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The political world is fast paced, chaotic and often it's just too much to keep up with. That's where Grant Hermes comes in. Grant has been a journalist over a decade on the ground covering the biggest US political stories, scandals and elections. Twice a week, he'll break down the biggest political news you need to know. It's never been more important to stay informed and sometimes all it takes is a little help to Make It Make Sense.
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You're invited to hang out on Lisa Harper's back porch and enjoy conversations about all things Jesus, theological anthropology, biblical orthodoxy, Spanx, the merits of Tex-Mex and more! We believe this podcast will help you dive deeper into God's word, understand that the gospel is great news for everyday life, not just when viewed in the light of eternity, and that God is for us, that He's always been in the process of redeeming our inherent value as imago Dei and restoring us into a vibr ...
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The Greatness Machine

Darius Mirshahzadeh | YAP Media

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The Greatness Machine is on a Quest to Maximize the Human Experience! Join Award Winning CEO and Author, Darius Mirshahzadeh (pron. Mer-shaw-za-day), as he interviews some of the greatest minds in the world―turning their wisdom and experience into learnings and advice you can use in your life so that you can level up and create greatness. Join Darius as he goes deep with guests like: Moby, Seth Godin, Gabby Reece, Amanda Knox, UFC Ring Announcer Bruce Buffer, Former FBI Negotiator Chris Voss ...
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Send us a text The Make America Great Again movement is splitting at the seams after the Department of Justice said there wasn't a "client list," something Trump's base supporters had been calling for to be released for years. Fueled by the belief that Epstein was the key to uncovering a cabal of child abusers or worse, they helped Trump retake the…
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Is more money the key to happiness? Or is there more to life than what meets the wallet? People often seek financial success in the pursuit of happiness, believing that a substantial income and material wealth is equivalent to a more fulfilling life. While money certainly plays a crucial role in meeting basic needs and providing a sense of security…
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Purchase A Jesus-Shaped Life here. During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology Alli and I are diving deep into the swirling waters of gender discrimination disguised as biblically-sound exegesis. Recent polls have revealed that for the first time in American church history, young women are leaving mainline Christian congregations at a higher…
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Send us a text After the unexpected victory of Zohran Mamdani in the New York mayoral primary, one question has emerged; is this the new model for Democrats. The party has been listless without a clear vision or leader or message to voters and has begun to show cracks about what the future should look like. Grant talks with Amanda Litman, Cofounder…
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What if your company’s biggest problem isn’t strategy, but a lack of soul? Darius Mirshahzadeh sits down with Mike Maddock and John Tobin on Your Seat at the Table Podcast for a deep dive into leadership, company culture, and what it really takes to build a high-performing team. In this candid conversation, Darius opens up about the hard lessons he…
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Send us a text Trump blows through his 90 deals in 90 days deadline, extending when he'd finally make good on threats to start tariffs to August 1. But if he's the Deal Maker in Chief, then why would he need to extend the timeline? Grant talks about the few deals that have been made, what's been happening in the meantime and what it'll mean for all…
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What does it take to lead when lives are on the line? In this compelling episode of The Greatness Machine, former Navy SEAL Commander Rorke Denver joins Darius to explore what real leadership looks like under pressure. Drawing from years of leading special ops missions, Rorke shares how the same principles that guide elite warriors—clarity, discipl…
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Send us a text With the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill, US immigration forces are getting a major boost in funding. A lot of it is going to ICE for new agents as enforcement increases in how militaristic it looks and acts. But most of the funding is going to building new places to hold immigrants before they're likely deported. Grant breaks down…
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Send us a text The state of Texas is dealing with massive, deadly flooding just outside San Antonio. While the National Weather Service did predict heavy rain and gave warnings, the floods have claimed the lives of 82 people (at the time of this episode), with dozens more still missing. Meteorologists say the forecasts and coordination were as good…
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What if calories aren’t the whole story? In the realm of nutrition and health, the traditional belief has been that counting calories is the ultimate key to managing one’s diet effectively. But what if we told you calories might not be the key to a healthy diet? Delving beyond the calorie count, this question encourages us to explore the multifacet…
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Purchase A Jesus-Shaped Life here. Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is the part-two sequel of An Antidote to Self-Centeredness Disguised as Spirituality. The bottom line is, it’s more important than ever to embrace the gospel story as the ultimate lens through which we understand life or pretty soon everything’s going to become blurry. W…
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How do people see you, and more importantly, how do you see yourself? The way others treat us reflects their perception of us, but how we respond shows how we perceive ourselves. Being able to recognize and own this dynamic is key to building strong relationships - both personal and professional. Today, I am flying solo for the 300th episode of The…
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Send us a text Congress passes Trump's Big Beautiful Bill. Despite its name, it will cut more than a trillion from Medicaid. It will make deep cuts to SNAP, clean energy, college endowments, and increase state and local taxes. It will mean giving huge tax breaks to the ultra-rich and making the poorest Americans pay more. It's not at all popular, b…
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Send us a text The Senate passed the One Big Beautiful Bill that's filled with a budget that's going to remake Medicaid, SNAP, and American wealth for a generation. It passed by a super narrow majority, 51-50, and now heads to the House, where it's expected to pass before hitting Trump's desk on the Fourth of July. Grant talks about how the bill go…
