All Posts By

Chrissy Bernal

Sep 27
Love10

George Maxe

By Education, Personal Growth, Professional Athlete, Sports No Comments

This week on the Here’s What We Know Podcast, our guest George Maxe shares his 30-year career path filled with unexpected twists and turns that led him to his current role as the president and CEO of The First Tee of Silicon Valley, where he’s been making a significant impact for the past 15 years.

Listen in to hear more about George’s inspiring journey. He recalls memorable moments playing golf and how golf transcends being just a sport into a powerful tool for character development and social inclusivity. He also emphasizes making golf accessible to children from all backgrounds and creating balanced environments where they can learn from each other’s experiences.

This episode is sponsored by:

In This Episode:

  • The Unexpected Journey
  • A Swing to Remember
  • From Berkeley to San Jose 
  • Numbers Game 
  • Golf: A Social Catalyst 
  • Making Golf Accessible 
  • Balancing Act
  • The Power Within   
  • Unforgettable Encounters  
  • Women and Golf
  • The Art of Mentorship
  • Volunteering
  • Building Rapport Through Humor 
  • Golf Course Conversations

Quotations:

“There’s something magical that happens when two people click.” ~ George Maxe

“When you love competition, it’s gotta be so hard to let go of it when you think you have a chance to win again.”  ~ George Maxe

“One of the great things about golf is that we’re using it as a vehicle for character development.” ~ George Maxe

Guest’s Bio:

George Maxe is a dedicated and visionary leader who has made a significant impact on youth development through his role as President and Chief Executive Officer of The First Tee of Silicon Valley. His journey with the organization began in 2008, when he assumed the position of Executive Director at The First Tee of San Jose. Over the years, his leadership and unwavering commitment have transformed the organization, leaving an indelible mark on the community, which revolves around nurturing young talent and enabling them to reach their fullest potential, allowing him to leverage his education, experience, expertise, and background to make a positive impact on young lives. Under his guidance, The First Tee of San Jose experienced remarkable growth and expansion. By early 2012, he had successfully extended the program’s reach to include not only San Jose but also Gilroy and East Palo Alto, effectively renaming it The First Tee of Silicon Valley. This strategic move broadened the organization’s service area, ensuring more young people had access to its valuable programs. He aims to serve 10,000 youth by 2020 and elevate that number to 18,000 by 2025.

Guest’s Contact Info:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmaxe/

Website: https://firstteesiliconvalley.org/

Sep 20
Love9

Barry Dean

By Fun, Music, Personal Growth, TV No Comments

This week on the Here’s What We Know Podcast, we’re again shining a spotlight on a remarkable figure in the music industry, the exceptionally talented songwriter Barry Dean. Listen in and hear more of his incredible story as he shares his reflections on his past experiences and the power of collaboration and friendship in his musical journey. Barry believes success isn’t merely about individual achievement but rather collective growth, camaraderie, innovation, and resilience against the odds.

This episode is sponsored by:

Winchester Western Wear is offering 20% off to the GST community! Be sure to tell them Gary sent you.

In This Episode:

  • The Grammy Experience
  • Celebrating Talents
  • Unveiling Personalities
  • Admiration for Stalwarts
  • Natural Talent Vs Effort
  • Networking and Interaction at Awards Shows
  • Beyond Music: Industry Engagement  
  • Nostalgic Musical Discussions  
  • Business Side Of Music  
  • Reinterpretations in Music
  • The Nashville Scene
  • Radio Influence
  • Appreciating Professionals

Quotations:

“I just wish you could select to watch the crowd the whole time. I don’t have any interest in the stage. I just want to watch all those people working the room and their interactions. That’s the part I’m most interested in.” ~ Barry Dean

“They work and you know this because you do it. And also, you know, these artists do it. They work so much more than I think.” ~ Barry Dean

“The same 400 songs. And you don’t know what you want. There is a delight that comes from when you do that. You curate it and you say, this is how it feels today at, at three o’clock or whatever. Even when you’re sitting in at your desk with all the CDs or I am with all the stuff. I don’t know what to do. You know, and so there is something to that for me, at least it’s magical. ” ~ Barry Dean

Guest’s Bio:

Barry Dean is a highly accomplished songwriter in both country and pop music genres based in Nashville, Tennessee. Barry’s remarkable talents have earned him a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Country Song for his work on Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools”. Barry remains filled with awe every time he hears one of his songs playing on the radio. When you consider his journey, it’s astonishing to think that he once thought he might end up working a 9-to-5 job in Kansas. His portfolio boasts an impressive array of chart-topping hits, including two No. 1 singles for Little Big Town (“Pontoon” and “Day Drinkin'”), “Think a Little Less,” which dominated the charts for Michael Ray, “Heartache Medication,” the most recent #1 hit for Jon Pardi, Ingrid Michaelson’s Top 40 sensation “Girls Chase Boys,” and an ever-expanding list of country and pop hits. These accomplishments underscore that Barry Dean is undeniably living out his true calling.

Guest’s Contact Info:

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

Website: https://www.creativenationmusic.com/

Sep 13
Love10

Michael McLeavy

By Fun, Movies, Music, Personal Growth, TV No Comments

This week, we had an insightful discussion with Michael McLeavy, a renowned singer from Glasgow, Scotland, who shared his musical odyssey, from forming his own rock band to touring extensively. In the journey of life, it’s often our passions that guide us towards a fulfilling career path, and his story is one of determination and seizing opportunities, a testament to how impactful inspirations like Elvis Presley can shape our style and vision.

