Podcast Content


Living Beautifully with Renee Dee

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Our guest today is Renee Dee, founder and publisher of the luxury lifestyle magazine ICONIC LIFE.

Renee founded ICONIC LIFE in early 2018, after nearly 25 years in publishing and marketing as former founder and publisher of Arizona Foothills magazine. ICONIC LIFE is a digital luxury lifestyle magazine celebrating the art of living beautifully with features on exceptional design, architecture, style, cuisine, luxury travel and living your best life. Renee’s inspired editorial direction, passion for stunning imagery and her heart for giving back are the pulse of the magazine.

In this podcast, she shares with us her impressive career trajectory encompassing all sides of the media—as a media buyer and a broadcast account executive, an editor and a television reporter. Fast-forward to today and she is poised to make a mark in publishing once more with the launch of ICONIC LIFE. This next chapter is a passion project to inspire readers to LIVE BEAUTIFULLY.

Renee also just launched ICONIC HOUR, a podcast showcasing the vibrant people behind the products, the dreams behind the designs and the innovation behind inspiring ideas. Today, Renee released a podcast on Iconic Hour featuring Mark Candelaria titled: “Architect, Chef, Travel Guru and Artist Mark Candelaria Exemplifies Inspired Living” We highly recommend you give both podcasts a listen!

Follow ICONIC LIFE digital luxury lifestyle magazine and SUBSCRIBE

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There is Always a Way with ASU Football Legend Juan Roque

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Juan played at ASU from 1992-1996 and his last game was in the Rose Bowl with teammates like Jake Plummer! He went on to the Detroit Lions but that experience was shortened with a bad injury that virtually ended his football career - but not his life! Listen and be inspired by his energy to keep going and redefine himself - life is a journey folks and the twist and turns will come your way - it’s beyond your control! It’s what you do with the twist and turns that define you! You will also get our picks for the NFL Super Bowl and College National Championship game tonight! 

When Juan was three, the Roque’s returned to the United States from Mexico and eventually resided in Ontario, California. Roque attended Arizona State University, where he played for the Arizona State Sun Devils football team from 1992 to 1996. He was moved to offensive tackle and redshirted during the 1992 season. By his sophomore season, 1994, Roque had gained a starting spot for Arizona State at left guard. In 1995 Roque was named an honorable mention preseason All-American by Street & Smith's. Following the season, he was named to the All Pacific-10 Conference first team and was a second team All-American by The Sporting News. In May 1996 Roque graduated from Arizona State, earning a Latin American history degree. Roque started all 11 games for the Sun Devils that season, helping the team go 11–0 in the regular season and played in the Rose Bowl Game.

During the 1997 NFL Draft Roque was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round (35th overall). During his rookie year Roque played in 13 games. Against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day, Roque received an opportunity to start. During the game, Roque suffered a serious left knee injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Roque did not play in 1998 as he spent the entire year on injured reserve due to lingering effects from the knee injury. In 2001 Roque signed a contract to play for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Listed as a defensive lineman, Roque played in seven games for the Argonauts in the 2002 CFL season before the team released him.

From 2007 to 2010 Roque worked as a color commentator for television broadcasts of Arizona State games on Fox Sports Arizona. On October 17, 2009, Roque was inducted into the Arizona State University Sports Hall of Fame. As of 2007, Roque resides in Chandler, Arizona, and is now a legal administrator for the firm Phillips Law Group.

Follow his podcast at https://starworldwidenetworks.com/shows/sun-devils-worldwide-wjuan-roque

Follow Juan on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/juanster74

Follow Juan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-roque-45083094

More on Juan Roque: https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/6/16/4436374/juan-roque-the-sun-devils-all-americans

Our Angel on Earth-Jennifer Gage of Gigi's Playhouse

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This podcast features Gigi’s Playhouse Phoenix Founder, Jennifer Gage. Jennifer speaks about her life, being a mother to a child with Down Syndrome, and the challenges, opportunities & successes of running both Gigi’s Phoenix and now also StretchLab Phoenix.

