Shows
Avad: The Seeds of LeadershipEpisode 11 - "Find the Good In the Bad" with Regan RobertsKnoxville senior and multi-sport athlete Regan “Reggie” Roberts joins Jeremy to talk optimism that holds up under pressure, what a winning culture looks like in the good and the hard days, and how to handle noise from the cheap seats.We get into his experience performing in Matilda with K-ACT (Knoxville Area Community Theatre) and what that taught him about encouragement and showing up for people. From football and injuries to nature vs. nurture, Regan shares what he’s learned and what’s next as he closes the book on Friday nights.Highlights:What positivi...
2025-11-121h 12
Avad: The Seeds of LeadershipEpisode 10 - "Ask Anyway" with Nicolas LirioJeremy sits down once again with a familiar voice, Nicolas, founder of Hoksey Native Seeds and host of The Prairie Farm Podcast. Nicolas is known for his authenticity, local impact, and big-picture thinking, and this conversation delivers all of that and more.Together they explore what integrity looks like in real life, from setting healthy boundaries in close friendships to asking hard questions about purity, faith, and financial well-being. They dive into different personal finance philosophies, from Dave Ramsey principles to leveraging low-interest debt, with a nod to True Path Financial Coaching by certified Ramsey coach Shane...
2025-10-291h 28
Avad: The Seeds of LeadershipEpisode 9 - "Leading with Compassion" with Dr. FormanekWhat if the secret to sustainable leadership isn't rapid growth or complex strategy, but quiet consistency, deep respect, and doing the right thing when no one is watching?In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Dr. Formanek, a trusted Knoxville chiropractor and 36-year business owner, to explore the simple and often overlooked truths behind long-term impact.They talk about the value of showing up on time, how to build trust with patients and staff, and why overhead, respect, and compassion matter more than most people think.Topics include:Building a cross-trained, flexible...
2025-10-1649 min
Avad: The Seeds of LeadershipEpisode 8 - “Starting Avad: Five Lessons”This episode takes a step back from interviews and stories from others. Jeremy shares a personal reflection on the early stages of launching Avad Consulting and what the journey has taught him so far.From navigating uncertainty and self-doubt to finding clarity in faith and authenticity, these lessons offer a look behind the curtain of building a business from the ground up. While the themes are drawn from Jeremy’s own experience, they connect to challenges every leader faces when stepping into something new.
2025-10-0234 min
Avad: The Seeds of LeadershipEpisode 7 - "You Deserve What You Tolerate" with Joe LaCountJeremy sits down with his longtime mentor Joe LaCount, Founder and Principal Consultant of North Star Coaching and Consulting. They dig into what it really takes to lead change that respects people and delivers results.In this episodePeople first, then process: Why respect for people is the foundation of every improvement, and how to treat the next operation as your customerMeasurement that matters: Stop guessing outcomes. Measure inputs and key steps, not just the final outputReal Kaizen, real buy-in: Joe refuses to run events without the frontline in the room. The people who do the...
2025-09-181h 45
Avad: The Seeds of LeadershipEpisode 6 - "When No One Is Watching" with Matt Van SantIn this episode, Jeremy sits down with Matt Van Sant, Worship & Youth Leader at Celebrate Church. Matt shares how his early love for music turned into a lifelong place of leadership, and what he’s learned about showing up with humility, leaning into discomfort, and believing in people.The conversation explores:What it means to lead when others have more life experienceWhy deeply believing in people matters more than perfectionHow leadership often flows out of who you are when no one’s watchingThe role of wonder and imagination in faith, family, and leadershipLessons from worship, parenting, and...
2025-09-041h 57
Avad: The Seeds of LeadershipEpisode 5 – "The Data Culture Handbook" with Stephen GnidovecStephen Gnidovec is the founder of Great Lakes Analytics, a consulting firm that helps leaders and teams use data to make better decisions. He is also the author of The Data Culture Handbook, his new book on how organizations can build healthier relationships with data.In this episode, we talk about the practical side of data: dashboards, KPIs, and how to avoid "report purgatory." Stephen shares lessons from consulting, why culture matters as much as numbers, and what he learned while writing his book.We also talk about his journey starting Great Lakes Analytics, the...
2025-08-211h 37
Avad: The Seeds of LeadershipEpisode 4 - "Just Be There" with Jennie Koenig and Emily CaulkinsIn this episode, we talk with Jennie Koenig and Emily Caulkins, co-founders of Pleasantville Youth Initiative, a nonprofit focused on creating space for kids to be themselves and experience everyday life together in a small-town community.We talk about how they approach ministry without pressure, how they listen to what the community actually needs, and how they're stepping into a building project with more faith than certainty. We also get into the heart behind their podcast, “Ope, There It Is,” where they highlight ordinary people doing quiet, meaningful work.There’s laughter, honesty, and a remind...
2025-08-071h 30
Avad: The Seeds of LeadershipBonus Episode (3.1) – “Q&A, Behind Avad’s B2H™ System, and What’s Coming”Jeremy answers two listener questions: how to spot low-hanging inefficiencies in a business, and how to keep services affordable as prices rise. He shares thoughts on leveraging your P&L, going to the Gemba, and aligning strategy with what your customer truly values.He also unpacks the story behind the free B2H Field Guide and previews a new tool in progress: the Organizational Maturity Index.Free download of B2H™ Field Guide here: http://b2h.avadconsulting.com
2025-07-3044 min
Avad: The Seeds of LeadershipEpisode 3 - "Work Worth Doing" with Wade DanielWade Daniel joins us for Episode 3, and it's a good one. We talk entrepreneurship, red flag clients, standard work, and Wade’s leap from running a thriving GC business to full-time ministry with Twelve21 Global. Plus, my brother Kennedy (our podcast editor) jumps into the live chat with sharp questions in our first remote episode.
2025-07-252h 24Avad: The Seeds of LeadershipEpisode 2 - "Burn the Ships" with Todd ChambersTodd Chambers, owner of McKay Group Insurance, is a well-connected Iowa native known for his generosity and deep investment in the community. We talk about “burning the ships,” parenting, digital notepads, leadership, going to the Gemba, and why investing where you live matters. Intro music by Ken, The Admin – check out more of his work: https://linktr.ee/kentheadmin
2025-07-121h 19Avad: The Seeds of LeadershipEpisode 1 - "A Voice for the Vision" with Nicolas LirioNicolas Lirio is a business, real estate, and community leader with a heart for people and Jesus. In this first episode of Seeds of Leadership, we talk about flipping houses, minimizing waste, building strong habits, knowing your numbers, and leading with purpose. Nicolas also shares his favorite leaders—both historical and local—and offers advice for anyone starting a podcast or building something that matters.
2025-06-281h 44
Our Internal WorldEp. 18 JEREMY COLEJeremy Cole is the founder of Avad Consulting, Knoxville Football's Defensive Coordinator, a business guru, and worship leader.Jeremy and I discuss mathematics, vulnerability, football, and a lot more. I deeply enjoyed our conversation, and I believe you will as well.
2025-05-301h 56