Elite Spotlight | Podcast on RSS.com

Elite Spotlight

Elite Spotlight

Video Podcast

by Michael Masci

Performing Arts Entrepreneurship

Season 1

Unlocking the Top 5 Strategies to engage your audience | Peter George | Elite Spotlight

What makes a speech memorable? In this episode of Elite Spotlight, Michael talks with public speaking coach Peter George about connecting with an audience from the very first words. Peter shares his AMPT framework—Audience, Message, Presentation, and Delivery—and explains why understanding your listeners comes first. He explores the difference between informing people and inspiring lasting change, offers stronger ways to open a talk, and challenges the idea that you must feel confident before you begin. Whether you’re preparing for a presentation or simply want to speak more effectively, this conversation offers practical ways to prepare, practice, and make your message matter. To order Peter's book or to learn more about his coaching classes, visit: https://petergeorgepublicspeaking.com/

The first battle between Good vs Evil | Rick Norris

He was a CPA. His father was a rockabilly singer for Capitol Records, and music ran through Rick Norris's life from the very beginning. Now Rick writes books where characters sing to you. Literally. Scan a QR code mid-chapter and hear the song. But that's not even the wildest part. Rick's faith journey started at a stream during a retreat. A moment so intense it turned him into an online missionary who's quietly reached thousands of people over 15 years. And his next book? "Angelic Wars, First Rebellion", told through original music, and scripture woven straight into the story. This episode is about reinvention, faith, and what happens when a numbers guy decides the world needs more songs. 👉 Explore Rick's books at https://ricknorrisbooks.com/ 👉 ANGELIC WARS: FIRST REBELLION: https://ricknorrisbooks.com/index.php/library/angelic-wars-first-rebellion/ 👉 ANGELIC WARS: END OF THE BEGINNING: https://ricknorrisbooks.com/index.php/library/angelic-wars-end-of-the-beginnnig/

Writing with Purpose: Family, Faith, and the Power of Reflection | Nancy Jasin Ensley

Elite Spotlight • Nancy Jason Ensley What can a lifetime spent caring for others teach us about life, death, and everything in between? On this episode of Elite Spotlight, Michael Masci and Blanca Degarr Masci sit down with Nancy Jason Ensley, an 85-year-old nurse, author, and lifelong storyteller whose remarkable journey spans decades in healthcare. Nancy shares how witnessing a plane crash as a 19-year-old nursing student helped shape her calling, eventually leading to work in hospice care, legal nurse consulting, Medicare auditing, and even the development of computer systems for hospice patients. But some of Nancy’s most unforgettable experiences can’t easily be explained by medicine. She opens up about unusual encounters surrounding patients at the end of life, including seeing figures she believed were deceased loved ones and experiences that challenged the boundaries between the clinical and the spiritual. Now an accomplished author, Nancy also discusses her books, her latest projects, and how journaling, faith, reflection, and a lifetime of experience continue to shape the stories she tells. It’s a fascinating conversation about purpose, resilience, storytelling, and what we may discover when science and the mysteries of life intersect. Discover Nancy’s books, her story, and more at NancyJasinEnsley.com⁠

What Happens When Science Proves the Afterlife? | Don Schechter

What if science could prove that life after death exists, but only for a genetically chosen few? On this episode of Elite Spotlight, Michael Masci chats Don Schechter: CEO, filmmaker, author, and professor, to explore his science fiction novel, Ascendants. Set in 2060, Ascendants imagines a world where technology has confirmed the existence of life after death for a select group of people, creating a society divided by genetics, privilege, and the promise of immortality. Don shares how the story began with a vivid scene that came to him in his 20s and evolved over decades through filmmaking, world-building, and eventually the novel itself. He and Michael also explore how science fiction has changed since the 1950s, the powerful interests behind emerging technology, and why some of the best science fiction isn't really about technology at all, it's about people. Don also discusses the challenge of finding an audience as an independent author, his upcoming sequel to Ascendants, and a new nonfiction project examining decades of science-fiction storytelling. Discover Don's book: Ascendants:: https://ascendantsbook.com/ And check out Don's podcast: No Win Scenario. https://nowinscenariopodcast.com 🚢 EXPLORE AMERICA WITH AMERICAN CRUISE LINES Ready to experience America from a whole new perspective? Discover unforgettable river and coastal cruises, beautiful destinations, and uniquely American journeys with American Cruise Lines. 👉 Plan your next adventure: AmericanCruiseLines.com

