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Agents of Innovation

Agents of Innovation

By: Francisco Gonzalez
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 The Agents of Innovation podcast features interviews with entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and artists.All rights reserved Economics
Episodes
  • Episode 164: Joe Gallagher, A Recipe for Redemption and Entrepreneurial Success, Charleston, SC

    Episode 164: Joe Gallagher, A Recipe for Redemption and Entrepreneurial Success, Charleston, SC
    Nov 22 2025
    In this powerful episode of the Agents of Innovation podcast, Joe Gallagher—founder and CEO of Apastioli and a former Grammy-nominated musician—shares his remarkable journey from rising rock artist to surviving a devastating car accident, spiraling into addiction, facing legal battles, and ultimately finding faith, sobriety, and a new entrepreneurial purpose. Joe recounts how a simple batch of his grandmother’s pasta sauce sparked the launch of Apastioli, a rapidly growing food and fragrance brand intertwined with his mission to help others in recovery. He also reveals his vision for a regenerative farm, upcoming film and TV projects based on his story, and why manifestation, service, and trusting God now guide his life and business. Watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/BrUi_wDB3ug Learn more about him at: https://www.apastioli.com Find him on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/joegallagherjr/ Follow the Agents of Innovation podcast on: Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/innovationradio X: / https://x.com/agentinnovation Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/AgentsOfInnovationPodcast You can support this podcast and our Fearless Journeys community on our Patreon account: www.patreon.com/fearlessjourneys You can also join our network -- and our group trips -- through the Fearless Journeys community at: https://www.fearlessjourneys.org and subscribe to our free newsletter at: https://fearlessjourneys.substack.com 00:00 – Intro to Joe Gallagher and the Agents of Innovation podcast. 01:20 – Meeting Joe in Charleston 03:20 – The Fearless Journeys community & upcoming Chile–Argentina trip 04:24 – What is Apastioli? 04:59 – Grammy Nomination & The Car Accident 06:18 – Injuries, Recovery, and Identity Crisis 07:42 – Attempted Murder Charge 09:56 – DUI, Addiction, and Hitting Bottom; The downward spiral and legal consequences. 13:17 – Rock Bottom to Redemption. 14:30 – Pasta Sauce Sparks a Business; How feeding friends in recovery launched Apastioli. 21:41 – Packaging, FDA, and Scaling Challenges 23:10 – Vision for a Regenerative Farm 26:13 – Discovering the 1,700-acre Long Wing Plantation 27:38 – From Bars to Jars (the Book); Joe’s first book and the storytelling strategy behind it. 28:36 – Angel Studios Reaches Out 29:38 – Writing the Fictional Sequel; A future vision in book form 31:28 – The Power of Storytelling in Entrepreneurship; How Joe’s story builds brand connection. 32:14 – Angel Studios, The Chosen & Film Industry Insights 36:02 – The Apastioli Brand Expands to Fragrances; Moonshine lessons, oil extraction, and luxury fragrance development. 40:38 – Vision, Manifestation & Mapping the Future; Why Joe writes fiction to shape reality. 42:24 – The Letter to God That Came True; A year of manifestations unexpectedly becoming reality. 43:30 – How to Get Joe’s Book, "From Bars to Jars," and where to find it online. 44:21 – Apastioli: Products, Website & Trademark Story; Where to buy Apastioli sauces and fragrances. 45:44 – Joe’s Film/TV Development Team; Managers, agents, producers—full momentum ahead. 48:36 – The 1,700-Acre Farm Update: Why the owners are holding out for Joe’s project. 49:36 – Investment Opportunity; Joe is open to investors and shares potential ROI. 50:17 – Joe’s Message to Anyone Struggling: Why his phone number is public and how he wants to serve others. 51:30 – Closing Thoughts: Faith, manifestation, service, and Joe’s gratitude.
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    52 mins
  • Episode 163: Mod Cardenas, The Art of Being an Entrepreneur, Guatemala City

