Builders of Authority

What does it really take to grow an outdoor living contracting company the right way?

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Treese, founder of Olympus Outdoors, to talk about leadership, systems, accountability, and what it means to build a business that can operate without chaos. If you’re building patios, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, or full backyard projects, this conversation applies directly to you.

Chris shares how he’s structu...

Life doesn’t stop asking hard questions just because you’ve already “made it.”

In this episode, I sit down with Reed Low to talk about what comes after the peak moment. We get into reinvention, discipline, and how the same mindset that drives elite performance can carry over into business, family, and leadership. Reed shares an honest perspective on pressure, purpose, and staying grounded when the spotlight fades.

This conversation i...

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, I sit down with Jennifer Dempsey-Blakely to talk about building authority while running multiple businesses across hospitality, short-term rentals, and experiential brands.

Jennifer is a lifelong entrepreneur and Hazelwood Central graduate who built her education through hands-on experience, conventions, and continuous learning. With 30 years in management and merchandising at Ma...

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, I sit down with Ashley Fitzgerald of Studio Epik to talk about building authority through branding, leadership, and systems.

We break down why most business owners struggle with control, how processes actually create freedom, and why brand consistency matters more than chasing short term leads. Ashley shares lessons from scaling multiple brands, hiring the right team, and creatin...

Reinvention changes you if you let it.

This conversation is a reminder that growth is rarely loud and almost never linear.

I sat down with Aaron Mansfield to talk about rebuilding after disruption, redefining success, and staying disciplined when responsibility gets heavier.

We talked about business, but we also talked about life. About building something stable without losing yourself in the process. About being intentional with grow...

200 episodes later and the biggest lesson has nothing to do with downloads.

This milestone episode goes deeper than a celebration. It’s a real look at what 200 episodes have required, what they’ve created, and why most people never get to experience the best part of podcasting… because they stop before the real impact ever begins.

I share what this podcast has done for my life, my business, my network, and my voice, along with the di...

Most people think short term rentals are just about listings, bookings, and hoping for great reviews. The truth is, the right strategy, structure, and management can completely change how that investment performs.

I sat down with Jeffrey Lage, to talk about how STR owners can think smarter, operate better, and create real returns while protecting their time and sanity. We get into strategy, accountability, performance, and what sepa...

Building a business is easy compared to building one that actually lasts.

In this episode, I sit down with Corey Lewis, CEO and Owner of Xtra Mile Fitness, to talk about leadership, resilience, and what it takes to grow through hard seasons without losing your values. We unpack what it means to build a business around people, culture, and long-term thinking instead of quick wins.

Corey founded Xtra Mile Fitness in 2012 with a simple ...

Tommy and Tara Holstein didn’t just build an outdoor living company. They built a partnership that works, in business and in life.

In this conversation, we explore what it really looks like to grow a company together, navigate roles, communicate effectively, and evolve a business model with intention.

What this episode covers:
 • Running a company with your spouse
 • Building high-end outdoor living spaces
 • Defining rol...

This episode breaks down what the last twelve months have actually looked like as I rebuilt Builders of Authority into a multi million dollar agency. Not the surface level story, the reality of growth, pressure, rebuilding, clarity, and proving to myself what was possible.

This year reshaped me as a leader, as a business owner, and as a person. Here’s what it really took.

This is a preview of what I cover:
 • The truth about rebu...

Choosing the right financial advisor can make or break your long term financial future. I sat down with Brian Bachelier of Hawthorne Capital to talk about the decisions that create real financial security, the red flags people miss, and the qualities every great advisor should have.

Brian’s background is unique, Chicago Board of Trade, hedge fund management, equity trading, strategy development, and now a Certified Financial Planner...

Most people talk about business growth but ignore the mental and physical toll that comes with it.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dustin Adamo to unpack the real foundation of high performance: mental clarity, quality sleep, movement, nutrition, and learning to manage stress instead of pushing through it.

Dustin takes a holistic approach to mental health by combining traditional therapy with physical fitness and nutritional str...

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Vaughn, a Worksite Benefits Specialist with Globe Life Liberty National Division and Assistant Wrestling Coach at Fox High School.

Alex’s story is one every entrepreneur and professional can relate to. From working multiple jobs, chasing stability, to finally finding clarity by taking a leap of faith. He shares how a single decision reshaped his career, built his confidence, and allowed him to c...

In this episode, I talk with Ashley Taylor-Maland, creator, speaker, and host of This Is Where We Heal Podcast. Ashley empowers men and women healing from abuse, using her story to inspire others to find strength and self-worth.

We dive into how storytelling can become a tool for healing, how to create content with compassion, and why honesty is the foundation of trust and influence online.

Ashley’s journey is proof that your story d...

Today, I’m joined by a guest who’s doing some really innovative things in the trades industry, Nate Keller, the Co-Founder and Chief Sales Officer of Free2Grow.

Free2Grow is transforming how contractors handle customer communication by using AI-powered CSRs built specifically for home service businesses. Before launching the AI side, Nate and his team actually ran a live call center, so they understand firsthand what business owners...

In this episode, I sits down with Pat Imig, founder of Imig Communications, a St. Louis based video marketing agency that helps brands and local businesses create content that actually converts.

Pat shares his journey from hosting shows for CBS Sports Radio and the New England Patriots to launching a creative agency that blends storytelling, authenticity, and strategy.

They discuss:

• The importance of authentic storytelling in the ...

On this week’s episode, I’m joined by my good friend Todd Liscombe, owner of Liscombe Tree Service in St. Charles, Missouri, and a returning guest whose first episode remains one of our most-watched to date.

Todd is a serial entrepreneur who has built multiple successful businesses, including tree services, storage facilities, and even a go-kart track. Beyond business, he’s someone who continues to grow as a leader, husband, and fat...

We are live here at Adventure Unknown in Fenton, MO.

I’m joined by a returning guest, Brad Starnes, with Talent Fuze, to talk about a major announcement we both made a couple of weeks ago.

Builders of Authority has officially acquired Screamin Cow Marketing Group.

Brad and I first connected back in 2021 when he joined our BOA Mastermind and became one of my first 1-1 coaching clients. Over the past few years, he’s built an incredible ...

In this episode, I sat down with someone who doesn’t just coach entrepreneurs, he helps transform them from the inside out. Mike Kitko is a performance coach, speaker, and author who believes that your inner world creates your outer world, and he’s got the life experience to back it up.

Mike went from chasing success in the corporate world to facing personal rock bottom. That turning point led him down a path of inner work, deep tra...