Episodes

23
Aug. 7, 2026

"I Gave Up Security to Do This" | Mark Sommer #023

023 - Mark Sommer is the founder of Sommer Energy Technologies and co-founder of Allegheny Control Products. In this episode, expect to learn: - Why founding two business can sometimes be the right move - How delivering newspapers is an entrepreneur training ground - The importance of learning in starting a company on your own - Why Christ opens doors you'd never expectand much, much more! Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared it with someone! Also, ...
22
July 31, 2026

Why a Great Employee is Worth Almost Any Price | Cindy and Stewart Jones

022 - Cindy and Stewart Jones are the owners of DFW-based business Texas Specialties and Installation. In this episode, expect to learn: - Why relationships are fundamental to business success - Stories about the struggles of starting a business - What to do when growth is bigger than you expected - Whether or not it was worth it and much, much more! Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared it with someone! Also, leave a comment with your thoughts down...
21
July 25, 2026

#021 - The Secret to Love Work Even When it's Hard | Doug Ferguson

Doug Ferguson is the owner of Ferguson Electric, a North Texas-based electrical contractor. In this episode, expect to learn: - How being in business has changed Doug's perspective on purpose - Why reframing what you do can change everything - Terrifying moments in growing a business - How the "perfect" customer has changed over time and much more! If you're in North Texas and need electrical work, check out Ferguson Electric here! : https://www.fergusonelectrictx.com/ Please double che...
20
May 25, 2026

#020 - This is Why No One Has Ambition Anymore

020 - Reflecting on recent thoughts about how to have a less strict view of "success", what scarcity actually means, and how to change the default direction of my thinking. Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared it with someone! Also, leave a comment with your thoughts down below. Those are the best ways to help this show grow. Thank you!
19
May 7, 2026

#019 - Why Doing ‘The Right Thing’ Doesn’t Always Feel Good | D. Cole Gray

019 - D. Cole Gray Cole Gray is a resident pastor, a husband, and a writer. Check out his Substack, "Road Work Ahead" here! https://dcolegray.substack.com/ In this episode, you can expect to learn: - The bigger meaning people are missing behind the Artemis II moon flyby - What it looks like to search with wisdom and wonder - Why big families are awesome - The 4 W's of struggle (and where prayer actually falls into that) and much, much more! Please double check that you're subscribed, hav...
18
April 16, 2026

#018 - Fred Williams | How to Win with Money, The Way God Intended

#018 - Fred Williams Fred Williams is a Christian, a wealth advisor, and has served on the boards of multiple charities. He is passionate about helping people create financial freedom (God's way), and guiding young people through life's challenges. In this episode, you can expect to learn: - What most people get wrong about financial "success" - What life can teach you that even the University of Texas can't - The importance of a "servant leader" mindset - What responsibility looks like fo...
17
Feb. 23, 2026

#017 - Why Change Can Fail (And What Actually Works) | Janis Yadiny

017 - Janis Yadiny Janis Yadiny worked at the WHO, the Royal Society, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and much more. She specialized in Leadership Development and Change Management in the later part of her career, emphasizing how to develop both individuals and teams in the fast paced medical field. In this episode, you can expect to learn: - What working at storied institutions like the Royal Society and WHO is like - The importance of ownership in personal growth - How a "big vision" can actua...
16
Feb. 23, 2026

#016 - Excellence Without Rigidity | Brandon Kelly

This episode stands on its own. You do not need to listen to the previous episode to follow this conversation! 016 - Brandon Kelly Check out our first conversation here: https://youtu.be/W72c3BBGSMc or here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/41JvgoMX4NTSidl39ZlgvV?si=VADv_eR-RWSa4qQL36Egug Brandon Kelly is a professional orchestral percussionist, educator, and lifelong learner. He performs regularly with professional ensembles across Texas, teaches percussion to high school students througho...
15
Jan. 22, 2026

