The Mark Drager Show
218 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★ - 7 ratingsUnfiltered Badassery. This is the ultimate podcast for those who want to think big, be bold, and say yes.
Exploring the minds and stories of extraordinary entrepreneurs, creatives, and total badasses! I'm your host, Mark Drager, and we're diving deep into the world of remarkable individuals who have dared to bet on themselves and chase their dreams.
Each week, I’m bringing hard-hitting, honest, and thought-provoking conversations. Exploring the triumphs and challenges they've faced on their path to success. Uncovering the untold stories that have shaped them into the exceptional people they are today.
We're here to learn from their experiences, absorb their wisdom, and gain valuable insights into how they've built a wealthier, happier, and freer life. This isn't just any podcast - we're celebrating the journeys of those who have dared to dream big, take risks, and rewrite the rules of the game.
Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking inspiration, a creative mind craving a spark of brilliance, or simply someone hungry for compelling stories that redefine success, you're in the right place.
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Episodes
Even Borat Thinks Ye and Trump Are Too Much
December 06, 2022 23:41 - 12 minutes - 28.5 MBThe Kennedy Center Honors ceremony is just one of many gala event in Washington D.C., but not for Sacha Baron Cohen. He went on stage as Borat and delivered a disruptive speech, mocking Trump and Kanye West. Headlines called the act many things, but the impact of his speech is undeniable. Just like Steven Colbert mocked Republicans to their faces in the past, he took his chances. U2, Tania León, Gladys Knight and George Clooney were the stars being honoured, but Sacha stole the spotlight. We...
Rolf Potts: How To Afford a Life of Non-Stop Travel
November 30, 2022 00:21 - 55 minutes - 79.6 MBRolf Potts is a Travel Writer, Essayist, Adventurer and Teacher best known for promoting the ethic of independent travel. This American author has been through adventures on all six continents. Things like traversing Israel on foot, bicycling across Burma and driving a Land Rover across South America are on his list, but there's so much more to it. He's gathered teachings from all over the place and written amazing books about it. His bestselling debut book, Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide ...
WTF Happened to Brendan Fraser? Why is he so popular?
November 22, 2022 23:21 - 13 minutes - 18.6 MBIt seems like Brendan Fraser has been away for many, many years. WTF happened to him?! Why is he so popular once again? Well, he took a moral stand against the Golden Globe Awards while being highly acclaimed for his part on Aronofsky's 'The Whale'. Not only that, he's been through several hardships in his personal life and health, but he 'kept his main thing the main thing' and continued to work on his craft. Just acting. So remember: Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing!
Dustin Poirier is an underdog
November 15, 2022 22:41 - 11 minutes - 15.9 MBAgainst all odds, Dustin Poirier just won UFC 281 against Michael Chandler. But Dustin's a man who's used to fighting against stacked odds. Having faced every challenge with a full heart, he continuously puts himself to a point of no return so there's no option but to move forward. Ask yourself, what are your goals? Are you willing to be like Dustin? To be the underdog, face massive challenges and still keep going? The time to take those risks is now!
Colin O’Brady: 10x World Record Holder on Mindset
November 09, 2022 02:26 - 1 hour - 101 MBColin O’Brady is a 10x world record-holding explorer, top speaker and New York Times bestselling author. Raised in Portland, Oregon, Colin spent his childhood exploring the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and cultivated a passion for adventure in the outdoors. He’s been a professional triathlete, completed The Explorers Grand Slam, The Seven Summits, walked solo from one end of Antarctica to the other, completed the 50 US High Points, crossed Greenland unassisted, and rowed the Drake p...
Mark on Taylor Swift's Anti Hero controversy
November 02, 2022 15:53 - 14 minutes - 21.3 MBTaylor Swift had to re-edit her Anti Hero music video, Lizzo had to change the lyrics to GRRRLS, but is that in the way of their artistic expression? To what point should artists have to change their work and their message to please others?
Kelly Carlin: George Carlin’s Daughter on Counter Culture
October 26, 2022 00:46 - 1 hour - 86.4 MBKelly Carlin is the outspoken and thoughtful daughter of the infamous comedian George Carlin. She’s funny, serious, silly and deep. Sometimes she wishes she were Carol Burnett, other days it’s Patti Smith, but mostly it’s Oprah Winfrey. It’s complicated. In today’s episode, Kelly Carlin shares why she thinks her father, George Carlin’s comedy resonates today, the courage it takes to be a counter-culture icon, and the struggles one faces when trying to step out of your parent’s shadow to f...
