Greater Good Radio

STEVE SAWYER 03.07.2026 1h 16min

Steve Sawyer grew up in a home where silence was the deadliest weapon — and rage could erupt without warning. As founder of the Developmental Trauma Training Institute, Steve draws on his own childhood wounds to reveal how unhealed trauma shapes every relationship, addiction, and behavior we carry into adulthood. From the neuroscience of the nervous system and the four core survival wounds identified by Anna Freud, to the life-changing power of repairing better as a parent, this conversation is a roadmap for breaking generational cycles and reclaiming connection. Watch now to discover why healing trauma isn't about soothing the pain — it's about moving through it.

MIKE DEMATTOS 19.06.2026 1h 45min

What if the key to healing trauma, anxiety, and depression has been misunderstood for decades — and the answer lies in a medicine most of us were taught to fear? Mike DeMattos, Chair of the Bachelor of Social Work Program at the University of Hawaii, joins Evan Leong for a deeply honest and wide-ranging conversation about psychedelic-assisted therapy, the roots of self-rejection, and what it truly means to heal. Mike shares how his initial skepticism gave way to compelling research — and how psilocybin, MDMA, and other psychedelics may offer something traditional treatments have struggled to provide: a new way of seeing the world, free from the emotional patterns that have held us back. From unpacking childhood trauma and the "ruminative conditions" that trap us, to the power of IFS therapy and his own deeply personal unburdening, Mike brings both the clinical expertise and the lived experience of someone who has done the hard work himself. Watch now to discover why healing is never a solo journey — and why being whole matters more than being good.

BRAD YATES 05.06.2026 1h 12min

Brad Yates spent six decades coaching elite athletes, leaders, and even legendary college football head coach Bill Curry — and his hardest lesson came from looking inward at his own unprocessed anger. At 84, the former Punahou School educator and high-performance coach sits down with Evan Leong to unpack "Accept Love," his framework for elite performance, why most of what we call passion is actually stored anger, and how grief, fear, and agency intertwine in every leader's life. From getting recruited to Georgia Tech to coaching at Punahou for 30 years, surviving FBI protection alongside Bill Curry at Alabama, and writing a coach's manual at 84, Brad shares the wisdom that only comes from a life fully lived. Watch now to learn why elite performance starts with accepting the work — and why repressed emotions quietly destroy even the strongest leaders.

SCOTT SIMON 22.05.2026 1h 38min

Scott Simon walked away from a high-paying executive career to become a leadership coach — and the journey that led him there is anything but ordinary. From playing D3 volleyball at Santa Clara after turning down Princeton, to navigating corporate law and a company bankruptcy, to ultimately trading a corporate paycheck for the freedom to build something on his own terms, Scott brings a rare depth of lived experience to every coaching conversation. In this episode, he and Evan Leong unpack the mindset shifts, practical frameworks, and personal turning points that define a life built around continuous reinvention and service to others. Watch now to discover what it really takes to lead — and to let go.

PAL ELDREDGE 08.05.2026 1h 56min

Pal Eldredge has lived one of Hawaii’s most extraordinary sporting lives — from a three-sport athlete at Punahou and a College World Series competitor at BYU, to decades coaching baseball, scouting for Major League Baseball, and teaching fifth grade to a boy the world would come to know as Barack Obama. Evan Leong sits down with Coach Pal for an unflinching conversation about aging, legacy, physical decline, and what it truly means to give back to the game and the people who shaped you. Pal shares raw and moving reflections on losing his brother and sister, raising daughters he’s fiercely proud of, and why the greatest thing a player could ever say is “I learned a lot from that man.” Watch now to hear the honest truth about a life lived fully — and what really matters when the innings run out.

FOREST FRIZZELL 24.04.2026 1h 24min

What if a tech CEO isn’t self-made—but community-made? In this powerful conversation, Forest Frizzell shares his raw, deeply personal journey from a troubled childhood marked by learning struggles, self-doubt, and survival, to becoming the co-founder of a globally recognized clean energy company. This episode goes beyond entrepreneurship—it’s about being “Hānai’d” (nourished and lifted) by people who believed in him, finding belonging in Hawaii, and redefining success through impact, humility, and service. Forest opens up about overcoming the belief that he wasn’t smart, learning to lead without losing himself, and why community—not credentials—is what truly builds leaders. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t fit the traditional path to success, this story will change how you see what’s possible.

