Tom Dioro interviews Chris and Kathy Zoch of Zoch Real Estate Group in Dana Point, California discuss their 20+ year real estate track record across South Orange County (buying, selling, leasing) but emphasize that clients hire them primarily for protection and advocacy, treating clients like family.

They share guiding principles—Kathy’s “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional,” and Chris’s Proverbs 3:4–6—linking faith to integrity, disclosure, and the golden rule, even when truth may cost a sale. Chris describes a life shaped by service, accountability, and legacy, including adopting Kathy’s three children and building a blended family with four kids and five grandkids.

They explain how they transitioned into real estate after running a prior business affected by 9/11, work as complementary partners, prioritize relationship-based consultations to understand client goals, distinguish fulfillment from success, and highlight forgiveness as pivotal in Chris’s personal growth.

Each episode brings viewers closer to the lifestyle, personality, local history, and real human moments behind the homes. From Dana Point and Niguel Shores to Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel, the goal is simple: show what it actually feels like to live here.

00:00 Protection Over Skills

01:19 Meet Chris and Kathy

01:53 Mantras and Faith

04:34 Truth and Service

06:36 Legacy and Accountability

08:32 Family and Adoption Story

11:43 How They Built the Business

14:09 Clients as Family

18:47 Success Versus Fulfillment

21:09 Forgiveness Turning Point

22:47 Closing and Contact

Visit:

ochomes.org for more information.

southochomes.org

realochomes.tv

Inspiring Dreams with Pierre Buljan: A Journey Through Bay Area Real Estate and Innovation

In this episode of the Innovators Radio Show and Podcast, host Tom interviews Pierre Buljan, owner of the Buljan Group, a renowned Bay Area family luxury real estate company affiliated with Compass. Pierre reflects on his journey growing up in San Mateo, his deep connections within the Silicon Valley community, and his interactions with notable figures in sports and business. He shares his gratitude for the diverse and innovative environment of the Bay Area and talks about how it has shaped his personal and professional life. The discussion also touches on the inspirational environment and culture of grit that characterizes San Mateo County.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks

00:26 Welcome to the Innovators Radio Show

01:01 Introducing Pierre Buljan

02:10 Pierre's Personal and Professional Philosophy

04:30 Reflections on Growing Up in San Mateo

05:23 Inspiration from Silicon Valley

06:29 The Global Appeal of Silicon Valley

Chuck Brennan: From Serial Entrepreneur to Dollar Loan Center Founder

In this episode of the Innovators Podcast at Stanford, Chuck Brennan, founder and president of Dollar Loan Center, shares his entrepreneurial journey. Brennan discusses his early experiences starting businesses from sixth grade, his venture into the entertainment industry, and his transition to short-term lending. He highlights the importance of company culture, promoting employee longevity, and providing a welcoming and professional environment for customers. Brennan elaborates on Dollar Loan Center's mission to fill the gap in short-term lending amidst bank limitations, emphasizing trust and transparency in client relationships. He also shares insights on the company's community involvement, employee engagement, and future aspirations for financial product expansion.

For more information, visit

www.dontbebroke.com

00:00 Introduction and Employee Experience

00:47 Guest Introduction: Chuck Brennan

01:19 Chuck Brennan's Entrepreneurial Journey

03:06 Founding Dollar Loan Center

03:45 Business Challenges and Successes

05:16 The Payday Lending Industry

09:36 Customer Trust and Business Ethics

19:53 Company Culture and Employee Engagement

25:30 Future Goals and Community Involvement

28:18 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

Investing with Passion and Purpose: A Conversation with eToro US Head Andrew McCormick

In this episode of the Innovators Podcast, host Tom DiOro is joined by Andrew McCormick, head of eToro US. Andrew discusses his passion for investing in companies he loves, particularly relating to brands like Chipotle that resonate with his family. Throughout the conversation, Andrew highlights the importance of making investing accessible and fun, emphasizing eToro's mission to educate and empower new investors. He shares personal stories about his journey from a large financial company to eToro, the impact of his family and faith, and his commitment to breaking down barriers to investing. Listen in to learn about Andrew's vision for expanding financial literacy and his dream of increasing stock market participation among all Americans.

For more information

www.etoro.com

00:00 Introduction to Investing with Passion

00:48 Meet Andrew McCormick: Family and Career

03:37 The Journey to eToro

04:53 Personal Challenges and Professional Growth

08:03 Empowering New Investors

16:17 Future Goals and Legacy

27:14 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Mastering Discipline and Emotional Resilience in Trading: Insights from Juan Carlos Riano

In this episode of the Innovator's Podcast, host Tom interviews Juan Carlos Riano, CEO and education consultant at Smart Capital Club. They discuss the psychological aspects of trading, emphasizing the importance of discipline, emotional control, and resilience. Juan Carlos shares his journey from a high-stress encounter with financial scams to establishing Smart Capital Club, a platform offering comprehensive financial education and trading services. He highlights the significance of a solid educational foundation, the role of physical fitness in managing stress, and the process of developing a disciplined trading strategy. The episode also delves into the importance of trust in financial services and offers advice for aspiring traders and entrepreneurs.

