Share
MAKE COOL SH*T
Genea Barnes - Decisions from Freedom, Not Fear
Season 1, Ep. 9
•
Genea Barnes is the founder of Be The Wolf, a coaching and mentoring practice built on nearly two decades of personal transformation and hard-earned clarity. Her work centers on helping entrepreneurs heal from trauma so they can make decisions from freedom, not fear.
In this episode, Drew and Genea talk about what it really looks like to build a business when you’re operating from unprocessed emotions. They get into trauma, decision-making, why most business owners are stuck in prevention mode instead of creation mode, and how the invisible cages we build for ourselves dictate everything from our pricing to our client relationships.
This conversation is exactly what Make Cool Sh*t is about. It’s about long-term thinking, clarity, and understanding that real business growth is built through self-awareness, not just spreadsheets. If you’re a founder, creative, or operator trying to scale without burning out, this episode will hit home.
For more from Make Cool Sh*t, follow us:
Instagram → @wemakecoolshit
TikTok → @wemakecoolshit
YouTube → @wemakecoolshit
LinkedIn → Make Cool Sh*t Studio
Drew O’Brien → @drewobrien
Make Cool Sh*t is a design and strategy studio for the mavericks and misfits. Want to work with us? Email us directly at contact@wemakecoolshit.co.
More episodes
View all episodes
13. Zane Keyes - Respect Is The Base Of Everything
47:42||Season 1, Ep. 13Zane Keyes is the owner of Keycuts Barbershop on Church Street in Montclair, NJ. He grew up in Montclair, went to Rutgers, got his cosmetology license, and came back to plant his flag in the heart of his hometown.In this episode, Drew and Zane talk about what it really takes to build a service business from scratch, why he chose to sit in the first chair instead of hiding in the back, and how he built a team where everyone can cut every type of hair. They get into the hiring struggles every business owner faces, why respect has to be the foundation of any team, and how the service industry lost its way after Covid.Zane also shares the moment he stopped holding onto lies and anger, why he tells every new hire exactly what to expect from day one, and how three of his barbers have become six figure earners under his roof.This conversation is for anyone building a service business or trying to figure out how to lead a team that actually gives a damn.
12. Adil Malik - Say Yes, Figure It Out After
01:01:51||Season 1, Ep. 12Adil Malik is a partner at Origin Partners, an infrastructure advisory platform at the intersection of deal flow, capital, and energy. Before that, he ran his own solar company for five years, traveled to 17 countries with his wife, and said yes to opportunities before he fully understood them.In this episode, Drew and Adil talk about how a random networking dinner led to partnerships with David Meltzer, Alex Machuca, and a pivot into the data center world. They break down what data centers actually are, why AI is creating the biggest infrastructure boom in history, and how the cloud isn't invisible. It's a warehouse full of supercomputers in the middle of Oklahoma.They also get into the mindset of saying yes and figuring it out after, why most networking events are bullshit, and the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. From feeling like a fraud to closing a deal and feeling like the man.This conversation is for anyone who wants to understand where business is going and how to position yourself in the right rooms.
11. Sam Oltmans - The Only Cheat Code in Business
50:41||Season 1, Ep. 11Sam Oltmans is the founder of Core Lacrosse Events, a youth lacrosse company built on one principle: do right by the kids, every single time. After years working inside the industry, Sam saw how politics and profit were pushing out the players who deserved to be seen. He left to build something transparent.In this episode, Drew and Sam talk about what it really means to run events the right way, why the lacrosse showcase world has a credibility problem, and how building a real brand overnight changed the value of his company before he made a single sale. Sam also breaks down why branding is the only cheat code for new business owners who have the knowledge but not the time.This conversation is for anyone building something in youth sports, or any founder who wants to understand the difference between ROI and real value.
