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Author: Eli Marcus

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Biography and History Books Personal Development

An interview on The Motivation Show podcast with the author of “A Child in Berlin – Courage & Resilience during the Fall of Nazi Germany”

Over the span of four years, one afternoon at a time, professional biographer Rhonda Lauritzen sat across from Heidi Posnien, now an 88-year-old woman who spent her childhood in the heart of Berlin, just a stone’s throw from Hitler’s seat of power. Posnien shared strikingly clear memories of the fear and uncertainty that permeated Nazi-infested Berlin during World War II as well as memories of her mother, Käthe, a rising star in Germany’s opera scene. But perhaps the most remarkable part of Posnien’s story is her survival in a bombed-out apartment during the final weeks of the war when she was just 9 years old.

A Child in Berlin is the remarkable true story of Heidi Posnien, her mother and their courage in the face of Nazi terror as told to Lauritzen. Käthe is a mother who must choose between her conscience and her dreams of becoming an opera star. She discovers the truth about what is happening to her Jewish friends around the time she attends a dinner party presided by Adolf Hitler himself. She realizes she cannot remain among Nazi society and makes the gut-wrenching choice to leave the opera. To support herself and young Heidi, she joins Berlin’s black-market network and ends up dealing in more than just food. As others evacuate the capital, Käthe harbors a secret that anchors them in the epicenter of danger.

While Käthe becomes ever more preoccupied with survival, Heidi and a roving pack of friends make mischief in Berlin’s rubble. The war devolves, and she braves hunger, cold and feelings of abandonment as she shuttles between Berlin and the Polish countryside. Heidi’s ultimate test comes when she must survive alone in a bombed-out apartment during the final weeks of World War II. Her moxie shows how children are capable of far more than adults realize.

Heidi Posnien married an American soldier after the war. She now lives in Huntsville, Utah. Her story serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit, even in the darkest of times. Her firsthand account of life in Nazi-occupied Berlin offers a unique perspective on a pivotal moment in world history. As she nears her 90th birthday, Posnien continues to share her story in the hopes of educating future generations about the horrors of war and the importance of standing up against tyranny.

“I’ve been down in the deepest sorrows, but I’ve also been on the best of highs too,” Posnien said. “I’ve eaten this big, beautiful life; I never let it eat me.”

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: https://youtu.be/oXzAuhCd08E?si=Myq_PjzoQ19slCT5
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5dGSRSIqUDTpKbwil2bXza?si=a33c9c4bfd224b8e
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-child-in-berlin-courage-resilience-during-the/id1530745286?i=1000681441884

Categories
Books Health and Wellness Personal Development

Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease

I believe this interview on 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 podcast is one of the most important podcast episodes ever done in history! Big words for sure…now let me back them up. Here is a link to the episode on 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: https://youtu.be/52cHi5yHqeg?si=4GgZWCaiyHLrl9p8.

𝐃𝐫. 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐧 is a world renowned cardiologist who was a surgeon at the famed Cleveland Clinic, the top Heart Hospital in the world. He is the author of the best selling book 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 and was also prominently featured in the groundbreaking documentary 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬. His pioneering work with Coronary Artery Disease has saved countless lives.

We explore:

-Who has heart disease? What percentage of people?
-Why in his 9th decade of life does Dr. Esselstyn continue to talk about eradicating or slowing the progression of heart disease. What’s is the mission that’s still driving him.
-When he speaks of Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease is he primarily speaking about Coronary Artery Disease or all Heart Disease?
-The internet is filled with Drs & others promoting Keto and low Carb Diets and they swear by their research. How do we explain the claimed successes of those diets…or are they really successful?
-Why are ALL oils bad, especially for those with coronary artery disease? Are there any oils that are good for those that don’t have heart disease?
-Should everyone have a Calcium Score and when should they be alarmed?
-How important is it to lower LDL and raise HDL?
-What does he think of Statins?
-Why should there never be a reason to develop heart disease.
-At what point should someone have an angiogram and stents placed or bypass surgery?
-How does someone track their progress after a positive stress test and starting a Whole Food plant -based diet
-Why a Whole Food Plant Based Diet is Different than a Vegan diet
-Why do leafy greens eaten 6x a day help to mitigate or reverse further coronary artery disease?
-Which are the best greens to eat?
-Which are the next best foods after greens?
-How about Nightshades? Good or Bad?
-Can this diet prevent event the most serious heart blockages and circumvent even a quadruple bypass?
-How much fat is recommended for those with coronary artery disease and how much of that in saturated fat? Is all saturated fat equal?
-What three Whole Foods are bad for Coronary Artery Disease patients?
-How about sweeteners?

