Shows
Leaders + Legends PodcastCONQUERING ADVERSITY | Joey Coco & Michael CalamarasIn this episode of Leaders + Legends, host Michael Calamaras sits down with Joey Coco, a Sarasota-based business owner and Budget Blinds franchise owner, for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and perspective.Joey shares his journey into franchise ownership in the home-services industry, along with how personal adversity reshaped the way he approaches business, leadership, and life.Joey opens up about surviving a serious car accident that changed his life - how it tested him physically, mentally, and emotionally. Rather than defining him, the experience became a catalyst—sharpening his focus, gratitude, and commitment to build...
2026-01-021h 01Leaders + Legends PodcastWIFE, MOTHER, MENTOR | Krystal Roberts w/ Michael CalamarasIn this episode of Leaders + Legends, we sit down with Krystal Roberts, a wife, mother, mentor, and trusted health advisor with USHEALTH Advisors.Krystal’s story is one of balancing business success with family values. As a wife and proud mom, she understands firsthand the importance of protecting what matters most. That perspective has fueled her career in insurance—helping families, individuals, and small business owners find affordable and reliable coverage that truly fits their lives.But Krystal’s influence doesn’t stop with her clients. As a mentor and team leader, she has dedicated herself...
2025-09-0345 minLeaders + Legends PodcastBEYOND TRADITION | Shelbi Loftin & Therese Johnson w/ Michael CalamarasIn this episode of Leaders + Legends, we sit down with Shelbi Loftin and Therese Johnson, the powerhouse duo behind the Beyond Tradition Podcast. These two women are redefining what it means to grow a business—and a life—that breaks the mold.We dive into their entrepreneurial journeys, the real stories behind building bold brands, and how they balance ambition with authenticity. From the boardroom to personal breakthroughs, this conversation is filled with raw wisdom, plenty of laughs, and the kind of inspiration that’ll get you thinking bigger.Whether you’re a founde...
2025-07-1148 minLeaders + Legends PodcastBEST FOOD CATERPRENEUR | Phil Mancini w/ Michael CalamarasOn the menu for this episode, join Phil Mancini, thelegendary co-founder of Michael’s On East and one of the most beloved figures in Florida’s catering world, alongside Michael Calamaras, a Forbes-ranked financial planner andentrepreneur with a passion for people, planning, and purpose.This episode dives into the stories behind building aworld-class catering business — from the early days of washing dishes to serving presidents, celebrities, and generations of Sarasota families. Along the way, you’ll hear timeless lessons on business growth, client relationships,family dynamics, community service, and what it really takes to create a b...
2025-06-2553 minLeaders + Legends PodcastUNLOCKING ATHLETIC POTENTIAL | Dr. Michael Sclafani & Michael CalamarasIn this powerful episode, we sit down with Michael Sclafani, founder of Tide Line Sports Performance, to go beyond just sports rehab and talk about the mindset, business strategy, and life lessons that come with building a performance-driven brand.Michael shares how he grew his sports performance and rehab facility from the ground up, the challenges of entrepreneurship in the fitness space, and what it really takes to build trust with elite athletes, youth clients, and everyday movers.We dive into: How Michael built a performance brand rooted i...
2025-06-1352 minLeaders + Legends PodcastTHE OPIOID CRISIS | John Bowman w/ Michael CalamarasIn this eye-opening episode, we sit down with John Bowman, CEO of Sure Med Compliance, to explore how his mission-driven company is tackling the opioid epidemic by empowering healthcare providers through cutting-edge compliance and prescription monitoring technology.John shares the personal story that ignited his passion for addiction prevention, how Sure Med is using predictive analytics and risk scoring to save lives, and why building a tech company in healthcare requires both precision and purpose.We cover:Why compliance matters more than everHow Sure Med’s platform protects patients and providersThe fut...
2025-05-3047 minLeaders + Legends PodcastSARASOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | Erin Silk w/ Michael CalamarasIn this episode Michael talks with Erin Silk, the CEO of the Sarasota Economic Development Corporation. Silk has almost a decade of economic development experience in Sarasota County and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). Conferred by the International Economic Development Council, CEcD status is recognized globally and is considered the most prestigious designation in the economic development profession.She is a natural leader who believes in the power of public/private partnership. At the EDC, she works closely with business leaders, government officials, educational institutions, and philanthropic organizations to grow a diversified economy that...
