The Greatness Machine

Ever wondered how to land a TED talk and make your message matter?

Today, I am flying solo to walk you through the process of how I hosted a TEDx event back in 2012. With a theme of The Pursuit of Passion, the one-day event focused on the fire that drives people to pursue their passions. It was about how one finds the strength to follow their heart and intuition despite rejection, lack of support, challenges, or even outright failure.

In this episode, I will talk about the process of applying to get a TED Talk, the challenges I had to deal with as a head curator of a TEDx event, and the story behind how I got Scott Dinsmore as one of the speakers for my event.

Resources mentioned:

TED website: https://www.ted.com/

Scott Dinsmore TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpe-LKn-4gM

Topics include:

Two different ways to get on the main TED stage

What is TED and what they do

What is a TEDx event and what is the application process for a license

How to become a TEDx speaker

How I handled and prepared for no-shows during a TEDx event

How Scott Dinsmore’s TEDx talk went viral on YouTube

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.

Host Darius Mirshahzadeh welcomes back George Barrios for Part 2 of their conversation on The Greatness Machine. George, former Co-President of WWE who helped transform it from a $1 billion North American business into a $10 billion global powerhouse, picks up where the last episode left off. He details the messy but pivotal exit from WWE, the founding of Isos Capital with longtime business partner Michelle Wilson, and the string of high-profile deals that followed, including taking Bowlero public via SPAC, orchestrating the landmark $20 billion WWE-UFC merger to form TKO, and most recently co-founding Global Sport Group, the world's largest private sports investment holding company. Throughout, George unpacks his core frameworks: understanding businesses as machines, the power of deep due diligence, and the rare combination of management and leadership that drives transformational results.

Part 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/451-george-barrios-part-1-sometimes-wrong-but-never/id1555334180?i=1000796265172

In this episode, Darius and George will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction and Background

(02:19) George's Journey to WWE

(05:34) The End of an Era at WWE

(08:20) Transitioning to New Ventures

(12:33) Building ISO's Capital

(14:29) Maximizing IP Value

(15:49) Understanding the Machine

(20:51) Navigating New Challenges

(24:46) The SPAC Journey and Business Selection

(28:50) Deep Dive into Business Analysis

(32:43) Understanding Management vs. Leadership

(35:14) The Return to WWE and Strategic Decisions

(40:44) The Merger with UFC and Valuation Insights

(42:08) Creating a Holding Company for Sports Investments

(45:43) The Future of Sports in a Streaming World

George Barrios is a business leader, investor, and operator at the intersection of sports, media, and technology. He is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Isos Capital and an investor and director with Global Sport Group. He previously served as Co-President and Board Member of WWE, helping expand the company’s digital, global, and direct-to-consumer businesses and leading its merger with UFC to form TKO Group. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at The New York Times Company, Time Warner, HBO, and Praxair. A first-generation Cuban American raised in Queens, George holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut and is the author of “Sometimes Wrong But Never in Doubt”.

Connect with George:

Website: https://georgebarrios.com/

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

Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510786554

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.

What if selling your company didn’t mean letting go—but leveling up, on your terms?

In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Ryan Begelman returns for part two to share the behind-the-scenes story of how he scaled, sold, and systematized a company—without losing his sense of joy.

From building a business with friends to generating millions in additional value by taking the exit process into his own hands, Ryan unpacks how thoughtful planning, operational excellence, and self-education made all the difference. He shares why most founders leave money on the table during a sale, how he trained his COO to take over, and the surprising reason he almost didn’t want to sell.

