Episodes

  • #44 Random Thoughts: "Worst Job" Stories
    Jan 17 2025

    In this episode of the No Fixed Agenda Podcast, the hosts delve into their personal experiences with some of the worst jobs they've ever had. From monotonous tasks like detasseling corn and staring at conveyor belts, to hazardous work environments in a canning factory pit, and even traumatic incidents involving severed fingers and black water floods, they share it all. They reflect on how these early job experiences were character-building and discuss how their current roles in customer service are a far cry from those grueling jobs. Along the way, the laughs, lessons, and a bit of horror make this episode a rollercoaster of emotions.

    00:00 Introduction to No Fixed Agenda Podcast

    00:32 Discussing Job Experiences

    01:37 The Worst Job Ever

    03:26 Factory Work Stories

    06:19 The Pit Experience

    11:12 Reflecting on High School Jobs

    14:44 Comparing Job Experiences

    19:20 Early Hustles and Life Lessons

    23:43 Tackling Towering Weeds

    25:01 Pizza Parlor Adventures

    26:40 Emancipation and Early Jobs

    28:09 Corn Detasseling Woes

    31:23 Grossest Job Experiences

    32:35 Coca Cola Catastrophe

    39:55 Black Water Disaster

    44:21 Reflecting on Shitty Jobs

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    48 mins
  • #43 Fortune Favors the Bold (w/ Gregory Benedikt)
    Jan 11 2025

    In this episode of No Fixed Agenda, hosted by Jeff Stoner, Gregory Benedikt, a life coach, podcaster, and entrepreneur, joins as a guest, sharing his inspiring journey from a corporate finance job to finding his true calling as a coach. He reveals the transformative power of bold action through his 100-day rejection challenge, which ultimately led to personal and professional growth. The discussion touches on facing fears, the grind behind success, and the impactful community-building efforts both men are deeply involved in. The episode is filled with motivational insights, interesting anecdotes, and actionable tips for those looking to follow their dreams courageously.

    00:00 Welcome to No Fixed Agenda

    00:50 Introducing Gregory Benedict

    05:02 The Elevator Pitch

    08:50 Dare to Dream Podcast

    18:25 From Finance to Nonprofit

    24:58 The Coaching Journey

    26:53 Reflecting on a Fitness Journey

    28:03 The Essence of True Coaching

    28:55 Facing Fear and Bold Action

    29:13 The TEDx Talk Experience

    37:07 The 100-Day Rejection Challenge

    52:29 Entrepreneurial Insights and Reflections

    56:32 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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    57 mins
  • #42 The "Resolutions" Episode (w/ Special Guest)
    Jan 3 2025

    n this episode of the No Fixed Agenda podcast, presented by Bubs Naturals, hosts celebrate the New Year and dive into an unexpected yet insightful conversation featuring Omar and his oldest daughter, Valena. They discuss their personal and business plans for 2025, touching on New Year's resolutions, fitness goals, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. Omar shares his aspirations for expanding his gym and achieving a balanced personal life, while Valena talks about pursuing her passion for art and transitioning from the food industry. The episode also humorously explores a viral TikTok moment involving short shorts. This engaging discussion provides an honest look at setting concrete goals and the determination needed to achieve them.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome

    00:26 Unexpected Deep Conversation

    00:44 Special Guest: Valena's Insights

    01:20 Sponsor Message: Bubs Naturals

    01:55 Viral TikTok Story

    03:38 Random Thoughts and New Year's Resolutions

    06:04 Fitness Philosophy and Gym Culture

    14:35 Entrepreneurial Goals and Personal Resolutions

    20:04 Valena's Career and Artistic Aspirations

    24:07 The Tattoo Kit Surprise

    24:26 Tattooing Aspirations and Challenges

    26:31 Reflecting on Family and Fitness

    30:24 Entrepreneurial Insights and Challenges

    36:02 New Year's Resolutions and Personal Goals

    51:47 Concluding Thoughts and Farewells

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    53 mins
  • #41 "The Heart of the Matter" and a Lesson in Anti-Networking (June An)
    Dec 27 2024

    In this episode of the No Fixed Agenda podcast, hosts Omar Hernandez and Jeff Stoner engage in a captivating conversation with June An, a successful serial entrepreneur with a truly unique background. June shares his dynamic journey, from being raised by a Hispanic family in Texas after being left by his Korean father, to learning the value of hard work through managing multiple family businesses from a young age. They discuss the formation of 'The Group SD', a thriving anti-networking organization focused on fostering genuine connections and supporting small business growth. The dialogue delves into the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship, emphasizing vulnerability, community support, and the rewarding process of building something meaningful. With honest reflections and practical insights, this episode is an inspiring resource for aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs alike. Additionally, June reveals his aspirations for expanding The Group SD nationally and details a newly initiated men's group aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by male entrepreneurs.

    00:00 Introduction to No Fixed Agenda Podcast

    00:22 Meet the Hosts: Omar Hernandez and Jeff Stoner

    00:36 Guest Introduction: June On's Entrepreneurial Journey

    01:19 June On's Unique Upbringing and Cultural Background

    02:01 The Impact of Family and Early Work Experiences

    02:23 Entrepreneurial Insights and Community Building

    05:09 The Anti-Networking Networking Group

    08:02 June On's Early Business Ventures

    20:33 Transition to San Diego and Business Expansion

    30:23 The Growth of the Networking Group

    31:15 Emotional Aspects of Entrepreneurship

    33:26 Balancing Ego and Vulnerability

    34:41 The Power of Community Support

    38:04 Challenges of Being a Male Entrepreneur

    40:21 The Importance of Vulnerability in Men's Groups

    51:24 Expanding the Networking Group

    55:36 Reflections on Entrepreneurship

    01:04:44 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • #40 The Wives Take the Mic (Special Episode)
    Dec 20 2024

    The episode features an enlightening and humorous discussion with the wives of the hosts about the challenges and dynamics of being married to entrepreneurs. The wives share their unique experiences, from dealing with the stress of entrepreneurship to the humorous quirks of their husbands. The episode also delves into deeper topics like balancing personal and professional lives, the impact of entrepreneurship on relationships, and the couples' love stories. Full of laughs, critiques, and heartfelt moments, this episode offers invaluable insights for anyone married to or considering an entrepreneurial path.

