To The Point
To The Point is a monthly podcast produced by Crux, the un-agency that fuels business growth. Our podcast features exclusive interviews with successful business leaders across the country to highlight the entrepreneurial spirit and share how marketing can transform an organization. Through thought-provoking conversations that get to crux of it, we’re helping businesses elevate their brand and amplify their mission.
Episodes
In Episode 37 of To the Point, Ethan Whitehill sits down with psychologist, researcher, and author Dr. Melanie Dean about the science behind emotional energy, the story of building and selling her successful publishing company, and how anyone can cultivate intuitive guidance to attract opportunities and make better decisions in work and life.
Get to the point with us on the last Tuesday of each month!
In Episode 36 of To the Point, Ethan Whitehill sits down with Dr. Peggy Shannon, president of the Kansas City Art Institute, to explore how KCAI equips students for success in a changing world, and why art education fuels cultural and economic growth in Kansas City and beyond.
Get to the point with us on the last Tuesday of each month!
For our 35th episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill sits down with Daniel Fox, Crux’s new VP of Digital Marketing, for a deep dive into the evolution of digital strategy. From his early days navigating banner ads and the dot-com bust to leading modern, data-driven campaigns, Daniel shares how his journey shaped the marketer he is today. In this episode we dive into prepping for 2026, AI’s role in marketing ...
For our 34th episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill chats with Julie Davis and Carol Schmidt of Morgan Hunter about building lasting partnerships, listening to understand, and recruiting in the age of automation.
Get to the point with us on the last Tuesday of each month!
For our 33rd episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill chats with Tracy McFerrin and Maurice Watson of Credo Philanthropy Advisors about relational philanthropy, measuring impact, and why authenticity is the foundation of effective giving.
Get to the point with us on the last Tuesday of each month!
For our 32nd episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill chats with Kathy Nelson of Visit KC and the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation about her TV station start, building a sports legacy in Kansas City, and what 600,000 World Cup 2026 visitors will mean for the region.
Get to the point with us on the last Tuesday of each month!
For our 31st episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill chats with Michele Hammann of SSC CPAs + Advisors about rejoining a family business, focusing on financial independence v. retirement, and what business leaders can learn from The Walt Disney Company.
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For our 30th episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill chats with Nilson Goes, President at Infinite Energy, about establishing a mission-critical company culture, employing veterans, and why engineering is in his blood.
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For our 29th episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill chats with Keith Harrington of Novel Capital about lightning bolt moments, taking smart risks over a flying leap, and why equity is the most expensive form of capital.
Get to the point with us on the last Tuesday of each month!
For our 28th episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill chats with Sly James and Joni Wickham of Wickam James who make the case for sponsorship over mentorship, the importance of active listening, and why there are no limitations to doing good.
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For our 27th episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill chats with Dr. Sandra Cassady— President & CEO of Rockhurst University—about the advantage of a Jesuit education, cultivating double- and triple-Hawks, and why liberal arts education is often misunderstood.
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For our 26th episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill chats with Dave VanderWaal— senior marketing consultant at VW Marketing Consultants and former US marketing head at LG and Hisense—about mapping the customer journey, the power of the last three feet, and being Grace VanderWaal’s #1 fan.
Get to the point with us on the last Tuesday of each month!
For our 25th episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill chats with Melissa Beltrame, Marketing Director at nbkc bank, about the future of fintech, the value of inside-out branding and why all brands should be fanatical about the customer experience.
Get to the point with us on the last Tuesday of each month!
For our 24th episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill chats with Kelly Magee, CEO & Founding Partner of Q39, about cultivating and evolving a challenger brand, plans to scale 2x in 2025, and how entrepreneurs must balance progress with perfection.
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For our 23rd episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill chats with George Guastello, President and CEO of Union Station Kansas City, about maintaining the visual voice of our town, playing host to Princess Diana and Walt Disney, and why all roads (and tracks) lead back to Union Station.
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For our 22nd episode, President & Chief Strategy Officer Ethan Whitehill chats with Tammy Buckner, Co-Founder and CEO of WeCode KC, about AI, STEM education and bridging the tech gap in underrepresented communities. Don't miss the story behind Jerome, a robot constructed by students to throw the first pitch at Kauffman Stadium.
Get to the point with us on the last Tuesday of each month!
For our 21st episode, President & CCO Ethan Whitehill chats with Matt Sharples, Co-Founder and CEO of TriCom Technical Services, about EQ, AI, Bora Bora and 8-bit nostalgia.
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For our 20th episode, President & CCO Ethan Whitehill chats with Tim Cowden, President & CEO at Kansas City Area Development Council, about attracting businesses to the two-state metro, the future of our regional workforce, and the inspiration for his personal collection of KC icons in neon.
Get to the point with us on the last Tuesday of each month!
For our 19th episode, President & CCO Ethan Whitehill chats with Aviva Ajmera, Founder & CEO of SoLVE KC, about how trust and transparency topple team challenges, and why leaders must get comfortable with crucial conversations.
Get to the point with us on the last Tuesday of each month!
For our 18th episode, President & CCO Ethan Whitehill chats with Jim Carr, President and CEO of NAIA, about the business of college athletics, the rise of emerging sports, and a new resource designed to maximize a schools’ Return on Athletics.
Get to the point with us on the last Tuesday of each month!
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