Shows
Behind the CounterHow A 23-Year-Old Built Blooming Ember Massage Into A Calming Local HavenSend a textA quiet studio, a steady hand, and a young owner who chose peace over perfection—this is the story of Blooming Ember Massage through the eyes of its founder, Callie Frost. She walked away from nursing, learned the craft of touch, and turned a backyard “shed” into a three-room sanctuary that clients now seek out for its calm. What began as a leap of faith became a blueprint for sustainable small business: start, listen, refine, and let word of mouth do the heavy lifting.We get into the decisions that mattered: saying yes be...
2026-02-0952 min
Behind the CounterA Cancer Diagnosis Paused Her Career, So She Grew A Flower Farm That Healed Her And Her CommunitySend us a textA quiet field can feel like a heartbeat when life gets loud. That’s the energy Heather Martinez brings to Desert Bunny Blooms—a flower farm born from a job loss, tempered by a cancer battle, and sustained by a deep love for soil, seasons, and community. We unpack how a scrappy COVID experiment turned into a steady practice of patience and discovery, where each bed taught new lessons about microclimates, irrigation, and the wildlife that refuses to read the plant tags.Heather shares how chemo shifted her pace but didn’t drow...
2026-02-0230 min
It’s Elementary - An Asbury Theological Seminary PodcastIt’s Elementary - Episode 11 - “What is Wesleyan Theology” with Dr. Ken CollinsIn this theologically rich episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Ken Collins, Professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, explore themes from Dr. Collins’ new book, Generous Divine Love: The Grace and Power of Methodist Theology. Dr. Collins shares his faith journey from upbringing to discovering Wesleyan theology through a retired Free Methodist minister, a turning point shaped by reading John Wesley’s 52 Standard Sermons.
Together they discuss the heart of Wesleyan theology: God’s generous and transformative love, the optimism of grace, the relational nature of the Triune God, and t...
2026-01-2753 min
Behind the CounterFrom Farmers Market To Global OrdersSend us a textWhat does it take to turn a weekend candle hobby into a fast-growing brand that ships across the country and overseas? We sit down with Josh Velasquez, founder of Dark Wick Candle Co, to unpack the leap from farmers markets to wholesale orders, the messy middle of supply snafus, and the surprising truth that men might love candles more than you think. Josh shares how he built a masculine, place-driven brand rooted in Farmington’s identity and why scent is the most powerful way to make a place unforgettable.We dig in...
2026-01-2647 min
Behind the CounterHow Two Friends Turn Stones, Energy, And Curiosity Into A Life Of ServiceSend us a textWhat if peace — not profit — became your definition of success? That’s where we land as Deborah and Sandra share how a lifetime of friendship turned into two distinct, purpose-led paths: handmade crystal jewelry with a signature style, and a healing practice that makes meditation and Reiki feel simple and doable for anyone.Deborah walks us through the craft behind The Lost Faery: moving from radio and newsrooms to wire wrapping, learning lapidary, and discovering why materials and engineering matter. She talks candidly about early missteps, the value of good wire, sturdy...
2026-01-191h 06
Behind the CounterWhat If Success Is Helping A Town Believe In Its Own Art?Send us a textA single painting can hold a lifetime — joy, grief, and the courage to start again. That’s the energy we explore with painter Karen Ellsbury, co-owner of HEart Gallery in downtown Farmington, as she shares how her work evolved from luminous “color in motion” canvases to raw abstraction after widowhood, and then into vibrant collaborations with her husband, photographer Patrick Hazen. Their “photo fusions” — his images extended by her brush — have turned heads, including a collector who made wall space by moving a Salvador Dalí. The story isn’t about bragging rights; it’s about believing you...
2026-01-1246 min
Behind the CounterDesigned To Work, Not Wear You OutSend us a textWant a business that works without wearing you out? We zoom out after a full season of conversations with owners across industries and pull forward the patterns that actually make small businesses resilient. The theme that rises above the rest: the strongest shops are designed on purpose. When owners could answer what kind of life the business should support, choices about pricing, hours, and growth fell into place—and stress dropped because decisions stayed aligned.We also unpack why relief never comes from heroics. It came from small, repeatable systems that mo...
2026-01-0515 min
Behind the CounterSubscribed People Get Gifts Early, No Wrapping RequiredSend us a textTake a breath with us. As the holidays arrive, we’re pressing pause to recharge, reflect, and set up a stronger return in January—while giving you a clear path to keep up with new stories from the Four Corners business community. We share exactly how our release flow works so you never miss an episode: new interviews go live every Monday on podcast platforms, and the companion blog posts publish the following Monday on our site, then get shared across Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. If you subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, you’...
