Vegas Circle

Hosted by The Vegas Circle

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Episodes

202

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Step into the electrifying world of The Vegas Circle, a dynamic American podcast based in the vibrant city of Las Vegas. Guided by the infectious energy of Co-Founders Paki Phillips, hailing from Chicago, and Chris Smith, a proud Detroit native, this podcast burst onto the scene in July 2018 with a mission—to amplify the voices of those with extraordinary stories shaping the cultural landscape not only in Las Vegas but across the globe. Picture this: A podcast that doesn't just talk, but roars with life. The Vegas Circle Podcast has played host to an impressive lineup of trailblazers, from the charismatic Global Keynote Speaker Nick Santonastasso to the gridiron legend and Hall of Fame hopeful Steven Jackson. The excitement doesn't stop there—Wellness Coach Kelley Fertitta-Nemiro, NBA Players CJ Watson and Marcus Banks, Amazon Web Services Co-Founder Robert Frederick, Nike Master Trainer Traci Copeland, and even "The Last Dance" Producer Matt Maxson have all graced the podcast with their presence. But wait, there's more! Prepare to be spellbound as the podcast delves into the magical world of Magician & Illusionist Jay Owenhouse, explores the seasoned insights of MLB Veteran James Loney, and hears from entrepreneurial maestros like Blake Wynn, Dean Grey, and Del Wayne. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. The Vegas Circle Podcast isn't just a podcast; it's a pulsating force that transcends boundaries. You can catch the excitement on all major platforms, including Apple and Google Podcasts, Anchor, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Dive into the thrill at TheVegasCircle.com or connect with them via email at admin@thevegascircle.com. Feel the pulse of The Vegas Circle across social media: Instagram: @vegascirclepodcast Facebook: @TheVegasCirclePodcast LinkedIn: Vegas Circle Podcast X: @CircleVegas Don't just listen—immerse yourself in the whirlwind of stories that redefine the podcast experience. The Vegas Circle Podcast: where the energy never sleeps.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 17, 202649 min

Your Voice Is Your Greatest Weapon! Trump Impressionist John Di Domenico Explains

Send us Fan Mail Your voice is the one thing you carry into every room, every pitch, every relationship, and most of us barely train it or even hear it clearly. We’re joined by Emmy nominated MC, host, and speaker John Di DeMonico, who shares the story behind one of the most surprising transformations we’ve heard: growing up with a severe speech impediment, spending years in speech therapy, and building a career on stage with voice, timing, and presence. We dig into the practical science of why you sound different in your head than you do on a recording, how “auditory attenuation” shapes self perception, and why that gap quietly impacts confidence, leadership communication, and persuasive speaking. John gives simple routines you can start today, like using voice notes, listening back with intention, and recording longer calls so you can catch your real patterns when you stop performing for the mic. John also breaks down what it takes to command a room fast, what stand-up comedy teaches about attention, and why AI generated voices are making the human voice more valuable, not less. If you care about public speaking, executive presence, sales communication, or building a stronger personal brand, this one will change how you think about the sound of you. Subscribe for more conversations with people building culture and business in Vegas, share this episode with a friend who hates hearing their own voice, and leave a review with your biggest communication challenge.

October 2, 202644 min

From Rock Bottom to a $3 Million Run: Paul Roberson’s Bet on Himself.

Send us Fan Mail A torn Achilles, a brutal run of personal losses, and one decision to stop staying down changed everything for Las Vegas founder Paul Roberson. We talk with Paul about the moment his life “went left,” how he rebuilt his mindset through reading and reflection, and why resilience is not a slogan but a daily operating system for entrepreneurs and creators. Paul also takes us inside the environments that shaped his approach to culture and community, including time living in Tony Hsieh’s Airstream park and the collaborations that followed. We unpack Ponix Farms and the vertical farming mission behind “don’t move the food, move the farm,” plus what it really takes to connect supply chain logistics, fresh produce, and impact in cities dealing with food deserts. On the product side, Paul breaks down Flow Technology in plain language: the world’s first 360 rotational harness, already breaking into major professional sports, with a roadmap toward sensors, analytics, and a true smart belt platform. We also get his sharpest business takes, from the “jockey, horse, track” test for evaluating startups to why AI is overhyped when people use it to look polished instead of becoming real operators. If you care about startup strategy, brand building, wearable tech, and building something meaningful in Las Vegas, this conversation brings the grit and the blueprint. Subscribe, share this with a founder friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