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬 link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/saving-a-billion-lives-with-cardiologist-dr/id1530745286?i=1000690856051
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jtTM8Ic88DUMaV7FvunbB?si=32525e9cb47a46d4

Categories
Advice Growth Marketing

An exclusive interview with EDDIE WILSON, The “King of Exits” and Co-Founder of THE ASPIRE TOUR

Eddie Wilson is a businessman who is known as the “King of Exits.” He has owned over 125 companies and exited over 120 of them successfully. His current private equity firm Collective Influence has significant holdings as well. Of those holdings, the Private Equity firm owns – Think Realty, American Association of Private Lenders, Apticode, FitCon, Tax Free Crypto, Because Coffee, The Power Room, Money Is…and about 10 other companies.

He is also known for creating an operating system that manages the growth of his companies systematically allowing him the greatest odds for success. His operating system is known as the Empire Operating System. With all of his success in his 40s he has turned his efforts to humanitarian non-profit activities with his foundation Impact Others. 

In this episode, you will learn:

-Exactly what an Exit Strategy means and why you absolutely have to have one when you start a business

-How Eddie become so proficient in exit strategies to earn him the title of the King of Exits

-How to grow and scale your business without working 7 days

-Advice for new entrepreneurs. What are the musts they should do and what are the common pitfalls they should look to avoid?

-How do you find the best employees and what traits do you look for when hiring?

–The Aspire Tour – How these new tours are taking the country by storm. Inspire your growth Financially, Professionally, Personally.  May 17 in Miami from 7 til 7pm.  Mr. Wonderful Kevin O’Leary, Marcus Lemonis from The Profit TV Show, Alex Rodriguez, Gary V and others. July 20 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Categories
Books Sales Training Skills

An exclusive interview with BOB BURG, world renowned Sales & Entrepreneur Expert/Trainer/Keynote Speaker.

Bob Burg has been successfully showing entrepreneurs, leaders, & sales pros for over 30 yrs, how to build relationships, communicate their value, & accelerate their business growth as one of the top Sales and Entrepreneur trainers in the world.  Though for years he was best known for his sales classic, Endless Referrals, it’s his business parable he co-authored, The Go-Giver, that has created a worldwide movement.  While part of a four-book series, The Go-Giver itself has sold well over a million copies & been translated into 30 languages. It was rated #10 on Inc. Magazine’s list of The Most Motivational Books Ever Written, & was on HubSpot’s 20 Most Highly Rated Sales Books of All Time.

An advocate, supporter, & defender of the Free Enterprise system, Bob believes that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve.

Listen to this exclusive interview on the C-Suite Network’s podcast THE MOTIVATION SHOW.   Link to listen:https://c-suitenetwork.com/radio/shows/the-motivation-show/

You will learn:

-Most people just laugh when they hear that the secret to success is giving…Then again, most people are nowhere near as successful as they wish they were.”

-Examples of what a salesperson or entrepreneur can give a prospective client

-Change focus from getting to giving…putting others interests first & adding value to their lives ultimately leads to unexpected returns. Give & You Shall Receive.”

-“Don’t give as a quid pro quo, not as a strategy to get ahead, but because it is, in & of itself, a satisfying & fulfilling way to be.”

-Five Laws of Stratospheric Success.

-How do you turn a Cold Call into a Warm Call?

-How can you have business organically flow to you instead of always trying to push, persuade, cajole, hype or any other artificial way of making a sale?

-How do you deal with the prospect you know is your perfect client, but just won’t give you the time of day.  They don’t return your email, phone calls or texts.

-One golden nugget of advice from a “drive-by mentor” totally shifted Bob’s perspective and played a big role in his success.

-One thing to absolutely AVOID doing when seeking out a mentor.

-What’s the best way to find a mentor?

