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The Beacon Way
Welcome to The Beacon Way Podcast, your guide to Inspiring Leaders + Elevating Businesses. Hosted by Adrienne Wilkerson, a founder and the CEO of Beacon Media + Marketing, this podcast is designed for small and medium-sized business owners ready for growth. Each week, we share real-time insights, actionable tips, and powerful stories from a diverse range of industry professionals. With a conversational and educational tone, Adrienne dives deep into the challenges we face every day, tackling tough topics to foster genuine connection and improvement. Whether you're navigating team dynamics, scaling operations, or seeking fresh strategies, join us for honest conversations that will encourage and equip you on your entrepreneurial journey. New episodes drop every Thursday. Hit subscribe and follow along!
The Beacon Way
From Newsroom to Purpose-Driven Storytelling | Michael's Journey with Bipolar Advocacy & Media Entrepreneurship
From Newsroom to Purpose-Driven Storytelling | Michael's Journey with Bipolar Advocacy & Media Entrepreneurship
In this episode of The Beacon Way: Founders Edition, we sit down with Michael, co-CEO of Pizzetta Media, who shares his remarkable transformation from a seasoned news professional to a purpose-driven entrepreneur amplifying mental health voices.
Michael opens up about his diagnosis with bipolar disorder, his journey through stigma in the corporate world, and how he turned personal struggles into a mission to uplift others. This conversation dives deep into mental health in the workplace, entrepreneurship with a cause, and finding harmony between family life and business.
🔥 Whether you're a therapist-turned-business-owner, a creative entrepreneur, or someone navigating mental health challenges, this episode is for you.
đź”— Connect with Michael:
- Website: https://pizzettamedia.com
- YouTube: https://youtube.com/pizzettamedia
🧠Topics Covered:
- Mental health advocacy in business
- Starting a business after corporate burnout
- Building trust as a solo media entrepreneur
- Juggling creativity, family, and self-care
- Advice for aspiring founders with mental health considerations
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Meet Michael from Pizzetta Media
01:45 – Michael’s media background & mental health journey
03:40 – The moment he chose to become a mental health storyteller
06:20 – Facing stigma in the workplace
08:15 – Embracing vulnerability to help others
10:00 – Feedback from the community on sharing his story
11:20 – The challenge of building trust as a small media business
13:10 – Overcoming fear: Why the mission outweighs nerves
15:00 – On-camera fears & the importance of authenticity
18:00 – Work-life harmony & being present with family
21:30 – Creativity outside 9-to-5: When inspiration strikes
24:10 – Advice for new entrepreneurs: Believe in your mission
26:00 – What’s next: Collaborations, speaking, and nonprofit work
27:50 – Managing bipolar while running a business
29:45 – Practical mental health tools Michael uses
31:30 – Leveraging the Chamber of Commerce for founder support
33:00 – The value of transparency and community in entrepreneurship
35:10 – Final thoughts & how to connect with Michael