Part 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/339-ryan-begelman-part-1-the-mayor-effect-how-to/id1555334180?i=1000697821147

In this episode, Darius and Ryan will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction and Recap of Previous Episode

(03:00) The Journey of Bisnow Media

(06:09) Acquisition Entrepreneurship and Bootstrapping

(09:00) The Role of AI in Business

(12:12) Navigating Multiple Ventures

(15:09) The Summit and Powder Mountain Experience

(18:07) Challenges of Managing Multiple Businesses

(21:10) The Future of Powder Mountain and Lessons Learned

(31:20) The Journey of Acquiring Powder Mountain

(32:38) Lessons Learned from Past Experiences

(35:46) Building Bisnow: Growth and Strategy

(39:13) The Exit Strategy: Selling Bisnow

(48:10) The Joy of Entrepreneurship and Life Design

Ryan Begelman is an executive coach, entrepreneur, and investor. As CEO of Bisnow Media, he grew the company from $1 million to $20 million in revenue before its sale in 2016. He co-founded Summit, described by Forbes as “The Davos of Generation Y,” and has invested in startups like Uber, Warby Parker, and Coinbase. A mindfulness practitioner based in NYC, Ryan is passionate about cycling, cooking, and lifelong learning.

Connect with Ryan:

Website: https://www.ryanbegelman.com/

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

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

Email: ryan.begelman@gmail.com

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/

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

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

YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube

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.

Do you often find yourself thinking about the “what ifs” of life? Are you someone who worries about the worst things that could happen?

If you are, then you are probably wondering if there are ways to stop these negative thoughts from filling your mind. The good news is that there are tools, habits, and strategies that can help you avoid anxiety spirals.

Today, I am flying solo to share something very personal to me; my journey of dealing with and overcoming chronic worrying and anxiety.

Growing up in a complicated environment, I had to strive to achieve things and become a good example constantly. The unrealistic expectations later resulted in me becoming an anxious perfectionist.

In the first part of this mini-series, I will talk about how I dealt with anxiety as a kid until I reached adulthood. I will also walk you through the strategies and tools that helped me avoid having thinking errors and anxious thoughts.

Topics include:

Experiencing anxiety disorder at such a young age

How I coped with anxiety as a teen and young adult

Defense mechanisms I used for anxiety as an adult

What my therapist asked me to do to track my anxiety

What I learned after writing a list of 100 things I was worried about

How awareness helped me overcome my anxiety

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.

In the newest episode of The Greatness Machine, host Darius Mirshahzadeh sits down with Elise Hu, host of TED Talks Daily and award-winning international journalist, for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolving media landscape, beauty standards in South Korea, the power of following your passions, and what it truly means to pursue greatness. Elise shares her journey from a childhood dream of journalism to becoming one of NPR's international correspondents, an independent creator, a published author, and the voice of one of the world's most popular idea-driven podcasts. Along the way, Darius shares a personal and touching story about the late TEDx speaker Scott Dinsmore, illustrating how following your soul, even when it makes no financial sense, can ripple outward in extraordinary ways.

In this episode, Darius and Elise will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction to Elise Hu

(02:08) Elise's Journey into Journalism

(05:59) The Evolution of Journalism and Media Integrity

(11:46) Navigating the Changing Landscape of News Consumption

(18:03) Elise's Career Path and Transition to Independence

(22:57) Exploring Beauty Standards and Cultural Expectations

(30:09) Exploring Personal Experiences and Research

(31:10) The Journey to TEDx and Passion Projects

(33:21) The Impact of TED Talks on Personal Growth

(35:27) Transitioning to TED Talks Daily

(37:43) Format and Purpose of TED Talks Daily

(40:24) Favorite TED Talks and Their Influence

(44:34) The Story of Scott Dinsmore and Living Your Legend

(49:46) Overcoming Barriers to Greatness

Elise Hu is a Los Angeles-based journalist, podcast host, and media entrepreneur who hosts TED Talks Daily. A former NPR international correspondent and VICE News Tonight correspondent, she has reported from more than a dozen countries and helped launch The Texas Tribune. She is the author of “Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital,” a Porchlight Business Book Award winner. Elise is also the co-founder of Reasonable Volume, an award-winning podcast production company, and a mother of three.

Connect with Elise:

Website: https://elisehu.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-hu/

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.