GiGi’s Playhouse is a one-of-a-kind, holistic achievement center for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community—providing free therapeutic and educational programs that advance literacy, math skills, motor skills and more, from birth through adulthood. Gigi’s Phoenix serves over 700 families today. Their big fund-raising Gala is this Saturday, January 11 at JW Marriott Desert Ridge and tickets are still available! https://gigisplayhouse.org/phoenix/gala/ You can also make a donation directly at https://gigisplayhouse.org/phoenix/support-us/

Jennifer is also the first franchise owner of StretchLab here in Phoenix, a place people visit to receive one-on-one assisted and group stretching in a fun, energetic and communal atmosphere. There are three locations in Phoenix.

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You can reach and follow Jennifer Gage on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-gage-502b2810

Follow her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.schumann.gage

And on Instagram at: https://instagram.com/jengageee?igshid=wie2znzmknlt

No Reserve on Balance - Auctiontainer, Letitia Frye

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This episode features the incredible Auctiontainer™, Letitia Frye. After nearly 15 years in the auction business and having raised over $500 million dollars for charity, Letitia Frye has truly earned her title. She is a beautiful, multi-talented, bilingual woman who is a big success in a field generally occupied by men. She has an innovative flair, and treats each event as a “special” performance.

Letitia delves into her life story which has led her down a wild path full of lessons and loves lost and found. Throughout it all, she has learned the art of balance and the importance of taking care of yourself. Her story is incredible and her message is a poignant reminder as we finish out another year.  

Look out for her book  about practices for living a life with no reserve coming out July 6 2020 by Sound Wisdom Publishing. 

http://letitiafrye.com

Instagram: @letitia_frye Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LetitiaFryeProductions/

Power Couple Elliot Barkan & Corinne Hale - They Launch Real Estate

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Inspiring Living Podcast featuring dynamo couple Elliot Barkan and Corinne Hale now with Launch Real Estate and the Barkan Construction Group. They share their thoughts on the Phoenix real estate market and their personal story will Inspire you to follow your dreams.

Elliot found his passion in creating a deal; locating, strategizing and seeing the deal through to the finish line. Elliot enjoys nothing more than the freedom to work closely with his team and helping them find success in the real estate market.

After much success as an independent agent, Corinne joined forces with Elliot to launch an awarding winning team. Corinne is proud of Barkan Group and considers the team to be dynamic, full of passion, and pride themselves on being relationship based. 

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Actress, Fashion Model & Entrepreneur - Clarissa Burt

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Clarissa Burt’s journey to entrepreneur, TV/Video producer, public speaker, author, writer, inventor, award-winning actress, and entertainer has all the makings of a best selling novel. At 18, Clarissa was a top model with the Wilhelmina modeling agency in Manhattan. Soon after she moved to Milan and quickly began appearing on hundreds of magazine covers such as Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan as well as on most of the major runway shows in Milan, Paris, New York, and Japan. This led to work for cosmetic houses Revlon, Dior, and Clarita, Helena Rubenstein and her selection as the worldwide “Face” for Orlane Cosmetics.

Clarissa has performed in numerous movies and can be remembered as the evil queen in “The Never Ending Story, part II,” and as Giulia in the award-winning “Caruso Pascosky”. Clarissa has also appeared on hundreds of television shows, and in 1999, founded her television production company, Numen International in Rome. Her productions have included The Miss Universe Pageant and World Sports Awards. In 2001, the Clarissa Burt Hair Product and Facial Cream Lines were successfully launched on Home Shopping Network Italy. A leading authority on beauty, image, and self-esteem, “Good Morning, Italy” called upon Clarissa to host the popular beauty segment, “Clarissa Suggests”.


