Driven: Unscripted Success

What happens when a Boston native trades the city bar scene for a Fijian-rooted plant and an entrepreneurial mission in Florida? In this episode, Michael Hamwey shares his transformation from skeptic to pioneer in the world of kava and kratom, two herbal alternatives gaining traction in modern wellness.
Michael walks us through his journey from visiting a kava bar on a whim to co-founding Kava Luv, a fast-growing social lounge concept built around herbal relaxation and human connection. He breaks down what kava and kratom really are, how they work, and why they’re sparking a wellness movement in Southwest Florida—and beyond.
We dive into:
The community-first culture of kava bars
The misunderstood reputation of kratom
Building a business from scratch (and turning it around!)
Scaling to multiple locations and launching a national franchise
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and wellness seekers alike
 
---------------------------------------------------------- Be a Guest: Are you a successful Naples-area business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at Driven: Unscripted Success and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Bill Ryan brings a lifetime of entrepreneurial spirit to the mic. With roots in a family-owned home building company, Bill scaled a major real estate business before pivoting into tech, authorship, and launching multiple brands. From founding Epicure Group to his high-performance home brand, Bill dives into how construction, innovation, and values can co-exist—and elevate—modern living.
We explore:
His roots in real estate and family legacy
Why residential construction is lagging—and how he's changing that
The birth of the “high performance home” concept
AI's role in real estate and creative work
How collaboration drives his leadership style
Why he's investing in his own brands for future impact
 
---------------------------------------------------------- Be a Guest: Are you a successful Naples-area business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at Driven: Unscripted Success and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this captivating episode, Mike and Nareman sit down with Karna Bodman—a woman whose remarkable journey spans journalism, the Reagan White House, and the world of political thrillers. Karna shares the untold stories of her time as Deputy Press Secretary under President Ronald Reagan, including the day of the attempted assassination and her behind-the-scenes experiences in the White House Situation Room.
Karna reveals how her career inspired a successful second act as a bestselling author, writing political thrillers drawn from her real-life experiences with global security threats and defense strategies. She also discusses her creative process, the importance of preparation, and how a sense of duty led her through some of the highest-pressure roles in American politics.
Listeners will gain a rare, inside look at leadership, history, risk-taking, and the power of storytelling—from someone who lived it at the highest levels of government.
 
---------------------------------------------------------- Be a Guest: Are you a successful Naples-area business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at Driven: Unscripted Success and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this insightful and unscripted conversation, Jim Cloonan of Lond Capital shares his journey from blue-collar trades to managing multi-million dollar ventures and high-stakes investments. Jim unpacks how he transitioned from HVAC and plumbing to overseeing a diverse portfolio that includes commercial real estate, hotels, and a clinical lab operating in over 15 states.
Jim speaks candidly about what it takes to lead, restructure failing businesses, and build teams smarter than yourself. He also opens up about mentorship, learning from mistakes, and the importance of personal growth. And in one unforgettable story, Jim reveals a near-death diving experience that profoundly changed his outlook on life and success.
What You'll Learn:
The power of mentorship and learning to “shut up and listen”
Why adversity sharpens your business edge
Jim’s take on building passive income through operating businesses
The role of faith, family, and emotional intelligence in business
A pivotal story that changed Jim’s life and leadership style
 
---------------------------------------------------------- Be a Guest: Are you a successful Naples-area business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at Driven: Unscripted Success and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

Emily Landis Walker brings a remarkable story of grit, global finance, and dedication to public service to this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success with hosts Mike Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan. From humble beginnings stuffing envelopes at the Republican National Committee to leading roles at the U.S. Treasury, the International Monetary Fund, Citigroup, and even the 9/11 Commission, Emily’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
She opens up about being in New York on 9/11, the creation of critical U.S. national security standards, her work across Europe, Iraq, and Southeast Asia, and her latest consulting ventures in blockchain and business continuity. Emily’s unique career path is an inspiring testament to following opportunity, staying adaptable, and always being ready to lead in crisis.
Key Takeaways:
Emily’s transition from political roles to international finance leadership
Her real-time experience during 9/11 and contribution to national emergency preparedness
Building Citigroup's partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme
Working globally to improve disaster response and capital readiness in the tech space
Mentorship, resilience, and staying intellectually active even close to retirement
 
---------------------------------------------------------- Be a Guest: Are you a successful Naples-area business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at Driven: Unscripted Success and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

