The Guru Learns

As a young boy in Yeblinsk, Poland, Jacked Waksul was only 13 years old when Germany invaded his homeland. He lost his entire family during the Holocaust and survived by hiding alone in the woods. After the war, he immigrated to the United States, where he went on to build a successful life and career.

In this deeply moving podcast episode, Jacked shares his story with Tom Drake. He speaks about living each day wondering if it would be his last, being forced into slave labor camps, and the overwhelming moment when freedom was finally restored. This is a powerful and emotional conversation featuring firsthand memories from someone who endured—and survived—one of history’s darkest chapters.

In this episode, The Guru of the Seas, Tom Drake, sits down for an engaging, informative, and educational conversation with Albert Gad, CEO and President of Diamonds International. Albert shares his remarkable journey, which began at just 18 years old in the wholesale diamond business and grew into the global enterprise it is today. Diamonds International now operates more than 125 jewelry centers throughout the Caribbean and Alaska.

From wholesaling diamonds to becoming a De Beers sightholder, opening a manufacturing facility in Namibia, and expanding beyond island retail into luxury boutiques aboard cruise ships, Albert’s story is one of vision, growth, and innovation in the fine jewelry industry.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. David Bradley, the computer scientist whose work at IBM helped shape one of the most famous commands in modern computing: Control-Alt-Delete. Drawing from his years inside IBM, Dr. Bradley shares the unexpected story behind how this now-iconic keystroke came to be—and how small engineering decisions can ripple across decades of technology use.

The conversation is guided by Tom Drake, who brings a thoughtful, curious perspective shaped by his own experiences and encounters with remarkable people. Together, they explore not just the technical history, but the human side of innovation: curiosity, problem-solving, and the stories that emerge when brilliant minds reflect on the paths they’ve taken.

This episode is part of an ongoing journey—conversations with interesting people telling interesting stories—where technology, history, and personal insight intersect in surprising and memorable ways.

In this episode, I had an engaging conversation with Steve Shulman, president of Shulman Company Incorporated, for an in-depth discussion on scrap processing and recycling in the United States.

We talked about the real state of the scrap business today — from regulatory challenges to the critical role recyclers play in conserving and reusing our nation’s resources. It’s an industry that does essential work every day, yet rarely gets the credit it deserves.

As the logo says, “Because even the guru can learn a thing or two” — and this was definitely one of those conversations.

Tom Drake, “The Guru of Seas,” sits down with author Len Camarda to explore what it really takes to write a book. After retiring from a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry—and after completing several short stories—Len decided to take on his next big challenge: writing a novel.

What began as a single goal quickly turned into a remarkable achievement. Len didn’t just complete one novel—he finished three, with more possibly on the way.

This podcast is an honest, insightful conversation between someone who has always wanted to write a novel and someone who actually did it—three times. If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book but struggled to find the motivation or confidence to start, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Tom Drake of The Guru of the Seas sits down for a memorable conversation with Verne Lundquist, the legendary CBS Sports Hall of Fame broadcaster.

Throughout the discussion, Tom and Verne reflect on some of his most iconic moments in sports broadcasting history, including Tiger Woods’ unforgettable chip-in at the 16th hole at the Masters, Auburn’s “answered prayer,” Jack Nicklaus’ classic “Yes sir,” and many more legendary calls.

They also revisit Verne’s coverage of the U.S. Olympics during the Tonya Harding–Nancy Kerrigan controversy—an event that remains one of the most-watched sporting moments in history to this day.

This is a fun conversation among friends that you do not want to miss!

The Guru dives headfirst into the worlds of magic, séances, and the paranormal with legendary comedy magician John Ferrentino. With a career that includes ten years opening for Crosby, Stills & Nash, over 55 television appearances, and headline performances at every major comedy club and on cruise ships around the globe, John has seen it all. A captivating storyteller with razor-sharp wit, he delivers a wildly entertaining conversation on the timeless allure of magic and the explosive resurgence of interest in paranormal phenomena. This is a fun, fascinating, and eye-opening episode you won’t want to miss.

Join Tom Drake for a lively and insightful conversation with John Dull, the former Executive Vice President of Sales at Kravet Inc. In this fun and info-packed episode, John pulls back the curtain on the fascinating world of high-end fabrics — from the surprisingly strict maritime fire-safety regulations that govern fabrics on cruise ships, to the exciting new brands that have recently joined the Kravet family. Whether you’re a design junkie, in the hospitality industry, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, this episode is for you!

Tom Drake, host of The Daily Cruise & Travel News Podcast, reconnects with his friend of 30 years, BJ Odom, for a wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation.

In this candid chat, BJ shares his remarkable journey through two life-saving organ transplants, the challenges of living with a heart that doctors once warned had a limited lifespan, and the new chapter he’s carved out as both a podcaster and an author.

It’s honest, humorous, inspiring—and full of the kind of storytelling only old friends can deliver.

An entertaining and informative episode you won’t want to miss!

In this episode, the Guru of the Seas, Tom Drake, sits down with Marnie Whipple, Regional Sales Director for Crystal Cruises, to explore her fascinating career journey.

It began sailing the Inside Passage of Alaska and has evolved into a remarkable path, where Marnie now leads sales training and supports travel advisors across the western United States — all on behalf of one of the world's most prestigious luxury cruise lines.

Sandals tells travel agents to sell Jamaica. It will soon be better than it was!

 UN panel of experts claims that sanctions and bombs have not stopped the Houthis!

FAA says air traffic controllers are tired and flights have to be reduced!

The Guru's visit to Cruise World was a success!

The Guru learns with Ryan Joseph, a Doctor of Music at Belmont University, who has spent the last 14 years touring with country superstar Alan Jackson. 

In this episode, you'll hear some backstage stories about life in Music City USA.

About his move from McKeesport, Pennsylvania, to Nashville, Tennessee, and his amazing career!!

From building furniture in Dublin to starring in Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and many more West End productions, David Shannon's story is fascinating. 

He sits down with the Guru in between cocktails in Horizons so the Guru can learn what really happens backstage in the theater world.

In episode two of The Guru Learns, Tom Drake sits down with legendary Cruise Director Dottie Kulasa, who is preparing to retire after an incredible 38 years in the cruise industry. Together, they reflect on how cruising has evolved—from a tight-knit, family-run business to an industry now dominated by large corporations that shape every aspect of onboard operations.

Dottie shares firsthand insight into what it truly takes to succeed as a cruise director, emphasizing that it requires far more than simply having a stage act—it’s about leadership, adaptability, and connecting with people at every level.

In this first episode, the Guru of the Seas , Tom Drake, sits down with Thomas Danaher, president of Sheets.com. Tom listens as Thomas shares his remarkable life story—from sleeping on flannel sheets in Scotland during his college years, to launching a flannel-sheet business out of his dorm room, and ultimately supplying major retailers in the United States.

Along the way, Thomas breaks down what truly matters when buying sheets, including debunking thread-count myths and explaining why fabric weight—especially in flannel—is so important. This is a fascinating conversation with someone who has devoted his life to producing some of the finest sheets available.