SHERRY MENOR 10.04.2026 1h 35min

Sherry Menor, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, sits down with Evan Leong for one of the most candid conversations about leadership, identity, and personal growth you'll hear from a Hawaii executive. Born in Tokyo and raised in Hilo in a strict Japanese-Filipino household, Sherry's path to becoming the first female CEO in the Chamber's 175-year history was anything but linear — it included detours through Hollywood extra work, a stint with Elton John's production team, a statewide political campaign, and years of learning to stop performing and start being herself. She opens up about imposter syndrome, the loneliness at the top, the transformative power of therapy, and what it finally feels like to own who you are. Watch now to hear the full story of what authenticity really costs — and everything it gives back.

LEI PEDRO 27.03.2026 1h 26min

What does it really mean to lead with Aloha in business? In this episode of Greater Good Radio, Pacific Business News Publisher Lei Pedro shares how her Hawaiian heritage, family legacy, and life experiences shaped her approach to leadership, connection, and community. From growing up in a family of traditional lei makers to becoming one of Hawaiʻi’s most influential business media leaders, Lei explains why great leaders connect people, speak with radical candor, and always lead with purpose. This conversation explores the deeper meaning of Aloha, culture in the workplace, and how business success can still honor values and community. Watch now to learn how the power of Aloha can transform leadership and business.

CHRISTINE CAMP 13.03.2026 1h 11min

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Evan Leong sits down with Christine Camp — Korean immigrant, single mother, runaway teen, and founder & CEO of Avalon Group — for a raw, unfiltered conversation about survival, identity, healing, and what it truly takes to build something meaningful in Hawaiʻi. Christine opens up about leaving Korea as a child, losing her father shortly after arriving in America, running away from home at 15 and working multiple jobs to survive, and the defining moment that sent her back home and set her on a path toward education, real estate, and purpose. From founding one of Hawaiʻi's most prolific real estate development firms to raising a son on her own, Christine reflects on the wounds that drove her success, the difference between obligation and love, and why giving others hope is the greatest thing you can do — whether you're developing land or mentoring a struggling kid who feels they have none.

JOHNNY CHANKHAMANY 27.02.2026 1h 34min

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Johnny Chankhamany joins Evan Leong to share his remarkable journey from growing up in a low-income immigrant household to becoming a respected finance leader, venture capital connector, and mentor helping others break into Wall Street and beyond. Johnny opens up about watching his parents sacrifice everything, the mindset shifts that pulled him out of scarcity, the grit it took to navigate college and corporate finance, and how pivotal mentors changed the trajectory of his life. He talks candidly about rejection, imposter syndrome, financial literacy, and why building authentic relationships—not just resumes—creates real opportunity. More than a career story, this is a powerful conversation about responsibility, resilience, and paying it forward so the next generation doesn’t have to struggle alone. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, finance professional, or anyone determined to rewrite your story, this episode delivers hard-earned wisdom and practical insight you won’t want to miss.

IAN KITAJIMA 13.02.2026 1h 25min

In this powerful episode, Evan Leong sits down with Ian Kitajima for a deeply personal conversation that traces Ian’s journey from a childhood shaped by freedom, curiosity, and trust to a career defined by courage, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership. Ian reflects on how early life experiences influenced his willingness to take risks, challenge conventional paths, and step into uncertainty—both in business and in life—while sharing lessons on resilience, creativity, and staying grounded in values as responsibility grows. This episode goes beyond titles and achievements, offering an honest look at fear, confidence, and what it really takes to lead with heart while building meaningful impact in Hawaiʻi and beyond.

COREY CAMPBELL 30.01.2026 1h 55min

In this deeply honest and emotionally powerful episode, Evan Leong sits down with Corey Campbell, CEO and Founder of Akamai Training & Consulting and a Hoffman Process teacher, for a raw conversation on pain, grief, shame, and the lifelong work of emotional freedom. Corey opens up about childhood conditioning, identity, racial awareness, imposter syndrome, losing his brother, becoming a father, and how unprocessed emotions live in the body—shaping our patterns, leadership, and relationships. Together, Evan and Corey explore inner-child work, trauma, surrender, somatic release, the voice in our head, and what it truly means to heal rather than cope. This episode is a profound exploration of inner work, personal growth, and what it takes to move from survival patterns into authenticity, presence, and love—making it a must-watch for leaders, healers, parents, and anyone on a journey of self-discovery.

NOLAN HONG 16.01.2026 1h 24min

In this deeply personal and vulnerable episode, Nolan Hong sits down with Evan Leong to unpack a lifetime of self-doubt, fear of failure, and abandonment—and the long, courageous journey toward self-love and wholeness. Nolan opens up about growing up with shame and anxiety, navigating ADHD, perfectionism, and fear-driven success, and how storytelling, healing work, and honest emotional connection have helped him reconnect with his heart instead of just his mind. Through powerful reflections on childhood wounds, identity, purpose, and what it truly means to “just be,” this conversation explores how healing happens not by fixing ourselves, but by understanding and accepting every part of who we are. If you’ve ever questioned your worth, struggled with self-criticism, or felt disconnected from your true self, this episode will resonate deeply and remind you that you’re not alone.

