What is Your True West Story?
Join us as we discover the unique journeys of inspiration that have lead to remarkable lives.
About The True West Podcast
Our Philosophy
We believe that your True North is your purpose in life and the thing that drives you each day.
We believe your True West is your sense of adventure and curiosity that helps you find your way. when you hit a roadblock, or you want to do something different with your life, it is that True West fire inside you that carves a new path and doesn't always take no for an answer.
Meet the Host
David Fischette is a career creative. At 20 years old he started a mobile disc Jockey company that has grown into an internationally recognized creative agency, Go West Creative. For nearly 40 years, David has used his creativity to not only design incredible events, experiences and media content for his clients, but to solve real life challenges that arise each day. It is the power of What If?...that drives him.
Our Guests
From Business leaders to creatives to champions of humanity, David sits down one one one with each guest to discuss the moments in their lives when they had to use their True West Spirit to guide them through the most challenging time
Episodes & Guests
Episode 20-Thanksgiving, Gratitude & Friends
Manny Pineiro
Cory Travalena
Richard Yearwood &
Rick Borja
In our Season 1 Finale, David sits down with some of his closest pals to discuss gratitude for the crappy things that have happened in theist year and look forward to all that we can be thankful for in this coming Holiday season.
Manny Pineiro, Cory Travalena, Richard Yearwood and Rick Borja join David in this special Thanksgiving episode.
The conversation is vulnerable and real and reflects how faith can help you find gratitude in all things. This true west journey is all about perspective.
Episode 19-Christiev Alphin
Creative Director
Life is hard. It throws us curveballs often. But there are those of us that use those hard times to dig deep and discover their own True West path.
For Christiev Alphin, going east to Nashville from Oregon after the collapse of her first marriage, was really a part of her true west journey and was the catalyst to living the beautiful life she has today.
It was in Nashville, that her career blossomed as a fashion stylist and creative director for many Country and Christian artists. And it is Nashville, that she met her soul mate, Big Kenny, half of the Country duo, Big & Rich.
Our conversation was candid, inspiring and needed a trail of breadcrumbs to get us back to where we started, but it sure was fun.
Check out this special conversation with Christiev Alphin today on the True West Podcast.
Episode 18-John Cronin
Managing Director, SVP-AllainceBernstein
We hear the term Unicorn all the time in business, It usually refers to someone who has a truly unique set of skills that is uncommon to find. Well, I find a completely different kind of Unicorn. On this week’s episode of the True West Podcast, I had the chance to sit down with John Cronin, Managing director and SVP at AllianceBernstein. John has been with the organization for over 37 years. That is completely unheard of in today’s business climate.
John shares incredible insights about the tenacity and the determination that it took to rise to the top of one of the largest asset management firms in the country with nearly $800B under management.
He is wicked smart and yet the keys to his success seems so simple and grounded.
Join me as I chat with another former Disc jockey and see how his True West Journey got him to where he is today.
Episode 17-Alan Stein Jr.
Speaker, Author & Performance Coach
How do you become one of the top performance coaches in the world, working with athletes like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant, when you never even played any professional sports personally?
Well, that is exactly what Alan Stein Jr. did. And then after 25 years working as a coach to the world’s elite athletes, he decided to reinvent himself as a Keynote speaker and an author.
His energy is infectious, his stories are poignant, and I had an amazing time chatting with Alan.
Check out how losing a spot on a college basketball team became the catalyst for his True West Journey. You’ll hear this and more on the new episode of the True West Podcast.
Episode 16-Rachel Stein Hislop
VP, Marketing and Brand Innovation
Who knew that a branded pen and a squeezy ball could set a young girl on a path to becoming a marketing executive?
In this episode of the True West Podcast, we hear from Rachel Stein Hislop about her journey from a professional dancer to world class marketing leader.
Her take on servant leadership and building a culture in which all team members can thrive is nothing less than inspirational.
Check out David’s conversation with Rachel as she looks her True West journey square in the eyes and describes the exact moment that she knew she was making a choice to build the future she wanted on her own terms.
Episode 15-Christine Juarbe
Model, Actor, Writer, Director & Producer.
Starting her journey from Queens, Christine Juarbe is wickedly committed to her craft. Beginning her career as a model and then actor, she is now an amazing filmmaker.
Hear her story of the tenacity it took to move across country to Hollywood with only $200.00 to her name. Her True West journey is now taking her around the world as her new film Dark Room premieres at Film Festivals from Ireland to Los Angeles this fall.
Join David as he and Christine discuss the grit and the faith it takes to make your own way in the entertainment industry.
Episode 14-Richard Yearwood
Actor, Director & Producer
Let’s take a look at the life of a career TV & Film professional, from both sides of the camera. Richard Yearwood has had a career that has spanned over 40 years, from child actor to director and producer of one of the top reality shows on television.
Here is true “True West” story, as his family journeyed from England to Canada to Los Angeles. You will be inspired by his humility and his desire to make everyone else feel great.
Join me for a special conversation with a man of many talents (including the voice of Donkey Kong).
Episode 13-Gene Miller
Musician & Artist
Gene Miller has had 40-year career touring with some of the greatest musicians on the planet, DonnaSummer, Kenny Loggins, Amy Grant and Vince Gill, (to name a few).
He has carved a True West path like no other. For Gene, there was no plan B as he followed in his Dad’s footsteps and made a life for himself and his family that took him around the world playing arenas and stadiums and concert halls. It even landed him as the lead in a Broadway musical.