    00:00 Introduction to No Fixed Agenda

    00:22 Special Episode Announcement

    00:26 Conversation Highlights and Regrets

    01:40 Entrepreneurial Wives' Perspectives

    02:02 Dynamic of Entrepreneurial Marriages

    05:29 Humorous Behind-the-Scenes Moments

    10:40 Tinder Profile Hooks

    12:13 Pet Peeves and Quirks

    23:59 Meeting Stories

    31:34 Reconnecting After a Year

    32:24 The Halloween Encounter

    33:52 The Decision-Making Dilemma

    39:23 Navigating Small Business Challenges

    56:47 Health Scares and Business Struggles

    01:03:20 Eggs and Endings

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • #39 Not Everyone Gets a 2nd Chance at Life (Jonathan Hika)
    Dec 13 2024

    In this gripping episode of the 'No Fixed Agenda' podcast, hosts dive into the harrowing journey of Jonathan Hika, an entrepreneur, who faced a near-death experience when he suffered cardiac arrest at the finish line of a Disney race. Jonathan details his unexpected diagnosis of a rare heart condition, the rigorous recovery process, and the life-changing perspective that followed. He also touches on the profound impact of his daughter's birth in guiding his journey towards self-improvement. This inspiring conversation emphasizes resilience, the importance of living in the moment, and the continuous pursuit of personal growth.

    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

    00:18 Entrepreneurial Challenges and Sickness

    00:45 Random Thoughts and Surface-Level Conversations

    01:05 Dealing with Sickness as an Entrepreneur

    03:31 Introduction to Today's Guest: Jonathan Hika

    03:38 Jonathan Hika's Near-Death Experience

    04:21 Full Circle: Life After the Near-Death Experience

    06:39 Sponsorship and Light Banter

    08:35 Jonathan Hika's Background and Journey

    20:22 Struggles with ADHD and Addiction

    34:24 The Disney Race Experience

    39:40 Signing Up for the First 10K

    40:02 Training for the Marathon

    40:38 The Joy of Running

    41:28 Discovering Disney and More Races

    42:54 The Heart Attack Incident

    44:42 Recovery and Realizations

    50:57 The Diagnosis and Surgery

    01:00:45 Returning to the Race

    01:03:29 Reflections and Life Lessons

    01:07:45 The Impact of Family and Community

    01:16:27 Conclusion and Gratitude

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • #38 Random Thoughts: French Fries and Life Coaching
    Dec 6 2024

    In this episode of the No Fixed Agenda podcast, Jeff and Omar dive into the topic of retirement and random thoughts. After a humorous discussion on business clichés, Jeff shares his recent decision to sell a part of his business in Colorado, and the questions it sparked about his potential retirement and future business plans. The conversation evolves into an exploration of their retirement dreams—Jeff's fantasy involves running a food truck or a French fry speakeasy, writing children's books, and podcasting, while Omar envisions serving the community through coaching and writing a book. The duo also touch upon how they would handle an unexpected windfall like winning the lottery, emphasizing their desire to maintain a sense of normalcy and privacy. Wrapping up, they reflect on the importance of knowing one's passion and purpose as they navigate their paths towards the future.

    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

    00:33 Debunking Business Myths

    01:55 Random Thoughts and Conversations

    02:12 Selling the Business and Future Plans

    05:12 Retirement and Future Aspirations

    07:46 The Reality of Retirement in California

    08:42 Dreaming Big: Future Business Ideas

    13:07 The Lottery Fantasy

    14:14 Discussing Stress Levels and Lifestyle Changes

    14:29 Keeping Wealth a Secret

    15:37 Business Goals and Delegation

    17:28 The Future of Fitness and Coaching

    18:01 Exploring Podcasting and Writing

    19:02 Hypothetical Scenarios and Life Coaching

    24:53 Writing Books and Creative Aspirations

    27:25 Summarizing Retirement Plans

    29:34 Final Thoughts and Podcast Sign-Off

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    31 mins
  • #37 No Such Thing as Bad PR... Well Maybe (Sara Wacker)
    Nov 29 2024

    In this episode of the No Fixed Agenda Podcast, hosts Jeff and Omar have a chat with Sara Wacker from Bloom PR about the intricacies of public relations. They discuss the importance of not just relying on events but highlighting unique aspects that make stories more engaging. Sara shares her journey from sports reporting to running her own PR agency, along with the challenges and strategies she uses to succeed. The conversation also delves into issues like handling bad PR, social media content, and starting a PR business. The episode provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in understanding the world of PR.

    00:00 Introduction to No Fixed Agenda Podcast

    00:18 Nostalgic 80s Music Debate

    01:47 Guest Introduction: Sarah Wacker from Bloom PR

    02:26 Insights into Public Relations

    06:13 Personal Stories and Professional Journey

    11:56 Starting a PR Business

    16:42 Challenges and Growth in PR

    19:17 Client Relations and Media Strategy

    22:19 Client Vetting Challenges

    24:12 Social Media Identity Crisis

    25:19 Family-Friendly PR Strategies

    26:57 Event Promotion Insights

    32:18 Measuring PR Success

    38:36 Handling Bad Publicity

    46:23 Starting a PR Firm

    48:39 Conclusion and Farewell

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    50 mins