NFL Super Agent Leigh Steinberg joins Adam for this week’s episode of Take A Knee to talk about his rise to the most powerful NFL agent in the world. Leigh retails Adam with the tale of his first client, Steve Bartkowski who was drafted first overall in the 1975 NFL Draft pulling in an unprecedented $250,000 signing bonus and 4 year $600,000 contract. The pair also explore how Leigh built one of the best client rosters in the industry only to have it slowly unravel at the hands of alcohol for a variety of both personal and professional reasons including the death of Leigh’s father and the demise of his marriage.
Adam is joined this week by rock legend and last remaining member of The Ramones, Marky Ramone. The guys explore Marky’s start in the New York music scene including the genesis of the famous CBGB club and when he first discovered The Ramones before becoming their drummer. As the conversation turns to the partying times Marky reveals that he did “turn to the bottle” and talks about his struggles. Marky explains how when he was cleaning up his act he was given advice to work outside of the music industry, leading him to work in the construction world doing demolition work. The pair also talk about how Marky felt about the band dynamic, and what his relationship was like to each individual member.
Comedic legend Mel Brooks sits down with Adam to discuss his journey from a young man in Brooklyn to a Hollywood power player and legendary comedian. Adam and Mel discuss the very early days of Mel growing up with three older brothers and just his mother after his father died when he was only two years old, his time in the Armed Forces defusing land mines, and finally his incredibly successful career in Hollywood. They also discus Mel’s upcoming comedy special on HBO ‘Mel Brooks Live At The Geffen’
Restauranter, chef and food personality Eddie Huang joins Adam for a talk about his rise from first generation American born to Taiwanese parents to a successful restaurant owner and author whose memoir ‘Fresh Off The Boat’ is being adapted into an ABC sitcom. Adam and Eddie discuss how his experiences in private schools followed by public schools helped shape Eddie’s interests and his ability to interact with a wide variety of personalities. They also explore how Eddie got into the restaurant business and how the popularity of his memoir spawned the upcoming sitcom, and how infuriating it can be to deal with television executives when trying to be creative.
Actor and former NFL linebacker Terry Crews joins Adam for this weeks episode of Take A Knee. Terry opens the show talking about growing up in Flint, Michigan and quickly realizing the towns future decline. This, as well as Terry's childhood growing up in a deeply religious household with an alcoholic father, forced him at an early age to focus on any future possible he could take that would help him get out of his situation. This leads into his college days playing football and eventual draft into the NFL. After that, Terry talks about when he first got into acting and how much he enjoyed it right from the beginning. Before they wrap, Adam and Terry get into a long discussion on the importance of failing, as well as the necessity of being forced to achieve success on your own vs piggy backing off someone else's success or getting free handouts.
Adam is joined by good friend Rich Eisen of The NFL Network and DirecTV to discuss his upbringing in Staten Island, New York, his schooling and his eventual path to becoming an on-air sports broadcaster.
Phil Rosenthal joins Adam for this episode and Adam opens the show discussing how thoroughly Phil likes to enjoy his success. Then, Phil talks about his time working on Everybody Loves Raymond, specifically what it was like turning real life experiences into content for the show. Phil gets into his food obsession and his new show traveling the world and sampling different cultural cuisines. After that, Adam and Phil talk about Robin Williams and hidden personas. Later the two get into what it's like having your first audience as a comedian in elementary and high school. Before they wrap, Adam and Phil talk about how crucial it is to not be afraid to quit something and move on when you need to.
Brent Jones joins Adam for this episode of Take A Knee. Adam begins with Brent's impressive and successful time playing for the San Francisco 49ers. This leads into how football is a great outlet to teach kids the proper way to understand rules and guidelines for their lives. Then, Adam and Brent dive into professional athletes themselves and what's made them so successful beyond just their natural talent. Then they get into Brent's entry into the NFL, getting drafted, and training camp. Adam and Brent go on to discuss the experience of being the boss and understanding work structure. Before they wrap, Brent talks about his investment capital firm from its inception to what it has grown to today.
RZA from Wu-Tang Clan joins Adam for this episode of Take A Knee. Adam opens the show with RZA's humble beginnings in New York and how he first found his love of Rap music. Then Adam and RZA talk a bit about respect and how to instill it in kids properly as they grow. RZA goes on to explain his story of getting a second chance in life and capitalizing on it. Then the two get into giving everything you do your all, and not giving up just because there's no money in it. Before they wrap, they finish with a discussion on old age, respecting your elders, and personal growth.
Tom Dreesen joins Adam for this episode of Take A Knee. Adam opens the show by quickly recaping Dreesen's accomplishments as a comedian before moving into the history of early days starting out in Harvey, Illinois. Then Tom talks about his time after getting out the Navy and falling into comedy once he learned the true identity of his biological father. After that, Tom shares some great stories of his time hanging out with Frank Sinatra and being on Johnny Carson. Before they wrap, Adam and Tom discuss what it means to be a team leader and what it takes to coach that team.
Adam opens the show praising Dennis Prager for his wisdom and integrity. The guys have an in depth conversation about the fundamentals of human nature, and recognizing evil in all forms. They also discus how to achieve being able to do whatever you want, and Prager's time in the Soviet Union. In the last part of the show, Adam and Dennis chat about respecting people equally regardless of race, and the words that changed Dennis' life forever.
Adam joins Gene Simmons in his Los Angeles home for a one on one discussion about Gene's upbrining in Isreal and his path to becoming a multifacated entrepreneur and businessman.
Norman Lear joins Adam for the second episode of Take a Knee. Adam begins the show discussing Lear's many great accomplishments with an emphasis on his enormous success in television. Then Norman talks about his upbringing and what family life was like as a child. As the show wraps up, Adam and Norman discuss personal growth, and what that has meant to each of them in their journey.
Norm Pattiz joins Adam for this intraductory episode to Take a Knee. Adam begins by asking Norm about the creation of his first company, Westwood One. Then the two get into their similar upbringings in Los Angeles and where the two went to school. After that, they have a lengthy discussion on the difference between success and financial success. Then, Norm tells his story about working at The Coconut Grove Hotel when Bobby Kennedy was shot. Finally, Adam gets into Norm's success story originating from a job at local TV station KCOP and eventually chronicling his time through radio and ending on his creation of Podcast One.