Dane’s book The Dream Machine came about
The importance of having a dream list
How Dane leads and helps his team achieve their dreams
The best practices for making dreams into reality
The coolest dream Dane has seen someone turned into reality
What the readers can learn from The Dream Machine
How businesses can show their appreciation for their team members
And other topics…

Resources mentioned:

The Dream Manager: https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Manager-Matthew-Kelly/dp/1401388442

The Rhythm of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Rhythm-Life-Everyday-Passion-Purpose-ebook/dp/B013GYKKRO?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Connect with Dane:

Website: https://daneespegard.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daneespegard

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daneespegard/?hl=en

Book: https://thedreammachinebook.com/

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

276 | Happy Birthday to Me: The Top 2 Things I Learned This Year May 03, 2024

Show notes

What if the key to personal growth is learning to embrace stress and break free from people pleasing?

In this special solo episode, I celebrate my 46th birthday by sharing reflections on the most profound lessons I have learned over the past year. I will take you through my personal growth journey, sharing with you the pivotal moments that shaped my understanding of self-worth, stress management, and building meaningful relationships.

In this episode of The Greatness Machine, I will dive into the importance of embracing stress to test personal growth and explore how starting a new business brought unexpected challenges. I will also share my struggle with anxiety and my realization about the pitfalls of people pleasing. Join me as I discuss the tools that have helped me build the muscle of awareness and the power of confronting conflicts early for healthier relationships.

Topics include:

Understanding your own worth and finding a healthier approach to stress and anxiety
Darius shares two challenges he faced during the launch of his new business
The importance of building the muscle of awareness
Darius talks about his No People Pleasing (No PP) mantra
The value of embracing conflict earlier to ensure healthier relationships
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

275 | Annie Sarnblad | The Power of Facial Expressions: Understanding the Language of Emotion May 01, 2024

Show notes

Ever found yourself puzzled by subtle smiles, raised eyebrows, or furrowed brows? What if you could decipher the hidden language of facial expressions and gain a deeper understanding of human interaction?

Understanding facial expressions is like unlocking a secret code to human communication. It is the silent language that often speaks louder than words, offering valuable insights into people's thoughts, emotions, and intentions.

Annie Sarnblad, a renowned expert in the field of facial expression analysis, sheds light on the hidden language embedded within these seemingly mundane gestures. She also shares valuable insights gleaned from her extensive experience in decoding facial cues, offering practical applications for navigating various social situations.

In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Annie joins Darius to delve into the intricate world of facial expressions and nonverbal communication. Drawing from her extensive expertise, Annie shares practical tips and strategies for enhancing interpersonal communication skills from decoding micro-expressions to navigating negotiations and social dynamics.

Topics include:

What inspired Annie’s interest in teaching facial expressions
Annie talks about her involvement with Young Presidents Organization (YPO)
The importance of understanding nonverbal cues such as micro-expressions
Annie emphasizes the universal nature of facial expressions
Developing the skill of being comfortable with uncomfortable conversations
And other topics…

Connect with Annie:

Website: https://anniesarnblad.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-sarnblad

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annie.sarnblad/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS_F6qDv7H3_oLdoz8fZ4pw

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

TGM Classic | Steven Kotler | Gnar Country: Finding State Of Flow To Achieve Peak Performance Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

Flow refers to the state of being completely immersed in an activity. It is defined as a mental state in which a person’s full attention is held by a single task while enjoying the process. It is a level of consciousness where you are most comfortable and performs at your best.

An individual experiencing flow can be said to be completely absorbed in what they are doing, with a resulting transformation in their perception of time.

Steven Kotler, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective, joins us to give us a sneak peek into his upcoming book, Gnar Country: Growing Old, Staying Rad, where he shares his personal experiences pushing himself beyond preconceived limits.

In this episode, Darius and Steven talk about park skiing, the psychology behind flow state and its benefits, and how to reach peak performance. They also tackle how having a positive aging mindset can slow down the effects of getting older.

Topics include:

How Steven got into writing and journalism
Steven gives a sneak peek into his book Gnar Country
What park skiing is all about
Five major intrinsic internal motivators
What is a flow state and what are its benefits
Steven explains what “ghost dog” means
What does peak performance look like
Steven explains why grit is a limited resource
Embodied cognition and its applications
The benefits of having a positive aging mindset
And other topics…

Resources mentioned:

Gnar Country: www.gnarcountry.com

The Art of Impossible: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Impossible-Peak-Performance-Primer/dp/0062977539

Connect with Steven:

Website: www.stevenkotler.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenkotler/

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

Darius Classic | How I Went From HATING Meditation To Becoming Its Biggest Fan Apr 26, 2024

Show notes

Practicing meditation can enhance a person's mental and physical well-being in many ways. Research suggests that meditation can help ease anxiety, improve sleep quality, reduce negative emotions, and increase imagination, creativity, patience, and tolerance.

There is also evidence that states people who meditate are more likely to be able to avoid destructive habits.

Today, I am flying solo to take a look back at that one moment in my life that made me a believer of meditation and its many benefits.

In this episode, I will talk about how I went from disliking the practice of meditation to realizing its positive effects on my life. I will also discuss the effects of meditation on my mental health, decision-making, emotional reactions, and awareness of myself and others.