2025-12-1516 min
Behind the CounterChocolate, Magic, And A Cottage FactorySend us a textA cottage at the edge of a national park. A clock that dispenses chocolate. A host who can pivot from crystal structures in tempering to a groan-worthy deer joke in one beat. Meet Bryan Davis of Dotty Wampus Magical Chocolate Factory, where culinary craft collides with whimsical theater and visitors leave with a story worth retelling.We dig into how a two-person team built an immersive experience without the baggage of big-company overhead. Bryan explains why he and Joanne chose Montezuma County, Colorado—one of the rare places where creative builds do...
2025-12-081h 03
Behind the CounterWe Put The “Art” In “Party” And The “Roll” In CinnamonSend us a textStep inside a 10,000-square-foot creative hub where the scent of fresh cinnamon rolls mingles with oil paint and coffee, and a century-old lumberyard has a second life as Farmington’s favorite gathering place. We sit with owner Tara Taylor to trace how a mother-daughter idea became Artifacts 302, a living room for the city where knitting circles, plein air painters, book clubs, and gamers share space—and where emerging artists get their first real shot.Tara pulls back the curtain on the real work of running a hybrid gallery and café. She talks...
2025-12-0151 min
Behind the CounterGratitude, Grit, And Year-End Sales MomentumSend us a textA short break can be a powerful reset, and this Thanksgiving we’re using the pause to sharpen focus, build momentum, and double down on what works. Ken Collins opens up about why gratitude is more than a seasonal mood; it’s a daily operating system that rewires how you lead and sell. From the religious and spiritual frames to the brain science behind strengthened neural pathways, you’ll hear how a grateful mindset helps you notice opportunities, build stronger relationships, and steer your business through the holiday rush with clarity.We als...
2025-11-1720 min
Behind the CounterFrom Studio Dreams To Dance LegacySend us a textA lot of people say “follow your passion” — few show the messy, determined work that makes it sustainable. We sit with AnnMarie Bean, owner of AnnMarie’s Dance Academy in Farmington, to talk about how a kid who grew up dancing for fun built a studio that blends serious training with a bright sense of family. From the first business license to punching through walls for more space, AnnMarie shares the moments that shaped her: believing she could run a better program, earning parents’ trust, and creating a place where newcomers feel welcomed and compet...
2025-11-1055 min
Behind the CounterWhat If Serendipity Is The Best Business PlanSend us a textA 16-acre orchard, a taxing year, and a knock from fate: that’s how Niki Hilbers found her way from selling fruit to building a year-round honey brand with real roots in the Four Corners. What began as a practical move to make the land pay its way turned into a full-hearted partnership with bees, a masterful co-op with beekeeper Kyle Harris, and a mission to keep everything organic, local, and community-first. The journey winds through caregiving and loss, a sudden delivery of 24 hives, and the kind of instinct that feels like luck bu...
2025-11-0342 min
Arroe Collins: Unplugged & Totally UncutThe Real Business World Of The NFL Everyday Is Sunday From Ken BelsonKen Belson, traces the evolution of the league from "one of the four US professional sports," into the cultural & economic juggernaut it is today.Belson illustrates how the league's rise coincided with the arrival of Jones & Kraft in the early 90's. He provides an inside look on how these two men reshaped the league, taking readers into the secretive owner's meeting, how they decided Goodell was the right man to place as Commissioner, and how the three built, wielded, and held on to their collective power.Perfect for fans of THE DYNASTY and BIG GAME, Belson provides a unique peek beh...
2025-10-2918 min
Arroe Collins View From The Writing InstrumentThe Real Business World Of The NFL Everyday Is Sunday From Ken BelsonKen Belson, traces the evolution of the league from "one of the four US professional sports," into the cultural & economic juggernaut it is today.Belson illustrates how the league's rise coincided with the arrival of Jones & Kraft in the early 90's. He provides an inside look on how these two men reshaped the league, taking readers into the secretive owner's meeting, how they decided Goodell was the right man to place as Commissioner, and how the three built, wielded, and held on to their collective power.Perfect for fans of THE DYNASTY and BIG GAME, Belson provides a unique peek beh...