September 19, 202655 min

Inside the Business of Las Vegas Billboards | Danny Calderin

Send us Fan Mail The fastest way to waste money on marketing is to expect every channel to behave like a “buy now” button. We sit down with Danny Calderin, owner of Total Entertainment and Total Marketing, to get real about outdoor advertising in Las Vegas, digital billboard trucks, and what ROI actually looks like when your goal is brand recall instead of instant clicks. His origin story is pure Vegas: one rented billboard truck to promote a music project, a light-bulb moment on the Strip, then two months of obsessive market research that turned into a business with momentum. We dig into how billboards are owned and operated like real estate, why long-term branding beats short-term hype, and how blitz campaigns during CES or big concert weekends can pack a year of awareness into a single week. Danny breaks down the psychology behind “impact over impressions” and why physical-world visibility can position a brand as the real deal in a way social media often can’t. If you’ve wondered why Apple, McDonald’s, and Amazon keep spending on out-of-home advertising, this conversation connects the dots. Then we shift into modern tools and paid media: using AI to create ad creative in minutes (without losing your brand voice), when Meta ads are worth the spend for high-ticket offers, and why TikTok can be unstoppable for lower-priced products. We close with mindset and legacy, including what it means to build a meaningful life as an entrepreneur and a father. Subscribe, share this with a friend building a brand, and leave a review with the biggest marketing takeaway you’re changing this week.

September 5, 202653 min

The Voice Behind WWE and the Vegas Golden Knights | Mark Shunock

Send us Fan Mail A Broadway kid from Ontario cold calls a team that doesn’t exist yet, helps sell Las Vegas on hockey, and ends up with a Stanley Cup ring. Then he gets a text from Triple H and becomes a WWE SmackDown ring announcer. That’s the kind of career path that only makes sense once you hear Mark Shunock, also known as Mark Nash, explain the through-line: preparation, presence, and service. We talk about what it’s really like being an in-arena host for the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena, why Vegas “game presentation” rewired the modern sports experience, and how you bring the same passion night after night when thousands of fans are counting on you. Mark shares a mindset we can’t shake: someone in the crowd is seeing this for the first time, and someone else may be seeing it for the last time. We also go beyond the mic. Mark opens up about the Golden Knights’ role in helping the city heal after October 1, the behind-the-scenes grind of WWE travel, and how he and his wife built Monday’s Dark into a fundraising engine for Las Vegas nonprofits. Finally, we get into The Space Las Vegas and its next chapter: mental health and wellness support for hospitality workers, entertainers, veterans, and first responders, anchored by a simple question, “Who serves those who serve?” If you got value from this conversation, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s building something, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway.