After 25 years in Europe, this who’s who of American and International women returned to the United States where she hosted her own radio show titled “Clarissa Burt Talks” on Voice America and world talk radio interviewing renown entrepreneurs and thought leaders. Runway Beauty magazine brought Clarissa on board as Health and Beauty Editor for their 2008 launch. She has since launched ClarissaBurt.TV, The Look Good, Feel Good, Be Good Television for women and is the author and co-author of a number of amazing books.

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Evan & Christian Delaney Inspire Men's Fashion

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Today my guest is fashion designer, Evan DeLaney. Evan was virtually born into the fashion industry. Raised by a professional violist father, and a mother who was a professional dancer, he was in a suit, attending concerts at the age of 3. 

Starting professionally at the age of 19, Evan has worked for Chanel, Calvin Klein, and YSL.

Evan’s keen insight from nearly three decades of designing clothes for men has brought him to the truth that the clothes are the finishing touch: what is more important is who that man is in his hear which we explore in this podcast.

He has an eye for detail and style. He designs clothing to both fit the man’s body perfectly and also fit his personality, profession and goals. Evan believes one can look “too perfect” and that is is important to have a light patina to you look to add to the character. 

Listen and learn how you can elevate your image through attention to specific details and accessories to gain more respect and raise your perceived value and authority through your wardrobe and how you carry yourself. 

www.evandelaney.com

Kent Welborn Inspires Living - Following his Passion for Finance & Theater

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Kent Welborn was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and moved to Tucson, Arizona, at a young age.  During High School he fell in love with theater which took him to California and New York where he supported himself offstage by working as bike messenger.  After 6 years away from Arizona, he discovered that he needed to bring a better balance to his life and career. 

In 2000 he decided to return to Arizona and began his career at Northwestern Mutual.  By tile, Kent is the Business Planning Specialist and Wealth Management Advisor; simply put, he helps entrepreneurs with succession planning, compensation planning, asset management and benefits.

He has a strong passion for personal development, and many of his daily activities reflect this devotion.  He makes time for important practices, such as yoga, mountain biking, and world traveling, which helps to keep him grounded and focus on creating a fuller and more rewarding life for himself, his family and his clients.

Acting remains close to his heart, and he’s very involved in the Phoenix theater scene, appearing regularly on stage, where he met his wife Heidi.   Kent and Heidi currently reside in north central Phoenix with their two dogs Oscar and Pepper.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/phoenix/article/BWW-Review-Theatre-Artists-Studio-Presents-Horton-Footes-THE-TRIP-TO-BOUNTIFUL-20191126

An Inspiring Tour of the Brombal Window Company In Italy

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Enjoy our podcast from Italy and the Inspiring Brombal Window Company. My partner Vivian Ayala and I along with a group of some of our country's best architects and builders were guests on their tour of their factory and the surrounding area and we all came away completely inspired. The Brombal passion and commitment to their product and team sets the bar very high. 

Their history & love for what they do has shaped their success as a window and door manufacturer. They are constantly pushing the limits in design and performance, so that their clients can realize extraordinary projects.

As the oldest, most experienced, and most customizable thermally broken metal window, door, and curtain wall manufacturer in the world – they are leading the industry. So next time you see or hear the name Brombal, know that the real meaning behind this is trust. A product you can trust, performance you can trust, and service you can trust.

As a family run business with hundreds of successfully completed projects throughout the world, they believe great architecture must live on long after we’re gone - something I think they understand living in Italy. For this reason their steel windows and doors & brass windows and doors are made with the utmost care and quality. From classic doors to contemporary operable walls of glass and all styles in between – discover freedom to create with Brombal – the world’s first thermally broken luxury metal window and door manufacturer.

The Story Behind Fashionista & Designer Oscar de las Salas

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For more than two decades, Oscar De Las Salas has designed and directed projects throughout the world, and has been recognized for his contributions to the international world of style, as a respected fashion producer, style critic, writer and creative director. He is currently chairing one of the most elegant evenings in town for an institution that is key in Scottsdale and has a long tradition in the world of arts locally. This year is the 20th anniversary of the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) of which he has been a part of the board for more than a decade.