For more information visit:

smartcapitalbroker.com

00:00 Introduction to Trading Emotions

00:29 Welcome to The Innovator's Show

01:01 Meet Juan Carlos Riano

02:21 The Importance of Discipline in Trading

03:15 The Story Behind Smart Capital

05:17 Managing Emotions in Trading

07:55 The Role of Fear in Trading Decisions

09:42 Building Trust with Clients

13:58 The Discipline of a Trader

24:46 Advice for Aspiring Traders

27:48 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Revolutionizing Payments with Franklin Levy: Instant Direct Payments at OpenPath

In this episode of The Innovators Radio Show and Podcast, hosted by KZSU Stanford University's FM radio station, Franklin Levy, a partner at OpenPath, discusses the transformative technology of instant direct payments. The conversation delves into the changes in online payment methods, benefits to both merchants and consumers, and the future of financial transactions. Levy shares insights on the innovative capabilities of OpenPath's payment system, highlighting its advantages over traditional credit and debit card transactions. The episode also explores his personal and professional motivations and the importance of trust and dedication in driving technological advancements.

For more information visit:

openpath.io

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:51 Overview of Instant Direct Payments

03:09 History and Evolution of Payment Systems

07:57 Benefits of Instant Direct Payments for Consumers and Merchants

12:15 Fraud Prevention and Security Measures

16:30 Personal Insights and Experiences

19:11 The Importance of Trust and Vision in FinTech

26:40 Future of OpenPath and Closing Remarks

Reviving Gold Mining in Colorado: An Interview with Franklin Levy

In this episode of the Innovators Radio Show and Podcast, host Tom Dioro interviews Franklin Levy, co-founder and managing director of GS Mining Holdings. Franklin shares the history and operations of GS Mining in Gilpin County, Colorado, known as the richest square mile on Earth due to its abundant gold deposits discovered in 1859. The conversation covers the historical context and challenges of mining in the area, Levy's personal journey from iron ore mining in China to Colorado, and modern advancements in gold extraction technologies and sustainable practices. Levi also discusses the potential of new financial innovations, such as gold-backed tokens through a partnership with Dignity Gold. The episode highlights the revival of a historic industry with contemporary technologies and methods, aiming for a sustainable and profitable future.

For more information, visit

https://www.gsminingholdings.com/

00:00 Introduction to the Innovators Radio Show

00:49 Meet Franklin Levy: Passion for Gold Mining

01:10 The Rich History of Gilpin County Gold

04:03 Franklin's Journey from Iron Ore to Gold

05:47 Challenges and Triumphs in Gold Mining

11:02 Modern Gold Mining Techniques and Sustainability

21:43 Innovations in Gold Extraction

24:14 Future Prospects and Collaborations

26:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Innovators Podcast: From Holiday Lights to Emergency Services – The Journey of Ascender Systems

In this episode of the Innovators Podcast, host Tom Dioro interviews Jorge and Ethan Muniz, the dynamic father-son duo behind Ascender Systems. Beginning with the inventive solution to putting up Christmas lights, their journey led to the creation of a prototype robotic climber. The discussion covers overcoming the challenges of customer pushback, the evolution of their prototype, and their aspirations to aid emergency services with cutting-edge technology. Jorge and Ethan share insights into their product's journey, its potential impact, and the personal growth they experienced through pitching their innovation at competitions worldwide.

Ascender Systems has designed a patented lightweight robotic solution for climbing up various vertical structures (e.g. poles, pipes, columns). Each "climber" robot can carry and install a "leave-behind" with a personalized customer-selected payload that best meets their needs. Our "climber" can optionally return to the ground to be reused. Customizable "leave-behind" systems can include communications relay, lighting, thermal detections, cameras, and/or satellite uplink.

For more information about Ascender Systems, visit the website

https://ascendersystems.com/

00:00 Introduction to Ascender Systems

00:59 Meet the Founders: Jorge and Ethan Muniz

02:08 The Mantra: There Has to Be a Better Way

03:14 From Christmas Lights to Emergency Services

04:21 Challenges and Customer Discovery

08:08 Prototyping and Iterations

12:02 Competitions and Funding

13:31 Future Prospects and Personal Growth

21:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts