In this episode, Rita Moreno shares her journey from working 11 years as a dental assistant to stepping into real estate, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. She opens up about what it took to leave the security of healthcare behind, the mindset needed to take risks, and how faith continues to guide her decisions.

Rita also talks about the importance of systems, the lessons she learned from her first out-of-state investment property, and how setbacks helped shape her into the entrepreneur she is today. From business mindset to habit formation, this conversation is full of honest insight for anyone navigating change.

We also discuss:

Leaving a stable career to bet on yourself
Why systems matter in business and life
Mindset, depression, and emotional discipline
How faith influences everyday decisions
Lessons from real estate investing
Building better habits for long-term success

Whether you are thinking about changing careers, growing a business, or strengthening your mindset, Rita’s story is a reminder that every challenge can become a lesson.

Subscribe for more conversations on mindset, business, faith, and growth.

#RitaMoreno #RealEstate #Entrepreneurship #Mindset #CareerChange #FaithAndBusiness #PersonalGrowth #AtomicHabits #Podcast #BrickByBrick

#padernachtpodcast #realestate #entrepreneurship #bronxstories #generationalwealth #leadership #brickbybrick #communityleaders #businessmindset #americandreamtv

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Welcome to The Padernacht Podcast: Brick by Brick. Where we explore the stories behind real people, real businesses, and real communities.

In this episode with Vincent Buccieri of Today Realty Corp., we sit down for a real conversation about growing up in the Bronx, family influence, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to build a lasting name in real estate.

We talk about:

Bronx upbringing in Pelham Parkway, Morris Park, and Arthur Avenue

Fordham Prep and the lessons that shaped us

How family and early work experiences built an entrepreneurial mindset

Why integrity, transparency, and relationships still win in real estate

Advice for sellers on pricing, pre-inspections, and avoiding surprises

Advice for buyers on inspections and making smart decisions

Major development projects shaping the future of the Bronx

Cars, community, faith, and what legacy really means

This episode is for anyone who loves the Bronx, believes in doing business the right way, and wants to build something that lasts.

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In this episode of Padernacht Podcast: Brick by Brick, I’m joined by Sean O’Connor — a trauma-informed psychotherapist and peak performance coach — for a real conversation about the moments people don’t talk about: pressure, stress, and struggling on the inside while looking “fine” on the outside.

We get into how past experiences can quietly shape how you show up in work, relationships, health, and leadership — and what it actually takes to bounce back through healing + habits, not just hype.

What we cover:

• The experiences that shape high performers
• The “I’m good” façade while you’re battling internally
• Why anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and relationship patterns often have a deeper root
• How to rebuild your life in a way that protects your peace, health, and relationships
• Legacy: building success without sacrificing who you are

Sean also shares his story — growing up in Valhalla, NY, his Irish Catholic upbringing, playing football at Iona Prep and UMass, suffering in silence from age 11, starting therapy at 21/22, and how addiction led him to AA and ultimately into the mental health field (earning his master’s at LIU).

If you’re chasing goals but feel the weight behind the scenes, this one is for you.

Subscribe for more episodes that blend real stories, growth, and legacy — built brick by brick.

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In this dynamic episode of the Padernacht Podcast, Brick by Brick (Ep. 37), host Steven M. Padernacht sits down with creative director Mike Press, a creative director who has been instrumental in helping Steven take ideas out of his head and turn them into something tangible. Mike is praised as one of the hardest-working people Steven knows.

Mike Press reveals the secrets to his insane work ethic, rooted in watching his father wake up at 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning. Mike notes that his "real work hours" are 4:00 AM to about 7:00 AM, allowing him to get most of his work done before starting his day.

KEY TAKEAWAYS & TOPICS:

• Content is a Stamina Game: Mike argues that content creation is a "stamina game"—it's about consistency, not the quick pursuit of a viral video. A viral moment can actually be the downfall to your success if you lack the infrastructure to handle it.
• Creative Direction: Learn how Mike pulls ideas out of a client's head, turning vague concepts into a visual video. He advises people to "just say it" rather than trying to over-complicate their words.
• The Storytelling Prerequisite: Mike emphasizes that creators must tell their origin story before asking for calls to action. Selling on social media requires a history of offering information and tools.
• Mike's Unexpected Past: Hear about his journey from modeling, which led to his "big break" in South Africa, to acting (studying the Meisner technique), and playing the boyfriend in Beyoncé's "Best Thing I Never Had" video. He has also been a SoulCycle instructor for nine years.
• Balancing Fatherhood: Mike discusses juggling his demanding schedule with being a father to his 17-month-old daughter, Juju. He finds fulfillment in his current path because it is "of service" to others.
• Budget Content Setup (3 Easy Wins): Mike’s advice for beginners using just an iPhone:

1. App: Download the Moment App ($7.99) to control camera settings like shutter speed and ISO.
2. Mic: Purchase a mic from Holland or DJI (as low as $30) and clip it to yourself for better audio.
3. Upgrade Instantly: Shoot in 4K resolution at 24 or 30 frames per second (fps) for a cinematic feel, and focus on talking naturally without overthinking.

#ContentStrategy #MikePress #CreativeDirector #ContentCreation #YouTubeTips #VideoMarketing #Entrepreneurship #PersonalBranding #PadernachtPodcast

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In this emotional and inspiring episode of the Padernact Podcast, host Steven Padernacht sits down with Christina Farrell, co-founder of Cleaning Wand, to share a deeply personal journey of survival and building a meaningful business in the face of profound loss.