Our podcast features his story of how he was born in Colombia South America and made it to Arizona and went on to transform style and creativity here in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Oscar and his team are preparing a glamorous evening under the stars to celebrate the occasion on December 7th at 6pm.

Inspiring Living One Habitat Home at a time with Habitat for Humanity CEO Jason Barlow

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Jason Barlow is the President and CEO of habitat for Humanity Central Arizona. Prior to moving to Arizona, Jason was an executive with St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers for nine years. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the USAF and was a flying squadron commander and U2 reconnaissance pilot. He was director of Operations for a non-profit telecommunications company and a Screening Manager for the US Department of Homeland Security, shortly after the terrorist attacks of 09-11-01. An Eagle Scout, he is a past Council and Area President for the Boy Scouts of America and served on the Boards of the YMCA, County Economic Development Board and was President of four community associations. Jason and his wife, Dr. Jane Barlow, live in Scottsdale and enjoy traveling, golfing, riding bikes, cooking and hiking.

Making the Cut at Age 90 and Beyond with Bill the Barber

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Meet Bill the Barber – at least that’s what I call him. He is Bill McMurdy and he is 92 years old and is still cutting hair three days a week at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Barber Salon. He cuts my hair every two weeks and we have been best buds now for nearly three years.  
So why Bill the Barber for my podcast? Well anyone who can get to work three days a week at age 92 qualifies for someone who truly “Inspires Living”! List to his podcast – he is 92 so it’s a little hard to hear but you will get the point and you will definitely see that we have nothing to complain about. Get out there and get after it as Bill does every day.  

Aging is a big topic and one that we are all facing. In fact the year 2030 marks an important demographic turning point in U.S. history according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 National Population Projections. By 2030, all baby boomers will be older than age 65. This will expand the size of the older population so that 1 in every 5 residents will be retirement age. 

I encourage you to go meet Bill and have him give you a haircut – he does ladies too!  

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Highpoint Market 2019 with The Design Network Founder Jason Harris

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Jason Harris is co-owner of Furnitureland South, the largest furniture store in the world located in High Point, North Carolina.  He is also the Founder of The Design Network (TDN), a streaming TV network featuring entertaining video series all about home design, available on Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire as well as smart TV apps including Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel and Vizio WatchFree.

 A graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Harris lectures to professional groups and college students across the country on business development, entrepreneurship and technology application.  Jason and his wife Jenny have 5 kids ages 8 to 20; and he enjoys family time as well as golf, running and traveling.

Highpoint Market 2019 with Interior Designer Tish Mills

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Tish Mills Kirk is known for creating highly personalized spaces with a curated over time feel.  As one client said, “Her spaces are always a tranquil feast for the senses. You know the homeowner by the interiors.” 

While the firm has worked throughout the country over the past 20 years, Tish has also completed projects in China and Africa.  She has also participated in numerous designer show houses throughout the United States.

The firm has been recognized with 24 ASID Design Excellence Awards and three National ASIDs. Tish is also a founding member of the Design Leadership Network and Leaders of Design Council. 

Highpoint Market 2019 with Interior Designer Anne-Marie Barton

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Anne-Marie stands at the intersection of design, building, and remodeling. 

Anne-Marie's blending of modern form and function with authentic vintage detail creates energy, fresh simplicity, and livability.

Grounded in classic principles, AMB's homes entail organic ingredients such as dry white oak floors, walnut, bronze, woolen textiles, and rich hues to create what she calls the "real factor"—leaving no space untouched by a sense of natural. She strives to create environments that raise the quality of life of those who live there.    

Best known for early collaboration with architects, builders, and clients, Anne-Marie delivers a detailed, seamless result by bringing a grassroots approach to every project. With over 20 years of experience, she eliminates the fear factor when embarking on what is sure to be a profoundly satisfying experience.  