2025-05-1447 minLeaders + Legends PodcastGROWTH MINDSET | LISA KROUSE w/ Michael CalamarasIn this episode Michael Calamaras & Lisa Krouse talkabout personal and professional development. Lisa Krouse is a highly accomplished leader with extensive experience in the insurance industry and HR community. She is currently a Board Member of FCCI Insurance Group, a regional property and casualty insurance company based in Sarasota, Florida, and serving 19 states and the District of Columbia. Lisa served as the Executive Vice President andChief Administrative Officer for 15 years, overseeing areas of the Company such as corporate social-responsibility, corporate communications, human resources, marketing, and facilities management. Known for cultivating a culture of excellence and trust, she also c...
2025-05-0255 minLeaders + Legends PodcastSTARTUP TO MATURITY | Scaling an advertising & production agency w/ Garrett Garcia & Michael CalamarasIn this episode Michael talks with Garrett Garcia the President of PPK!About Garrett:As a Tampa native, Garrett is passionate about contributing to the overall growth and success of the region. That's one of the reasons he decided to stick around and help grow PPK from a small five person start up to the advertising and production agency of over 100 it is today. As PPK's President, Garrett is responsible for the health and scale of the agency while overseeing day-to-day operations.About PPK:UnitePPK is an independent agency f...
2025-03-1042 minLeaders + Legends PodcastLIFE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION | Building an IT business with Kris Pritchard & Michael CalamarasIn this episode Michael talks with Kris Pritchard, the CEO of Simple Network Consulting (SNC). SNC is a leading global IT consulting and professional services company. Their aim is to simplify the painful process of technology procurement and provide professional services consulting. SNC’s impact has continued to grow domestically and internationally in public and private sectors. About KrisKris Pritchard is the visionary founder of Simple Network Consulting (SNC) and cofounder of K3 Software Solutions. With over 15 years in IT, Kris turns tech nightmares into smooth, stress-free experiences. Fun fact: he st...
2025-02-1946 minLeaders + Legends Podcast3RD GENERATION AMERICAN OIL | Building a generational oil business w/ RJ Burr & Michael CalamarasIn this episode Michael talks with President & CEO of
PANEX, RJ Burr. RJ is a third generation producer of American oil.
About RJ
Born into the industry, Mr. Burr was on his first location
before he could walk and has been fascinated by the production of oil his entire life. Within 3 months of graduating high school, Mr. Burr funded his first partnership and never looked back. With a main focus on the Gulf Coast, Mr. Burr’s companies have raised and deployed over $300 million in upstream development and have partnered with some of the largest oi...
2025-01-1643 minLeaders + Legends PodcastCELEBRITY CHEF & REALITY TV STAR | Following your passion with Lisa Weintraub & Michael CalamarasIn this episode Michael talks with Celebrity Chef & Big Brother Reality TV Star, Lisa Weintraub!
About Lisa
Chef Lisa Weintraub is changing the food culture in Los Angeles, California. Creating a new way of dining, Plates by Lisa offers a customized, in-home, gourmet dining experience. Sourcing organic + sustainable ingredients from the local farmers' market and creating healthy cuisine inspired by global influences + flavors, Chef Lisa will stimulate your palate and curate a beautiful dining experience.
On top of running a world-class catering business, Lisa has also been a member of...
2024-12-1838 minLeaders + Legends PodcastA SALES GOD | Building a brand, business & a life w/ Ron Earley & Michael CalamarasIn this episode Michael talks with Ron Earley the CEO of GreyWolfe about life, entrepreurship, and what it takes to succeed!
About Ron:
Ron Earley isn't just a businessman; he's a force of nature in the business world. With numerous multi-million-dollar ventures under his belt, including the powerhouse Greywolfe Investing and its dynamic sister company, Legacy Wholesale, Ron has rewritten the playbook on asset management and wholesale success. Together, these companies have shattered industry norms, generating over $1.4 Billion in revenue. Dubbed "SalesGod" for a reason, Ron has a proven track record of closing deals, having...
2024-11-2843 minLeaders + Legends PodcastA DANCE FITNESS EMPIRE | Building a community around dance w/ Stacey Marks & Kari SchroeterIn this episode Michael talks with visionary owners, Stacey Marks & Kari Schroeter, the CEO & COO of Fly Dance Fitness!
About Fly Dance Fitness
In a society where women are often pitted against each
other, Fly Dance Fitness® rebels against this by bringing women (and men) together through dance and fitness. Together, they all leave their worries, opinions, and differentiating beliefs at the door for the best workout experience imaginable and they leave feeling 10x better than when the first walked in.
Fly Dance Fitness® believes exercise is a cel...
2024-11-1349 minLeaders + Legends PodcastWATER, FIRE & MOLD | Building a business & maximizing life w/ Adrian Tolentino & Michael CalamarasIn this episode Michael talks with Adrian Tolentino about life, business & networking.
