Shows
Give A DamnStory 99: Teresa Carey on Small Town Values, Liberating Greatness, and the Entrepreneurial MindsetIn this episode, Teresa Carey, founder and leadership coach of PerformancePointe, Inc., shares her lifelong passion for helping others and the transformative power of leadership coaching. She discusses her book The Way to Wisdom: A Leader's Weekly Guide, offering practical insights for personalized leadership development.
2024-11-2653 min
Give A DamnStory 98: Jeff Pelaccio on Keeping the End in Mind, Abundance, and The Corporate CouchJustin chats with Jeff Pelaccio, host of The Corporate Couch and President of Pelaccio & Partners, about leading with integrity by helping others grow in their careers. Jeff shares insights from his transition out of IT and lessons from interviewing over 100 guests, including Seth Godin.
2024-11-1956 min
Give A DamnStory 97: Julie Buttell on Finding What’s Real, What’s Science, and What’s MeaningfulThis episode is for our listeners on the journey to a healthier lifestyle. Justin chats with Julie Buttell, Owner, CEO, and Senior Physical Therapist of Empower Physical Therapy & Performance, about what it means to live a healthy life and the steps one can start taking today to get there.
2024-11-1253 min
Give A DamnStory 96: Alan Stein Jr. on Mastering the Basics, Kobe Bryant, and Transformational LeadershipIn this episode, Justin talks with keynote speaker and author Alan Stein Jr. about his journey from a student teacher to a top basketball performance coach, working with legends like Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant. Alan shares insights from his career and how they’ve shaped his approach to life and leadership.
2024-10-2944 min
Give A DamnStory 95: Mark Josey on Being Present, Esports and Building Your Own TableIn this episode of Give A Damn, Justin talks with Mark Josey, Co-Founder & CEO of the Kansas City Pioneers. They explore Mark's path to entrepreneurship, the importance of being present, and how he built his own table in the esports industry while staying true to a human-first approach.
2024-09-101h 00
Give A DamnStory 94: Jill Hathaway on Getting Out of the Pit, Quitting Social Media, and Giving to EntrepreneursIn this episode, Justin chats with Jill Hathaway, the Regional Director of the Missouri Small Business Development Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, about entrepreneurship and getting yourself out of the pit.
2024-09-091h 03
Give A DamnStory 94: Jill Hathaway on Getting Out of the Pit, Quitting Social Media, and Giving to EntrepreneursIn this episode, Justin chats with Jill Hathaway, the Regional Director of the Missouri Small Business Development Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, about entrepreneurship and getting yourself out of the pit.
2024-08-271h 03
Give A DamnStory 93: Brad Hill on Keeping the Peace, Maintaining Meaningful Relationships, and The Art of VulnerabilityIn this episode, Justin sits down with Brad Hill, a local leadership coach and friend of Guild Collective. Things get real in this episode as Brad talks listeners through his upbringing and passion for training leaders, showing his prowess for establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships and the art of vulnerability.
2024-08-131h 15
Give A DamnStory 92: Trisha Allenbrand on Taking Big Risks, Being a Woman Boss, and Riding HorsesJoin host Justin Ricklefs as he sits down with Trisha Allenbrand, CEO of Spaces Incorporated, in this candid episode. From breaking barriers as a woman in leadership to her passion for equestrian life, discover her inspiring journey and learn why she truly gives a damn.
2024-07-3036 min
Give A DamnIntroducing: Give A Damn PodcastJoin Founder and CEO of Guild Collective Justin Ricklefs for Give A Damn, a podcast featuring Kansas City leaders and changemakers. Each episode features conversations with leaders who grow what matters most: the humans of their organizations and the impact of the good they bring to the world.
Give A Damn podcast is a Guild Collective production.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/fe77a/vacation-collective
License code: KIPIMPG4H6VCZXKS
2024-07-2311 min
Give A DamnStory 91: Resurrecting a Brand Built On Stories with Andy RiegerAndy Rieger, president of J. Rieger & Co., shares with us what it was like bringing a KC-based family business back to life even when he didn't want to.
Ninety-five years after it closed, J. Rieger & Co. is a globally distributed distillery rooted in legacy but built for what's to come.
Tune in for what started as a trip into a restaurant to fulfill a promise Andy made to his dad and turned into the building of an empathetic, curious, and experience-driven brand.
2023-10-121h 05
Give A DamnStory 90: How Robots Heal with Cody IsabelCody Isabel finds purpose in helping others find happiness and intention in their own lives.
He's the developer of My Companion, an AI Trauma app that teaches trauma survivors practical neuroscience and psychology tools to improve their mental health.
His love for the human body started in middle school and led him to study Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience at Simpson College. Cody has always used his knowledge to help others understand highly complicated concepts, starting with teaching classmates how to cram for tests.
Set aside some time to digest this conversation. It's one of sel...2023-09-281h 33
Give A DamnStory 89: Leadership that Wells Up with Scott HorstmannScott Horstmann shares his journey on hiring for heart, accountability, and the type of leadership that wells up inside a person.
Scott owns Christian Brothers Roofing and has broken his own business coaching rules when it comes to hiring family. His family-operated business offers its customers more than integrity but a level of service Scott and his team will never leave to chance.
You’ll love this authentic story of a shoe salesman who made his way to entrepreneurship.