Bethany pulls back the curtain on her journey from law offices to luxury retreats. She talks about her bold leap into real estate investing, her experience launching a boutique hotel, and the lessons learned from a failed fund venture. Bethany doesn’t hold back—she shares the wins, the losses, and the mindset that carried her through both.
Listeners will walk away with:
The value of letting go and leveraging others' strengths
How failure shaped her approach to success
Insights into syndication and fund development
Her philosophy on leadership, team-building, and “everything is figureoutable”
---------------------------------------------------------- Be a Guest: Are you a successful Naples-area business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at Driven: Unscripted Success and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, hosts Mike Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan sit down with the dynamic Dr. Megan Johnson McCullough—bodybuilder, author, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate. Broadcasting from Oceanside, California, Megan shares how she juggles running two thriving businesses: a fitness studio called Everybody’s Fit and an outpatient addiction treatment center, Mindful Bodies Recovery.
Her journey from basketball courts to bodybuilding stages and from personal fitness to mental health services is nothing short of inspiring. Megan opens up about the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship, the rewards of working with clients battling physical and emotional struggles, and her pursuit of purpose in every aspect of life.
Listeners will gain actionable fitness and wellness advice, learn about the value of structure and accountability, and get a candid look into the reality of starting and sustaining a business that changes lives.
 
---------------------------------------------------------- Be a Guest: Are you a successful Naples-area business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at Driven: Unscripted Success and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this heartfelt and powerful episode, Dr. Tiffany Bannworth shares her incredible journey from globetrotting archaeologist to educational trailblazer. After personal tragedy struck, Tiffany found herself called into a new purpose—creating a haven for students who don't fit the mold. Her school, Bworth Academy of Classical Education, is built on faith, flexibility, and a fierce commitment to helping kids rise above their circumstances.
We dive deep into how she built her school from the ground up, why she rejected government money to maintain educational freedom, and how she integrates passion, adaptability, and divine guidance into everything she does. Tiffany also opens up about loss, single parenthood, launching a school just before COVID, and her plans to expand into higher education.
Key Takeaways:
How tragedy became the foundation for a new purpose
Why flexibility in education matters more than ever
Building passive income through tutoring and asynchronous classes
The challenges and rewards of not accepting government funding
The spiritual side of entrepreneurship and education
 
---------------------------------------------------------- Be a Guest: Are you a successful Naples-area business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at Driven: Unscripted Success and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What does it take to stay ahead in the tech world for over 40 years? In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, Brenda Christensen, a pioneer in tech PR and cybersecurity, shares her incredible journey from Detroit newspaper reporter to co-founder of Goldmine Software and beyond.
Brenda opens up about launching one of the first CRM platforms, working alongside titans like Bill Gates and Mark Cuban, and why intuition—not just intelligence—is the true X factor behind success. She also shares behind-the-scenes moments from the industry, her cameo in Freaks and Geeks, and how she’s leading the next wave of AI-driven transformation with Stellar Public Relations.
We also explore the challenges she faced as a woman in tech, her early work in robotics, and her thoughts on how AI will shape the future of human work and creativity.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How Brenda turned a journalism degree into a powerhouse PR and tech career
The secret ingredient that top leaders use: intuition
The story behind her $100M company exit
Her thoughts on the future of AI, automation, and jobs
Why finding—and owning—your gift changes everything
---------------------------------------------------------- Be a Guest: Are you a successful Naples-area business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at Driven: Unscripted Success and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, hosts Mike Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan dive into the inspiring journey of Tom Waring Jr., co-founder of Note Advisors. From waiting tables in New York to helping business owners exit with dignity and clarity, Tom shares the pivotal moments that shaped his path to financial leadership.
Why should you listen?If you’ve ever wrestled with defining success, building a long-term vision, or scaling your business while preserving company culture, this one’s for you. Tom brings humor, humility, and hard-earned insights on leadership, legacy, and what it really means to build something that outlasts you.
What you'll learn in this episode:
How Tom transitioned from a hopeful police officer to a thriving financial advisor.
The personal and professional philosophies behind Note Advisors’ culture.
Why vision is more important than ego in succession planning.
Tips for shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance and trust.
How Tom’s approach to leadership empowers both employees and clients.
---------------------------------------------------------- Be a Guest: Are you a successful Naples-area business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at Driven: Unscripted Success and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.