The Playbook With David Meltzer

Latest Episodes:

Turning Tragedy Into a Mission to Save Lives Sep 13, 2025

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In today’s episode, I sit down with Eugenie Addison, CEO of Sensei.Me, whose mission was born from personal loss and years of scientific research into airborne diseases. Driven by a family history of chronic respiratory illnesses, Eugenie turned her postdoctoral research into an innovative solution for healthier indoor air. We talk about her journey from building her first startup in college to creating a nanotechnology-powered device that can detect and mitigate harmful pathogens in under five minutes. Her story shows how purpose, resilience, and strategic thinking can turn tragedy into a mission to save lives and transform global health.

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How to Remove the Blocks Holding You Back Sep 12, 2025

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In today’s episode, I sit down with Helen Ye Plehn, artist, author, and creator of the Aura Color Wheel system. Helen shares her journey from panic attacks and depression to discovering her true soul purpose, which led her to develop a framework for understanding the colors of our energy fields and how they reflect our gifts, wounds, and lessons. We talk about the connection between aura frequencies and personal fulfillment, the blocks that keep people from fully shining their light, and the importance of collaboration in raising collective vibration. Helen also previews her annual Light on Light event and her new course, Embody Your Light.

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The Partnership That Changed a City Sep 11, 2025

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In today’s episode, I sit down with Dominic Ortiz, CEO and General Manager of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, and Jamar Jones, the visionary founder of Foureva Media. Dominic shares how he transformed a shuttered property into a thriving regional destination by betting on vision, resilience, and the right people. Jamar explains how his belief in partnerships and creating powerful experiences led him to align with Potawatomi and showcase Milwaukee as more than just a stopover city. Together, they reveal how leadership, community, and collaboration can elevate a project beyond expectations and create impact that resonates far beyond Wisconsin.

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Habits That Create Legends Sep 10, 2025

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In today’s episode, I sit down with performance coach Chris Johnson, whose career has spanned from playing professional basketball to shaping some of the biggest names in the NBA. Chris explains why expansion—not transition—is the real key when athletes move from the court to life beyond the game. He shares how routines, habit stacking, and emotional intelligence create the “delta” that separates great players from legends. We talk about the power of presence, confronting bad habits, and why self-discipline is the foundation for success in business, family, and competition alike. Chris also reveals how setbacks became the spark for building his life’s mission.

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The Consistency That Separates Champions Sep 09, 2025

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In today’s episode, I sit down with former NFL star Shawne Merriman to talk about the lessons that shaped his life on and off the field. From growing up homeless in Maryland to becoming one of the most feared linebackers in the league, Shawne explains how hardship built his character and fueled his drive. We discuss his “Lights Out” persona, the transition from football to entrepreneurship, and how he turned his passion for MMA and media into a thriving business. Shawne also shares how his perspective on money shifted over time, viewing it less as a prize and more as a tool for impact.

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Events and Experiences: The New Engine for Growth Sep 08, 2025

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In this week’s training, I shared why live events and shared experiences have become the true engine for growth in both business and life. It’s not the products we remember—it’s the moments that shape us, the communities that support us, and the connections that carry us forward. With Mitch Thrower of Events.com, we explored how events create opportunities for lasting transformation, why technology is making them more accessible than ever, and how the real impact begins in the follow-up. At the end of the day, growth comes from showing up, listening, learning, and turning moments into momentum.

To join my next free Friday Training sessions, email me at david@dmeltzer.com

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The Secret to Lasting Success in Hospitality Sep 07, 2025

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In today’s episode, I sit down with the legendary chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck to talk about the joy and purpose behind a life’s work. He shares how finding passion, not chasing money, has been the foundation of his success, and why quality, hospitality, and making people feel good are non-negotiables in creating lasting experiences. Wolfgang reflects on the defining moments that shaped his career, from France to founding Spago in Los Angeles, and the lessons his mother instilled that still guide him today. At 75, he remains energized by his craft, showing why joy is the ultimate ingredient for longevity.

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Rob Riggle on Choosing the Harder Path Sep 06, 2025

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In today’s episode, I sit down with Rob Riggle, a Marine Corps veteran turned actor, comedian, writer, and producer whose career spans from Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show to blockbuster films. Rob shares how his time in the Marines built the discipline, resilience, and fear-conquering mindset that have shaped every chapter of his life. We talk about the realities of chasing opportunities, why action matters more than shortcuts, and how giving yourself permission to fail is the real key to growth. Rob’s stories, from stand-up’s nerve-wracking beginnings to life’s unexpected detours, offer a candid reminder that hard work and consistency win every time.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Culture Creates More Value Than Revenue Sep 05, 2025

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In today’s episode, I sit down with serial entrepreneur Amrinder Kamboj, CEO of Kamboj Ventures, who built a 14-company, $300 million empire after his first business went bankrupt. Amrinder opens up about the lessons he drew from his father’s struggles as an immigrant, the mindset shift that came from failing young, and how he now evaluates companies for scalability, culture, and leadership before making acquisitions. We talk about the balance between technology and people, the importance of building leaders within an organization, and why true legacy is measured by purpose and impact rather than profit alone.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Business Decisions That Define NFL Careers Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode, I sit down with two of the greatest running backs to play the game, Steven Jackson and Austin Ekeler. We talk about what it means to live out a dream that has a natural expiration date, and how identity shifts once a playing career ends. Steven shares the symbolic act of cutting his long hair at retirement to embrace a new version of himself, while Austin reflects on treating life as chapters, each with its own opportunities. Together, we explore the balance between loyalty and business in football, the realities of short NFL careers, and building meaningful ventures beyond the field.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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