This conversation explores the duality of grief and responsibility—the truth that you can grieve deeply while still managing the responsibilities of life, work, and parenting. As a reminder that "grief isn't the absence of strength, it's proof of love," this episode is for anyone who is "holding it together on the outside and fighting on the inside".

In this episode, you will hear:

• Building a Business from Necessity: How Christina and her husband, Kevin, launched Cleaning Wand in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a new role for their nanny, leading to a successful home cleaning and junk removal business serving New York City and Westchester County.
• The Power of Partnership: Christina shares insights into working alongside her husband, Kevin, and how their shared entrepreneurial path gave them the flexibility to parent and run a business simultaneously.
• A Story of Love and Loss: Kevin Farrell is remembered as an amazing man, a funny husband, a great provider, and a father whose most endearing quality was his patience and compassion.

Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs & Individuals:

• Learn to prioritize what truly matters and to measure time differently after loss.
• Understand the importance of emotional evolution and continuing forward even when life hurts.
• Be patient and respectful of others' time, a lesson learned during her father's illness.
• Never forget that you "never know what somebody is dealing with," and to be understanding when a customer or prospect seems "short" or "rude".
• The essential role of friends and family as a small business's first clients and promoters.

About the Guest:

Christina Farrell is the co-founder of Cleaning Wand, a home cleaning and commercial junk removal service based in New York.

Follow Steven M. Padernacht and the Padernact Podcast:

• Contact the user via email: smprealty@gmail.com
• Based in Bronx, New York

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In this episode, host Steven Padernacht talks with business growth expert and keynote speaker Dan Sakowsky, also known as Big D. Dan helps entrepreneurs tighten systems, strengthen leadership, and scale with confidence.

Dan shares his incredible story of overcoming adversity:

* After facing bankruptcy at age 24 and a heart attack at 40, Dan rebuilt his life.
* He went on to build and sell three companies, scaling over $30 million in business.

Key discussion points and strategies covered in this episode:

* Dan's upbringing in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and starting his first construction company at 17.
* How Dan went from netting $3.8 million between the ages of 17 and 24 to going bankrupt at the end of that year.
* The shift from chasing money to chasing purpose.
* Why hiring a business coach after his bankruptcy was a life-changing decision.
* The difference between an entrepreneur and a "want-trepreneur".
* The importance of systems and processes for business growth.
* Why many business owners are trapped in a “glorified job” because they are the bottleneck.
* The value of a coach who challenges your current thinking.
* The mindset of an unshakable leader.

Dan Sakowsky shares raw truth and real strategies through his platforms, the Big D Podcast and the Intrepidus Podcast.

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On this episode of the Padernacht Podcast, "brick by brick", host Steven M. Padernacht, a third-generation Bronx native born and raised in the real estate game, welcomes guest Jimmy Riley. Jimmy Riley is a healer, body worker, and a fifth-degree black belt.

Riley has dedicated his life to studying the human body, focusing not only on how it moves but also on how it remembers. From deep tissue body work and mobility development to high-level Okinawan Goju-ryu karate, he blends tradition, science, intuition, and philosophy into an integrated system of human performance.

In this conversation, we dive into the topics of pain as communication, embodiment, movement learning, and the fading relevance of traditional martial arts. We also discuss how true understanding of a craft can bring meaning back into it. This episode will definitely make you think differently about your body and your life.

Jimmy Riley is a Westchester County native who, after two years at Manhattanville College, pursued his true path at the Swedish Institute for massage school in Manhattan. Join us as we explore his journey from pre-physical therapy to becoming a respected professional in body work and martial arts, avoiding traditional college trajectories to get straight into work faster

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In this insightful and wide-ranging episode of The Padernacht Podcast: Brick by Brick, Steven Padernacht sits down with Scott Kaufman, Vice President of Alternative at Buchwald and a seasoned media and entertainment executive who has spent nearly two decades helping talent build lasting, profitable careers.

From growing up on Long Island to navigating the early grind of unpaid internships, cold-call sales jobs, and relentless hustle, Scott shares a raw and honest look at what it really takes to break into media and representation. He opens up about the lessons learned from rejection, integrity in sales, and why mastering communication, storytelling, and listening became the foundation of his success.

Scott walks through his unconventional journey—from selling radio ads across Long Island to working on film sets for free, and eventually rising to a leadership role at one of the most respected talent agencies in the business. Along the way, he explains how discipline, humility, and relationship-building separate short-term wins from long-term careers.
Steven and Scott dive deep into the realities of the entertainment industry, personal branding, sales psychology, and why integrity still matters in a high-stakes, ego-driven world. They also unpack the importance of mentorship, learning the fundamentals, and betting on yourself when the path isn’t clear.

They discuss:

🎙️ Breaking into media and entertainment without a roadmap
📞 How cold-calling and rejection build elite business skills
🧠 Why communication and listening are the real superpowers in sales
🎬 The transition from unpaid work to real opportunity
💼 Building long-term careers for talent in media, sports, and entertainment
📈 Personal branding, integrity, and sustaining success in competitive industries

This episode is more than a career story — it’s a masterclass in patience, persistence, and professionalism. Whether you’re trying to break into entertainment, build a sales career, or level up your personal brand, Scott’s journey proves that nothing is overnight — it’s built brick by brick.

🎧 Tune in now for an honest conversation on hustle, storytelling, and building careers that last.

🔗 Connect with Scott Kaufman:
💼 Buchwald: https://www.buchwald.com

🎙️ Host: Steven Padernacht
🎥 Produced by: Cai Vision Productions

🎙️ Subscribe to The Padernacht Podcast: Brick by Brick for more inspiring stories of real people creating impact and building a better future — one brick at a time.

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