Coffeez with Joe Shalaby

Raising Capable Kids in a Fast-Changing World | Gary Surdam | Coffeez with Joe Shalaby

Coffeez with Joe Shalaby

Show Notes

Most conversations about education focus on systems.This one focuses on people.In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, Joe sits down with Gary Surdam, an international educator, entrepreneur, and founder of Bright Start Ed-Tech and the Illoominate platform.Gary has spent decades inside classrooms, universities, and education systems around the world. But what shaped his mission most wasn’t policy or curriculum — it was watching how confidence, self-esteem, and connection determine whether a child actually succeeds.This conversation explores:• Why parents are still the most influential teachers in a child’s life• How early confidence gaps quietly turn into long-term learning gaps• The role social-emotional learning plays in real academic success• How technology and AI can personalize education without replacing humanity• What it means to prepare kids for a global economy, not just a classroom• The kind of legacy educators and parents leave behindThis episode isn’t about grades or test scores.It’s about raising children who believe in themselves — and adults who remember why they started.Top producers at E Mortgage Capital are earning more per deal—with faster closings, better tech, and no junk fees.👉 Learn more: https://join.emortgagecapital.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

More from Coffeez with Joe Shalaby

Oct 14, 2026

KERACELL founder Ekin Ozlen sits down with Joe. Ford model in New York, Miss Turkey at 19 without speaking Turkish, and a mom who was a NASA aerospace engineer. Losing her first husband, a plastic surgeon, to cancer, and turning everything he taught her about regenerative medicine into a stem cell skincare and haircare brand that landed in 275 Dillard’s stores. The IVF journey, marketing with music videos instead of ads, why aging is a wound, and the microneedling hacks she swears by.New episodes every week. Pour up.

Oct 8, 2026

Manny Soto, founder and CEO of The Financial Architects, is back. Mentored by Ed Mylett, broke at 29 making $8 an hour, sleeping in his car for two weeks rather than calling home, and now running 34 locations with zero debt. The $4.2 trillion California wealth transfer, why he’d take $1 million cash over $10 million in assets, the save 30% rule, the biggest lie the middle class believes, why he wouldn’t buy property right now, and the long-term care hack nobody tells you.New episodes every week. Pour up.

Oct 1, 2026

Entrepreneur Tony Murray sits down with Joe. Talking his way into college, getting told by a hedge fund veteran to run from finance, quitting everything to backpack Guatemala with a camera, and the campfire conversation that became a business. Then working under Shark Tank's Kevin Harrington, helping startups raise $84 million at the Tampa Bay Wave, buying $12K desert land and turning it into a glamping operation during COVID, and why businesses that ignore AI agents are already behind.New episodes every week. Pour up.

Sep 24, 2026

Kirsten and Eddie of On Que Style sit down with Joe. Sixteen years curating the Hermes Birkin game — the $43,000 bag flip, Birkins north of $280K, why you can't just walk in and buy a Richard Mille, the seven fake Birkins worth $100K that walked into their store, the safe room, Lloyd's of London, and how Instagram and TikTok lives move 20 pieces every two hours. Plus the plan to consolidate 600 consignment stores onto one platform. New episodes every week. Pour up.

Sep 17, 2026

Former WBC title challenger Ronald Gavril sits down with Joe. From working a farm in Romania to ten years as national champion, landing in Laguna Beach with nothing, a manager who stopped paying, and the sparring session that got Floyd Mayweather's attention. The Benavidez wars, the split decision people still argue about, calling for the trilogy, and why the fight mentality never turns off.New episodes every week. Pour up.

See all episodes →