Be Better Tribe

What will matter most when your life comes to an end?

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I reflect on The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware and the powerful lessons shared by people in the final chapter of their lives. Their regrets are not about money, titles, or success. They are about how they lived, loved, and spent their time.

I share how these lessons have challenged me to think differently about work, family, friendships, and the choices I make every day. My hope...

In Episode 29 of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I welcome back Eric Branagan-Franco for World Cup Part 2.

Eric and I reflect on the World Cup experience, from attending the United States’ knockout round victory at Levi’s Stadium to watching the final together with friends and family. We discuss the passion of the fans, the cultures that came together throughout the tournament, and how soccer created a rare moment of unity and celebration.

We also share our thoughts on VAR and technology in sports, the inspiring underdog stories that emerged throughout the...

In Episode 28 of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I reflect on Mindset by Carol Dweck and the impact it continues to have on my life.

I have read or listened to this book three or four times, and each time I walk away with something new. In this episode, I explore the difference between understanding a growth mindset and actually living it—especially when things do not go as planned.

Key Takeaways:

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Episode, I sit down with an old friend, Alok Pandey. We've known each other for more than 30 years, ever since he was in first grade and I was in second. It's a conversation that reflects not only on a lifelong friendship, but also on the lessons, values, and experiences that have shaped us along the way.

We discuss the power of the people you surround yourself with, how childhood experiences influence the adults we become, and why strong relationships continue to compound over a lifetime. Alok also...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I reflect on why the FIFA World Cup is so much more than a sporting event. It's a celebration of people, cultures, and the shared experiences that bring us together.

Using lessons from The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, I explore how being impeccable with our word, avoiding assumptions, not taking things personally, and always doing our best can help us become better leaders, teammates, parents, and neighbors.

The World Cup reminds us that patriotism and global appreciation can exist side...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I sit down with Eric Schmitt, a highly respected strength and conditioning coach whose career has included stops at elite organizations such as the Memphis Grizzlies, UCLA and UCSB. Throughout his career, Eric has helped athletes perform at the highest levels while continually investing in his own growth as a coach, leader, and lifelong learner.

We discuss the people, habits, and mindset shifts that shaped his journey. From discovering his passion for strength and conditioning to overcoming setbacks and finding purpose. Eric shares lessons that apply...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I share one of the most impactful lessons I've carried with me since my college soccer days at Cal Poly. Our sports psychologist, Jeff Troesch, introduced us to a simple but powerful framework: ACE — Attitude, Concentration, and Effort.

Years later, these three principles continue to shape how I approach leadership, parenting, fitness, relationships, and personal growth.

In this episode, I break down each element of ACE, share personal stories, and discuss why success often comes down to controlling the things th...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I sit down with Chris Harris, known as "The Warrior Maker," to discuss leadership, mindset, personal growth, and the power of transformation.

Chris shares lessons from a lifetime of studying human performance, leadership development, and resilience. We dive into the concept of metacognition—the ability to think about your thinking—and why it may be one of the most important skills for creating lasting change in your life.

Throughout our conversation, Chris explains why there is no obligation to remain the same vers...

In this special solo episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I reflect on the biggest lessons from my conversations in Episodes 16 through 21.

Over the last several weeks, I've sat down with entrepreneurs, executives, coaches, mentors, and lifelong friends. While each guest had a unique story, I noticed many of the same principles kept showing up. Different paths, different careers, and different definitions of success, but the same lessons.

In this episode, I share six themes that continue to shape the way I think about leadership, growth, relationships, and life. We...

In this episode of Be Better Tribe, I sit down with world-renowned hairstylist, educator, and entrepreneur Sam Villa to talk about passion, purpose, and the mindset behind long-term success. Lucky for me I get to call him Tio Sam (AKA Uncle Sam).

Sam shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most respected names in the beauty industry, building a career centered around creativity, connection, and continuous growth. We talk about the importance of staying relevant, embracing progression, and why true success comes from constantly evolving both personally and professionally.

