
Hosted by Shawne Merriman and Zack Ellison · EN
It's inspiring to hear people's success stories. Their breakthroughs and triumphs motivate and empower us to work hard toward our own goals. However, these success stories are not without difficulties and challenges. Before reaching their current positions, successful people had to navigate a challenging path full of obstacles. If you want to achieve great things, unlock a better version of yourself, and secure the life you desire, you must approach the road to success differently.
Welcome to Success Unleash’d, the podcast packed with valuable advice on building your career and living your life to the fullest. Join Zack Ellison and Shawne Merriman as they explore the most important takeaways on navigating the hurdles along your journey, cultivating the right business mindset, and ultimately achieving all of your goals.
This is the best podcast to listen to if you need up-to-date, tried-and-true, and data-backed business advice. Tune in to hear well-respected guests from different industries and professions share their career stories—highlighting both the good and the bad. These are everyday people who achieved the American Dream through perseverance, grit, and determination. By never giving up in spite of their setbacks, they were able to unleash their success. They offer actionable insights that you can apply immediately to your own business, giving you that much-needed push towards unleashing your own success.
In each episode, guests reflect on their journeys and share the secrets to their success. Learn the specific steps they took, the processes they followed, and the positive habits that shaped their mindset and personality. Discover how they built their networks, forged lasting relationships with other business owners, and established their brands. Above all, be inspired and empowered as they recall the challenges they overcame and how these experiences helped them become more strategic in their business plans, more careful in their transactions, and more mindful of their connections.
Your hosts, Zack Ellison and Shawne Merriman, both share a relentless pursuit of success and growth. Both came from humble beginnings, struggled with low incomes, and had to overcome many hardships to unleash their fullest potential. They are now reputable names in their chosen career paths.
Zack is the Founder, Managing General Partner, and Chief Investment Officer of Applied Real Intelligence, an investment management firm focused on providing growth credit to North America's top VC-back...

In this high-energy and insight-packed episode of Success Unleash’d, hosts Zack Ellison and Shawne Merriman sit down with Christian Crosby, who became a respected presence across multiple industries by staying humble and authentic. He shares his unfiltered journey as an entertainer, entrepreneur, and the dynamic voice behind the NBA All-Star Weekend. From embracing failures to mastering discipline and building lasting relationships, this episode dives deep into leadership, resilience, and the mindset needed to thrive across different arenas.

What does it really take to revolutionize an entire industry while empowering the very artists who fuel it? In this dynamic conversation on Success Unleash’d, innovation and relentless perseverance take center stage as Wendy Starland, the music visionary who discovered and developed Lady Gaga, and now co-founder of the groundbreaking startup MusicSoul, joins hosts Zack Ellison and Shawne Merriman. Hear her incredible journey from touring artist to multi-platinum songwriter for the biggest names in music, to disrupting the industry's broken compensation models. Discover how her "stupid youth" courage led her to rewrite a Wu-Tang Clan song, and how her unwavering work ethic is now building a platform to create a middle class for artists. This is a story of bold risk-taking, challenging the status quo, and leveraging talent and technology to ignite profound change.

Ever wondered what it takes to shatter centuries of tradition and lead through global upheaval? In this powerful conversation on Success Unleash’d, leadership takes center stage as I. Stephanie Boyce, former president of the Law Society of England and Wales, joins hosts Zack Ellison and Shawne Merriman to share her remarkable journey—from a childhood shaped by injustice and her family's Windrush legacy to becoming the first Black president and sixth woman in the Society’s 177-year history. Discover how she led through unprecedented crises and stayed fiercely committed to a diverse and inclusive legal profession. This is a story of courage, conviction, and the power of speaking up to ignite profound change.