August 22, 202641 min

From Homelessness & Addiction to Hope | Brent Nowak | Shine a Light

Send us Fan Mail A recovery story is easy to applaud from a distance, but it sounds different when you hear the details from someone who lived it. We sit down with Brent Nowak, Director of Community Integration at Shine A Light Foundation, to talk about the real path from addiction and homelessness to stability, leadership, and service in Las Vegas. Brent shares what prison taught him, why he was more afraid of returning to the streets than returning to a cell, and how he finally got “broken enough” to listen, follow direction, and rebuild from the ground up. We also unpack what Shine A Light actually does for people experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder. Brent explains their long-term continuity case management model, how they connect clients to treatment, sober living, primary care, job development, and financial literacy, and why specialised tracks matter, including programs for women, criminal justice involvement, transitional age youth, and LGBTQ-centered support. If you’ve ever wondered why change can feel impossible for someone living unhoused, this conversation gets specific about barriers most people never consider, like replacing vital documents, navigating the DMV without an address, and the way trauma can make “help” feel unsafe. From daily routine and breathwork to the phrase “show me your five best friends and I’ll show you your future,” Brent keeps it practical and honest. We close with men’s mental health, the importance of checking in, and how a small act of kindness can create a ripple effect you’ll never see. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review with one takeaway you’re taking into your week.

August 7, 202648 min

Ishe Smith Tells All: Mayweather, Becoming World Champion & The Business of Boxing

Send us Fan Mail A kid gets bullied at school, learns to protect himself, and ends up becoming the first Las Vegas boxer to win a world championship. That’s the arc Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith brings to Vegas Circle, and he tells it with zero fluff and a lot of hard-earned clarity. We walk through his early years in the Vegas gyms where he’s surrounded by legends, the near-miss at the 1996 Olympic Trials, and the stretch where he steps away to live a little before a robbery at gunpoint resets his priorities. From there, Ishe breaks down what fans rarely see: how easy it can be to become a “pro” in boxing, how promoters and fight-by-fight deals really work, and what those early purses look like when you’re paying trainers, camp costs, and still trying to climb. He also shares how elite sparring and one HBO mention can change a career overnight. Then we get into the business of boxing today: record protection, why UFC matchmaking feels different, and what Netflix boxing and crossover fights mean for visibility and money. Ishe keeps coming back to the biggest issue: fighters have no pension, limited insurance, and they’re handed one check with taxes and long-term planning left to them. His advice is practical and direct: build a strong team, save consistently, invest, and protect your accounts. We close with real talk on marriage, fatherhood, and why you have to appreciate people while they’re still here. If you got value from this conversation, subscribe, share it with a fight fan who needs the truth, and leave us a review so more people in Las Vegas business, culture, and boxing can find the show.

July 28, 202639 min

Meet the Man Selling Las Vegas' Most Luxurious Homes | Kamran Zand's $1B Real Estate Empire

Send us Fan Mail He went from a foreclosed first home to negotiating $20M-plus deals in the Las Vegas luxury real estate market and he didn’t get there by pretending it was easy. We sit down with Kamron, founder and CEO of Luxury Estates International (LEI), to unpack the setbacks that forced him to rebuild twice, the habits that kept him in the game, and the moments that reshaped his entire career trajectory. We get specific about what actually works when the market turns: how he moved from open houses and early struggle into the REO and bank-owned property wave, what it felt like to scale fast, and why losing that business exposed the risks of relying on one income stream. Kamron shares the money lessons most high earners learn too late, including taxes, saving, and why passive income matters if you want to survive real estate cycles without burning out. Then we shift into the world of high-end clients and multimillion-dollar listings. Kamron explains why luxury is not just a price point, it is language and credibility: understanding architects, materials, finishes, and smart home technology so you can speak with confidence in rooms full of accomplished people. We also talk about the Las Vegas luxury boom, feeder markets like California and Seattle, iconic communities like The Ridges and Summit Club, and why he built LEI as an independent boutique brokerage with a long-term vision for a trusted international network. If you care about entrepreneurship, sales, luxury branding, or the Las Vegas housing market, hit play and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a friend chasing a bigger vision, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway.