#015 - Precision and the Need to Wander: A Life Between Rehearsal and the Road | Brandon Kelly Part 1

015 - Brandon Kelly | Part 1 What happens when a life shaped by extreme precision repeatedly chooses openness, wandering, and attention to the unfamiliar? And what does that tension reveal about excellence, freedom, and what it takes to stay human inside demanding systems? Brandon Kelly is a professional orchestral percussionist, educator, and lifelong learner. He performs regularly with professional ensembles across Texas, teaches percussion to high school students throughout the DFW metrople...
14
Jan. 12, 2026

#014 - Why Native Plants Matter More Than You Think | Eric Welke

014 - Eric Welke What happens when we stop fighting the land and start paying attention to it, especially in the places we actually live? Perhaps more importantly, what can this struggle teach us about how to live our lives with deeper meaning? Eric Welke is passionate about the importance of native plants (the flora that is indigenous to a particular region, as opposed to invasive species), specifically in the North Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth) area. In today’s episode, you can expect to learn:...
13
Jan. 7, 2026

Drum Corps, Music School, and What Happens When Art Becomes a Career | Will Vasquez

#013 - Will Vasquez Will Vasquez has a bachelor's degree in Music Performance from Florida State University, marched drum corps with the Santa Clara Vanguard, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Music Performance from Rice University. In today’s episode, you can expect to learn: - How marching in drum corps can change your perspective on music and life - How to turn art into work without losing the joy behind it - Insights into the common struggle of "inertia"and much more! Plea...
12
Dec. 18, 2025

What Life Really Looks Like After College | Jared Hoffman

Jared is a longtime friend of mine and one of my favorite people to have meaningful (and, meaningless) discussions with about any topic. In today’s episode, you can expect to learn: - Our various experiences through college, preparing for the beginning of our careers - The best mindset to approach an internship (and why you should do internships!) - Both of our thoughts and experiences regarding mentorshipand much more! Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and ...
11
Dec. 17, 2025

What no one tells young men about purpose, grit, and hope | Jeff Brown Part 3

011 - Jeff Brown (part 3) Thanks for being here into the double digits of this podcast! I appreciate you! Jeff is a Christian, a VP of Sales in the energy industry, and one of my personal mentors. In today’s episode, you can expect to learn: - Why the small habits in your life shape your entire day - How life is a lot like a rock polishing kit - Why rearview mirrors are smaller than windshields and much more! Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared i...
10
Dec. 7, 2025

Making the Decision You’re Terrified To Make — A Med Student’s Story | Kayla Evans

010 - Kayla Evans When a first-year medical student is pushed to their breaking point by factors beyond their control, how do they make the decision they’ve been fighting against? Kayla Evans is a second-year medical student in Houston, Texas with a B.S. in Biochemistry from Baylor University. She is passionate about women’s health, and is working towards specializing in Obstetrics & Gynecology. In this episode, expect to learn...- What a pre-medical undergraduate program looks like- What Kay...
9
Nov. 13, 2025

#009 - The Future of Brain Healing: Leading Edge Recovery Research | Jeremy Thomas

009 - Jeremy Thomas Jeremy is a Biomedical Engineering PHD Candidate at Duke University, specifically in Tatiana Segura’s Lab. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M University, and is passionate about ways to heal the brain after traumatic physical events. He’s also been a friend of mine for many years. In today’s episode, expect to learn…How Duke University researchers are pushing the leading edge of brain healing, the history of stroke treatment methods, why a c...
8
Oct. 17, 2025

#008 - The Hidden Source of Big Ideas (and How to Dig Deeper Into Your Own) | Austin Gentry

008 - Austin Gentry (audio only) Austin has been on Staff at Second Baptist Church for the past seven years as the leader of the “Young Adults” ministry and recently started overseeing Discipleship while also writing churchwide Bible Study Curriculum. He has a passion for reaching out to Young Adults, operating in a unique niche within church leadership. In today’s episode, expect to learn…Austin’s process to prepare for a period of creativity, how to start turning your big ideas into presenta...
7
Oct. 4, 2025

