Shows
Founders in FullCindy Abel - VescentCindy Abel, Founder of Vescent, joins me to share how her career in tech and decades of experience running a consulting firm—combined with her personal experience as a parent—led to building a mission-driven platform that supports teen girls through mentorship, mental health literacy, and community.In this episode, we cover her career path, the early warning signs she noticed around social media and mental health, the evolution of Vescent, lessons from launching with limited resources, and how she’s building a platform rooted in impact, safety, and connection.👉 Learn more about Vescent: www.vescent.c...2025-07-301h 05
Founders in FullSara Mauskopf - WinnieSara Mauskopf, Co‑Founder & CEO of Winnie, joins me to share how her background in tech and product leadership at companies like Google, Twitter, and Postmates led to building a fast‑growing marketplace that helps parents find childcare.In this episode, we cover her career path, what drew her to Silicon Valley, the origin and evolution of Winnie, lessons learned from early pivots, and how she’s scaling a platform that supports both parents and childcare providers.👉 Learn more about Winnie: www.winnie.com👉 Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/smausk2025-07-231h 06
Founders in FullKatie Taylor - Child Life On CallKatie Taylor, Founder & CEO of Child Life On Call, joins me to share how her background as a certified Child Life Specialist led to building a podcast and a parent‑facing app that supports families through medical experiences.In this episode, we cover her career path, the origin of the Child Life On Call podcast, how it evolved into a hospital‑licensed app, what she’s learned from early customers, and how she’s growing a community of child life professionals.👉 Learn more about Child Life On Call: www.childlifeoncall.com👉 Listen to the Child Life...2025-07-161h 06
Founders in FullDale Jarosz - Bschool TravelIn this episode of Founders in Full, I talk with Dale Jarosz, co-founder of Bschool Travel, a company that designs immersive international learning experiences for MBA and university students.Dale’s journey started in mechanical engineering, took him to Caterpillar designing hydraulic valves, and eventually led him to business school at Michigan—where travel, entrepreneurship, and frustration with the status quo planted the seeds for a new kind of company.What began as a scrappy startup run out of a student apartment—with a Wix website and a $5 logo from Fiverr—has grown into a trusted...2025-07-091h 14
Founders in FullChris Borek - Spira FarmsIn this episode of Founders in Full, I talk with Chris Borek, co-founder of Spira Farms, a Chicago-area vertical farm growing nutrient-dense microgreens for restaurants, grocery stores, and health-conscious consumers.Chris’s journey started in a condo during grad school, growing greens for his family while researching sustainability and nutrition. After his mother’s cancer diagnosis, what began as a personal health project quickly turned into a purpose-driven business rooted in freshness, local food systems, and the power of microgreens like broccoli, arugula, and mustard.Today, Spira Farms has scaled from basement racks to a clim...2025-06-261h 26
Founders in FullLauren Cain - Elm DirtIn this episode of Founders in Full, I talk with Lauren Cain, founder of Elm Dirt, a company reinventing the way we care for lawns, gardens, and soil health—using the power of microbes, composting worms, and a lot of trial and error.Lauren’s path started in chemical engineering, took her through a high-pressure career at ExxonMobil, and eventually led to launching an e-commerce business with her husband. After years of freelancing and experimenting with product ideas, it was a dirt-loving toddler—and the desire for a safer, chemical-free backyard—that sparked the idea for Elm Dirt.2025-06-181h 07
Founders in FullJoe Weber - Four Star MushroomsIn this episode of Founders in Full, I talk with Joe Weber, founder of Four Star Mushrooms, a Chicago-based mushroom company on a mission to transform our food system through regenerative agriculture, chef-driven partnerships, and urban farming innovation.Joe’s journey began with a deep interest in ecology and sustainable agriculture. But after a lightbulb moment listening to a Paul Stamets podcast, he realized mushrooms could be the keystone species that brought his vision to life. With no prior experience growing mushrooms, he launched Four Star in 2019—and has been building ever since.We dive into...2025-06-101h 08
Founders in FullSarah Spliethoff - SunniemadeIn this episode of Founders in Full, I talk with Sarah Spliethoff, founder of Sunniemade, a personal care brand on a mission to make sustainability feel effortless with plant-powered, plastic-free products that people genuinely love using.After more than a decade in the agency world—working in experiential marketing, creative strategy, and brand development—Sarah set out to build a brand of her own. What started as a side hustle making bar soap in her kitchen has grown into a thriving business with a loyal customer base, a clear mission, and a uniquely thoughtful approach to product deve...2025-06-031h 03
