The Determined Society with Shawn French

In this inspiring episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Greg Rosenbaum, SVP of Programming at South by Southwest and a 15-year veteran behind one of the most influential festivals in the world.

From dyslexia to leadership, Greg shares the personal and professional journey that shaped him, and how SXSW has become a global model for community, creativity, and connection across music, film, TV, technology, comedy, and education.

Greg reveals how adversity forced SXSW to reinvent itself after losing its long-standing convention center home, and why focusing on community over convenience transformed everything.

He also opens up about mentorship, parenting, discipline, creativity, and the mindset required to build a festival that helps thousands of artists, innovators, and storytellers share their work with the world.

Key Takeaways

-Reinvention happens when adversity demands creativity, community must guide every major decision.

-Dyslexia shaped Greg’s determination, discipline, and belief in incremental progress.

-SXSW thrives because it bridges industries, music, film, innovation, comedy, and education under one roof.

-The festival’s 40th year challenged the team to reimagine everything, leading to a more immersive, city-wide experience.

-Networking is the real “cheat code”, authentic connection accelerates growth faster than any strategy.

-Discipline in fitness and routine fuels creativity, clarity, and leadership.

-Presence is the foundation of great parenting, partnership, and professional impact.

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Greg Rosenbaum

https://www.instagram.com/sxsw/

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Guerdy Abraira, world-renowned event designer, Real Housewives of Miami star, cancer survivor, and now author of her powerful memoir 'From Trauma to Trophies'.

Joined by her husband Russell, the two open up about identity, childhood trauma, cultural reinvention, marriage, betrayal, fame, survival, and the inner work required to reclaim your voice.

Guerdy shares intimate details about immigrating from Haiti to Paris to the United States, being separated from her family at just nine years old, building self-worth through service, navigating reality TV conflict, creating the Let Me Theory, and fighting, and beating, breast cancer with ferocity and grace.

Together, she and Russell reveal the truth behind healing, partnership, intention, forgiveness, and what it really means to win at life.

Key Takeaways

-Reinvention is a lifelong journey — from Haiti to Paris to Miami, every chapter shaped Guerdy’s confidence.

-Childhood trauma creates patterns of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and over-performing, until you decide to break them.

-Cancer forces surrender: losing control, facing mortality, and rebuilding identity from the inside out.

-The Let Me Theory empowers you to reclaim autonomy, set boundaries, and choose peace on your own terms.

-A strong marriage is built on intention, patience, presence, and seeing every version of each other with love.

-Being “too much” is a superpower, your energy, joy, and authenticity are your gifts, not liabilities.

-Self-worth is not material, it’s who you become, not what you own. Guerdy's trophies are her growth, her family, and her freedom.

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Guerdy and Russell Abraira

https://www.instagram.com/guerdydesign/

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with visionary developer Gil Dezer, the mind behind Dezer Development and the groundbreaking Bentley Residences in Sunny Isles, Florida.

From an unprecedented 36-hour mat foundation pour to $630 million construction loans and engineering innovations the world has never seen, Gil breaks down exactly what it takes to build one of the most luxurious residential towers on earth

Gil reveals the unseen world of mega-development: 40-foot excavations, 2,300 concrete trucks, faceted diamond glass walls, in-unit car elevators, private balconies with swimming pools, saunas in every home, and the relentless problem-solving required to turn an idea into a skyline-defining reality.

Key Takeaways

-Engineering greatness requires obsession — every inch of Bentley Residences is intentionally designed.

-Massive construction projects succeed through coordination, problem-solving, and relentless attention to detail.

-A 36-hour continuous mat pour involves 2,300 trucks, 40-foot excavations, and year-long preparation.

-Innovation demands risk: faceted diamond glass, car elevators, balcony pools, and hurricane-tested engineering.

-Real estate is a delayed-gratification industry — planning, permitting, and execution take years of discipline.

-An educated buyer understands value: more space, better engineering, and elevated living experience.

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Gil Dezer

https://www.instagram.com/dezerdev/

In this powerful episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Marcus and Morgan Luttrell, Navy SEAL legends, brothers, warriors, and survivors whose stories have shaped a generation.

From helicopter crashes and TBI recovery to the invisible battles that happen long after war ends, the Luttrell's open up about pain, resilience, identity, fatherhood, marriage, and the hard road back to civilian life.

They reveal what most people never see: the withdrawal from war, the deep loss of tribe, the spiritual journey of healing, and how psychedelic-assisted therapy changed everything. Through raw honesty and unmatched brotherhood, Marcus and Morgan share what it truly means to suffer with purpose, raise strong families, and refuse to quit, no matter what life demands.

Key Takeaways

-True resilience comes from facing hardship head-on, not running from it.

-Brotherhood, tribe, and shared suffering shape identity long after the battlefield.

-Psychedelic-assisted therapy can help veterans reclaim clarity, connection, and emotional balance.

-Discipline begins with the smallest daily choices — even one push-up or one cold shower.

-Suffering creates appreciation; comfort creates complacency.

-The greatest battles often happen at home — in marriage, fatherhood, and identity.

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Marcus Luttrell

https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/

Morgan Luttrell

https://www.instagram.com/repluttrelltx/

In this episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Larry Hagner, the founder of The Dad Edge, author, coach, and the voice behind the #1 fatherhood podcast in the world.

Larry opens up about faith, marriage, parenting, and the evolution of modern masculinity. From raising teenagers in the age of social media to staying grounded as a husband, to battling imposter syndrome while writing his book, Larry shares the honest truth behind becoming a legendary father.

They discuss the pressures men face today, how to build emotional safety in the home, and why prioritizing marriage is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children. Their conversation unpacks purpose, childhood wounds, connection, and the lifelong pursuit of being a present parent in a distracted world.

If you're a father striving to grow, a husband looking to reconnect, or simply someone who wants to lead with more integrity and clarity, this conversation will hit home.

Key Takeaways

-Leading your family starts with leading yourself — in faith, discipline, and humility.

-Children feel safest when they witness a strong, connected marriage.

-Social media may amplify chaos, but intentional parenting neutralizes the noise.

-Imposter syndrome fades when you focus on obedience, not perfection.

-Presence isn’t about time quantity — it’s the quality of connection your kids feel.

-Legendary fatherhood is built daily through faith, conversation, and consistent action.

Connect with me :

https://link.me/theshawnfrench?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2s9TipS1cPaEZZ9h692pnV-rlsO-lzvK6LSFGtkKZ53WvtCAYTKY7lmQ_aem_OY08g381oa759QqTr7iPGA

Larry Hagner

https://www.instagram.com/thedadedge/