The Most Fascinating Podcast in the World

Hosted by Pat DiCerbo

Business Entrepreneurship

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Everybody's got a story. Everybody who's ever done anything worth doing has dreamed big, failed mightily, and mostly started from humble beginnings. Everyone loves a Horatio Alger story. This is a podcast about such people. Overcoming adversity is interesting. The Most Fascinating Podcast in the World is fascinating because of the stories of the human beings.

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60 recent

September 8, 20261 hr 10 min

Dr. Harris Stratyner: On Building a Life Around Caring for Others

In this episode, Pat sits down with Dr. Harris Stratyner, a clinical psychologist who grew up in Yonkers, New York, surrounded by an extraordinary cast of characters; his godfather was jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, his godmother was Monica Getz (wife of saxophonist Stan Getz), and childhood dinners at his family's table included guests like Stokely Carmichael. Harris shares stories of meeting Malcolm X at a party at James Baldwin's house, riding to the Newport Jazz Festival with Miles Davis asleep beside him, and visiting the White House multiple times over the decades...all set against a life that eventually led him into psychology.Harris traces his unconventional path: getting thrown out of his first college, working as a janitor at a counseling center despite already holding a master's degree, and eventually building a career as an addiction psychologist known for coining the term "care frontation", a compassionate alternative to confrontational interventions that was even referenced in an episode of The Sopranos. He and Pat dig into what actually drives happiness and healing, the danger of judging people by their politics or public image, and why listening, not diagnosing or lecturing, is the most powerful tool either of them has in their respective careers. The conversation closes on bigger themes: the corrosive effects of social media and misinformation, the importance of raising kids with a strong work ethic, and Harris's belief, echoed throughout the episode, that caring for other people, without judgment, is the closest thing to a secret of a good life.

September 3, 20261 hr 18 min

Scott Ashline: On Vulnerability as the Foundation of Success

In this episode, Pat sits down with Scott Ashline, a longtime friend and colleague. Scott grew up outside Boulder, Colorado, the son of avid mountaineers, and traces his path from a public high school and competitive soccer, to Boston College (chosen partly because his dad banned him from schools on the West Coast), to an unlikely detour: turning down a Wall Street job offer to spend a year and a half teaching finance in Belize as a Jesuit volunteer. That leap of faith, and a Jesuit theology professor who became a lifelong mentor and eventually married him and his wife, set the tone for a career built on values over outcomes.Scott shares how he stumbled into financial services almost by accident, choosing a smaller, more values-aligned firm over a flashier one, and how 34 years later he's built a team of 15 while raising two daughters now thriving in New York City's fashion and media industries. The conversation turns into a wide-ranging discussion about what actually drives long-term success: detaching from outcomes, leading with service rather than self-interest, and the vulnerability required to build real trust with clients. Pat and Scott trade notes on mentors, books, and philosophies that shaped how they think... from Stephen Covey to Herb Cohen to Steven Pressfield...and reflect on comparison, contentment, and what it really means to retire from work you love.

September 3, 20261 hr 1 min

Nathaniel Philbrick: On Ambition, Humility, and the American Dream

In this episode, Pat sits down with Nathaniel Philbrick, an eight-time New York Times bestselling author known for narrative histories like In the 'Heart of the Sea', 'Mayflower', and 'The Last Stand'. The conversation traces Nat's path from a competitive sailing career at Brown University, through a year in an English PhD program at Duke that convinced him academia wasn't his calling, to four formative years at a sailing magazine where he learned the discipline of professional writing.The conversation dives into Nat's approach to craft: writing isn't inspiration, it's a job, done at a desk seven days a week regardless of mood. He talks about the origin of 'In the Heart of the Sea', built around a long-lost journal from the Essex's teenage cabin boy that surfaced decades after the initial published account, and unpacks his forthcoming book, 'The Rush: California Gold, the Civil War, and the Making of the Modern World', which traces a direct line from the 1848 Gold Rush through the Compromise of 1850 to the outbreak of the Civil War, and argues that the ethic of chasing instant wealth born in the gold fields still drives America today.The back half of the conversation turns reflective as they discuss the value of genuine curiosity and listening over self-promotion, the cyclical, imperfect nature of democracy, and the importance of perspective...finding beauty in ordinary days rather than chasing constant highs. Nat also opens up about choosing to be a stay-at-home father early in his career while his wife worked as an attorney, a decision he now counts among his proudest.

