Permission To Shine

63. Sandra Yamada on Leaving Wall Street for Wellness: The Story Behind NEAP

Sandra Yamada was the only woman in her class of 18 investment bankers. A Harvard MBA. A biology major turned venture capitalist. And now? The founder of NEAP. A first-of-its-kind collagen protein gel changing how we get our protein on the go.But the story that started it all… involves a protein shake, a work out, and an unforgettable emergency.In this episode, Sandra shares:How one humiliating moment became the spark for a multimillion-dollar ideaWhat it takes to walk away from a cush finance career to build something realThe mindset that helped her go from being “the only woman in the room” to leading an entirely new product categoryBrilliant. Humble. Hilarious. This might be the most human founder story you’ll hear all year.Follow NEAPTry NEAPFollow Permission To ShineFollow Andrew Namanny

62. How to Start a Cafe With Shivani Darsinos, Founder of Cafe Babu

What happens when a dream, a culture, and a cup of coffee collide?In this episode, Andrew sits down with Shivani Darsinos, founder of Cafe Babu: Nashville’s coffee-meets-cocktail sanctuary that celebrates heritage, connection, and community. Named after her grandfather, Cafe Babu beautifully blends Shivani’s Indian roots and her husband’s Greek heritage, creating a space that feels both soulful and universal.Shivani shares how her upbringing shaped her drive; from a dad who taught her that strength knows no gender (“Who’s helping me lift this air conditioner?”) to the deep pride she feels in building a space that’s for everyone, regardless of where they come from or what they believe.She opens up about:Turning her cultural story into a business that channels people’s energyThe whirlwind of wearing “one too many hats” as a founderThe magic of a single cafe that’s a “one-hit wonder” … full of personality, warmth, and loveAnd yes… how Joe Jonas ended up performing at Cafe Babu (!)Through it all, Shivani reminds us that every cup of coffee holds a story; one made with intention, respect, and an incredible amount of love.If you’ve ever dreamed of creating something that brings people together, this episode will fill your cup.☕️ Follow Cafe Babu: https://www.instagram.com/cafe.babu/?hl=en🎧 Listen now on Permission to Shine with Andrew Namanny

61. Nick Luebke on the 5 Books That Changed His Life

In this episode of Permission to Shine, I sit down with Nick Luebke: creator, thinker, and host of the new podcast Constantly Curious. Nick opens up about the five books that most profoundly shaped his life:The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy KellerA New Earth by Eckhart TolleYour Platform Is Not Your Purpose by Blaine FuhsThe BibleThe Inner Work by Ash and MatWe explore how these works shifted his mindset, deepened his relationships, and inspired his creative journey. Nick also shares the mission behind Constantly Curious, where he’s already sat down with brilliant voices like Young Pueblo and Sahil Bloom. And—he drops some hints about writing a book of his own.This is a conversation about curiosity, purpose, and the power of the written word to change how we live.Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nicholasjohn__/?hl=enFollow Permission to Shine: https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoshine_/?hl=enFollow Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-namanny/

60. Why You’ll Be Left Behind Without Crypto — Peter Wokwicz on Digital Assets

Thanks to our key sponsor, Elite Executive Partners — a premier recruiting firm helping businesses scale with top-tier talent.Whether you need one critical hire, like a CFO, or an entire team of skilled tradespeople, Elite delivers. They work across multiple industries, filling roles quickly with the right fit. Learn more at elitestaffco.com.$500M+ entrepreneur and serial founder Peter Wokwicz has built, scaled, and invested in more than 60 companies. In this episode, he sits down with Andrew Namanny to break down the future of money — and why ignoring crypto could be your biggest financial mistake.Peter explains blockchain, exposes the myths about crypto, and shares practical ways busy professionals can get started safely. We cover stablecoins, DeFi, tokenization, prediction markets, and how digital assets will disrupt banks, governments, and traditional finance.You’ll learn:Why blockchain is more secure than any banking system in historyHow to earn yield on your money without leaving it in a low-interest savings accountThe coming wave of tokenized real estate, companies, and assetsWhat “truth markets” are — and how they could change journalism foreverPeter’s portfolio strategy for someone starting with $25K in extra cashWhether you’re crypto-curious or already investing, this is your one-hour MBA in digital assets from one of the sharpest minds in the game.📍 Follow Andrew on LinkedIn📍 Follow Peter on Linkedin Sponsorship & Feedback: andrew@permissiontoshine.orgThanks for listening!

59. Black Hawk Down Surgeon: 30+ Hours in Combat, Blood, and Battlefield Truth

Dr. John Holcomb is one of the most legendary trauma surgeons alive. He shares untold details from Black Hawk Down, where he operated for over 30 hours straight during the infamous battle in Somalia in 1993. He opens up about the chaos, grit, and brutal realities of combat medicine — and how that moment shifted his mission for life.Now, he's focused on saving lives before patients even reach the hospital. From pioneering blood delivery systems to taking five trips to the frontlines of Ukraine, Dr. Holcomb’s work is reshaping modern trauma care.This is more than a war story — it’s a raw look at courage, purpose, humility and what it means to serve on the edge of life and death.🔊 What You'll Learn:Behind-the-scenes of the Black Hawk Down missionHow Holcomb handled nonstop surgery for 30+ hoursThe innovation driving pre-hospital blood careWhy he keeps returning to Ukraine to help in war zonesThe mindset that sustains people in the world’s most high-stakes environmentsYou can learn more about his work here: https://prehospitaltransfusion.org/Follow Permission to Shine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoshine_/?hl=enFollow Andrew Namanny LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-namanny/