Emily Balcetis: Set the Right Goals
October 18, 2022 22:00 - 58 minutes - 80.2 MBDr. Emily Balcetis is an Associate Professor of Psychology at New York University and the author of the book, Clearer, Closer, Better: How Successful People See the World. In today’s episode, Dr. Balcetis explains how to best break down, visualize and overcome the challenges we face as we work towards hitting our goals.
Casey Berglund: How to make the right decision
October 11, 2022 19:30 - 59 minutes - 81.4 MBWe all face big decisions. And when we do it’s hard to sort through all the pros and cons to think out what decision is right for you. The problem with all this thinking is that we tend to make emotional decisions with our brains, and then find ourselves unhappy. Rarely do we listen to the one guide who knows our deepest secrets, desires, and what we should probably do - our bodies. In today’s episode, Casey Berglund helps us better understand how, and why our bodies can help us make bol...
Evan Carmichael: How to Achieve Your Most Ambitious Goals
October 04, 2022 19:00 - 1 hour - 84.1 MBYou’ve got a great idea, a great heart, a desire to serve, and the ability to go and learn the skills to execute your idea . . . but you’re not doing it. Meanwhile, other people are now winning off of “your” idea. They have less of a mission, less of a desire to serve, less of a passion for the idea . . . The only difference is, they got started. They took the first step. They stopped stopping, and now they’re winning. In this episode, Evan Carmichael shares his mind-bending wisdom as ...
Efrosyni Adamides: How Network Marketing Works
September 27, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 85 MBIs network marketing (aka MLMs) a scam? Many people think so. But there’s no denying that at some level people in network marketing (MLMs) are breaking out of the traditional corporate world, making money, and helping people. So perhaps a better question to ask isn’t if it’s a scam or not, but instead if it’s a viable business model. Today’s guest Efrosyni Adamides has • Spent close to 15 years in network marketing • Generated over $1 Billion in revenue • Created a sales force ...
Jenn Lim: Prioritize Purpose and People for Growth
September 13, 2022 14:00 - 52 minutes - 71.9 MBNo matter your role — entrepreneur, creative, manager, just starting your career — the past few years have been a real trip. Forced to reflect on your work, you're questioning what you do and how you spend your days. I know this because it's something we're all working through. And the ultimate question? Whether everything we thought we wanted is still worth pursuing. And that's why today's guest, Jenn Lim brings the thinking and lessons we need to hear. Jenn's the cofounder of Delivering...
Vishen Lakhiani: The Lie Behind Working Hard For Success
September 06, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 83.6 MBWe’ve all heard it; hell, you’ve probably had the same thought yourself. “If you work hard enough, you will succeed.” And while every successful person had to work hard to get where they are, hard work is never enough. You’ve got to work hard in the areas that excite you most. Today’s guest learned this truth the hard way. Vishen Lakhiani is the founder of Mindvalley, the award-winning education movement with millions of students worldwide, he’s the author of the New York Times Business B...
Captain Hoff: The #1 Reason Why Most Startups Fail
August 30, 2022 14:00 - 57 minutes - 78.6 MBWhy do most startups fail? And what can you do to avoid the traps that slow many startup entrepreneurs? On today’s show, Steven Hoffman, AKA Captain Hoff shares wisdom from his decades of experience as a venture-backed entrepreneur and Silicon Valley startup incubator/accelerator CEO.
Chris Van Vliet: Confessions of a Showbiz Reporter
August 23, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 97.4 MBThere’s no other way to say it: today’s guest has one of the coolest jobs there is. He gets paid to fly around the world, attend massive parties, and interview Hollywood A-Listers like The Rock, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, John Cena, and more. On today’s episode, Mark Drager talks with Chris Van Vliet about his job, the sacrifices he had to make to get to where he is today, and the lessons learned going from a Canadian university student majoring in communications, to a 4-time Emmy award-...
Dan Millman: This Is Why You’re Not Happy
August 16, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 89.7 MBFor those of us who are searching for a better, happier life, we may be surprised to find that today’s guest contradicts traditional teachings (and at times, even logic). Today’s guest is Dan Millman, the bestselling author and spiritual teacher who has spent 40+ years working to inspire others to find peace while pursuing their passions.
A.J. Jacobs: Living Life Like It’s An Experiment
August 09, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 92.5 MBOn today's show, how and why A.J. Jacobs decided to dedicate years of his life to what some would call absurd experiments...and then turn them into four New York Times best-selling books!
