Discover how these entrepreneurs achieved success in both business and life, hosted by Alan Olsen, CPA, MBA.
Each week, Alan Olsen invites accomplished individuals to share the secrets behind their success stories. Tune in and be inspired by real-world insights, life lessons, and practical tips you can use to pursue your own American Dream.
Meet Some of Our Guests
Key's to Life's Success
The American Dreams show was the brainchild of Alan Olsen, CPA, MBA. It was originally created to fill a specific need; often inexperienced entrepreneurs lacked basic information about raising capital and how to successfully start a business. Alan sincerely wanted to respond to the many requests from aspiring entrepreneurs asking for the information and introductions they needed. But he had to find a way to help in which his venture capital clients and friends would not mind. The American Dreams show became the solution, first as a radio show and now with YouTube videos as well. Always respectful of interview guests’ time, he’s able to give access to information and inspiration previously inaccessible to first‑time entrepreneurs who need it most. They can listen to venture capitalists and successful business people explain first‑hand how they got to where they are, how to start a company, overcome challenges, envision future opportunities, balance work and life, and so much more.
Topics from guests have included:
- Creating purpose in life
- Building a foundation for their life
- Solving problems
- Finding fulfillment through philanthropy and service
- Becoming self‑reliant
- Enhancing effective leadership
- Balancing family and work
American Dreams discusses many topics from some of the world's most successful individuals about their secrets to life's success.
Recent American Dreams Episodes
Real Audio Video | Johnathan Law
About Johnathan Law Johnathan Law received his formal education in culinary arts. While recovering from a car accident he found he built himself a home theater system- when his family and friends wanted one as well, he decided that it was more fun than working in food services. Johnathan is the cofounder of Real…
How to Change the Culture of an Organization | Prasad Kaipa
About Prasad Kaipa Prasad has been an advisor and coach focusing on innovation and leadership since 1990 for about 120 C-level executives in Global Fortune 500 companies. Prasad’s unique competence is in helping his clients find their next significant step and take it. He found that unless he helps clients to examine their signature…
Legacy of Service | Cliff Dochterman
About Cliff Dochterman Cliff Dochterman served as the World President of Rotary International from 1992-1993. His professional career was spent in the field of higher education administration. As a youth, being motivated by his brother, Cliff became part of the Boy Scouts of America where he obtained the rank of Eagle scout. He has…
Where does Happiness Come From? | Richard Del Monte
About Richard Del Monte Richard is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Certified Wealth Consultant, and nationally recognized expert on Families and Wealth. Richard has been featured on FOX Business News, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Private Opportunities Club, Private Wealth Magazine, Trust & Estates, and Family Wealth Report. A sought after speaker, he…
The Future of Health Care | McKay Thomas
About McKay Thomas Since he was in high school, McKay Thomas has been an entrepreneur. Some of his companies have been, pooltables.com, baby.com and ainda.com Currently he is the co-founder and CEO of First Opinion, a company which matches a personal doctor to to their clients that they can contact 24 hours a day.…
Attention Triggers | Ben Parr
About Ben Parr Ben Parr is an award-winning journalist, author, entrepreneur, investor and expert on attention. Through his unique experience as a leading technology writer, venture capitalist and prolific public speaker, Parr has coached dozens of young startups and Fortune 500 corporations on how to get attention for their products. He was named one…
Beyond Baseball | Vida Blue
About Vida Blue Six time All Star, 3 time world series champion, MVP and Cy Young Award winner Vida Blue is quite a Baseball legend. Listen to his first hand experiences of what it’s like to play professional baseball and what’s the legend doing today? Interview Transcript: Alan Welcome back. I’m here today…
Disrupting The Aerospace Defense Industry with Additive Manufacturing | Kenneth Epstein
About Kenneth Epstein Ken is a principal with NewCap Partners & brings 20+years of investment banking & venture management experience, including P&L responsibility for both major business units and startups. His diverse client base includes private & family-owned businesses, strategic equity investors, large corporate venture funds, & material, high-tech & life science firms. Ken’s transaction…
The Science of Change Management | Gary Boomer
