Every once in a while, a story comes along that shakes you a bit… in the best way. As we head into Thanksgiving, I want to call your attention to a powerful new episode of the @AgentInnovation podcast — one that blends food, faith, redemption, and entrepreneurship in a way I’ve rarely encountered. I recently sat down with Joe Gallagher Jr. , founder and CEO of @apastioli Joe was a Grammy-nominated musician whose rising career was cut short by a sudden car accident. What followed was addiction, legal trouble, and a rock-bottom moment that forced him to completely rebuild his life. And where did that rebuilding begin? With faith. With sobriety. And with a simple family recipe. A batch of his grandmother’s pasta sauce became the spark for Apastioli, a brand now expanding into food products, fragrances, books, and film projects — all grounded in Joe’s mission to help others in recovery and pursue purpose through service. His journey is a reminder that redemption is real, that purpose can be reclaimed, and that sometimes the ingredients for our future success are already right in front of us. If you need a dose of inspiration before Thanksgiving — or know someone who does — I invite you to watch or listen to Joe’s story: 🎥 YouTube: lnkd.in/e64iQCvx 🎧 Apple Podcasts: lnkd.in/etMfBRcZ 🎧 Spotify: lnkd.in/e_JEcPjD I’m grateful God continues to place incredible people along my path — people whose lives remind me why storytelling matters and why community is essential. Wishing you a meaningful and gratitude-filled Thanksgiving. #Entrepreneurship #Resilience #RedemptionStory #FaithDriven #PersonalGrowth #PurposeDriven #AgentsOfInnovation #FearlessJourneys

So what brought me to Washington, DC this week? 🇷🇸🇺🇸 To reconnect with my Serbian friends from the @PupinInitiative, who hosted an outstanding DC Forum at the International Student House near Dupont Circle — a very unique venue. Earlier this summer, I spoke at their Belgrade Forum, as exciting new ties continue forming between Belgrade and Miami. The Pupin Initiative is a nonprofit founded and run by young Serbians — led by @vukvelebit, who’s only 31! Their board and advisors, like my friend @LukaVetti, bring wisdom and connections to support their vision. The lineup this week included:
🇺🇸 Christopher Hill, former U.S. Ambassador to Serbia
🇷🇸 Dragan Šutanovac, Serbia’s Ambassador to the U.S.
🇺🇸 Carla Sands, former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark and now Chair of the America First Foreign Policy Initiative I also met Tim Doescher of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, a leading voice on pro-growth policy. The conversations reflected a shared commitment to building stronger U.S.–Serbia relations. One touching moment honored a Serbian national freed from Hamas captivity, recently reunited with Israel after two years — a reminder that Serbia stands as a loyal friend to both the U.S. and Israel. 🇮🇱 The Pupin Initiative — named after Serbian-American innovator Michael Pupin — continues to impress me. Their young leadership shows remarkable maturity and a clear mission: strengthening ties through what I’d call the art of backdoor diplomacy. 🎙️ Learn more in my interview with Vuk Velebit on the @AgentInnovation Podcast, Episode #158:
👉 youtu.be/5qvATL-79q8?si=OTzv… P.S. After the Forum, as I was hanging out with some of my Serbian friends, several strangers I met asked, “Are you also Serbian?” What a compliment! 🇷🇸❤️ #PupinInitiative #SerbiaUSA #Belgrade #Miami #Diplomacy #BackdoorDiplomacy #VukVelebit #AgentsOfInnovation #Podcast #ForeignPolicy #AmericaFirst #Entrepreneurship #FearlessJourneys

🕵️‍♂️ MARSO 007: MISSION INITIATED 🚨 TOP-SECRET BRIEFING – FOR MARSO AGENTS ONLY 🚨 Agent, your mission—should you choose to accept it—is of critical importance. The Marso Universe is evolving, and we need the best operatives in the field. Your intelligence, creativity, and precision are the keys to success. 🔍 🎯 OBJECTIVES: 🔸 Gather Intel – Drop your best ideas to shape our next move. 🔸 Decrypt Clues – Your feedback will help us refine the mission plan. 🔸 Execute with Precision – Together, we bring the Marso vision to life. This isn’t just another operation. This is a mission to redefine the future. The world is watching, and the stakes are high. Will you step up and accept the challenge? 🕶️ Codename: Marso – The Universe Is Not Enough. #Marso007 #MissionAccepted #AgentsOfInnovation #TheFutureIsOurs #SecretMission #CryptoSpyGame #TopSecretMarso #InnovationOperatives #GalaxyUndercover #NextGenCrypto #MarsoTech #QuantumLeap #CosmicAgents #TheMissionContinues

UGAAthletics: How have data analytics changed college softball for the players? @UGACoachTony shares his thoughts. Invesco QQQ | #AgentsOfInnovation

How have data analytics changed college softball for the players? @UGACoachTony shares his thoughts. Invesco QQQ | #AgentsOfInnovation

From the material they are made from to how they perform, the innovation behind bats for both softball and baseball has changed the game. Invesco QQQ | #AgentsOfInnovation

Technology has changed the game in many aspects, including video. Invesco QQQ | #AgentsOfInnovation

The advancement of technology in baseball has allowed the Dawgs to break down even the smallest aspects of their game. @InvescoUS | #AgentsOfInnovation

Floor routines in college gymnastics have changed over the years, particularly when it comes to the number of passes athletes complete. Courtney Kupets Carter explains the benefits of that innovation. @InvescoUS | #AgentsOfInnovation

From VHS tapes to immediate analysis, video has changed the game for women’s basketball. Invesco QQQ | #AgentsOfInnovation

The three-point line has changed the game for men’s basketball. Invesco QQQ I #AgentsOfInnovation

Analyzing the change of the 3-point line with @CuseWBB and how it has become strategically more important in college basketball, in this episode of Innovation Behind the Game brought to you by Invesco QQQ. @InvescoUS #AgentsofInnovation

The shot clock has changed over the years. @CuseWBB shares their thoughts and how it impacts strategy in this episode of Innovation Behind the Game brought to you by Invesco QQQ. @InvescoUS #AgentsofInnovation

From standard definition to HD, how we have brought basketball to you has changed over the years. @InvescoUS | #AgentsOfInnovation

In this episode of Innovation Behind the Game brought to you by Invesco QQQ, @CuseWBB strategizes using up-tempo play and running the floor. @InvescoUS #AgentsofInnovation

Investing in different training for agility and reaction time provides our student-athletes the ability to stay at the top of their game. @InvescoUS #AgentsofInnovation

Investing in the latest advancements in strength training prepares @Cuse_MBB players to perform their best. @InvescoUS #AgentsofInnovation

From precision fit helmets to tighter fitting jerseys, our equipment has come a long way. @InvescoUS | #AgentsOfInnovation

NCAA legend @realgranthill talks #mentorship and inspiring others in honor of National Mentorship Month. Take a listen to find out his take. #AgentsofInnovation

We have invested in game-changing technology that delivers real time data to help the Dawgs perform their best on game day! @InvescoUS | #AgentsofInnovation