The Greatness Machine With Darius Mirshahzadeh

How do you make time for the things you want to do when you have too much on your plate? Most of us, if not all, wish there were more hours in a day to grind and make time for what brings us joy. Any business owner or entrepreneur can attest to that. Finding a balance between work and life is easier said than done. But when done right, it can make the impossible possible. Today, I am flying solo to share a few tips on how I managed to surpass my goal of reading 22 books this year with three months to spare. In this episode, I will talk about the benefits of habit stacking and how it helped me learn to multitask while reading. I will also share the secret on how a busy entrepreneur like myself finds more time to read and what tools helped me to become a book athlete. Topics include: The benefits of building good habits Expert tips to reading more books in a year How I learned to multitask while reading The importance of narrator choice in audiobooks Pros and cons of reading multiple books at once Effective note-taking from reading Apps that helped me increase my reading My reading goal for 2023 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 this episode of The Greatness Machine, host Darius Mirshahzadeh sits down with Tegan Broadwater, founder of Tactical Systems Network and former Fort Worth Police Department officer. Tegan shares one of the most unconventional origin stories in law enforcement, trading a career as a professional touring musician for a badge, then risking his life for nearly two years undercover infiltrating a Crips gang network in Fort Worth's most dangerous neighborhood.  Known as Operation Fishbowl, Tegan's deep cover operation resulted in the arrest of 51 gang members, fundamentally transforming a violence-ravaged community. The conversation explores the surprising humanity Tegan discovered inside gang culture, the emotional toll of watching defendants he had grown to care about face decades in prison, and the sobering realization that 104 children were left parentless in the operation's wake. Tegan also opens up about his transition into entrepreneurship, launching a high-end armed security and protection firm just months before the 2008 financial crisis, and shares candid insights on building a culture of excellence in an era of declining workforce standards. In this episode, Darius and Tegan will discuss: (00:00) Introduction and Technical Challenges (02:06) Tegan's Dynamic Background and Transition to Law Enforcement (09:57) Operation Fishbowl: Infiltrating the Crips (19:49) Understanding Gang Culture and the Human Side of Criminals (29:59) The Aftermath: Consequences of Arrests and the Need for Change (32:03) The Impact of Undercover Work on Communities (33:59) Transitioning from Law Enforcement to Entrepreneurship (37:02) Building a Security Business from the Ground Up (40:07) Challenges in Hiring and Maintaining Standards (47:00) Understanding Client Motivations for Security Services (52:07) Navigating Risks and Client Relationships (58:02) Reflections on Success and the Nature of Greatness Tegan Broadwater is a former Fort Worth police officer, deep undercover investigator, author, and entrepreneur. During his 13-year law enforcement career, he worked in Narcotics, Gang, Homicide, and the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, serving more than 500 high-risk search warrants. He led Operation Fishbowl, a nearly two-year undercover investigation that resulted in 51 violent gang members being sent to prison and earned him multiple honors. Today, Tegan is the founder of Tactical Systems Network, a security, protection, and investigation firm, as well as an author, musician, and podcast host. Connect with Tegan: Website: https://teganbroadwater.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tegan-broadwater-8b9796b  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsFQxAbrioMB2afARtl7MSg  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 you could build million-dollar businesses and actually enjoy your life? In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius sits down with Shaahin Cheyene — entrepreneur, author, and founder of PodcastCola — for a conversation packed with insights and energy. They dive into Shaahin’s journey from launching groundbreaking products to helping others grow their influence through podcasting. Along the way, they explore what it really takes to scale successfully, why self-belief is your greatest asset, and how Shaahin is helping others break into Amazon selling — with a special gift just for listeners. You won't want to miss this one! In this episode, Darius and Shaahin will discuss: (00:00) Introduction and Guest Introduction (05:28) Shaahin's Origin Story (17:37) The Rise of Herbal Ecstasy (22:02) Challenges and Government Regulations (24:03) From Billion Dollar Businesses to Vaping Innovations (26:25) Crazy Stories from the Business World (30:03) The Insanity of Cash-Based Operations (32:47) Cultural Background and Family Expectations (36:46) Finding Your Own Path to Success (39:04) The Balance of Ruthlessness and Kindness (44:16) Current Projects and Future Aspirations Shaahin Cheyene is an award-winning entrepreneur, Amazon expert, inventor, author, and filmmaker based in Los Angeles, California. Born in Iran, Shaahin launched his entrepreneurial journey at just 15 years old with the creation of Herbal Ecstasy, the smart drug that ignited a global movement. Over the last 30 years, he has built a career spanning more than a billion dollars in revenue. As CEO and Chairman of Accelerated Intelligence, Shaahin helps brand owners scale their online sales across Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and Walmart. He’s also the founder of PodcastCola, the world’s largest podcast agency, and the creator of Amazon Mastery, a course designed to help others succeed on Amazon. Today, Shaahin continues to mentor rising entrepreneurs while leading a thriving business empire from his home in Venice Beach, California. Connect with Shaahin: Website: https://www.shaahincheyenne.com/ Website: https://podcastcola.com/ Website: https://viralmirage.com/  Email: darkzefs@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaahincheyene  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. 

Success does not necessarily equate to happiness and contentment. We often think that it is by grinding day in and day out that we would find fulfillment. Most of us think of happiness as a destination, one that we can only truly experience when we reach a certain level in our job or hit a certain number in our business.  Unfortunately, that is not the case. While it can be rewarding to achieve our goals, it is also true that sometimes success will only give us momentary happiness before it leaves us feeling empty. Today, I am flying solo to talk about that one special event that opened my eyes to the importance of cultivating gratitude and what it means to lead a fulfilling life.  In this episode, I will share what it means to have a competitive attitude and why healthy competition is essential as we work on our dreams. I will also discuss passion as an essential key to achieving professional goals.  Topics include: Why it matters to be passionate about your work What TEDx taught me about passion and gratitude The impact and importance of gratitude The difference between healthy and unhealthy competition What your priorities say about you 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 this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius Mirshahzadeh sits down with George Barrios, entrepreneur, investor, and former Co-President of WWE, for a wide-ranging conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the power of contrarian thinking. George shares his remarkable origin story as the son of Cuban immigrants who fled Castro's regime, his self-described journey as a "talented f**k-up," and how he went from a 0.6 GPA freshman to the boardroom of one of the world's most recognized entertainment brands. The conversation dives deep into how George and his business partner Michelle Wilson identified a massively undervalued asset in WWE, rebuilt it from the inside out, and ultimately engineered a $20 billion merger between WWE and UFC — the largest sports deal in history.  In this episode, Darius and George will discuss: (00:00) Introduction to George Barrios (03:04) George's Origin Story (06:05) Family Background and Early Influences (08:56) Education Journey and Challenges (11:57) Cultural Heritage and Family Values (15:12) Reflections on Parenting and Education (18:01) Transition to Corporate World and WWE (20:51) The Accidental CFO Journey (22:48) Discovering WWE: A Surprising Opportunity (25:10) Overcoming Doubts: The WWE Reputation Challenge (28:51) Transforming WWE: Insights and Strategies (33:33) Co-Leadership Dynamics: George and Michelle's Partnership (39:04) Unlocking Value: The Economics of Wrestling (42:41) Building the Future: Lessons from WWE's Success 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.