Special Feature: Michael Masci on MANNA — Faith in Life, Leadership & Business

Special Feature: Michael Masci on MANNA — Faith in Life, Leadership & Business In this special featured episode of Elite Spotlight, we turn the microphone around. Michael Masci recently joined MANNA: Ordinary Men of Faith as a guest for a meaningful conversation about the role faith plays in his personal life, business, leadership, and the decisions that have shaped his journey. Rather than interviewing someone else, Michael takes the guest seat and shares his own perspective on living out faith beyond Sunday morning—bringing it into relationships, professional life, difficult decisions, opportunities, and everyday circumstances. It’s a candid conversation about faith, purpose, business, and trusting God through the different seasons of life. Follow Manna: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/manna/id1500446247 Originally recorded for MANNA: Ordinary Men of Faith and presented here as a special featured episode of Elite Spotlight.

CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL Breakout Artist of the Year | Dave McElroy

CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL Breakout Artist of the Year. 6.25M streams. This is Dave McElroy’s story. 🎙️ A Billboard Hot 100 country chart debut. But before all that, Dave McElroy was just a Wisconsin kid fixing farm equipment with his dad and chasing deer through the woods. In this episode, Blanca and Michael sit down with the country music artist, Outdoor Channel host, and Las Vegas developer to talk about how faith, family, and hard work built the man behind the music. We get into: 🎸 How growing up in the Midwest shaped his sound (and his songs) 🏕️ Building HangTime into one of the fastest-growing shows on the Outdoor Channel 🎤 Breaking out at CMA Music Fest and landing on the Billboard Hot 100 🏙️ Balancing a country music career with real estate development in Vegas 🙏 Staying grounded in faith and family while chasing big dreams If you love real stories about real grit, you don’t want to miss this one. Follow & Listen to Dave: 📸 Instagram: @dmacband — his most active page, go show some love! 📘 Facebook: @edmacband 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/32PbxLSh2oQ18CY0tHhtD0

Small Decisions, Big Shifts: How the Choices We Make Change Everything | Chip Scholz

Small Decisions, Big Shifts: How the Choices We Make Change Everything | Chip Scholz What happens when life forces you to start over? On this episode of Elite Spotlight, our guest is author, speaker, coach, and craftsman Chip Scholz. Enjoy our conversation about success, resilience, purpose, and the small decisions that can completely change the direction of our lives. After decades of coaching successful business leaders and family-owned companies, Chip has learned that achievement alone doesn’t necessarily bring fulfillment. He shares why stories can often teach us more than advice, why happiness shouldn’t be treated as a destination, and how curiosity can keep us growing throughout every stage of life. Chip also opens up about the stroke that changed his life. After experiencing aphasia and paralysis on his right side, he went through months of recovery, and discovered an unexpected passion for woodturning that became an important part of rebuilding his life. From career changes and personal loss to second chances and finding purpose, this is a conversation about recognizing that the difficult chapters of our lives can become part of what shapes us. Sometimes the biggest changes in life begin with the smallest decisions. 🔗 CONNECT WITH CHIP SCHOLZ Website https://www.scholzandassociates.com Amazon Authors: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Chip-Scholz/author/ Social Links https://www.instagram.com/chipscholz/ https://www.facebook.com/Chippturns https://www.linkedin.com/in/chipscholz/ https://www.youtube.com/@chipscholz1691 https://www.threads.com/@chipscholz Amazon Book Links: Every Dog Has Its Day https://a.co/d/0huQdkPE Small Decisions, Big Shifts https://a.co/d/06TwM9qt 🎙️ FOLLOW ELITE SPOTLIGHT Enjoyed this conversation? Follow Elite Spotlight so you never miss an inspiring story or remarkable guest. ⭐ If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and share it with someone who would enjoy it too.