2023-09-191h 39Give A DamnStory 88: The Healing Power of BBQ with Stan HaysStan Hays loves barbecue, feeding people, helping in times of need. His organization, Operation BBQ Relief, has fed over 10 million meals to people in need in their nearly 12 years of existence.
When disaster strikes, they are quite often the first organization into town, bringing meals (incredible, comfort type meals) to people who need it most. Those who have been decimated and discouraged.
It's an incredibly brave organization that we loved learning about, and are so excited to see where they go in the coming months! (hint: they're building a camp in the Ozarks for first responders and their families who ha...2023-05-111h 05Give A DamnStory 87: Seeking Discomfort with Max MalldorfMax Malldorf is a German national who fell in love with America as a foreign exchange student. He's now a master brewer at POG brewery south of Kansas City. He is candid about how discomfort has been a vehicle for change in his life, and we were honored to hear his story.
2023-04-211h 09Give A DamnStory 86: The Story Inward with Josh CressJosh Cress is a therapist and founder of Ampersand Counseling in Liberty, MO. Our conversation goes quickly into the vulnerable, discussing his journey "inward" toward self-awareness. It's a treacherous but rewarding road that many men and women have traveled (particularly since Covid disrupted life as we know it in March of 2020).
Josh is a brilliant, empathetic, and vulnerable man, and fellow Swiftie.
We hope you find the conversation helpful on your own journey.
His practice's website is: https://acg-kc.com/.2023-03-2454 minGive A DamnStory 85: Nothing to Fear with Brent BeshoreAuthor, leader, thinker, and man of deep care and humility - Brent Beshore shares his story with us this week, and we could not be more grateful to hear his heart.
Brent shares, among other things, what it's like to walk through pride and into humility, his opinions on "health bros" and their bad takes on ice baths, and many other lessons he's learned along the way.
2023-03-161h 14Give A DamnStory 84: What Do I Actually Want?Trent Raines is a partner at Collected Living, where he has taken his love of building and brought it into the workplace for this incredible design firm.
Throughout his career, Trent consciously has pursued work that makes him come alive. And like any empathetic leader, this road has been a journey of self-awareness and self-discovery.
And we are so honored to hear his story.2023-03-0958 minGive A DamnStory 83: Paint the Horizon with MJ MitchellMJ Mitchell, CEO of Resto Athletic, has a riveting story: learning to lead a massive global organization at a young age, revolutionizing the custom performance apparel manufacturing industry, all while giving his team members the dignity of a living wage for their skilled labor.
Justin and MJ discuss leadership, redemptive entrepreneurship, how to become a horizon painter, and much more.
We are so excited to share this conversation with you.2023-03-021h 09Give A DamnStory 82: Health is Freedom with Chris Goode"Do you mind if I pray before our conversation," Chris asked before we hit record.
Chris started the conversation with intention, clarity, and surrender.
And what resulted was mind blowing.
We're humbled to share this dialogue, and the glimpse into the deep parts of Chris' story.
One of triumph, transformation, and truth.
His bravery, his resilience, and his purpose is on full display here.
And it's beautiful.
Hit play, and be inspired.2023-02-231h 03Give A DamnStory 81: Super Geek, Rebecca Kidwell Stretching for GoodRebecca Kidwell has a huge heart, an incredible academic pedigree, and deep humility. She has used her intellect as an engineer to start the LEARN Science and Math Club for students in the Kansas City area. That club has gone on to pioneer and develop mobile machines that help students with disabilities experience motion and play with their peers. Where they belong.
She is an incredible person that we are honored to know, and are so excited to share her story with you.2023-02-161h 00Give A DamnStory 80: Jeremy Parsons on Crummy Religion, Shame, and Joy.Jeremy Parsons is a lot of things: a father to three growing young men, a lover of the wild places in Western Colorado (where he grew up), films by Tarantino and Wes Anderson, the comedy of John Mulaney and Patton Oswalt, and ordering more of the adventurous selections on a restaurant’s menu.
He has traveled the world as a documentary photographer, falling in love with humanity along the way. In 2020, he joined the Guild team, recently assuming the role of Director of Story at Guild Collective in 2022.
Jeremy and Justin sat down and had a candid talk about what it's...2023-02-091h 24
Give A DamnWhy Does Human-First Matter?Who is Guild Collective?
What does it mean to be "human first"?
Why does Guild Collective exist?
Why does story matter?
Racheal Burnett, COO at Guild Collective, and Jeremy Parsons, Director of Story at Guild Collective join Justin to have a transparent and enlivening conversation, getting to the heart behind what drives GC and how we got here.2023-02-0242 minGive A DamnStory 78: Kemet Coleman, the unofficial Creative Director of Kansas City, on art, beer, transit, and redefining the cultural identity of Kansas CityKemet Coleman is an urbanist, artist, entrepreneur, and activist, to name a few.
Born and raised a KC native, Coleman grew up in a household motivated to seek justice for our city. After dabbling in music and theatre, he found his path through an urban studies class. This father of three thrives on helping KC see itself in a creative way and for who we really are.
"The cultural identity that is soaking into the soil of the city enhances the city's cultural identity."