Topics include:

How meditation helps ease my anxiety
What I learned from practicing 100 days of meditation
Awareness as one of the benefits of meditation
What does “game of inches” mean in life and business
How meditation benefits your mental health and decision-making
And other topics…

Sources mentioned:

Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Habit-Being-Yourself-Create/dp/1401938094

The Waking Up Course: https://www.wakingup.com/

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

274 | Bill Perkins | Die with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

When time and money seem like limited resources, the idea of maximizing both can seem impossible. But what if it were possible to achieve true abundance in both?

How would it be if our desire for personal fulfillment and financial abundance could be harmonized?

Bill Perkins, a hedge fund manager, entrepreneur, author, and professional poker player, has discovered invaluable insights into the intersection of money and meaning. Through his book, Die with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life, he challenges the traditional notion of hoarding wealth for the future. He advocates for living life to the fullest now, making meaningful experiences a priority over accumulating wealth that may never be fully enjoyed.

In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius is joined by Bill Perkins to explore practical strategies for maximizing both your life and your finances. Drawing from his remarkable journey and the principles outlined in his book, Bill shares what it takes to create a life that is truly worth living.

Topics include:

The importance of living life to the fullest and maximizing experiences
Bill explains Die with Zero and emphasizes the value of spending wealth strategically
Being off autopilot and deeply understanding one’s authentic desires and values
The benefits of optimizing one’s life in terms of money and time
Enjoying the journey of life rather than solely focusing on achieving financial success
Why it matters to balance entrepreneurship and relationships
Bill warns against falling into the trap of pursuing wealth or status for ego gratification
Aligning actions with long-term fulfillment rather than societal expectations
And other topics…

Connect with Bill:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bp22

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billperkins/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Die-Zero-Getting-Your-Money/dp/0358099765

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

TGM Classic | Fred Reichheld | Bain’s High Priest of Customer Loyalty Teaches the Secret to Winning on Purpose in Business Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

Business is not just about making money. Business owners, especially those starting out, should have a clearly stated purpose or the essence of the organization. More than the numbers and figures, businesses exist to provide value to their customers.

Likewise, customers recognize value when you provide them with products and services worth their time, effort, and money. Most of them, if not all, crave a personalized experience and want to feel cared for.

Fred Reichheld, also known as the “high priest” of loyalty and the creator of the Net Promoter System℠ (NPS®), joins us on the Greatness Machine to talk about customer loyalty and his book, Winning on Purpose.

In this episode, Darius and Fred discuss what great leadership looks like, the key driver of customer loyalty, and the ways to enrich the lives of other people. They also talk about NPS and eNPS and how these things work and help businesses measure the quality of their customer service.

Topics include:

What is the one key driver of customer loyalty
Definition of Net Promoter System℠ (NPS®) and how it works
Fred explains the NPS rating scale
Verbal NPS versus digital NPS
NPS versus eNPS
What makes a great leader
And other topics…

Resources mentioned:

Winning on Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Purpose-Unbeatable-Strategy-Customers/dp/1647821789

Good to Great: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996

Connect with Fred:

Website: https://www.netpromotersystem.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredreichheld/

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

Darius Classic | The Only 5 Questions That Matter In Your Business Apr 19, 2024

Show notes

It is common for customers to return to your brand when they feel valued and enjoy the overall experience.

Having that culture of appreciation within your business, where your team members or your internal customers feel valued and recognized for their great work, will also reflect on your external customers’ experience.

Today, I am flying solo to share with you the secret to building a perfect customer experience.

In this episode, I will talk about the most important questions to ask your internal and external customers. I will also discuss how I have been using Net Promoter Score (NPS) to measure customers’ experience.

Topics include:

Differences between an internal and an external customer
What is Net Promoter Score (NPS) and how is it calculated
Three questions I always ask my team members
The importance of having an appreciation culture at work
Five questions to build a perfect customer experience
And other topics…

Resources mentioned:

Net Promoter Score: https://www.netpromoter.com/

ScaleMAP Method: https://www.dariusclass.com/training-video

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

273 | Michael Easter | The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

What if discomfort was the key to unlocking your full potential?

This thought-provoking question challenges conventional wisdom and invites us to reconsider our relationship with discomfort. While discomfort is often seen as something to avoid, discomfort can be the catalyst for achieving new heights of personal growth and achievement.

Michael Easter, the New York Times bestselling author of Scarcity Brain and The Comfort Crisis, challenges us to consider discomfort as a powerful catalyst for unlocking our true potential. Through his exploration of nutrition, behavior change, and the transformative impact of extreme experiences, he prompts us to embrace discomfort as a pathway to growth and self-discovery.

By delving into the nuances of discomfort, Michael shares how facing challenges head-on can lead to profound personal development and resilience. Whether it is enduring the relentless cold in the Arctic or adopting new dietary habits, his insights underscore the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones to realize our fullest capabilities.

This episode of The Greatness Machine will serve as a poignant reminder that greatness is often forged in the crucible of discomfort.

Topics include:

The importance of embracing short-term discomfort for long-term benefits
Michael explains the concept of the “2% mindset”
The concept of awareness and choice
Michael discusses the idea of Misogi by Marcus Elliot
The benefits of pushing boundaries and taking on challenges
Why it matters to incorporate movement into daily routines
Removing bad habits as a precursor to adopting good ones
And other topics…

Connect with Michael:

Website: https://eastermichael.com/

Website: https://www.twopct.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Michael_Easter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michael_easter/

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

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