Firefighter, Author, Comedian | Mark Andrew

Firefighter, Author, Comedian | Mark Andrew In this episode of Elite Spotlight, our guest is Mark Andrew, a retired firefighter, paramedic, author, and stand-up comedian whose career has been defined by leadership, service, and resilience. After nearly three decades in the fire service, Mark shares what he learned about leading people under pressure, building trust, preparing teams for high-stakes situations, and why great leadership is about inspiring people rather than simply managing them. He also discusses the lessons behind his book, Leading Through the Heat, which draws on real-life experiences from the fire service to explore what effective leadership looks like when the stakes are high. The conversation also takes a personal turn as Mark reflects on memorable rescues, the emotional side of emergency response, and why saving a family heirloom can sometimes matter almost as much as saving a structure. Then the discussion shifts in a completely different direction as Mark talks about returning to stand-up comedy, the changing comedy scene, working clean, and the comedians who influenced him along the way. It’s a conversation about leadership, courage, service, humor, and finding a new chapter after a lifetime in one demanding career. Connect with Mark Andrew: Instagram: @markdbnfire LinkedIn: Get Mark’s book, Leading Through the Heat

Don’t Suck, Be on Time & Skip the Drama | Dr. Dean Russell

What happens when a lifelong passion for music and storytelling becomes more than a creative outlet? On this episode of Elite Spotlight, Michael Masci chats with musician and author Dean Russell for a conversation about creativity, music, writing, and the experiences that have shaped his life. Dean has built a remarkably diverse career, serving in the U.S. Air Force, working as a business executive and leadership advisor, and pursuing his creative passions as both a musician and author. He is the author of the Bayou Savage series and continues to explore new ways of bringing stories to life through books, music, and other creative projects. Dean shares where his love of music began, what inspires him to write, how the creative process differs between music and storytelling, and why making room for creativity can remain important throughout every stage of life. It’s a thoughtful conversation about following your interests, embracing different chapters of life, and the stories behind the music. The Stories Behind the Music: Creativity, Writing & Reinvention | Dean Russell ✳️ For more information about Dean Russell, his music, books, and other projects, and to find out where to purchase his books, visit: www.drdeanrussell.com 🎙️ FOLLOW ELITE SPOTLIGHT Enjoyed this conversation? Follow Elite Spotlight so you never miss an inspiring story or remarkable guest. ⭐ If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and share it with someone who would enjoy it too. 🚢 Ready to experience America from the water? Discover unforgettable small-ship cruises, historic destinations and beautiful waterways with American Cruise Lines. Visit AmericanCruiseLines.com to explore their cruises and start planning your next American adventure!

Inside a Traditional Newport Lobster Bake, | Michael Masci

We’re wrapping up our New England journey in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island—and this time, you’re coming along for a classic New England lobster bake! Set against the spectacular backdrop of Newport, we’ll take you inside the experience as the lobster, clams and all the fixings are prepared in traditional fashion. Then comes the moment everyone is waiting for: the tarps come off and the feast is revealed! From the harbor and historic Fort Adams to one of New England’s most memorable culinary traditions, sit back and enjoy a taste of Newport with us on this special edition of Elite Spotlight. 🦞 What’s under the tarps? Let’s find out! 🚢 Ready to experience America on a luxurious river boat? Discover unforgettable small-ship cruises, historic destinations, and beautiful waterways with American Cruise Lines. 👉 Visit AmericanCruiseLines.com to explore their cruises and start planning your next American adventure!

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