Check out this this incredible human and his insights on life and what kind of legacy he wants to leave.
Episode 12-Richard Foulkes
Executive Strategist & Executive Producer
Our first international guest graces the True West Podcast this week. Richard Foulkes has had a stellar career in the live corporate events industry, starting as an assistant lighting designer (and employee number 40) at Imagination UK, and working his way up to become a senior executive, strategist and board member at the company that now boasts over 2000 employees and offices around the globe.
Richard’s take on the lessons he has learned in a career that has spanned 4 decades are insightful and unique.
Check out this Englishman’s perspective on heading (true) west and working in America and how things are different and yet the same no matter where we are on this planet.
Episode 11-Julie Johnston
Founder, iContact Coaching & Professional Voice Over Artist
True positivity comes to the True West podcast this week.
We are excited to share David’s conversation with Julie Johnston, Founder of iContact Coaching and professional Voice Over Artist. Julie has spent a lifetime crafting her skills in personal development and is the ultimate example of a champion of people.
You will hear her stories of tenacity and exploration that will inspire you to follow your True West path today.
Episode 10-Cory Travalena
President & Chief Creative, Red Tail Creative
Growing up in the world of Hollywood in the 70’s & 80’s, Cory Travalena, son of the late great impressionist Fred Travalena, has forged his own path.
While not always pretty, his journey has one constant theme...reliance on God and not on himself.
Join us for a very special conversation with Cory as David takes a look at the unrealistic expectations of the Hollywood life and the strength it takes to listen to your inner voice and step out in true faith to find your True West.
Episode 9-Rick Borja
SVP & Partner, Go West Creative
What happens when a 15 year-old boy in high school starts his True West Journey as soon as he gets his permit?
Find out on the latest episode of the True West Podcast.
SVP and Partner at Go West Creative, Rick Borja joined the company over 36 years ago, and today he is still passionate about his work, his team and the clients that he serves.
Tune in today and you'll also you will get to hear what Karaoke was really like 40 years ago..
Episode 8-Heidi Schwartz
Live Event Painter, Artist & Entrepreneur
Heidi Schwartz made her way from the Midwest to Nashville, TN with dreams of making it big in the music industry. What she found was her own True West path that created an entirely new type of artistry.
For the past 15 years, Heidi has been a featured experiential performance artist at hundreds events around the globe. Her unique style of painting mixed with her flair for the dramatic, have created a brand and an experience unlike anyone else.
Join David as he discusses Heidi’s True West journey on this new episode.
Episode 7-Matthew Reithmayr
Writer, Director & Producer
This is a fun one!
We had a lot of laughs sitting together and discussing Matthew Reithmayr’s True West journey as a writer, director and producer of both live events and full length feature films, including the 2022 national release of Paul’s Promise.
Matt is a kind soul that truly cares about each of the team members that he works with.
Take a listen to his philosophy on leadership and the lessons he has learned along his 30-year career in the business.
Episode 6-Manny Pineiro
Chief Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, Diamond One,
U.S. Air Force, Retired
President, Making Time Count, LLC
Manny Pineiro served our country well for over 32 years in the United States Air Force. Joining as a young airman, Manny retired as the second highest enlisted person in this entire branch of the Military, Chief Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, Diamond One.
Since retiring he has become a highly sought-after keynote speaker for both corporate and military organizations. His unique look at a life of service and his ability to live by his motto of Not Counting Time, but Making Time Count, is inspirational and motivational.
Take a listen to how this kid from the Bronx followed his True West path all the way to the Pentagon.
Episode 5-Heather Henderson Thomas
Manager, Strategic Operations, CiscoLive!
Follow the True West Journey of a major Rock Star in the Events and Meeting Industry.
For years, Heather Henderson Thomas has lead the team that produces and operates CiscoLive! which is global juggernaut of a Tech Conference.
Hear the path that led her out West to the Bay Area and changed her life, professionally and personally.
Episode 4-Rev. Mark Thompson
Radio & TV Host,
Political Analyst & Commentator,
Civil Rights Activist
In this special episode, David gets to sit down with Rev. Mark Thompson and discuss the Annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee in Selma, AL and why Selma is not the shining beacon on the hill that it should be 58 years after Bloody Sunday.
Join us for this insightful conversation with a man that has been at the forefront of the struggles in our country for decades.
Episode 3-Jaclyn Bernstein
President & Partner, Empire Force Events
David chats with Jaclyn Bernstein, President & Partner at Empire Force Events in New York City.
Jaclyn is a self-made woman and shares her True West journey from growing up on food stamps to owning and operating the premier Destination Management Company (DMC), in Manhattan.
Our conversation is candid and brief.
Episode 2-Jennifer Layne Welch
Former Chief Marketing Officer, Shell
Founder, CMO Syndicate
Jennifer Layne Welch spent over 20 years at Shell, finishing her career there as Chief marketing Officer.
David had a chance to discuss with Jennifer her new path, the CMO Syndicate, that takes a bold new look at how major corporations approach Marketing.
Take a listen t o what is different about her approach and how she discovered her True West.
Episode 1-Steve Connell
Spoken Word Artist
Actor, Philosopher
& Activist
David sits down with long time partner and friend Steve Connell to discuss his True West journey to a successful career as a Spoken Word Artist.
Steve will discuss his inspirations and the road blocks that he faced along the way.