Take a listen as Co...2022-04-2256 minGive A DamnStory 77: Inside Guild Content on Cultivating A Culture That Tells The Truth In Life And BusinessA discussion on swimming upstream to create work that matters with team members Devin Simmons, Director of Digital Marketing, Racheal Burnett, VP of Creative, and Colin Potter, VP of Business Operations.
In the past 5 years, our team has grown from one guy with a laptop to 12 kind, brilliant people. It’s a plane being built in flight, and the biggest thing we’ve learned: work with good humans that want to do good work.
Listen in as we discuss:
-Where story and strategy intersect
-The importance of listening in storytelling
-The discipline of tak...2022-04-1250 minGive A DamnStory 76: The Orchard, Vol. 2Hear from Bronson, Cory, and Justin as they dive deep into mindset and what it takes to work through the fear that leads to scarcity thinking.
2022-04-051h 03Give A DamnStory 75: Professor Dave Geenens on Infusing Faith in Enterprise to Create Business that Benefits EverybodyHear from Professor Dave Geenens, author and professor at Benedictine College, on his journey of building businesses on the pillars of virtue and challenging the status quo.
Geenes incorporates counter-cultural business practices to make money while making your business one that benefits everybody. In our discussion, he imparts his wisdom on:
-Expanding your comfort zone to create opportunities
-Re-defining leadership as “the art of maximizing cooperation”
-Challenging the old ideology that business is only about maximizing shareholder wealth
-Getting back to our moral foundation
-Combining virtues...2022-03-251h 11Give A DamnStory 74: The Orchard, Vol. 1 On Leadership Frameworks, Extending Mercy, and Maximizing Team PerformanceHear from Bronson Ko and Cory Scheer, past guests of the Guild Stories podcast, in a new monthly format called The Orchard. This will be an evolving dialogue where Bronson, Cory, and Justin meander through a variety of topics including leadership, wellness, community, entrepreneurship, mindset, emotional health, marketing, technology, creativity, and whatever else may emerge.
This month’s conversation dives into:
Disappointing others at a rate they can handle
Competing frameworks within organizations
Extending and receiving mercy
Fixing yourself vs. focusing on yourself
Leading with a deeply ro...2022-03-021h 05
Give A DamnStory 73: Eric Bartlett, Partner at Northland Injury Law, On A Doozy of a Storied CareerHear from Eric Bartlett, co-founder and partner at Northland Injury Law, as he shares lessons in building an intentional brand, including:
Standing out in a cluttered industry segment
The importance of disarming and comforting clients through clear communication and education
Using external feedback as a mirror for your business
How COVID revealed an opportunity to shift and expand his firm’s marketing efforts, even as it took a toll on his personal health
Building systems and processes to enable scale within a business
Check out Eric’s firm at...2022-02-231h 15Give A DamnStory 72: Beth Anne + Russ Branden on Building a Business and a Life as PartnersHear from Beth Anne + Russ Branden, partners in life and part of the partnership group at Built Interior Construction.
They share their philosophy on:
Client service
Team development and empowerment
Disrupting an entire industry
Building a business and life with purpose
The changing face of business environments
How life and business partnerships thrive
And much more.
2022-02-1652 minGive A DamnStory 71: Bronson Ko on Precision, Mindset, and Failure Being a Gift 🎙🥋Hear from Bronson Ko, Founder of KOMA. This conversation is rich in practical and philosophical wisdom. Among other topics, Bronson shares about:
Failure being a generous gift
The two sided coin of precision
How processes free your people to be fuller versions of themselves
How emotional resilience is built
How character is forged in the fire
What it takes to build something beautiful
Why core values are core to your success as an organization
Pop in your AirPods and hit play.
2022-01-1259 minGive A DamnStory 70: George Weyrauch, The Relationship Evangelist 🎙🙌Hear from George Weyrauch, Founder of Rock Creative Network on his role as Chief Relationship Evangelist in the KC creative community.
You'll soak up great wisdom and encouragement from one of the most generous connectors in the often competitive agency space.
PS - George knew Seth Godin before Seth Godin was, well...Seth Godin.
You can follow George on LInkedIn here.
2022-01-0650 minGive A DamnStory 69: Tod Puetz, Founder of Insane Impact on All Gas, No Brake 🎙📺Hear from Tod Puetz, Founder and CEO of Insane Impact, as he shares his six-year entrepreneur and starter story and drops some gold as it relates to:
Why you should hire your friends
What it's really like to start something meaningful
How his motto of Blood, Sweat, Tears, and Beers has carried many tough days
Why he cares deeply about relentless innovation
How he's shifted from start-up mode to "all gas, no brake" mode
The self-discovery that emerges in adversity
And much more
2021-12-161h 04Give A DamnStory 68: Shannon and Dustin Lundberg on Building a Business & Community 🎙🔥 🧊Hear from Shannon and Dustin Lundberg, Owners of Blue Heating and Cooling, on their journey as entrepreneurs, owners, and community builders.
You'll appreciate their honesty, vulnerability, and humor as they share their story of building one of Kansas City's best home service businesses.
2021-12-0848 minGive A DamnStory 67: Marilyn Chappell on Ending Generational Poverty Through Financial Literacy 🎙💵Hear from Marilyn Chappell, Founder and Executive Director, of Exceeds Expectations as she shares real, powerful stories of:
Her gambling addiction and how she accepted her reality
How she and her husband had the courage to dream, then the guts to do something about them
How she's helping end generational poverty through financial literacy
How her faith helps her see opportunities and achieve the impossible
How she's helping people see the stories that have held them back
And many more moments of inspiration and encouragement
There's zero chance you won't be moved by Marilyn and her story.