About Gary Boomer L. Gary Boomer is the Visionary & Strategist of Boomer Consulting, Inc., an organization that provides consulting services and peer communities to leading accounting firms. BCI’s vision is to make you more successful and future ready. The areas of focus are: Planning, People and Processes with technology as the accelerator. Gary is…
Predicting Success | Mike Kwantinetz
About Mike Kwatinetz Mike Kwatinetz is a founding General Partner with Azure Capital Partners where he specializes in software and related infrastructure technologies. His current board memberships are Chairish, Education.com, Julep, JumpStart, Le Tote, Medsphere, Open Road and Silkroad and he led Azure’s investment in FilterEasy, Maker Media, Coffee Meets Bagel, Sprinklr and Tripping. He…
The Master Tailor | Panos Aristakessian
About “Peter” Panos Aristakessian As a young boy Peter attended on of the finest tailoring houses in Beirut Lebanon. Driven from the country due to genocide Peter eventually found himself living in San Francisco. With only a little more than $2 in his pocket he began knocking doors seeking to demonstrate his skill in…
Chatham Created Gems and Diamonds | Tom Chatham
About Carroll Chatham In the 1920’s, Carroll Chatham at the age of 12 built his first gem growing laboratory in his family’s garage. By 1938 he had mastered growing emeralds and went on to growing rubies, sapphires and other precious stones. In 1965, his son Tom Chatham joined him in business and was eventually…
Jump Gaming – Indie Gaming Platform
Transcript, Jump Gaming – Indie Gaming Platform | Anthony Palma Alan Welcome back. I’m here today with Anthony Palma. He’s the founder and the CEO of Jump. Anthony, welcome to today’s show. Anthony Thanks for having me, Alan. Alan So Anthony, for the listeners, can you give us the background of, you know how…
Applying Your Talents | Shirley Ross Davis
Interview Transcript of: Applying Your Talents | Shirley Ross Davis Shirley Ross Davis: “We all have talents, associate them and don’t be afraid. I was never schooled in cooking or interior decorating or art- but I was a good cook, What did I do? I looked at Escoffier and saw common denominators and I…
Future Proofing Your Career | Paul Sack
About Paul Sack Paul Sack holds an A.B. magna cum laude from Harvard University, an MBA from the Harvard Business School and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. With the exception of seven years as a department store executive in the 1950’s and four years on the Peace Corps staff in…
Building Confidence in Your Career | Andrew Bergman
About Andrew Bergman Andrew is an accomplished writer with extensive experience in the field of media/entertainment. He launched his career as a freelance writer as well as translating books. He then had the opportunity to create and write many segments for Good Morning America and a variety of other ABC Network programs until the…
Networking: How to Stand Out | Paul Bagen
About Paul Bagen For more than 20 years, Paul has assisted businesses and individuals in the reaching of their professional and personal goals. He has extensive experience as a public speaker, instructor and coach. His passion is training, motivating and coaching others to achieve their goals and realize their dreams in life. “Through the…
Conscious Leadership Institute | Cam Danielson
About Cam Danielson Cam is a partner at MESA Research Group and co-founder and principal at the Conscious Leadership Institute. His work focuses on assisting leaders and management teams to revision future direction and opportunity amid the turbulence of personal, organizational, and societal change. Cam has distinctive competence in delivery of mindfulness workshops, executive…
Authors that Inspire | Jeff Benedict
About Jeff Benedict Jeff Benedict is a distinguished professor of writing and mass media at Southern Virginia University. He is an award-winning investigative journalist, essayist, and a best-selling author. He is a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated, and his work has appeared numerously in the Los Angeles Times, and the Hartford Courant. Benedict’s books…
What’s Your Financial Plan? | Joe McKissack
About Joe McKissack Joe Mckissack has over 14 years of professional experience working in the financial industry as both a financial advisor and financial consultant. He specializes in working with clients of ultra high net worth. Joe received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree at University of California Santa Barbara. Interview Transcript: Alan Welcome back.…
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“My Path” chronicles Alan Olsen’s personal journey and the transformative insights he’s gained from his acclaimed American Dreams show. Discover inspiring stories, practical advice, and the core values that empower entrepreneurs to achieve their American Dream.
Written by Alan Olsen
Co-Written by Andrew Olsen