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What if the key to lasting success isn’t just about hiring the right people, but also about letting them go the right way? In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius chats with Robert Glazer, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and former CEO of Acceleration Partners, about building a culture of trust, transparency, and long-term relationships.…
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Ever wondered how burning the boats can lead to extracting more value than you ever thought possible? In this episode of The Greatness Machine, we welcome back Matt Higgins, the author of the groundbreaking book Burn the Boats: Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential. Matt delves into the art of setting and achieving goals, sharing hi…
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Purchase A Jesus-Shaped Life here. During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology Alli and I are diving into the swampy waters of ideology with Dr. Trevin Wax. Trevin will help us understand and learn how to better practice what some have called counter-catechesis – that is sorting out our Christian belief system in a thoughtful way that effect…
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Send us a text A quick bonus episode about the Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. CASA that might remake the way federal laws are applied and enforced across the country, making for a messy and chaotic legal system. Support the show Follow along on social media X: @mimsnewspod Instagram: @mimsnewspod TikTok: @mimsnewspod Substack: mimsnewspod.substac…
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Send us a text In the conversation about the US bombing Iran, there has been a lot of talk about the mission, the policy behind it, and how well it worked. But one of the main driving reasons Trump chose to approve the mission hasn't been talked about: the religious extremism inside his administration. Grant talks with Matt D. Taylor, the senior Ch…
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Sometimes the answers we’re chasing in business and life have already been written—centuries ago. In this solo episode, Darius Mirshahzadeh dives deep into four timeless quotes by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus, exploring how ancient wisdom still holds power in modern life. Recorded from an Airbnb in Barcelona, Darius shares personal insights and …
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Send us a text For days, President Donald Trump and his administration have been celebrating the bombing campaign against three Iranian nuclear sites, which effectively ended the conflict between Iran and Israel. Trump has repeatedly said the strikes "obliterated" the nuclear sites. But after an initial report about the strikes being less effective…
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What does it take for an idea to stand the test of time and shape generations? In this episode, Eric Jorgenson returns on The Greatness Machine to explore the enduring power of timeless ideas and transformative storytelling. Joining host Darius Mirshahzadeh, they dive into what makes certain books iconic and how mystics like Rumi and Jesus continue…
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Send us a text Israel and Iran agree to a ceasefire after Trump announces it on social media. But the peace is uneasy as both sides exchange final missile strikes and accuse the other of breaking the truce. At the same time, Trump doesn't say where things are on negotiations with Iran about its nuclear program, how much damage was actually done dur…
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Send us a text After telling the American people and the world he was going to give it two more weeks before attacking, President Donald Trump bombed three major nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend. The decision seemed to come out of the blue and shocked the world, our allies, and members of Congress. Grant answers the three big questions: what …
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Purchase A Jesus-Shaped Life here. You know that old, familiar ice-breaker question, “If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?” Well, during today’s episode of Back Porch Theology – which was taped live at our 2025 Kerygma Summit a few weeks ago. And yes, we happen to be hugely biased, but y’all this bevy of Bible schol…
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In a world full of challenges, how can technology be a force for good? As we navigate the complexities of the modern era, it becomes increasingly evident that the role of technology extends far beyond innovation for innovation’s sake; it is a formidable force capable of catalyzing positive change. Marga Hoek, a visionary three-time CEO and sustaina…
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Send us a text During the second Trump administration, news organizations have been under threat and under attack. ABC and CBS have faced settlements. NBC and CNN have been threatened with having their licenses to broadcast pulled. PBS and NPR are being defunded. But no place has the attack on journalism been felt more than at Voice of America, the…
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What if your core values weren’t just words on a wall—but the driving force behind every decision, meeting, and moment of accountability? In this solo episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius Mirshahzadeh dives into practical, powerful ways to bring core values to life—turning them into living, breathing parts of your team’s daily rhythms. From fam…
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Send us a text Over the last week, Israel and Iran have been bombing one another as global tensions rise over nuclear weapons and facilities being targeted by both sides. President Trump has also been unpredictable about whether the US is actively involved, but reportedly has given the go-ahead for US airstrikes; we just don't know when. Grant brea…
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What if everything you’ve been taught about dating is only half the story? In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius is joined by dating and relationship coach Elsa Moreck for a powerful deep dive into the psychology of attraction, emotional intelligence, and modern masculinity. Together, they explore what it means to be truly self-aware in …
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Send us a text After a weekend of history-making protests and a lackluster military/birthday parade, the occasions were really marked by a new set of political violence. An assassination and three more attempted assassinations of Democrats in Minnesota by an alleged gunman who had plans to go after dozens more Democratic leaders upended the weekend…