...2021-12-0157 minGive A DamnStory 66: Mike Sgro on Unlocking the Power in People 🎙🗝Hear from Mike Sgro, Leadership Coach, on how he helps people how to people.
Among many other nuggets of wisdom, Mike shares:
How to unlock the power within each of us
How transformation is the journey
His Degree of Oprah
That feelings are not facts
How to wake up to yourself
Healthy habits that can transform your life
The difference between productivity vs. morale
How to slow down to see clearly
Check out Mike's work and practice here.
2021-11-171h 11Give A DamnStory 65: Danny Beckley on Radical Expansion, Blazing a Trail, and Orchestra for All 🎙🎻Hear from Kansas City Symphony's Executive Director, Danny Beckley, as he shares stories and lessons on:
Blazing trails
Radical expansion
Historic renovations of a community showpiece
Orchestra for all
How the pandemic created invitations
And much more
You'll be inspired by his thoughtfulness, wisdom, insight, and trails blazed.
2021-11-101h 02Give A DamnStory 64: Dr. Christine Nedeau on Health, Sleep, and How to Bloom 🎙🌸Hear from Dr. Christine Nedeau, Founder & CEO, Family Medicine, Functional & Integrative Medicine at Bloom La Vie Health - Where Good Health Grows.
Among many other things, Dr. Nedeau discusses:
The deep need for great sleep (and why most don't get it)
How most doctors aren't able to focus on and care for the root causes of health because they're incentivized to treat illness
The introduction of a new model of health and wellness
Practical, healthy habits to grow good health
The journey of leaving a well-established practice to begin (and build) a new journey
2021-11-0357 minGive A DamnStory 63: Stephanie Crockett, President of Mower, on Making Magic in MarketingHear from Stephanie Crockett, President and COO of Mower, one of the leading communications marketing agencies in the country.
Among many other things, Stephanie discusses:
The power (and need) of empathy in marketing
How leadership isn't a position or job title
How brands are navigating the need for both story and data
Building a culture of fierce friends
Navigating the pitfalls and possible burnout that's typical in many agencies
You can follow Mower here and Stephanie on LinkedIn here.
2021-10-0656 minGive A DamnStory 62: Mike Kenny, Executive Director of Warriors‘ Ascent on Being a Paragon of Grit 🎙🇺🇸Hear from Mike Kenny, Executive Director of Warriors' Ascent, as he shares his own story of stepping forward into growth and how his mission is to empower warriors to take ownership of their lives.
You can hear more about the incredible work of Warriors' Ascent here.
And you can follow Mike on LinkedIn here.
2021-09-221h 14
Give A DamnStory 61: Amy Myers, CMO at NFM, on Data, Concierge Service, and Storytelling 🎙 🛒Hear from Amy Myers, CMO at NFM, as she walks us through her story and unpacks tons of wisdom, including:
- The power of data in marketing, but only when held with humanity
- The importance of strong relationships in a career arc
- How creating content through the lens of the end-user is difficult, but critical
- Pivoting a massive business in a pandemic
- How they're making a big store, small through high-touch, concierge service
You can buy loads of amazing stuff at NFM. And...2021-07-2148 min
Give A DamnStory 60: Greg Graves on Creating Amazing 🎙😁Hear from Greg Graves, Author of Create Amazing + Retired CEO of Burns and McDonnell, on the health of the American economy, the way to create something amazing, and how to make a massive impact.
You'll leave this conversation inspired.
Buy Greg's book here:
Follow Greg on LinkedIn here:
2021-06-3051 minGive A DamnStory 59: Rex Hudler, Mitch Wheeler, and Justin Hoover on Mashing Plastic to Benefit The Battle Within 🎙🥎Hear from Kansas City Royals Color Commentator, Rex Hudler and The Battle Within's Executive Director, Justin Hoover and Director of Development, Mitch Wheeler, as they go deep and share vulnerably about the healing work this program has on the lives of our nation's veterans and first responders.
And, as a way to raise awareness for the program, they throw the most whimsical fundraiser in the history of fundraisers. Wiffle at the Hollow, complete with a manicured field of dreams by the one and only, George Toma.
Get all the details here.
Learn more...2021-06-231h 10
Give A DamnStory 58: Travis Odom on Changing the World, One Burrito at a Time 🎙 🌯Listen to Travis Odom, Franchise Owner at Moe's Southwest Grill, on picking yourself up off the curb, having fun in your career, and changing the world one burrito at a time. Connect with Travis on LinkedIn.
2021-06-1657 min
Give A DamnStory 57: Brett Hersma on Relationships Being Everything 🎙 🤝Hear from Brett Hersma, Senior Vice President of Young Life, on how relationships are the glue that hold us all together.
Give Brett a follow on LinkedIn here!
guildcontent.com/bretthersma
2021-05-261h 05Give A DamnStory 56: Bob Kendrick + Kiona Sinks on Stewarding One of America's Finest Stories 🎙 ⚾️The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is far bigger than baseball.
This sacred place that started on a hope and a prayer has now become a catalyst for conversations around inclusion and diversity for not only individuals, but corporations, and an entire country, as well.