September 3, 20261 hr 12 min

Jerry Snover: Why Fear Keeps Us From Our Best Work

In this episode, Pat sits down with Jerry Snover, a friend since freshman year at Union College in 1985, for a wide-ranging conversation about fear, creativity, and reinvention. Jerry grew up on Long Island in Bayshore, was a shy, quiet kid who came out of his shell as a runner and later as a musician, and eventually built a career in wealth management and real estate while quietly nurturing a parallel life as a guitarist and bandleader. After a stint living and playing music in Japan in his twenties, Jerry set the guitar down for over two decades to focus on career and family...only to pick it back up four years ago and rediscover it with more joy than ever, now performing with his band, Birdsey Beers.The conversation digs into what actually holds people back from pursuing what they love: fear of failure, the need for social approval, and what Pat and Jerry both trace back to a kind of evolutionary fear of rejection and "tribal" ostracism. They talk about confidence versus timidity in performance, the value of a philosophy degree in learning to think and argue carefully, growing up religious and later examining belief systems with real curiosity, and the deep, easy trust that exists between old college friends decades later.

August 5, 20261 hr 6 min

Alan Richer: From Tax Lawyer to Potato Chip Historian

Pat DiCerbo sits down with Alan Richer, famously known as the 'Potato Chip Historian,' for a captivating journey through his diverse life experiences. Alan vividly recalls his upbringing in Central New Jersey, shaped by his Aunt Laura's unconditional love and his parents' deep commitment to community service. He shares remarkable stories from his time at Syracuse University, including an exclusive 45-minute interview with Muhammad Ali and encounters with other notable figures like Tony Bennett and Mel Tormé, before detailing his career as a senior tax lawyer for General Electric. The conversation then shifts to Alan's unexpected and passionate dive into the history of the potato chip. He recounts how a serendipitous discovery in Saratoga Springs led him to amass an extensive collection, become a featured expert on the History Channel's "The Food That Built America," and uncover fascinating connections between potato chips and historical figures like Al Capone and the Wright Brothers. He also touches on his personal mission to identify fallen soldiers from World War II.Throughout the interview, Alan emphasizes the enduring impact of small acts of kindness and the richness of human connection. From challenging tax law to creative storytelling, his life is a testament to embracing unexpected paths and finding humor and purpose in every endeavor.

August 4, 20261 hr 1 min

Jessica McCarthy: From Aspiring Neurosurgeon to Marketing Entrepreneur

Pat DiCerbo sits down with entrepreneur Jessica McCarthy, who shares her unique journey from growing up on the Rhode Island coast to founding her own marketing firm, Brand Energy. Jessica recounts her early life, including her family dynamics, her academic pursuit of neuroscience, and the profound impact of her husband's military career, which led to frequent moves and exposure to diverse cultures across the U.S. She details her transition from a demanding corporate role at Mars Incorporated, where she traveled extensively, to building a company where employees can thrive.The conversation delves into Jessica's philosophy on what makes a successful company and a fulfilling life, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual needs and fostering a positive work environment. She discusses her perspective on work-life integration, pushing back against the "workaholic" label, and the role of authenticity and trust in building strong business relationships. Jessica also touches on her passion for supporting startups, particularly in women's health and biotech, and her vision for Brand Energy's continued growth, driven by transparent communication and client satisfaction. Their discussion culminates in a reflection on personal legacy and the universal desire to lead a meaningful life.

August 3, 20261 hr 6 min

John Stiegelmeier: From a South Dakota Wheat Farm to a National Championship

In this episode, Pat sits down with John Stiegelmeier, who spent 25 years as head football coach of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, capping off a legendary career with a national championship before retiring. John grew up on a wheat farm in South Dakota, where his father instilled a work ethic and set of values that would end up shaping his entire coaching philosophy decades later.The conversation covers John's unlikely path from farm kid to math major to college coach, the mentors along the way who bluntly reshaped how he thought about the game, and the guiding principles he built his program around over nearly four decades in coaching. Pat and John also dig into bigger questions about ambition, loyalty, and what it really means to give your best, why John turned down more lucrative coaching opportunities to protect his faith and family, why he doesn't believe in "110 percent," and why the moments that meant the most to him as a coach had nothing to do with trophies. It's a wide-ranging, reflective conversation about priorities, mentorship, and what actually makes a life well lived.