JOSH GREEN 02.01.2026 52min

In this powerful conversation, Josh Green sits down with host Evan Leong to share the deeply human journey that shaped his path from physician to Governor of Hawaiʻi—one defined by service, lived experience, and a commitment to bringing people together. Drawing from childhood health challenges, medical missions in India, Africa, and Samoa, years as a community doctor in Kaʻū, and leadership through crises like COVID-19 and the Maui wildfires, Governor Green explains how frontline healthcare and compassion inform his approach to policy, homelessness, public trust, and healing divided communities. This episode goes beyond politics, offering rare insight into resilience, destiny, leadership under pressure, and what it truly means to serve the greater good.

RICK BLANGIARDI 19.12.2025 1h 29min

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi opens up about the defining moments of his life—his parents’ sacrifices, the pain of loss, the challenges of fatherhood, the guilt and growth that shaped him, and the enduring love that guided every major decision he made. Rick reveals vulnerable stories about raising his children from afar, rebuilding after heartbreak, honoring his father’s legacy, and striving to live with purpose in the “twilight” of his career. This episode goes far beyond politics, offering an intimate portrait of a man shaped by family, resilience, and an unwavering sense of responsibility. If you’ve ever navigated love, loss, or the weight of doing right by the people you care about, this conversation will resonate deeply.

MANO NGUYEN 05.12.2025 1h 18min

In this powerful and emotional episode, Mano Nguyen opens up about his family’s escape from Vietnam, the challenges of growing up as a refugee, the sacrifices behind his parents’ strength, and the deep sense of duty and resilience that shaped him into a veteran, entrepreneur, and community leader. This conversation dives into identity, gratitude, cultural values, family legacy, and how community support becomes the backbone for overcoming life’s toughest battles. Mano’s story is a reminder that healing, success, and purpose all begin with the people who stand by us—and the courage to keep going no matter what.

MONTY PEREIRA 21.11.2025 1h 18min

In this heartfelt episode of Greater Good Radio, Monty Pereira, General Manager and Sales & Marketing Director of Watanabe Floral, shares the most difficult experience of his life — his daughter’s devastating concussion and the lessons it taught him about faith, patience, and letting go. From his Hawaiian roots in Hilo to his 29-year journey leading one of Hawaiʻi’s most beloved floral companies, Monty opens up about family, resilience, and the deeper purpose behind his work: bringing happiness and connection through flowers. His story is one of love, loss, and learning to trust life’s process — a powerful reminder that sometimes the hardest moments shape us the most.

VANCE ROLEY 07.11.2025 1h 13min

Dive into an inspiring, no-ego masterclass with longtime Shidler College of Business dean Vance Roley, as he shares the leadership habits that powered two decades of growth at UH Mānoa: putting faculty first, building a culture of transparency, and partnering closely with alumni and donors to expand scholarships, endowments, and global opportunities. In this candid conversation, Vance talks recruiting top professors, the Direct Admit (freshman) pipeline, why study-abroad changes lives, how dedicated career services boost job placement, and what’s next as he transitions back to the classroom. You’ll also hear his early-life grit story, why Hawaii won his heart, and his take on AI in business education—plus practical advice for parents and students navigating college, careers, and the future of work. Watch to learn the real playbook behind sustained institutional excellence and community impact.

BRETT BREWER 24.10.2025 1h 3min

From a college apartment startup to a $700 million acquisition, Brett Brewer’s journey is the real story behind MySpace, Intermix Media, and the early internet boom. In this inspiring conversation, Brett shares how luck, hustle, and relentless belief turned failure into one of tech’s biggest success stories. He reveals the lessons from 150 investor rejections, the origins of “fake it ’til you make it,” the inside story of selling to Rupert Murdoch, and how he’s paying it forward through venture investing and youth entrepreneurship. This episode is a masterclass in perseverance, timing, and staying grounded through rapid success.

JEFF ZIMMERMAN 10.10.2025 1h 9min

What does it really mean to live a life well lived? In this inspiring conversation, Jeff Zimmerman—co-owner of AdWalls and founder of Environmental Graphics Hawaii, sits down with Evan Leong to reflect on 40 years in Hawaii, the lessons of resilience after surviving a stroke, and his daily practice of “seeking beauty” in work, family, and community. From building a career in real estate and advertising to mentoring his children and embracing gratitude, Jeff shares candid stories of growth, creativity, and finding purpose beyond success. His journey is a powerful reminder that true fulfillment comes from giving back, creating meaning, and living with intention.