Listen in and be inspired by this conversation with Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President, Bob Kendrick, and Community Engagement Manager, Kiona Sinks.
Check out the museum here:
Follow Bob on Twitter here:
Follow Kiona on Twitter here:
2021-04-221h 11
Give A DamnStory 55: Darren Prenger on Listening Your Way to Success 🎙 ↗️Hear from Darren Prenger, COO at ECCO Select on humility, ambition, and listening your way to success. Give Darren a follow on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-prenger-5a24b91
2021-04-141h 01Give A DamnStory 54: Mike Farag on Creating Fervor 🎙 🔥Hear from Mike Farag, CEO + Chief Brand Strategist at Fervor. A marketing + consulting agency in Kansas City, who is making worldwide impact.
Mike is deep, genuine, raw, wicked smart, and shares stories of transforming mistakes, finding harmony, and creating fervor.
Check out his company here.
Give him a follow on LinkedIn here.
2021-03-3146 min
Give A DamnStory 53: Josh Brewster on Transforming Obstacles into Opportunities 🎙 💯Hear from Josh Brewster from Trozzolo Communications as he shares his journey of transforming obstacles into opportunities. Follow Josh on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huntbrewster
2021-03-2459 min
Give A DamnStory 52: Sike Style on Creating Memories through Art and Transforming Public Spaces 🎙🎨Hear from Sike Style as he tells his story of creating memories through art and transforming public spaces. Check out Sike's work at https://sikestyle.myportfolio.com/exteriormurals
2021-01-201h 09
Give A DamnStory 51: Jon Schram, Founder and CEO of The Purple Guys, on the Business of Business 🎙 💜Hear from Jon Schram, Founder and CEO of The Purple Guys, on small business being the engine that drives our country, the entrepreneurial spirits, and the fascination he has with the business of business.
Check out The Purple Guys here.
And connect with Jon on LinkedIn.
2020-12-1649 min
Give A DamnStory 50: NY Times Best-Selling Author Trevor Blake on the Three Simple Steps to Success 🎙🤯Hear from Trevor Blake, a perpetual student of life. Author of NY Times Bestseller, Three Simple Steps, and his newest book, Secrets to a Successful Startup: A Recession-Proof Guide to Starting, Surviving & Thriving in Your Own Venture.
Trevor was the founder and CEO of QOL Medical LLC, which he started with just a few hundred dollars, and sold in 2010 for more than $100 million. He has since sold two more companies (over $300 million) and is currently at work on his 4th, 5th, and 6th.
He's never hired a single employee or worked mo...2020-12-0957 min
Give A DamnStory 49: Andrew Vleisides, Region Owner of Ram Jack, on Causing Disruption to Create Positive Change 🎙 👷♂️Hear from Andrew Vleisides, Region Owner of Ram Jack, on causing disruption, constantly tinkering, and creating positive change. Check out Ram Jack here. And follow Andrew on LinkedIn here.
2020-12-021h 06
Give A DamnStory 48: Warren Wang, CEO of Visdom Technologies on Being Transformed by Business 🎙 💻Hear from Warren Wang, Co-Founder and CEO of Visdom Technologies (tag) on leaving the top of the corporate ladder at Google to be transformed through the power of a Silicon Valley Startup. Check out Warren's company here and follow Warren on LinkedIn here.
2020-11-2556 min
Give A DamnStory 47: Phil Singleton on Becoming an 800-Pound Gorilla 🎙 🦍Hear from Phil Singleton, Best-Selling Author and Owner of KC Web Design & SEO, on what it takes to become an 800-pound gorilla by building authority, creating compelling content, and becoming an expert.
Phil's web design site: http://kcwebdesigner.com/
Phil's SEO services site: http://kcseopro.com/
Phil's book site: https://seoforgrowth.com/
Phil's podcast guesting agency: https://podcastbookers.com/
Recent award link: https://kansascity.bloggerlocal.com/reviews/experts-seo-kansas-city-companies
2020-11-181h 00Give A DamnStory 46: Mike Hyer, Owner of Rocktops KC, on Putting Everything You Own Into ItHear from Mike Hyer, Owner of Rocktops KC tell his story from startup to 80+ employees by building a beautiful brand that can be trusted, and by putting his a** on the line.
Follow along on the Rocktops KC journey in the following places:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
2020-11-111h 07Give A DamnStory 45: Jonathan Epstein on Hustle, Service, and Building a Business That Lasts 🎙📺Hear from Jonathan Epstein, Principal and Co-Founder of Running Pony Productions, on how his side hustle turned into one of the nation's premier video production companies, and how his focus now is on building a business that will outlast him.
Check out their award-winning work here.
And give Jonathan a follow on LinkedIn here.
2020-10-2853 minGive A DamnStory 44: Eng Taing on Unlocking Your Potential and Finding Freedom 🎙🗝Hear Eng Taing's powerful story. From his birth in a Thailand refugee camp, to a childhood of hustle in Los Angeles, to the Wharton School of Business, to prestigious career stops at AT&T, Capital One, and Apple, Taing is now helping people unlock their potential and find financial freedom as the Founder & CEO of Touzi Capital.
Give Eng a follow on LinkedIn.