July 15, 202653 min

Whitney Pierpont: Training Horses for the Olympics

In this episode, Pat sits down with Whitney Pierpont, a chance airport acquaintance turned fascinating conversation, who trains horses and riders at her farm in Aiken, South Carolina. Whitney is an eventing and dressage specialist with a quiet reputation as something of a horse whisperer, able to take anxious, unruly, or rehabbing horses and transform them into calm, confident partners. On a typical day she rides five to six horses, and during competition season that number climbs to eight...everything from a neurological rehab case to an Argentine import being groomed for a shot at the Canadian Olympic team.The conversation traces Whitney's path from a childhood riding lesson in Bernardsville, New Jersey (a Wednesday highlight she and her best friend could barely wait for) through a college riding team at St. Lawrence University, a detour through New York City publishing and graphic design copywriting, and finally landing, almost by manifestation, as she describes it, on a 65-acre farm in Aiken that she now co-owns and runs. Along the way, she and Pat explore what actually makes a horse trust a person, the deep bond between women and horses, the blurred and rewarding line between clients and friendship, and lessons learned the hard way (like never changing your socks mid-marathon).The episode turns toward mindset and resilience, visualization and manifesting the life you want, choosing to "celebrate what's right with the world" even when things go wrong, and pushing through adversity in competition, whether that's a triathlon in the rain or a marathon run on bloody blisters.

July 14, 20261 hr 4 min

Alan Tinsmon: What Wealthy Families Get Wrong About Happiness

In this episode, Pat sits down with a longtime friend, Alan Tinsmon - someone he's known since they were twelve-year-old wrestlers riding a bus together to summer camp at St. Lawrence University. Alan grew up in the Albany area after an early childhood in Rochester, New York, and shares how a middle school gym teacher first pointed him toward wrestling - a sport neither Pat nor Alan competes in anymore, but one they both still follow obsessively (the NCAA wrestling tournament remains, hands down, their Super Bowl).The conversation traces Alan's career from SUNY Oswego to Barnett Bank in Florida, then into the chaos of the savings and loan crisis working bank closures for the FDIC in his early twenties - including getting called "an arrogant young punk wielding imaginary powers" in a letter to a U.S. congressman. From there, Alan spent a decade at Serta Mattress Company moving across the country through a wave of acquisitions, before landing in a family office role he's now held for over 30 years, coordinating investment, estate, and philanthropic strategy for a family spanning five generations.The back half of the conversation turns reflective, with Pat and Alan digging into what actually makes wealthy families happy and functional (hint: it starts with health, not money), the challenge, and quiet burden, facing next-generation heirs of family businesses, the discipline required to avoid emotional investing, and the value of long-term, trust-based relationships built over decades rather than transactions.

July 13, 20261 hr 6 min

Bob Latham: Why Fear Is the Secret to Great Leadership

In this episode, Pat sits down with Bob Latham, longtime executive of a Pennsylvania trade association representing highway and road contractors, with a career spanning nearly five decades in construction industry advocacy at the state, regional, and national levels. Bob shares stories from his childhood split between Camp Hill, Pennsylvania and summers at the Jersey Shore in Ocean City, including a vivid firsthand account of surviving Hurricane Agnes in 1972, one of the most devastating storms in central Pennsylvania history. The conversation traces Bob's unconventional path into lobbying - a political science degree, a campaign internship, and a chance decision to join a contractor association straight out of college rather than go work for the Department of Transportation. From there, Bob walks through his career arc: rising through the Pennsylvania association, a stint leading contractor affairs nationally in Washington D.C., thirteen years running the Maryland chapter during the construction of Camden Yards, and returning home to Pennsylvania where he's spent the last chapter of his career. He and Pat also dig into the unique, symbiotic relationship between contractor associations and state DOTs, the role lobbying actually plays in a functioning democracy, and Bob's plans for his final year on the job: launching a leadership institute to develop the next generation of industry leaders. The back half of the conversation turns personal and philosophical, with Pat and Bob discussing fear, failure, and vulnerability in an industry built on high-stakes bidding, and why admitting fear, rather than projecting fearlessness, might be the most important trait a leader can have.