Elevation Nation
Elevation Nation is a movement to shape resilient leaders by elevating mental fortitude.
Join Sam Panitch and Parker Yablon each week as they sit down with a new Elevator: a bold thinker, creator, or leader who’s using mental fortitude to overcome adversity, lead with purpose, and make an impact.
From entrepreneurs and pro athletes to musicians, wellness experts, and changemakers, Elevators come from all walks of life - but they all have one thing in common: mental fortitude that helps them thrive in the real world.
Episodes
430 episodes
A New Year | Fortitude in 15
Parker and Sam kick off the Jewish New Year with reflections on family, tradition, and the quirky nostalgia that comes with fall. They talk about the meditative side of going to temple, the beauty in life’s mix of highs and lows, and why perspe...
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Season 1
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Episode 427
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14:38
Gen-Z work anxiety | Fortitude in 15
Parker and Sam discuss the phenomenon of 'Sunday Scaries' among Gen Z, exploring how anxiety related to work impacts mental health. The discussion highlights the generational shift in attitudes towards work and the significance of finding purpo...
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Season 1
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Episode 426
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15:13
Redefining Success Beyond Wealth | "Startup Addict" and Keynote Speaker Igor Vainshtein
Elevator no. 219: Igor Vainshtein is a serial entrepreneur and keynote speaker whose journey from young immigrant to business leader is marked by resilience, reinvention, and perspective. His career reflects both the highs of building companies...
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Season 1
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Episode 425
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35:10
Sam turns 30! | Fortitude in 15
Parker interviews Sam as he just turned 30! Sam share wins, wounds, and quirks from his 20s touching on family, authenticity, and the role of mental fortitude in navigating life’s inevitable challenges.
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Season 1
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Episode 424
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17:08
Vulnerability Is the Real Strength | Psychotherapist Julia Resnick
Elevator 218: Julia Resnick is a Senior Psychotherapist at Be You Psychotherapy. Specializing in anxiety, OCD, and chronic illness, she draws on her own experiences to connect with clients in their 20s and 30s through empathy, humor, a...
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Season 1
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Episode 423
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44:53
Human Skills AI Can't Replace | Fortitude in 15
Parker and Sam break down which skills will matter most in 2030 as AI and technology reshape the workforce. They reflect on why creativity, resilience, and interpersonal connection are becoming more valuable than technical expertise and how edu...
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Season 1
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Episode 422
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13:27
From Big Four to Building Dreams | Financial Consultant Christy Bowie
Elevator no. 216: Christy Bowie is a CPA and financial consultant who left the Big Four to build her own firm helping entrepreneurs take control of their tax and financial planning. She combines her corporate experience with a proactive approac...
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Season 1
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Episode 421
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42:08
Recapping Year 2 of Experience Camps | Elevation Nation Special
Sam and Parker look back on their week at Experience Camps, a place where kids facing loss find healing through community, nature, and connection. They share stories from camp, the power of activities like the carnival and talent show, and the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 420
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25:18
Getting Ready for Experience Camps | Fortitude in 15
Parker and Sam reflect on their upcoming return to Experience Camps, a nonprofit supporting kids who have lost a loved one. They open up about their own experiences with grief, why authenticity matters in building connections, and how community...
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Season 1
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Episode 419
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16:14
Building Freedom For Self and Others | Founder of The VA Group Shane Riggs
Elevator no. 217: Shane Riggs is an entrepreneur who went from sales and culinary arts to founding a successful virtual assistant company. His mission is to create financial freedom not just for himself, but also for his family and employees, w...
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Season 1
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Episode 418
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32:18
What Paranoia? | Fortitude in 15
Parker and Sam get real about a trend in corporate America right now. They talk anxiety, imposter syndrome, job security, and how showing up as your authentic self can be your biggest advantage. The conversation touches on why multiple income s...
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Season 1
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Episode 417
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13:13
Branded Paddles and Big Dreams | Founder of Killa Dinks Griffin Toren
Elevator no. 215: Griffin Toren is the founder and CEO of Killa Dinks, a fast-growing pickleball and padel paddle company creating custom products for brands like Apple, Poppi, and the Miami Marlins. He started the company while still an underg...