Anne-Marie's work can be found in California, New York City, Connecticut, Memphis, and throughout her home state of Utah. Her list of over 200 clients includes NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz, and professional golfer Johnny Miller. AMB Design enjoys a large variety of style and scope, with projects ranging from the prestigious St. Regis in Deer Valley to The Silverado Resort in Napa Valley to a country manor home in rural Connecticut and the 50k square-foot Fusion-io headquarters.  

Mark Candelaria Celebrates his 59th Birthday

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Ok this podcast will give you a little glimpse into my life and my family as I celebrate my 59th birthday with some special ladies in my life; my mother, Karin Candelaria, my mother-in-law Alette Thomson, my oldest daughter Tiffany Candelaria, and my lovely wife, Isabel! I hope this podcast shows you I am just an average guy who was born in Denver, grew up in Durango and made it to Arizona where I now have a wonderful life I am so thankful for! Mom will share stories from the day I was born. You will get to meet my wonderful mother-in-law Alette and she will fill you in on some of the things we all do together and some of the projects she is working on. Then my oldest daughter, Tiffany will share stories of what it was like growing up with her architect father. Finally, my Isabel will share stories from this year’s birthday celebration, her week and freak accident, her recovery and thoughts along the way. Keeping it pretty light and simple this week guys so enjoy and get to know me and my ladies a bit better!

Special shout out to two of my besties, Bill and Andra Miller and the special gift you gave me and my daughter Bella. Love you both. Thanks for all the birthday wishes this week. You are all the best. Next week’s podcast is from Highpoint, NC and the Furniture Market. Catch tickets to the Phoenix Home and Garden VIP Tour featuring a combined Candelaria Design ~ Earth and Images whole house makeover where we will be serving Pazole and Prosecco!

Building a Builder Brand with Brad Leavitt

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I so enjoyed recording this podcast with Brad Leavitt of A Finer Touch Construction, LLC. He is a very dynamic person, a fantastic builder, husband, and father. His career has really blossomed and what he has accomplished in branding himself through his work and social media is very inspiring.

Brad Leavitt is the President of A Finer Touch Construction, LLC. Brad was born and raised in San Diego, CA as the oldest of 6 children. He grew up in the Construction industry and worked as an electrician throughout High School for Grove Electric with his 2 uncles. They did remodels and new home builds all over San Diego, but mostly on Coronado Island and in Rancho Santa Fe. Upon HS Graduation, he was accepted to Brigham Young University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Construction Management.  


Brad accepted an offer in 2005 with Trend Homes, a local production home builder in Phoenix, AZ. He worked 1 year as a superintendent before accepting a dream job building custom homes. Rowland Luxury Homes hired Brad in 2006 and immediately he was assigned to be a Project Manager at the 300MM Omni Montelucia Resort and Spa in Paradise Valley, AZ. Brad oversaw the construction and completion of 34 Custom homes that ranged between 2-4MM each. After completion of the 34 custom homes, he then assisted with the completion of the hotel guest rooms, arrival zone, lodge and spa. After Montelucia was complete, Brad worked on numerous other residential and commercial projects in the greater Phoenix Area.  

In the Fall of 2011, Brad was ready to begin his own company. He joined with his partner Dave Clark to create and manage their own personal real estate portfolio. They purchased many residential and commercial properties for 15 months and in 2013, were ready to form their own Construction firm. A Finer Touch Construction began operations in March 2013. AFT has continued their rapid growth this past 6.5 years and has been fortunate to win numerous build awards for its work. AFT Construction offers a wide variety of services including: Multi family, commercial, residential, tenant improvement, retail and medical. AFT has continued to exceed industry standards and create strong client relationships based on integrity, reliability and quality.  

Brad is a very approachable, easy going guy and was such a delight to interview for this podcast. His energy is infectious and his positive can do approach to building and branding his business is remarkable. Check out his work and videos on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn – he nails it.