2020-10-211h 14Give A DamnStory 43: Tony Hofmann on Embracing Grit, 100 Mile Ultras, and Being the Tip of the Spear 🎙🏃♂️Hear from Retired Army Colonel, Author, and Team Leadville Leader Tony Hofmann on being the 'Tip of the Spear' in Kuwait, Leading Ultra Teams, and Embracing Grit in his new season of life.
Grab Tony's book here, and follow him on LinkedIn here.
2020-10-141h 19Give A DamnStory 42: Matt Johnson on Customer First Marketing, Finding Work You Love, and Paying Attention to What Matters 🎙💙Hear from Matt Johnson, VP of Marketing at CommunityAmerica on approaching marketing with the customer in mind, finding work you are passionate about, and paying attention to what really matters (hint: it always comes back to relationships).
Hit Matt up on LinkedIn, and tell him how awesome he is.
2020-10-071h 02Give A DamnStory 41: Rob Alberino on Winning 62 Emmy's, The Power of Story, and Why The Best is Still Ahead 🎙📹Hear from Rob Alberino, 25+ year NFL front office executive with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Francisco 49ers. We cover the 62 Emmy's he has won, the power of storytelling, and why the best is still ahead for him.
Check out his site here and give him a follow on LinkedIn here.
2020-09-3052 minGive A DamnStory 40: Mark Brandmeyer, Serial Entrepreneur on Baseball, Business, and Balance 🎙⚾️Hear from Mark Brandmeyer, Principal at Brandmeyer Enterprises, Partner at Built Interior Construction, Owner of the Kansas City T-Bones, Husband, and Father of Nine, on his 15-year overnight success, his path to owning a minor league baseball team, and every point in between.
Give him a follow on LinkedIn here.
2020-09-2447 minGive A DamnStory 39: Rob Sanderson on Surfing Waves & Enjoying Life 🎙🏄♂️Hear Rob Sanderson, founder of S.W.E.L. (Surf Waves Enjoy Life) on how he's helping veterans and first responders Decompress, Disconnect, and Reinvigorate through guides surf trips.
2020-09-1652 minGive A DamnStory 38: Jared Kenealy on Generosity, Connections, and Knowing Yourself 🎙🧔🏻Jared Kenealy, Chief Development Officer, at Asset Management Group, goes deep, shares vulnerably, and gives generously in this highly energetic story. He even flips the script and starts interviewing Justin near the end.
This story is a gift. And his beard is amazing.
You can connect with Jared here.
2020-09-091h 11Give A DamnStory 37: Ben Henk on Leaving The Big Corporate Gig to Hang His Own Shingle 🎙🔨Ben Henk, Owner of Lumber One KC, on leaving the success of a big corporate job to buy a business and build a well-rounded life.
2020-09-021h 11Give A DamnStory 36: Yahna Gibson & Tate Williams on Racial Harmony & Deep Trust 🎙🛠Yahna Gibson, from Emerging Builders, and Tate Williams, from CoBuild KC, took us to some deep waters this week.
We covered racial reconciliation, white privilege, homelessness, crippling anxiety, and trusting in the promises that are far deeper than our pain and doubts.
Y'all should hit play.
2020-08-261h 14Give A DamnStory 35: Joe Morrison NHRA Pro Driver on Chasing Dreams & Living on Purpose 🎙🏁Hear from Joe Morrison, NHRA Professional Top Fuel Driver, on his long journey of fulfilling his dreams of becoming a pro, and how he lives his life with purpose through his nonprofit.
Learn more about Right2Breathe here.
2020-08-121h 08Give A DamnStory 34: CiCi Rojas on Presence, Leadership and Community 🎙🏈Hear from CiCi Rojas, Partner & President of Tico Productions, as she shares about present leadership, community involvement, and how a fight with lymphoma crystallized the meaningful things in her life.
Follow her on LinkedIn here.
2020-08-0654 minGive A DamnStory 33: Zeke Crozier on the Journey from Survival, to Perspective, to Purpose 🎙🚁Hear SSG (retired) Zeke Crozier's unbelievable story of surviving a Chinook Helicopter crash, finding guilt in survival, experiencing the gift of perspective, and creating purpose through the creation of his nonprofit, Handycappin'.
What a courageous, vulnerable story.
Follow along on his journey here
2020-07-291h 15Give A DamnStory 32: Josh Gloer on Leaving Hollywood's Lights to Build His Ideal Life 🎙📹Josh Gloer, Founder of G10 Creative, on what it takes to make it in Hollywood, and then what it takes to leave Hollywood in pursuit of his ideal life.
Follow G10 on any social media platform @G10Creative and check out his work at G10Creative.com.
2020-07-091h 07Give A DamnStory 31: Chad Wek on Self-Discovery & Leadership During Tough Times 🎙🎨Chad Wek, Owner of Unique Painting KC, on how doing what you say, taking care of your people, and serving your community leads to a better version of yourself and the people around you.
Check out his company here and follow Unique Painting KC on Facebook here. 2020-06-2359 minGive A DamnStory 30: Dr. Sean Wheeler on Becoming Antifragile 🎙👨⚕️Sean Wheeler, M.D., Orthopedic & Pain Management Doctor, on the 6 keys to tuning your body's guitar, transforming pain, and becoming antifragile.