Forget everything you thought you knew about traditional investing. On this episode of Success Unleash’d, hosts Zack Ellison and Shawne Merriman sit down with the brilliant Lindsey Sichel Rubinstein, a veteran of alternatives and a family office executive. We’re diving into the future of wealth management—why the old 60/40 portfolio is a relic of the past, the staggering $124 trillion transfer of wealth shifting the investment landscape, and why the least innovative industry in the world is finally being forced to change. If you're ready to embrace the future of finance and discover how curiosity fuels success, this episode is for you.

What does it take to achieve peak performance while navigating life’s toughest transitions? Today on Success Unleash’d, hosts Zack Ellison and Shawne Merriman sit down with Ken Corigliano, aka Air Force Ken—a decorated veteran, trauma survivor, and trailblazing Chief Data & AI Officer. Ken opens up about his remarkable transformation after a traumatic brain injury, his experience within the military health system, and his breakthrough work in human performance optimization. From the science of sleep to brain regeneration technologies like NuCalm, Ken reveals how cutting-edge tools are revolutionizing recovery and resilience. Explore how veterans and pro athletes share similar mental and physical demands, and why consistency, purpose, and community are key to thriving post-transition. Whether you're a high performer, a veteran, or someone seeking to unlock your full potential—this episode is packed with inspiration, insight, and practical takeaways you won’t want to miss.

Get ready to unleash some serious success vibes as Zack Ellison and Shawne Merriman dive deep into the world of longevity and adaptability in the entertainment industry with the one and only Bill Bellamy. In this episode of Success Unleash’d, hear Bill Bellamy, renowned actor, comedian, and entrepreneur, share his incredible journey from MTV's hottest VJ to a multifaceted entertainment powerhouse. Discover the secrets behind his decades-long career, including exclusive stories about interviewing Michael Jackson and starring alongside Al Pacino in "Any Given Sunday." Bill breaks down the crucial role of discipline, pivoting with industry changes, and the power of building genuine relationships—lessons perfect for anyone aiming to carve out their own path to success, whether in entertainment or beyond.

Ready to unlock the secrets to shattering glass ceilings and championing equity? Join Zack Ellison and Shawne Merriman in this episode of Success Unleash’d as they connect with Caroline Codsi of Women in Governance. Discover her inspiring journey from corporate frustration to leading a nationwide movement for gender parity. Learn about the groundbreaking parity certification impacting major companies, the surprising structural barriers hindering women, and the power of audacity and resilience. Plus, Caroline shares a thought-provoking concern about the future of gender dynamics. Tune in for an empowering conversation that will challenge your perspective and ignite your drive for change!

In this episode of Success Unleash’d, hosts Zack Ellison and Shawne Merriman sit down with NFL legend Roy Williams who shares the mindset, lessons, and hustle that defined his career success. From manifesting a childhood dream into a reality to rebounding from financial setbacks, he unpacks raw truths and game-changing takeaways that made him president of his very own corporation.

In this episode of Success Unleash’d, Zack Ellison and Shawne Merriman sit down with Jim Poole, CEO of NuCalm, to explore their experiences and takeaways in building a revolutionary technology. He looks back to the origins of their all-natural and clinically proven neuroacoustic software that reduces stress, improves sleeping patterns, and optimizes athletic performance.

Delve into the groundbreaking evolution of hip-hop culture and media empires alongside the visionary Dave Mays, founder of The Source magazine and CEO of Breakbeat Media, as Zack Ellison and Shawne Merriman guide a compelling conversation. On this episode, Dave shares his extraordinary journey from Harvard student to architect of hip-hop's most influential publication, and his current mission to unite a global community through Breakbeat Media's innovative podcast network. Listen to firsthand accounts of the golden era of hip-hop, the challenges of navigating the early internet age, and the powerful lessons learned from both soaring successes and humbling setbacks. Dave offers a unique perspective on the evolution of hip-hop, the importance of authentic connection, and his unwavering belief in the culture's ability to transcend boundaries and bring people together, making this a must-listen for anyone passionate about music, media, and the entrepreneurial spirit.