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Season 1
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Episode 416
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42:17
Why EQ Beats Your Resume | Fortitude in 15
AI is reshaping what early careers look like and many traditional paths just aren’t cutting it anymore. Parker and Sam break down why emotional intelligence, people skills, and creative thinking matter more than ever in a world where machines c...
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Season 1
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Episode 415
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16:08
Success May Not Lead to Fulfillment | Fortitude in 15
This week, Parker and Sam unpack a powerful comment from world #1 golfer Scottie Scheffler, who admitted that golf, despite all his wins, isn’t the most fulfilling part of his life. They reflect on the difference between success and meaning, an...
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Season 1
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Episode 414
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13:12
Heal Yourself From the Inside Out | Founder and Holistic Nutritionist Dane Johnson
Elevator no. 214: Dane Johnson is the CEO and Founder of Crohn’s Colitis Lifestyle, the world’s leading consulting firm for natural IBD healing. Once a successful model and actor in LA, Dane’s life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed w...
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Season 1
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Episode 413
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1:01:57
Becoming a 'Baller' | Fortitude in 15
Parker and Sam unpack what it really means to be a baller. Financial freedom. Owning your time. Building real connections. They share takeaways from Scott Galloway’s perspective on content, personal branding, and why traditional interviews are ...
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Season 1
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Episode 412
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15:38
Recharged and Ready to Elevate | Fortitude in 15
Parker and Sam return after a much-needed break to reflect on time with family, lessons learned, and the importance of slowing down to speed up. They dive into the highs and lows of building Elevation Nation, from navigating social media to pre...
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Season 1
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Episode 411
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13:56
You Either Win or You Learn | Founder of Juan, Please - Peter Flores
Elevator 212: Peter Flores is the founder of Juan, Please, a bold new beverage company born from a blend of corporate insight, cultural roots, and entrepreneurial grit. With a background spanning hospitality, media, and alcohol partnerships at ...
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Season 1
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Episode 410
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46:57
Forget the 5-Year Plan, Focus on the Next 5 Days | Fortitude in 15
Parker and Sam unpack why obsessing over long-term plans can actually hold you back. They share how focusing on short-term action, just five days at a time, can lead to more momentum, clarity, and confidence.03:45Living by Values vs....
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Season 1
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Episode 409
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18:04
Authenticity Over Algorithms: A Guide to Showing Up Online | Jenna Pereira - Founder of JP Social
Elevator 211: Jenna Pereira is the founder of JP Social and a self-proclaimed professional hype girl who helps creators and entrepreneurs show up online with confidence and purpose. From her early days freelancing on Upwork to building a boutiq...
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Season 1
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Episode 408
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48:08
More Than S’mores: How Camp Builds Leaders | Fortitude in 15
Camp isn’t just fun and games, it’s a mindset reset. In this episode, Parker and Sam break highlight the first leg of their Elevate Camp Tour at Lake of the Woods and Greenwoods Camps and discuss why summer camp is the perfect space for reflect...
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Season 1
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Episode 407
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16:01
Leading with Fortitude: Inside Joe Vogel’s Political Journey | Joe Vogel - Maryland State Delegate
Elevator 210: Joe Vogel is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing the 17th district, which includes Gaithersburg and Rockville. As a young immigrant and one of Maryland’s rising political voices, Joe shares how his family’s hi...
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Season 1
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Episode 406
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52:49
The Weight of the Choice: Why Decisions Feel So Heavy | Fortitude in 15
Why does every decision feel so intense? In this episode, Parker and Sam unpack the pressure of decision-making in adulthood from anxiety and overthinking to the fear of regret. They explore why commitment matters more than certainty, and how l...
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Season 1
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Episode 405
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15:40
Healing Starts Within | Jessie Yaffe - Holistic Health and Mindset Coach
Elevator 209: Jessie Yaffe is a certified holistic health and mindset coach who helps others reconnect with themselves through mindfulness, emotional healing, and inner child work. After navigating chronic stress and inspired by her sister’s ca...
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Season 1
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Episode 404
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51:16
Our Identity Isn’t Optional, It’s Who We Are | Fortitude in 15
Amid rising antisemitism and growing tension around the world, Parker and Sam reflect on what it means to be proudly and visibly Jewish in a time that often feels unsafe. They open up about the tension between fear and identity, and why now mor...
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Season 1
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Episode 403
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15:01