Check out his clinic here and buy his book here.2020-06-101h 12Give A DamnStory 29: Shawn Long on the Power of Partnership & the Gift of Being Humbled 🎙🤝Shawn Long, VP Corporate & Community Outreach, at the University of Kansas Health System, on being humbled, finding faith, and building business and personal partnerships that stand the test of time.
Follow Shawn here and learn more about The University of Kansas Health System here.2020-05-271h 09Give A DamnStory 28: Grant Gooding, Founder & CEO of Proof Positioning, on Emotional Data Being a Secret Weapon 🎙👨🏻💻Grant Gooding, Founder & CEO of Proof Positioning, on how he and his team answer the burning questions leaders and marketing executives are facing, by harnessing the power of emotional data.
Follow Grant here and learn more about Proof Positioning here.2020-05-201h 06Give A DamnStory 27: Andre Davis on Every Suit Having a Story 🎙👔Andre Davis, Business Development Executive at Built Interior, on the bumpy path to success, the power of empathy, and the value of connections.
Follow Andre here and learn more about Built Interior here.2020-05-131h 03Give A DamnStory 26: Greg Crum on the Gift of Time and Going Through the Unthinkable 🎙👨👧Greg Crum, CEO of Data Scribe Solutions, on the gift of time and finding purpose in unimaginable pain. Grab your tissues for this one.
Get to know more about him here.
2020-04-011h 39Give A DamnStory 25: Kathy Nelson, KC's Championship Parade Planner🎙🏆Kathy Nelson, President and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission, joins the show today in a must-listen interview. We talk leadership lessons through COVID-19, World Series and Super Bowl parade planning, a teacher who told her he didn't know what to do with her because she was a girl, and much more.
Follow Kathy here and learn more about her work here. 2020-03-2552 minGive A DamnStory 24: Matt Read on Authentic Brand Storytelling 🎙📚Matt Read is a Marketing Exec, Agency Owner, Cooking Show Host, Writer, Professor, and NBA Jam Lover. Hear him drop some major marketing truth bombs and some tremendous life lessons.
Watch his cooking show here and follow along with his agency work here.2020-03-181h 00Give A DamnStory 23: Robert Holmes, Best-Selling Author on Mentors, Leadership, & Fishing 🎙🎣Robert Holmes is the best-selling author of One Fish Changes Everything, a book on leadership, purpose, and hope. Hear him describe his journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur, coach, and speaker. With some great stories along the way.
Grab Robert's book here and learn more about his leadership here.2020-03-111h 05Give A DamnStory 22: Brian Johnston, Owner of Sponsorship Focus, on Opportunity, Value, and Living Life Untethered 🎙⚓️Hear from Brian Johnston, serial entrepreneur, as he describes his journey from play-by-play radio personality to sales professional to business owner. Brian and I go back to our time together at the Chiefs, and he's been a great friend and mentor to our story here at Guild Content. Listen to his perspective on living life untethered.
Follow along with his companies at SponsorshipFocus.com and PrepsKC.com and you can connect with him on LinkedIn here.2020-03-041h 01Give A DamnStory 21: AJ Wagner, Partner at Austin Private Wealth, on Compound Interest and Compound Impact 🎙💰AJ Wagner, Partner at Austin Private Wealth, on his journey from Uniform Salesman, to unemployed, to designing a life he could have only dreamed of. One full of moments, compound impact, and intention. 2020-02-261h 08Give A DamnStory 20: Keith Cash on Chiefs Magic, Pursuing Excellence, and Loving Well 🎙🏈Hear from former Chiefs Tight End and Texas Longhorn great, Keith Cash, as he unpacks his journey from San Antonio Army brat to Division One scholarship to the NFL and then on to building a career and family he loves deeply.2020-02-1948 minGive A DamnStory 19: Dr. Charlie Cartwright on Corporate Culture Keepers 🎙💼Known as the Company Culture Doctor, hear from Dr. Charlie Cartwright, former Nebraska Cornhusker football player, UPS and FedEx executive, and now highly-sought-after speaker on corporate culture and engagement.
2020-02-121h 13Give A DamnStory 18: Proactive Coaching's Rob Miller on Trust, Significance, and Legacy Building 🎙🏅How Proactive Coaching's Rob Miller speaks 150+ times a year with enthusiasm, engagement, and a focus on fearless legacy.
Follow along on their booming 800k+ Facebook page here or their website here. 2020-02-0655 minGive A DamnStory 17: Cory Carlson on How to Win at Home First 🎙🏡Cory Carlson, Author, Speaker, and Coach, unpacks how he moved from Lone Wolf (and lonely) Leader to coaching others to Win at Home First.
He covers Enneagram work, our need for consistency and accountability, and the struggle to prioritize the meaningful things in life.
Get on his email list and follow him at CoryMCarlson.com or take him up on his offer for a free 30-minute coaching call.
You can grab his book, Win at Home First, on Amazon.2020-01-291h 08Give A DamnStory 16: Joel Goldberg on Building Championship Cultures 🎙⚾Joel Goldberg, Kansas City Royals Broadcaster, Public Speaker, and Emcee, unpacks his story from a small-town reporter to a major league influencer.
2020-01-221h 10Give A DamnStory 15: Cory Scheer on the Power of Trust in Business 🎙🤝Triathlete, Business Coach, Teacher of Trust, Pastor, Ultra Runner, and Guide, Cory Scheer joins the show.