Tune in to hear more about how Michael and his ventures brought him into contact with notable personalities within the entertainment industry, further expanding his network.

A key takeaway? Be open to new experiences, as they may lead you down unexpected paths filled with potential growth opportunities.

This episode is sponsored by:

In This Episode:

  • The Birth of a Star
  • Rocking the World
  • Lights, Camera, Action!
  • A Beautiful Bond: A Relationship with Sharon Tate
  • Meeting an Icon: An Encounter With Elvis Presley
  • Island Life and Hustle: Work Experience In Hawaii
  • Wisdom Gained Along The Way: Life Lessons

Quotations:

“How can we do to improve ourselves? Well, you know, don’t let the old man in, as Clint Eastwood says, keep the old man out. Right. So do the things that you still like to do, that you did do, and within reason, do it.”  ~ Michael McLeavy

“I did it. Because the challenge was there. There’s always a challenge. You need some sort of challenge.” ~ Michael McLeavy

Guest’s Bio:

Michael McLeavy was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and his journey in the world of music began with the renowned Rock N Roll band “The Fireflies.” He Came to the United States to further his career and to meet Elvis Presley in person. His fortune smiled upon him, as he had the incredible opportunity to spend the day with him on the set of one of his movies, “Spinout”, and backstage at the International (Hilton) in Las Vegas. Notably, Michael had the privilege of performing the American, Canadian, and British National Anthems at the Highland Games in Dana Point, California, on August 24th and 25th, 2013. Also, he had the distinct honor of delivering both the American and British National Anthems at the British American Business Council Orange County on December 2nd, 2016. Michael has lived in Dana Point with his wife, Linda, since 1989.

He is an Entertainer and just released his latest CD, “Try A Little Kindness” recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.

Guest’s Contact Info:

You can find him here: https://www.facebook.com/michael.mcleavy/

Listen to his music on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/22Pvk4TXENi60w1RoN3gtv

Sep 06
Love10

Scott Edwards

By Comedian, Fun, Personal Growth, TV No Comments

This week, our guest is a seasoned entrepreneur with an intriguing journey spanning across various industries—the man behind the laugh, Scott Edwards. We talked about how he started his journey at the age of 17 with a small construction company. And, later transitioned to entertainment as a DJ and opened the 12th full-time comedy club in America by age 24. Listen as we dive into the art form of stand-up comedy, which reveals fascinating insights about creativity, determination, and adaptability. From honing material to understanding audience responses, these aspects are not just crucial in comedy but translate well into many professional scenarios. His story serves as a reminder that resilience in the face of ups and downs is integral to entrepreneurial success.

Tune in to hear more of his story about how success doesn’t require wealth but hard work, focus, and a passion for excellent customer service.

This episode is sponsored by:

In This Episode:

  • The Journey Begins
  • Embracing Entrepreneurship
  • Riding the Waves of Business
  • Customer Service – The Key to Success
  • Starting Small, Dreaming Big
  • From Alabama to California
  • Recognizing Progress Over Prejudices
  • Comedy Club Chronicles  
  • Lessons from Laughter

Quotations:

“I figured this out. I make my employees happy. If I make my employees happy, they’ll make the customer happy. If all you do is make the customer happy, you will make your employee’s lives hell. But if you make your employees happy, they will make the customer happy.” ~ Scott Edwards

“I think that one of the reasons I’ve started so many companies is that once I’ve found success in one, the thrill of building it and creating it wasn’t there. And I was looking for my next adventure.” ~ Scott Edwards

“They don’t understand what it took; you know, it’s so great ’cause you always hear about the overnight success. And they don’t realize there were years of driving around in your car, sleeping in your car, working gigs, and, you know, little to no money.” ~ Scott Edwards

“But imagine all the others. 98% of the people who want to get into standup comedy or show business have to work because it’s not natural for everybody. In fact, the fear of public speaking is the number one fear in humanity, more than the fear of death. That’s why I respect the industry and why I love the art form. It’s not enough that you have to get up on stage in front of a bunch of strangers, but then you have to write material and be creative, and it’s all just you.” ~ Scott Edwards

“For some reason, the audience has gotten a really thin skin. They forgot how to laugh at themselves. We’re all human beings. We all have Piccadilly, and sometimes comedy is pointing those Piccadillys out that we all share.” ~ Scott Edwards

“I think that the public is tired of the oversensitivity, and to be honest, I think we’re healthier as humans if we can laugh at ourselves.” ~ Scott Edwards

Guest’s Bio:

Scott Edwards has established more than a dozen companies during his remarkable career journey. His ventures have spanned diverse industries, ranging from a humble construction company to the ownership of unique establishments like a Submarine and Beach Shack and even a foray into the world of Disco production. With an enduring passion for comedy, Scott channeled his enthusiasm into producing a wide array of entertainment, including Live Comedy Shows, TV Series, and Concerts. It wasn’t long before he ventured into the realm of comedy club ownership, ultimately founding his inaugural club, Laughs Unlimited. Through unwavering dedication and ingenuity, he successfully transformed Laughs Unlimited into a thriving chain of comedy clubs that stands as a testament to his entrepreneurial acumen.

Scott’s extensive career has afforded him the privilege of collaborating with some of the most iconic figures in the comedy world, including luminaries such as Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Saget, and Dana Carvey. His wealth of experience and industry connections continue to shape his enduring legacy in the realm of entertainment.

Guest’s Contact Info:

You can find him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sactotalent/

Scott’s Website: https://scottscomedystuff.com/

Scott’s Podcast: https://standupcomedyyourhostandmc.com/podcast-show-player