-Why being a “Go-Giver” is absolutely congruent with — and even honors — human nature.

Categories
Advice Marketing Skills

Tom Ziglar (son of the legendary Motivational Speaker Zig Ziglar) on Success

𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐙𝐢𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐫 is a Motivational Speaker, Executive Coach, Conference Speaker & the CEO of Ziglar Inc. His father was the incomparable 𝐙𝐢𝐠 𝐙𝐢𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐫, who was synonymous with motivation & self-improvement. Zig’s messages of motivation and inspiration touched the lives of over 250 million people worldwide, & he will forever be remembered as a legend in Self Help. Many of today’s biggest names in Business, Finance, Marketing & Self-Improvement credit Zig for their success.

In this exclusive interview on 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖 podcast on C-Suite Radio (or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) that will change how you view success, we discuss:

-What was it like growing up with Zig Ziglar as a father. How did his legendary status impact Tom growing up?

-Why did Tom choose to carry on your father’s legacy? Was there ever a doubt in his mind that he would?

-What made Zig unlike any other speaker in the world?

-How is business going through a huge change right now. and how does leadership and mindset play a factor in business success?

-Some of the 8 Things in Life that Everyone Wants.

-Zig Ziglar’s most famous quotes

-What is Stuffitis?

-7 categories that Life Falls Into & Which ones do you work on Every Day

C-Suite Radio link to the episode: https://tinyurl.com/whcpw8ux

Categories
Skills Strategy

C-Suite Radio’s Eli Marcus/The Motivation Show interviews Rock & Roll legend BOB GAUDIO

Bob Gaudio was inducted into the Songwriters, Rock and Roll, and the New Jersey Hall of Fame.  He was the principal writer & an original member of The Four Seasons, as in Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. He wrote and/or co-wrote “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and numerous others. He produced a number of songs for Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Roberta Flack & others. He co-produced the Frank Sinatra album Watertown His longtime association with Neil Diamondyielded seven albums.  

It seems like almost everything Bob was involved with was wildly successful. Born in da Bronx and having moved to New Jersey, he created the music for the hit Tony Award winning Broadway musical Jersey Boys, in which he was also portrayed. He is now the co-Lead producer of the sensational Neil Diamond Broadway musical A Beautiful Noise. In this exclusive interview on C-Suite Radio’s The Motivation Show podcast, Bob discusses:

How did the Four Lovers turn into the Four Seasons in 1960?

I have to clarify, as they told me when I joined the band, it’s the four lovers of music.  When I joined the band, I was one of the four lovers.  I think I made $100/week.    We met Bob Crewe in an elevator and he knew Frankie from awhile before.   That turned into hey come up see me, I need a band to play on my stuff, and we did.  He promised us a recording contract and at some point we finally got around to recording our own stuff and Sherry came out and here we are and we changed the name, because nobody liked the Four Lovers and it was time for a change.

How did your upbringing lead you to the musical path that you were on and were you always confident at an early age that you would have pretty much a meteoric level of success that you enjoyed pretty early on?

I don’t think anyone can predict success. I was driven. I started playing piano when I was six or seven.  I had an amazing teacher Sal Mosca who was a jazz artist in his own.  I learned so much from him.   He taught me how to focus.  I think the focusing is what drove me through many times, good, bad and indifferent to just stay on track and getting too scattered didn’t work.  That pretty much was a life lesson for me.   Maybe that’s part of the reason I’ve been lucky. Focus is everything as far as I am concerned.

Besides Focus, anything else you would add?

I think it always helps to do something you can make a living at and love.  I was really fortunate.  I started at sixteen.  I had a hit record at sixteen, “Short Shorts,” so I had that taste of blood.  I knew something was here, so I stayed with it, travelled on buses.

I look at success as having good collaborations.  You’ve had some of the most perfect collaboration.  How did you form these collaborations?

Sometimes they just happen.  They drop in your lap.  I have always tried to work with people better than me.  Then when I get as good as them, it is time to move on.  Always surround yourself with people that are as good or better than you.

What about your career are you most proud of?

Jersey Boys winning Best Musical.  It was the first musical that was called a jukebox musical that won a Tony Award.  When I saw Julie Andrews come out on the stage and read that announcement, my body went numb.  That was a moment I didn’t expect because we were categorized as a jukebox musical.