Lisa Bilyeu: Get Radical Confidence
August 02, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 107 MBGrowing up, Lisa was told that she would be nothing more than a housewife - which drove her crazy because she had bigger plans than that. Leaving the UK for Hollywood with the dream of making movies, she was surprised to find herself spending most of her 20’s "stuck" at home...as a housewife. Unhappy, her turning point came when she finally admitted to her husband she couldn’t carry on. That moment kicked off the build of Quest Nutrition with her partners, which they turned into a billio...
Dr. David Spiegel: The Power of Hypnosis
July 26, 2022 14:00 - 57 minutes - 78.4 MBWhile hypnosis is typically thought of for entertainment, in this episode we talk about how hypnosis can help you tackle stress, anxiety, and the things that are holding you back. So you can quiet the voice of doubt in your head. So you can learn to have more confidence in your ideas. And ultimately, so you can take bolder action. Plus, I get hypnotized... You should check out the Reveri App → https://www.reveri.com/ (they’re not a sponsor, we just dig it!)
Philip VanDusen: It's Never too Late!
July 19, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 91.3 MBOn today’s show, I talk about why creatives face ageism, how to become an avid trend spotter, and why you must invest in your personal brand…before it’s too late with Philip VanDusen.
Dr. Joanne Cacciatore: Why We Can’t Run From Grief
July 12, 2022 14:00 - 56 minutes - 77.5 MBOn today’s show, we talk about the one topic that no one wants to talk about, working through grief and loss with Dr. Joanne Cacciatore.
Colby Sharma: The Underdog Mentality
July 07, 2022 14:00 - 48 minutes - 66 MBOn today’s show, we talk about the underdog mindset, how to turn past challenges into the fuel you need to take on future challenges, and how to own your story and take control of your future with resiliency expert Colby Sharma.
Adam Hill: From Anxiety & Addition to a Triathlon Championship
July 05, 2022 14:00 - 49 minutes - 67.4 MBFor many, anxiety is crippling. And its prevalence and continued growth in our daily lives is not only keeping us from becoming the people we are destined to become - it’s pushing many of us to turn to substances for some form of relief. On today’s show, I talk about how to turn anxiety into a superpower with Adam Hill.
Clint Emerson: How To Become Mentally Tougher
June 30, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 83 MBToday we talk about living a more rugged life with retired Navy SEAL, 100 Deadly Skills host, and internet survival sensation Clint Emerson. This conversation covers why self-reliance is so important, what you can do to grow your sense of freedom, and how to survive a zombie apocalypse.
Maria Brito: The Power of Creative Thinking
June 24, 2022 20:13 - 1 hour - 108 MBFor some reason, we like to put “creativity” in a category of its own. Creativity is for creative people who do creative work. Right? Wrong. On today’s show art advisor, curator, and author Maria Brito shares why creative thinking will help you stand out in work and in life.
Sterling Hawkins: Why Comfort Will Ruin Your Life
June 24, 2022 16:05 - 1 hour - 157 MBWorking alongside his dad, Sterling sold his first company to a group in Silicon Valley. Having raised hundreds of millions in funding, with 700+ employees, and locations all over the world, he was living the high life… That is until it all crashed down around him. How did Sterling turn it all around to become someone who came back to launch, invest and grow over 50 companies? On today’s show, we talk about the 5 steps you need to take to overcome doubt, build confidence and grit, and ma...
Jason Redman: Navy Seal on Overcoming Adversity
June 21, 2022 18:08 - 1 hour - 153 MBWhat does a retired Navy SEAL know about overcoming adversity? Well, having been severely wounded in combat in Iraq his recovery included 40 reconstructive surgeries, blood transfusions, 1500 stitches, 200 staples, plates and titanium body parts and screws and pins and skin and bone grafts… On today's show, I talk with Jason Redman about regaining control, moving forward, and overcoming all of life’s challenges.
Want to get great at something? Get a coach with Pamela Bardhi
June 10, 2022 16:35 - 46 minutes - 64.8 MBWhat’s the one thing that the world’s most successful athletes, artists, performers, and business leaders all have in common? They’ve all worked with a coach. On today's show, I talk with Pamela Bardhi about how a coach helped her go from delivering pizzas to a 9-figure real estate career by 27 years old.