10. Anthony Diodore - Vision Over Comfort
01:05:22||Season 1, Ep. 10Anthony Diodore is the founder of Oak Bishop, a premium men’s skincare line built on quality ingredients, standout design, and a refusal to blend in with the boring black and white packaging that dominates the industry.In this episode, Drew and Anthony talk about what it really takes to build a business while working a full time job. They get into rock bottom moments, the discipline required to wake up at 3:50am every day, why most side hustles never become real businesses, and how surviving as a touring musician prepared him for entrepreneurship. Anthony also shares his journey from sleeping in a candle warehouse in Manhattan to launching a skincare brand that actually helps people.This conversation is for anyone who knows they’re meant for something more but hasn’t figured out how to make the leap yet.
8. Darren Magarro - Leadership Without Ego
01:06:42||Season 1, Ep. 8Darren Magarro is the founder of DSM, an independent agency built through nearly two decades of growth, hard lessons, and real relationships. His work centers on leadership, trust, and building teams that last beyond any single phase of a business.In this episode, Drew and Darren talk about what it looks like to grow up as a leader. They get into mentorship, imposter syndrome, learning when to step back, and why building the right relationships matters more than control or ego. Darren opens up about the realities of running a business through different seasons of life, becoming a parent, and learning how to lead people with patience, humility, and perspective.This conversation is exactly what Make Cool Sh*t is about. It is about long-term thinking, accountability, and understanding that real leadership is built through trust, not authority. If you are a founder, creative, or operator navigating growth, responsibility, and change, this episode will resonate.
7. Mike Ham - Documenting Local Culture
01:00:02||Season 1, Ep. 7Mike Ham is a New Jersey–based storyteller and the creator of Local Originals, a project dedicated to documenting the people and places that still mean something. His work focuses on real conversations captured on location, in the spaces where culture is actually built.In this episode, Drew and Mike talk about why the best stories do not happen in studios, the importance of showing up where real life happens, and what it means to preserve culture through conversation. Mike shares his approach to storytelling, building trust with the people he interviews, and why authenticity always matters more than polish.This conversation is exactly what Make Cool Sh*t is about. It is about paying attention, respecting the work, and creating space for voices that often go unheard. If you are a creator, founder, or anyone who cares about culture, community, and meaningful storytelling, this episode will resonate.
6. Alexandra Cimino - Why Community Beats Virality
50:42||Season 1, Ep. 6Alexandra Cimino is the founder of SōlMedia, a social media agency built around community, integrity, and long-term growth. Her work focuses on helping brands build real relationships online without chasing trends, virality, or empty metrics.In this episode, Drew and Alexandra unpack what it actually takes to build a sustainable business in the social media space. They talk about consistency over hype, why community always outperforms exposure, and the difference between being visible and being trusted. Alexandra opens up about scaling responsibly, saying no to the wrong clients, and building a business rooted in integrity rather than quick wins.This conversation is exactly what Make Cool Sh*t is about. It is about playing the long game. It is about doing work that aligns with your values, building relationships that last, and understanding that real growth comes from showing up consistently, not selling your soul for attention. If you are a founder, creative, or operator navigating growth in a noisy digital world, this episode will resonate.
5. Leia Gaccione - Building Something You’re Willing to Bleed For
52:49||Season 1, Ep. 5Leia Gaccione is a chef and partner at The Saint Clair, where she leads the kitchen while helping shape the vision, culture, and long-term direction of the restaurant. Her work sits at the intersection of hospitality, leadership, and creative discipline, balancing craft, consistency, and ownership in an industry that demands everything.In this episode, Drew and Leia talk about what it actually takes to build and sustain a restaurant, the pressure that comes with ownership, and the reality of committing fully to your work when there is no off switch. Leia opens up about leadership in the kitchen, earning trust over time, and the difference between loving the craft and carrying the responsibility of the business. They get into discipline, decision-making under pressure, and what it means to stay grounded while building something that lasts.This conversation is exactly what Make Cool Sh*t is about. It is about commitment, accountability, and respecting the work enough to show up every day. If you are a founder, creative, or operator navigating high standards, long hours, and real responsibility, this episode will resonate.