From his roots on a Maryland farm to his service in the Marines reflects on how his life experiences shaped his writing—driven by themes of survival, resilience, and realism, G. Michael Hopf.
G. Michael Hopf is a USA Today bestselling author and Marine Corps veteran whose diverse life experiences—ranging from combat service to work as a bodyguard and commercial diver—fuel his gripping post-apocalyptic and Western fiction. Best known for The New World series, Hopf draws on themes of survival, resilience, and human nature, crafting stories that both entertain and inspire. Now based in San Diego, he's also a devoted husband and father, committed to storytelling that explores the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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A Cybersecurity expert's journey through the evolution of cybercrime—from the innocent experimentation of the early internet to today’s AI-powered, state-sponsored threats, Joseph Steinberg.
Joseph Steinberg is a leading cybersecurity expert who has worked in the field since its early days, tracing his journey back to the pre-commercial internet of the 1980s and 90s. With a strong technical foundation and a master’s degree from NYU, he began his career in the mid-1990s, integrating security systems for financial institutions before moving into startups, writing, consulting, and eventually expert witness testimony. Recognized for his ability to demystify complex digital evidence in court, Steinberg now helps legal teams navigate high-stakes cybersecurity litigation. His insights have shaped public understanding of cyber threats, from early online scams to today’s deepfake-powered fraud and nation-state attacks. A former Forbes columnist and author of Cybersecurity for Dummies, he emphasizes practical cyber hygiene, multi-factor authentication, and strong password habits. Steinberg continues to raise awareness about digital risks and AI’s evolving role in cybercrime, advocating for personal responsibility and education in a world where attackers only need to succeed once—but defenders must be vigilant always.
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An extraordinary journey from his humble beginnings in a Canadian oil town to the far reaches of the globe, retracing the paths of legendary explorers and embarking on solo expeditions across challenging terrains, Bert Terhart.
Bert Terhart is an adventurer, sailor, and lifelong explorer who currently resides on a smaller island off Vancouver Island, Canada, a place with a surprisingly large population of 750,000. Originally from the prairies of Canada near Fargo, North Dakota, Bert grew up in a small, hardworking oil town, shaped by cold landscapes and a strong sense of community. His Dutch heritage, with a family background in the Merchant Marine, ignited his lifelong love of sailing. Bert joined the Canadian Army at 17, attending the Canadian military college, the equivalent of West Point. He served in the Canadian Special Service Force, an elite unit trained alongside the U.S. military, and participated in intense Cold War-era training exercises. His military experience led him to reflect on the harsh realities of war, but he ultimately left the Army and pursued a career in oceanography after being disqualified from the Navy due to colorblindness. A passion for the ocean, history, and exploration led Bert to retrace the routes of legendary explorers like Captain Cook and William Bligh, sailing over 50,000 nautical miles and navigating some of the most remote and challenging regions in the world, including the Arctic Circle and the Bering Sea. He is also known for his solo paddling expeditions across Canada and adventurous voyages in the Southern Ocean.
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Unconventional path took him from coding at age 10 to founding startups, embracing digital nomadism, and pioneering AI-driven business solutions, Matt Leta.
Matt Leta is a Polish-born entrepreneur, digital artist, and AI innovator. A gifted but rebellious student, he discovered his passion for coding at age 10 and later explored architecture and music. At 19, he founded Dropper, a mobile-first platform for artists, which grew to 250,000 users before securing seven-figure funding and moving to California. Anticipating the remote work revolution, Matt launched multiple ventures, including Table, but faced challenges, including a hostile takeover. After stepping away, he traveled the world, founded Fukui Cool, a successful digital agency, and embraced a nomadic lifestyle. In 2023, he pivoted to AI-driven professional services, building FutureWorks, which optimizes business operations through AI. His book, The Leap Guide, became a bestseller, and his upcoming release, 100x (April 2025), focuses on AI-driven scaling and efficiency. Matt continues to drive innovation, challenging traditional consulting models with AI-powered solutions.
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A retired veteran, pastor, mentor, author, podcaster, and selfless servant earned the nickname "Father Bob" for his dedicated and altruistic service, Robert Jordan.
Robert Jordan, raised in a small village in Upstate New York, grew up in a hardworking, blue-collar family with strong community ties. After high school, he farmed cattle for nine years before earning a degree from SUNY Albany. Inspired by the 1993 World Trade Center attack, he joined the Navy at age 34, intending to serve briefly before law school but instead committed to a long military career. Jordan served five tours in Afghanistan, rising from Chief Petty Officer to Chief Warrant Officer in elite special operations. Witnessing both the brutality of war and the resilience of the Afghan people, he dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts, assisting widows, orphans, and struggling communities. After retiring in 2019, he founded a nonprofit supporting Afghanistan’s poorest and continues advocating for veterans. Now an author, pastor, and philanthropist, Jordan has published books like Faith, Flag, and Family and The Warms of the Gospel series. He also co-authored a teen novella, Mackenzie's Good Fortune Through Misadventure, with his granddaughter. He hosts the Veterans Outlook podcast and leads Task Force Genesis, helping veterans heal through agriculture.
Long Shot Leaders tell the stories and secrets of leaders, Innovators, entrepreneurs, and various high achievers. We interview people of all walks of life and explore their struggles, shortcomings, challenges, and setbacks that ultimately lead to growth and betterment.
Hard-hitting and fast-moving, connecting people from all walks of life to learn about entrepreneurship, leadership, relationships, cruise ships, and any other kind of damn ship you can think of. We talk to leaders in culture, film, regular business, show business, monkey business, you name it! digging deep to find the tools, tactics, and tricks that listeners can use.
Michael Stein likes deconstructing why people do what they do and how they can be better.
South Africa