    Episode 163: Mod Cardenas, The Art of Being an Entrepreneur, Guatemala City
    Oct 28 2025
    Mod Cárdenas (b. Guatemala 1982) is a contemporary visual artist and pioneer of Guatemalan street art. Alongside his art, Cardenas pursued a career in Clinical Psychology, that has informed his approach to art from a research and observational base. Cardenas has exhibited extensively around the world with 14 solo exhibitions and several group shows, in addition to his murals and public art installations locally and abroad. His work has received numerous honors including the Highly Commended Award from SAP in Australia, Honorific Mention by Fundación Rozas Botrán in Guatemala, and a finalist position at GAA in Dubai. He was also recognized by the Finance Minister of Guatemala for his contribution to Guatemalan culture and by the Congress of the Guatemalan Republic for his impactful contributions and elevation of the art and culture produced in their country. His work is included in collections such as the Guatemalan National Congress Collection, the Luciano Benetton Collection in Italy, and the Fundación Rozas-Botrán Museum in Guatemala. Watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/6NqFcTrLYnM Learn more about him at: https://www.modcardenas.com Find him on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/mod77art/ Follow the Agents of Innovation podcast on: Instagram: / innovationradio Twitter: / agentinnovation Facebook: / agentsofinnovationpodcast You can support this podcast and our Fearless Journeys community on our Patreon account: www.patreon.com/fearlessjourneys Want us to host a Fearless Journey group trip to Memphis with Matt Stone? Email us at: fearlessjourneysLLC at gmail dot com You can also join our network -- and our group trips -- through the Fearless Journeys community at: https://www.fearlessjourneys.org and subscribe to our free newsletter at: https://fearlessjourneys.substack.com 00:00 Episode Introduction 00:50 How do we meet? 01:05 First time listening to an episode? // What is Fearless Journeys 3:08 Where did you get your name Mod? 04:39 At what time did you start doing graffiti? 07:04 Art is part of everybody’s life 09:14 10 Characteristics of a successful entrepreneur Curious & creative 10:58 How did you start? Why were you anonymous 13:30 Education and other jobs 16:54 Why Mod became a top 5 Tattoo Artist in Guatemala City 18:17 How do people find you before Social Media? 19:15 What kind of art are you particularly known for now? 21:37 Mod’s studio 24:00 Self education & Social media 27:44 How’s a Guatemalan artist recognized internally and externally 30:03 The importance of telling your story 35:44 The Power of connections 41:05 How can an artist get income? 42:00 How to manage your income being an solo entrepreneur 42:52 Finding a partner that understands you 51:45 How did you get your own Studio 52:15 Not everything is smooth Sailing as an artist - The power of MKTNG 55:14 How to contact Mod 57:35 Commission art and work 59:42 How do you help other artists 1:05:30 Difference between the artist mind and the entrepreneurial mind 1:12:15 You need to sell yourself 1:16:15 Traveling & awards 1:22:30 How many countries have you been to now? 1:25:00 Wrap
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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • Episode 162: An Update from Matt Stone, Elvis Presley Tribute Artist

    Episode 162: An Update from Matt Stone, Elvis Presley Tribute Artist
    Aug 31 2025
    Matt Stone was a previous guest on Episode 117 of the Agents of Innovation (October 2022). You can revisit that episode for Matt's story before 2022 here: https://youtu.be/eF_lJ03STrc?si=L4Ry0Yl9CHF0RPbP In this episode, we catch up with him since so much has happened in his life and career. A husband and now father of a 2-year old, Matt has taken his Elvis tribute show all over the United States and even internationally. He has met Priscilla Presley and even played Elvis' piano in RCA Studio B. This episode will teach you how one young man is charting his own course and how you can learn and apply lessons from his own story. Learn more about Matt Stone at: https://www.mattstoneaselvis.com Find him on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/realmattstone You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/vEmfhO54l24 Follow the Agents of Innovation podcast on: Instagram: / innovationradio Twitter: / agentinnovation Facebook: / agentsofinnovationpodcast You can support this podcast and our Fearless Journeys community on our Patreon account: www.patreon.com/fearlessjourneys Want us to host a Fearless Journey group trip to Memphis with Matt Stone? Email us at: fearlessjourneysLLC at gmail dot com You can also join our network -- and our group trips -- through the Fearless Journeys community at: https://www.fearlessjourneys.org and subscribe to our free newsletter at: https://fearlessjourneys.substack.com 0:00 Episode Introduction 3:02 Expanding the Elvis Tribute Artist tour 6:14 Renting Venues, Taking Risk and Ownership 7:34 Why Being a Student of Marketing and Advertising Helps 10:25 How to Pitch Talent Buyers to Take On Risk of Show Expenses 11:14 Creating Your Own Opportunity with Four Wall Touring 13:28 Why Entertainers Should Build Business Skills 18:53 National Touring with a Full Band 25:32 Playing Elvis' Piano in RCA Studio B in Nashville 30:57 The Importance of Consistency in Business Marketing 37:25 Learning Through Free Resources 38:45 Training AI as Your Assistant 40:48 Balancing a Separate Full Time Job and Being an Elvis Tribute Artist 44:37 Meeting Priscilla Presley 51:31 What's Next For Matt Stone? 53:40 Learning by Doing 54:30 Detail-oriented in Recreating Authentic Elvis Shows 1:01:50 Recapping Lessons We Can Learn from Matt Stone 1:04:08 Next Step: Scaling Up 1:05:56 A Trip to Memphis with Matt Stone?
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    1 hr and 7 mins
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