July 4, 202642 min

From DJ to CEO: How Maria Romano Built a Marketing Empire

Send us Fan Mail Vegas can make you famous overnight or invisible forever, and the difference is rarely “talent” alone. We’re joined by Maria Romano, one of Las Vegas’s top working DJs and the founder of Mr. Marketing Group, to get brutally practical about what it takes to build a name in the most competitive nightlife city in America. She shares how she started DJing at 11, why her early obsession with music and marketing gave her an edge, and what she did when she landed in Vegas and had to earn every room one relationship at a time. We dig into the real craft behind open format DJing, where the crowd isn’t there “for you” and you have to win attention minute by minute. Maria explains how to read the room, take people on an up-and-down journey, and why the ability to create a full vibe matters more than having the newest edits. She also tells wild behind-the-scenes stories, including a post-COVID gear nightmare that had her repeating “Dreams and Nightmares” and the adrenaline of playing high-stakes nights around major artists like Migos, 50 Cent, and Kehlani. On the business side, we unpack social media marketing that feels organic, what her agency actually delivers (rebrands, content strategy, scripts, paid ads, lead generation), and how the algorithm forces you to stay honest. Maria also gets real about mental health in nightlife, drinking culture, discipline, and the pressure to chase validation, plus what it’s like navigating the industry as a woman and how “brand” can shape who gets booked. If you’re trying to grow in Las Vegas nightlife, music, or entrepreneurship, this conversation is a masterclass in networking, credibility, and staying in the game. Subscribe, share with a friend building a brand, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway.

June 19, 202647 min

How a USAF Combat Pilot Built GTG Energy After Flying the F-22 Raptor

Send us Fan Mail Nicotine can feel like a cheat code for focus, but the bill shows up later in stress, cravings, and a rising baseline you can’t outrun. We sit down with Josh Gunderson, a US Air Force combat pilot who has flown F-15s and F-22s, to talk about what “performance” really costs when your go-to tool is a chemical that spikes cortisol. From 12-hour single-seat missions to long hours studying tactics, Josh explains why nicotine became normal in high intensity communities and why becoming a dad forced a hard reset on health, energy, and longevity. That reset turned into GTG Energy, a nicotine-free pouch built to fit the same real-world habit pattern without chasing a buzz. We dig into what the pouches feel like, how nootropics and adaptogens can support mental clarity and stress resilience, and why “smooth awareness” beats caffeine jitters. Josh also walks us through formulation thinking, dosing for everyday use, and the practical steps he took to prioritize safety, including physician reviews and manufacturing in a facility certified for quality standards. We also zoom out into service and leadership: the different ways to serve in the military, what fighter pilot training and evaluation actually looks like, and why veteran mindset translates so well to entrepreneurship. We close with a blunt take on balance, a simple definition of priority, and a challenge to invest in the next generation with stories that empower instead of divide. If you’re trying to quit nicotine, improve focus, or build a healthier performance routine, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review.

June 6, 202636 min

How a Non-Drinker Built an Award-Winning Mezcal Brand in Just 1 Year | Alejandra Flores

Send us Fan Mail A mezcal brand can be more than a label and a flavour profile. We’re joined by Alejandra Flores, president and owner of Mayu Mezcal, and her story hits on culture, craft, and a mission that reaches back to Oaxaca and forward to real community impact. She built Mayu to honour her Indigenous grandmother, a woman who never learned to read or write yet still became a fearless businesswoman and lifelong inspiration. We get practical about what separates authentic mezcal from marketing: why organic mezcal certification matters, what “artisanal mezcal” actually means, and how espadin agave and production choices shape a spirit you sip slowly rather than shoot. Alejandra also breaks down mezcal vs tequila, from the regions and agave varieties to the traditional serving ritual with orange slices and sal de chapulín, the famous grasshopper salt from Oaxacan cuisine. If you’re curious about entrepreneurship in the spirits industry, this conversation goes behind the curtain on licensing, distributors, and the relationship driven grind of getting bottles into bars, restaurants, casinos, and retailers like Total Wine. Alejandra shares what it’s like to be one of the few women mezcaleras, how she keeps momentum through slow growth, and why her long game includes a foundation to support elderly people and stray animals in Oaxaca. Listen, share this with a founder friend, and subscribe plus leave a review so more people can find the show.