Founders in FullWill Nitze - IQBARIn this episode of Founders in Full, I talk with Will Nitze, Founder and CEO of IQBAR, a company on a mission to fuel brain and body with clean-label functional nutrition products—from protein bars to hydration mixes and brain-boosting coffee.Will shares his unconventional path from selling software to oil and gas companies to launching a brain-focused nutrition brand out of pure obsession, grit, and a little bit of gray-hat marketing. His story is a masterclass in strategic product development, positioning, and the discipline of staying focused on what really matters.We dive into:...2025-05-281h 04
Founders in FullRich Cohen - Elevate PackagingIn this episode of Founders in Full, I talk with Rich Cohen, founder of Elevate Packaging, one of the first companies in the world to focus exclusively on compostable packaging. Rich shares how a sabbatical and a global backpacking trip led him to rethink the future of packaging—and ultimately build a business that's making a real environmental impact.We dive into:How Rich bootstrapped a mission-driven business before “sustainability” was a buzzwordThe real (and often misunderstood) challenges of compostable packagingWhy marketing and branding are critical in building trust with both businesses and consumersLessons from 20...2025-05-121h 25
Founders in FullNick Nagele - Whiskey Acres Distilling Co.In this episode of Founders in Full, I talk with Nick Nagele, co-founder of Whiskey Acres Distilling Co., one of the only true seed-to-spirit farm distilleries in the U.S.Nick shares how a fifth-generation farm background, a passion for agriculture, and a leap of faith led to launching a whiskey brand rooted in storytelling, transparency, and terroir.We dive into:How a side project became a full-fledged distillery—after a very real “let’s cash out our 401k” momentThe zoning battles and government pushback that nearly derailed the business before it openedWhy branding and stor...2025-05-121h 14
Founders in FullMike Valente - Renovation SellsIn this episode of Founders in Full, I talk with Mike Valente, founder and CEO of Renovation Sells, a fast-growing franchise business that helps homeowners prepare their homes for sale through smart, design-driven renovations.Mike shares how he went from hauling beer on Wrigleyville rooftops to launching a remodeling business—and ultimately building a national brand by finding a niche and committing to it.We dive into:The winding journey from inside sales to real estate, construction, and entrepreneurshipHow Renovation Sells turned quick, pre-sale upgrades into a scalable business modelWhy finding your niche isn’t al...2025-05-121h 14
Founders in FullKristian Altuve - Dance Motion MarketingIn this episode of Founders in Full, I talk with Kristian Altuve, co-founder of Dance Motion Marketing, a growing agency that helps dance studios across the country fill their classes and grow their businesses through done-for-you marketing.Kristian shares how he went from corporate consulting to freelancing in video production—and how hitting rock bottom eventually led to building a company that now serves over 120 studios every month.We dive into:The messy early years of freelancing, burnout, and trying to figure out how to make it workHow one retainer client became the lightbulb mo...2025-05-1258 min
Founders in FullKeith Wakeman - SuperBetterIn this episode of Founders in Full, I talk with Keith Wakeman, co-founder and CEO of SuperBetter, a platform that helps people build resilience, improve mental health, and achieve personal growth by applying the psychology of gameplay to real life.Keith shares his journey from leading innovation at CPG giants like Nabisco and Kellogg’s to building a purpose-driven company rooted in science, mindset, and meaningful impact. His transition from launching cookies to launching behavior change tools is as inspiring as it is intentional.We dive into:The shift from corporate brand building to mi...2025-05-121h 24
How the Fxck SEO PodcastEp. 9: Improving your messaging: Make your marketing resonate, with Dan Ritzke, Founder of Third Act Marketing.This week, I am interviewing Dan Ritzke, the founder of Third Act Marketing, a marketing consultancy that helps businesses clarify their messaging and tell a better story so that their marketing efforts are not wasted.
In this interview, Dan and I dive into his area of expertise: messaging. We cover examples of good and bad messaging, as well as the common mistakes he sees and how you can make sure your message resonates.
Spoiler alert, you need to make sure you understand your customer and put them first.
We summarised everything you can l...2020-06-1730 min
How the Fxck - Marketing PodcastEp. 9: Improving your messaging: Make your marketing resonate, with Dan Ritzke, Founder of Third Act Marketing.This week, I am interviewing Dan Ritzke, the founder of Third Act Marketing, a marketing consultancy that helps businesses clarify their messaging and tell a better story so that their marketing efforts are not wasted.In this interview, Dan and I dive into his area of expertise: messaging. We cover examples of good and bad messaging, as well as the common mistakes he sees and how you can make sure your message resonates. Spoiler alert, you need to make sure you understand your customer and put them first.We summarised...2020-06-1730 min
The Web Marketing Insights PodcastHow Storytelling and Data Affect Your Conversion OptimizationJoe Martin, CEO, Martin CreativeDan Ritzke, Founder, Third Act MarketingChris Bonney, VP of Strategy, GuloZach Wilson, Partner, Gulo2020-02-1740 min