Wesley Snipes & Jeff Hoffman — Discipline, Reinvention and the Mindset Behind Success

This episode features a rare red-carpet interview with Wesley Snipes, the legendary actor known for films such as Blade, Demolition Man, and White Men Can’t Jump. Snipes shares his perspective on discipline, growth, and the mindset required for long-term success. The conversation also includes entrepreneur Jeff Hoffman, co-founder of Priceline, along with insights from a lineup of influential leaders and creators attending the City Gala event.

From the archives of The Tony DUrso Show, this episode captures a series of red-carpet conversations with leaders from entertainment, business, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship. Among the guests are actor Wesley Snipes and entrepreneur Jeff Hoffman, joined by a lineup of influential voices sharing what drives success, resilience, and purpose. Recorded during the City Gala event, these fast-paced interviews reveal how leaders across industries think about discipline, perseverance, and giving back.

Each guest brings a unique perspective—from Hollywood and global startups to nonprofit leadership—creating a fascinating snapshot of how successful people define achievement, impact, and reinvention.

What You’ll Learn

Why Wesley Snipes says discipline and listening are essential to success
Jeff Hoffman’s advice for entrepreneurs tempted to quit
How persistence and mindset shape long-term entrepreneurial success
Why defining success personally matters more than copying others
How purpose and service drive many influential leaders

Featured Conversations in This Episode

This episode features red-carpet conversations with leaders from entertainment, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and media. Each guest shares insights on success, discipline, mission, and perseverance.

Wesley Snipes — actor, martial artist, and producer known for Blade, Demolition Man, New Jack City, and White Men Can’t Jump

Jeff Hoffman — entrepreneur, global speaker, and co-founder of Priceline.com

Frank Shankwitz — co-founder of the Make-A-Wish Foundation

Dr. Bill Dorfman — internationally recognized cosmetic dentist widely known as “America’s Dentist”

Ryan Long — founder of City Gala and producer of the Novus Summit at the United Nations

Forrest T. Harper Jr. — president and CEO of INROADS, a nonprofit focused on leadership development and corporate opportunity

Lynn Rose — media mentor, marketing catalyst, and award-winning entertainer

Allison Larsen — international speaker and author of Soul Intuition

Chris Salem — leadership consultant and expert in influence and mindset development

Isabelle Donadio — bestselling author and founder of Talent Support Services

Randy Morgan — artist and creator of the Roadmap of Art Walls mural series

Mike Packman — wealth strategist and real estate investment specialist

Stephanie Valencia — actress, recording artist, and radio personality

Steve Cederquist — HGTV personality known for Flip or Flop

Christian Garnier — actor known for television and film roles including Days of Our Lives and About a Boy

Together these conversations provide a wide spectrum of perspectives on success—from Hollywood careers and global startups to nonprofit leadership and creative entrepreneurship.

Guest Lineup in This Episode

Wesley Snipes
Jeff Hoffman
Frank Shankwitz
Dr. Bill Dorfman
Ryan Long
Forrest T.
Harper Jr.
Lynn Rose
Allison Larsen
Chris Salem
Isabelle Donadio
Randy Morgan
Mike Packman
Stephanie Valencia
Steve Cederquist
Christian Garnier

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Resources & Links Mentioned

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City Summit & Gala

I attended the Citi Gala in Burbank California and had the opportunity to do some red carpet interviews with a variety of celebrities.

The excitement ran high and the buzz is loud. I hope it’s not a distraction, as I got some great tips and advice to pass on to you.

Of note is that I asked some celebrities the same questions and their answers were anything but similar. Enjoy these words of wisdom. You can feel the positive energy in the air. We were all electrified.

City Gala is a fundraiser for non-profit organizations that have a mission to solve global challenges. Each year, the Gala raises funds for organizations that are feeding the hungry, sheltering homeless, liberating and rehabilitating young people that have suffered from human trafficking, providing education and mentorship programs, and promoting health and wellness initiatives.

Past speakers and honored guests have included: Sir Richard Branson, Halle Berry, John Travolta, James Cameron, Charlize Theron, Quincy Jones, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Buzz Aldrin, John Paul DeJoria, Anthony Mackie (The Avengers), Noel Lee (Founder/CEO, Monster), and Frank Shankwitz (Founder, Make A Wish Foundation), among others.