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I sat down with Conor Begley to talk about the reality of entrepreneurship, betting on yourself, and what it takes to keep building through uncertainty.

Conor shares his journey from Cal Poly to co-founding Fathers Brewing, along with the lessons that came from launching businesses, learning through failure, and continuing to evolve as an entrepreneur.

We talk about persistence, staying focused when things don’t go as planned, and how long-term success is often built through consistency and commitment rather than quick wins.

Conor also opens up ab...

I sat down with Elena Winters to talk about what it really takes to build a meaningful career over time.

We start with her early days as a Sales Associate and how those foundational experiences shaped the way she approaches leadership today. Elena was actually the one who referred me into that role, which changed the trajectory of my career and is a real reminder that your network matters more than you think.

From there, Elena walks through her journey across companies like Microsoft, Oracle, Meta, and now VP of International...

I sat down with one of my best friends, Peter Balla.

This is the longest episode I’ve done, and for good reason. Peter is one of my longest standing friends, and this conversation really captures what Be Better Tribe is all about… real conversations with people who have shaped your life.

We go back to our childhood in Santa Cruz and how those early years influenced who we became. From there, Peter shares his journey into architectural engineering, what it takes to stay committed to long term projects, and how to navigate big career deci...

I had the chance to sit down with Brian LaManna to talk about something that shows up in almost every strong career path I’ve seen: Taking the leap before you feel ready.

Brian’s journey from SDR to enterprise seller in just a few years didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of consistency, learning from the right people, creating systems that support his goals, and maintaining a strong bias toward action rather than waiting for perfect timing.

One thing that stood out in this conversation is how growth often comes from saying y...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I sit down with Mike Moriarty, founder and CEO of Arsenal Pulse and former Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Dropbox, to talk about the kind of leadership that shapes people far beyond org charts and job titles.

I share how Mike showed up for me during a pivotal time in my career at Google, even though he was not my manager, and how that experience shaped the way I think about mentorship and building a coaching tree. We talk about investing in others, creating opportunities...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, we explore what it really means to grow through consistency, belief, and empathy.

Inspired by lessons from Ted Lasso and insights from The Dip by Seth Godin, this conversation focuses on why consistency often beats talent, why belief has to come before results show up, and how choosing curiosity over judgment can change the way we lead and support the people around us.

Growth rarely happens overnight. It happens when we stay steady, believe longer than others expect us to...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe podcast, I reflect on the powerful lessons from The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and why its message still resonates today.

This episode explores what it means to stay connected to your childhood dreams, push through the brick walls that test your commitment, invest in helping others succeed, protect your time, and think intentionally about the legacy you are building every day.

Inspired in part by the message behind the song Daydream by Lily Meola, this conversation is a reminder that it is...

In Episode 13 of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I sit down with Brandon Roberts to talk about mindset, growth, and what it really looks like to invest in yourself over time.

Brandon’s story is especially meaningful to me because I originally hired him early in his career. Years later, he became my leader. That kind of journey does not happen by accident. It happened because Brandon stayed intentional about his development and committed himself to learning, especially through reading and continuous self improvement.

In this conversation, we talk about his tr...

In this episode, I reflect on three simple but powerful lessons my dad taught me growing up that still guide how I live today.

• Show up
• Be respectful
• Work hard

Through a few personal stories, I share how he modeled these values every day and how they shaped me as a parent, leader, and teammate. Sometimes the most important lessons are not complicated. They are consistent.

Show up. Stay consistent. And always remember to be better.

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In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I open up about some of my all-time financial L’s… and yeah, there are a few 😅

From missed investment opportunities to real estate decisions I’d love a do-over on, this one is part storytime, part therapy session, and hopefully part lesson for you so you don’t make the same mistakes I did.

Because the truth is… most of us don’t learn money from wins. We learn it from the moments that make us say, “what was I thinking?”