2025-10-2918 min
Behind the CounterHow A Spiritual Wake-Up Led To A Community-Fueled Mushroom BusinessSend us a textA curtain for a tablecloth and a pocket of courage—that’s how Courtney Anderson’s mushroom journey began. What followed is a rare blend of patient craft, community warmth, and customer-led innovation that transformed a flea market table into Mushroom Zen, a cozy apothecary in Aztec where the air smells like incense and conversations last as long as they need to.We walk through the awakening that set it all in motion, the disciplined work of learning to grow mushrooms without cutting corners, and the partnership that makes it sustainable—Courtney...
2025-10-2754 min
Behind the CounterHow A Woodworker Turned Fine Furniture, Smart Jigs, And Instagram Into A Thriving BusinessSend us a textThe best furniture tells a story you can feel in your hands—and sometimes hides a secret. We sit with master maker Ramon Valdez to unpack how marquetry, tight joinery, and magnetic hidden compartments evolved into a resilient business that reaches customers around the world. Ramon traces his journey from cabinet shops and gallery floors to a modern model fueled by Instagram, community, and products that keep earning—plans, ebooks, and 3D‑printed tools designed for real shops.You’ll hear how a single jig request turned into a product line, why the...
2025-10-2345 min
Behind the CounterThe Filler Episode That Accidentally Becomes A MasterclassSend us a textA confession with teeth. We missed a week, and instead of glossing over it, we break down why new projects fall through the cracks—and how to build systems that keep your work on track when life gets loud. I walk through my path from Farmington kid to Air Force process junkie, from executive support at Langley to the IT bust that knocked me flat, and the hard climb back through city marketing, a messy agency breakup, and the rebuild that became Ken Collins Marketing and Strategic Horizons Consulting.Across the st...
2025-10-2351 min
Arroe Collins Like It's LiveThe Real Business World Of The NFL Everyday Is Sunday From Ken BelsonKen Belson, traces the evolution of the league from "one of the four US professional sports," into the cultural & economic juggernaut it is today.Belson illustrates how the league's rise coincided with the arrival of Jones & Kraft in the early 90's. He provides an inside look on how these two men reshaped the league, taking readers into the secretive owner's meeting, how they decided Goodell was the right man to place as Commissioner, and how the three built, wielded, and held on to their collective power.Perfect for fans of THE DYNASTY and BIG GAME, Belson provides a unique peek beh...
2025-10-1618 min
Behind the CounterRiver, Roots, and RaftsSend us a textImagine floating past sunlit bluffs while otters slip through willow shadows and a guide turns river science into basketballs-per-second. That’s the unexpected magic Cody Dudgeon and Desert River Guides bring to Farmington—a city more famous for oil and gas than river tourism. We talk with Cody about building a thriving rafting culture where no one was searching for it, training teachers as guides, and crafting five-star experiences that blend geology, history, and wildlife with calm-water serenity.The journey starts with the hard parts: weekend-only guide schools while teaching full-time, figu...
2025-10-0652 min
Behind the CounterA Legacy on Air: Partnership, Reinvention, and the Joy of Not QuittingSend us a textIt's all about InterWest ConceptsWe trace how a radio lifer (David Mills) and a systems-savvy producer (Ren Harris) built a genre-hopping Sunday show on KSJE by mixing curiosity, comfort, and live-to-tape honesty. Partnership, process, and community ties fuel a steady climb past 135K downloads while keeping the joy intact.• origin story from bakery to broadcast• KSJE partnership as music licensing workaround• why a new genre each week keeps curiosity high• planning in small bursts to beat burnout• minimal editing for authentici...
2025-09-291h 00
Arroe Collins Like It's LiveFrom Martha C Lawrence Catch People Doing Things Right If You Don't Know Ken Blanchard You WillThis biography offers a fascinating look at Ken Blanchard's journey and how his groundbreaking concepts like "Situational Leadership" and "Catching People Doing Things Right" transformed the world of leadership. Lawrence, who has worked closely with Ken Blanchard for over two decades and served as an executive editor at Blanchard, provides a unique insider's perspective on his life and impact.This insightful biography explores the origins and evolution of "Situational Leadership" and the impactful concept of "Catching People Doing Things Right," tracing the life of its pioneer, bestselling author of One Minute Manager, and leadership expert, Ken Blanchard. From his be...
2025-08-2119 min
Arroe Collins Like Its Live Unplugged And Totally UncutFrom Martha C Lawrence Catch People Doing Things Right If You Don't Know Ken Blanchard You WillThis biography offers a fascinating look at Ken Blanchard's journey and how his groundbreaking concepts like "Situational Leadership" and "Catching People Doing Things Right" transformed the world of leadership. Lawrence, who has worked closely with Ken Blanchard for over two decades and served as an executive editor at Blanchard, provides a unique insider's perspective on his life and impact.This insightful biography explores the origins and evolution of "Situational Leadership" and the impactful concept of "Catching People Doing Things Right," tracing the life of its pioneer, bestselling author of One Minute Manager, and leadership expert, Ken Blanchard. From hi...