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Allison Larsen

Allison Larsen is an international speaker, mentor, TV host of the cable show Spotlight, author of the book Soul Intuition and Co-Founder of Family Foot Reflexology.Allison is a certified fitness coach, Yoga instructor, and alternative health instructor.

She is also a headline speaker for this year’s City Summit
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Chris Salem

Chris Salem is a highly authentic person and master Influencer who has a special passion for empowering and serving business leaders, entrepreneurs in various industries, sales executives, coaches, authors, speakers, and others, taking their business and life to another level by overcoming limited beliefs and mastering the art of influence.

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Christian Ganiere

Christian Ganiere’s comedic spirit has entertained his family and friends since he was just a baby. His lively personality and winning smile have been featured in commercials such as Subaru Jr. Driver, Workday and more. He has also worked on Television shows such as Days of Our Lives, The Bay and About a Boy and films like The Nanny, Wish Man, Together and more.

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David Corbin

Keynote speaker, business adviser, president of private and public corporations, inventor, mentor and pretty good guy…

David M. Corbin has been referred to as “Robin Williams with an MBA” because of his very practical, high relevant content speeches coupled with entertaining and sometimes side splitting stories.
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Dr. Bill Dorfman

Dr. Bill Dorfman is not just a famous cosmetic and general dentist, he is THE most famous cosmetic dentist world wide.

Affectionately known as “America’s Dentist,” Dr. Bill is widely recognized world-wide as a leading dentist who is responsible for creating smiles for many of Hollywood’s brightest stars.

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Forest T Harper, Jr.

Forest T. Harper Jr. is the President and CEO of INROADS, the nation’s largest non-profit model of salaried corporate internships and corporate and community leadership development for outstanding ethnically diverse talent at the pipeline and mid-career levels. Founded in 1970, INROADS trained, developed and/or placed in internships more than 154,000 students.

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Frank Shankwitz

Frank Shankwitz is the co-founder of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. he received the President’s Call to Service Award, the Making a Difference in the World, the Making a World of Difference and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor awards.

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Isabel Donadio

Bestselling author of the book Finishing Is Happiness: 7 Ways Big Idea Entrepreneurs Can Become Big Business Finishers. Isabel Donadio is also a red carpet host, event producer and owner of Talent Support Services.

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Randy Morgan

Randy Morgan is the creator of the Waterman’s Wall and the Laguna Panorama which are the two largest art pieces in Laguna Beach, California. These beautiful art murals are a part of a series which make up Randy’s “Roadmap of Art Walls” which stretch from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to Chico, California.

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Jeff Hoffman

Jeff Hoffman is a successful entrepreneur, proven CEO, worldwide motivational speaker, published author, film producer, a producer of a Grammy-winning jazz album, and executive producer of an Emmy-winning TV show.

Jeff has been part of a number of well-known companies, including Priceline.com. uBid.com, ColorJar, and more.

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Lynn Rose

Lynn Rose is the Go-To catalyst for getting you, as an entrepreneur, or your organization to breakthrough performance. She’s a media mentor, marketing catalyst and award-winning entertainer,

As an entertainer, she opened for Jay Leno, Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow and more; and hosted countless TV shows here and internationally.

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Mike Packman

Mike Packman began his career in a boutique wealth management firm, where he quickly became the youngest Vice President in the firm’s history. He oversaw the Long Island region for a brokerage arm of a major international financial firm. Since 2013, he’s the 1031 expert contributor for the New York Real Estate Journal and featured in the Real Deal.

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Ryan Long

Ryan is the founder of City Gala and The Executive Producer of the Novus Summit at the United Nations in 2016 bringing together leaders in innovation and technology. The City Gala assists startup non-profit organizations with funding and awareness that solve global grand challenges such as ending poverty, feeding hungry, sheltering homeless, liberating slaves from human trafficking, climate action and more.

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Stephanie Valencia

Stephanie is an actress, recording artist & radio personality.

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Steve Cederquist

Steve first rose to stardom working on many celebrity homes in the late 80’s to current; and now on the hit HGTV show Flip or Flop for 3 seasons and 12 episodes.

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Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes is an American actor, director, film producer, martial artist, and author. His prominent film roles include New Jack City, White Men Can’t Jump, Passenger 57, Demolition Man, and the Marvel Comics character Blade in the Blade film trilogy.

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