About Adrian
Adrian is the Founder & CEO of DryPro Inc, a water, fire & mold remediation company in Sarasota, Florida. Originally from Puerto Rico, he’s been in the Lakewood Ranch area for about 28 years. He’s a UCF grad and always had a knack for entrepreneurship. He’s a girl dad first and business owner second. He founded DryPro 8 years ago identifying a need in the community and the opportunity to build something from scratch.He’s got a passion for business, networking, and conne...
2024-10-3052 minLeaders + Legends PodcastSARASOTA PARADISE | Taking a soccer team Pro w/ Marcus Walfridson & Michael CalamarasIn this episode Michael talks with Marcus Walfridson the founder or Sarasota Paradise!
Marcus Walfridson is the visionary founder of Sarasota Paradise, a dynamic soccer club currently competing in USL League Two and set to advance to USL League One. With a rich background in soccer coaching, Marcus authored "Lessons From The Beautiful Game: How to Become a More Efficient Coach," a must-read for aspiring coaches, available on Amazon.
Beyond the pitch, Marcus is a dedicated entrepreneur focused on building a successful enterprise through Audigr Group Inc., which encompasses his ownership in Sarasota Paradise. A...
2024-10-1653 minLeaders + Legends Podcast#GRIDLIFE | Building a national Motorsports Festival w/ Adam Jabaay & Michael CalamarasIn this episode Michael talks with Adam Jabaay, the Co-Founder & Motorsports Director of #GRIDLIFE a motorsports enthusiasts dream. Adam and his best friend Chris Stewart started GridLife and it has grown into a national organization that hosts multiple festival-style motorsports weekends across the country as well as an annual racing league.
The festival events are reminiscent of "Forza Horizon" but in real life! Each day is filled with HPDE, Time Attack, Autocross, Drift, and GLTC and capped off with a music festival at night.
Along with running GridLife, Adam is a father, an owner of...
2024-09-2649 minLeaders + Legends PodcastHEALTHCARE RECRUITING | Life & Business Ownership w/ Justin Bellante & Michael CalamarasOn this episode Michael talks with Justin Bellante, the Co-Founder of Titan Placement Group, a healthcare recruiting firm in Sarasota, Florida.
About Justin
He's been in healthcare recruitment arena for 10 years now but a little over 2 years ago, a couple of colleagues and Justin quit our jobs and struck out on their own. It's been almost 2 years and they are at over 200 placements! They focus primarily working with Federally Qualified Health Centers and do most of their placements with Mental Health, Dental and Primary Care professionals. Justin is passionate about Community Health...
2024-09-1144 minLeaders + Legends PodcastCONSTRUCTION IN THE MIDDLE MARKET | Business ownership, partnership & more w/ Michael Butler & Michael CalamarasOn this episode the Michael C talks with Michael B about becoming a business owner in the construction industry and all about life!
A bit about Michael Butler:
Michael Butler, 27, is a Vice President and part owner at
J.E. Charlotte Construction, LLC which is a general contracting company based in Venice, FL. Michael moved to Sarasota in 2020 for an opportunity to work at JEC after spending time working for a large General Contractor in Fort Lauderdale. Michael graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical En...
2024-08-2846 minLeaders + Legends PodcastRUNNING A CANDLE MAKING EMPIRE | Manufacturing, Life & More w/ JaNiece Cranmer, President of Scentsational Candle
In this episode Michael talks with JaNiece Cranmer, the President of Scentsational Candles. Based in Venice, Florida, she proudly oversees the production of millions of American-made soy-blend scented candles.
About JaNiece
JaNiece relocated from Oklahoma to Florida over seven years ago after accepting a producer position at HSN. Following an 11-year career in television, she transitioned to lead one of the largest candle manufacturing companies in the United States. She holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma, an MBA from the University of Fl...
2024-08-1438 minLeaders + Legends PodcastTECH STARTUPS & A.I. | What it takes to make it in software engineering w/ Moe Kahn & Michael CalamarasOn this episode Michael talks with Moe Kahn, the founding engineering of BluePallet a company that recently sold!
About Moe:
Born in Bangladesh in 1984, came to the US as a baby. Lived in NY, MI, OH, and finally VA. Went to school at University of Mary Washington where I got degrees in Biology, History, Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. Started a Master's Program at SMU.
Software Engineer/Data Architect for over 11 years. Recently was the Founding Engineer of a tech startup called BluePallet. That company has sold, looking for the next fun id...
2024-08-0155 minLeaders + Legends PodcastCOACHES, OWNERS, ATHLETES | Tanya & Meredith owners of Real Fitness, CrossFit
On this episode Michael chats with Tanya Poppa & Meredith Donohue the owners of RealFitness, a CrossFit gym in Sarasota.