2025-08-2019 min
Arroe Collins: Unplugged & Totally UncutFrom Martha C Lawrence Catch People Doing Things Right If You Don't Know Ken Blanchard You WillThis biography offers a fascinating look at Ken Blanchard's journey and how his groundbreaking concepts like "Situational Leadership" and "Catching People Doing Things Right" transformed the world of leadership. Lawrence, who has worked closely with Ken Blanchard for over two decades and served as an executive editor at Blanchard, provides a unique insider's perspective on his life and impact.This insightful biography explores the origins and evolution of "Situational Leadership" and the impactful concept of "Catching People Doing Things Right," tracing the life of its pioneer, bestselling author of One Minute Manager, and leadership expert, Ken Blanchard. From his be...
2025-08-1919 min
Arroe Collins View From The Writing InstrumentFrom Martha C Lawrence Catch People Doing Things Right If You Don't Know Ken Blanchard You WillThis biography offers a fascinating look at Ken Blanchard's journey and how his groundbreaking concepts like "Situational Leadership" and "Catching People Doing Things Right" transformed the world of leadership. Lawrence, who has worked closely with Ken Blanchard for over two decades and served as an executive editor at Blanchard, provides a unique insider's perspective on his life and impact.This insightful biography explores the origins and evolution of "Situational Leadership" and the impactful concept of "Catching People Doing Things Right," tracing the life of its pioneer, bestselling author of One Minute Manager, and leadership expert, Ken Blanchard. From his be...
2025-08-1919 min
Behind the CounterBehind the Scenes of Local BusinessSend us a textWelcome to the inaugural episode of Behind the Counter, a podcast that explores the authentic stories of small businesses in the Four Corners region. Host Ken Collins introduces the show's mission to uncover the real narratives of local entrepreneurs—their grit, growth, setbacks, and creativity that don't make it into their marketing.• Weekly conversations with business owners about their behind-the-scenes experiences• Focus on startup stories, motivations, systems, strategies, and ongoing challenges• Authentic discussions without polish or performance—just real people doing real work• Content for both business owners and communit...
2025-08-1404 min
Midwest Writers RoomChapter Break with Sally CollinsBIO:Since graduating with a BA in Writing from Winona State University, Sally Collins’ work has appeared regularly in the Peninsula Pulse newspaper and Door County Living magazine.A semifinalist for the 2024 Wisconsin People & Ideas short fiction contest, her creative writing has recently appeared in Barstow and Grand and Feels Blind Literary. She lives in Door County, where she proudly served countless old-fashioneds and fish fries during her many years working in the restaurant industry.SYNOPSIS:A wry celebration of Wisconsin culture and an unflinching commentary on co...
2025-02-1320 min
DevOps and Docker Talk: Cloud Native Interviews and ToolingPersonal AI with Ken CollinsBret and Nirmal Mehta are joined by Ken Collins to dig into using AI for more than coding, and if we can build an AI assistant that knows us.🙌 My next course is coming soon! I've opened the waitlist for those wanting to go deep in GitHub Actions for DevOps and AI automation. I'm thrilled to announce this course. The waitlist allows you to quickly sign up for some content updates, discounts, and more as I finish building the course. https://learn.bretfisher.com/waitlist🍾They touch on a lot of tools and platforms. "We're...
2024-11-1557 min
Absolute AppSecEpisode 253 w/ Justin Collins - Managing Security, ProdSec vs. AppSecWe'd only been a dozen episodes old the last time Justin Collins (@presidentbeef) was on Absolute AppSec, so his upcoming return is certainly overdue. Justin is currently head of security at Gusto, an organization he's been helping secure for nearly five years now. Before Gusto, Justin had stints at SurveyMonkey, Twitter, AT&T interactive, among others. He also is the lead developer of the open-source Ruby-on-Rails security tool Brakeman - https://brakemanscanner.org. This show will covers the range of his deep experience regarding topics like Product Security and AppSec in organizations, static analyzers, and advice for helping organizations create...
