Vegas Circle

Hosted by The Vegas Circle

Business ManagementInterviews guestsExplicit

Website RSS feed

Episodes

197

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

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

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.

May 22, 20261 hr 2 min

From Writing Hits Overseas to Building His Own Label: Arenbe Williams’ Story

Send us Fan Mail A lot of artists want longevity, but few want the work that comes with it. We sit down with Arenbe Williams, a singer, songwriter, producer, and independent label founder, to get brutally practical about how you stay relevant for 20-plus years in a music industry that now changes month to month. Arenbe talks about coming from the album era, respecting the single era, and why evolving does not mean chasing every trend. If you care about real artistry, R&B culture, and building a career that lasts, this conversation hits home. We dig into the behind-the-scenes side of being independent: creative partnerships that keep you sharp, making music that can travel globally, and what it means to win without needing the usual trophies. Arenbe shares how songwriting for a major artist in Australia led to chart success, plus the mindset shift that “music is its own reward.” Then we go deeper into his Shreveport roots, regional culture, and how influence spreads in unexpected ways. The biggest reality check is for artists and entrepreneurs who rely too heavily on the internet. Arenbe explains why algorithm-chasing can leave you with numbers but no motion, and why real-world human connection is still the ultimate growth engine. That same approach powers his Las Vegas story: relationships as currency, moving a room through genuine community, and building Lifestyle Sundays into an all-R&B nostalgia experience people still talk about. We close with his simple rule for branding and business, don’t ever tone it down, plus what’s next for his upcoming album All My Heartbreaks. If you enjoy conversations about independent music, artist branding, Las Vegas nightlife, and building community, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

May 8, 202652 min

Miesha Tate Gets Brutally Honest About UFC, Motherhood & Hormones

Send us Fan Mail Your training plan might be solid, your work ethic might be elite, and you still might be playing the wrong game for your body. Former UFC champion, entrepreneur, and mom Miesha Tate joins us on Vegas Circle Podcast and takes us from cage-level mindset to day-to-day life, starting with parenting in the real world: sports drop-offs, busy schedules, and the belief that our job is to challenge our kids and guide them through pressure, not remove it. From there, we get into what combat sports actually teach: problem-solving under stress, self-defence confidence, and the kind of calm posture and situational awareness that makes you a harder target in any environment. Miesha breaks down how she prepares mentally before a fight using visualisation, naming intrusive thoughts, and reframing fear toward what she can control. That same mental toughness shows up again when she talks about transitions, entrepreneurship, and why “safe is not where you grow.” Then the conversation goes deep on women’s health, female athlete training, and hormone cycles. We talk progesterone, the luteal phase, why weight cutting can hit women differently, and how training like a “male model” can lead to burnout, injury, and even amenorrhea. Miesha also shares how better communication at home changes everything and closes with hard-earned honesty about strength, vulnerability, and leaving toxic relationships when endurance turns into self-erasure. If you care about mindset, resilience, women’s hormone health, self-defence, and building a personal brand with integrity, you will get a lot from this one. Subscribe, share this with someone who trains hard, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you are applying this week.

April 24, 202644 min

From Local Kid to Congress—Now He Represents HALF of NV | Inside the Mind of Rep. Steven Horsford

Send us Fan Mail Rent up, groceries up, wages stretched thin and somehow the “American Dream” keeps moving farther away. We sat down with Congressman Steven Horsford to talk about what that pressure looks like on the ground in Las Vegas and across Nevada’s 4th District, and what government can actually do when working families feel boxed in. He shares his own path from being raised here by an immigrant mother to leading major job training programs, then taking that fight for opportunity to Congress. We get specific about housing affordability in Southern Nevada: how institutional investors and corporate hedge funds can buy homes with cash, outbid first-time buyers and veterans, convert neighborhoods into high-rent portfolios, and leave communities paying the price. Horsford breaks down his role as a representative, including constituent services many people never realize exist, like helping with VA problems, cutting through federal bureaucracy, and pointing small business owners toward SBA resources and capital. The conversation also goes bigger than policy. We talk about the sacrifice and scrutiny of public office, why he calls this a moral moment, what accountability should look like even for the powerful, and how the legacy of leaders like Jesse Jackson connects voting rights to economic justice today. If you care about Las Vegas, Nevada politics, small business, or the housing market, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with the one issue you want leaders to fix first.

April 10, 202630 min

Ed Pizzarello: The Man Behind the Most Unique Five Guys Ever Built

Send us Fan Mail Vegas can make a normal business model look impossible, and that’s why we wanted this conversation. We’re joined by Ed “Pizza” Pizzarello, a longtime Five Guys franchise owner and operator who went from four-diamond hospitality and consulting to helping open the third Five Guys franchise store back in 2002. He tells us what it felt like to bet on a small “cult burger” brand before it had the systems and scale it’s known for today, and what changes when a franchise grows into a global name. Then we go full Las Vegas. Ed breaks down the thinking behind a true flagship Five Guys on the Strip near the Venetian, including what it takes to build a 10,000-square-foot destination with a bar, late-night energy, and menu ideas you won’t find back home. We talk boozy milkshakes, how alcohol changes shake texture, and why seasonal R&D matters when your brand promise is “fresh.” If you’re curious about restaurant tech, you’ll love the details on ordering kiosks loaded with 35 languages for international guests, plus the “Brand Ambassador” role that keeps service human and helps customers order the right amount. We also get real about restaurant ownership: construction costs in Las Vegas, why an $8 million build can happen fast, and how a rare 50-50 joint venture with the Five Guys founding family changes the usual franchise fee structure. Along the way, Ed shares leadership lessons on culture, loyalty, and staying steady through lumpy demand tied to travel and big events. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves business stories, and leave a review with your biggest question about franchising or building a brand in Las Vegas.