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Purchase A Jesus-Shaped Life here. Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is a part two, so if you haven’t listened to last week’s conversation with our friend Katherine Wolf, I encourage you to do so. Now before we dive in, I’d like to read a brief excerpt from Katherine’s latest book titled, Treasures in the Dark: “David taught me that laugh…
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How can we foster a culture of "unreasonable hospitality" and go above and beyond conventional standards to deliver exceptional experiences? Will Guidara, a distinguished figure in the world of hospitality and fine dining, has not only earned numerous accolades but has also revolutionized the way people perceive dining experiences. His journey teac…
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Send us a text During a Department of Homeland Secuirty press conference on Thursday, California Senator Alex Padilla (D) attempted to interrupt to ask a question. DHS accused him of not identifying himself (He did) and lunging at Secretary Kristi Noem (video from mulitple angles shows he didn't). Instead of allowing him to ask his question, Padill…
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What if the secret to a better life is simply choosing people and habits that calm your nervous system? In this deeply personal solo episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius Mirshahzadeh opens up about a recent experience that forced him to slow down and re-evaluate what truly matters. After facing some unexpected health challenges, he found clarit…
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What if everything we believed was limiting us… is actually the key to unlocking our full potential? In this fascinating episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius is joined by polymath and visionary thinker Robert Edward Grant for a deep dive into consciousness, human potential, and the illusions that keep us stuck. From the telepathic abilities of …
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Send us a text The Trump administration has mobilized 700 Marines from Twenty-nine Pines military base in California to join 2100 National Guard troops in LA to do what? We're not sure. The orders are vague and only say "protect" federal buildings and agents without anything more. But is it legal for Trump to put US military troops on the streets? …
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Send us a text As protests, violent clashes, and some property destruction break out in Los Angeles over federal raids of workplaces, schools, and courthouses, the White House seems bent on pressing the boundaries on whether Trump can send in US troops. In today's episode, Grant breaks down what happened in L.A., why you should care that officers a…
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Purchase A Jesus-Shaped Life here. Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is with my friend Katherine Wolf about God’s compassionate purpose with regards to our pain. Many of you have probably heard or read some of Katherine’s story – she suffered a massive stroke when she was 26 years old, not long after giving birth to her and her husband Ja…
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Picture a life where your business not only survives but thrives, seamlessly blending with a life that fulfills your every aspiration. Setbacks become stepping stones, success is measured by impact, and collaboration fuels both professional and personal growth. Your integrated life allows for a harmonious balance, enabling cherished moments and per…
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Send us a text As Elon Musk exits the White House and has a very public falling out with Donald Trump, the consequences of his time there won't be fully realized for a while. But, there is one place to start where, when history looks back, may be the most talked about thing—the death toll from diseases spread around the world by Musk ending USAID. …
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Ever wondered how exiting a successful business can turn your financial world upside down? In this episode of The Greatness Machine, I am flying solo to share some hard-earned lessons from my own journey through entrepreneurship and investing. I dive into the unexpected challenges that hit after you exit a business and how they can impact your fina…
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Send us a text Back from a short hiatus! Grant talks all about how we're seeing the White House, which has been moving as fast as it can to break things, start to come apart by picking fights with prominent groups, its own agencies, and its insiders. He breaks down the White House fight with the influential conservative group the Federalist Society…
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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 addi…
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Ever thought about the power of timeless lessons in steering your journey through the unpredictable? Morgan Housel, a two-time winner of the Best in Business Award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, and winner of the New York Times Sidney Award, brings forth a treasure trove of wisdom with his latest book, Same as Ever: A Gu…
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Purchase A Jesus-Shaped Life here. Today is a red-letter kind of day here on Back Porch Theology because Alli and I have the undeserved privilege and absolute delight of having a conversation with one of the world’s foremost experts on the New Testament canon, specifically the Gospels, Dr. Craig Blomberg. It’s not every day you get to sit down with…
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Send us a text The idea that manufacturing jobs were shipped overseas or across borders to other countries is a frequent explanation from both Republicans and Democrats about why the American middle class has been hollowed out. But it's a convenient half-truth. The other side we don't talk about is the other kind of offshoring, from the shores of t…
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Ever wonder why some of the most successful people seem unfazed by rejection? Today I am flying solo to talk about the concept of “collecting nos” – a powerful mindset shift that can transform how you can approach challenges and opportunities. Discover why every “no” is a valuable step towards a “yes” and how it can fuel your growth and resilience.…
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Send us a text The Trump administration ramps up its attacks on higher education, specifically Harvard and foreign students. But what does it mean to lose the tens of thousands of foreign students who attend American universities every year? Grant breaks down how we got here, what the White House is doing, and how it will affect all of us. Support …
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What if doing the most good was simpler—and more within reach—than you ever imagined? In this powerful episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius is joined by world-renowned moral philosopher Peter Singer for a conversation that will challenge how you think about ethics, generosity, and your role in making the world better. Peter, best known for his …
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