2024-07-2300 min
The Clarity Advisors Show95 Ken Trupke -- Three ideas to encourage youOn this episode of The Clarity Advisors Show, host Ken Trupke recounts three separate, but related experiences that encouraged him by reminding him of the value of knowledge and learning, to accept our imperfections, and recognize that success may be closer than we think. Timestamps(00:23): Separate, but related encouraging events(00:40): Conversation with a friend about a difficult relationship(01:36): Bullets before cannonballs(02:22): Begin with the end in mind.(03:55): Nobody is perfect.(07:45): Life is like a pinata. Episode Quotes“Book knowledge doesn't always translate perfectly into the...
2024-05-2811 minDevOps and Docker Talk: Cloud Native Interviews and ToolingAWS Lambda ContainersBret and Nirmal are joined by Ken Collins, AWS Serverless Hero and Principal Engineer at Custom Ink to discuss all things Lambda and to dig into the details of running containers in serverless.🙌 My next course is coming soon! I've opened the waitlist for those wanting to go deep in GitHub Actions for DevOps and AI automation. I'm thrilled to announce this course. The waitlist allows you to quickly sign up for some content updates, discounts, and more as I finish building the course. https://learn.bretfisher.com/waitlist🍾Ken and I have known...
2023-10-2049 min
The Clarity Advisors Show59 Ken Trupke -- How culture and core values affect performanceAs a leader, one of your core responsibilities is to assess the performance of the individuals on your team and help them be successful.On this episode of The Clarity Advisors Show, host Ken Trupke shares the story of "Kayla", a leader who has been struggling to help her teammate, "Drew", improve his performance. Ken helps Kayla isolate the possible causes of Drew's issues and helps her frame the next conversations with him. Along the way he walks through ways leaders can clearly communicate what's expected, let teammates know where they stand, and help them i...
2023-09-1915 min
Comfort Peace & Freedom with Ken RuskCreate A Culture Worth Joining | Marcus Collins Ep. 14Comfort Peace and Freedom Podcast
I'm Ken Rusk, and during each episode, I speak with a world-class personality about what made them successful and about their experiences with my three favorite words: Comfort, Peace, and Freedom!
Today I am interviewing Marcus Collins, Award winning marketer and cultural translator. He's the Chief Strategy Officer at Wieden & Kennedy New York and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Michigan
Prior to advertising Marcus began his career in music and tech working at Apple and r...
2023-09-1250 min
Marc Collins Morning AfterMarc Collins Morning After 177*!REPLAY ALERT!* Marc Collins Morning After Solar Radio show with his trusty assistant "Ravishing Russ Warnes the Receptionist” a 2 hour Soul, Jazz, Funk and Boogaloo selection. Simply “Listen Again” on the “Brand new Solar Website” at www.solarradio.net/class/marc-collins/ Or ask Alexa to “Play Marc Collins Morning After Podcast, latest episode” “The Morning After Show Starter!” Vote for your favourite track in this weeks show via email at marccollins@solarradio.com and we’ll start next weeks show with it...
2023-08-192h 00
The Healthy Diabetic#147: Diabetes Community With Danica CollinsHey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.In today's episode we sit down with Danica Collins, a Type 1 diabetic for over 17 years, who has transformed her life through proactive diabetes management and is now a beacon of hope for the diabetes community. Danica’s story is one of resilience and empowerment, from struggling with minimal diabetes management to becoming a passionate advocate for others. Her innovative startup, Dialog, uses cutting-edge technology and data to help individuals live their healthiest lives as diabetics.Da...
2023-08-0453 min
Ungraduated Living|C.K. Collins| The Swipe Right EffectHave you ever found yourself saying these things? Something is missing.... There must be more to life.... I have so much more to offer.... I love my life but... Today's special guest, Author, and Coach C.K. (Kelly) Collins has felt that way too! And she wants to share with you what she learned and the processes she built to take the next step. Once women have raised their families and hit an apex in their career, they frequently begin to seek for more meaning in life. Kelly believes...
2023-06-1853 min
Remote RubyUtilizing AWS Lambda and Rails to Build Applications with Ken Collins On this episode of Remote Ruby, we have an awesome guest joining us. Today, we have Ken Collins, who’s a Principal Engineer and Cloud Architect at Custom Ink, an active member in the Ruby community for over fifteen years, a Microsoft open source contributor, PC Gamer, and an AWS Serverless Hero. We have so much to discuss today, as Ken fills us in on Lamby, Custom Ink, how Lambda evolved, a gem called Lambdakiq, and if you’re looking for cost optimization, why Lambda is the best compute service out there. We’ll also learn how CloudFormation can help d...
2023-02-241h 00