Hear him open up about a life-altering and traumatic experience and how he helps leaders build trust in their organizations.
You can find him on LinkedIn or as he offered in the show, shoot him a text at 816.518.8163.
2020-01-1556 min
Give A DamnStory 14: Coach Chris McCabe, Head Men's Basketball Coach at William Jewell 🎙🏀Hear from first-year Head Men's Basketball Coach, Chris McCabe, at William Jewell College as he shares lessons he's learned on and off the floor on success, failure, integrity, leadership, care, and much more.
Follow Coach:
Twitter
Instagram
Email: McCabeC@william.jewell.edu
2020-01-0856 minGive A DamnStory 13: Tim Cowden, KC's Chief Storyteller 🎙❤️In our final episode of Season One, Tim Cowden, President & CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council joins the show. Tim is one of the most generous people we've ever met and is KC's Chief Storyteller.
Follow along with Tim on Twitter @TimCowden.
2019-12-111h 06Give A DamnStory 12: Lonnie McFadden on Performing, Chasing Dreams, & Living Your Best Life 🎙🎺Lonnie McFadden is a MUST listen on this week's podcast. You'll laugh a lot, cry some, and be inspired to live a meaningful life.
Follow along with Lonnie at LonnieMcFadden.com.
2019-12-041h 13Give A DamnStory 11: Marcy Johnson on the Power of Story, Kindness, & Enjoying the Journey 🎙🏃🏻♀️Hear from National Beef's Director of Corporate Communications, Marcy Johnson, as she generously shares her wisdom, kindness, and powerful story.
And how being present in the moment is a superpower we can all enjoy.
2019-11-2756 minGive A DamnStory 10: Andy Studebaker - Former NFL Linebacker on Vulnerability, Identity, & Life After Football 🎙🏈Andy Studebaker: Congerville, IL native, Wheaton College alum, former NFL linebacker, current NFLPA rep, husband, and father of four joins the show today. His story is amazing, vulnerably detailing life in the NFL, the struggle we all have with identity, and how getting to know himself has been one of the best ways he's able to love those around him.
You can follow him on Twitter - @studie32
2019-11-2059 minGive A DamnStory 9: Surviving Your Own Decisions & Building a Life You Love With Outlaw Jim Eaton 🎙🎸Hear Jim Eaton from Outlaw Jim and the Whiskey Benders open up about creativity, the writing process, his time in the slammer, stage life, and the joy of building a life you love.
Then follow along with his band at OutlawJim.com.
2019-11-131h 02Give A DamnStory 8: The Dark Side of Entrepreneurship with Jeff Stowell from Royal Street Ventures 🎙💰Hear from "recovering entrepreneur" and "hesitant" venture capitalist Jeff Stowell from Royal Street Ventures.
If you've started a company, want to start a company, know someone who has started a company, or had any conversations about venture capital, you should hit play immediately.
Jeff is a wealth of information and insanely generous with his wisdom.
Follow his firm at https://www.royalstreet.vc/.
2019-11-061h 02
Give A DamnStory 7: Love Letters - the Launch, Growth & Love Story with LeAnn & Scott Cruce 🎙💌Hear from the Founder of Love Letters, LeAnn Cruce & her new full-time Operations Manager & long-time husband, Scott Cruce.
If you care about entrepreneurship, great motivational quotes, work-life balance, community involvement, how to handle haters, overcoming rocky times, working through tough stuff in marriage & child-raising, then you'll love this story.
Then go buy some stuff at ShopLoveLetters.com or follow them on FB & IG @loveletterskc.
2019-10-301h 03Give A DamnStory 6: Dr. Jeremy Tucker - From West Africa to Superintendent of Western Education 🎙📚Hear from the Missouri Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Jeremy Tucker, as he tells his story from his upbringing in West Africa to navigating the radical changes in education.
2019-10-2341 minGive A DamnStory 5: How Jeanette Prenger Built a Technology Empire, Lovingly 🎙👩💻Hear how ECCO Select Founder & CEO, Jeanette Prenger, built a booming tech business in the face of incredible odds. With class, ambition, and a deep love for her family.
Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Check out her company's site.
2019-10-1651 minGive A DamnStory 4: Dennis Curtin, the First Franchisee of RE/MAX, Shifts From Success to Significance 🎙💥Hear from Dennis Curtin, the first-ever RE/MAX franchisee and current Region Owner, with over 4,000 real estate agents on his team, as he describes his journey from unemployed to wild success and eventually, to incredible significance.
Follow along with Mimi's Pantry.
2019-10-0959 minGive A DamnStory 3: How Jason Booker Went From Hutchinson, KS to Royals Front Office 🎙⚾️Senior Director of the Kansas City Royals, Jason Booker, joins the show and shares his vulnerable & inspirational story of how his journey took him from a small-town kid in Hutchinson, KS to the front office of his childhood favorite MLB team.
2019-10-021h 02Give A DamnStory 2: CommunityAmerica CEO, Lisa Ginter, Leads From the Heart 🎙❤️CommunityAmerica CEO, Lisa Ginter, joins the show and shares her perspective on leadership, their partnership with the Chiefs, her growing relationship with Patrick Mahomes, and her new role as a grandmother!
2019-10-0249 min