Johnny’s Guests

What happens when ambition meets purpose? Johnny speaks with Rhode Island leaders, builders, and creators who know the best way to succeed is to help others get there first guided by their belief that impact isn't a solo act-it's a team sport.

Season One

  • Three men standing in front of a red brick wall with a "Taco" sign, smiling at the camera.

    Ali & Len Cabral

    Ali Cabral stands at the intersection of basketball history, civil rights, and community development in Rhode Island. Len Cabral has been captivating audiences with the art of storytelling for nearly five decades.

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  • Two smiling men standing close together indoors, one in a dark sweater and the other in a white shirt and colorful paisley tie.

    Billy Dessel

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    Bio Needed
  • Two men smiling and standing close together in front of a brick wall with a metal logo that says 'Taco' and 'Consultations' in green and white lettering.

    Jim Hummel

    Jim Hummel was championing independent journalism long before Substack newsletters or podcasts became part of the conversation. A veteran of both The Providence Journal and ABC Channel 6, saw the writing on the wall: traditional media was changing fast.

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  • Two men smiling and standing together in front of a brick wall with a sign that says "Taco" and additional text, one with long gray hair and a mustache, the other with short brown hair, both dressed in casual clothing.

    Matt Hyde

    Matt Hyde has quietly become one of baseball’s most influential scouts, building a steady pipeline of talent from the Northeast to Yankee Stadium for nearly two decades. As the New York Yankees’ regional scouting director since 2005, his eye for overlooked prospects has delivered franchise-changing players.

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  • A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a red blazer and layered necklaces, smiling.

    Cheryl Merchant

    Cheryl Merchant brings four decades of manufacturing leadership to her role as CEO of the Taco Family of Companies, where she has driven one of the industry’s most remarkable growth stories. In 2025, her accomplishments earned her induction into the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame.

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  • Three smiling people standing closely together indoors with a brick wall and a sign in the background. The sign has the partial text 'Taco' and includes green leaf graphics.

    Geordi Shaver

    Geordie Shaver represents a rare breed in professional sailing—a veteran bowman whose four-decade career bridges the golden age of the America’s Cup and its modern technological revolution, and who successfully transitioned from the foredeck to the broadcast booth, earning a Sports Emmy Award along the way.

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