Stop Searching For Your Passion and Do This Instead withTony Whatley
June 03, 2022 14:46 - 41 minutes - 57 MBAre you an entrepreneur at heart but have never stepped out of your comfort zones to start your own thing? Or maybe you feel like you know you were built for more? On today's show, I talk with Tony Whatley, author of the book SideHustle Millionaire about his rocky entrepreneurial journey and how you could get paid to do what you love.
This Hollywood Director Turned REJECTION into his DREAM JOB with Saul Blinkoff
May 30, 2022 17:03 - 57 minutes - 78.4 MBImagine this, as a teenager you have a dream to one day become an animator at Walt Disney Studios. The problem? You have no experience, no connections, no money, and no clear way to make it happen. Years later, you've been working your tail off to build that experience, make those connections, and try to make the kind of money you need to live and build your portfolio, but you face rejection after rejection. Even more years later, you find yourself now an animator and director at the very st...
Turn Your Pain into Your Superpower with Jason Sisneros
May 06, 2022 15:57 - 33 minutes - 46.3 MBOn today's show, I talk about turning your traumatic and painful past into something that serves you and others; a superpower of sorts with Jason Sisneros. In this episode, Mark and Jason cover: -How to reframe painful moments from your past into something that serves you -Why everything that happens to us serves us, if we’re willing to find the reason why -How Jason was able to go from an abusive childhood to homeless, to rebuilding his life as a successful entrepreneur, speaker and...
Failure Is A Great Teacher with Ultramarathon Runner Zach Bitter
May 05, 2022 10:00 - 39 minutes - 54.2 MBI talk about trying and failing, time and again with ultramarathon runner and world record setter Zach Bitter. In this episode, Mark and Zach cover: -What went into setting the world records for the fastest 100-mile run and the furthest distance covered in a 12-hour run -What keeps him motivated as he cycles through preparation and failing -What he’s learned from pushing himself to the limits
This Inventor Used Creativity to Make Money with Azhelle Wade
May 04, 2022 10:00 - 55 minutes - 75.8 MBI speak with toy expert and podcaster Azhelle Wade about the ups, downs, and lessons learned as a creative entrepreneur. In this episode, Mark and Azhelle cover: -The lessons learned from leaving corporate to start your own business -Managing creative teams -How to stay focused as a creative -Why you need to use what you’ve got
The Rise, Fall & Rebuild of A Tech Entrepreneur with Rand Fishkin
May 03, 2022 10:00 - 54 minutes - 75 MBI talk startup culture, venture capital, and the things no one tells you about starting and scaling companies with tech founder and CEO, Rand Fishkin. In this episode, Mark and Rand cover: - Myths about Silicon Valley and startup culture - Why a grow-at-all-cost strategy sets people up to fail -Why the release of Rand’s book, Lost and Founder lead to potential lawsuits -What he got wrong at Moz and what he’s hoping to get right at his new company SparkToro
Build A $100 Million Brand and Disrupt Industries with Simon Duffy
May 02, 2022 10:00 - 33 minutes - 46.2 MBI speak with entrepreneur, visionary, and disruptive brand builder - Simon Duffy. We talk about what it takes to start a disruptive brand, why so many entrepreneurs get stuck, and how to build a $100 million company.
Give Yourself Permission to be Creative with Debbie Millman
May 01, 2022 10:00 - 48 minutes - 67.3 MBI talk to "one of the most creative people in business" (Fast Company), "one of the most influential designers working today" (Graphic Design USA), and the host of the Design Matters Podcast, Debbie Millman. We talk about how the world's most creative people go about creating their lives - digging into creative anxiety, making mistakes, getting real, fighting fear, and how Barbra Streisand deals with crippling stage fright.
Have Money, Freedom and make an Impact with Scott Danner
April 30, 2022 10:00 - 42 minutes - 58.1 MBI talk to one of America's leading advisors for financial advisors. Yes, you read that right — the advisor for advisors, Scott Danner. We talk about why people need help managing money, how successful people think, and why money is key to financing your dreams.
Starting Your Own Podcast with Justin Schenck
April 29, 2022 16:31 - 39 minutes - 54.5 MBI talk to the host of Growth Now Movement, Justin Schenck. Get this, Justin’s been named a Top 8 Podcaster to watch by INC.com. He’s also been called an “Icon of Influence.” His podcast is a number one podcast In America with over 2mm downloads. He’s had in-depth conversations with guests like Gabby Bernstein, Ed Mylett, Nicole Lapin, Dean Graziosi and hundreds more…
Hack Dopamine To Get Confidence & Happiness with Dr Anna Lembke
April 28, 2022 10:00 - 56 minutes - 78.1 MBI talk to psychiatrist and author of the book, Dopamine Nation, Dr. Anna Lembke. Anna Lembke is a practicing psychiatrist who also happens to be the Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic at Stanford University.