Here ar...

In this episode of the Be Better Tribe Podcast, I talk about one of the books that has had the biggest impact on me, Atomic Habits by James Clear.

I also share a personal story from my marathon training where I came up short of my goal. It reminded me that big outcomes rarely come from one moment. They come from the small habits we repeat every day.

Three ideas from the book that have stuck with me:

• Small habits lead to massive results over time
• Iden...

Some leaders chase the spotlight. Others just show up every day and become the person everyone trusts.

That’s Eric Branagan-Franco.

In the latest Be Better Tribe Podcast episode I sat down with my former Cal Poly teammate, captain and goalkeeper. Someone I’ve been lucky to call a friend for over 20 years. We talk about pressure, leadership, and how the lessons from competing at a high level carried into his career as a physical therapist and now opening his own practice.

Proud to share a conversation with...

This episode is with someone who, in many ways, was the original creator of “Be Better." Coach Paul Holocher set a standard for me long before there was a podcast, a brand, or even discussions on mindset.

He was modeling it through discipline, consistency, and the expectation that you could always raise the bar.

In this conversation, we did not focus on the highlight reel or the surface level wins. We talked about the long arc and how early influences shape who we become, how standards are set through behavior rather th...

I recorded a podcast episode this week that I wish I didn’t have to.

It was supposed to be an interview with my uncle.
We talked about it. Planned it.
I thought we had more time.

We didn’t.

He grew up picking strawberries in the fields, broke track records that stood for 20+ years, went to law school, and served the County of San Diego for 25+ years.

But, what I’ll remember most are the 5am fishing trips, the movie theate...

This episode is a special one.

I sit down with Austin Swift, one of my closest friends and someone I’ve been connected to for over 30 years. We grew up together, shared childhood experiences that shaped who we are, and have stayed connected as life, careers, and definitions of success have evolved.

Our conversation dives into friendship, values, growth, and what success really looks like over time. We talk about how early experiences leave a lasting imprint, why community matters more than ever, and how consistency, discomfort, and chasing meaningful experiences have guided both of ou...

Midway through life is a crazy thing to think about. It really highlighted that I think I know things, but really I don't know shit. 

The Podcast will hopefully take a bit more of a comedic approach, while still instilling some lessons, stories, and things that have impacted me. Being 39, when the average life expectancy is 78.4 is an interesting place to be.

The bulk of the Podcast is shifting perspective from 'have to' to 'get to' and the impact it has on one's outlook. Finally, the discussion explores the equation E + P...

In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Moran, the first boss who took a chance on me and helped shape the leader I am today. From giving me my first cold calling role to trusting me with managing a team early on, Stephanie’s belief changed the trajectory of my career. At MINDBODY, she built programs that didn’t just hit numbers, they built people, many of whom went on to become VPs, founders, and entrepreneurs. This conversation is about leadership that compounds over time, the power of belief, and what it really means to build others up. The...

This episode is about the books that have shaped how I approach growth, adversity, leadership, and meaning. These weren’t just good reads, they challenged my assumptions, reframed how I see obstacles, and reminded me what actually matters when things get hard.

Each book offered something different: discipline, perspective, resilience, humility, and clarity. Together, they’ve influenced how I show up at work, at home, and in my own head.

The books:

Atomic Habits – James Clear

You Are a Badass – Jen Sincero

The Four Agreements – Don Miguel...

This is about my personal journey of walking the Camino de Santiago, reflecting on the physical, mental, and spiritual challenges, as well as the impactful conversations and life lessons I experienced along the way. It taught me the importance of cherishing time and making meaningful decisions in life.

Takeaways

#BeBetterTribe #BeBetter #BBT

Chapters

Julian Alvarez shares the motivation behind starting his podcast, 'Be Better Tribe', and discusses the inspiration behind the name. He also outlines the purpose of the podcast and the topics he plans to cover in future episodes.

Takeaways