#007 - The Missing Pieces: THIS is Why You’re Struggling to Be The Best Version of Yourself | Jeff Brown

#007 - Jeff Brown Jeff is a Christian, a VP of Sales in the energy sector, and one of my personal mentors. In today’s episode, you can expect to learn: why true “independence” may not be everything you think it is, how to shift your perspective on perfection versus excellence, the nuance between striving towards achievement and taking your foot off the gas, the truth behind entitlement, and much more! Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared it with someon...
6
Sept. 18, 2025

#006 | Nate Long | A Blueprint to Overcome and Grow Through Life’s Peaks and Valleys

006 - Nate Long Nate is a husband and a father of three, and is one of the Missions Pastors at Second Baptist Church after being involved in Student Ministry for many years. He’s a thoughtful and elaborate speaker, and like you and me is trying to find the ways to grow through life’s changes and challenges. Expect to learn: the nuanced differences and overlap between discipline, habit, and devotion, how scripture can guide you through any difficulty you’re struggling with by showing you exampl...
5
Sept. 17, 2025

#005 | Jeff Brown | Fear Is Just a Shadow: Life Lessons I’d Share with My Younger Self

005 - Jeff Brown Jeff is a Christian, a VP of Sales in the energy sector, and one of my personal mentors. He is a self-described “system-level thinker” who enjoys finding and maximizing strengths in himself and other people, and is always looking for ways to learn from and to pour into those around him - which now includes you! Expect to learn… 8 of the things Jeff would tell his younger self and plans to tell his grandchildren as they grow up, how those 8 points can help turn your fears into ...
4
Sept. 17, 2025

#004 | Steven Davis | American vs. Costa Rican Healthcare & Finding Hope in a Culture of Apathy

004 - Steven Davis Steven Davis is a husband, has an MBA in Healthcare, and works on the insurance side of a large clinical body. In this episode, expect to learn... How the business side of the American Healthcare system works, how it compares to the Costa Rican model, some history behind how we got here, Steven's perspective on apathy and seeing other people as "enemies", having hope as we experience the downfall of an "excitement based" internet culture, and much more. Please double-check...
3
Sept. 16, 2025

#003 | Jaret Prothro | Personal Growth from the Field to the Dugout; Powerful Lessons from Playing/Coaching Baseball

#003 - Jaret Prothro Jaret Prothro is a Christian, a husband, and a former college athlete at Johns Hopkins. Playing baseball is not just about physical skill; it’s also a journey of self-improvement and personal growth from a very young age. On the other hand, coaching baseball brings its own unique perspective through nurturing talent and guiding players through their own journeys of development. Whether you’re a player, coach, or simply a fan of the game, expect to learn... How both roles ...
2
Aug. 1, 2025

Jace Zorba | The Life Lessons Hidden in Pilot School, Traveling Abroad, and Doing Difficult Things

002 - Jace Zorba Jace Zorba is a commercial pilot, a barista, and a casual traveler. What is learning to fly a plane like? How does traveling to other countries shape everyday perspectives? What are some simple reminders to stay motivated when doing hard things?Maybe you're a professional pilot, or barely seen the inside of a cockpit, or never been on a plane in your life. Regardless of your travel status... Expect to learn how and why flying an aircraft improves personal communication, how t...
1
July 26, 2025

Gabe Velez | Fatherhood Lessons That Grow Patience, Purpose & Presence — Even Outside Parenting

#001 - Gabe Velez Welcome to Episode #1 of the podcast! Please double-check that you're subscribed - that's the best way to help this show grow and improve! Gabe Velez is a Christian, a father, and a casual deep-thinker. What are the first 8 months of being a parent like? What are some things Gabe has learned so far as a dad that could improve life beyond fatherhood?In a day where parenthood is an increasingly controversial topic, it's nice to have some insight into the potential growth and "...