#66 - Never, ever give up. The Toughest Woman Alive Leah Goldstein
March 11, 2022 13:33 - 28 minutes - 40.1 MBI talk to someone who has been called the “Toughest Woman Alive”. Get this, as a teenager, she got obsessed with kickboxing and became a world champion. Leah then spent 9 years in the Israeli commandos and secret police - becoming a Krav Maga Instructor for their Elite Commandos. And then upon retiring, she got into cycling… and in 2005 after winning 9 of her first 11 races, she was involved in a horrific crash that left her hospitalized for two and a half months and she was told she wou...
#65 - Seeking Freedom and Finding Your Place in the World with Sebastian Junger
January 19, 2022 14:12 - 36 minutes - 52.6 MBOn today’s show, I talk to the New York Times bestselling author, Oscar-nominated documentarian, and front-line war journalist, Sebastian Junger about freedom - what does it mean, how do we get it, and what’s the true cost of being free.
#64 - THIS Is How SUCCESSFUL People THINK with Jeff Lerner
January 12, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 100 MBOn today’s show, how an entrepreneur who failed at a string of businesses… Like I’m talking almost a dozen business failures, went from $400k (four-hundred-thousand dollars) in debt to today, being on track to generate 9-figures. And the lessons he learned becoming a world-class pianist. That’s pianist… not what you might be thinking.
#63 - 4 Tools to Become More Creative with The Artist Way author, Julia Cameron
January 05, 2022 12:00 - 40 minutes - 56.2 MBOn today’s show, I talk creativity with the godmother of creative structures, writer, author, and the creator of the Artist Way, Julia Cameron.
5 Books That'll Change Your Life
December 23, 2021 17:24 - 34 minutes - 47 MBAre you better off today than you were this time last year? I hope so. But if your answer is anything other than a resounding yes, I hope this message and the lessons I've recently learned will help you make 2022 your best year yet. Over the course of 2021, I worked hard to reprogram my thinking - from anxious and depressed to hopeful and hardworking. And these 5 books unlocked many of the things that were blocking my progress, success, and happiness. Now, I'm bolder, happier, and work...
#62 - The Secret To Feeling Good Enough with Tracy Litt
December 15, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 123 MBOn today’s show, I sit down with the author of Worthy Human, Tracy Litt to talk about fighting the feeling of not being good enough, why you ultimately are the one holding yourself back, AND, why you’re also the one who’s going to save yourself - so you can unlock your limitless potential.
#62 - The Secret To Feeling Good Enough with Tanya Dalton
December 15, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 123 MBOn today’s show, I sit down with the author of Worthy Human, Tracy Litt to talk about fighting the feeling of not being good enough, why you ultimately are the one holding yourself back, AND, why you’re also the one who’s going to save yourself - so you can unlock your limitless potential.
#61 - P90X Creator Tony Horton Reveals How He Almost Lost It All
December 08, 2021 12:00 - 53 minutes - 73.5 MBOn today’s show, how the creator of P90x went from being an out of shape, out of work actor, to becoming one of the most famous personal trainers to the stars. And the life-lessons he learned from losing friends, losing big contracts, and battling a crippling illness.
#60 - How To Become More Courageous with Dave Hollis
December 01, 2021 18:58 - 1 hour - 88.3 MBOn today’s show, why a Hollywood executive who rubbed shoulders with Steven Spielberg, the Rock, Oprah, and more - quit the movie business to follow his childhood passion. And the lessons he’s learned about shaping your identity, overcoming shame, and the courage it takes to brave the unknown.
#59 - Top Tips For Becoming a Powerful Speaker with Marcus Black
November 18, 2021 16:19 - 59 minutes - 84.8 MBOn today’s show, how a thoughtful, introverted man went from dreaming of helping people from the stage as a public speaker, to being personally mentored by Trent Shelton and Les Brown, and what you can learn from his story on your own way to becoming a better speaker.
Top Tips For Becoming a Powerful Speaker with Marcus Black
November 18, 2021 16:19 - 59 minutes - 84.8 MBOn today’s show, how a thoughtful, introverted man went from dreaming of helping people from the stage as a public speaker, to being personally mentored by Trent Shelton and Les Brown, and what you can learn from his story on your own way to becoming a better speaker.