Categories
Advice Leadership Networking

The Motivation Show meets Gianni Russo who played Carlo Rizzo in The Godfather

Gianni Russo is a colorful character in real life as well as in the numerous movie roles he played.  Best known for his role as Carlo Rizzi in the original 1972 film The Godfather, Russo sat down with me for a chat about his tell-all book Hollywood Godfather: My Life in the Movies and the Mob which describes in vivid detail his dual life in the movies and in the real life mob as a mafia associate.   Wait til you hear about some of the incredible people he palled around with including some of the infamous ladies he was…well…let’s just say he was associated with. 

When asked what it is what like growing up and how did he get involved with the mob, Gianni says he grew up on Mulberry Street in Little Italy and in 1949, he became bedridden and quarantined with polio for five years. Who was Gianni’s nurse in his ward at Bellevue?  Carlo Gambino’s niece he says!   Destiny?    His primary source of entertainment and distraction from his distressed and depressed state was a transistor radio. When he turned on the radio, he discovered Frank Sinatra was born the same day.   He says Sinatra became his mentor and singing teacher.   Gianni met a guy Sinatra knew by the name of Frank Costello (not to be confused with Lou Costello), the infamous mob boss of the Luciano crime family.   Gianni used to sell ballpoint pens in front of the Sherry Netherland hotel and Costello would go there every morning for a shoe shine.   “He gave me some money, some words of advice…and never took a pen (I’d hate to think where that pen may have eventually ended up if he did).  I stuck with Costello til the day he died in 1973.”  Right behind Gianni as we spoke on Zoom was a dining room table that can seat 16 people.  As a different kind of wise guy that I am, I quipped about “if only that table could talk,” oh what interesting tales it can tell.   Gianni found that amusing and said jokingly “I would be indicted again.”   Oops.   I asked Gianni to further elaborate on what exactly a Mafia Associate actually entailed.  “That’s why I never got locked up. Carlo Gambino and Costello made sure that I was only a messenger.”    He said he was even registered as a bona fide messenger and courier registered with Lloyd’s of London…pretty clever if you ask me.    

What about this famous code of silence and why did wise guys start signing like canaries, I ask?  The new RICO laws (The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) enacted in 1970 changed everything.  “The feds were allowed to take all of the assets you acquired while being in the mob.  Omerta went out the window.  Everybody became singing canaries.  That’s why these guys started flipping.” 

What were the rules that Gianni knew to live by to keep Frank Costello on his good side?   “Don’t lie to me.  Be on Time.  Talk to Nobody.”   In the late 1990’s, I once flew Don Miguel Ruiz, the author of “The Four Agreements” to New York to promote his mega bestselling book.  With these new rules, I can now write a new book destined to be a bestseller called “The Three Agreements: A Mafia Guide to Not Getting Rubbed Out”…bada boom! 

At the age of 25, Gianni came out of nowhere and was cast in the original Godfather movie as Sonny Corleone’s brother-in-law.   How did he feel about getting that plum role?    “I am making a couple of thousand dollars a week already.  I just wanted to do it for ego.”   Gianni says that after 45 minutes of rehearsal one day, Brando tells Coppola he has to rethink the part.  Gianni puts his arm around Brando and says dead seriously “You get me fired, I will suck on your heart.  You will bleed out here right now.”  Brando’s reaction?  Gianni says Brando told him “That was brilliant!”    To Gianni’s amusement, he says Brando “thought I was acting.”    I ask Gianni who is the most interesting person he worked with in his film career.    “Brando!  He was so generous.”

Then there’s the famous nightclub Gianni owned in Sin City, and the night where he shot and killed in self-defense, unknowingly, a henchman of notorious Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar and had to survive the hit that was put out on him.   Perhaps the most remarkable revelation among many, was his relationship with Marilyn Monroe.   What became of his dalliance with Hollywood’s most glamorous starlet of the day?  You will have to listen to my podcast to find out in an ending that even Hollywood couldn’t come up with!

You can listen to the Gianni Russo interview on The Motivation Show C-Suite Network Radio https://c-suitenetwork.com/radio/shows/the-motivation-show/ or any podcast listening platform     To contact Eli, email motivatea2z@gmail.com.