A bit about Meredith:
For the past 2 years, she has proudly owned and operated a CrossFit box, bringing over a decade of coaching experience to the table. She joined Real Fitness Sarasota straight out of college, starting as an intern and gradually working her way up to co-owner.
What truly fuels her passion is witnessing others heal—both emotionally and physically—and experiencing the contagious excitement and pride that...
2024-07-2648 minLeaders + Legends PodcastLEADERSHIP WITH IMPACT | Serving 6,000 families w/ Michelle Kapreilian & Michael CalamarasIn this episode Michael and Michelle discuss what it takes to help 6,000 families with mental health, parenting, early childhood development and more as she steers Forty Carrots Family center into the future. We talk about female leadership, and her journey up until now.
About Michelle:
Michelle Kapreilian has served at Chief Executive Officer of Forty Carrots Family Center (FCFC) since 2013. She holds a BA in psychology and brought two decades of business leadership experience and years of first-hand
involvement with FCFC to the position. Prior to taking the lead role in the ag...
2024-07-0344 minLeaders + Legends PodcastEp. 5 | BUILDING A CUSTOM CLOTHES EMPIRE | Don Carlson, Founder of TWEEDS w/ Michael Calamaras | Leaders & Legends
On this episode Michael & Don talk about 10X Growth Conference, Grant Cardone, mentorship, and what it takes to grow a business from the ground up...all while looking fresh to death in some custom TWEEDS clothing.
Don is a 2nd generation entrepreneur in the clothing industry. Based out of Sarasota Florida, he has grown his custom clothing business into the Greater Tampa Bay area opening two more locations in Tampa & St Petersburg Florida.
Don & Michael both are 10X, and Grant Cardone fans, and attend the 10X Growth Conference. An event centered around personal growth, entrepreneurialism...
2024-06-1945 minLeaders + Legends PodcastSELLING YOUR BUSINESS | Emery Ellinger & Michael Calamaras on M&A in the middle market!On this episode Michael and Emery talk about what it takes to build and sell companies, and some of the potential mistakes you can make while doing so.
About Emery
Emery is the CEO of Aberdeen Advisors, Inc., an M&A Advisory firm he founded after having built and sold his own multi-million dollar marketing company.
Emery has expertise in all areas of M&A Advisory practice and has successfully completed hundreds of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and financings.
From the typical transaction to the highly complex deal, Emery has repeatedly been recognized as a leading mergers and acquisitions...
2024-06-0547 minLeaders + Legends Podcast$150M AUTOMOTIVE PLAYGROUND! | Building the dream w/ Brad Oleshansky & Michael Calamaras | Leaders + Legends Ep. 3On this episode Michael and Brad talk about what it takes to build a 9-figure business and its challenges and opportunities.
About Brad
Brad Oleshansky spent the first 12+ years of his career as an entertainment attorney in Los Angeles, CA, including roles at Virgin Records, The Walt Disney Company, a boutique Beverly Hills law firm and several global marketing services agencies.
He moved home to Michigan in 2004 to join digital marketing firm Big Communications in its infancy as Chief Operating Officer. He oversaw the rapid growth of the company as it focused solely on the p...
2024-05-2250 minLeaders + Legends PodcastSERIAL RESTAURATEURS | Daniel Dokko & Anderyas Putranto Co-Owners of JPAN, KORE & DEAR FISH w/ Michael Calamaras | Leaders + Legends Ep. 2On this episode Michael talks with Daniel Dokko and Anderyas Putranto the co-owners of JPAN Sushi, KORE Steakhouse, and Dear Fish restaurants.
Daniel is Korean however he was born in Brazil before moving to America when he was 19 years old. Starting as a dishwasher he moved up the ranks to sushi chef before starting his own place called JPAN in Sarasota Florida.
Anderyas aka Andre was born and raised in Indonesia before moving to America to seek opportunities to increase his experience in the hospitality industry. He also started as a dishwasher...
2024-05-0839 minLeaders + Legends PodcastBOSS BRAIN | Saving 1 Million Entrepreneurs from the 9-to-5 w/ Tra Williams & Michael Calamaras | Leaders + Legends Ep. 1On this episode we talk with Tra Williams - he's on a mission to save 1 million entrepreneurs from traditional employment.
Tra is a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and nationally recognized expert in entrepreneurship and business strategy. He has sat at the helm of two international brands and has supported thousands of entrepreneurs on their journey to self-employment.
Tra holds a degree from the University of Georgia and is a graduate of the prestigious Franchise Management program at Georgetown University. He has been featured or quoted in numerous publications, including Forbes, Bloomberg, and Franchise Times, and he often...
2024-05-0146 min